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.

It's easier to get away with poor behaviour as a cyclist. not much gets done about it, unless you actually end up killing someone.

Car driving, well if you drive like an idiot sooner or later you will get got.

I don't know where you live, but where I am -

The woods and surrounding countryside are almost all footpaths, no cycling allowed

The cycle paths on the road require you cycle 90% on the road for 10% of cycle lanes if you're lucky. Though cars are usually parked in the cycle lanes, and the ones separated from the road are usually in too poor a condition to ride safely unless you've got something like a mountain bike.

There is no such thing as a 'cycle track'. Unless you count the velodrome, but I don't think they'd let me take my little commuter hybrid in there.

How do you think we reach woods etc? Teleporting ourselves and our horses?

I regularly drive 6 miles along a road that used to be a B-road but was downgraded to a C-road. It's windy, and there are only two properly safe overtaking places, one near each end.

There are a few places where it's possible to overtake a single bike safely, but it's a nightmare when you encounter a group of club cyclists out riding en masse. There isn't enough visibility to overtake a group spread out along the carriageway.

It's very frustrating to have to drive the best part of 5 miles at cycling pace in a 60 limit. I suck it up, but I can understand why drivers get frustrated by them.

Horse riders are generally in much smaller groups, and they will often move over onto the grass verge or into a field entrance to let cars pass. And they never go along this particular road more than one abreast, and they invariably give a wave of thanks when I pass them wide and slow (which I always do).

I agree that cyclists should use cycle lanes when available and safe (they aren't always). I do so myself and I don't feel any more responsible for the cyclists who don't than I feel responsible for other people's bad driving as a fellow motorist.

I could commute by bus but it is less convenient, takes longer, costs money and means I don't get the exercise I do from cycling, so I'll stick to that, thanks.

And as a horse rider, we thank you for that 😊

I cycle to work. I use cycle paths as much as possible but they don't exist for part of the route so what would you suggest I do?

Farms and stables tend to be near woods or accessoble via bridleways? We have footpaths that horse riders use, bit annoying but better than the road. If not use a horse trailer. Don't go on roads it is not safe for horse, rider or motorist in most people's views <except horse riders>.

lol, do you really think the whole country is just filled with fields and woods where horses can go as they please?

Even if they kill someone they get off.

This is absolutely not my experience as a driver. I see awful driving all the time and no consequences for it unless you're stupid enough to speed past a camera.

I definitely don't hate either and cycle a fair bit myself around our city. However, some cyclists are very unaware of the need to cycle safely and considerately - never slowing down, skipping red lights, cycling too close to other cyclists etc etc which isn't helpful.

Your point (6) is a particular bugbear of mine. I am not trusting any other road user's judgement on when to overtake - if I can't see ahead then I'm not going as I will be held responsible if there's an accident. Maybe consider whether to stop this? Some cyclists (probably not you) get very angry if you don't follow their advice to overtake and start shouting at the car driver, when actually we're just trying to drive carefully.

I think all road users need to be more considerate of each other. Hatred in any direction is not constructive or helpful to.improve road safety.

No they don’t 🤣

Get the bus or the train and cycle on your days off for leisure and exercise.

Horses aren't allowed on public footpaths. Bridleways and byways only. Bridleways are rapidly disappearing due to land bring sold off to developers.

No, yards are frequently not built on bridleways 🙄

Roads are safe, it's thoughtless drivers who make them unsafe.

You literally have no clue!

Are you this intolerant in real life?

I think if you cannot access appropriate places to ride a horse via bridleways or trailers you shouldn't ride a horse. Roads are not safe for horses, they are so easily spooked and once they start leaping around then everyone is at risk.

I feel disgusted when I see parents with small babies on the back of their bicycle, cycling on a main road!

Its not even hate, people on the road, not in a vehicle or motorcycle gear, causes additional hazards, which makes driving more stressful. Its just dangerous.

Do you really think we don’t know that we are taking our lives in our hands every time we mix with traffic? Believe me if we had any other choice other than to not ride at all, then we wouldn’t be there. It’s fucking terrifying and incredibly depressing how many people don’t want to take 20 seconds out of their day to keep another human being safe. There are some horrible people on the roads.

Not I'm just big on road safety.

Like I said, roads are safe for horses. It's entitled arrogant drivers who make them unsafe.

1 being that poster!

There are miles of cycle paths where I live. Never see anyone on them but every weekend there is a stream of cyclists on the road that runs next to the paths. These were put in at huge cost to the taxpayer.

You may be considerate cyclist but the one that rode straight at me pushing my DS in his pram and the other who cycled through a no-entry sign as pregnant me crossed the road….

Under the law horses have every right to be on the road and we are classed as vulnerable road users. Therefore the responsibility is on drivers to make sure they drive carefully and respectfully around us.
Sorry you don't like that!