Is it time to start calling out bad cyclists?

Haters need to hate.

isnt this thread getting out of hand?

theres so many drivers that are using the roads badly that need calling out, I mean so many times daily I see phones, ipods on, the other day a guy with an Ipad- ffs surfing an Ipad whilst driving-
these are the ones to call out for being bad users.
.

... Being able and prepared to call out there and then dangerous riding as often as driving, maybe inspired in part by this thread, shows a useful degree of critical awareness.

Agree with *m.f. largely.
It's hard to be a dangerous rider if you consider the definition of dangerous as likely to cause harm to others.

Statistically people on bikes find it hard to harm other people whereas people in cars are able to do this easily. I suppose that just like I feel that as a bike rider I am responsible for looking out for walkers, even if they step off the kerb on their mobiles without looking. I need to ride in a manner that accommodates this behaviour. So I would wish for people who drive to do so in a manner that accommodates erratic cycling on order that people who perhaps lack skills knowledge and understanding can still manage to ride without harm. That would be civilised.

As a cycle trainers *m.f. and I spend a lot of time helping people ride better so they can feel more confident and are able to help drivers minimise risk around them through good communication and road position. And ideally we would wish for an environment, in places where we live work and shop, where anyone can hop on a bike without fear.

Calling out bad driving is much more important. If we don't tame the bad drivers we may get people calling for a whole network of segregated cycle lanes in London, like the dutch...

...and we wouldn't want that would we? ;)

All good points, none of which are going to stop me yelling at the morons who jump the lights and place themselves right in front of me as I enter the junction by Stockwell Tube from the cyclist-only lights on the North side. Sometimes it's people heading West, so I have some time to react and dodge because of the greater distance. Other times, it's pricks heading East at high speed and I'm lucky not to be t-boned. Yesterday, it was a silly cow trying to make an early right turn from the Stockwell Road entrance, whom I nearly didn't see at all because she had no lights and lighting conditions were poor, so she got an earful from me. Happens waaaaay too frequently for me to bother posting about it here, in the normal course of events.

Just for all the people who are going to do it over the coming months, though...

**COCKS!

**Which I will be shouting at you all in person, ofc.

None taken, Jason. The opening post questioned the whole creation of this thread because it (and the actual 'calling out') are incredibly pompous and riddled with potential for fights and arguments.

BUT how can I expect drivers (or peds) to listen to a word I say when they've made a suspect decision that put me at risk when they constantly throw the dumb/illegal behaviour of fellow two wheelers in my face. Surely as cycle campaigners we need to look at getting our own house in order whilst pointing fingers at others. And I have to disagree, personal experience means I feel slightly more risk from other cyclists than the motorised variety.

But by all means nuke the thread if you feel it has more problems than it solves.

I feel slightly more risk from other cyclists than the motorised variety.

.

You are not serious are you festus?

personal experience means I feel slightly more risk from other cyclists than the motorised variety.

Incredibly, that's becoming more and more the case, for me at least. I just use this thread to vent but it's reassuring to see that it's not just me being a tight-ass. I think a lot of decent people are getting fed up having their otherwise-pleasant journeys fucked up by nodders, fluorochumps, fakengers and Cat 0 racers.

There are a lot of dangerously selfish plums on the streets these days, and they're riding bikes.

There are a lot of dangerously selfish plums on the streets these days, and they're riding bikes.

they're presumably dangerously selfish plums whatever mode of transport, so better on a bike than in a car...

although perhaps they were previously contained on the buses? maybe there should be a card you can hand people that says "I don't take the tube to avoid folks like you" or similar.

I feel slightly more risk from other cyclists than the motorised variety.

You are not serious are you festus?

Nah, he's right, motorised cyclists are a bloody menace. :)

Incredibly, that's becoming more and more the case, for me at least. I just use this thread to vent but it's reassuring to see that it's not just me being a tight-ass. I think a lot of decent people are getting fed up having their otherwise-pleasant journeys fucked up by nodders, fluorochumps, fakengers and Cat 0 racers.

There are a lot of dangerously selfish plums on the streets these days, and they're riding bikes.

I'm the dark prince of fakengers, and the highest ranked Cat 0 racer in London.

Dis me again, and Sparks will fly.

Well, I'm sure this has all been said in this thread before, but:

(1) This thread is a combination between a rant thread and a different kind of thread, one which occasionally peeps through but would be much more useful, i.e. a good discussion of riding techniques, problem-solving, anticipating situations, etc.

Oh ... what do you mean, 'cycle training forum'? Where's that?

(2) Anyone can rant about other street users and sometimes of course we have to rant to let off steam, but it's not hugely constructive. Keep it positive; I know it's difficult to advise someone to take cycle training as people often get defensive, but as Tiswas just demonstrated, it's possible. As Corny often says: 'Each one, teach one.' If you're feeling ranty, why not go to the Rant thread, where people expect that? (I think I've written pretty much the same post before.)

(3) Finally, and I say this with all the required caution, if you're going to complain about other riders, do make sure that you've got your own house in order, or veer close to hypocrisy. :) For instance, jumping red lights, considered OK by many on here, is, technically speaking, bad cycling. I know I know I know that many traffic signals are annoying (1,000 new sets of signals were created in London from about 2000 to 2008) and many are really pointless, but unfortunately they are there.

Now, I'm no law bore (and I'm only using red-light jumping as an example where I could use several others) but what non-compliance with the Highway Code does is that it keeps cycling firmly in a bracket we don't want it in--that of a lawless and not respectable activity, carried out either by poor people because they can't afford cars, or by very selfish people who only care about their own progress (a stereotype which is becoming increasingly established). Both of these mean that cycling isn't considered 'normal', and we would rather want it to be considered normal, wouldn't we?

Anyway, much more could be said, but I have to say I'd prefer it if this thread wasn't so ranty. We have a big skills deficit in this country, where people haven't really cycled for decades (and in London many people come from countries where cycling is just not done), and while we're busy addressing it, there's really little point in being negative about the shortfall rather than positive.

So ... rant over. Oops ... :)

tl;dr

(^ Cut and paste template to save you some typing.)

Some sunt just rode cuntishly near me, cunt.

First off thanks for responses.
Going back to Dubtaps first one then BMMFs posts
Yes there is the forumanal need to report back on incidents, and done intelligently totally part if the dialogue here-as pointed out unlikely to be any wider read.
Guess what I meant to say is that offhere these 'ah but cyclists's do..' conversations are still overwhelming the positives that quite a few of us are working towards every day. The bad motorist is gonna be the one that kills you too.
Just ride safe life is precious and if calling someone out for their own good helps that's gotta be positive.

a combination between

Get *your *fucking house in order before posting.

forumanal

ha

Not so much calling out bad cyclign but a semi-apology.

To the bloke on the mtb cycling along the thames path from Kew going east I'm sorry I laughed.

You see your comedy dismount after failing to negotiate the 'traffic calming' gate thing that turned into a slow fall then a gradual slide down the banks of the Thames only to be stopped by a tree (before a potential fall into the mud at the bottom) was very funny.

Of course I didn't laugh immediately, it was only once we'd helped you up and noticed you were having trouble standing and you told us this was because you were a bit pissed that I laughed.

Push it next time because if it happens again and we aren't about fuck knows how you'll manage getting out of the river in that state.

I audbily yelped on Bishopsgate this morning as a chap on a shiny blue and white Cinelli attempted to undertake a left-turning big-arsed lorry before managing to swerve right and not go into the back of it or into me. Shortly followed by cool-as-beans track standing at the next lights. Good skills sir!

the calling out is spreading http://road.cc/content/forum/56881-irresponsibility-road-its-not-always-drivers?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Ha! Pott Shrigley! I get that reference.

So, should we call them out?

Yes, the time has come to.

I am pleased this has finally been resolved.

One issue I have with this thread is that complaints are constantly levied against a homogenised mass of so called 'Boris-biking, fluoro-clad, Cat 5 nodders'. The reality is that there are poor cyclists across the style spectrum, irrespective of the type of bicycle, clothing or sundry equipment an individual happens to sport. Heck, if you think Cat 5s are bad, you should see some of the dick moves pulled by Cat 3/4 riders in crit races.

I think this thread serves a useful purpose for identifying poor cycling and suggesting ways to tackle it, but I have come to the view that leaving out some of the name calling associated with it would be beneficial.

^typical bromptonite

j/k

One issue I have with this thread is that complaints are constantly levied against a homogenised mass of so called 'Boris-biking, fluoro-clad, Cat 5 nodders'. The reality is that there are poor cyclists across the style spectrum, irrespective of the type of bicycle, clothing or sundry equipment an individual happens to sport. Heck, if you think Cat 5s are bad, you should see some of the dick moves pulled by Cat 3/4 riders in crit races.

I think this thread serves a useful purpose for identifying poor cycling and suggesting ways to tackle it, but I have come to the view that leaving out some of the name calling associated with it would be beneficial.

I agree with this. Call me a cunt if you want, but I occasionally wear a nodder fluoro jacket if commuting very early or very late. It smacks of a superiority complex tarnishing everyone with the same numpty nodder brush if they don't sport the same hipster get up as you. I'm in no way a perfect cyclist (is anyone?), but have never caused an accident to anyone*.

*Except to myself when riding drunk. WAC