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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
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Sweetpotatoaddict · 30/04/2023 18:01

It annoys me when cycling around my town how long it takes due to the traffic controls. It would be so much quicker if none of them were there. I'm held up due to the measures installed to control vehicles, it's frustrating. Some of them were installed due to drivers inability to obey the rules regarding zebra crossings and pedestrians.
There's always a different perspective that things can be viewed from, and I regard the cars as holding me up and delaying my journey, whether that is on foot or on a bike.

EnjoyingTheSilence · 30/04/2023 18:05

@nakeklak maybe look it up. If you’re paying something you really ought to know what you’re paying for. But it’s not fucking road tax.

updin · 30/04/2023 18:05

Honestly, not condoning bad behaviour, but it's not hard to work out why, it's just really inconvenient when you get stuck behind one if you can't easily get by. It's really frustrating getting stuck behind one because the speed is so much slower. So people with different levels of patience will react differently. Again not condoning it, because I can see how it happens.

OrwellianTimes · 30/04/2023 18:05

I used to cycle everywhere. I never broke rules, just cycled carefully.

I gave up after one too many arsehole car drivers cutting me up - nearly always overtaking badly then immediately turning left, causing me to suddenly break or fall badly.

There’s far too many arseholes in big cars. For cyclists it’s either give up, get aggressive, or die.

Lockheart · 30/04/2023 18:08

updin · 30/04/2023 18:05

Honestly, not condoning bad behaviour, but it's not hard to work out why, it's just really inconvenient when you get stuck behind one if you can't easily get by. It's really frustrating getting stuck behind one because the speed is so much slower. So people with different levels of patience will react differently. Again not condoning it, because I can see how it happens.

Your inconvenience and frustration is not an excuse to abuse another person. "I can see how it happens" is absolutely justifying this type of behaviour.

Cyclists, horse riders, and pedestrians use the roads by right. Car drivers are there by license only. Inconvenience is a part of life and should be dealt with maturely - doesn't matter if it's a traffic jam, a cyclist, a horse rider etc.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 30/04/2023 18:08

AuntieJune · 30/04/2023 17:50

Motorists resent cyclists because there's a tribal mentality that resents anyone who makes different choices.

And because deep down motorists know cycling is better for health, communities, environment etc. Cyclists make motorists feel bad about themselves, sitting on their bums in a pollution wagon rather than being active and green.

It's the same kind of thinking that makes people hate vegetarians, vegans, homeschoolers etc.

Angry motorists also seem oblivious to the fact that most cyclists also hold driving licences and drive regularly.

🤣 Delusions of moral grandeur is strong in this post

Loria · 30/04/2023 18:12

@Sweetpotatoaddict car drivers definitely slow pedestrians down in towns and cities. All that waiting around when you're walking in a straight line. Also developments being built with cars in mind means that a direct walking route isn't available. Out of town shopping centres are terrible for this. And yes in cities they slow cyclists down to just by taking up so much room per person.

updin · 30/04/2023 18:15

@Lockheart not justifying it at all, but why are we as grown adults raising eyebrows saying "but WHY?" you know why!!! I'm not saying it doesn't make the driver any less of a dick but faux shock at this behaviour is just ignorant, cyclists and cars sharing roads in a country with a pretty poor road network is always going to be contentious, grumbling and virtue signalling online isn't going to change it.

QuintanaRoo · 30/04/2023 18:20

Some people are cycling hating twats.

I was once cycling in the middle of the carriageway down a steep hill due to pot holes on the left, far too dangerous to be further left.

Was a quiet road, nothing coming in the opposite direction and the car behind me pulled perfectly safely into the opposite carriageway to overtake, didn’t have to wait at all. Then she slowed down alongside me, wound the passenger window down and started berating me for not being further left. Really hurling abuse.

I was so shocked and this isn’t my proudest moment but she got a “fuck off you fat cunt” from me.

Lcb123 · 30/04/2023 18:23

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.

Or maybe because they’re stupid enough to know there’s no such thing as road tax anymore.

QuintanaRoo · 30/04/2023 18:23

EnjoyingTheSilence · 30/04/2023 18:05

@nakeklak maybe look it up. If you’re paying something you really ought to know what you’re paying for. But it’s not fucking road tax.

Also, do people not realise that most cyclists are also car owners and will pay emissions tax on their cars if due.

I hate this “oh I pay tax so I’m more entitled to the road than a cyclist”. I pay tax on two different cars, does that mean I have more right to the road than people who are only paying one? Of course not!

Lcb123 · 30/04/2023 18:23

I cycle a lot in London. I think it’s jealously as cyclist can get around without the costs of a cat. We don’t get stuck in traffic and we’re keeping fit!

ImAvingOops · 30/04/2023 18:23

Cyclists have no insurance, cause tailbacks because British roads are not really designed to have both bikes and cars on them simultaneously, lots of cyclists are selfish and won't move over where they can to let the traffic past and come up your inside to skip lights etc. Bit if you hit one, as the car driver it's your fault no matter how badly the cyclist was riding!

No one should be yelling at anyone though, especially a parent out with their kids but a lot of the time cyclists are a menace - esp mamils with their massive sense of entitlement

Thesharkradar · 30/04/2023 18:25

sylvandweller · 30/04/2023 17:23

Jealousy.

Fat, unfit twats who are so car dependent they can't even imagine life without it.

They're like the people in the film WallE.

this, people who, when in the car, look like a marshmallow stuffed into a matchbox

sylvandweller · 30/04/2023 18:25

Lcb123 · 30/04/2023 18:23

I cycle a lot in London. I think it’s jealously as cyclist can get around without the costs of a cat. We don’t get stuck in traffic and we’re keeping fit!

Definitely!

Car drivers can't stand it- after all the time, money and effort they put in to get a car too 😁

pfftt · 30/04/2023 18:25

KingSpaniel · 30/04/2023 18:00

@pffft I disagree - when I cycled in London twats in massive cars used to deliberately pull into the kerb while I was filtering (entirely legally) down the inside of traffic. Couldn’t bear to see me progress faster on my shitty bike than they were in their wanky expensive car?

Still unlikely to be jealousy. More likely they just hate being stuck behind a cyclist so are trying to stop you getting in front of them as it means they'll have to re-overtake you when they catch up to you. Hey I'm not saying there aren't dick drivers. Just that jealousy is the least likely explanation

sylvandweller · 30/04/2023 18:26

ImAvingOops · 30/04/2023 18:23

Cyclists have no insurance, cause tailbacks because British roads are not really designed to have both bikes and cars on them simultaneously, lots of cyclists are selfish and won't move over where they can to let the traffic past and come up your inside to skip lights etc. Bit if you hit one, as the car driver it's your fault no matter how badly the cyclist was riding!

No one should be yelling at anyone though, especially a parent out with their kids but a lot of the time cyclists are a menace - esp mamils with their massive sense of entitlement

Ta Dah!

Grin
Thesharkradar · 30/04/2023 18:26

British roads are not really designed to have both bikes and cars on them simultaneously
and this, there is a huge incompatibility issue!

HVC164 · 30/04/2023 18:30

I almost gave up cycling due to the behaviour and near misses from motorists. Felt very powerless and shaky whenever I was cut up/yelled at/driven at.

Then I found out about my local police’s dash cam upload feature. Got a camera for my bike (make sure it’s got a time and date stamp), a passpixi dash cam sign for my bag to deter people from close passing, and carried on with my business. Car drivers are safer when they know they’re being watched, and for those who aren’t, they’ll get a notice of prosecution through the post. It stops you from feeling powerless and will (case by case) hopefully improve dangerous behaviour. Saying that, I only report those who are blatantly dangerous or aggressive drivers - haven’t got time to report all and sundry close passes.

Owchy · 30/04/2023 18:30

For the simple reason you are posting on MN, which notoriously unfriendly to cyclists on the whole.

I live in a major cycling city in the UK, where the roads are designed for bikes and it’s cars that cause problems. Loads of old towns and villages are simply not designed for cars.

sylvandweller · 30/04/2023 18:31

HVC164 · 30/04/2023 18:30

I almost gave up cycling due to the behaviour and near misses from motorists. Felt very powerless and shaky whenever I was cut up/yelled at/driven at.

Then I found out about my local police’s dash cam upload feature. Got a camera for my bike (make sure it’s got a time and date stamp), a passpixi dash cam sign for my bag to deter people from close passing, and carried on with my business. Car drivers are safer when they know they’re being watched, and for those who aren’t, they’ll get a notice of prosecution through the post. It stops you from feeling powerless and will (case by case) hopefully improve dangerous behaviour. Saying that, I only report those who are blatantly dangerous or aggressive drivers - haven’t got time to report all and sundry close passes.

It's sadly very satisfying when the police tell you that they've fined someone due to your cam footage. I got two done last week.

Spiderysenses · 30/04/2023 18:32

KateyCuckoo · 30/04/2023 17:22

Personally they piss me off every weekend waking us up with their big gobs as they cycle past our house.

I thought this was just us! Especially hate it at the crack of dawn on a Sunday morning, yelling at each other under our bedroom window. And the spitting, what is that about?
Other than that, I've no real issue if they are clothed to be seen and using adequate lights (not the strobing ones).

TooBored1 · 30/04/2023 18:33

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.

There's no such thing as road tax.

Lockheart · 30/04/2023 18:34

ImAvingOops · 30/04/2023 18:23

Cyclists have no insurance, cause tailbacks because British roads are not really designed to have both bikes and cars on them simultaneously, lots of cyclists are selfish and won't move over where they can to let the traffic past and come up your inside to skip lights etc. Bit if you hit one, as the car driver it's your fault no matter how badly the cyclist was riding!

No one should be yelling at anyone though, especially a parent out with their kids but a lot of the time cyclists are a menace - esp mamils with their massive sense of entitlement

Cyclists have no insurance

Not quite true, plenty of them do.

cause tailbacks

I can tell you hand on heart that I have spent hours more of my life sat in traffic jams caused by motorvehicle accidents or sheer weight of car traffic than I have following a cyclist.

British roads are not really designed to have both bikes and cars

Most British roads (motorways excepted) are not designed for cars full stop. So out of cars and bikes, which is best to remove?

lots of cyclists are selfish and won't move over where they can

Three words: middle lane hoggers.

come up your inside

This is called filtering and is not only legal but actively recommended.

TooBored1 · 30/04/2023 18:38

It's absolutely awful and there are too many people condoning and excusing shocking behaviour towards people who happen to be on a bike.

I think a lot just don't realise how awful it is. It's not just the verbal abuse, it's the deliberate attempts to run you off the road. It just wouldn't be tolerated in any other situation but because one person has 2 wheels and the other 4, it's glossed over.