The hatred towards cyclists/horse riders etc

[RH1234]

Following on from a conversation on another thread; AIBU to think that the hatred towards all cyclists/other road users I.e. horses is completely atrocious and unjustified.

Lots of people will make comments about “I bet they were in Lycra”, “I dislike road cyclists”, “they don’t even pay road tax”.

My question is not; do you hate cyclists. My question is why do you hate me someone you have not met) as a cyclist?

For perspective:

1. I pay VED (Road tax doesn’t exist) on 3 vehicles.
2. I have insurance for my bikes - which includes public liability etc. My cycle insurance is genuinely more expensive than my car, I also have free insurance through British Cycling.
3. I don’t run red lights (for transparency, I have been through one red light, floor sensors don’t pick up carbon fibre, it was 5am, after waiting a few minutes, with no cars I went through)
4. I cycle an average of 19-23mph, I can overtake tractors near me, I’m smaller than a tractor surely you can pass me.
5. I do ride two abreast if in a group, but if passing is difficult, as per the Highway Code we ensure you can pass when safe.
6. When riding on my own, I wave cars past so they can often go before they can see.
7. Yes I wear Lycra - but you try cycling 100 miles without decent chamois in place. I won’t mention leg hair as that’s a whole different subject for you.
8. My wife use to love cycling, but won’t ride on the road now due to the drivers attitudes.

AIBU to be annoyed that I don’t do any of the things people moan about, yet people will hate me, some people will hurl abuse, some people will literally try and drive me off the road (luckily not that often for the last one)

All I want is, to enjoy the sport I’m love, get fit and then spend the time with my family. Yet my wife has said to me, she is anxious when I’m out and follows me on find my iPhone, because she’s terrified someone will one day leave me for dead in a ditch.

Surely a two minute delay is not unreasonable? I don’t judge based on hobbies or backgrounds, why am I judged?

AIBU in thinking that those who state they hate cyclists clearly are either media influenced or just plain horrible people.

Apologies, this has turned into more of a rant than a AIBU, but I’m sure you get the gist.

I don’t hate cyclists I cycle. But the sheer arrogance unwillingness to ever brake and the seeming determination to get into a Barney with every car is madness

why are you guys always trying to overtake cars on single lane roads or roadworks.

as a vulnerable road users we need to be just as cautious as drivers. Just because the burden is with drivers doesn’t mean it’s worth the your life and health to prove that point.

it’s pigheaded

Because people are lazy and lump all cyclists in together. Just like they moan about horse drivers, or tractors, or BMW drivers.

Of course YANBU you are considerate. But unfortunately many arent. Don't even get me started on delivery cyclists!

The scary thing about 'no helmets' is that research has proven drivers are more likely to pass too close to cyclists who wear them, and give more room to those who don't. So it can mean balancing the risk of being protected but also putting up with dangerously close overtakes.

I'm reasonably certain that the actual reason is that people think cyclists are 'smug' and 'think they're better', which seems to be the thing that makes people angriest (presumably because on some level they are very insecure).

I don't know you so cannot possibly hate you

You sound a reasonable person and appear to be doing all the right things to share the road.

I was annoyed (not hate) at a local cyclist today. I went for a walk at lunchtime. Relatively narrow pavement, wide residential road (30mph) but relatively quiet at that time. Cyclist (e bike too I think as fast) came up behind me on the pavement and shouted Excuse Me. I had no choice but to step into the road to let them pass!!

I’ll be honest, I agree and I do hate cyclists. They simply do not look out for themselves and expects drivers to be the ones responsible for their safety.

Yes, drivers do need to be cautious of everyone including cyclists, but why are cyclist not capable of equally watching out for their own safety? Why expects others to do this for them?

They all seem to have some belief they should never have to stop or slow down.

this time of year there are masses of cyclists on my commute, they are not commuters, they are enjoying their bicycles, but oh god they make my journey home difficult.

the worst cyclists though are on the sustrans route, think they own it and do not use a bell, go past me without warning

And how do you think we should get our horses to the woods? Sprout wings and fly perhaps?

And how do you get to the woods? Bridleways are being sold off and built on, some of us only have the roads to ride on.
Entitled car drivers are the hazard

I don’t want to hate cyclists but when I’m driving home from work on country roads I hate the stress of coming up behind them and having to crawl incredibly slowly for ages when it’s a 60mph road and I just want to get home to my kids. Horses seem to pull in regularly to let cars through, cyclists do not.

We live in a small village that has a cycle route going through it, and it's the middle aged chain gangs of men that annoy me. If you're walking the dog, you can suddenly find 20 men aiming towards you screaming at you to get out of the way. I've got a deaf dog who needs coaxing into the side of the road, and I've had a few episodes recently where I've told them to slow the fuck down.
The Parish council have put signs up for 20mph around the bends but it's not really stopped any of it.

Everyone needs to share the roads with consideration for the other road users, simply.

IMO, many car/van/lorry drivers today are aggressive, unhappy and impatient. People get filled with rage on here (and out on the roads) about someone driving below the speed limit...and even at the speed limit. If they nearly have an aneurysm over a car doing 40 in a 50 zone, then I can only imagine how upset they get when you are in their way pootling along on your bike.

TLDR: most motorists are wankers and that's why they hate you.

Most cyclists and horse riders are fine. But some are dangerous or just inconsiderate. I was once stuck behind two horse riders for 20 minutes who just kept going despite so many places they could have easily and safely stopped for me to pass. Instead I had to idle behind them for 20 mins.

And last winter I came across a ridiculous amount of cyclists riding in darkness or near darkness without any lights or reflective gear, even on dark country lanes. So extremely dangerous for everyone!

What fucking bridleways? They are all being sold off and built on!

Ok well what about when there are those lovely or orange dedicated paths and cyclists still use the road as paths can have pedestrians on apparently? That is annoying.

Can't you use a bus or train to commute? Much safer and probably nicer not to get to work all sweaty etc.

Sorry if haven’t quoted you directly.

I appreciate all your comments, even those justifying ‘their hate’.

Interestingly no one has given a reason to hate me personally. Yet I guarantee there will be at least one person that wouldn’t think twice about swearing at me, or passing with inches to spare.

I’m not going to go into what annoys me about drivers, yet I don’t hate all drivers.

I need to go shopping, so will go quiet, but rest assured I’ll be back haha

I don’t hate either but I do think, at least where we are, there are far more bad/dangerous cyclists on the road than good hence why nobody is ever particularly overjoyed to see one.

I don't hate you or any other cyclist. I DO think they are hazards, and not due to any erratic behaviour or anything.

I'm in Cornwall, and they are often found cycling down really windy but fairly well-used 60-mph country roads with nowhere safe to overtake for several miles. I appreciate they are entitled to cycle there, and I DO ensure I'm travelling at a speed where I can stop safely if I find one around the next bend, but not everyone does.

Doesn't that make the other car driver the hazard? Yes, but unexpectedly slow/stationary objects in the road are quite hazardous because noone is a perfect driver. I don't want to hit you, and I don't want to hit another car trying to overtake you where they shouldn't. I don't want anyone to run into the back of me while I'm behind you.

Generally, I find cyclists quite arrogant mostly.

Horse riders I go extremely slow past.

'As for horse riders, it depends what they're doing, but other than going from the stables to a bridleways I'm not sure why you'd want to be on the road. I grew up in a horsey area and we didn't ride on roads'

Yes I don't get this. Where are they going on their horses? Surelt if they've started from stables there are fields and woods nearby to exercise. Horses are massive and easily spooked. I don't want to see them on roads. If I was a horse owner I think I'd realise they don't like loud noises such as cars, buses and lorries etc.

It's past. But yes, I thought exactly that when I read the OP.

Do you honestly think all cyclists are like this? Every single one?