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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how we stop dangerous cyclists

309 replies

Everythingisnumbersnow · 11/02/2025 17:39

Why do the most dangerous ones wear those stupid little headcams too? YOU'RE the problem, guy.

OP posts:
FrippEnos · 11/02/2025 21:24

PrincessofWells · 11/02/2025 21:08

. . . because many of the cycle lanes are badly maintained with overhanging trees and cracks, and you are continually having to giveway where they bisect side roads. On the road you just keep going as it's the main roads priority. That's why.

Maybe give it some thought . . ..

none of this absolves you of your personal responsibility to other footpath users.

PrincessofWells · 11/02/2025 21:25

admirible · 11/02/2025 21:20

Yeah let’s talk about cyclists on footpaths going at 20 30 mph down hill that’s always fun when your walking slowly along with your dog.

Most pedal assist e bikes are unable to go over 15mph because theyre speed capped. If it's a shared space you should not be walking in the middle blocking it, the same way cyclists shouldn't. And your dog should be on a short lead and not able to run in front of the cyclist which frankly happens too frequently to count.

To the poster that commented upon electric scooters and e bikes that you do not need to pedal, they are regulated and illegal. The law is very clear but the police choose not to enforce the law which is frustrating for all of us.

admirible · 11/02/2025 21:25

MathsMum3 · 11/02/2025 19:34

And problems come in different sizes.

Personally I'd rather concentrate on stopping the 5 deaths a day (not to mention the 80 also seriously injured) caused by motorists than a few minor injuries a year caused by cyclists.

Wher you getting your stats from. Making them up?

admirible · 11/02/2025 21:28

PrincessofWells · 11/02/2025 21:25

Most pedal assist e bikes are unable to go over 15mph because theyre speed capped. If it's a shared space you should not be walking in the middle blocking it, the same way cyclists shouldn't. And your dog should be on a short lead and not able to run in front of the cyclist which frankly happens too frequently to count.

To the poster that commented upon electric scooters and e bikes that you do not need to pedal, they are regulated and illegal. The law is very clear but the police choose not to enforce the law which is frustrating for all of us.

Edited

Eh I’m talking about regular bicycles they can go any speed and often do on footpaths meant for only pedestrians.

admirible · 11/02/2025 21:29

Bogginsthe3rd · 11/02/2025 19:56

Soon the mamil will split off into its own lineage and no longer be able to breed.

Wonderful. Thanks for the update

admirible · 11/02/2025 21:31

Huckyfell · 11/02/2025 19:49

I think we all tar them with the same brush, but in reality the mountain bikers are all good, they pull out of the way, they smile....
Roadies are the vermin, the overflowings of the cesspit, the step below traffic wardens, the mould on the bread, the crumbs in the jam etc. They ride in clumps along country lanes and smaller roads, you follow them for miles whilst they ignorantly refuse to let you pass, and then undertake the queue of traffic to get to the front of the lights... and they swear and raise fingers at you.
Why do we put up with them?

Edited

Should be culled. Especially the male ones with fancy ball protecting pants.

FrippEnos · 11/02/2025 21:32

Many cyclists can go over 15mph with pedal assist.
As a shared space you as the person with the vehicle need to be aware of your surroundings and make allowances for those around you, that is how it is supposed to work
There are also non pedal assist e-bikes that are legal but are road use and off road use only.

RedHelenB · 11/02/2025 21:34

PrincessofWells · 11/02/2025 18:02

Honestly with shared paths you'd think pedestrians would be cyclist aware but no, they walk in the middle of the track with earpods in, and are totally unaware . . . so let's talk about personal responsibility . . .

Same applies as with cars though, you need to slow down and pass with a safe width.

Sportacus17 · 11/02/2025 21:35

When my daughter was around 1 year old I was pushing her in a buggy near a cross junction with lights. A young man on a push bike came flying round the corner (jumping a red light) and cycled straight into my daughter’s buggy. She could have been seriously hurt. I was quite shocked and mentioned it to a couple of other mums (cyclists themselves) at the playgroup I was attending that morning. I had my head ripped off for daring to critisise a cyclist as “it’s motorists that are the problem etc etc”. They simply couldn’t accept that a cyclist could behave dangerously or have done anything dangerous. I was quite upset!

GinAndJuice99 · 11/02/2025 21:36

yeah we urgently need to stop all the dangerous cyclists who cause virtually no deaths rather than drivers who cause thousands

InWalksBarberalla · 11/02/2025 21:36

The thing that annoys me with cyclists is they are quite happy to hold up streams of cars on roads that are too narrow to overtake them. But heaven forgive if you are a pedestrian on a shared path - the cyclists isn't going to patiently wait behind, they'll shout out and push you off the path as they squeeze past.

FrippEnos · 11/02/2025 21:39

GinAndJuice99 · 11/02/2025 21:36

yeah we urgently need to stop all the dangerous cyclists who cause virtually no deaths rather than drivers who cause thousands

The difference between a dangerous cyclist and a dangerous car drivers is Darwinism.

Sportacus17 · 11/02/2025 21:40

I should add - FLYING ROUND THE CORNER ON THE PAVEMENT

Merrilydancing · 11/02/2025 21:47

My big ask of cyclists is to make yourself visible. All too often they are out wearing dark clothes with no lights on. They have no idea how invisible they are on a dark overcast day.

Yes I do know that if I hit them whilst driving that I am at fault but that’s not much use to the mangled cyclist.

Radiatorvalves · 11/02/2025 21:52

As a regular cyclist who obeys the rules, as well as a driver and pedestrian in London the situation is a bit more nuanced than some posters think.

  1. Quite a lot of cyclists are sensible and obey the highway code.
  2. therecsre a number of cyclists who don’t - some are mamils who think they know best.
  3. Hiwever the worst cycling comes from delivery drivers - just eat or deliveroo. Rarely do their lights work, rarely do they have helmets and often they are dressed in dark clothes. They usually cut lights and I’ve seen them on the wrong side of the road and/or on pavements. I’ve never seen anyone stopped by the police.

while I agree a crackdown on rogue cyclists would be sensible and a good start, I think regulation in the delivery drivers would be the best place to start. They should confirm they understand and will follow the highway code. They should have an identifying number. If they break the rules they should face action as should their employer. Just Eat etc should ensure all drivers have lights, helmets, bright clothing. And not have illegal bikes. As well as cycling properly and sensibly.

TheHateIsNotGood · 11/02/2025 22:03

I now have a new source of road-using angst besides selfish cyclists. The drivers of the new wide-bodied, often EV large cars that just try and plough through the older cars for which my local roads were designed.

Just fuck off with your ugly-assed, dalek-looking ridiculous cars.

dizzydizzydizzy · 11/02/2025 22:24

Yabu. Please ask how we stop people behaving dangerously- whether cyclists, motorists or for that matter blokes down the pub.

Ignoring the rules of the road and being inconsiderate is not something restricted to cyclists. We've all seen cars jump red lights, drive 100mph along the motorway and go round the outside of roundabouts.

Itcostshowmuchnow · 11/02/2025 22:27

HappySeven · 11/02/2025 17:58

I've recently bought a camera for my bike and joke it's so my family will know who killed me. If you knew how little room SOME motorists give me then you'd understand. Not all cyclists are dangerous, some of us just want to commute safely, but some motorists don't believe we deserve to.

100% this.

If all drivers spent a bit of time cycling on our roads they would have a completely different outlook on cyclists. I started cycling about 7 years and my feelings towards them has completely changed.

Now when I observe cyclists I generally see them doing things that are for their own self preservation that you simply do not understand if you have never ridden a bike. Yes there are some idiots on bikes like there are in all walks of life but unless you have spent some time on a bike yourself OP you have no business at all to get so high and mighty.

If every cyclist out there suddenly gave up the bike and used a car the amount of traffic would increase significantly.

Itcostshowmuchnow · 11/02/2025 22:31

HappySeven · 11/02/2025 18:05

I agree. It's often people being completely unaware of things like the fact you're not meant to overtake a cyclist as they pass a traffic island. Many are unaware of what the 1.5m gap looks like. The most dangerous areas are passing junctions though as many people just don't see you and pull out. Often it's not intentional, they will apologise once they spot you but it can be too late.

The amount of times I used to have cars and vans trying to squeeze past as I went between traffic islands was ridiculous. For that very reason I now cycle through them bang in the middle. No doubt some drivers think I am being selfish but far better that than risk getting squished.

CerealPosterHere · 11/02/2025 22:31

FrippEnos · 11/02/2025 21:24

none of this absolves you of your personal responsibility to other footpath users.

They were talking about using the road rather than a cycle path. So nothing to do with footpath users.

FrippEnos · 11/02/2025 22:37

CerealPosterHere · 11/02/2025 22:31

They were talking about using the road rather than a cycle path. So nothing to do with footpath users.

The person that i replied to was talking about cycle lanes, around here that also means share lanes one the footpath.

CerealPosterHere · 11/02/2025 22:40

I do agree that a lot of the bad cycling comes from “non cyclists”. Which I know sounds stupid but there was a post on here only last week from someone who was going to buy a bike, with a kiddy wagon and ride on the pavements.

When told she shouldn’t ride on the pavement her reply was something like “of course I’m not going to cycle in the road, I’m not a cyclist” 🙈🤷‍♀️😁

I cycle, road cyclist. I’m a qualified cycling instructor. I cycle thousands of miles every year. Often in groups. I’ve never once held a car up “for miles”. Occasionally cars have to wait a short while until it’s safe to pass. It’s why we cycle in pairs not single file, to protect ourselves and prevent close passes. Cars need to wait until there’s no oncoming traffic, same as if they were overtaking a car. So the cyclists being two abreast makes no difference to the car, unless the driver was planning a close and illegal overtake. I’m talking normal size roads here not a single track lane.

Friend of mine was killed while out cycling a few years ago. Someone overtaking in the opposite direction hit her head on.

other friends of mine got road raged by a 4x4 driver who turned his vehicle around after a close overtake and purposefully hit them. They got 9 points on their licence, lost their licence, lost their professional driving job, massive fine and compensation.

so let’s stop the dangerous drivers too.

lezsucks · 11/02/2025 22:40

ForPlumReader · 11/02/2025 18:59

There are irresponsible road users all over, be it pedestrians, cyclists, or drivers. Bad drivers kill other people, including cyclists and pedestrians. Cyclists and pedestrians are more likely to get themselves killed.

I walk the school run every morning, it isn't cyclists that I am in fear of as I cross (at traffic lights) and then again (with no lights) nearer the school. I'd go as far as to say most drivers go through red lights, often after the green man appears, go through zebra crossings, speed, drive after mounting the pavement to park, ignore the cycle box, etc etc. Meanwhile I'm trying to teach children how to get to school safely. Cyclists are the least of my worry.

100% agree! I am genuinely afraid for my children walking to school. I no longer let them walk independently.

CerealPosterHere · 11/02/2025 22:43

FrippEnos · 11/02/2025 22:37

The person that i replied to was talking about cycle lanes, around here that also means share lanes one the footpath.

. because many of the cycle lanes are badly maintained with overhanging trees and cracks, and you are continually having to giveway where they bisect side roads. On the road you just keep going as it's the main roads priority. That's why.
Maybe give it some thought . . ..

that’s what they said. They are saying why cyclists use the roads because the cycle lanes are badly maintained. Ie they don’t use cycle lanes whether that’s a shared cycle lane on a footpath or a none shared lane. So if they’re using the road they won’t be affecting footpath users.

ClearHoldBuild · 11/02/2025 22:52

MathsMum3 · 11/02/2025 18:12

Motorists kill 5 people a day on UK roads, but you think cyclists are the problem??

This is exactly what I was going to say!

The minority of cyclists ride like idiots, the same way the minority of car drivers drive like idiots too but there are considerably more motorists and their vehicles are more dangerous.