Is the UK the worst place in the world to cycle?
Discussion
CheesecakeRunner said:
The UK may or may not be the worst place to cycle, but PistonHeads is certainly the worst place to discuss it.
I think the UK is the worst place in the world to cycle. Incontrovertably.
Assuming that you aren't considering weather, road surfaces, amount of government funding for promoting the activity, publicly funded facilities, free and quick access to high quality emergency medical treatment, enforcement of road traffic law, availability of spare parts for multi-thousand pound racing bikes etc etc. That must be why there are so many Olympic cyclists from Chad.
It's a brilliant place to cycle off road though. Not quite as nice as the Alps or parts of New Zealand but when you live on the South Downs for instance, like I do, it's just amazing. I personally don't see the appeal of road riding by contrast but people should be able to safely use the roads for leisure at a time of their choosing.
Jordie Barretts sock said:
I fear the OP is not going to get the responses he expects. Which is unsurprising considering this is a motoring website.
Perhaps Mumsnet or a cycling forum would be a better option?
I absolutely despise cyclists that ride with an arrogance of self entitlement. I have no problem with cyclists who are aware of where they are cycling, aware of the queue behind them and pull over or make space for traffic to overtake. Much the same as tractors and farm machinery on the road.
Despise is a strong word, and as such I suspect you’ll generally approach all cyclists with disdain and impatience before you’ve ascertained whether they are ‘good or bad’. If you were to calculate the time you get held up every year behind a cyclist, you’ll realise that you probably waste more time hunting for a parking space, or waiting to pull out of a junction that you do waiting to get around them.Perhaps Mumsnet or a cycling forum would be a better option?
I absolutely despise cyclists that ride with an arrogance of self entitlement. I have no problem with cyclists who are aware of where they are cycling, aware of the queue behind them and pull over or make space for traffic to overtake. Much the same as tractors and farm machinery on the road.
It’s makes me laugh that the words arrogance and entitlement are used so very often to describe cyclists when the same accusation can also be leveled at car drivers. Whose right? No one, we share the roads.
I guess reading between the lines we share a common view though - and that’s ‘don’t be a dick’, whether in a car or on a bike.
Edited by thepritch on Thursday 6th June 08:41
I'm always very considerate of cyclists and give them plenty of room.
But.... they annoy the sh*t out of me regularly. No problem with people using them for transport, but when it's gangs of them on country roads they are deciding to inconvenience other people for their hobby. I've never had a cyclist or group of cyclists pull over to let traffic pass. It is a very selfish hobby when they are riding routes that they will get in the way of others. That in no way excuses the muppets who shout abuse or unsafely pass cyclists, but I totally understand why the average motorist finds cyclists annoying because they are annoying and selfish.
But.... they annoy the sh*t out of me regularly. No problem with people using them for transport, but when it's gangs of them on country roads they are deciding to inconvenience other people for their hobby. I've never had a cyclist or group of cyclists pull over to let traffic pass. It is a very selfish hobby when they are riding routes that they will get in the way of others. That in no way excuses the muppets who shout abuse or unsafely pass cyclists, but I totally understand why the average motorist finds cyclists annoying because they are annoying and selfish.
Jordie Barretts sock said:
I fear the OP is not going to get the responses he expects. Which is unsurprising considering this is a motoring website.
Perhaps Mumsnet or a cycling forum would be a better option?
I absolutely despise cyclists that ride with an arrogance of self entitlement. I have no problem with cyclists who are aware of where they are cycling, aware of the queue behind them and pull over or make space for traffic to overtake. Much the same as tractors and farm machinery on the road.
Entitlement Perhaps Mumsnet or a cycling forum would be a better option?
I absolutely despise cyclists that ride with an arrogance of self entitlement. I have no problem with cyclists who are aware of where they are cycling, aware of the queue behind them and pull over or make space for traffic to overtake. Much the same as tractors and farm machinery on the road.
Blib said:
One item that improves my cycling enjoyment no end is an offside mirror attached to my bike's handlebar.
Apparently, lycra and mirrors don't go together, in many cyclist's opinions.
Good idea I think.Apparently, lycra and mirrors don't go together, in many cyclist's opinions.
But it’s the cyclist version of the briefcase w
ker, in the minds of many cyclists I think. The only way to avoid it is to spend £350 on a fancy rearwards facing radar detector and display I believe
Terminator X said:
Tbf most cyclists don't seem to give 2 fks about drivers either. Given the new laws I regularly see massive tail backs caused by cyclists riding with no thought at all about the chaos behind them. If getting abuse from that then I'm not surprised.
TX.
How do you determine whether the chaos is caused by the cyclist just cycling along, or by the traffic coming in the other direction that’s making it impossible to pass the cyclist?ks about drivers either. Given the new laws I regularly see massive tail backs caused by cyclists riding with no thought at all about the chaos behind them. If getting abuse from that then I'm not surprised.TX.
CKY said:
Reminds me of better times in the past, when the 'Tour of Britain' was a motorsport event and not some parade of Lycra fanatics.
There's a lot of talk of "cyclist entitlement", but you just exhibit "motorist entitlement". As another rightly said, there are knobs on both sides of the debate.
Labelling people who enjoy cycling as "a parade of lycra fanatics" does nothing but divide people more.
Rich Boy Spanner said:
I don't know if it is the worst, but the parade of anti-cycling bell ends that these topics bring out is astonishing. I seriously wonder sometimes how the British managed to get down from the trees.
It's surprised me and disappointed me to be fair. This forum is mostly fairly balanced, but threads like these just bring out the worst for some people. Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff