Page 5 | Are cyclists hated in your country?

boyl99 · 2026-01-20T13:38:29+00:00

I am in the UK, and cyclists are subject to hatred, both generally and in the media. Any cycling infrastructure plans are attacked as being "anti-motorist", we are all inconsiderate scum who clog up the roads, jump red lights, etc. Is your country equally anti-cyclist?

Alexandra2001 · 01/03/2026 20:29

BishyBarnyBee · 01/03/2026 20:28

"Skittles waiting to be taken down?" Are you the kind of person who laughs in the comments section when you read reports of a cyclist being hit by a car?

I've been knocked off and hospitalised by a taxi driver doing 60 in a 30 zone, then some years later by a car of young lads who undertook a car which had moved out to the outer lane (of a dual carriage way 30mph road) to safely overtake me. They stopped down the road then sped off as soon as they saw me stand up. My 15 year old son was knocked off by a motorist who overtook him and immediately turned left across his path. All three incidents were clearly hilarious.

My question as to whether @FullLondonEye was Spanish or ex-pat was relevant because, as you point out, cycling is something of a national sport on many mainland European countries and I don't think you find the same demonisation of cyclists that we get here. Ex-pats, on the other hand, might be more likely to align with the tabloid/anti environmentalist attitude that bikes basically shouldn't be on the road.

Yes he sounds like a right knob.

FullLondonEye · 02/03/2026 14:30

BishyBarnyBee · 01/03/2026 20:28

"Skittles waiting to be taken down?" Are you the kind of person who laughs in the comments section when you read reports of a cyclist being hit by a car?

I've been knocked off and hospitalised by a taxi driver doing 60 in a 30 zone, then some years later by a car of young lads who undertook a car which had moved out to the outer lane (of a dual carriage way 30mph road) to safely overtake me. They stopped down the road then sped off as soon as they saw me stand up. My 15 year old son was knocked off by a motorist who overtook him and immediately turned left across his path. All three incidents were clearly hilarious.

My question as to whether @FullLondonEye was Spanish or ex-pat was relevant because, as you point out, cycling is something of a national sport on many mainland European countries and I don't think you find the same demonisation of cyclists that we get here. Ex-pats, on the other hand, might be more likely to align with the tabloid/anti environmentalist attitude that bikes basically shouldn't be on the road.

The shooting thing was a bit of a tangent but in general here you tend to find hatred towards/protests about cycling, shooting and indeed bull running/fighting are equally spread between Spanish and immigrants here (of which there are many and the majority not British). The shooting/cycling/bulls issues are very much NOT a particular English bugbear.

drivinmecrazy · 02/03/2026 14:52

Alexandra2001 · 01/03/2026 17:22

I bet the locals also hate people (Tourists/immigrants) like you moaning about their national sport and pastimes.

At the end of the day, if you don't like cycling and folk legally shooting rabbits (even flying ones if the pellets really do land in your pool)

Then maybe that particular part of Spain isn't for you?

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😜 so many assumptions there.
this is not in any way expat area and the complaints certainly aren’t limited to the few Brits that live there.

it’s in a very rural area at the base of the mountains but that doesn’t give them the right to shoot dangerously close to dwellings.
re the complaints toward the cyclists, many local Spanish neighbours feel the same, that they can endanger themselves and the cyclists.
where is is ever a good idea to ride four abreast on a busy highway or a country road?
it works both ways.
when one mode of transport has compulsory insurance and ITV licences , yet the other does not , I’d say the balance of responsibility falls elsewhere.