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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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nomoredrivingytu · 30/04/2023 18:41

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

Lots of car drivers are cunts!

Freshfoods · 30/04/2023 18:42

I was riding in the middle of the rode and DD to my left, which is perfectly within the rules.

And there you have the problem. It might be within the rules, but if you are in the middle of the road, can't you see how difficult and possibly dangerous it is for a driver? To pass you safely, he would need to drive on the wrong side of the road. Obviously not ideal.

nomoredrivingytu · 30/04/2023 18:45

Freshfoods · 30/04/2023 18:42

I was riding in the middle of the rode and DD to my left, which is perfectly within the rules.

And there you have the problem. It might be within the rules, but if you are in the middle of the road, can't you see how difficult and possibly dangerous it is for a driver? To pass you safely, he would need to drive on the wrong side of the road. Obviously not ideal.

What until it's safe to pass.....

ImAvingOops · 30/04/2023 18:52

@Lockheart insurance should be compulsory and cyclists identifiable as motorists are.

Re tailbacks, this probably depends where you live. In the country, with narrow roads it's hard to pass cyclists. And they don't often move in when they can, to let traffic pass. So a few delay the many. It would go a long way to reducing irritation if cyclist's didn't believe their right to occupy the entire road was more important than the right of the queue of people in the cars to get where they need to be at a reasonable pace. Fair enough on the middle lane hoggers though.

It's unrealistic to say we should remove cars rather than bikes - we have to use the cars to get to the motorway, where cars are essential. And we need the motorways - the days of everyone's work/schools/shops being within easy cycling distance are long gone.

Lots of cyclists do really dangerous things which cause stress to the drivers, who are held ultimately responsible if there's a collision.

SunnySaturdayMorning · 30/04/2023 18:53

Because quite frankly, following the rules or not, cyclists are just a pain in the arse and get in everyone’s way.

Freshfoods · 30/04/2023 18:54

nomoredrivingytu · 30/04/2023 18:45

What until it's safe to pass.....

Show quote history

That could easily take half an hour or more, depending on the traffic. Naturally this is frustrating for a driver. There is no need for cyclists to ride beside each other instead of in single file.
The OP asked why people find cyclists annoying. This is why. Passing cyclists is risky driving and no-one wants to be taking risks that could be avoided.

GeraltsBathtub · 30/04/2023 18:56

Freshfoods · 30/04/2023 18:42

I was riding in the middle of the rode and DD to my left, which is perfectly within the rules.

And there you have the problem. It might be within the rules, but if you are in the middle of the road, can't you see how difficult and possibly dangerous it is for a driver? To pass you safely, he would need to drive on the wrong side of the road. Obviously not ideal.

Thank you for proving my point about hard of thinking drivers… if you aren’t pulling into the other lane, you aren’t passing with enough space.

GeraltsBathtub · 30/04/2023 18:59

@Freshfoods cyclists riding two abreast is better for drivers, unless you are overtaking unsafely.

to wonder why people are so horrible to cyclists that are not breaking the rules?
jcyclops · 30/04/2023 18:59

@DataColour 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.

Recently I came up behind two cyclists riding two abreast. I was happy to follow behind until we were on a clear straight road where it was safe to overtake them. As I pulled out to overtake them I gave a short honk on the horn.

This was not anger at being delayed, or a message for them to get off the road. It was because they hadn't looked back for some time and were thus unaware of what was behind them ie. me starting to overtake.

This is legitimate and even recommended use of a horn - to alert other road users of your presence. - see Highway Code 112.

Freshfoods · 30/04/2023 19:00

GeraltsBathtub · 30/04/2023 18:56

Thank you for proving my point about hard of thinking drivers… if you aren’t pulling into the other lane, you aren’t passing with enough space.

Show quote history

So, it's fine for a driver to pass with 'enough space' and it doesn't matter a bit that he's putting himself and other road users (the ones coming towards him) in immediate danger? That is a strange view to hold.

sylvandweller · 30/04/2023 19:01

SunnySaturdayMorning · 30/04/2023 18:53

Because quite frankly, following the rules or not, cyclists are just a pain in the arse and get in everyone’s way.

Which would you rather be hit by?

ExtraOnions · 30/04/2023 19:02

Depends on the cyclist

I live on the edge of the Moors … there are no cycle paths across the Moors, is an SSSI .. plus is still recovering from some devastating fires. However the moors are filled with these wide ruts, all churned up, from cyclists. They also ride on Footpaths (that they aren’t allowed on) and all the “no bicycle” signs are ripped down as quickly as they are put up. If there is a fence they just get off and lift their bicycles over - I hate it. The complete sense of entitlement gets me … hurtling down a footpath, then getting angry because people are walking on it. It will only be a matter of time before someone gets a serious injury. Maybe it’s just mountain bikers ???

saying that, we get a lot of road cyclists as well … mostly fine, but some with zero consideration of other road users.

I live in the North, but was in London the other weekend … some of those cyclists take no prisoners .. the speed on them.

Cooknook · 30/04/2023 19:02

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

Classy. Women always get fat as an insult don't they.

sylvandweller · 30/04/2023 19:02

GeraltsBathtub · 30/04/2023 18:59

@Freshfoods cyclists riding two abreast is better for drivers, unless you are overtaking unsafely.

Applauds*
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FlowersFlowersFlowersFlowersFlowers

SunnySaturdayMorning · 30/04/2023 19:05

sylvandweller · 30/04/2023 19:01

Which would you rather be hit by?

Show quote history

How is that relevant? Confused

sylvandweller · 30/04/2023 19:05

@SunnySaturdayMorning

Dictionaries are available

whereaw · 30/04/2023 19:05

Often people are just not nice people. But I also think it's because people get stressed and anxious about having to overtake and feeling unsafe when doing so - particularly on certain roads which don't make it easy to see far enough ahead for safety. Stress and anxiety often comes out as anger. 2 abreast is not always easier to get around on some county lanes.
I would never get angry or say anything to a cyclist but I absolutely hate coming across them (more and more) on some of the difficult roads and lanes where I live.

GeraltsBathtub · 30/04/2023 19:08

Freshfoods · 30/04/2023 19:00

So, it's fine for a driver to pass with 'enough space' and it doesn't matter a bit that he's putting himself and other road users (the ones coming towards him) in immediate danger? That is a strange view to hold.

Show quote history

No, I think motorists should only overtake if it’s safe for all road users. If you can’t go into the other lane it’s not safe to overtake and you’ll just have to wait.

ImAvingOops · 30/04/2023 19:09

Whenever I see a group of men out on their bikes at the weekend, I think of the cycling widows who are always on MN complaining about being dumped with the kids all day, while their husband goes out on his ££££ bike to play with his friends!

ImAvingOops · 30/04/2023 19:11

"You'll just have to wait"

See it's this attitude which pisses people off - a select few get to cause hold ups to the majority travelling behind them!

TheGuv1982 · 30/04/2023 19:12

I get annoyed along country lanes sometimes. Maybe pull over every so often to let the queue of traffic past?

However, I wouldn’t dream of saying anything, or dangerously overtaking. People that do that probably shouldn’t be allowed to drive a car imo and if there was a ratio of road users that annoy me most, the “other driver” category would win be an absolute landslide.

Freshfoods · 30/04/2023 19:12

GeraltsBathtub · 30/04/2023 19:08

No, I think motorists should only overtake if it’s safe for all road users. If you can’t go into the other lane it’s not safe to overtake and you’ll just have to wait.

Show quote history

So, drivers 'just have to wait,' do they? And how do you think this will affect most drivers? I doubt many of them will just think, 'Oh, I might just have to wait - yes, fine by me.'
You obviously don't know much about human beings.

Qilin · 30/04/2023 19:12

Electric cars don't pay vehicle tax at all.

Actually many EVs do pay vehicle tax. Any 'luxury' car costing over £40k pays it, even if electric.

sylvandweller · 30/04/2023 19:12

ImAvingOops · 30/04/2023 19:11

"You'll just have to wait"

See it's this attitude which pisses people off - a select few get to cause hold ups to the majority travelling behind them!

Maybe those with anger management issues shouldn't be allowed to drive.

thelionthewitchtheaudacityofTHISbitch · 30/04/2023 19:13

sylvandweller · 30/04/2023 17:51

Oh and I forgot about the country roads drivel.

If you need to get places in a hurry, don't move to the middle of nowhere

Now to quote other people on this thread - do you have a brain? Plenty of us need to use country roads without living in the middle of nowhere. I live near 2 towns (<6 miles each way). Every village, including us, between us and the towns has had literally hundreds (and more) of houses built over the last 20 years. Yes of course children should be able to cycle to school, and adults to work, safely. But it is not possible without causing huge traffic jams - on top of the existing traffic jams. The real issue is that there is no proper public transport - cut even more last year. I live in West Kent. Yes I can go to London fairly easily but not cross-county. 1 cyclist on even a winding A road is a problem. I won't let my child cycle to college 7 miles away as I dont believe they would be safe. In towns it makes sense - but not the country roads. And please don't get me started on the Sunday morning groups of lycra-clad male cyclists. 2-3 abreast. Often in breach of the new highway code.