Is the UK the worst place in the world to cycle?

[jasonrobertson86]

georgefreeman918 said:

Highly doubt its the worst place in the world, but I do think that road cyclists ask for abuse by cycling in large groups (and hold on, let me explain).

Firstly, I am an avid road cyclist, so I am putting myself in this group. I even started the local cycling club.

However, I have only ever experienced abuse and near misses when riding out in large groups. Said cycle club got out of hand, and we would regularly have weekly rides of 12+ riders riding two abreast on rural country lanes. Subsequently, the club is no more.

The second occasion that I have witnessed abuse is during sportives, where large number of cyclists are released on to the public roads. Cyclists are spread out and at differing paces (usually at the start) so drivers find it difficult to overtake safely. I have also witnessed some terrible riding at these events too!

I have never received any abuse of near misses, when riding alone. I am easy to pass, riding safely and will pull over if safe to do so along a single stretch track of road when a car is behind. This isnt possible in a large group.

As a result, I no longer ride with more than one other rider, and I will only do closed road sportives.

The best safety device I have pushed is the Garmin rear radar, which links to the head unit and warns of approaching traffic, very useful when riding in wind, or chatting to a mate whilst riding, as it detects car way before you can hear them. A worthy investment to improve safety on the road.

+1 well said.
Radar light is great too.

[Robertb]

jasonrobertson86 said:

georgefreeman918 said:

Highly doubt its the worst place in the world, but I do think that road cyclists ask for abuse by cycling in large groups (and hold on, let me explain).

Firstly, I am an avid road cyclist, so I am putting myself in this group. I even started the local cycling club.

However, I have only ever experienced abuse and near misses when riding out in large groups. Said cycle club got out of hand, and we would regularly have weekly rides of 12+ riders riding two abreast on rural country lanes. Subsequently, the club is no more.

The second occasion that I have witnessed abuse is during sportives, where large number of cyclists are released on to the public roads. Cyclists are spread out and at differing paces (usually at the start) so drivers find it difficult to overtake safely. I have also witnessed some terrible riding at these events too!

I have never received any abuse of near misses, when riding alone. I am easy to pass, riding safely and will pull over if safe to do so along a single stretch track of road when a car is behind. This isnt possible in a large group.

As a result, I no longer ride with more than one other rider, and I will only do closed road sportives.

The best safety device I have pushed is the Garmin rear radar, which links to the head unit and warns of approaching traffic, very useful when riding in wind, or chatting to a mate whilst riding, as it detects car way before you can hear them. A worthy investment to improve safety on the road.

+1 well said.
Radar light is great too.

Great post. I’d agree generally, 99% of drivers are very safe and courteous. In 12yrs of road cycling I’ve had only three or four scary incidents with nutters who seemed to take umbrage at my presence for no reason that I could see. Even then it wasn’t dangerous, just shouty blokes (it’s always a bloke).

I’ve had many drivers stop when I’ve been fixing punctured etc to see if I need help or a lift.

I find riding in big groups stressful and avoid it if at all possible.

I’ve had fun in chain gangs over the years, as you are basically singled out and moving fast no one seems to mind.

[Master Bean]

I can see this thread started it's life in General Gassing and has now moved to the slightly calmer side room that is Pedal Powered.

[Giantt]

A500leroy said:

Roads are used for business travel and more cyclists seem intent on going out for a leisure ride at peek commute time which doesnt help.
I think a bit more give and take is required on all sides. I mean a group of fast and furious style cars are likely to get nicked, but a full peloton of cyclists in team sky gear is seemingly ok?

Roads are used for business travel?
Lol lots, didn't realise this,never seen any restrictions if I remember the highway code correi,let's see you enforce that one,please share a link to Utube if you do

[loskie]

"peek commute time" too


Let's take a look at that.

[Siao]

loskie said:

"peek commute time" too


Let's take a look at that.

I always cycle in my suit when commuting, doesn't anyone else?

[toon10]

A bit of understanding and consideration from motorists and cyclists goes a long way.

I have a mountain bike but sometimes have to use the public highways to get to where I want to cycle. I keep as far left as I can, and I don't ride two abreast. I've never really had any issues with cars passing me when I ride like this. Once or twice, you get the inconsiderate driver who passes too close but then they would do that if I was in the middle of the road too. I always use a cycle path if there is one alongside the road too.

I appreciate that road bikes are a different sort of beast, and riders need to be on the road a lot more than me. When I'm driving, I don't mind having to slow, wait for a safe overtake and then off I go. I often have to drive around the country lanes near Ponteland which is a notorious road bike hotspot. I don't have many issues but there are times when the groups will just take up the whole lane and it's not safe to pass so you end up stuck behind them going really slowly for a long time until you can pass. They do it on purpose, road bike warriors against the motor car. I have more patience, but I've seen some really aggressive behaviors from other drivers and it's really not necessary. We can both exist alongside each other but there's a very strong them and us attitude from both groups.

[Julian Scott]

Siao said:

Tindersticks said:

Yes. They’re almost certainly doing it to wind up due to your fearsome ability to have determined what they do for a living simply from a glance.

Most certainly this

Sole reason for riding here.

[Julian Scott]

georgefreeman918 said:

Highly doubt its the worst place in the world, but I do think that road cyclists ask for abuse by cycling in large groups (and hold on, let me explain).

Firstly, I am an avid road cyclist, so I am putting myself in this group. I even started the local cycling club.

However, I have only ever experienced abuse and near misses when riding out in large groups. Said cycle club got out of hand, and we would regularly have weekly rides of 12+ riders riding two abreast on rural country lanes. Subsequently, the club is no more.

The second occasion that I have witnessed abuse is during sportives, where large number of cyclists are released on to the public roads. Cyclists are spread out and at differing paces (usually at the start) so drivers find it difficult to overtake safely. I have also witnessed some terrible riding at these events too!

I have never received any abuse of near misses, when riding alone. I am easy to pass, riding safely and will pull over if safe to do so along a single stretch track of road when a car is behind. This isnt possible in a large group.

As a result, I no longer ride with more than one other rider, and I will only do closed road sportives.

The best safety device I have pushed is the Garmin rear radar, which links to the head unit and warns of approaching traffic, very useful when riding in wind, or chatting to a mate whilst riding, as it detects car way before you can hear them. A worthy investment to improve safety on the road.

I ride, and lead, weekly group rides of between 4 and 20+ riders. We get less abuse and near-misses than when I'm riding alone or with just one other, and I have probably had one or two this year despite riding several thousand KM. I choose the routes carefully and we average over 20mph, both of which will help I'm sure, but I'll still say riding in a larger, experienced group is safer.

[Siao]

Julian Scott said:

georgefreeman918 said:

Highly doubt its the worst place in the world, but I do think that road cyclists ask for abuse by cycling in large groups (and hold on, let me explain).

Firstly, I am an avid road cyclist, so I am putting myself in this group. I even started the local cycling club.

However, I have only ever experienced abuse and near misses when riding out in large groups. Said cycle club got out of hand, and we would regularly have weekly rides of 12+ riders riding two abreast on rural country lanes. Subsequently, the club is no more.

The second occasion that I have witnessed abuse is during sportives, where large number of cyclists are released on to the public roads. Cyclists are spread out and at differing paces (usually at the start) so drivers find it difficult to overtake safely. I have also witnessed some terrible riding at these events too!

I have never received any abuse of near misses, when riding alone. I am easy to pass, riding safely and will pull over if safe to do so along a single stretch track of road when a car is behind. This isnt possible in a large group.

As a result, I no longer ride with more than one other rider, and I will only do closed road sportives.

The best safety device I have pushed is the Garmin rear radar, which links to the head unit and warns of approaching traffic, very useful when riding in wind, or chatting to a mate whilst riding, as it detects car way before you can hear them. A worthy investment to improve safety on the road.

I ride, and lead, weekly group rides of between 4 and 20+ riders. We get less abuse and near-misses than when I'm riding alone or with just one other, and I have probably had one or two this year despite riding several thousand KM. I choose the routes carefully and we average over 20mph, both of which will help I'm sure, but I'll still say riding in a larger, experienced group is safer.

It is bizarre, but could it be because maybe drivers are a bit more cautious to confront a large group of cyclists? It is probably easier to intimidate a single person than 20 of them if there's a confrontation.

[Red9zero]

Siao said:

I always cycle in my suit when commuting, doesn't anyone else?

Birthday ?

[Master Bean]

Two abreast cyclists annoy me.

[Julian Scott]

Siao said:

Julian Scott said:

georgefreeman918 said:

Highly doubt its the worst place in the world, but I do think that road cyclists ask for abuse by cycling in large groups (and hold on, let me explain).

Firstly, I am an avid road cyclist, so I am putting myself in this group. I even started the local cycling club.

However, I have only ever experienced abuse and near misses when riding out in large groups. Said cycle club got out of hand, and we would regularly have weekly rides of 12+ riders riding two abreast on rural country lanes. Subsequently, the club is no more.

The second occasion that I have witnessed abuse is during sportives, where large number of cyclists are released on to the public roads. Cyclists are spread out and at differing paces (usually at the start) so drivers find it difficult to overtake safely. I have also witnessed some terrible riding at these events too!

I have never received any abuse of near misses, when riding alone. I am easy to pass, riding safely and will pull over if safe to do so along a single stretch track of road when a car is behind. This isnt possible in a large group.

As a result, I no longer ride with more than one other rider, and I will only do closed road sportives.

The best safety device I have pushed is the Garmin rear radar, which links to the head unit and warns of approaching traffic, very useful when riding in wind, or chatting to a mate whilst riding, as it detects car way before you can hear them. A worthy investment to improve safety on the road.

I ride, and lead, weekly group rides of between 4 and 20+ riders. We get less abuse and near-misses than when I'm riding alone or with just one other, and I have probably had one or two this year despite riding several thousand KM. I choose the routes carefully and we average over 20mph, both of which will help I'm sure, but I'll still say riding in a larger, experienced group is safer.

It is bizarre, but could it be because maybe drivers are a bit more cautious to confront a large group of cyclists? It is probably easier to intimidate a single person than 20 of them if there's a confrontation.

I don't actually think much is a pre-meditated desire to confront, I think it is usually a flash of red mist, usually caused by driver distraction/poor observation....or a god-given right to get from A-to-B as quick as humanly possible, if not quicker.

I suspect the large group is easier to see and harder to make a daft 'squeeze past' overtake. It's also why it's safer for cyclist and driver alike.

[RizzoTheRat]

Siao said:

It is bizarre, but could it be because maybe drivers are a bit more cautious to confront a large group of cyclists? It is probably easier to intimidate a single person than 20 of them if there's a confrontation.

Back in the days before you'd get arrested for such things, I remember one of my Jitsu instructors saying the easiest way to carry a katana while cycling was to put in his belt like they'd have been worn on a horse. He then reckoned he got cut up by cars way less when carrying one

[Tindersticks]

Master Bean said:

Two abreast cyclists annoy me.

Cope more.

[Julian Scott]

Tindersticks said:

Master Bean said:

Two abreast cyclists annoy me.

Cope more.

Sounds like he struggles to cope with life, so possibly a challenge too far?

[Siao]

Julian Scott said:

Tindersticks said:

Master Bean said:

Two abreast cyclists annoy me.

Cope more.

Sounds like he struggles to cope with life, so possibly a challenge too far?

Judging by the pics, I think (hope!) it was in jest?

[Siao]

Julian Scott said:

Siao said:

Julian Scott said:

I ride, and lead, weekly group rides of between 4 and 20+ riders. We get less abuse and near-misses than when I'm riding alone or with just one other, and I have probably had one or two this year despite riding several thousand KM. I choose the routes carefully and we average over 20mph, both of which will help I'm sure, but I'll still say riding in a larger, experienced group is safer.

It is bizarre, but could it be because maybe drivers are a bit more cautious to confront a large group of cyclists? It is probably easier to intimidate a single person than 20 of them if there's a confrontation.

I don't actually think much is a pre-meditated desire to confront, I think it is usually a flash of red mist, usually caused by driver distraction/poor observation....or a god-given right to get from A-to-B as quick as humanly possible, if not quicker.

I suspect the large group is easier to see and harder to make a daft 'squeeze past' overtake. It's also why it's safer for cyclist and driver alike.

No, not premeditated obviously, I did not claim that, no one is starting their trip with a mission to eradicate cyclists. Red mist is the obvious answer, or more specific, the type of road rage you get whenever you get behind the wheel. I'm sure science will explain this phenomenon one day!!!

But in general, I would imagine that if you wanted to vent to someone, it is easier if it is a single person rather than 20.

[Siao]

RizzoTheRat said:

Siao said:

It is bizarre, but could it be because maybe drivers are a bit more cautious to confront a large group of cyclists? It is probably easier to intimidate a single person than 20 of them if there's a confrontation.

Back in the days before you'd get arrested for such things, I remember one of my Jitsu instructors saying the easiest way to carry a katana while cycling was to put in his belt like they'd have been worn on a horse. He then reckoned he got cut up by cars way less when carrying one

Great idea, I have a brollie that looks like that, but I imagine it would be weird riding with it!

[Salted_Peanut]

Have you seen Reg Local’s excellent new video?

Reg Local said:

How to Deal with Cyclists;

https://youtu.be/UPN_XvaYU2k?si=66cJdY6Qi7BxXujM