Why does the UK hate cyclists?

[Dirk Diggler]

Now where we? Ah, yes. You were telling us how you don’t understand how you’re supposed to drive on country roads and then you got sidetracked by your irrational fear of Lycra. Please, go on...

I was telling you no such thing.

I enjoy my cycling, but I'm not selfish. There are two massive country parks where I live, and the speed limit for cars is just where I like it when I'm on my bike; 15MPH. It's perfectly safe for me, the pedestrians and the drivers. We all share the same road safely, because the entire environment is designed for us all to share. It's far more pleasant than cycling on roads where the disgusting diesel fumes are unavoidable and passively inhaled, particularly from buses.

I never wear lycra when I'm cycling, just as I wouldn't wear budgie smugglers when I'm swimming. I wouldn't subject the rest of the population to such unnecessary sights... like I say, I'm not selfish. It's not all about me!

 

[Caracus2k]

We're perfectly entitled to ride like that, safer for us and you, believe it or not.

There's some truly shocking attitudes in this thread, I hope I don't come across some of you when cycling to work!

Well that's not actually true is it now.....

Straight from the highway code...

• never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends

So the law is saying never ride more than two abreast and in the circumstance I described in my previous post the law is clear that you should ride in single file..... The law doesn't endorse cyclists rising two abreast down narrow country lanes.... It says quite the opposite....

 

[crinkleshoes]

i think every motorist should experience cycling 20 miles in the cold, wet, dark winter. Maybe that would help balance the anger.

More like help people realise just how stupid cyclists are who choose bike over covered transport in that weather

 

[HoboSwaggings]

It's actually easier to overtake cyclists riding two abreast if you are overtaking correctly. A single line of bikes means you're straddling the middle line or on the wrong side of the road for longer.

 

[hornetstinger]

More like help people realise just how tough and manly cyclists are who choose bike over covered transport in that weather

Fixed.

 

[Caracus2k]

It's actually easier to overtake cyclists riding two abreast if you are overtaking correctly. A single line of bikes means you're straddling the middle line or on the wrong side of the road for longer.

Not on a country lane where there isn't the space to physically get around two bicycles abreast in between the passing points that they cycle straight past whilst remaining two abreast as you crawl behind them at 15 - 20mph

 

[Vonhelmet]

I was telling you no such thing.

Yes, you were. You said that if you rounded a blind bend and came across a cyclist, that would be a problem.

I enjoy my cycling, but I'm not selfish. There are two massive country parks where I live, and the speed limit for cars is just where I like it when I'm on my bike; 15MPH. It's perfectly safe for me, the pedestrians and the drivers. We all share the same road safely, because the entire environment is designed for us all to share. It's far more pleasant than cycling on roads where the disgusting diesel fumes are unavoidable and passively inhaled, particularly from buses.

And if people want to ride faster than 15mph? I ride faster than that just getting to work. There's also been studies recently saying that the pollution you suffer is worse when you're inside a car than outside, so, um...

I never wear lycra when I'm cycling, just as I wouldn't wear budgie smugglers when I'm swimming. I wouldn't subject the rest of the population to such unnecessary sights... like I say, I'm not selfish. It's not all about me!

It's not selfish to wear the right clothing for the job. I'm sure you get by fine in whatever shorts you're wearing while you're bimbling at 15mph in your park, but if I'm riding further and faster and in worse conditions, then I'd like to wear kit that will cope with that.

I've coped seeing people in tiny swimming shorts at the pool. If they want to wear them, that's their lookout. I'm sure you can cope seeing people in Lycra. You're a grown man, you'll live.

 

[platypus]

This will be a well balanced discussion.

The first reply shows the ignorance we're up against:

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.

And then there's this horrible chap:

Bigoted guff

Since it's impossible to have a reasoned debate on this subject it'd be better that the mods just close them, but each to their own.

 

[HoboSwaggings]

Not on a country lane where there isn't the space to physically get around two bicycles abreast in between the passing points that they cycle straight past whilst remaining two abreast as you crawl behind them at 15 - 20mph

Then you shouldn't be overtaking.

 

[Vonhelmet]

More like help people realise just how stupid cyclists are who choose bike over covered transport in that weather

It's still faster, and more fun than being sat in a car with only your own farts for company.

 

[Caracus2k]

Then you shouldn't be overtaking.

No the cyclists should cycle in single file! Read the ****in highway code before you spout such rubbish!

I even linked to the relevant section above!

 

[HoboSwaggings]

Living in Bristol and commuting at rush hour by bike, I am the fastest moving road user. Cars, buses etc hold me up.

I don't ten to get annoyed at this because I am not an *******.

 

[Gixer]

That's no excuse, especially if you're using fitness as one of your reasons for wanting to rid a bike (because surely you'd want it to be more effort). I presume this is the excuse that'd be toted by the ones that run red lights/fly across junctions blind (as was the case with a recent motors thread).

it's worrying though that conserving momentum seems to be more important than conserving your life

That or they don't like unclipping / clipping back in in their clipless road shoes? I have SPD's on the work hack for that reason, much easier to just stomp onto the pedal. I also don't care about how crudded up they get in poor weather. I don't like the momentum excuse, far more gains to be had stopping and leaving the bike in a high gear then stomping away when the lights go green

 

[HoboSwaggings]

No the cyclists should cycle in single file! Read the ****in highway code before you spout such rubbish!

I even linked to the relevant section above!

If there isn't room, you shouldn't be overtaking. Maybe you should refer to the highway code:

Spoiler: Safe overtaking

 

[platypus]

No the cyclists should cycle in single file! Read the ****in highway code before you spout such rubbish!

I even linked to the relevant section above!

No he was right the first time. The cyclists not moving over in such a scenario are being idiots. You still shouldn't be overtaking.

 

[Caracus2k]

If there isn't room, you shouldn't be overtaking. Maybe you should refer to the highway code:

Spoiler: Safe overtaking

Are you really going to continue this ? I agree that you should not pass any other road user if there isn't space to safely do so....

I'm my example there isnt physically space to get round the cyclists as they are riding two abreast on a narrow road contrary to the highway code ergo they are in the wrong...

 

[Caracus2k]

No he was right the first time. The cyclists not moving over in such a scenario are being idiots. You still shouldn't be overtaking.

Another one! The cyclists are the ones in the wrong I can't get past them because they are not complying with the highway code!

 

[HoboSwaggings]

I'm my example there isnt physically space to get round the cyclists as they are riding two abreast on a narrow road contrary to the highway code ergo they are in the wrong...

If you can't physically get past riders riding two a breast, you wouldn't be able to overtake one or more bikes riding single file still giving the space indicated in the highway code.

You shouldn't be overtaking.

 

[Vonhelmet]

Another one! The cyclists are the ones in the wrong I can't get past them because they are not complying with the highway code!

If you couldn't pass two safely, you arguably shouldn't be passing one, given you're supposed to give as much room when passing a cyclist as when you're passing a car. The wording for that bit is ambiguous, though, so it's hard to be sure quite how to interpret it.

 

[Caracus2k]

If you can't physically get past riders riding two a breast, you wouldn't be able to overtake one or more bikes riding single file still giving the space indicated in the highway code.

You shouldn't be overtaking.

As much as this thread demonstrates the arrogant attitude of some vehicle drivers it also serves as a testamant to the utter pig headed ignorance and belligerence of some cyclists.


I have demonstrably shown that cyclists by the legal standard (the highway code) should not be riding two abreast on bends, busy or narrow roads. Go argue with the goverment if you think they are wrong. By the current law the cyclists in my example are in the wrong no ifs no buts....