-
A lot of the people I know are way too spordaic/careless (cue bashing) I find it really difficult to ride with other people, they seem to intentionally weave across multiple lanes, suddenly change direction, not signal, not have lights etc etc.
I mostly get left behind because I stop for pedestrians, only some traffic lights and give cars priority where due.
Can I ask what you meant by this though
sits in the right hand lane going 15mph not paying attention to the cars behind him honking the horn,
This on a multiple lane road?
-
A lot of the people I know are way too spordaic/careless (cue bashing) I find it really difficult to ride with other people, they seem to intentionally weave across multiple lanes, suddenly change direction, not signal, not have lights etc etc.
I mostly get left behind because I stop for pedestrians, only some traffic lights and give cars priority where due.
Can I ask what you meant by this though
This on a multiple lane road?
2 lane road, Uxbridge road, inside lane completely free with no cars stopped in the distance, basically he had no reason to be in that lane. Glad to hear i'm not the only one who can say that they know reckless cyclists, when I wrote my post I was expecting a "It's all the cars fault" type response or two =P
-
a) lack of paragraphs can be fixed Mick! It really hurts your message.
b) People who are going to read this are probably more keen / experienced cyclists. Telling them to ride considerately is frankly patronising.
c) IF it aimed at those less experienced at cycling then a link to the cycle training thread or other resources would help.
d) Did you tell your mate that he is a tool? -
a) lack of paragraphs can be fixed Mick! It really hurts your message.
b) People who are going to read this are probably more keen / experienced cyclists. Telling them to ride considerately is frankly patronising.
c) IF it aimed at those less experienced at cycling then a link to the cycle training thread or other resources would help.
d) Did you tell your mate that he is a tool?a. Done
b. I know it comes across as patronising, part of the point was that it asks those among who dispise cars to look at things from the drivers perspective, to be honest, he was pissing me off, so think how drivers feel having to put up with that, just asking for those anti-car people to think a bit harder before they form their "I hate all cars" mantra.
c. I doubt there are any inexperienced therefore dangerous cyclists on this forum as the people on this forum have an interest in it, like driving, those with the most interest take great care in it and are usually better.
d. Since this was our first time cycling together in average traffic instead of insulting him (which he deserved to be honest) I just told him what not to do and to try and take greater care. His bike has some lovely wheels on it and it'd be terrible if they got damaged if he crashed. -
mick, save up and buy some tweed. road users will respect you more. FACT.
Except for some sod in a Black Audi behind Buck House, who got very pissed off at me blocking the road in front of him. Can't say I blame him. He probably had some important, erm, stuff to take to erm, a place. Yeah, something like that.
-
a significant number of cyclists have quite a hatred for cars (for some reason the car is usually what they hate, rather than the idiot in control of it)
what are you basing this on? I've never met a cyclist who hated all cars *per se *merely because of the way some people drive them badly. Have you?
and the same goes for drivers opinions on cyclists.
Way different. when driving a car **some people **get an increased sense of self esteem and of invulnerability. They feel isolated from the consequences of their actions, often because they are in a 1500kg re-enforced steel box. This isolation can encourage arrogant and even reckless behaviour, towards other road users.
Now, to the point of my post, I went cycling with a friend today as he needed to go to pick something up, and it made me realise how careless some cyclists can be, this guy constantly undertakes other cyclists, cuts across other cars, sits in the right hand lane going 15mph not paying attention to the cars behind him honking the horn, cutting red lights without looking (he very nearly got hit doing this) and at one point I was overtaking a bus, saw it stopping coming up to a side-road so I slow as I assume it's letting a car out, it was, he wasn't paying attention and went straight into the back of me. Now, think of how many cyclists there are like that on the roads, imagine how much hassle they cause to other users of the road.
of all the cyclists you've ever seen, how many ride like this? I think you answer this question when you say: "out of all the drivers we come across on the roads, the only one's we remember are the bad ones, we don't remember the good ones because they've done nothing memorable, they're just there on the roads, not causing any bother." This applies as much to cyclists than it does to car drivers.
My point is that there are so many cyclists out there causing hassle through their carelessness,
in my opinion this is NOT true. Yes there are inconsiderate cyclists out there, but they are very few and far between. I probably see one inconsiderate cyclist a week, maybe less. I see probably a dozen **dangerously inconsiderate **car drivers a day on a 10 mile commute.
which can cause other road users to have less respect for cyclists and the more responsible cyclists are also victims of this, being tarred with the same brush and whatnot. Which then causes some of us to hate the car drivers, all of them.
for the reasons I've put forward above, and because arrogance, self-importance and sweeping stereotypes go hand in hand. Car drivers, by the nature of their chosen form of transport, choose to place themselves in a situation that encourages them to stereotype and be judgemental about cyclists (and peds/motorcyclist/other drivers). Some of them succumb to this. (Many do not). So is your point that we should be sympathetic to this behaviour?
This makes the roads even more dangerous, for all it's users...
FACT
all I can say is try to be a bit more considerate
Personal choice as to what this means. Sometimes I'll ride defensively, sometimes assertively. Sometime more than assertively. Whatever is required to keep me safe. If a car driver chooses to do something really dangerous, I will let him know in whichever way I choose to get the point home. This isn't inconsiderate to other cyclists - on the contrary, eventually the driver will get the message to look out for cyclists.
I have no compunction about "adjusting the mirrors" of drivers who stray in to cycle-lanes without looking and without reason or buses who deliberately cut me up. (both of these things have happened to me in the last week when I have been riding defensively). If someone pulls a u-turn across me, trust me he is going to know about it. A gentle tap on the body of the car with the hand or foot usually gets the message across. Or, if I have time, I stop and (never angrily) talk to the driver about what they did and why it was dangerous.
Equally, I have no problem engaging with good drivers and letting them know I appreciate their considerate driving.
-
what are you basing this on? I've never met a cyclist who hated all cars *per se *merely because of the way some people drive them badly. Have you?
Personally met some, and heard from a few on this forum, obviously it's hard to tell whether they hate the car or driver, but from what has been said it's usually the car.
Way different. when driving a car **some people **get an increased sense of self esteem and of invulnerability. They feel isolated from the consequences of their actions, often because they are in a 1500kg re-enforced steel box. This isolation can encourage arrogant and even reckless behaviour, towards other road users.
I agree, also, some people when cycling think that they're above other road users.
of all the cyclists you've ever seen, how many ride like this? I think you answer this question when you say: "out of all the drivers we come across on the roads, the only one's we remember are the bad ones, we don't remember the good ones because they've done nothing memorable, they're just there on the roads, not causing any bother." This applies as much to cyclists than it does to car drivers.
Not a large number, but I have seen a few, I disagree with the cyclist comparison to my comment about cars though, there are a massive number of cars, and a relatively small number of cyclists, it's easier to pay attention to what they're doing.
in my opinion this is NOT true. Yes there are inconsiderate cyclists out there, but they are very few and far between. I probably see one inconsiderate cyclist a week, maybe less. I see probably a dozen **dangerously inconsiderate **car drivers a day on a 10 mile commute.
Admittedly I don't usually come across dangerously inconsiderate drives (barely any if you don't count Southall, but even the peds are dangerous when cycling through there), in the past 4 months cycling around London i'd say there's been around 5 incidents where I would call a driver dangerous.
for the reasons I've put forward above, and because arrogance, self-importance and sweeping stereotypes go hand in hand. Car drivers, by the nature of their chosen form of transport, choose to place themselves in a situation that encourages them to stereotype and be judgemental about cyclists (and peds/motorcyclist/other drivers). Some of them succumb to this. (Many do not). So is your point that we should be sympathetic to this behaviour?
The reverse is true with cyclists about cars, I originally posted that both parties contribute to this, yes, we should be sympathetic to this, and they should do the same.
Personal choice as to what this means. Sometimes I'll ride defensively, sometimes assertively. Sometime more than assertively. Whatever is required to keep me safe. If a car driver chooses to do something really dangerous, I will let him know in whichever way I choose to get the point home. This isn't inconsiderate to other cyclists - on the contrary, eventually the driver will get the message to look out for cyclists.
Agree with everything there.
I have no compunction about "adjusting the mirrors" of drivers who stray in to cycle-lanes without looking and without reason or buses who deliberately cut me up. (both of these things have happened to me in the last week when I have been riding defensively). If someone pulls a u-turn across me, trust me he is going to know about it. A gentle tap on the body of the car with the hand or foot usually gets the message across. Or, if I have time, I stop and (never angrily) talk to the driver about what they did and why it was dangerous.
Never done this myself but i'm sure it gets the message across.
Equally, I have no problem engaging with good drivers and letting them know I appreciate their considerate driving.
Same, even a wave or a thumbs up to thank them for letting you through or something like that can make all the difference to their attitude.
-
c. I doubt there are any inexperienced therefore dangerous cyclists on this forum.
lol
-
I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars.
-
I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars. I hate cars.
Not really.
-
Not really.
Are you sure about that?
-
Are you sure about that?
Shut up!
DFP
pifko
boxdeluxe
Platini
provenrad
_Zed_
bq
freddo
philjay
BringMeMyFix
TheBrick(Tommy)-
Post a reply
About
Cyclist/Driver hatred
Posted by
@mmccarthy
As some of you may know, as well as being a huge cycling enthusiast, i'm also very keen on cars and anything automotive, an interest which isn't seen in the best light by many cyclists. Anyway, a significant number of cyclists have quite a hatred for cars (for some reason the car is usually what they hate, rather than the idiot in control of it) and the same goes for drivers opinions on cyclists.
Now, to the point of my post, I went cycling with a friend today as he needed to go to pick something up, and it made me realise how careless some cyclists can be, this guy constantly undertakes other cyclists, cuts across other cars, sits in the right hand lane going 15mph not paying attention to the cars behind him honking the horn, cutting red lights without looking (he very nearly got hit doing this) and at one point I was overtaking a bus, saw it stopping coming up to a side-road so I slow as I assume it's letting a car out, it was, he wasn't paying attention and went straight into the back of me. Now, think of how many cyclists there are like that on the roads, imagine how much hassle they cause to other users of the road.
On Pajamas' night ride after Henry got hit, one of the cops remarked on how fixed wheel riders are some of the best in London (to be honest, he was probably trying to get on our good side with that remark). My point is that there are so many cyclists out there causing hassle through their carelessness, which can cause other road users to have less respect for cyclists, and the more responsible cyclists are also victims of this, being tarred with the same brush and whatnot. Which then causes some of us to hate the car drivers, all of them. This makes the roads even more dangerous, for all it's users.
Of course on top of this, out of all the drivers we come across on the roads, the only one's we remember are the bad ones, we don't remember the good ones because they've done nothing memorable, they're just there on the roads, not causing any bother. This makes the roads even more dangerous, for all it's users. Honestly, by this point i've kinda forgotten my point, all I can say is try to be a bit more considerate (this is not meaning to be patronising, it's advice we can all take) when on the roads and it'll make all of our lives a lot easier, and more importantly, safer.
Apologies for the length of the post and thanks for reading, even if it is a little staggered.