[Closed] Why are cyclists vilified in the UK?

^^ Might wanna tag those vids as rather sweary. Though the language isn't anywhere as offensive as the prick presenting them.

No cyclists are breaking any laws where I live as there are none to break (no lights, no crossings, very few junctions etc,.) yet the drivers are still mostly impatient and dangerous.

A lot of blind corners on the roads where I live and after riding there for 20 years I can safely say that more than 50% of drivers who are behind me before the corner will pass me metres away from the corner. If I hear a car coming the other way I ride out towards the middle of the road where I get beeped at and they typically give me a hand sign or a beep afterwards as well so still don't get that I was stopping them having a head on crash.

Seville is an interesting case study about how the public perception of cyclists and cycling as a mode of transport can be changed. It's a while since I listened but I think the key was to make the change quick and make it easy, so people fast learned the benefits to their lives.

https://podtail.com/en/podcast/reasons-to-be-cheerful-with-ed-miliband-and-geoff-/84-on-your-bike/

20 minutes into the podcast and still no answers how I cycle to Machynlleth and back of a weekend but learned I shouldn't wear a helmet or protection.

Google maps says 20hrs each way so even if I had the energy that's 8 hours or so and I'm still waiting for the solution

still no answers how I cycle to Machynlleth and back

What are you planning to do when you get to Machynlleth?

What are you planning to do when you get to Machynlleth?

Ride the Athertons bike park.. but its compulsory helmets... despite me just learning they are not needed
(This was actually last 1/2 term ... Dyfi, Antur and Revs.. but that is typically my use of a car.)
Last weekend I could have realistically got a train+bike if I wanted to spend 2 1/2hrs each way instead of 40 mins... inbetween FOD/BMCC (Peaslake possible to cycle), Okeford, Swinley (possible to cycle) ... and one trip in the car I can't not use the car as it was to the MOT and back (bike in car)

That's basically my car use in the last months... I'm totally missing how a few planters and cycle paths are going to change this for me.

I’m telling you that roadies are riding 3 abreast

I've been cycling for a long time, but outside of road racing, I've never seen a 3 abreast bunch before. I'm curious how that works, and how the riders circulate when they are riding 3 abreast?

I’ve been cycling for a long time, but outside of road racing, I’ve never seen a 3 abreast bunch before. I’m curious how that works, and how the riders circulate when they are riding 3 abreast?

It's a 2-abreast group where one person has pulled off to the side and is drifting back. Or a rider in the pack has braked and the rider behind him has pulled out to avoid running into the back.

Of course 3-abreast happens occasionally - ride leader swings out a bit to get a clear view behind, individuals swerving potholes or taking evasive action, someone drifting to the back down the outside... Or a group stopped at lights/junction getting going again and taking a few seconds to sort themselves out. Or maybe going up a hill and faster riders passing slower ones as each individual within the group finds his/her own natural pace.

Might take a few seconds but it's not a case that a huge group is riding along with everyone in it permanently 3-abresst thinking "yeah, **** everyone behind!"

The most common one though is seeing a 2-abreast group from behind and, because of the angles involved, tiny overlaps of wheels, tiny offsets between riders etc, it can look messy. Almost as though they're 3-abreast...

Might take a few seconds but it’s not a case that a huge group is riding along with everyone in it permanently 3-abresst thinking “yeah, **** everyone behind!”

The most common one though is seeing a 2-abreast group from behind and, because of the angles involved, tiny overlaps of wheels, tiny offsets between riders etc, it can look messy. Almost as though they’re 3-abreast…

and back to the OP ... the general public don't care about the difference or for that matter why
from their perception it's almost like you are using the roads merely for leisure not that you are in the same rush as them to get to work|school|holiday destination

Sorry for the irony but this just comes back to what's good for the goose and gander.
You can argue all day long how you have a perfect right to go 2 abreast... etc. or why you can't just stop and let a bunch of cars and whatever past... but if they are late for work or looking like they miss a check-in at a B&B they think their need is greater...

I'm just pointing this out... if you can't see their POV then why do you think they will see yours?

I’ve been cycling for a long time, but outside of road racing, I’ve never seen a 3 abreast bunch before.

Same here, its as crazy legs said. But even on this cycling bored you still get spittle flecked ranters about it.

just let it go son ..you're becoming a total bore now ..and to be honest it does you no credit to keep on describing yourself in this way ..🤪

You know, thanks to this thread I'm starting to understand now why cyclists are vilified in the UK. We're a bunch of argumentative bastards.

We’re a bunch of argumentative bastards.

No we're not!!!

That's not an argument, it's just contradiction.

No we just like discussing things

Is that better?

We’re a bunch of argumentative bastards

I reckon that's just people that frequent internet forums. I mean, if we were actually out cycling we wouldn't be on the internet arguing.....

The problem is cars. Cars are crap. They bring the worst out in people. They make you impatient, self important, grumpy, inconsiderate, lazy, arrogant and a whole lot more. People in cars are nasty to cyclists, walkers and other drivers.

People who are happy to let people walk slowly infront of them in, say, a supermarket aisle, can't wait a few seconds until it's safe to pass a cyclist... Because they are now in a car.

I drive a car because like most of us I have developed a car dependence. I try and drive it as little as possible but when I do I make a horrid noise, endanger people when I pass them, split communities as I pass by, help to ruin the climate and mess up air quality, cost the tax payer money whilst lining the pockets of unethical multinational corporations and corrupt regimes. All the while I get fatter and more stressed.

I wish we could uninvent them.

stevextc
If the cycle path is crappy then you slow down or just push the bike… I mean your not in a rush are you?

The stretch of the M6 between junctions 4 and 5 has the A452 running alongside it - which would you use?