giving bicyclists a bad rep
Discussion
had a little incident near my home in spain recently with a group of really arrogant aggresive cyclists.
anyhow coming down the road to our house at a very leisurely rate in the family hack,road is a good two car widths to meet a group of 15 or so road cyclists 3 abreast on the corner,almost taking the whole road.slowed right down to a crawl hard over in the gravel margin and still got shouted abuse,international hand signals.
now having the kids in the car and not wanting to set a bad example i took a breath and waited at a stop as that undoubtedly was the right thing to do-or would have been.the last two of the group,sweaty spandex clad transformer look-a-likes stopped at the window to further abuse with pathetic accusations and "own the road mentality". i let them vent and simply reminded them it would be safer for everyone if perhaps they stayed on their side of the road and they should perhaps have waved a thanks for my considerate and safe driving. at this one transformer hit my door mirror and started to ride off,what a w
ker. i did get a bit upset at this point and shouted back somthing about his mother and sex with donkeys,lo and behold as they looked back to respond one got a wobble on and fell off into the other,and they struggle around on the floor,feet still on the pedals,how we all laughed,what comes around goes around.
what says ph-just a could happen anywhere situation or do cyclists have a chip on their shoulder towards other road users?
anyhow coming down the road to our house at a very leisurely rate in the family hack,road is a good two car widths to meet a group of 15 or so road cyclists 3 abreast on the corner,almost taking the whole road.slowed right down to a crawl hard over in the gravel margin and still got shouted abuse,international hand signals.
now having the kids in the car and not wanting to set a bad example i took a breath and waited at a stop as that undoubtedly was the right thing to do-or would have been.the last two of the group,sweaty spandex clad transformer look-a-likes stopped at the window to further abuse with pathetic accusations and "own the road mentality". i let them vent and simply reminded them it would be safer for everyone if perhaps they stayed on their side of the road and they should perhaps have waved a thanks for my considerate and safe driving. at this one transformer hit my door mirror and started to ride off,what a w
ker. i did get a bit upset at this point and shouted back somthing about his mother and sex with donkeys,lo and behold as they looked back to respond one got a wobble on and fell off into the other,and they struggle around on the floor,feet still on the pedals,how we all laughed,what comes around goes around.what says ph-just a could happen anywhere situation or do cyclists have a chip on their shoulder towards other road users?
If they were already on the corner taking up most of the width of the road it would have been safer and more considerate of you to wait for them to negotiate the corner rather than carry on and force them out of your way. Would you have tried to force your way past a wide lorry or waited for it to get round the bend?
It is much harder for a group of closely packed riders to change their cornering line or brake without causing a crash than it would be for an individual in a single vehicle. It takes time and distance, they can't instantly narrow down to 2 abreast or brake sharply in unison.
Drivers on the continent tend to have a greater appreciation of this so consequently they probably perceived your driving as aggressive rather than inconsiderate.
Different customs in different countries and whilst cyclists in the UK may not expect such co-operation (and I certainly wouldn't ride like that on UK roads) it is more the norm in Spain.
Cyclists certainly do tend to be more 'defensive' in their attitude - as would anyone in a vulnerable position with adrenaline pumping. People are more aggressive when they feel threatened - it's nature!
It is much harder for a group of closely packed riders to change their cornering line or brake without causing a crash than it would be for an individual in a single vehicle. It takes time and distance, they can't instantly narrow down to 2 abreast or brake sharply in unison.
Drivers on the continent tend to have a greater appreciation of this so consequently they probably perceived your driving as aggressive rather than inconsiderate.
Different customs in different countries and whilst cyclists in the UK may not expect such co-operation (and I certainly wouldn't ride like that on UK roads) it is more the norm in Spain.
Cyclists certainly do tend to be more 'defensive' in their attitude - as would anyone in a vulnerable position with adrenaline pumping. People are more aggressive when they feel threatened - it's nature!
Case in point. My commute to work yesterday, some twunt on a bike doing a good 35+ mph while slip-streaming a car literally 6-8 inches from its bumper.
I thought to myself that idiots like that not only give cyclist a bad reputation, but also shouldn't be surprised if/when they have a huge accident and cause damage to themselves, the car/people they hit and other resultant mayhem.
Everyone gets well and truly annoyed with drivers sitting 2 inches off your bumper, and bikes are nto different IMHO.
Use some sense and have some consideration for other road users FFS.
I thought to myself that idiots like that not only give cyclist a bad reputation, but also shouldn't be surprised if/when they have a huge accident and cause damage to themselves, the car/people they hit and other resultant mayhem.
Everyone gets well and truly annoyed with drivers sitting 2 inches off your bumper, and bikes are nto different IMHO.
Use some sense and have some consideration for other road users FFS.
TonyHetherington said:
I won't lie - while on my bike I often see cyclists doing things and think to myself "you're giving me a bad reputation".
Why? If you are walking along and see another pedestrian spitting in the street for example, do you think that reflects badly on pedestrians or do you just think they are a filthy scumbag individual?Fair point 
I've no idea why, but when cycling I feel like I'm on a bit of a PR run. I do my upmost to be as polite and as sensible as possible - everything from pulling over to let cars past along narrow country lanes, to saying thanks when cars have waited behind me before overtaking.
Then I see a cyclist do something that would anger a motorist and I think they're the reason that cyclists have bad names.
It's a shame, but we are stereotyped a huge amount.
I've no idea why, but when cycling I feel like I'm on a bit of a PR run. I do my upmost to be as polite and as sensible as possible - everything from pulling over to let cars past along narrow country lanes, to saying thanks when cars have waited behind me before overtaking.
Then I see a cyclist do something that would anger a motorist and I think they're the reason that cyclists have bad names.
It's a shame, but we are stereotyped a huge amount.
TonyHetherington said:
Fair point
I've no idea why, but when cycling I feel like I'm on a bit of a PR run. I do my upmost to be as polite and as sensible as possible - everything from pulling over to let cars past along narrow country lanes, to saying thanks when cars have waited behind me before overtaking.
Then I see a cyclist do something that would anger a motorist and I think they're the reason that cyclists have bad names.
It's a shame, but we are stereotyped a huge amount.
Alas Tony, in my experience your gracious behaviour puts you firmly in the minority.I've no idea why, but when cycling I feel like I'm on a bit of a PR run. I do my upmost to be as polite and as sensible as possible - everything from pulling over to let cars past along narrow country lanes, to saying thanks when cars have waited behind me before overtaking.
Then I see a cyclist do something that would anger a motorist and I think they're the reason that cyclists have bad names.
It's a shame, but we are stereotyped a huge amount.
Then again, my view of cyclists is somewhat tainted by the fact that it's primarily formed of experience of them in London.
This a subject that comes up all the time. I am a driver and a cyclist and from my experience I find many cyclists seem to go out their way to be difficult, ride by side, block the road and try to wind up car drivers on purpose (especially those who are part of mass cycle groups eg CTC in my area, they don¡¦t give a damn about cars).
As a cyclist I try to be as friendly as possible and not defensive because I am on a bike and generally when I am nice I get a wave from a car driver, then we are all happy (no harm done and no-one gets wound up ¡V NOT HARD TO BE THE BIGGER PERSON).
Many cyclists, people on here excluded I assume ļ, seem to give the rest of us a bad name and they annoy the h*ll out of me, idiots and they are the ones more likely to anger a driver and cause an accident and you can bet the cyclist would come off worse.
As a cyclist I try to be as friendly as possible and not defensive because I am on a bike and generally when I am nice I get a wave from a car driver, then we are all happy (no harm done and no-one gets wound up ¡V NOT HARD TO BE THE BIGGER PERSON).
Many cyclists, people on here excluded I assume ļ, seem to give the rest of us a bad name and they annoy the h*ll out of me, idiots and they are the ones more likely to anger a driver and cause an accident and you can bet the cyclist would come off worse.
Stig said:
TonyHetherington said:
Fair point
I've no idea why, but when cycling I feel like I'm on a bit of a PR run. I do my upmost to be as polite and as sensible as possible - everything from pulling over to let cars past along narrow country lanes, to saying thanks when cars have waited behind me before overtaking.
Then I see a cyclist do something that would anger a motorist and I think they're the reason that cyclists have bad names.
It's a shame, but we are stereotyped a huge amount.
Alas Tony, in my experience your gracious behaviour puts you firmly in the minority.I've no idea why, but when cycling I feel like I'm on a bit of a PR run. I do my upmost to be as polite and as sensible as possible - everything from pulling over to let cars past along narrow country lanes, to saying thanks when cars have waited behind me before overtaking.
Then I see a cyclist do something that would anger a motorist and I think they're the reason that cyclists have bad names.
It's a shame, but we are stereotyped a huge amount.
Then again, my view of cyclists is somewhat tainted by the fact that it's primarily formed of experience of them in London.
I'm much the same as Tony in that I try and be polite and considerate on the bike. I figure that it not only helps people's perception of cyclists (despite the negative actions of some others I see) but it also gives me the right to stand on my soapbox occasionally and not feel hypocritical.
seadragon said:
This a subject that comes up all the time. I am a driver and a cyclist and from my experience I find many cyclists seem to go out their way to be difficult, ride by side, block the road and try to wind up car drivers on purpose .
I am also a driver and a cyclist and unfortunately there are too many dheads on both sidesOn Sunday, despite taking a central position in the road due to the 90 degree left hander, a driver overtook me and was overtaking my girlfriend in front whilst she was actually in the middle of the corner and guess what - a car coming in the opposite direction so he came within inches of sideswiping her. And for some reason the retard wondered why I shook my head at him. He was obviously that desperate to get past us
Why can't cyclists ride in single file?
All this crap about riding two abreast being safer, as it makes the car drivers slow down is utter bks!
It's spring time here in Mallorca, and we get inundated with thousands of the bloody Road Lice! They're rude, inconsiderate swine. Generaly speaking.
They don't stop at roundabouts, or red lights. I've been nearly rearended on several occaisions, when I've had to pull up mid roundanout while about 50 of the boogers come hooning through the roundabout!
They try and come up the inside of you in traffic too. Stupid dangerous manouver!
Then we get the teams, literally 50 or more riding in a group. Team car in front with a load of bikes on the roof, and one behind. There's no way to get past, and you have to sit behind the whole entourage for bloody miles!
When there's a cycle lane at the side of the road, they have to ride on the white line, so you have to slow down for oncoming traffic, before it's possible to pull out to pass.
Yes I do slow down for cyclists, and I give them plenty of space when I pass, especially as they will often swerve out from the goup without looking behind, to pass a team mate.
Absolute pain in the ares the lot of em! I try and be considerate, but sometimes I feel like having the bds in the ditch!
My wife works at the local hospital, and there's loads starting to come in with broken bones and abrasions, she says some of them are arrogant and rude.
Pumped up on body drugs I suppose!
I ride a bike, a hybrid, so I haven't got my arse in the air, and I don't wear all that ridiculous sponsor logo emblazened lycra st.
There's something fundamentaly wrong about old men with grey goatee's wearing lycra. FFS! Can't you see how ridiculous you look?
Well that's my ten penneth. Wrong forum to bh about cyclists I suppose, but that's how I see 'em.
And breathe!
All this crap about riding two abreast being safer, as it makes the car drivers slow down is utter b
ks! It's spring time here in Mallorca, and we get inundated with thousands of the bloody Road Lice! They're rude, inconsiderate swine. Generaly speaking.
They don't stop at roundabouts, or red lights. I've been nearly rearended on several occaisions, when I've had to pull up mid roundanout while about 50 of the boogers come hooning through the roundabout!
They try and come up the inside of you in traffic too. Stupid dangerous manouver!
Then we get the teams, literally 50 or more riding in a group. Team car in front with a load of bikes on the roof, and one behind. There's no way to get past, and you have to sit behind the whole entourage for bloody miles!
When there's a cycle lane at the side of the road, they have to ride on the white line, so you have to slow down for oncoming traffic, before it's possible to pull out to pass.
Yes I do slow down for cyclists, and I give them plenty of space when I pass, especially as they will often swerve out from the goup without looking behind, to pass a team mate.
Absolute pain in the ares the lot of em! I try and be considerate, but sometimes I feel like having the b
ds in the ditch!My wife works at the local hospital, and there's loads starting to come in with broken bones and abrasions, she says some of them are arrogant and rude.
Pumped up on body drugs I suppose!
I ride a bike, a hybrid, so I haven't got my arse in the air, and I don't wear all that ridiculous sponsor logo emblazened lycra s
t. There's something fundamentaly wrong about old men with grey goatee's wearing lycra. FFS! Can't you see how ridiculous you look?
Well that's my ten penneth. Wrong forum to b
h about cyclists I suppose, but that's how I see 'em.And breathe!
It's interesting how the behaviour of a cyclist can make you feel.
As a driver and cyclist I hate to see road warriors or just plain idiots on bikes.
Through some roadworks tonight I'm first car and half way through when a cyclist comes the other way.
On Sunday I saw a cyclist on the pavement riding and texting as he crossed a side road and then joined the main road without even looking. Still texting. Annoying and embarrassing. I expect all cyclists to be idiots even though I am one so I guess other drivers do.
I often wish some would get hit just to highlight what an idiot they've been. The texter could easily have been t***ted by a bus! But it would be another cycling death in London amid calls for blanket 20mph speed limits.
As a driver and cyclist I hate to see road warriors or just plain idiots on bikes.
Through some roadworks tonight I'm first car and half way through when a cyclist comes the other way.
On Sunday I saw a cyclist on the pavement riding and texting as he crossed a side road and then joined the main road without even looking. Still texting. Annoying and embarrassing. I expect all cyclists to be idiots even though I am one so I guess other drivers do.
I often wish some would get hit just to highlight what an idiot they've been. The texter could easily have been t***ted by a bus! But it would be another cycling death in London amid calls for blanket 20mph speed limits.
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