Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to wonder why people are so horrible to cyclists that are not breaking the rules?

491 replies

DataColour · 30/04/2023 17:08

Even I get irate at cyclists who go through red lights, pedestrian crossings etc. But how about those that obey the road rules?

This afternoon, cycling with DS14 and DD12, one car honked us whilst overtaking. No reason, apart from the fact that they were delayed by a few seconds as they couldn't go past me within inches to spare. I was riding in the middle of the rode and DD to my left, which is perfectly within the rules.
Minutes later, a road which I always ride in the middle because, if even half a chance, vehicles will overtake without giving any space. A group of pedestrians, shout at us, saying "you should be riding behind each other, what's wrong with you?"??
WTAF???

Why are some people such twats? Luckily (or unlikely) my DCs are used to this, so weren't bothered. Some driver gave my DD (11 at the time) the finger whilst cycling to school. A grown man trying to get one up on a 11yr old girl.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
MockneyReject · 01/05/2023 09:10

sylvandweller · 01/05/2023 09:04

@MockneyReject

Genuine question, I'm presuming that as an adult you have some say at least over where you live and work.

So why not move/work somewhere more convenient?

Many people, particularly poor, low skilled workers, have little choice in where they live or work.
Raising thousands of pounds to move somewhere more convenient, just isn't realistic, for many.
Many people have a job, rather than a chosen career.
They live and work where they can, rather than where they'd choose.
Choices are a privilege not available to everyone.

Devoutspoken · 01/05/2023 09:11

Blackbird, when would be the right time for cyclists to use lovely coastal roads?

Devoutspoken · 01/05/2023 09:12

Mockney, cars are expensive to run

sylvandweller · 01/05/2023 09:17

@MockneyReject

The problem here, is house prices and lack of opportunity which you're taking out on cyclists.

Better public transport in rural areas and a sensible, national housing strategy would take away the need to drive for so many people.

Imagine all the time you could have back if you could live and work in a proper community. I do feel for your situation.

Doesn't give you a free pass to drive like a twat though

MockneyReject · 01/05/2023 09:17

Devoutspoken · 01/05/2023 09:03

Mockney, lots of people work without needing to use a car, lots of people don't own cars, your lifestyle choices are yours, your rights or needs are not greater

I disagree.
Having to work to support yourself and your dependents isn't a 'lifestyle choice'.
Hobbies are.
I don't agree that some people's hobbies are more important than other people's jobs.
Having some consideration for others, really isn't very difficult. Realising you're causing a problem, and doing something about it, isn't a hardship.

Lots of people do jobs that don't require a car? And many jobs are impossible to do without one. Taxi driving, for example. What's your point?

MockneyReject · 01/05/2023 09:20

sylvandweller · 01/05/2023 09:17

@MockneyReject

The problem here, is house prices and lack of opportunity which you're taking out on cyclists.

Better public transport in rural areas and a sensible, national housing strategy would take away the need to drive for so many people.

Imagine all the time you could have back if you could live and work in a proper community. I do feel for your situation.

Doesn't give you a free pass to drive like a twat though

How am I 'taking it out on cyclists?' How is my being stuck behind groups of cyclists 'driving like a twat?'
I'm simply acknowledging that selfish, inconsiderate cyclists are a PITA.

MockneyReject · 01/05/2023 09:21

Devoutspoken · 01/05/2023 09:12

Mockney, cars are expensive to run

I know. What's your point?

Reality25 · 01/05/2023 09:22

Most British roads aren't built for cyclists and cars at the same time.

It's dangerous and causes the driver additional stress.

There's no easy solution but certainly some cyclists really take the piss with their road selection.

sylvandweller · 01/05/2023 09:23

@MockneyReject

You're unable to live and work in convenient locations due to your socioeconomic circumstances so have to drive, narrow country roads where you inevitably get held up and annoyed.

The fact that you're annoyed suggests that you have little time in your day, due to the circumstances outlined above.

The cyclists are not your real problem.

MockneyReject · 01/05/2023 09:23

QuintanaRoo · 01/05/2023 08:59

So you’d like cycling on public roads to be made illegal?

No, I'd like cyclists to be more considerate.

sylvandweller · 01/05/2023 09:24

@MockneyReject

My first concern on my bike is my safety.

Consideration for drivers comes along way below that.

countrygirl99 · 01/05/2023 09:26

pfftt · 01/05/2023 07:24

It makes a massive difference on a single width country road.

On the bendy, up and downy rural roads round me I would have no chance of overtaking 4 cyclists single file but there are a couple of places I may be able to if they are 2 abreast.

MockneyReject · 01/05/2023 09:27

sylvandweller · 01/05/2023 09:23

@MockneyReject

You're unable to live and work in convenient locations due to your socioeconomic circumstances so have to drive, narrow country roads where you inevitably get held up and annoyed.

The fact that you're annoyed suggests that you have little time in your day, due to the circumstances outlined above.

The cyclists are not your real problem.

They're one of them. This thread is about cyclists. The OP asked why people get annoyed at cyclists. I'm offering some reasons why. Well, one reason, really. Lack of consideration for others.
I don't really think too much about the issue, other than when I'm being held up by selfish cyclists, or stuck in bed, engaging in a thread about it.

QuintanaRoo · 01/05/2023 09:29

sylvandweller · 01/05/2023 09:02

@Spanielsarepainless

So you're literally planning on throwing your dogs under the wheels of a cyclist to prove a point?

As a cyclist in that position I’d crawl past at walking speed, having stopped completely beforehand if necessary. I never going to do anything which risks a walker or dog. I was stuck behind a walker the other day who was listening to music and oblivious to me being there. So I’m happily hanging back knowing the path gets a bit wider in a bit. They were really apologetic when they realised but it was fine. Cyclist’s definitely need to afford walkers the same courtesy we’d like to see from all motorists.

ejbaxa · 01/05/2023 09:29

There are a lot of dangerous drivers and there are a lot of antisocial people on the road - spread across all types of road user. I'm teaching my ds to drive and he had hesitated at a busy roundabout. Nothing dangerous, but the person behind blasted their horn repeatedly and then when my ds pulled out, this car very closely tailgated us on the roundabout and then continued to do so as we drove along a 40mph road at about 35mph. People are nasty and crazy. It sucks to encounter such people.

Devoutspoken · 01/05/2023 09:31

Mockney - my point is not everyone can afford to run a car, so they find different ways to live. Saying that not only do you have absolutely no choice in the matter of whether to drive a car and when you do drive it, you have more rights to be on the road, is stretching it

Devoutspoken · 01/05/2023 09:33

If i were to drive to work, I'd be adding to the traffic jams, slowing everyone down

TooBored1 · 01/05/2023 09:41

MockneyReject · 01/05/2023 09:05

A tractor is enormous, and it's driver needs to look out for a big enough passing space. It requires an awareness of what's going on around it, and of other road users. It loses momentum and has to start off from stationary.
OBut the alternative, is being a nuisance to others.

But it has an engine that will help it. A cyclist, on an upward hill, does not. Should people on bikes behave with common courtesy? Yes. But that doesn't mean they are always able to pull in at will and let cars go by - there are many many times when it's just not possible for them to do this.

QuintanaRoo · 01/05/2023 09:44

I think such common car ownership is going to be a thing of the past. Another 5-10 years a lot of people won’t be able to afford them. Prices increasing as well as the general cost of living crisis. Diesel and petrol being replaced by more expensive electric cars with no choice for cheaper cars. I shocked looking at the prices of new cars……this is going to continue to fuel high and increasing second hand prices. Car ownership will soon be seen as a luxury which means the roads will be quieter I guess.

TooBored1 · 01/05/2023 09:48

MockneyReject · 01/05/2023 09:23

No, I'd like cyclists to be more considerate.

Let's be real here. The vast majority of people who happen to be on a bike are considerate. Just as the vast majority of people who happen to be behind a wheel are.

You are choosing to blame someone just because of their mode of transport.

Think of the no of cars on the road when you are trying to get to work. How many of those are short journeys that could be taken some other way. How many are people on their way to the gym, library, shopping etc? Do you EVEN know why they are out? No. But you choose to vent your ire on the one person who you can see is different. Why not ask all the others drivers if they need to be there and tell them to get off the road if you don't think they are worthy.

sylvandweller · 01/05/2023 09:49

QuintanaRoo · 01/05/2023 09:44

I think such common car ownership is going to be a thing of the past. Another 5-10 years a lot of people won’t be able to afford them. Prices increasing as well as the general cost of living crisis. Diesel and petrol being replaced by more expensive electric cars with no choice for cheaper cars. I shocked looking at the prices of new cars……this is going to continue to fuel high and increasing second hand prices. Car ownership will soon be seen as a luxury which means the roads will be quieter I guess.

With the 15 min cities thing, most people won't need them anyway

MockneyReject · 01/05/2023 09:57

TooBored1 · 01/05/2023 09:48

Let's be real here. The vast majority of people who happen to be on a bike are considerate. Just as the vast majority of people who happen to be behind a wheel are.

You are choosing to blame someone just because of their mode of transport.

Think of the no of cars on the road when you are trying to get to work. How many of those are short journeys that could be taken some other way. How many are people on their way to the gym, library, shopping etc? Do you EVEN know why they are out? No. But you choose to vent your ire on the one person who you can see is different. Why not ask all the others drivers if they need to be there and tell them to get off the road if you don't think they are worthy.

The thread is about cyclists. OP asked a specific question, and I've answered it.
I'm not 'venting my ire'; I'm simply answering the question, drawing on my own experience of frequently being held up by individuals, and groups of cyclists.
I'm not angry, I'm not upset, I'm not about to do facilitate a survey or launch a campaign to outlaw cycles. I'm simply stuck at home with nothing much to do, so am engaging in an online debate.

MockneyReject · 01/05/2023 10:02

Devoutspoken · 01/05/2023 09:31

Mockney - my point is not everyone can afford to run a car, so they find different ways to live. Saying that not only do you have absolutely no choice in the matter of whether to drive a car and when you do drive it, you have more rights to be on the road, is stretching it

It isn't. My job is essential, and it cannot be done without driving a car. If I were to quit my job, someone else would have to drive my car, instead.
Nowhere have I said I have more rights to be on the road. I've simply pointed out that cyclists blocking roads, cause tailbacks and delays.

Frabbits · 01/05/2023 10:03

Reality25 · 01/05/2023 09:22

Most British roads aren't built for cyclists and cars at the same time.

It's dangerous and causes the driver additional stress.

There's no easy solution but certainly some cyclists really take the piss with their road selection.

There's a really easy solution.

Wait for it...

People just need to stop driving like twats and learn to share the roads with vunerable road users. Just because you have an engine doesn't make your journey any more important.

Hillarious · 01/05/2023 10:03

Clariana · 30/04/2023 17:36

I am not defending car drivers at all, but I think much of the dislike of cyclists stems from the fact that car drivers pay road tax and cyclists don't, therefore the car drivers believe the have more claim to the roads.

These people are just a small, but unfortunately vociferous, minority. I too pay car tax. We have two cars at home. But we also have six bikes in the garage and that's our usual mode of transport - for work, leisure, to the pub, to the cinema, etc - and the cars are getting to their destination that bit quicker, because I'm usually on my bike and not in the car.

Swipe left for the next trending thread