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 dont think people saying that mean they personally hate the people who happen to be cycling, and drivers should absolutely make sure they are considerate and safe towards cyclists. Reality is though its annoying AF being stuck behind a cyclist, on some roads theres little chance to safely overtake for a prolonged period, I dont think the remarks are much deeper than that. Drivers who let that annoyance to translate into dangerous overtakes and putting the cyclists in danger is another matter.

Drivers are the greatest nuisance.

My unreasonable answer - the sinking heart feeling I get after crawling behind a cyclist for what feels an eternity after a long day at work, eventually overtaking and then coming to a red light so they catch up and the whole thing starts again. I don’t take my annoyance out on cyclists and am very cautious, but I’m not so much of a saint I don’t get irritated.

The reasonable answer - my frustration that as a pedestrian in parks, etc., I’m expected to just get out of the way and never cause a cyclist to have to slow down. I used to enjoy walking along my local canal but between the cyclists and running groups it’s a miserable experience now. Somehow they seem to enjoy precedence over both drivers and pedestrians!

I have no objection to horse riders personally. I always find them sensible and courteous. The same cannot be said for cyclists, specifically male cyclists. They consistently jump red lights for a start and don't give a flying fuck about pedestrians, despite their loud and proud green credentials. Bloody hypocrites.

Well that's a bit unpleasant isn't it?

I'm semi rural. We get a lot of it round here, ive seem more horse riders struggling to control spooked horse than hot dinners.

I like horses, just not on a road with cars, tractors and buses. Recipe for disaster.

Man alive.

A lot of motorists don't seem to realise, or care, that in fact roads are for everyone, not just them. And in fact they're the only ones who are there 'under licence', as cars are so much more dangerous.

It may boil the piss, or dent the ego, but people on horses and people on bikes have as much right to their journey as motorists. They are not the 'hazard' - self-centred twats in high-speed two-tonne boxes are.

I drive and I cycle. There are the occasional cycle'way' where I live, but they are rare. Mostly we're grudgingly given six inches of green tarmac, filled with parked cars, broken bottles and potholes.

Few cyclists do all the things you say you do. In the city you wait an age to get by then stop at lights and they squeeze up the inside of you then you have to wait an age to get by again. Hog the country roads. Horses are a bit different, they are desperate to just get out of the way and have you past as quickly as is safe and once you are past that’s it. They also aren’t travelling along faster than the speed you are legally allowed to over take them. You get the odd one that doesn’t say thank you but none of the arrogance of many cyclists ime

Why don’t you take the bus, and then you won’t need to be annoyed by cyclists?

If the roads are so narrow and congested, why do we put up with driving ever larger cars down them?

In the case of the road I mentioned above, the shortest alternative route involves driving through a congested town centre, which can take ages, and is over 50% longer in distance.

I'm mystified as to why cyclists prefer the road, tbh. Several years ago, the county council spent a 6-figure sum building a cycle and pedestrian route that irouhgly parallel to the road and runs alongside fields and the river. I'd have thought it was much more pleasant than riding along the road, it has a really good surface and is more level.

Honestly anyone who doesnt relate to the unreasonable answer is lying im convinced!

The issue isn’t horses or bikes per se, it’s that roads are not designed to share the space with extra vehicles or animals so a slow moving bike (eg 1mph up the steep hill near me) can quickly cause a 1/4 mile tailback and can cause accidents because cars are not able to drive so slowly easily. Same stretch before the hill has stables and it’s narrow, no middle line, and the owners get cross if you pass at just 10mph. Animals scared of traffic should use the extensive network of bridal paths there and bikes should use the designated cycle paths

Then maybe join a petition to stop landowners selling off bridleways!
I don't want to ride on the road but I have no other way of reaching the bridleways without doing so.

No I can't box 200m down the road to a narrow lane as thar would mean parking the horsebox in the middle of the road to load and Unload, which is illegal.

I suggest you move to a town if you don't think horses should be on roads!

I have no objection to horse riders personally. I always find them sensible and courteous. The same cannot be said for cyclists, specifically male cyclists. They consistently jump red lights for a start and don't give a flying fuck about pedestrians, despite their loud and proud green credentials.

This.

I often walk tbh I just see these crazy cyclists and horse riders causing mayhem.

I don’t hate horse riders; I live in the city and barely see any, and it’s always nice to see a horse.

But sorry, it’s irrational, unreasonable, and unfair, but I really hate most cyclists. I’ve rarely driven past one without cursing. It becomes really prominent when I’m driving to visit family. It’s a busy country road, narrow, lots of large lorries. And there they are, trucks whizzing past them, risking life and limb to hold everyone up.

I complete accept this makes me unreasonable and an awful person but I feel I have to be honest.

How do we reach this mythical extensive network of bridleways when most don't join up with each other?

Are you aware of how many bridleways we have lost in last 10 years due to land being sold off for housing?

I have bad experiences with people on race bikes in a town where I used to live. I have been nearly rammed by them a bunch of times, even when I saw them coming and left a lot of room for them. They still managed to nearly hit me at full speed. My heart nearly jumps in my throat with how close they get while not slowing down.

Thankfully, when I live now they have more sense. I see them often, but they keep well clear and even slow down when needed.

People like having a group of “other” people to hate as it makes them feel better about themselves.

It is also socially acceptable to have an irrational hatred of all cyclists based on the behaviour of a small number of them.

This is my experience too. Loads of horses where I live and they always give a cheery wave as you carefully pass them.

Roads were originally for horses, so maybe car drivers should stop putting them at risk?

We try our best 🙂

This is a bit NAMALT, for cyclists

The roads are for everyone. There would be no problem if everyone using them treated each other with patience and respect. It’s really that simple.

@Chipotlego good answer. I’d add that I don’t see why i should have to leave for work 20 minutes earlier in case a cycling group want to hog the lanes to work, happens about once a fortnight- if you are running leisure rides, please schedule for after 9.30 am finishing by 2.30pm then after 7pm missing peak school run and work commute times. This obviously excludes commuting by bike, I’m talking about groups of 10+ Lycra clad men on the only direct road between the town I live in and the town I work in.

Same here. Never had any issues with riders and as one myself, I always wave and say thank you to drivers, or stop if necessary.