Moronic cyclists

[Vertigo]

Driving in reasonably dense fog just outside Hereford yesterday, we came up behind a large group of cyclists riding three abreast, thus forcing any cars behind them to either queue up or risk life and limb overtaking when you can't see what's coming the other way.

Cyclists like this make my blood boil. If they'd been less selfish and ridden single file as they should have then there would have been ample space to get past without crossing the central line at all, but of course they don't care about that as they think they own the road.

 

[Vertigo]

It also says you should "ride in single file on narrow or busy roads".

What this means is that if there are cars about trying to get past you should revert to single file to ease their passage. Basically, if you're in fog and there is a queue of cars trying to get past then I'd class that as a "busy road".

It also says you must not "ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner". If the above wasn't inconsiderate then I don't know what is.

 

[Vertigo]

Oh dear. you think its fine to squeeze past cyclists? WRONG. Have a bit of respect for people doing something they enjoy.

I said nothing about squeezing, it was a wide NSL road on which there was plenty of room for a car to pass a bike without crossing the line. I have no problem with cyclists that obey the rules of the road nor do I have any respect for selfish idiots that don't.

Cycling is often safest when double file. It stops people squeezing by, forcing the cyclist into pot holes etc.

Well apart from the fact that this is not permitted under the highway code, what does it have to do with the above situation? I'm talking about three abreast and totally blocking the road for following cars.

If i cycle on my own i never use cycle lanes unless seperate from the road. I used to until an accident, and am now feel so much safer cycling in space that i have just as much right to as you.

That's where you're wrong. You have no right to ride in the middle of the road and inconvenience other people in the process, especially when a section of that road has already been designated for you and you choose not to use it.

 

[Vertigo]

Have some consideration for cyclists. What's so important that you need to endanger their lives for? If they're holding you up, chill out and I'm sure you'll be able to pass them in 10 seconds time, it's not gonna make that much difference to your journey time is it?

I hope that wasn't directed at me. Although the highway code may frown on it, I'm not overly concerned by a couple of cyclists riding abreast as I can pass in fairly short order, as you say.

What I was fuming at was the utterly stupid and selfish behaviour of these particular cyclists, riding three abreast in fog and effectively blocking the entire road. As for staying alive, maybe they should have fitted high intensity rear lights as cars are required to have, as the pathetic little things they had were barely adequate. Frankly I don't think they should have been on the road in those conditions with the lights they had.

 

[Vertigo]

WE think WE own the road?

You're ranting at them for using it.

No I'm not, try reading my post. I'm ranting at them for using it dangerously and inconsiderately, in light of the prevailing conditions.

Seriously, you ride a bicycle on the road in dense fog, and you see how much you like it.

I wouldn't ride a bike in dense fog and frankly nor should they have been as they were a hazard to themselves and other traffic. These were recreational cyclists, not people trying to get from A to B.

 

[Vertigo]

You saw them.

In fact - you quite possibly saw them because they were riding three abreast.

Ah, so because they couldn't be bothered to fit proper lights for the conditions they resort to disregarding the highway code in order to be seen? Very considerate and responsible

EDIT: Lets get this straight, I'm usually quite considerate towards cyclists and will leave them plenty of space when overtaking and even make sure there's space inside me when in queueing traffic and I know there's one coming up behind.

What I expect is a little consideration in return, but what I see far too often is a totally selfish attitude. Far too many cyclists seem to think that the rules don't apply to them, or that they can ignore them in the name of supposed increased safety. To show indignance at being accused of acting like you own the road, yet to then claim you're totally justified in ignoring the rules of those same roads is hypocritical in the extreme. Obey the rules of the road or don't use it.