Why does the UK hate cyclists?

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Vonhelmet said:
@amigafan2003 I’ve heard 18mph referred to with regard to “shared use paths”, which is what pretty much all segregated “cycle” paths are. Not sure where that comes from.
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Quite right! I found the reference:-

  • * If a feature segregating cyclists from pedestrians is present, keep to the cyclist’s side. This will be indicated on blue and white road signs and by cycle logos on the surface.
  • * Ride on the left hand side of the area available to you. If you need to overtake another cyclist, give a gentle ring on your bell or say ‘Excuse me’.
  • * When coming up behind pedestrians, always pass them at a safe distance, and slowly enough so that you could avoid them if they made a sudden change in direction.
  • * Remember that some pedestrians may be hard of hearing or visually impaired and hence might not be aware of you. If in doubt, give a gentle ring on your bell or say ‘Excuse me’.
  • * Always respect pedestrians even if they stray onto the cycling side (if there is one); they are entitled to do so. Always thank people who move out of your way.
  • * Ride at a sensible speed for the situation and ensure you can stop in time. As a general rule, if you want to cycle quickly, say in excess of 18 mph/30 kph, then you should be riding on the road.
  • * Use lights at night.
  • * In pedestrianised areas, only ride your cycle if there aren’t too many pedestrians about; otherwise dismount and push it. When visiting shops etc, park your cycle so that people will not trip over it; use formal cycle parking if available.

Dept of Transport: Annex D: Code of Conduct Notice for Cyclists using cycle paths
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robfosters said:
Ok, it doesn't, but it's still the motorists who have to cough up for using the roads and that money must go in some way to maintaining and improving our transport systems. Cyclists offer nothing of any financial value to the transport system.
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What about the majority of cyclists who leave their taxed and insured car at home but choose to cycle to work instead? Do they offer nothing of financial value to the transport system? Are they not paying their VED for their vehicles that sit at home not polluting?

For the record, I have TWO taxed and insured vehicles and choose to cycle to work yet in the eyes of car drivers, I should "get off the road because I don't pay road tax"
 
agw_01 said:
What about the majority of cyclists who leave their taxed and insured car at home but choose to cycle to work instead? Do they offer nothing of financial value to the transport system? Are they not paying their VED for their vehicles that sit at home not polluting?

For the record, I have TWO taxed and insured vehicles and choose to cycle to work yet in the eyes of car drivers, I should "get off the road because I don't pay road tax"
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Yeah, the irony is that you leaving your car at home and cycling instead probably made their journey quicker.
 
Probably to do with culture. Cycling has always been a popular and a normal thing to do on the continent and the roads/towns are designed accordingly.

It’s only recently that cycling has taken off big time in the UK but the roads are not designed for it. Also a lot of people are ignorant and stupid.
 
lack of respect and eduction is the problem with both car drivers and cyclists, as can be seen already in the first page of replies.
 
amigafan2003 said:
Yeah, the irony is that you leaving your car at home and cycling instead probably made their journey quicker.
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Don't be silly. The fact I held someone up for 15 seconds before they could overtake me, only to stop at the next queue of traffic and therefore made them 30 minutes late for an important meeting! Bloody cyclists!

Ocean Breeze said:
It’s only recently that cycling has taken off big time in the UK but the roads are not designed for it. Also a lot of people are ignorant and stupid.
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I do think our cycling infrastructure (or lack of) has a big part to play in the war between car drivers and cyclists.
 
shauncr91 said:
Uninsured, often lack of hi-vis or lights, no helmets, jumping red lights and crossings, refusal to use cycle paths where applicable.

All things that annoy me about a lot of cyclists, most are often OK but unfortunately the fact that anyone can buy a bike and jump onto the public highway and exhibit the above points is what infuriates me the most.
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I think it’s the mentality.

In Japan now and I see cyclist cycle on the road, on pavement, without helmets but nobody, not one person is annoyed about it, there are no bicycle bells ringing when they approach you, they just ride by in a way that’s safe or slow down to a crawl. On the road the cars don’t beep them, they don’t race passes them, they simple have the patience to wait for a better overtaking.

Nobody once I’ve seen has gone into a road rage over anyone blocking anyone.

I don’t think the law is the problem, it’s the attitude of the people.
 
shauncr91 said:
All things that annoy me about a lot of cyclists, most are often OK but unfortunately the fact that anyone can buy a bike and jump onto the public highway and exhibit the above points is what infuriates me the most.
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Do you get annoyed about pedestrians and horse riders too? I mean, anyone can go and buy a pair of shoes or a horse and walk/ride along a road without any training or tests!
 
terley said:
Because they choose to take leisurely rides during rush hour, literally delaying hundreds of people.
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IKR!

Look at all these cyclists holding up all these poor car drivers!

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Oh, wait...........

Cyclists don't cause congestion, cars cause congestion.
 
Not on a motorway they wouldn't :D.

Rarely have I seen a cyclist cause a tailback normally it's a driver unsure about overtaking them. To be fair if the driver isn't confident enough I'd prefer to be late than potentially someone get flattened.
 
Car drivers are the true problem. They’re the ones polluting the environment, causing the conjestion and damaging the roads which then need to be repaired which causes more traffic jams.
 
Cyclists are generally fine but you do get the odd ones that make the rest look bad. I was walking to town with my daughter in the pram one day and some guy (also needs to learn) was waiting at a red light, and literally was parked across the crossing area for the green man.

I started crossing and all of a sudden I hear this screeching sound. A guy on a bike had to slam his brakes on and stop to avoid hitting us! Even after we crossed, he still continued on even though the light was red!
 
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