Cyclists - what annoys you most about motorists?

rev_henry

V_Chic_Chick wrote: »

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!

Are you talking about a certain Curry Mile? I have the answer for you...
https://www.facebook.com/manchestercyclelanes

YAY another Mancunian student cyclist.

rev_henry

Dave_C wrote: »

.

• Not the lycra lineage- Check
• boots - Check for stout working shoes
• old jeans - Check
• anorak - Does a fleece count?
• wooly hat - Check, especially this weather.
• the bikes are badly maintained and gears not working - defeintely not check
• slightest hill they slow right down - sometimes
• slowly grind to the summit - in granny gear:)

What's wrong with cycling in normal clothes?

I always cycle in normal clothes + a high viz vest. I'm not walking into lectures looking like a lycra lout.

I despise drivers on their phones. Interestingly its perfectly legal for cyclists to do this, unless it results in them cycling without due car and attention. I've never managed the co ordination to do it myself, plus I don't want to drop my expensive phone.

Drivers overtaking up to a queue/traffic lights then holding ME up.
Drivers blocking advance stop lines (ASLs). Or to call it what it really is in law, going through a red light, unless they can't stop in time.

And cars parking in cycle lanes of course.

mr_fishbulb

rev_henry wrote: »

I despise drivers on their phones. Interestingly its perfectly legal for cyclists to do this, unless it results in them cycling without due car and attention.

I don't see how it can be cycling without due care if you can't use one of your breaks because you have a phone in your hand.

Norman_Castle

I do however see a significantly greater proportion of cyclists who commit clear, absolute traffic offences than I do drivers.

e.g running red lights, using the footpath. In my experience over 50% of cyclists I see commit these offences. :cool:

Is speeding a clear, absolute traffic offence?. In my experience 100% of drivers commit this offence. Try sticking to 30mph on urban roads. You will have a queue of cars behind you.

Cycling on the pavement is acceptable if done carefully on uncrowded pavements.

Home Office Minister Paul Boateng issued a letter stating that:

“The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road. Sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required.”

Norman_Castle

I despise drivers on their phones. Interestingly its perfectly legal for cyclists to do this, unless it results in them cycling without due car and attention. I've never managed the co ordination to do it myself, plus I don't want to drop my expensive phone.

I recently saw a teenager cycling no-handed while using both hands to send a text. He made it look easy!.

kalaika

Generally most motorists are fine when I’m cycling, but I do get annoyed when some motorists:

- Get worked up about “being held up by me” for a few seconds, will beep at me and overtake closely, only to then sit quietly in a queue of traffic for ages while I filter past.
- Overtake when it is inappropriate to do so, and then blame me for their inability to overtake properly.
- Trot out the ‘road tax’ argument as an excuse for their poor driving.
- Make up their own highway code (e.g. “you shouldn’t be in the middle of the road”) and punish me for not following it
- Think that ‘bike = slow’ and so pull out in front of me or overtake without checking to see what speed I’m actually going (usually when I’m travelling at 20+mph)
- Think that, just because I'm on a bike at that moment, I'm not a motorist and don't have a car myself (most cyclists are actually motorists too.)

interstellaflyer

Buellguy wrote: »

Drivers on mobile phones Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr hate em

Same could be said of cyclists who do the same, or worse still those idiots that ride on busy main roads, no handed and @rsing about with their iPod/iPhone. It's unacceptable behaviour whether motorist or cyclist.

custardy

interstellaflyer wrote: »

Same could be said of cyclists who do the same, or worse still those idiots that ride on busy main roads, no handed and @rsing about with their iPod/iPhone. It's unacceptable behaviour whether motorist or cyclist.

yup,but thats not the question asked

interstellaflyer

custardy wrote: »

yup,but thats not the question asked

No, but some of the examples given are irritating to other motorists as well.

custardy

interstellaflyer wrote: »

No, but some of the examples given are irritating to other motorists as well.

well isnt that why those irritating cyclists were ousted, and stuck in with public transport?