Is it time to start calling out bad cyclists?

Tonight in Southwark, a bloke on a hybrid approached lights that had just turned green, with a truck clearly indicating left, I assumed the guy had seen this and would pull up sharp as he appeared to be heading straight on,instead he swerved around the let turning truck, narrowly missing contact.

I pulled up next to him at the next set of lights and said that was close, he replied, oh yes, you have to be careful with left turning lorries! Inn a friendly tone, I pointed out the obvious and he was genuinely surpised that he was at fault.

Almost beyond belief, were it not a daily occurrence!

haha beautiful

Because of my work patterns its been the first week in 3 months since I have done the morning commute and I have forgottern how many dumb cyclist ride to work. They don't look behind them when changing lane, overtaking to close each other then cutting in too quickly, ASL box I must be at the front madness, RLJ pedestrian crossing when people are crossing and undertaking buses in traffic when the bus is clearly they are going to pull into a bus stop then shout at the bus driver. They giving us cyclist a bad name.

FML.. Full on lady nodder today at Elephant, helmet on back of head? Check.. Ipod in? Check. Just swings out of a side road and into the main stream of traffic.. me and a moped swerve to avoid her.. I calmly inform her that she should really look right before entering from a give way.. It might just save her life.. She throws that strop face and tells me to fuck off.... I expected this kind of reaction.. Nonetheless.. I really hope so learnt something..

Brilliant. I haven't had a bad cyclist experience for a few days - but the never ending list of awful drivers never ceases. This morning's slanging match occured at the pentonville/city/upper st junction in Angel. Get out of my box you fucker!

Getting in your box is a bit much, I must say.

get out my box

intrusive bastard taxis!

Headphoned chap on a pink SS this morning riding slower than a lot of cyclists, but then aggressively undertaking the lot of them when the traffic slowed down, repeatedly. And doing little tailwhip-y skids using the rear brake. Silly boy.

I actually found myself feeling particularly pleased when I was overtaken by two cyclists who then proceeded to continue at the faster pace until they disappeared out of site this morning. Its a really nice change from having people overtake and slow you down seconds later.

Headphoned chap on a pink SS this morning riding slower than a lot of cyclists, but then aggressively undertaking the lot of them when the traffic slowed down, repeatedly. And doing little tailwhip-y skids using the rear brake. Silly boy.

undertaking people that you're not riding with is rarely ok. and you should at least say something before you do, like 'coming up the left' or 'on your inside' or something. i wouldn't expect people to check their left shoulder before moving in to the kurb if they were in the left hand lane already

undertaking people that you're not riding with is rarely ok. and you should at least say something before you do, like 'coming up the left' or 'on your inside' or something. i wouldn't expect people to check their left shoulder before moving in to the kurb if they were in the left hand lane already

Unless you're doing a bit of through and off, it's definitely not okay. I leave that space there for a reason and I might have to move into it - whether to avoid a pothole, drain cover or if I'm getting squeezed by traffic.

If someone's on the inside, I will lean on them if I have to. If they fall off, that's definitely their problem. (I'll stop to check they're okay and tell them how stupid they are though.)

any fuckwit on a bike is corny's friend (front)

so have a word with him. (back)

*orders the tee shirt

Dear Mr Cannondale Rider
If you're going to attempt an illegal right turn off Gt Eastern St, it would be better if you didn't drop the chain while making a last minute panic downshift.
Sincerely, etc.

undertaking people that you're not riding with is rarely ok. and you should at least say something before you do, like 'coming up the left' or 'on your inside' or something. i wouldn't expect people to check their left shoulder before moving in to the kurb if they were in the left hand lane already

it's best to never undertake, usually so you can get into the habit of overtaking instead.

^agreed. i just meant if i was going to undertake b/c of strange circumstances, i would announce it before i did. can't really recall ever doing it, unless other cyclist was in the process of moving over to turn right

Sweet Jesus. If you ever want to see multiple back-to-back near death experiences, get a front seat on the upper deck of a bus at rush hour on a busy commuter route. It's a circus out there.

Sounds like fun, apart from having to sit on board the mobile borstal.

Sounds like fun, apart from having to sit on board the mobile borstal.

Busses make me right wing. I suddenly start believing in mass sterilisation and social hygeine programmes.

Once I get off, I return to normal again.

just read the last couple of pages in amazement!

probably because i dont ride in london...

Out here in the sticks(derby) I do 20+miles a day on fairly busy roads and in the main area but never see any of this nonsense.

the lack of cycle lanes means most cyclists just ride in the traffic like any other road vehicle.

my experience on motorbikes means i ride my bike in a similiar manner!

assume everyone else is a massive twat who is driving with their eyes shut and will at any moment do the most stupid possible thing.
because of that signal early, get eye contact before moving, still assume they will run me over so make sure to be always watching.

I probably spend a third of my time checking over my shoulder so I know whats around me at all times.

its also why im not really planning to cycle in londons busy areas but looking for something more recreational, i dont want to get in everyones way or cause problems with my lack of london road riding savvy.

I saw 3 bikes this morning and we all said a friendly morning as we performed an overtake on the right side.

Tonight in Southwark, a bloke on a hybrid approached lights that had just turned green, with a truck clearly indicating left, I assumed the guy had seen this and would pull up sharp as he appeared to be heading straight on,instead he swerved around the let turning truck, narrowly missing contact.

I pulled up next to him at the next set of lights and said that was close, he replied, oh yes, you have to be careful with left turning lorries! Inn a friendly tone, I pointed out the obvious and he was genuinely surpised that he was at fault.

Almost beyond belief, were it not a daily occurrence!

This^^^^

Most of the people i point stuff out to either...

1 - throw a massive wobbler about being told how to go about their business
2 - do not even begin to realise the danger they were in/ put themselves in*

*generally I put this down to people in cities who pick up a bike and have never driven a car before, hence they just don't know. Personally I've had the gift of driving just about anything on wheels, cars, vans, panel vans, hgvs & heavy artics, dumpers, jcbs, manitous, motorbikes, sidecar bike, tarmac machine! so have had a fairly broad experience of what different vehicles are like to crash/ drive.

@stustaff: this thread isn't really representational... especially if you're not planning on commuting in rush hour. cycling in London is more often than not a joy, honest!

I think less experienced cyclists see confident riders get into the ASL and think they must always do the same at all costs (undertaking and squeezing through) rather than judging the situation and whether it is safe to do so! Very scary to watch, I have shouted but seem to have no effect.
It seems to me that psychologically, a lot of cyclists panic, go into flight mode.

Flouro nodder twat got the hump when I pointed out he had jumped nearly every light from Turnham Green to Kensington and had not got there any faster than me this morning.

I was even quite polite when pointing it out to him.

If you are not even saving any time then why bother?

RLJ thread >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

@stustaff: this thread isn't really representational... especially if you're not planning on commuting in rush hour. cycling in London is more often than not a joy, honest!

I usually enjoy rush hour commuting in London, personally. Come and have a go...

Sometimes commuting in London winds me up because you see a lot of stupid riding from the fair weather riders in the summer. It was like wacky races today.

Its true that a minority of drivers are a nightmare too.

However, if you are a safe and confident rider who can manage to relax and ride with a smile on your face then London is a fantastic place to ride. Just try not to let things wind you up.