Drivers attitudes to cyclists
- Thread starter teulk
- Start date
I tend not to have a problem with cyclists. Sure, they annoy me when i'm in a hurry and don't have an opportunity to pass but what the hell, it's their life. The thing that really grinds my gears is when people will cycle along the road which is next to a cycle lane...WHY!?!? Also cyclists who ride 2/3/4 abreast on a country lane and look at you as if you are the sole reason behind 'climate change', capatlism and third world debt because you point out that perhaps it's not such a great idea to take up the entire road so they can discuss different lycra brands.
You forgot AIDS
Soldato
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You better explain your 'ideas' to the other 38 people in our cycle club who were shown the following presention then : (Supplied by some London Road safety department)
Undertaking and Overtaking
Undertake slowly even in a cycle lane, look out for side roads where cars might be turning through gaps in the traffic - you can't always see the gaps. Watch out for pedestrians. When overtaking a lane of traffic check for motorbikes before moving out. If overtaking parked cars, check over your shoulder and start moving to into position to overtake well before you reach the parked cars. You can then time when you make the final move out to blend with the traffic. Be prepared for a car door to open suddenly.
And other snippets :
Do cyclists have to ride in a cycle lane when there is one provided?
This depends on whether the cycle lane is on-road or off-road. Cyclists must ride in on-road cycle lanes where provided. If there is an off-road cycle path, cyclists can choose to use that or to ride on-road if they wish.
Do cyclists have to ride single file?
Legally cyclists can ride up to two abreast. However cyclists must ride in single file when passing other vehicles - including parked vehicles, or when holding up traffic.
Also, the Highway code isn't law. It's a guide that 'laws' are based on.
Undertaking and Overtaking
Undertake slowly even in a cycle lane, look out for side roads where cars might be turning through gaps in the traffic - you can't always see the gaps. Watch out for pedestrians. When overtaking a lane of traffic check for motorbikes before moving out. If overtaking parked cars, check over your shoulder and start moving to into position to overtake well before you reach the parked cars. You can then time when you make the final move out to blend with the traffic. Be prepared for a car door to open suddenly.
And other snippets :
Do cyclists have to ride in a cycle lane when there is one provided?
This depends on whether the cycle lane is on-road or off-road. Cyclists must ride in on-road cycle lanes where provided. If there is an off-road cycle path, cyclists can choose to use that or to ride on-road if they wish.
Do cyclists have to ride single file?
Legally cyclists can ride up to two abreast. However cyclists must ride in single file when passing other vehicles - including parked vehicles, or when holding up traffic.
Also, the Highway code isn't law. It's a guide that 'laws' are based on.
Soldato
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95% riiiiggghhhttt , please tell me how you came up with that figure?
did you just close your eyes and hit your number pad?
The daily mail told him so.
Did you not look before opening the door? I assume you mean that you were opening the door into the road rather than on the pavement side.
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Soldato
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I massive problems with cyclists in Manchester. Tempted to start carrying a high powered rifle with me actually. Apparently, here, cyclists can mount the pavement, jump red lights, ride through pedestrians crossing at a crossing, cross at a crossing and go up the pavement to avoid stationary traffic etc...
I've been stuck once by a cyclist and nearly about 4 or 5 times the last 2yrs. When will the madness end!
I've been stuck once by a cyclist and nearly about 4 or 5 times the last 2yrs. When will the madness end!
Fraid not, I was opening the door onto the pavement side, I checked for pedestrians, I didn't check for suicidal cyclists who want to undertake a parked car.
The main problem, certainly in Cambridge, is that the cycle paths are in such a state of disrepair, I try not to cycle in them because I have expensive wheels & tyres. For the majority of my journey though, there are no cycle paths, so I cycle in the road. I don't pay road tax - but only because my car is tax exempt. I do pay insurance though.
It's a vicious circle - there are countless notoriously bad cyclists who make things worse for those of us that can cycle in a straight line, obey traffic laws, etc. And there are countless notoriously bad drivers who are too impatient, drive too fast, dangerously, and have no regard for other people who annoy/are downright life threatening cyclists. This is why I think drivers (I am a driver myself) should behave more responsibly when it comes to cyclists, simply because there is more risk of fatality to the rider.
The thing that gets me is that in most cases, drivers would have gotten into a serious accident because they just don't look - admittedly this is a general problem with drivers on the roads, there are so many simply inattentive, bad drivers. But hazards to a cyclist; opening doors onto the road without looking, turning without indicating and so on, makes me worry for these people because whilst I've usually been fortunate (I have once been knocked over by a BMW that overtook me, and turned left without indicating), these people drive like this constantly.
It's a vicious circle - there are countless notoriously bad cyclists who make things worse for those of us that can cycle in a straight line, obey traffic laws, etc. And there are countless notoriously bad drivers who are too impatient, drive too fast, dangerously, and have no regard for other people who annoy/are downright life threatening cyclists. This is why I think drivers (I am a driver myself) should behave more responsibly when it comes to cyclists, simply because there is more risk of fatality to the rider.
The thing that gets me is that in most cases, drivers would have gotten into a serious accident because they just don't look - admittedly this is a general problem with drivers on the roads, there are so many simply inattentive, bad drivers. But hazards to a cyclist; opening doors onto the road without looking, turning without indicating and so on, makes me worry for these people because whilst I've usually been fortunate (I have once been knocked over by a BMW that overtook me, and turned left without indicating), these people drive like this constantly.
Nice generalisation. It's drivers like you that are the problem.
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I think the moral to this thread is to treat other road users like you would like to be treated yourself. If everyone did this, the roads would be much more pleasant for everyone.
Cyclists are more vulnerable than other road users, so please respect this!
Cyclists are more vulnerable than other road users, so please respect this!
it’s not just the cycle paths, the roads are shocking too! Have to dodge pot holes and dodgy manhole covers most of the way,
Also we do have a lot of foreign students who have no clue at all, one came straight off the pavement and carried on towards me on the wrong side of the road, however i have seen car drivers do that too!
Every driver round Cambridge seems to be in such a hurry, they should get on their bikes, so much faster, takes me 15 mins instead of 45 stuck in traffic!
That is not true. The proposed alteration in the highway code which suggested that was re-written after an enormous campaign by cyclists. Cyclist retain the right to use their judgement about where to use the cycle lane or the main carriageway.
Highway Code:
"61 Cycle Routes and Other Facilities.
Use cycle routes, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes and toucan crossings unless at the time it is unsafe to do so.
Use of these facilities is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer."
63 Cycle Lanes.
These are marked by a white line (which may be broken) along the carriageway (see Rule 140). Keep within the lane when practicable. When leaving a cycle lane check before pulling out that it is safe to do so and signal your intention clearly to other road users. Use of cycle lanes is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069837
There may however be bye laws in London I do not know about.
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I'm not even going to bother quoting some of the utter tripe that has been written in this thread, suffice to say that I never actually realised *HOW* much hatred there is by well protected people in safe metal cages, for the one of the most vulnerable sets of road users who exist.
If even 10% of the general attitude shows through here, then its a sad state of affairs.
I cycle to and from work most days, and im glad that at least a short part of the way has a cycle route. The rest however is road, the worst part being the thin 60 road... so i ride on the path.
A few years back I was actually TOLD to ride on the path, as I was riding home in dusk/dark - by the Police van that pulled alongside me. How can I refuse officer?
Granted, there are substantial numbers of bad cyclists out there, but why does that stir up so much hate? When im driving I hate drivers using mobile phones, and not signalling, and driving at 40 in a 60 zone, and jumping out of junctions where they've seen me - but do I feel the need to vitriolically hammer them, or do I just accept that they're morons?
The latter.... same for some bikers.
Specialized Pitch Pro 2008 / Carrera Subway disc spec. (commute bike)
If even 10% of the general attitude shows through here, then its a sad state of affairs.
I cycle to and from work most days, and im glad that at least a short part of the way has a cycle route. The rest however is road, the worst part being the thin 60 road... so i ride on the path.
A few years back I was actually TOLD to ride on the path, as I was riding home in dusk/dark - by the Police van that pulled alongside me. How can I refuse officer?
Granted, there are substantial numbers of bad cyclists out there, but why does that stir up so much hate? When im driving I hate drivers using mobile phones, and not signalling, and driving at 40 in a 60 zone, and jumping out of junctions where they've seen me - but do I feel the need to vitriolically hammer them, or do I just accept that they're morons?
The latter.... same for some bikers.
Specialized Pitch Pro 2008 / Carrera Subway disc spec. (commute bike)
Associate
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because motorists have no respect for the cycle lane ,they drive in them ,stop in them at traffic lights blocking it and the worse one's are the car drivers that swerve erratically in it because they hear a motorbike coming up behind them
People need to realise that if they kill a cyclist through bad driving they can expect to lose there licence and maybe prison with Mr Big in the showers !
Cyclists need to realise that if they cycle like tools they could lose their lives. Doesn't seem to stop an awful lot of them though.
Soldato
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We pay road tax, you dont
Therefore the road is more ours than yours, also Cycle lanes = only for cycles, roads = Car lanes only for cars 
We pay road tax, you dont
Garbage, car tax does not go towards the upkeep of the roads.
(see my earlier post)I say again, tolerance by all communities is needed and less willy waving by certain pro-motorists and more sense from some cyclists.
Man of Honour
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We pay road tax, you dont
I hope you were just being ironic with that comment. The "we pay raod tax and therefore we own the road" rubbish. I pay two lots of road tax so does that mean I can't cycle on what a otherwise a "public" road.
As for the previous comments on cycle paths etc. This country is pretty lame when it comes to providing a decent infrastructure when it comes to roads and cycle paths etc. In fact where pretty lame at any infrastructure. If anyone has been to Baveria they will know.
In Chelmsford for example, there are cycle lanes but they end suddenly. One of which comes out at the busiest junction. It’s pathetic.
And yes I do use the pathway when I think it’s not safe for me to use the road. One particular road is a country road where I live which has a sharp corner at national speed limit. It has over hanging trees so vehicles coming from behind at top belt will have little time to react if the are too close to the curb. Sod it.. right or wrong I’m not taking that risk if ! However, most of the time I do use the roads and I do abide by the rules roads. I think being a motorcyclist too makes you realise just how dangerous the road really is which has made me more aware as a cyclist and a car driver. Something I think only motorcyclists would appreciate.
At the end of the day, it's human nature that we are selfishly impatient with each other and ignorant of each others actions
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Don
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I find that the vast majority of drivers are totally fine and accepting of cyclists. Although i feel the reason cyclists often feel that we are hated is that on any average bike journey we encounter far more other drivers than we would when in a car. So we are more likely to come across the idiots, and far more likely to notice them as we are aware of being more vulnerable.
Example - I nearly got squished yesterday by a lady in a rusty vectra driving with her kid (under 10 for sure) unbuckled in the front seat. When I managed to get out of her way (as she moved more and more left) by scraping down the kerb and accelerating past (she was slowing for traffic lights). I looked back to see wtf she was doing and she was holding her phone, and looked like she was texting. I gesticulated about how using the phone was idiotic. (exactly what motions, I forget, but nothing offensive)
I was a few cars ahead at this point, waitng for the lights. When she caught up after the lights she matched my speed and drove along side me shouting and glaring, no idea what she was saying, (maybe she should have opened the window?) not once did she look at the road till our paths parted.
Now I could tar all drivers with the same brush, but she was just an idiot, the fact she was in a car was irrelivant!
Example - I nearly got squished yesterday by a lady in a rusty vectra driving with her kid (under 10 for sure) unbuckled in the front seat. When I managed to get out of her way (as she moved more and more left) by scraping down the kerb and accelerating past (she was slowing for traffic lights). I looked back to see wtf she was doing and she was holding her phone, and looked like she was texting. I gesticulated about how using the phone was idiotic. (exactly what motions, I forget, but nothing offensive)
I was a few cars ahead at this point, waitng for the lights. When she caught up after the lights she matched my speed and drove along side me shouting and glaring, no idea what she was saying, (maybe she should have opened the window?) not once did she look at the road till our paths parted.
Now I could tar all drivers with the same brush, but she was just an idiot, the fact she was in a car was irrelivant!