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

[DataColour]

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.

And drivers on pavements kill 40 pedestrians per year

Who says they don't? I was just responding to an earlier poster who said cyclists don't cause congestion, and I was saying they might not, but bad planning of infrastructure for them certainly can do!

And many jobs are impossible to do without one. Taxi driving, for example. What's your point?

there are bicycle taxis in London, along with rickshaws in Asia. It’s not impossible to have a none motorised taxi

user1497207191 have you heard anyone or seen written anyone blaming parked cars for congestion on the roads? Be interested to see where?

@ImAvingOops

What's with calling motorists fat?

Yep! It doesn't help their cause if they want people to think more positively about cyclists.

Why don't car drivers like congestion?

You paid thousands for your car. They have heated seats, air con, entertainment systems, drinks holders and God knows what else!

Enjoy it!

Yep! It doesn't help their cause if they want people to think more positively about cyclists.

Why does it matter what you think of me?

I'm not sure suggesting that rural communities shouldn't exist so that cyclists can pedal about is going to do much for better relationships between the two groups.

There are bad actors in both groups but many people both have bikes and cars.

Nobody suggested rural communities shouldn’t exist

It doesn't at all except that the original post questioned why people are horrible to cyclists and another PP pointed out that social media fuels the feud ....and it does!
I was pointing out that from a personal stance, I think playground style comments such as calling people "fat blimps" do nothing to support the cause that some cyclists feel they are, in some way, superior. Not my actual opinion at all at the start of this thread but it was clear that some others felt this way. I do however, see another side now.

They suggested that no one should live rurally if they are ever going to have an urgent journey which seems a touch impractical.
Life is actually pretty similar in rural and urban areas in terms of sometimes needing to get places.
I think sometimes people who live in urban areas and use the countryside for recreational purposes forget that it's just a normal daily living space for others ( this doesn't just apply to cyclists)

Yes and no. Maybe not cyclists themselves, but certainly cycle lanes (usually empty) DO cause traffic jams and increase pollution, but that's the fault of the stupid councils rather than cyclists.

not the case here, the cycle lane is a shared pavement where all the council have done is paint a line on the pavement, it hasn’t been widened or anything.

This is the issue in a nutshell. People think of “us and them”. And I could quote many, many examples just from MN slagging off cyclists on a personal insult level. People saying it’s disgustingly fat middle aged men squashing themselves into Lycra and they look obscene, etc.

and it isn’t “us and them”. I am pretty sure that 99% of cyclists also drive. If only 99% of drivers also cycled, even occasionally. Then there might not be the rampant, unfounded hatred there seems to be for them.

Baffles me that cyclists are happy to be on the road with cars whizzing past at 50mph yet to move onto the pavement with no pedestrians would be safer for everyone.

Let's not forget the ones that use the road instead of the cycle lane running adjacent to it.

Because neither of these is safe for the other more vulnerable users (ie non-cyclists) and one of them is illegal.

But god-damnit cyclists are all so selfish!!!!!

The irony of you are saying that cyclists are more vulnerable on a road while simultaneously suggesting they do something which is both illegal and puts other, even more vulnerable people in an unsafe position is utterly mind blowing.

This is exactly the kind of attitude that makes people say "it's just jealousy".

What has the fact you have children and a minimum wage job have to do with anything?

and reading your later posts it's almost like you begrudge the guy having both the spare money and spare time to enjoy his hobby.... 🤔

The very use of group labels e.g. motorists and cyclists, male and female etc. does create a division in itself. You are correct though, at the end of the day, we are all just people trying to lead our lives as we choose and how it works for us.
There really is no need for mud slinging from either group (and I do not mean this in an "us and them" way) as that is not how mature adults should behave on the roads or anywhere else.
The fact that others have used derogatory terms against cyclists on other threads does not make it right nor does it justify the need to retaliate on another thread. That's just the way I see things though and clearly not the view of everyone. It would be a strange old world if everyone agreed with everyone else.

@FrangipaniBlue

Let's not forget the ones that use the road instead of the cycle lane running adjacent to it.

Because neither of these is safe for the other more vulnerable users (ie non-cyclists) and one of them is illegal.

I didn't think non-cyclists were allowed to use cycle lanes, shared paths yes but cycle lanes are different I thought. I could be wrong. It seems I frequently am!😁

Erm no it wasn't. It said that you shouldn't cycle more than 2 abreast. Now it says that it may be safer to cycle 2 abreast. No change in the law, just a change in wording to help barely literate people like yourself.

Bikes don't cause pollution, bike lanes don't cause pollution, too many polluting vehicles on the roads cause pollution

Drivers never defend themselves in these discussions by how much they love driving- it's all about how they have no choice. It's always about how hard their lives are, how many hours they work, how high their mortgage is etc.

Cyclists do love cycling and will say so. As well as it being a good mode of transport!

That suggests jealousy to me.

You'd be wrong then @sylvandweller
I feel very sorry for cyclists when it's pudding down with rain, freezing cold and I'm in a nice warm car.

I have a coat!

Cycling in the rain makes you feel alive

Don’t feel sorry for me. I do have a choice as I do own a car. I commute every day no matter the weather unless the wind hits over 20mph. The 7 mile commute takes me 30 mins and on the way home is quicker than driving. Plus it’s free, plus I burn about 500 calories a day just cycling to work and back. I’m quite happy cycling in the rain.

I don’t see myself as having a cause or being superior, I’m sure I haven’t called people names either. Sometimes I cycle and all I want to do is get home alive and in one piece.

I suppose I am a bit jealous, I would love to cycle more but unfortunately I have a skin condition that means sitting on a bike seat would be extremely uncomfortable

I remember ad a kid everyone got a bike for Christmas, we would disappear all day on our bikes