Why do we hate cycling in this country?

[Shadowness]

^ I don't need statistics. It's common sense.

We see it all the time where drivers squeeze past a single rider. When two abreast, you have to wait until it's safe to pass (as you should all the time!)

I guess we're all douchebags for trying to stay alive on the roads.

It's a complete non issue anyway, as stated, we can be on the road just as much as you. Deal with it in your own way. It's never going to change.

 

[McBain]

^ I don't need statistics. It's common sense.

We see it all the time where drivers squeeze past a single rider. When two abreast, you have to wait until it's safe to pass (as you should all the time!)

Except people still try and squeeze past, which is my point. I personally don't see it as being any safer, i've never been close to an accident in single file put it that way, but i've witnessed plenty of people overtaking 2 abreast cyclists when they shouldn't. I don't trust the standard of car drivers.

I guess we're all douchebags for trying to stay alive on the roads.

If the shoe fits.

It's a complete non issue anyway, as stated, we can be on the road just as much as you. Deal with it in your own way. It's never going to change.

I have no issues whatsoever sharing the roads with other users. As I said, I expect the same consideration, that's all.

 

[One More Solo]

Riding two abreast is just a perception issue for drivers. If I'm out by myself I typically ride primary and far enough from the kerb that another rider could ride on my left if they were there. I never get any grief and drivers generally pass safely. If I'm out with someone else and they ride beside me, I present exactly the same obstacle to drivers but the amount of grief you get is multiplied tenfold. It's pretty pathetic really.

I also don't understand drivers who make no attempt to alter their speed, pass you and then blare their horn, I've not caused any delay to your journey whatsoever aside from the extra meter you've had to drive as a result of travelling in an arc rather than a straight line.

It all comes down to selfishness and entitlement and people believing their journey (bike or car) is more important than anyone else's, without any fear of reproach from the law as there are close to zero traffic cops around these days. People drive like knobs, use their phones with impunity, drink/drug drive etc and know they will get away with it.

 

[Shadowness]

^Pretty much.

All drivers see themselves as more worthy of being on the road, and expect all cyclists to jump out to way just for them. I don't get bothered at all when I'm held up by a cyclist, but I guess if you don't cycle, you're more ignorant to the bigger issues and behave as I've mentioned.

 

[Jamesyboyjim]

^ I don't need statistics. It's common sense.

We see it all the time where drivers squeeze past a single rider. When two abreast, you have to wait until it's safe to pass (as you should all the time!)

I guess we're all douchebags for trying to stay alive on the roads.

It's a complete non issue anyway, as stated, we can be on the road just as much as you. Deal with it in your own way. It's never going to change.

People aren't angry about sharing the roads, almost everyone here generally accepts that we have to look out for each other and be courteous, you appear to be the one who doesn't care about another type of road user.

 

[platypus]

Except people still try and squeeze past, which is my point. I personally don't see it as being any safer, i've never been close to an accident in single file put it that way, but i've witnessed plenty of people overtaking 2 abreast cyclists when they shouldn't. I don't trust the standard of car drivers.

I don't disagree that there are occasions where you shouldn't cycle two abreast, but the question should really be why are drivers overtaking in such circumstances that it's not safe to do so?

 

[Shadowness]

Except people still try and squeeze past,

They don't. When riding two abreast you pretty much take up the whole lane, so the other car would be in oncoming traffic.
It's still an obstacle you should wait to safely pass, regardless how wide it is.

 

[Shadowness]

People aren't angry about sharing the roads, almost everyone here generally accepts that we have to look out for each other and be courteous, you appear to be the one who doesn't care about another type of road user.

How one earth do you get to that conclusion?!

I can guarantee I'm one of the most considerate cyclists you'll see on the road, I'll even pull in to let trucks etc pass, as I know they can't overtake quickly.

 

[McBain]

I don't disagree that there are occasions where you shouldn't cycle two abreast, but the question should really be why are drivers overtaking in such circumstances that it's not safe to do so?

Because they're bad drivers.

They don't. When riding two abreast you pretty much take up the whole lane, so the other car would be in oncoming traffic.
It's still an obstacle you should wait to safely pass, regardless how wide it is.

The standard of driving around your end must be considerably better than it is here. Or you haven't been on the road very long.

 

[Jamesyboyjim]

How one earth do you get to that conclusion?!

I can guarantee I'm one of the most considerate cyclists you'll see on the road, I'll even pull in to let trucks etc pass, as I know they can't overtake quickly.

The way your posts have read, to me, they reek of arrogance.

Its good to hear that I am wrong and you are considerate though.

 

[Shadowness]

My apologies if it's come across that way. I can assure you I'm not one of these high and mighty cyclists who think I own the road, I just wish drivers could appreciate why we ride two abreast in many occasions, and also most importantly - god forbid if something were to happen - we're the ones who pay more - even if it wasn't our fault.

 

[platypus]

Because they're bad drivers.

Quite. So lets cure the problem.

 

[Gixer]

People aren't angry about sharing the roads, almost everyone here generally accepts that we have to look out for each other and be courteous, you appear to be the one who doesn't care about another type of road user.

I disagree with this comment. Some drivers can't even share the road with other drivers let alone cyclists. Attitudes and understanding of the highway code of some drivers and some cyclists stinks. Sadly the amount of this bad attitude seems to be increasing and people get 'rage' far more easily just because they're held up for a few mins during their journey.

 

[McBain]

Quite. So lets cure the problem.

I'd love to know how we could, the standards of driving appear to be getting worse to me.

 

[platypus]

Yeah, that sure is a noodle scratcher .

 

[Jamesyboyjim]

I disagree with this comment. Some drivers can't even share the road with other drivers let alone cyclists. Attitudes and understanding of the highway code of some drivers and some cyclists stinks. Sadly the amount of this bad attitude seems to be increasing and people get 'rage' far more easily just because they're held up for a few mins during their journey.

Oh I agree with you, I was referring to ocuk

 

[lamboman]

I guess I'm lucky in that my commute in the car doesn't involve any city centres, so the prevalence of cyclists is much lower. Think cycling is great, but the majority of cyclists I encounter, not so much.

It's unfair to generalise as traffic density and road types ultimately influence risk and behaviour, however in my area the biggest gripes are:

• cyclists who insist on using roads during rush hour when our pavements are clearly signed as cycle paths (why the hell would you voluntarily put yourself at risk on a 40mph road?)
• cyclists who do the above, then put NO effort in whatsoever and dawdle along a 50mph road at 7-12mph as if they're going for a pleasure ride down a countryside path.

Both frankly ludicrous behaviours that remind me of a child in primary school being allowed to use a pen for the first time - you're a big boy now, you're allowed on the road!

It all comes down to selfishness and entitlement and people believing their journey (bike or car) is more important than anyone else's, without any fear of reproach from the law as there are close to zero traffic cops around these days. People drive like knobs, use their phones with impunity, drink/drug drive etc and know they will get away with it.

This sums it up nicely. Quite frankly poor driving is probably largely at fault.

 

[zophiel]

So they should they have bigger fines/points losses for crimes on the road. Retests more often as well ?

Would this make for a better group of road users?

Dunno, it may weed out the really bad, but there are quite a lot of motorists out there with no license or insurance as it is now.

 

[Shadowness]

[*]cyclists who insist on using roads during rush hour when our pavements are clearly signed as cycle paths (why the hell would you voluntarily put yourself at risk on a 40mph road?)

I can't really comment for where I live as I'm in the countryside really, where even the big towns don't have cycle paths, but most videos or paths that I have seen are utterly disgraceful.
Poorly thought out, not kept in good condition (not swept etc)
People park in them
Also, in most cycle paths you have to stop to cross junctions and navigate other obstacles. If you cycle on the road, you miss all of these.

 

[Cyanide]

I'm still not quite grasping the concept of wanting to ride on a 40mph+ road which will be littered with slippery road markings, potholes, manhole covers etc with hundreds of 2 tonne, metal death machines because the dedicated cycle path might be unswept and have a few potholes?