Stupid drivers

[grimey121uk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qycF0raqpg

Unbelievable, even more disgusting is the way the drivers try to deny responsibility

[ravingdavis]

Good that he got it on Camera, the police wont do anything about it though I'll bet. There are some real morons on the road.

[beabert]

How the hell did they both not see him. I think the second car nearly driving over him was more suprising.

[Bluepete]

She'll have only looked right "because nothing comes from the left"

It happens more often than you would think.

As for "The cops will do nothing"

No, you're right. They won't. Unless the guy is injured, policy is that a unit won't even be sent out. There isn't enough of us.

Even if we did, both those drivers would get a driver awareness course, not face prosecution.

I wish we would do more, but our hands are tied.

Get used to it, it's only going to get worse.

Pete :(

[454697819]

the driver of the silver car would have been looking left at the time he came off, missed him come past her, the looked right it was clear (because he was on the floor) .. then pulled out and ran over his bike...

its not an excuse

the first guy just wasnt paying attention which is why he got clipped off..

Lucky bugger

[Specialone]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSiBVTtrS1w&feature=youtube_gdata_player


This one was amongst the one the op posted, it's not just about people not seeing cyclists, some just dont care.

No surprise most of the videos are in London, well regarded as being the least courteous in the country.
What shocks me the most is the ones that stop to have a go are the ones committing the worst of the offences.

[fizzwheel]

What the Black Car does is what happened to me in March this year.... not much fun.

Police attended and I had to go to A & E. Police decided there was enough evidence to prosecute the driver, but they sent him on a driver improvement course instead, which cost him £200 and took up two days of his time.

Before the impact theres a white Van parked up on the left which may have prevented the driver of the Focus from seeing the cyclist which is why she just pulled out and drove over his bike, still doesnt excuse what happened though.

[DarrenSV650S]

I don't know why cyclists don't ride on the pavement. I hate cycling on the road, its feckin scary.

One thing I don't get about the cyclists around here are the ones that ride on the 70mph dual carriageway when there is a cycle path 3 foot to the left

[fizzwheel]

I don't know why cyclists don't ride on the pavement.

Because its illegal to do so.

[DarrenSV650S]

I know but I still prefer it lol

[fizzwheel]

I know but I still prefer it lol

Its worse, trying to predict and plan around what a pedestrian will do is much worse than dealing with drivers of four or more wheeled vehicles.

Cycling on the road isnt that scarey, you just need to be confident and be able to cycle in a straight line so you dont wobble around all over the place. Shoulder checks and obs just like you would do on a motorbike and dont cycle in the gutter / shoulder of the road, its where all the cr*p gathers and it'll give you a puncture, also it encourages drivers to squeeze past you and then you have no room / an escape route.

[DarrenSV650S]

To be fair I only cycle to the shops or the gym, not serious commuting at busy times, so I'm not in that much of a rush.

[-Ralph-]

How stupid is the operator on the other end of the phone? How many times does he have to phonetically spell out where he is?

Whether or not the police will respond and/or proceed to a prosecution depends on the force area and how busy they are. If this were in Solihull for instance, it would probably be prosecuted. I've been prosecuted in Solihull for carrying out an emergency stop, no collision, no injuries and been found not guilty. In London, there's no chance.

No way cyclists should be on the pavement, that's asking for trouble.

[fizzwheel]

Whether or not the police will respond and/or proceed to a prosecution depends on the force area and how busy they are.

I asked for the police to be called, I was quite heavily winded and I couldnt catch my breathe or get up, the paramedic then arrived and wouldnt let me get up as she was worried about my neck so I sat in the road till the ambulance turned up and they put me on a back board and took me to A & E.

Police turned up before the ambulance did that took me to hospital. Police turned up at the hospital to take a statement, and the police officer told me he was off to the drivers home address to tell the driver he was going to prosecute.

So IME I found the police did all they could to deal with the driver, the fact that he pulled across me in front of two other witness' I guess helped to though.

Shame the insurance company arent being as efficent, but thats a whole other story...

[Mr Speirs]

How stupid is the operator on the other end of the phone? How many times does he have to phonetically spell out where he is?


Ah yeah that did my head in more than anything else!!

And then his name haha!!

[Stenno]

Wow. Scary. I've always given cyclists a wide berth, even those that annoy me by going through red lights. Shame the Police can't ban those drivers and force them to become cyclists to get around!

[andrewsmith]

That is disgusting but not suprising.
Its one of the reasons i'd rather use the bus if I couldn't take the bike.

How stupid is the operator on the other end of the phone? How many times does he have to phonetically spell out where he is?

Have the met taken to using Asian call centres?

That is bloody disgusting how many times it took to give a location on a main route

[Biker Biggles]

He was giving the location on a mobile with lots of background.The call taker probably couldnt hear half of it.What surprised me was how quick the met turned up.In my experience they often take an hour or so,maybe not attending at all.

[thulfi]

Serious issue. A student in my year at uni was killed not long ago in central london outside campus - taken out by a truck cycling into uni.

Perhaps the cyclist in this video should have eased off a little as he approached the junction, as the white van cutting across was blocking his view of what the vehicle behind may be doing. But easier said than done, and no excuses for this cyclists getting taken out.

On the other hand, not all cyclists are faultless. Many round here will bomb it down a one way street in the wrong direction, or hit red light. What's more, ever since they started these barclays bicycle pay as you go hire in central london, you now have to deal with a load of tourists that don't know what they're doing on a naff large bicycle.

Specialones video; some of the cabby responses are absolute classic. Why's the mug shouting out each number plate like he's trying to memorise them when he's filming anyway?!

[454697819]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSiBVTtrS1w&feature=youtube_gdata_player


This one was amongst the one the op posted, it's not just about people not seeing cyclists, some just dont care.

No surprise most of the videos are in London, well regarded as being the least courteous in the country.
What shocks me the most is the ones that stop to have a go are the ones committing the worst of the offences.

i wanted to personally punch loads of them for him, I am so glad I must past about 6 cars each day on my commute on the bike..

[andrewsmith]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSiBVTtrS1w&feature=youtube_gdata_player


This one was amongst the one the op posted, it's not just about people not seeing cyclists, some just dont care.

No surprise most of the videos are in London, well regarded as being the least courteous in the country.
What shocks me the most is the ones that stop to have a go are the ones committing the worst of the offences.

That sort of compounds why I wouldn't want to live or work in London. The cabbie at the end sort of shot himself in the foot as he served across and hit the cyclist

Numbers you would hate my commute on the SV 1 mile of guaranteed filtering where *****s will intentionally swerve to stop you legally filtering

[Biker Biggles]

Yes.Cycling is a very dangerous form of travel.They do quite a speed and wear almost no protective clothing often with weak lighting and low visibility.Now that description could apply to a lot of motorcyclists too,and we would be howling with scorn at the dimwit darwinians who got hurt.

[vjones777]

Why's the mug shouting out each number plate like he's trying to memorise them when he's filming anyway?!

Probably because you can't always make out details from a couple of video frames, depending on lighting, vibration etc. That way, he can at least get it off the audio.

[Lozzo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSiBVTtrS1w&feature=youtube_gdata_player


This one was amongst the one the op posted, it's not just about people not seeing cyclists, some just dont care.

No surprise most of the videos are in London, well regarded as being the least courteous in the country.
What shocks me the most is the ones that stop to have a go are the ones committing the worst of the offences.

If it's that dangerous, why is this idiot still riding a bicycle? In a fair few of those incidents there was a separate cycle lane he could have been using, but he chose to be in the road. Tough!

I don't give cyclists lots of room if they are riding in the road where there is a cycle lane to be used. The local council spent millions allocating space alongside the road, tarmaccing it and installing a traffic light system for cyclists at junctions, but they ignore the traffic lights, ride in the road and generally do as they please. If they get knocked off when not on the cycle lanes I have no sympathy for them at all.

A couple of months ago I came up behind some lycra clad tw4t on a racing bike. He had all the gear and what looked to me to be a very expensive bike, probably worth more than my motorbike. We got to traffic lights and he hoiks it up the kerb and turns the corner on the path then rejoins the road about 30 yards down. I met up with him at the next set of lights, which were red and busy enough that he couldn't cross them. I asked him if the rules of the road applied to cyclists and he instantly got aggressive, shouting and swearing. I hadn't even said why I'd asked yet... so I told him. That's when he pushed me on the shoulder and offered me to get off and settle our differences with fists. I didn't have to bother, the lights changed and as I was moving away I booted him hard enough to send him sprawling across the road in front off the car next to me, whose driver had heard and seen everything. I had a brief chat with the car driver at the next lights, and he said the guy was an ar5ehole who he sees getting aggressive with other car drivers on a regular basis, he thought it funny that someone had stood up to him and put him on his ar5e

[Red Herring]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSiBVTtrS1w&feature=youtube_gdata_player


This one was amongst the one the op posted, it's not just about people not seeing cyclists, some just dont care.

No surprise most of the videos are in London, well regarded as being the least courteous in the country.
What shocks me the most is the ones that stop to have a go are the ones committing the worst of the offences.

I'm sorry but this bloke is a complete plonker. Sure, in probably half the clips the motorist was being a prat but this guys reaction is well over the top, especially given that he's not exactly adopting a particular good position himself. He seriously needs to take a chill out pill and get on with life.

[-Ralph-]

That's when he pushed me on the shoulder and offered me to get off and settle our differences with fists. I didn't have to bother, the lights changed and as I was moving away I booted him hard enough to send him sprawling across the road in front off the car next to me

<Snip>

someone had stood up to him and put him on his ar5e

Booting him over as you ride away on a motorbike, is not standing up to him Lozzo.

Sorry, I'm not trying to be an rrsss, I'm just being honest.

[Lozzo]

He'd already shown plenty of aggression and had actually shoved me hard enough on the shoulder that I had a job keeping my bike upright. I'd tired of the tw4t and a good boot was punishment enough. If I'd got off and got involved in a fist fight with the guy I wouldn't have fancied his chances - I contemplated it, but thought better of it.

[-Ralph-]

I'm sorry but this bloke is a complete plonker. Sure, in probably half the clips the motorist was being a prat but this guys reaction is well over the top.

+1 that guy is bringing half of it upon himself, because he wants to have something to show on his video kit. Notice a few of the drivers he is blocking out everything they say to him with beeps, then in the same conversation allowing swear words to go uncensored. Maybe they are actually telling the camera exactly what the rider just did.

[fizzwheel]

I don't give cyclists lots of room if they are riding in the road where there is a cycle lane to be used.

Law doesnt specifically state that as a cyclist I HAVE to use the cycle lane where one is provided.

Your point about some cyclists being d1ck's is one I have alot of sympathy with, but doesnt mean we're all like it. I've watched alot of those youtube videos and I agree with RH, some cyclists, particularly it would seem those with video camera's go looking for trouble...

I've been sworn at, spat at, had stuff chucked at me. Been told I should "Get off the f*cking road" I wouldnt mind if I was riding like a tw*t, I dont. I was minding my own business, it would seem my crime most of the time is "being a cyclist"

It makes me sad when we can find a way as road users to all co exist with each other...

[-Ralph-]

There is a way everyone could co-exist with every road user. If everyone was to relax and chill out! Most of the time, hurrying, getting stressed and hustling for position, makes f**k all difference to your journey time. For instance getting 10 cars ahead in the queue on a motorway at 70mph has literally saved you 3-4 seconds. It just makes you stressed and brings you into conflict with other road users.

[Specialone]

I agree the bloke in the link I posted was a bit over the top, but the facts are he does get cut up a lot and the taxi driver on the bridge crossed dwl to get in front of him.

He was actually in the cycle lane in some and still had cars pull in front of him.

So you all think it's acceptable when a cyclist is crossing a roundabout to pull out on them so you T bone them? D1ck or not, some of the driving in that video was terrible.
There is tons of videos on YouTube showing similar, they can't all be wrong.

Cyclists have got on my nerves before but I wouldn't do what the drivers in that video done.
It's the Lycra clad stick insects that ride two abreast on narrow country lanes that p1ss me off the most, I've told quite a few of them my thoughts as well.

[Lozzo]

Law doesnt specifically state that as a cyclist I HAVE to use the cycle lane where one is provided.


Why in god's name wouldn't you? Surely the cycle lane has been put there for very good reasons i.e. to stop cyclists from being hurt, to keep traffic flowing where it's difficult to overtake a cyclist and to keep the peace between the two groups (motorists and cyclists)

I'm sorry Fizz, generally I'm in agreement with all you say, but to not use a cycle lane when there is one is just plain stupid.

[-Ralph-]

<snip>

I'd agree with RH that it was about 50/50 between bad driving and the guy being a tit. There are a few t-bones in there that are indisputable, but given that he doesn't let you hear the drivers version of events when he is faced with a driver, also makes me wonder what else is there to the story that he isn't showing, what did he do to the same driver 30 seconds earlier?

You'd hate the cyclists round here Phil, they ride 4 abreast in a group of 20 whilst having a race. They are completely engrossed in their position in the race and don't care about anything else, people trying to pass them, oncoming traffic, etc, etc. The phrase "the road is not a race track" applies to cyclists too, if their race means they are not going to observe the rules of the road, then they shouldn't be racing on it. The Highway code comes before their position in the race IMO.

[fizzwheel]

Why in god's name wouldn't you?.... but to not use a cycle lane when there is one is just plain stupid.

Because its full of other cyclists, I hate them as much as you do and TBH some of lame bike handling techniques I've seen I'd rather take my chances with the cagers.

Then factor in that alot of the ones I use are shared use, i.e. they are full of lemmings ( or pedestrians as you might term them ) little kids on scooters, teenagers who think its cool to stand in the middle of the path and block it up. Then theres the dog walkers who let their dogs out on an extendable lead across your path, add to that the surface can be terrible, full of potholes, loose gravel, breaking up tarmac or worse, like the other night when somebody let their dog take a dump in the cycle lane and then covered it over with leaves rather than cleaning it up so it went everywhere and I had to hose my bike off when I got home. None of the other cyclist have any idea of lane discpline as I said to one guy who I made stop the other night " you wouldnt drive your car on the right of the road would you, so why cycle on the left and stop weaving about all over the path", then theres the stealth or ninja cyclists who wear black at night with no lights and are impossible to spot.

Also factor in that when on top fitness I can keep up with traffic flow in a 30mph limit, sometimes I feel safer on the road in with the cars.

[Seggons]

Fizz you forgot the important points that more often than not the cycle lane goes right past the face of a junction. Even closer than what the cyclist in the videos was. Not only that it often puts the cyclist in the door zone. I personally treat all cyclists as if they were cars. Treat others like you'd want to be treated yourself.

[loonytoon]

i used to ride a push bike day in day out, yes the videos show a little bit of stupid riding by the cyclist but im sure its the same when passing you should do it in a safe manner? no matter if its a cyclist.
i h ave hda people deliberatly open the drivers door when they have seen me filtering so my response was to rip the door open an throw the keys down the road.
just because they arent as quick as you want to go you should still be considerate to cyclists because one day you will cut one up an he wont be to friendly, ive had a motor bike in the past he used to try an bully me out of the way on a push bike then you know what when i got the sv i did exactly the same to him see how he liked it he says what your fecking problem oh im sorry dont you like a motorbike pushing up your **** like you do to cyclists a look of confusion on his face yes mate last week you were trying to bully me off the road not nice is it i suggest you pack it in or next time i wil pull you off your bike.
im not an agressive person but when he had done it every morning for a couple of weeks i thought i will roll the sv through, this was for no reason as we keppt ending up at the lights together anyway!

[beabert]

i used to ride a push bike day in day out, yes the videos show a little bit of stupid riding by the cyclist but im sure its the same when passing you should do it in a safe manner? no matter if its a cyclist.
i h ave hda people deliberatly open the drivers door when they have seen me filtering so my response was to rip the door open an throw the keys down the road.
just because they arent as quick as you want to go you should still be considerate to cyclists because one day you will cut one up an he wont be to friendly, ive had a motor bike in the past he used to try an bully me out of the way on a push bike then you know what when i got the sv i did exactly the same to him see how he liked it he says what your fecking problem oh im sorry dont you like a motorbike pushing up your **** like you do to cyclists a look of confusion on his face yes mate last week you were trying to bully me off the road not nice is it i suggest you pack it in or next time i wil pull you off your bike.
im not an agressive person but when he had done it every morning for a couple of weeks i thought i will roll the sv through, this was for no reason as we keppt ending up at the lights together anyway!

Made me laugh lol :D

I rode a bicycle alot once. It didn't bother me the majority of the time when they used to cut me up, as long as they werent purposely trying to knock me off. However, i was the kind of biker that used the path at traffic lights too (Slowly)

[Bibio]

i don't mind the commuters and the ones out for a pleasure ride with the family and i genaraly give them lots of room. it's feckin lycra clad *******z who think they are in the tour de france who ride 3+ abreast on country roads that pizz me off. they are a danger to themselves and others, they have no regards for other road users. the one and only time i have been surprised was on a run to breamar and he was an absolute gem of a bloke who knew about road safty and waved me past. we pulled over at a view point at which he arrived a cpl mins later and we got chatting and it turned out he was a motorcycle bike rider as well.

[beabert]

i don't mind the commuters and the ones out for a pleasure ride with the family and i genaraly give them lots of room. it's feckin lycra clad *******z who think they are in the tour de france who ride 3+ abreast on country roads that pizz me off. they are a danger to themselves and others, they have no regards for other road users. the one and only time i have been surprised was on a run to breamar and he was an absolute gem of a bloke who knew about road safty and waved me past. we pulled over at a view point at which he arrived a cpl mins later and we got chatting and it turned out he was a motorcycle bike rider as well.

Squirt your washer jets as you pass :D

[Red Herring]

I was driving down a lane the other day and came up behind a cyclist. I hung back a respectful distance as it was quite narrow and waited patiently. We eventually came to a short hill and this chap was now down to walking pace, but still I waited for him to make room for me to pass. We got to the top of the hill and he picked up speed again and the road opened up a tad. I started to move up on him and he deliberately moved out blocking me. I gave him a little tap on the horn, not a proper blast, just a small toot, and promptly got the finger. At that point he got some siren..... Life does have some perks you know!

[Specialone]

I was driving down a lane the other day and came up behind a cyclist. I hung back a respectful distance as it was quite narrow and waited patiently. We eventually came to a short hill and this chap was now down to walking pace, but still I waited for him to make room for me to pass. We got to the top of the hill and he picked up speed again and the road opened up a tad. I started to move up on him and he deliberately moved out blocking me. I gave him a little tap on the horn, not a proper blast, just a small toot, and promptly got the finger. At that point he got some siren..... Life does have some perks you know!

Lol, i would've loved to have been there and seen his face :)

[-Ralph-]

Lol, i would've loved to have been there and seen his face :)

I'd have loved to see the wobble as he jumped out of his skin! :lol:

[fizzwheel]

but still I waited for him to make room for me to pass.

Of course you could argue that its not the cyclists job to move over for you so you can pass. If theres not room to overtake safely then you dont overtake. But I'm sure I'm teaching my granny to suck eggs on this one if you get what I mean.

I wander if he moved out to protect his line / space in case you decided to squeeze past him where he felt there wasnt room to do so. I tend to ride defensively i.e. in the middle of the lane if I feel vulnerable, riding in the gutter to "make it easier for cars to overtake me" normally means that they'll squeeze past and run you into the kerb or off the road completely.

Most car drivers use their horn aggresively i.e. they use the horn to tell you

1. I'm coming past get out of my f*cking way
2. WTF are you doing cycling in the road, get out of my f*cking way

Which is why you got the finger I would imagine of course if he had been using better obs, he would have known you are there and more importantly what sort of vehicle you were driving.

*general observation*

I wander if you'd treat cyclists differently if you cycled on the road and get some of the treatment that I do sometimes....

[Red Herring]

I think we just need to have more consideration for other road users. Sure, most car drivers don't treat cyclists with nearly enough respect, but equally a cyclist must know that they are going to hold up the average car driver so if they can facilitate their passage then they ought to do so. A little co-operation can go a long way.

[The Idle Biker]

I cycle in the City of London most days. Commuters on Boris bikes like me, Commuters on their own bikes and courier cyclists are far more common now then ever they were. It's quite nice to see actually, less cars more bicycles. I've had two incidents in a year where I nearly got knocked off. Once I got cutup on a left turn by a scooter rider. He stopped across my path when he realised he was nearly hitting me. He mouthed off, so I kicked him off. The second time a car did the same and I had another little set to. Lots of near misses where I spotted what the drivers were going to do before they did it and avoided a potential crash.

However, at the risk of sounding like a old tart, many cyclists in the City take the p1ss and I don't just mean the couriers who are all lobotomized anyway. Blatant light jumping, big risk taking, filtering fast through slow moving traffic weaving between lanes. It's almost become the norm not to stop at traffic lights if there's no traffic across your path. They're a bleeding menace.

[-Ralph-]

Lots of road rage resulting in violent episodes in the cycling world eh?

[fizzwheel]

Lots of road rage resulting in violent episodes in the cycling world eh?

Sadly that seems to be the case, I try not to get angry because it stops me from analysing properly whats going on.

I nearly got squashed a few months back, riding along a striaght road, car overtakes me then brakes and turns into the side road as I was passing the junction for it. I remonstated with the car driver, because to be frank I shat myself he stopped and I was seconds from riding down the road and having words with him, in the end I didnt and I turned around and carried on my journey. I know I did the right thing in riding away but it made me feel like I was being weak or lame for not getting into a fight with him about it, because thats how it would have ended up. I was inches from making contact with the car.

Trouble is with it, that you already are vulnerable on a push bike, coupled to that with the aggressive I dont give a f*ck attitude of some car drivers have its no wander that when faced with a crash or even facing death situation that cyclists lash out in anger and escalate a road rage incident.

Swap the cyclist for a motorcyclist, you riding along on your SV or UJM and somebody starts honking and swearing at you, they then drive right up your chuff or starting swerving about to knock you off, then you think OK let them go so pull over and let them go, they then pull in front of you get out of their car and start shouting at you, you've no idea why they are donig this and as far as you are concerned you've done nothing wrong. Its hard to not respond in kind and start shouting back.

To be fair the majority of motorists are polite and patient and leave room for me when overtaking, its the odd one or two where I really wander how on earth they got a license to drive.

Some of it is because the roads are more congested and everybody is stressed trying to get to work on time / drop the kids off at school etc etc, but its still no excuse to endanger somebodies life in order to get to work 30 seconds earlier IMHO.

Like I have said before cyclists dont help themselves, and its only going to get worse and petrol / diesel prices climb and people seek alternative ways to get to work.

I do wander if some kind of cyclesafe scheme would help where people who havent cycled since they were a kid were reminded in some way of the rules of the road / good cycling etiquette but I dont believe that legislation or licensing for cycle riders is the correct way to solve that particular issue.

Edit - another thought, some people do like to be seen as a "hard man" and will often escalate to violence or shouting whereas perhaps being a bit more passive or acknowledging when you've made a mistake instead of repsonding with the finger or aggressive might defuse the situation. I'm not angel I dont always practise what I preach but I do try to damp down my natural instinct which is to swear or start shouting.

I had a car driver clip my elbow with his mirror along time ago, he got caught at traffic lights and I could see him looking in his mirror as I came up behind him. I tapped his window and he wound it down so I could speak to him and I explained what he had done and asked him if next time he would be more considerate and leave more room, he looked very sheepish and apologised and when he overtook me again a little further down the road he left me plenty of room.

I wander what he would have done if I had shouted at him and started removing his mirror etc etc.

[metalangel]

Blimmin' cyclists try to go up Caerphilly Mountain. The lycra-clad crowd on their 50-geared carbon fibre things can just about maintain foward momentum, but then you get the complete clots on their everyday bike and they are going sideways as much as they are forwards - as they wobble from side to side as they just can't go fast enough to stay upright. GET OFF AND WALK IT UP, before you tip over into the path of the bus.

[SoulKiss]

Sadly that seems to be the case, I try not to get angry because it stops me from analysing properly whats going on.

I nearly got squashed a few months back, riding along a striaght road, car overtakes me then brakes and turns into the side road as I was passing the junction for it. I remonstated with the car driver, because to be frank I shat myself he stopped and I was seconds from riding down the road and having words with him, in the end I didnt and I turned around and carried on my journey. I know I did the right thing in riding away but it made me feel like I was being weak or lame for not getting into a fight with him about it, because thats how it would have ended up. I was inches from making contact with the car.

Trouble is with it, that you already are vulnerable on a push bike, coupled to that with the aggressive I dont give a f*ck attitude of some car drivers have its no wander that when faced with a crash or even facing death situation that cyclists lash out in anger and escalate a road rage incident.

Swap the cyclist for a motorcyclist, you riding along on your SV or UJM and somebody starts honking and swearing at you, they then drive right up your chuff or starting swerving about to knock you off, then you think OK let them go so pull over and let them go, they then pull in front of you get out of their car and start shouting at you, you've no idea why they are donig this and as far as you are concerned you've done nothing wrong. Its hard to not respond in kind and start shouting back.

To be fair the majority of motorists are polite and patient and leave room for me when overtaking, its the odd one or two where I really wander how on earth they got a license to drive.

Some of it is because the roads are more congested and everybody is stressed trying to get to work on time / drop the kids off at school etc etc, but its still no excuse to endanger somebodies life in order to get to work 30 seconds earlier IMHO.

Like I have said before cyclists dont help themselves, and its only going to get worse and petrol / diesel prices climb and people seek alternative ways to get to work.

I do wander if some kind of cyclesafe scheme would help where people who havent cycled since they were a kid were reminded in some way of the rules of the road / good cycling etiquette but I dont believe that legislation or licensing for cycle riders is the correct way to solve that particular issue.

Edit - another thought, some people do like to be seen as a "hard man" and will often escalate to violence or shouting whereas perhaps being a bit more passive or acknowledging when you've made a mistake instead of repsonding with the finger or aggressive might defuse the situation. I'm not angel I dont always practise what I preach but I do try to damp down my natural instinct which is to swear or start shouting.

I had a car driver clip my elbow with his mirror along time ago, he got caught at traffic lights and I could see him looking in his mirror as I came up behind him. I tapped his window and he wound it down so I could speak to him and I explained what he had done and asked him if next time he would be more considerate and leave more room, he looked very sheepish and apologised and when he overtook me again a little further down the road he left me plenty of room.

I wander what he would have done if I had shouted at him and started removing his mirror etc etc.

wander...

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

[The Idle Biker]

Lots of road rage resulting in violent episodes in the cycling world eh?

Most cyclists can't fight, so they don't. Here are the ones that thought they could fight but couldn't.EsYOfoZZgTc

[-Ralph-]

Most cyclists can't fight, so they don't. Here are the ones that thought they could fight but couldn't.EsYOfoZZgTc

Ha, ha, ha! Talk about missing a punch!

[Specialone]

Ha, ha, ha! Talk about missing a punch!

Did any land???

[kiggles]

watching this made my stomach turn. the cyclist was so lucky he was able to walk away.

[Roberrrrt]

If you're gonna' stick a camera to your helmet, you might as well do something fun:

http://www.digave.com/videos/

;)

[Roberrrrt]

If it's that dangerous, why is this idiot still riding a bicycle? In a fair few of those incidents there was a separate cycle lane he could have been using, but he chose to be in the road. Tough!

I don't give cyclists lots of room if they are riding in the road where there is a cycle lane to be used. The local council spent millions allocating space alongside the road, tarmaccing it and installing a traffic light system for cyclists at junctions, but they ignore the traffic lights, ride in the road and generally do as they please. If they get knocked off when not on the cycle lanes I have no sympathy for them at all.

A couple of months ago I came up behind some lycra clad tw4t on a racing bike. He had all the gear and what looked to me to be a very expensive bike, probably worth more than my motorbike. We got to traffic lights and he hoiks it up the kerb and turns the corner on the path then rejoins the road about 30 yards down. I met up with him at the next set of lights, which were red and busy enough that he couldn't cross them. I asked him if the rules of the road applied to cyclists and he instantly got aggressive, shouting and swearing. I hadn't even said why I'd asked yet... so I told him. That's when he pushed me on the shoulder and offered me to get off and settle our differences with fists. I didn't have to bother, the lights changed and as I was moving away I booted him hard enough to send him sprawling across the road in front off the car next to me, whose driver had heard and seen everything. I had a brief chat with the car driver at the next lights, and he said the guy was an ar5ehole who he sees getting aggressive with other car drivers on a regular basis, he thought it funny that someone had stood up to him and put him on his ar5e

:smt044 cough <bol**cks> cough

[SuzukiNess]

http://www.youtube.com/embed/S2oymHHyV1M


not only cars trying to kill cyclists.... :shaking:

[sv4me]

http://www.youtube.com/embed/S2oymHHyV1M


not only cars trying to kill cyclists.... :shaking:

:o he jackie chan'd his ass!

[Bibio]

even impala hate cyclists :-)

[-Ralph-]

If you're gonna' stick a camera to your helmet, you might as well do something fun:

http://www.digave.com/videos/

;)

Call me old fashioned, but anyone who gets their kicks in the traffic at the expense of innocent motorists minding their own business is a :toss:'er. It's not about safety, (though I bet a few innocent people have ended up with whiplash or damaged cars as a result of this) it's about respect and consideration for other people.

[Specialone]

Call me old fashioned, but anyone who gets their kicks in the traffic at the expense of innocent motorists minding their own business is a :toss:'er. It's not about safety, (though I bet a few innocent people have ended up with whiplash or damaged cars as a result of this) it's about respect and consideration for other people.

No mate, fully agree, as bad as the d1cks who whizz around london etc on peds.
Ive got no time for them at all.
All it does is tarnish everybody and then it means the people who they p1ss off sees everyone else in a negative way, so they will close gaps on us, cut us up etc

[fizzwheel]

Call me old fashioned, but anyone who gets their kicks in the traffic at the expense of innocent motorists minding their own business is a :toss:'er. It's not about safety, (though I bet a few innocent people have ended up with whiplash or damaged cars as a result of this) it's about respect and consideration for other people.

I agree, its precisely people who ride like this that make life hard for peple who ride in a decent and respectful way.

I give you this prize f*ckwit as another example

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDAYkdlKEGI&feature=related

Dont worry he walks away, but I would have thought it was a close run thing...

[andrewsmith]

I agree, its precisely people who ride like this that make life hard for peple who ride in a decent and respectful way.

I give you this prize f*ckwit as another example

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDAYkdlKEGI&feature=related

Dont worry he walks away, but I would have thought it was a close run thing...

Potential Darwin award on that form!!!

[-Ralph-]

He deserves to get squashed!

Yeah, the guys in that video were riding straight on at oncoming traffic, some poor elderly motorist has to slam on the anchors, take their blood pressure medication, then go find somewhere to change their underpants, and these idiots think it's funny.

[MisterTommyH]

I always try to give cyclists consideration, either moving to give them as much room as possible, even sometimes rolling off the throttle as I pass on the bike, but there is one thing that annoys me, although I didn't actually realise until I read this thread.

I can only ever once recall being thanked by a cyclist for my actions. Drivers and bikers quite often raise a hand just to say thanks. And I know I thanks cars who move over, whether I wanted them to or not, because maybe they'll do it next time. But cyclists seem to think that everyone should get out of their way, but they shouldn't get out of anyone elses.....

[metalangel]

I can only ever once recall being thanked by a cyclist for my actions. But cyclists seem to think that everyone should get out of their way, but they shouldn't get out of anyone elses.....

They're saving the planet, don't you know! You should be thanking them!

[oliciv]

If it's that dangerous, why is this idiot still riding a bicycle? In a fair few of those incidents there was a separate cycle lane he could have been using, but he chose to be in the road. Tough!

I don't give cyclists lots of room if they are riding in the road where there is a cycle lane to be used. The local council spent millions allocating space alongside the road, tarmaccing it and installing a traffic light system for cyclists at junctions, but they ignore the traffic lights, ride in the road and generally do as they please. If they get knocked off when not on the cycle lanes I have no sympathy for them at all.

"I endanger people's lives because they dare to use the road that they've funded with the tax that they pay"

Next time somebody puts your life in danger on a nice twisty road, just remember - there was probably a nice safe motorway you could have been using, that cost millions. I won't have any sympathy if you choose not to use it.

Would you use a special "Motorbike only" lane that forced you to slow down to avoid the people walking over it, puncture causing litter etc? If not, why should you on a bicycle? You've paid just as much towards the road and just as much towards the special lane whichever vehicle you use.



The Jeremy Clarkson wannabes who complain the loudest about cyclists "disregarding the law" always seem to be the first to complain about things like speed cameras, because they make it harder for them to disregard the law :D

[HoL]

Somewhere theres a car forum having the exact same discussion about motorbikes

[HoL]

.....and a bus forum complaining about cars :)

[Springbokki]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSiBVTtrS1w&feature=youtube_gdata_player


This one was amongst the one the op posted, it's not just about people not seeing cyclists, some just dont care.

No surprise most of the videos are in London, well regarded as being the least courteous in the country.
What shocks me the most is the ones that stop to have a go are the ones committing the worst of the offences.

I agree with the general consensus, but this guy (not an .Orger?) sometimes doesn't help himself when there is a cycle lane, and he's not really in it... especially the clip with the silver taxi (before 5mins), where its evident he's more on the road and the taxi didnt infringe on the cycle lane.

But then again I dont cycle, so maybe perspective is different..?

[-Ralph-]

Errm, cyclists don't pay road tax, or tax on fuel, or thousands in VAT when they buy a new car or get it serviced, or road/bridge tolls, etc. I'm not anti-cyclist, but the cyclists pay the same for the road argument doesn't really stack up I'm afraid.

[fizzwheel]

I agree with the general consensus, but this guy (not an .Orger?) sometimes doesn't help himself when there is a cycle lane, and he's not really in it... especially the clip with the silver taxi (before 5mins), where its evident he's more on the road and the taxi didnt infringe on the cycle lane.

Its not a legal requirement for a cyclist to cycle in a cycle lane if one is provided.

As I keep stating, cycling in the cycle lane can often be worse, especially so close the kerb, i.e. thats where

1. the road surface is often knackered

2. Alot of grit and gravel accumulates at the side of the road which isnt nice in terms of grip and its a good place to pick up screws and other stuff that causes punctures.

3. Cycling close the kerb encourages car drivers to attempt to squeeze past where there isnt room to do so, which often means you get run off the road.

If somebody painted a bit of road and designated it for motorcyclists are you seriouslly telling me you'd ride in it all the time if it compromised your road positioning and therefore safety ? No thought not, so why expect a cyclist to do the same ?

[oliciv]

Errm, cyclists don't pay road tax, or tax on fuel, or thousands in VAT when they buy a new car or get it serviced, or road/bridge tolls, etc. I'm not anti-cyclist, but the cyclists pay the same for the road argument doesn't really stack up I'm afraid.

Think again.

Road tax doesn't pay for roads.

Fuel tax doesn't pay for roads.

They pay VAT on the car they leave at home, and anything else they buy.

Would a cyclist with a more expensive car than you parked at home have more right to the road because of their bigger overall tax contribution?

[-Ralph-]

If not, why should you on a bicycle? You've paid just as much towards the road and just as much towards the special lane whichever vehicle you use

So, you've "paid just as much towards the road" therefore the cyclist is entitled to use the road, just as much as the motorist.

Would a cyclist with a more expensive car than you parked at home have more right to the road because of their bigger overall tax contribution?

Now you're asking me if someone with a bigger overall tax contribution has more right to the road?


.............................................pleas e turn over



It's you that needs to think again.

You keep putting the amount of tax you pay, and your right to the use road, into the same equation. You seem to think there is some relation between the two.

This is why I posted

I'm not anti-cyclist, but the cyclists pay the same for the road argument doesn't really stack up I'm afraid.

Like for like, Jo Average motorist pays more than Joe Average cyclist (if the cyclist also owns a car then he is also a motorist), but there is no relation whatsoever, between the amount of tax you pay, and what rights you have on the road.

[fizzwheel]

What about cyclist like me then, where my pushbike cost more to buy than our Maverick did and I reckon its residual 2nd hand value is greater than that of my GSXR ?

Does that give me more rights over average Jo Motorist ?

( joking ;-) )

[-Ralph-]

What about cyclist like me then, where my pushbike cost more to buy than our Maverick did and I reckon its residual 2nd hand value is greater than that of my GSXR ?

Does that give me more rights over average Jo Motorist ?

( joking ;-) )

Students and OAP's don't pay any tax. They must not be entitled anything. Can we mount the pavement and run them all over?

[fizzwheel]

Students and OAP's don't pay any tax. They must not be entitled anything. Can we mount the pavement and run them all over?

Thats good with me :D

[ravingdavis]

Students and OAP's don't pay any tax. They must not be entitled anything. Can we mount the pavement and run them all over?

Do I get some of my tax back if I kill them? I am reducing the tax burden on the country after all.

[Balky001]

Ralph completely right, arguements about tax has nothing to do with manners or respect.

This post really annoys me, not because of the comments but because my own hatred for arrogant and bullying tactics on the road. Even worse is an over reaction to a fair but unwise comment. Link is about a camper van who was purposely blocking to riders on a cycle path so the camera buy went outside. It's a bit long and after the initial shout nothing happens until 2.30 minutes in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKbQ8q0kqkI

[andrewsmith]

Ralph completely right, arguements about tax has nothing to do with manners or respect.

This post really annoys me, not because of the comments but because my own hatred for arrogant and bullying tactics on the road. Even worse is an over reaction to a fair but unwise comment. Link is about a camper van who was purposely blocking to riders on a cycle path so the camera buy went outside. It's a bit long and after the initial shout nothing happens until 2.30 minutes in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKbQ8q0kqkI

What a f***ing d***head. There is nothing wrong with what the cyclist did there. Totally unprovoked?

[fizzwheel]

What a f***ing d***head. There is nothing wrong with what the cyclist did there. Totally unprovoked?

It would seem that way, but like I said earlier on. I've had that happen to me just like that riding along minding my own business, being sensible and then you get comments like that shouted at you or drivers start blowing the horn.

I suspect the chap in the camper van was frustrated due to the traffic queue and when he saw the cyclist making his way through it, just like you or I would on a motorbike he took exception to it.

Only thing I thought the cyclist did that I perhaps would not have, was to try and overtake the camper van when the guy was obviously trying to slow down to ram him off. I'd have more than likely just slowed my pace and kept behind it, rather than putting myself alongside him when he was obviously angry and wanting to push me off the road.

[Red Herring]

What a f***ing d***head. There is nothing wrong with what the cyclist did there. Totally unprovoked?

You mean apart from shout abuse at the camper driver?

Sure, he shouldn't have been blocking the cycle lane but does that entitle the rider to behave as he did. He could just as easily pulled up by the drivers window and politely pointed out the error of his ways. The drivers reaction was out of order, but unprovoked? I don't think so.

[fizzwheel]

You mean apart from shout abuse at the camper driver?

But was it the cyclist that shouted, IMHO its not clear from that Video, when I watched it was the camper driver hanging out the window that appeared to be doing the shouting or initiated it.

[Balky001]

The drivers reaction was out of order, but unprovoked? I don't think so.

The driver was provoking a reaction by blocking. He could have caused a serious accident and he has no excuse for being so small minded and bullying behaviour. Someone reacted to his aggressive stance. Obviously its best not to call people names.

I think the Mr Camperman knew he was being a t55r, objected to being advised actually everyone knew that, took reason, strangled it then attempted to run down, punch and squash someone as he could not rationalise his action of being said t55er in first place.

Fizz, I think the cyclist mentions he shouted out in the comments.

[-Ralph-]

Just watched it again, and I'm not sure the camper van driver actually did deliberately block the cyclist, I think he just stopped in a bad road position covering the cycle lane. It is pretty harsh having :toss:'er shouted at you if you don't know what you've done wrong. Campers reaction to it clearly not acceptable. That said if you shout :toss:'er on a bicycle knowing the vehicle is going to catch you, then you ride up alongside it when he clearly intends to squash you, then you are asking to get squashed. One of the first thing taught to motorcyclists, is don't get into a fight with a car, because you will lose.

[fizzwheel]

Fizz, I think the cyclist mentions he shouted out in the comments.

Ah OK, I didnt see that bit.

Part of how I try to cycle is to not escalate situations like that. I.e. to not shout or remonstrate with car drivers as the consequences of doing so are very clear from watching that video. As a vulnerable road user, dont put yourself into a position where you can be run off the road. Which IMHO if the cyclist did shout at the guy in the camper van is exactly what he did.

Of course the actions of the camper van are completely inappropriate, but then its not called "Road Rage" for nothing....

[cb1000rsteve]

Only just seen this post and imho the first video just began with an intial error that most of us have possible made. The focus driver is obviously totally oblivious to anything outside her car!! The way they treated him after the crash was bad. As if it was his fault!
One question i have is are cyclists allowed to ride next to each other?? That is my most annoying trate of the cyclists. Especially club rides of a weekend. About 20 bikes in 2 lines!. Its like trying to pass an artic

[-Ralph-]

Highway code rule 66,

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

Somebody go post that on one of these cycle racing forums. Round me they ride in a big pack 4 abreast with a big queue of traffic doing 15mph behind them.

[cb1000rsteve]

So Ralph there just using the first bit that says you should - never ride more than two abreast, and gnoring the rest. I've so far resisted the temptation to go through the middle of them when on my bike!! LOL