Cyclists

A question about : Cyclists

I'm not talking about the ones who try and mow you down so they can add another cyclist sticker to the side of their vehicle!

More of the subtle unthinking actions that come from assuming the roads only belong to them.

My personnal annoyance is a queue of traffic, and the obligitory 1 in 4 that position themselves 6 inches from the kerb. You sit there with the choice to go into the middle of the road or around them on the pavement (wonder how many of those who moan about cyclists on pavements do this?)

To be fair I think most of them do it because they are in a world of their own as opposed to spite. Usually once they have spotted you they do move over.

I have seen more aggressive cyclists than me bang on car windows though!!

Best answers:

• 'dangerous undertaking'
  Please explain how it is more dangerous to cycle past stationary traffic than moving traffic?
  All the steps I take to avoid danger in moving traffic I apply equally when its stopped
• Parking across the cycle lane. In some cases, I have seen them "double parked" .... except there is space at the kerb, they just can't be bothered to parallel park, and so block the cycle lane.
  Random diagonal parking because there isn't enough space to park with the side of the car parallel to the kerb (I kid you not...)
  Car drivers who believe that just because there is a segregated cycle path, I should be using that, and that if I am on the road they have a right to act dangerously around me and then shout "get on the cycle path" when I express my displeasure. What they don't consider is that the "segregated" cycle path is infested with idiot pedestrians who wander out into the path of cyclists without looking. I've hit one so far this year, and I'd prefer not to hit more.
  TBH though, cycling around here you encounter a disproportionate number of dangerous idiots, so the ones who are just a bit inconsiderate pale in comparison!
• Highway Code Rule 167
  Quote:
• The fact that car drivers come so close when overtaking that they nearly hit you. The highway code states: "give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car" but rarely do they do this.
  Also, so many car drivers pull out of roundabouts and side roads with just a glance and don't see a bike. Some don't look at all! I am always ready for these idiots - if I wasn't I'd have been hit numerous times. I was hit once by a woman who was looking right but not in front on her and drove into me as I cycled past!
  I also hate footpaths that are divided for pedestrians and have a cycle path. The pedestrians are always wandering into the cycle path without looking.
  I'm 49 and have been cycling reguarly for 20 years - I wonder how much longer I'll live if I carry on!
• Once got knocked off my bike by a white van driver who decided there was enough space to overtake me whilst I was passing a traffic island. Was seen and stopped by police, and he got away with a verbal warning. Thankfully I was ok.
  When.cycling in the rain if there is a large puddle infringe of me I will usually try to go around it. However there have been times where I flagging been able to cycle around it and so have slowly cycled through it, only for cars to come screaming down the road and straight through the puddle I am going through.
• Travelling down a one way street the wrong way.
  Travelling on the pavement.
  Travelling through red lights.
  Travelling on the wrong side of the road.
  Travelling without lights.
  Travelling through pedestrian precincts.
  "Undertaking" when the vehicle to be undertaken is clearly indicating a left turn.
  Now - I do not see motorists carrying out the above actions, all that often. BUT I see numerous cyclists doing the above all day (and night !) long. I can almost guarantee that 30 mins in my local town centre and you would see misbehaving cyclists doing ALL of the above - apart from the "no lights" as it is a nice sunny morning
  I do wish I had my camera on me this morning - I saw a NUN (honest !) on a mobility scooter going down a one way street, in the middle of the road - against the traffic. Perhaps she had a dispensation from someone "high up"
  Some cyclist obviously think they do............................
  (runs for cover !)
• Things that some motorists do that annoy me
• Comment on cycling web forums making unsubstantiated claims about cyclists, immediately forgetting that most cyclists are also motorists.
• Those who think that they are perfect drivers but forget that motorists are to blame in the majority of cycling accidents
• Haven't read the Highway Code since passing the test, in particular rule 163
• Testosterone fuelled idiots who hurl abuse at cyclists
• I can usually spot a motorist who doesn't cycle

Things that some motorists do that I like:

• Leave me plenty of space when overtaking.
• Signal clearly.
• Wait for me to pass when they are pulling out.
• I can always tell a motorist that also cycles

Fortunately the majority of motorists fall into the latter group.
Dave

• Drivers on mobile phones Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr hate em