Is it time to start calling out bad cyclists?

i suspect it probably has something to do with forum groupthink. like the foffa thread.

^ is there a list for this groupthink I want to put my name on it.

i think... do i?

Yes, you do.

Forum Hive Mind

1. HatBeard
   

I met Gaz once on my old commute, he was a nice bloke. We had a chat at some traffic lights. That TV programme he was on didn't show him in the best light, and neither do some of his videos.

Used to bump into Origamist quite often on the old commute too, he was a lovely chap and his videos were great. No shouting, just lots of good points about defensive cycling. They appear to have disappeared from youtube now, which is a shame.

yer man trafficdroid does like a bit of the gay-hating.

What is it with some cyclists having such a beef against people who use cameras? It makes no difference to your life, if anything the convictions they help secure probably improve it.

My beef, if it should even be called that as it's mild beef at most, isn't with people on bikes using cameras it's with those shouty ones videoing the needless confrontations they are instigating with an alarming frequency vs the experience of confrontation free* cycling that many have.

The outcome of this as far as I can see is further dangerisation of cycling, plus an increase in the "us vs them" divide. This cost could far outweigh the benefit of the occasional conviction the shouty folks achieve IMO.

• by which I mean not chasing after and shouting at everyone who wrongs them in any way.
  

^This

On the very rare occasion that I have to have a communication with a driver because they have tried to kill me they are almost always pre-riled and use comments which generalise cyclists. These conflict hunters do nothing to diminish this.

Seconded. Seriously, fuck you.

What is it with some cyclists having such a beef against people who use cameras? It makes no difference to your life, if anything the convictions they help secure probably improve it.

Disagree completely. They could secure convictions without posting anything in the public domain, but instead they court attention. It's their videos which reinforce some drivers' belief that cyclists are self-righteous rant-inclined dickwads.

^ agreed in some cases, they do seem to go looking for trouble and some overreact to the most minor of infringements.

It's a shame origamist took his videos down as they really were great. I think he's on here, but haven't seen him about for a while...

Disagree completely. They could secure convictions without posting anything in the public domain, but instead they court attention. It's their videos which reinforce some drivers' belief that cyclists are self-righteous rant-inclined dickwads.

How dare you, I'm not self-righteous.

Suggesting that people who film and post up vids of their experiences are representative of anyone other than themselves is moronic and plays into the hands of the sort of mindless, flawed fuckwittery that presumes there is some sort of collective responsibility for people based upon something as utterly fucking arbitrary as thier choice of transport. What you or anyone else does on their bike has sweet fuck all to do with me, and if you think it does, then you're the one with the problem, and that's what needs addressing. There is no "us v them" there is only self interested bigotry and everyone else.

There is no "us v them" there is only self interested bigotry and everyone else.
And the forrins, obvs.

well yes, of course.

/hides valuables

Suggesting that people who film and post up vids of their experiences are representative of anyone other than themselves is moronic and plays into the hands of the sort of mindless, flawed fuckwittery that presumes there is some sort of collective responsibility for people based upon something as utterly fucking arbitrary as thier choice of transport. What you or anyone else does on their bike has sweet fuck all to do with me, and if you think it does, then you're the one with the problem, and that's what needs addressing. There is no "us v them" there is only self interested bigotry and everyone else.

erm..

On the very rare occasion that I have to have a communication with a driver because they have tried to kill me they are almost always pre-riled and use comments which generalise cyclists. These conflict hunters do nothing to diminish this.

Plus all the wobbly rlj where'syerhelmethivizetc shite that gets levelled at anyone who uses a bicycle.

so we should all behave because failure to do so will possibly rile some mouthbreathing bully in a car? fuck that. collective responsibility is used to justify collective punishment, and i'll have nothing to do with it.

i behave because it's the fucking law.

The number of people who, when I mention that I cycle, say 'I hate cyclists, they all run red lights, sail through ped crossings' etc is rather large. I'd imagine only a few of them drive in London, most are pedestrians/public transport users.

To think that people riding like dicks doesn't reflect badly on other cyclists is a little naive, I think. In an ideal world we'd all be judged individually on our merits and wouldn't get lumped in and stereotyped by the form of transport we choose to use, but in reality that's not the case.

I mean, just have a bit of a read through some of the threads on here and other cycling sites to read about white van men or typical BMW drivers to see that it happens whatever your form of transport.

I ride in accordance with the highway code because a) it's the law and b) it keeps me safe(r than ignoring it). I also feel that other road users/pedestrians might see me stopping at a red, or allowing a pedestrian to cross and think 'oh, not all cyclists are dicks'. You never know, it might help.

PS - I drove into work ONCE and saw enough shit cycling in that time to raise my blood pressure significantly, including one prick wobbling into my wing mirror whilst I was sat at traffic lights (and yes, I'd left plenty of room).

The number of people who, when I mention that I immigrated, say 'I hate immigrants, they all steal, harrass our womenfolk' etc is rather large. I'd imagine only a few of them are Daily Mail readers.

To think that people behaving like dicks doesn't reflect badly on other immigrants is a little naive, I think. In an ideal world we'd all be judged individually on our merits...

Same logic, innit.

Not really, no. It's a method of transport which I choose to use. The only time it's relevant is whilst I'm cycling, a time when other road users are forced to make a snap judgement call about how to treat me; if/when to pass me, how much room to give me, how fast to pass me etc.

These decisions will be based (hopefully) on their knowledge and understanding of the highway code and in some cases on their previous experiences (both positive and negative) with other cyclists. I'd rather he hadn't just had some cunt on a bike jump a red in front of him or almost knock a granny over on a pedestrian crossing.

Seconded. Seriously, fuck you.

What is it with some cyclists having such a beef against people who use cameras? It makes no difference to your life, if anything the convictions they help secure probably improve it.

Ive got no beef. Like I said already, there is a legitimate benefit to their use. I'd like one myself.

I wouldn't, however, use it to post videos of me 'racing' commuters or bombing down 1% declines at rush hour like i'm some kind of hero. Gaz is a knobhead who hasn't posted a useful video in ages.

I'd have one too if I could afford one. For the bewbs obvs

To think that people riding like dicks doesn't reflect badly on other cyclists is a little naive, I think. In an ideal world we'd all be judged individually on our merits and wouldn't get lumped in and stereotyped by the form of transport we choose to use, but in reality that's not the case.

+1. To suggest that the conduct of some members of a group, whether they are a group or are perceived as such, doesn't affect the other members of that group is full-on cloud cuckooland stuff. Yes, in an ideal world everyone would be judged according to their own personal conduct and actions. In the real world people make snap decisions based upon generalisations and perception. Maybe they shouldn't, and I'd certainly agree that they shouldn't, but the fact is they do and pretending that this isn't the case seems rather unrealistic. I'm aware that my conduct has consequences for others both directly and indirectly, and most of the time I act accordingly. The rest of the time I'm tired, pissed or daydreaming.

Listen to this - about a few months ago I couldn't believe my frickin eyes when I saw a lad cycle with his rolling suitcase trailing to right of bike, as he was cycling through Bermondsey, wish I'd got a few pics...

Not sure if this is the best thread to post this in, but, WAC.

The Rookie Race on Vimeo

2:18

An object lesson in "don't be a cunt, mate".