Is it time to start calling out bad cyclists?

Nergs MissMouse just to prove bigchainring fallible

Don't leave me out.

I used to do quite a bit there in mornings and evenings. Never had any problems. Maybe you're too skinny and they can't see you..

Many moons ago I worked near Euston and rode various routes around Regents Park on my way in and out of work. Never saw a single problem, other than not feeling anywhere near fast enough on the inner circle parts.

But then again, I'm a bit big for a cyclist and I was riding quite wide bars (which I maintain gives you more road presence). For once, it seems my lardy arse and uncool bars were a help not a hindrance.

So the bike po-po were actually doing their job and stopping riders last night.

I spotted a dude with the no brakes (TM), no lights (TM) fixeh system being practically pulled off the road on Kensington Road. Oooof!

Can't believe I missed all this beef.
bigchainring. My new forum hero

rep

I thought you lost the power of rep a long time ago?
What happened, did you bribe someone with some delicately pulled pork or just shove a side of smoked cow in the direction of the fat Aussie?

It really is, you might not like that, you seem like the caring type but some people don't want your opinion or concern. That's life. You're free to pull people up when you think you see them doing something wrong, that's your choice, your right, but I am not convinced it's the solution. I think this forum is big enough and more than capable of coming up with a better approach.

Ignoring the trolling for a minute - your search for a "better approach" is the very essence of the thread.

To simplify, we have two factions here:

1. Call out bad cyclists.
   
2. Only call out those that endanger you.
   
   

You seem to object to 1 on the grounds that no one is in a position to "preach" to someone else about their cycling skills or lack thereof.

But surely SOME are in a position to preach? Say professional cycle trainers? What about them?

You also object that people don't want to hear such advice (whether from one qualified or not).
While that is clearly the case in the majority of examples on this very thread at least SOME have received the advice with goodwill and thanks.

I believe that if even ONE person learns the danger of undertaking a left turning HGV say - then approach 1 is better than approach 2.

What is the downside to approach 1?
Increased animosity between cyclists? Hardly!
We all already hate each other in any case...

Finally - approach 2 is pretty selfish.
It seems you are saying that since you are the wronged party that gives you some sort of "preaching rights".

So someone who maybe an utterly appalling cyclist who happens to be cut up by another muppet is MORE qualified to call them out than a professional cycling trainer??

That doesn't make sense.

If you had said - "I believe only professional cycling trainers should be the ones calling out bad cycling" - then you might have had a point.
But your approach is both arbitrary and worse than the "anyone can preach" approach.

Trouble is, half this site are "professional cycle trainers"...

Just means unemployable cyclist.

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/professional

engaged in a specified activity as one’s main paid occupation rather than as an amateur

Professional bog wanker.

Legit career choice.

Ignoring the trolling for a minute - your search for a "better approach" is the very essence of the thread.

To simplify, we have two factions here:

1. Call out bad cyclists.
   
2. Only call out those that endanger you.
   
   

You seem to object to 1 on the grounds that no one is in a position to "preach" to someone else about their cycling skills or lack thereof.

But surely SOME are in a position to preach? Say professional cycle trainers? What about them?

What about them? Are they being paid by the bad cyclist for that advice? Did they ask for that advice?

Only last week I had a driving instructor pull out on me. No student in the car. Is that OK as they're a professional?

Clergy men are rather qualified to preach, about GOD, yet the vast majority only preach to those who have 'opted in'.

You also object that people don't want to hear such advice (whether from one qualified or not).
While that is clearly the case in the majority of examples on this very thread at least SOME have received the advice with goodwill and thanks.

I believe that if even ONE person learns the danger of undertaking a left turning HGV say - then approach 1 is better than approach 2.

What is the downside to approach 1?
Increased animosity between cyclists? Hardly!
We all already hate each other in any case...

Finally - approach 2 is pretty selfish.
It seems you are saying that since you are the wronged party that gives you some sort of "preaching rights".

So with all the cycling folk we have here on this forum, all these professionals and great minds, we only have the above two options??

I've been involved in an accident and had an off-duty nurse come to my aid. This was unsolicited and unwelcome. She should have minded her own business and continued doing what she was doing.

I've been involved in an accident and had an off-duty nurse come to my aid. This was unsolicited and unwelcome. She should have minded her own business and continued doing what she was doing.

That is such a strong argument.

/thread

I've been involved in an accident and had an off-duty nurse come to my aid. This was unsolicited and unwelcome. She should have minded her own business and continued doing what she was doing.

You should have shanked her and rode off on the pavement.

6pt's standard commute then.

So with all the cycling folk we have here on this forum, all these professionals and great minds, we only have the above two options??

I was simplifying!

Then I gave a third option in an attempt to persuade you that some people might be qualified to give advice.
But you rejected that.

You maintain that the only people qualified to give advice to those who cycle badly are picked at random by the bad cyclist as he wends his merry way.

However, I will try for a last time:
Some good natured bad cyclists receive advice well and improve their habits. We know this.
There is no downside to having a friendly word with people (DJ aside - he'll kill you with fire).

So let's call them out!! Worst case - nothing. Best case - improved cycling.
What's not to like??

6pt's standard commute then.

Damn it, still can't rep you.

I was simplifying!

Then I gave a third option in an attempt to persuade you that some people might be qualified to give advice.
But you rejected that.

You maintain that the only people qualified to give advice to those who cycle badly are picked at random by the bad cyclist as he wends his merry way.

However, I will try for a last time:
Some good natured bad cyclists receive advice well and improve their habits. We know this.
There is no downside to having a friendly word with people (DJ aside - he'll kill you with fire).

So let's call them out!! Worst case - nothing. Best case - improved cycling.
What's not to like??

Worst case, more road rage.

How about this, just throwing it out there. Quick off the cusp alternative.

We had 'what a cunt' stickers. I propose 'Are you next?' stickers/cards/flyers etc.

Give them out to these bad cyclists. They type in the url 'http://www.areyounext.com'.

Home page stats on deaths of cyclist in that classic blind spot. Bit of shock treatment, video? Also the video I saw recently on here actually showing how blind that blind spot is....etc...etc.

If someone handed me a card/flyer like that I would be curious. This community is more than capable of doing a good job of something like this.

Finally you have offered some positive suggestions, well done.

Though have you considered the inherent danger of giving a card to someone who is not a great cyclist while they are riding along. Also much like giving advice, the manner in which it is given could affect how they are received. Why will giving a card to someone be any different to giving them advice.

CTUK have already done 10 top tips for cyclists cards and they do get handed out at events like Dr Bikes and during training.

The term is off the cuff but don't worry about that.

In grannyrings defence, after trolling for 5 days he/she's finally offered up a decent option. Still a dick though

Finally you have offered some positive suggestions, well done.

Though have you considered the inherent danger of giving a card to someone who is not a great cyclist while they are riding along. Also much like giving advice, the manner in which it is given could affect how they are received. Why will giving a card to someone be any different to giving them advice.

CTUK have already done 10 top tips for cyclists cards and they do get handed out at events like Dr Bikes and during training.

The term is off the cuff but don't worry about that.

Wrong audience.

In grannyrings defence, after trolling for 5 days he/she's finally offered up a decent option. Still a dick though

The resistance and name calling is quite ironic as it just parallels the response of the 'called out' bad cyclists.

In grannyrings defence, after trolling for 5 days he/she's finally offered up a decent option. Still a dick though

expect an invitation for a one to one meeting with threatening undertones

^ Teenage Kick(ing)s?