[Closed] Why are some cyclists so aggressive?

I think its just an example that people in general all twunts, this time it was a guy on a bike, next time will be a person in a car giving you hassle.

Send the club an email reminding them that conduct is inappropriate given they are advertising their club.

Why are some [s]cyclists[/s] people so aggressive?

FTFY

Drivers, cyclists, ramblers, football fans...

Some of them are just idiots, but we shouldn't tar everyone else with the same brush.

[EDIT] - Stato beat me to it

I know plenty of people would have jumped out of the car and battered this guy, as his behavior was appalling.

TBH, i find people 'battering' each other far more appalling than a shouty cyclist.

Were they racing?

Londoners, not a cycling thing. Every time i go near london or meet londoners far too many are arrogant and agressive.

Not all, don't get me wrong, just seems to be a disproportionate number.

All the complaints you get about pavement cycling, jumping red lights in media focus on London, yes it happen in the rest of the country as well but no one really cares IME.

freeagent - Member
The lights changed and the lane they were in started to move, two of them, including a large Afro-Caribbean Gentleman had positioned themselves behind a big silver Mercedes.

Struggling to see what relevance his race has to anything?

If what you say is exactly true, I think you're right they sound like nobbers!

Lifer +1

Sounds about right. Plenty of road cyclists act like ****s when in groups.

Expect Peter Sagan would be the same if there was a Mercedes in his way.

[quote=camo16 ]Sounds about right. Plenty of road cyclists act like ****s when in groups.
Expect Peter Sagan would be the same if there was a Mercedes in his way.
It's probably the drugs they're taking.

The lights changed and the lane they were in started to move, two [s]of them, including a large Afro-Caribbean[/s] Gentleman had positioned themselves behind a big silver Mercedes.

They are a subsection of what we call people. In life there are all sorts their personality traits are not related to their choice of transport or recreational activities.

The world is populated almost entirely by idiots. Some of them ride bikes.

I know a roadie who sounds exactly like the blokes you described. He's precisely that kind of behavior. I imagine their turn won't be long, carrying on like that

Some cyclists are aggressive because we are a subset of the general population some of whom are aggressive. They would have been dicks whether of not they were on bikes. The problem of perception comes from people identifying them firstly as cyclists and saying that their behaviour was indicative of all cyclists. This may be because the general public

The public don't make the same connection between car drivers and aggressive behaviour because most people are car drivers and realise that they are not all aggressive, just some.

stilltortoise has it IMO.

What ethnicity were the other cyclists? And the driver? And yourself? I feel like the story is flawed and incomplete without those very very important details.

Maybe you should try to judge people as indiviuals rather than groups (cyclists, afro-caribbeans).

It also demonstrated why I will never join a cycling club.

That's pretty stupid. Some clubs are like that some aren't.

But then it seems that labelling people is something you like to do.

Struggling to see what relevance his race has to anything?

The fact that some of them were riding Carbon bikes didn't add much to the story either.
Or the make and colour of the car involved.

But you chose to pick up on something else he mentioned.

I'm going to venture a controversial opinion here.

I agree with ^^^^^ that there are aggressive idiots everywhere and that the biking element is perhaps overstated.

On the other hand, there is I suspect a correlation between (a) being a roadie riding in a 'high performance' group on public roads and (b) being a dick.

It's not a rule, but I reckon it's a tendency...

Flame me, whatever.

On the other hand, there is I suspect a correlation between (a) being a roadie riding in a 'high performance' group on public roads and (b) being a dick.

There probably is an element of pack mentality that takes over, but that still isn't cycling that is the cause, it's the pack.

I'm with you there camo. I'm sure that some roadie club types aren't complete and utter pompous, self-important plums. Just as its hypothetically possible that not all Tories are ****s! Its just that the ones I've met most certainly are.

I had this - I was indicating left approaching a left turn towards lights and I was watching a rider filtering at speed on the inside approaching from some distance- I kept a check on him and it got to the point where I used my horn to warn him that I was about to turn

**** OFF!! he shouted at me in a almost out of control/rage way.

I stopped, leaned out and asked him to repeat his words and explain his behaviour. He didn't stop but gave me a cast off sign and shot off.

Why are some cyclists full of anger?!

There probably is an element of pack mentality that takes over, but that still isn't cycling that is the cause, it's the pack.

Absolutely.

Cycling is indirectly responsible though - only because high-speed roadie groups inevitably have a high presence on their patch of tarmac.

It's kind of why I don't ride with other folk on roads, although I love my roadie.

I won't get matching lycra and pretend I'm star rider for Garmin-Sharp either.

The thing is most people in most activities are fine , its just the nobbers who stand out in the memories of those from other groups.I will have cycled alongside about a hundred cardrivers today ,but its the one who cut me up that I recall.
Its why I always try to be be mega polite to other trail users ,to compensate for the negative impressions they may have of my sport

Camo
i would say the opposite is true.
there is more of a tendency for a group of good roadies to be less likely to be aggressive and more focused on riding in a disciplined manner.
the problem for me is that there are so many competitive mamils who have taken up road cycling and they are just ****s whatever sport they do. I can imagine these nobbers playing squash in the same ultra competitive manner.
If only Strave could be adapted for squash/etc it would probably clean up the roads.

I think we need to differentiate between road clubs that race and road clubs that are springing up, full of the new to cycling brigade.
A lot of race clubs have very disciplined riders who are out to train and are not looking to take risks in traffic that could end their season.

there is more of a tendency for a group of good roadies to be less likely to be aggressive and more focused on riding in a disciplined manner.

Well possibly - if we're talking about a well-drilled team of road-aware cyclists for whom efficient use of the road is more important than the team time trial spurt-fest.

Most roadie groups I come across are so into themselves - and so self-righteous about their equal rights to occupy tarmac - that hostility is an ever present danger. Because lots of them are dicks.

Mulletus Maximus - Member

Why the need to point out one of the cyclist was black, why not just two gentlemen?

Why the need to point out they were men, you nasty little sexist?
💡
Go be professionally offended elsewhere.

Why are some cyclists full of anger?!

Having a bad day? Anger management issues? Two sides to every story? Your indicator isn't working? You or some other driver just cut him up? He'd nearly been run down by a driver not paying attention?.....

I'd hazard a guess that the fact he is a cyclist is low on the list of things that made him full of anger

Why the need to point out they were men

Has anyone ever been bitten by an aggressive cyclist?

most of the dicks on road bikes are mountain bikers IMO who have no road discipline, no idea how to ride in a group and cant maintain a steady tempo and just ride all over the place.
you should check out the groups going up the Dales and you can spot the old road clubs easy as they are far more disciplined IMO.
I like riding with the old clubs its far more social and you get little problems with cars.

The fact that some of them were riding Carbon bikes didn't add much to the story either.
Or the make and colour of the car involved.

But you chose to pick up on something else he mentioned.

you should check out the groups going up the Dales and you can spot the old road clubs easy as they are far more disciplined IMO.

I'm with you - the members of proper old road clubs seem to respect the roads as much as they expect the road to respect them... and that's a nice thing.

Has anyone ever been bitten by an aggressive cyclist?

Got nipped by a rabid kid on a scooter at a kids' party once. Does that count?

Binners you are so full of hate and anti tory you remind of a homophobic person with a serious case of self denial. You are a tory deep down you just can't admit it. Unless you are really a UKipper. 🙂

I'm actually George Osbourne 😉

Mods - please lock this thread -
The only reason I mentioned this chaps race was because I was intreagued to know if anyone on here knew who he was...
He was pretty tall (so that makes me tallist?) riding a Planet X (I only noticed this as I generally turn my nose up a cheap Northern bikes)

I'd forgotten how ridiculous this place could be sometimes...

You get nobs everywhere.

I remember following a group at Glentress. They charged down the trail 30 seconds after another couple of riders shouting "GET THEM" and aggressively barged past.

Some people are just dicks

Sometimes?

😉

Send the club an email reminding them that conduct is inappropriate given they are advertising their club.

Having a bad day? Anger management issues? Two sides to every story? Your indicator isn't working? You or some other driver just cut him up? He'd nearly been run down by a driver not paying attention?.....

Struggling to see what relevance his race has to anything?

The fact that some of them were riding Carbon bikes didn't add much to the story either.
Or the make and colour of the car involved.
But you chose to pick up on something else he mentioned.

I'm not aware that there's a significant social problem with carbon bike owner prejudice in this country. Are people with carbon bikes routinely discriminated against?

Are people with carbon bikes routinely discriminated against?

You're thinking of titanium

Were any of them ginger? I bet they were!

"Seems there are a lot of professional nobbers on this forum too who are spoiling for a fight! Some people just enjoy aggro and confrontation I guess."

You are right but at least they are PC with who they target. I'm glad I only come across them on here, they are so tough.

The only reason I mentioned this chaps race was because I was intreagued to know if anyone on here knew who he was...

I'm not aware that there's a significant social problem with carbon bike owner prejudice in this country. Are people with carbon bikes routinely discriminated against?

Give over 🙄

He's explained why it was mentioned as part of the story already.

Either do it properly and call him a racist outright

or pipe down.

... you just mentioned his race, [b]and nothing else[/b], in passing and without explanation.

No he didn't, he also said he was "rather large".

If you are going to nitpick, you need to at least be accurate.

binners - Member
Were any of them ginger? I bet they were!

You mean Ed Clancey?

you'd be aggressive having to listen to this all day 😉

Give over

He's explained why it was mentioned as part of the story already.

Either do it properly and call him a racist outright
or pipe down.

Ooh get her.

I never said he was a racist. Stop being 'professionally offended'. 😛

Crying 'PC gone mad' at every opportunity seems to be an increasingly popular pastime.

Can you really not see how mentioning someone's race while slating them seems a bit off?

Expect Peter Sagan would be the same if there was a Mercedes in his way.

Bet he would! He comes across as a bit of a d!ck to me anyway.

Were any of them ginger? I bet they were!

If they were ginger AND wearing red I'd be VERY offended, and feel the need to mention it on this forum.

I'd even WRITE IN CAPS occasionally to show the extent of my OFFENSE.

[i]most of the dicks on road bikes are mountain bikers [/i]

Dicks on bikes are just that, dicks. There's been a massive explosion of guys on road bikes it is the new "go to hobby" some of the people now riding are dicks in every aspect of their lives, and now they have a whole new way of expressing just how much of a dick they can be...

OP, shit happens, pedal away and leave them to it

+1 for the "some people are aggressive, all cyclists are people" lobby.

Crying 'PC gone mad' at every opportunity seems to be an increasingly popular pastime.

Which is not something I've said.

Political correctness is fine by me.

What annoys me is people who pick at little details at every opportunity, and lay the groundwork for suggesting someone is racist. But don't actually have the balls (or the evidence) to actually do it properly.

As others have said you get angry people and non-angry people, both types ride bikes.

I'm not very comfortable with the 'including a large Afro-Caribbean Gentleman' either. Why would you describe the race of one of the group? Yeh, yeh I know you've given some sort of 'explanation' now. The whole 'gentleman' thing is a bit 70's 'on the buses' type race comment too.

What annoys me is people who pick at little details at every opportunity, and lay the groundwork for suggesting someone is racist. But don't actually have the balls (or the evidence) to actually do it properly.

How would I know if he's a racist or not? I just don't think mentioning the guy's race was really necessary or appropriate. I don't find the explanation that convincing either TBH.

I suspect it was just a bit thoughtless rather than actually racist. Interesting that you get so upset about this though.

+1 for the "some people are aggressive" comment.

To balance things out, I went on my first ride with the local club yesterday. Everyone I met was friendly and had time to chat, no one appeared to be a nobber, and we had a jolly good time riding around some lovely country lanes. Drivers we encountered seemed to give us lots of time and were considerate when passing. I do however live out in the sticks 🙂

Cliched post get cliched responses shocker...

Some fundamental truths about rants on this forum:

1. All bad cyclists are wealthy (carbon bikes, expensive gear, Audis/BMWs etc.)
2. All bad cyclists come from down south (London usually)
3. All bad cyclists attack / abuse motorists/ other cyclists without the slightest provocation
4. OP always gets huffy when less than 100% of the responses don't say "yes you are right, I agree completely with your version of events and the resulting opinion you have formed"

etc.

What annoys me is people who pick at little details at every opportunity

Cliched post get cliched responses shocker...

Dude, it's an Internet forum, not the Turner Prize.

Nice to know you've worked this place out though.

just a bit thoughtless rather than actually racist

As a general thought (in response to the quoted rather than a comment on the OP), I would disagree that those are two separate, different things. I reckon more of the racism (and other -isms) I encounter is not intentional than the rabid, EDL hatemongering. Doesn't make it any less real. All together now...

"I'm not racist, but..."

I think the point here is that - to other road users at least - all cyclists represent the cycling community and cyclists have a vested interest in keeping an eye out for each other and that means challenging bad behaviour. I have notified the club of this posting so as they can decide if it needs acting on.

Interesting that you get so upset about this though.

Is it ? I would be interested to hear what conclusions you are jumping to.

Or as you will say you aren't jumping to any conclusions, at least tell me what is interesting about it.

grum - Member
I suspect it was just a bit thoughtless rather than actually racist. Interesting that you get so upset about this though.

😆

Is it ? I would be interested to hear what conclusions you are jumping to.

Or as you will say you aren't jumping to any conclusions, at least tell me what is interesting about it.

I just think its a weird thing for you to get upset over. Do I have to 'have the balls' to say you're definitely a neo-nazi in order to have an opinion?

I don't think the OP is a racist as in I highly doubt that he dislikes black people in general, or thinks that they should be discriminated against.

Saying 'there was this black guy being a ****er' (among a group of presumably white people also being ****ers) is a bit dodgy IMO - likely to reinforce negative stereotypes.

There was some research showing that with people of a different race to you, you are much more likely to remember negative incidents than positive or neutral ones, and this can create confirmation bias so you are more likely to then notice negative behaviour by people of that race in future.

There was some research showing that with people of a different race to you, you are much more likely to remember negative incidents than positive or neutral ones, and this can create confirmation bias so you are more likely to then notice negative behaviour by people of that race in future.

which is, of course

a bit thoughtless

but, nevertheless and regardless of intent, also, at the same time

actually racist

Y'see?

It could be a London thing, I had the same experience at a rugby match, I usually watch Exeter at Sandy Lane, all very pleasant, now hassle, lots of people drinking. Went to a Harlequins game in London, as the number of offensive drunken arses was staggering and the language appalling. I sude to watch newcastle UTD FC at St James' if anyone started swearing like that he'd be told off by other members of the crowd because kids were presnt.

That being said most roadies are ****s

Sounds about right. Plenty of road cyclists act like ****s when in groups.

totally agree

seen far too often the Chester Road Club taking out young riders (13 year olds) in groups and then let them race down the Greenway in Chester (a shared tarmac path 2-3m wide) in a mass pack on a Sunday lunchtime when all the young mums and grandparents are walking their toddlers and dogs - madness

i was riding in the opposite direction and had to get off the path as well and as soon as i'd asked them to slow down, the elder club member riding at the back with the tail enders promptly responded with - "**** off" - right in front of a pregnant women trying to pull her 3 year old child/dog and elderly mother off the tarmac path to get out of their way

i ended up apologising to the family - just wanted to say not all cyclists are idiots like that

and you wonder why people have such a negative view of cyclists - and that was a proper road club

Chester Road Club all think they should be in Hollyoaks.

As well as being a mountainbiker, I ride with a club (sometimes road too!!), am a football fan, male, a car driver, and a Londoner. Despite all that, I've never behaved that way to anybody and never would, and I reckon there are thousands and thousands of people who would say the same thing as me.

There is a danger in generalising about these things and supporting the negative stereotypes that only apply to small numbers of individuals in reality. That sort of behavior just isn't acceptable in society regardless of which section you belong to.

Just my opinion.

I think the point here is that - to other road users at least - all cyclists represent the cycling community and cyclists have a vested interest in keeping an eye out for each other and that means challenging bad behaviour.

That may be true, but it's a nonsense that needs challenging. I am no more responsible for other cyclists than I am for other motorists.

drbob65 - Member
It could be a London thing.... I sude to watch newcastle UTD FC at St James' if anyone started swearing like that he'd [s]be told off by other members of the crowd because kids were presnt[/s] go outside and punch a police horse.

ftfy 😉

 

The trouble with London is that it's full of miserable sods who aren't from London and give us proper Londoners a bad name 😉

Clubber, yesterday:

[IMG] [/IMG]

<puts on best mockney accent>
Grr... I've been trying to bury that pic for years

I was indicating left approaching a left turn towards lights and I was watching a rider filtering at speed on the inside approaching from some distance- I kept a check on him and it got to the point where I used my horn to warn him that I was about to turn

...

Why are some [s]cyclists[/s] drivers full of anger?!

I mean the alternative to using your horn would have been to simply watch the cyclist through and not drive into them. In the same way it doesn't lessen your injuries being in the right when you're a cyclist in a collision with vehicle, there's no reason why you can't just let a cyclist go when they're not in the right.

In a slightly similar incident recently I overtook a cyclist shortly before a junction - I had plenty of space to do so, and had the junction been clear I would have got out before he got there. As it was there was a vehicle at the front waiting to turn right which I couldn't get past - I was turning left, but didn't pull all the way into the kerb as I thought I'd give the cyclist the choice if he got there before we moved (and it made no difference to me leaving a bit of space). I was indicating left, but watching the cyclist closely in my left door mirror, which he clearly saw as he went down the left and thanked me with a wave. Now personally I wouldn't have gone down the left of a car indicating left, but clearly he trusted me, so I was happy for him to do so (I almost always carry around an off-road unicycle quite visibly in the boot, and I presume he'd spotted that and worked out I was a cyclist).

always carry around an off-road unicycle quite visibly in the boot

See, I have one with two wheels, and I can use that as a means of transport instead of needing a car to carry it in if I want to go somewhere.

😉

That makes you quite unusual on here I'd imagine, edlong!

If it makes you any happier, I rode further for transport than I drove that day - I keep wanting to make that particular trip on a bike, but it's tight on time up a hill to my son's swimming lesson, and he might not be in the best shape if I make him ride there.

As a member of Bigfoot Cycle Club in Bromley , can I ask that you write to the Club President Andy Ivy and give him all the details and we will investigate it. The easiest way will be via the club website.

I can only apologise for the behavior