My thread on cyclists and the recent things I've noticed...

Firstly not all cyclists are bad, some are very cautious in their riding and understanding that they are relatively slower...

Secondly I have a lot of time for cyclists, my sister had a friend killed, I've had extended family hit by cars whilst on bikes and some friends of mine are avid cyclists... However..

Cyclists are often extremely touchy about how much room they are given when you overtake... Fine right? I don't like close overtakes and on a bike it's not much fun... But... Why doesn't this extend to them, when they overtake you? I was driving through town following a car when up ahead there was a zebra crossing he slowed in order to allow people to cross so that by the time he reached the crossing they'd be off (therefore he didn't have to stop), a cyclist came up on the inside of me and the curb (just over handlebar width I guess), cut in front of me, went passed the offside of the car in front, over the zebra crossing and off....then through a red light... (at that point I was secretly hoping to see him gently knocked off so we could all tell him how much of a plank he was, but no such luck...)

The other day I was leaving the local screwfix which requires driving over a drop curb pavement and onto a slow but busy road.... There was no one nearby on the pavement, drove half into the road as a car let me go, but as there was traffic I had to stop and wait, that is when a cyclist appeared, cycling down the pavement..he slowed enough to say "watch out for cyclists.... **** hell".... I replied by saying "get off the pavement then you 'richard'" I guess he didn't hear me...

It amazes me that they can mingle with traffic but there is no mandatory proficiency course/test or something... It's mad!

Edited September 9, 201510 yr by alexp999

I remember watching a documentary last year that covered both cyclists & car drivers points of view in London. (I reckon anyone who navigates roads in capital need a medal)

I could/can totally see both points of view but think it's like most things the minority give others a bad name.

Totally see what your saying I came very close to having a cyclist plant themselves in my front wing through his not paying attention, so beeped him once firm but short, and he gets all funny with me about it. What does he prefer I didn't beep and he 'drove' straight into me instead?
For info I was 3/4 of the way across a large roundabout, the car spotted me and stopped to give way. The cyclist didnt

Edited September 9, 201510 yr by alexp999
bypassing swear filter

It's a matter of perception.

Seafarers have a similar problem with Yachties.

(Who conveniently only ever remember Rule 12 - power gives way to sail...)

It's a matter of perception.

Seafarers have a similar problem with Yachties.

(Who conveniently only ever remember Rule 12 - power gives way to sail...)

In any water craft I always try and be courteous of other users. Especially in a sailing boat, slight adjustments make life a lot easier and yes, the amount of people that would happily get in the way of a cargo vessel, warship or any other big vessel because "power gives way to sail" is ridiculous! I suppose they forgot the other bits about 'gtfo the way of ferries et al'.

It's a matter of perception.

Seafarers have a similar problem with Yachties.

(Who conveniently only ever remember Rule 12 - power gives way to sail...)

Yeah I've experienced that a few times also.

The bikes are not taxed or insured. They are very lucky they are even allowed to use our roads in the first place. However speaking as someone who is also a motorcyclist I think the reason people on two wheels seem a bit touchy and volatile is because if you clip us all you get is a dented wing or scuffed bumper but we get a broken spine and a dented skull - if we are lucky.

The bikes are not taxed or insured. They are very lucky they are even allowed to use our roads in the first place. However speaking as someone who is also a motorcyclist I think the reason people on two wheels seem a bit touchy and volatile is because if you clip us all you get is a dented wing or scuffed bumper but we get a broken spine and a dented skull - if we are lucky.

I don't mind touchy bikers/cyclists, but what if you clip us? We get a dent and you could end up dead.... Of course, I think we're talking about minorities in the 2 wheel realm rather than majorities, although cyclists going through reds is quite common.

I make space for cyclists, so far I have never been driving and had a cyclist hit me, I used to cycle a lot, and to be fair I try to do whatever I can to make their ride safer, however, the one thing I dont appreciate, is idiot cyclists who ride down a one way street in the middle of the road!!!

I have on several occasions continued at a fare pace directly at them only braking at the last moment. on some occasions it works, (one particular cyclist I did this to, now never rides his cycle down the road the wrong way!) others think its funny. One of them had a real go at me for driving dangerously, I told him this time I had no intention of hitting him, the next time he did it I did the same again, and I told him I sneezed and so didnt see him and he was lucky I even hit the brakes. the look on his face was priceless!

I find everyone else on the road winds me up, we all make mistakes, but this is more a complete lack of consideracy, obliviousness or just plain ignorance? No idea, but it's the same while walking...it amazes me pedestrians are allowed in town with no tests or certificates...the amount of times I get cut up/pushed into/rolled into with buggies/forced off the kerb/expected to avoid the dog or child that's all over the place/etc while walking is ridiculous....and I always apologise as if it's my fault! So it's no wonder these people are just as bad on 2 wheels or 4...

I find everyone else on the road winds me up, we all make mistakes, but this is more a complete lack of consideracy, obliviousness or just plain ignorance? No idea, but it's the same while walking...it amazes me pedestrians are allowed in town with no tests or certificates...the amount of times I get cut up/pushed into/rolled into with buggies/forced off the kerb/expected to avoid the dog or child that's all over the place/etc while walking is ridiculous....and I always apologise as if it's my fault! So it's no wonder these people are just as bad on 2 wheels or 4...

I think you're right. You can tell when someone makes an honest mistake because they'll either gesture to you by way of a wave, or hazard lights or otherwise and you generally find their driving after the mistake is very good. It's that sort of thing that has me going "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?......Oh...Oh they made a mistake, it's ok, don't worry, sorry for shouting" (all in the car bubble).. But you can clearly tell the other type of people that continue to make error after error after error and you wonder if they've ever really done a test or whether they've ever realised that the 4 wheeled metal things called cars are actually occupied by other motorists all trying to get to B from A....

As for cyclists, I do give them room like James mentioned, same with motorbikes, while they are in my vicinity their lives are somewhat my responsibility, but when they cycle or drive like complete lunatics I often wonder what they'd say to me if I passed them that close....