What the feck is wrong with people?
Discussion
Cyclists warned to be on their guard after police find wire stretched across a cycle path - at head height.
http://road.cc/content/news/145835-suffolk-cyclist...
http://road.cc/content/news/145835-suffolk-cyclist...
Unbelievable.... really.
Nowhere near as lethal, but someone was laying down drawing pins recently on my local trails (swinley forest). That could still cause a serious injury, but i shudder to think of a wire/neck interface at speed.
The anti-cycling hatred really seems to be intensifying... in direct proportion to the average weight of the non-cycling rest-of-population coincidentally.
Nowhere near as lethal, but someone was laying down drawing pins recently on my local trails (swinley forest). That could still cause a serious injury, but i shudder to think of a wire/neck interface at speed.
The anti-cycling hatred really seems to be intensifying... in direct proportion to the average weight of the non-cycling rest-of-population coincidentally.
Do you think things like this and cyclists getting attacked by car/van drivers has led to a break down in morals for both sides?
My drive sadly feeds into the A25 and it is a bugger to get out of with the traffic, you have to hope somebody slows down or if a gap one way pull out and wait for traffic to clear the other. I did this 20 minutes back, I put my window down to thank the cyclist, as I had made him slow down while I joined, only to get a a load of verbal abuse. To which I replied p
s off. Which I shouldn't have, silly to get to that state. In 10 years of living here I have never had that happen before so quite surprised me. Ideally I didn't want to slow him and the cars behind but sometimes you have to give and take. Apologies if you are reading this.
Do you think it will get worse between 2 and 4 wheels? It seems to becoming more polarised.
My drive sadly feeds into the A25 and it is a bugger to get out of with the traffic, you have to hope somebody slows down or if a gap one way pull out and wait for traffic to clear the other. I did this 20 minutes back, I put my window down to thank the cyclist, as I had made him slow down while I joined, only to get a a load of verbal abuse. To which I replied p
s off. Which I shouldn't have, silly to get to that state. In 10 years of living here I have never had that happen before so quite surprised me. Ideally I didn't want to slow him and the cars behind but sometimes you have to give and take. Apologies if you are reading this.Do you think it will get worse between 2 and 4 wheels? It seems to becoming more polarised.
Gandahar said:
Do you think things like this and cyclists getting attacked by car/van drivers has led to a break down in morals for both sides?
My drive sadly feeds into the A25 and it is a bugger to get out of with the traffic, you have to hope somebody slows down or if a gap one way pull out and wait for traffic to clear the other. I did this 20 minutes back, I put my window down to thank the cyclist, as I had made him slow down while I joined, only to get a a load of verbal abuse. To which I replied ps off. Which I shouldn't have, silly to get to that state. In 10 years of living here I have never had that happen before so quite surprised me. Ideally I didn't want to slow him and the cars behind but sometimes you have to give and take. Apologies if you are reading this.
Do you think it will get worse between 2 and 4 wheels? It seems to becoming more polarised.
I think it will get worse... the population is increasing, so number of cars will of course increase (along with congestion) and as the number of cyclists also increases (to avoid that congestion) so the amount of bike/car interaction will increase.My drive sadly feeds into the A25 and it is a bugger to get out of with the traffic, you have to hope somebody slows down or if a gap one way pull out and wait for traffic to clear the other. I did this 20 minutes back, I put my window down to thank the cyclist, as I had made him slow down while I joined, only to get a a load of verbal abuse. To which I replied p
s off. Which I shouldn't have, silly to get to that state. In 10 years of living here I have never had that happen before so quite surprised me. Ideally I didn't want to slow him and the cars behind but sometimes you have to give and take. Apologies if you are reading this.Do you think it will get worse between 2 and 4 wheels? It seems to becoming more polarised.
As for you case - and this is based on just my initial feel of your post - it sounded like you used the cyclist as an opportunity to pull out because he was going slower that the cars that were behind him which you said are often unwilling to let you out. So maybe you pulled out close enough to cause him to apply his brakes hard (to avoid a collision) or enough to slow him drastically (which, when its your legs and lungs you use to get back up to speed is a ballache)? I suppose from his point of view he'd think "that guy wouldnt have pulled out if i was in a car, but because im on a bike he knew he could do it as i have more to lose".
As i said - i dont know the distances, traffic, times, details, but theres only really two reasons that would make him give you a torrent of abuse - either you did something that he felt was a potential risk to him, or hes just a psycho that is looking for an argument (quite possible of course)
daddy cool said:
Gandahar said:
Do you think things like this and cyclists getting attacked by car/van drivers has led to a break down in morals for both sides?
My drive sadly feeds into the A25 and it is a bugger to get out of with the traffic, you have to hope somebody slows down or if a gap one way pull out and wait for traffic to clear the other. I did this 20 minutes back, I put my window down to thank the cyclist, as I had made him slow down while I joined, only to get a a load of verbal abuse. To which I replied ps off. Which I shouldn't have, silly to get to that state. In 10 years of living here I have never had that happen before so quite surprised me. Ideally I didn't want to slow him and the cars behind but sometimes you have to give and take. Apologies if you are reading this.
Do you think it will get worse between 2 and 4 wheels? It seems to becoming more polarised.
I think it will get worse... the population is increasing, so number of cars will of course increase (along with congestion) and as the number of cyclists also increases (to avoid that congestion) so the amount of bike/car interaction will increase.My drive sadly feeds into the A25 and it is a bugger to get out of with the traffic, you have to hope somebody slows down or if a gap one way pull out and wait for traffic to clear the other. I did this 20 minutes back, I put my window down to thank the cyclist, as I had made him slow down while I joined, only to get a a load of verbal abuse. To which I replied p
s off. Which I shouldn't have, silly to get to that state. In 10 years of living here I have never had that happen before so quite surprised me. Ideally I didn't want to slow him and the cars behind but sometimes you have to give and take. Apologies if you are reading this.Do you think it will get worse between 2 and 4 wheels? It seems to becoming more polarised.
As for you case - and this is based on just my initial feel of your post - it sounded like you used the cyclist as an opportunity to pull out because he was going slower that the cars that were behind him which you said are often unwilling to let you out. So maybe you pulled out close enough to cause him to apply his brakes hard (to avoid a collision) or enough to slow him drastically (which, when its your legs and lungs you use to get back up to speed is a ballache)? I suppose from his point of view he'd think "that guy wouldnt have pulled out if i was in a car, but because im on a bike he knew he could do it as i have more to lose".
As i said - i dont know the distances, traffic, times, details, but theres only really two reasons that would make him give you a torrent of abuse - either you did something that he felt was a potential risk to him, or hes just a psycho that is looking for an argument (quite possible of course)
In the case mentioned above he was a long way away, and I would have pulled out in front of those cars also, but I did realise he would have to slow down. I actually went out further to give him the opportunity to go on the pavement and around as it has a lowered kerb there, but I do understand it's a pain if you have toe clips or those shoes that attach to the pedals (showing my ignorance here on tech biking term).
Ideally nobody should be having to pull out to make traffic slow down, but such is the weight of traffic, especially in London / SE England it's sometimes the only way, if done appreciating you are relying on the goodwill of others.
Chill pills for all is best. Including me.
Edited by Gandahar on Wednesday 18th March 12:33
Gandahar said:
Yes I think you are right in the first paragraph, imagine me trying to get out of my drive in 10 years time! Even now when I leave at 4.30am to go to work I more than not have to wait for a lorry or other early commuter to go by.
In the case mentioned above he was a long way away, and I would have pulled out in front of those cars also, but I did realise he would have to slow down. I actually went out further to give him the opportunity to go on the pavement and around as it has a lowered kerb there, but I do understand it's a pain if you have toe clips or those shoes that attach to the pedals (showing my ignorance here on tech biking term).
Ideally nobody should be having to pull out to make traffic slow down, but such is the weight of traffic, especially in London / SE England it's sometimes the only way, if done appreciating you are relying on the goodwill of others.
Chill pills for all is best. Including me.
Maybe you could, oh, I don't know? Maybe try waiting at the give way line when you are turning right? You know, instead of moving forward across a live lane, blocking traffic from the right so that traffic from the left feels blackmailed into letting you out?In the case mentioned above he was a long way away, and I would have pulled out in front of those cars also, but I did realise he would have to slow down. I actually went out further to give him the opportunity to go on the pavement and around as it has a lowered kerb there, but I do understand it's a pain if you have toe clips or those shoes that attach to the pedals (showing my ignorance here on tech biking term).
Ideally nobody should be having to pull out to make traffic slow down, but such is the weight of traffic, especially in London / SE England it's sometimes the only way, if done appreciating you are relying on the goodwill of others.
Chill pills for all is best. Including me.
That dickwaddery is one of my pet hates, whether cycling or driving. It's right up there with the nuggets who reverse out of their driveways, every day, repeatedly ignoring the fact that they are putting the rear of the vehicle blindly into a live traffic lane. So take the chill pill, old bean, and when it's done it's work, try waiting at the appointed place...
...honestly, it really does beggar belief when you come onto a forum full of cyclists to have a rant at a cyclist, despite the fact that it's clearly you who has a problem with a lack of patience and the ability to follow the simple set of rules you were taught to gain your license.
yellowjack said:
Maybe you could, oh, I don't know? Maybe try waiting at the give way line when you are turning right? You know, instead of moving forward across a live lane, blocking traffic from the right so that traffic from the left feels blackmailed into letting you out?
That dickwaddery is one of my pet hates, whether cycling or driving. It's right up there with the nuggets who reverse out of their driveways, every day, repeatedly ignoring the fact that they are putting the rear of the vehicle blindly into a live traffic lane. So take the chill pill, old bean, and when it's done it's work, try waiting at the appointed place...
...honestly, it really does beggar belief when you come onto a forum full of cyclists to have a rant at a cyclist, despite the fact that it's clearly you who has a problem with a lack of patience and the ability to follow the simple set of rules you were taught to gain your license.
I think gandahar is talking about exiting from his drive rather than across a Give Way.That dickwaddery is one of my pet hates, whether cycling or driving. It's right up there with the nuggets who reverse out of their driveways, every day, repeatedly ignoring the fact that they are putting the rear of the vehicle blindly into a live traffic lane. So take the chill pill, old bean, and when it's done it's work, try waiting at the appointed place...
...honestly, it really does beggar belief when you come onto a forum full of cyclists to have a rant at a cyclist, despite the fact that it's clearly you who has a problem with a lack of patience and the ability to follow the simple set of rules you were taught to gain your license.
daddy cool said:
Unbelievable.... really.
Nowhere near as lethal, but someone was laying down drawing pins recently on my local trails (swinley forest). That could still cause a serious injury, but i shudder to think of a wire/neck interface at speed.
The anti-cycling hatred really seems to be intensifying... in direct proportion to the average weight of the non-cycling rest-of-population coincidentally.
I did the Wiggle New Forest Sportive two years ago and a few locals scattered the route with drawing pins and removed the signs. UKCE did a great job sorting the signs, but there was only so much they could do about the drawing pins. Nowhere near as lethal, but someone was laying down drawing pins recently on my local trails (swinley forest). That could still cause a serious injury, but i shudder to think of a wire/neck interface at speed.
The anti-cycling hatred really seems to be intensifying... in direct proportion to the average weight of the non-cycling rest-of-population coincidentally.
Amazingly I managed the whole route with out a puncture, but there were people at the roadside replacing punctures almost every mile at one point. I presume several people had to use the sweeper van to get back to the start. I know I only carry enough spares to deal with three punctures.
There was also a few words of abuse thrown at cyclists from people in cars as well. Weather was crap too. Not a great day out on the bike if I'm honest.
Countdown said:
I think gandahar is talking about exiting from his drive rather than across a Give Way.
Even worse, in that case. Sorry, but blocking traffic from the right completely, when you are turning right is a crappy stunt to pull. If someone pulled out ahead of you with a clear lane to turn into it would be regarded as bad enough, but bringing the A25 to a halt on the off-chance that someone from the left slows to let you into the traffic flow? Just not cricket, my good man. Whether it's his drive, or a side road is neither here nor there.What's wrong with people? In a word, Entitlement. Personally I think it has a lot to do with marketing/advertising, but in any case we live in a society where people increasingly believe they deserve, or are entitled to everything their way, and to hell with anyone who might impede that, however briefly.
It's not (just) 2 wheels vs 4, it's across all aspects of life. Tribal divisions are just a convenient place to hang the blame for the irrational belief that you are more important than anyone else, should have priority in every situation, and that doing ridiculous things like putting wire out to stop people who inconvenience / upset you is 'reasonable'. Yes, it's going to get worse..
It's not (just) 2 wheels vs 4, it's across all aspects of life. Tribal divisions are just a convenient place to hang the blame for the irrational belief that you are more important than anyone else, should have priority in every situation, and that doing ridiculous things like putting wire out to stop people who inconvenience / upset you is 'reasonable'. Yes, it's going to get worse..
Sounds a PITA OP , you waived thanks, life goes on. If he gets wound up by that then he's probably just mr angry.
I get "gently" cut up or similar things to OP most days when out on the bike, if they wave thanks I just think they made a mistake , usually they say thanks, I ride off life goes on!!
Take day before yesterday, doing 45mph on bike into my village, I ease off to 30 for the 30 zone when a car in the distance suddenly drives off their drive to re park there. She probably didn't realise how fast I was going, I just came from 30 to a stop . Poor bird then stalled it and was struggling. I just waited patiently, she waived thanks, I ride off : JOB JOBBED
Don't get me wrong on near close misses, or when people pull out and I have to do an emergency stop that's different. But I don't get the argument when cyclists complain of "lost momentum" when they have to brake for stuff when they have "priority" . Use your bloody legs and acierate up again!
I get "gently" cut up or similar things to OP most days when out on the bike, if they wave thanks I just think they made a mistake , usually they say thanks, I ride off life goes on!!
Take day before yesterday, doing 45mph on bike into my village, I ease off to 30 for the 30 zone when a car in the distance suddenly drives off their drive to re park there. She probably didn't realise how fast I was going, I just came from 30 to a stop . Poor bird then stalled it and was struggling. I just waited patiently, she waived thanks, I ride off : JOB JOBBED
Don't get me wrong on near close misses, or when people pull out and I have to do an emergency stop that's different. But I don't get the argument when cyclists complain of "lost momentum" when they have to brake for stuff when they have "priority" . Use your bloody legs and acierate up again!
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff