Cyclists - what annoys you most about motorists?

V_Chic_Chick

rev_henry wrote: »

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

YAY another Mancunian student cyclist.

That's the one

Marco_Panettone

Drivers not using indicators. How am I supposed to anticipate your movements if you don't tell me what you're about to do? You don't need to take your hands off the controls, or make your brake unusable to do so. So just do it.

interstellaflyer

custardy wrote: »

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

Just where have I suggested that cyclists are irritating.

leachyd

davidlizard wrote: »

My two pet hates:

1. Those who insist on saying "Cyclists should pay "road tax" ", despite being corrected dozens of times.

I was just thinking about that as i cycled this morning, the economic argument for VED and fuel duty is that it raises revenue which can be used to offset the negative externalities of driving and subsidises more environmentally friendly modes of transport. Since there are no real social costs of cycling, cyclists don't pay duty for it.

Anyway, I think the only way for people to understand other road users is to experience what it's like to be in their shoes. I do a lot of cycling walking and driving in London and as a cyclist i get really p1ssed off by;

• Morons who drive into, and wait in the green "cycles only" sections at the front of junctions.
• Idiot pedestrians who assume that because you're on a bike, that you will stop for them when they are ignoring the red man at a pedestrian crossing.
• More idiot pedestrians who when crossing a road away from a proper crossing don't check the cycle lanes for moving bikes. I can't count he number of times I've seen a cyclist have to hit the brakes (and sometimes a pedestrian) because someone has gormlessly walked through traffic into a cycle lane.
• The usual fools that park on yellow/red lines, cycling lanes etc
• Drivers who overtake and pull in to park right infront of you. This is really a problem with bus and taxi drivers more than anything, but there are always the idiots that;
• Turn left directly after over taking a cyclist.

crabyducky

Norman_Castle wrote: »

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.”

Last winter I was cycling down a main road and came upon a bus picking up some passengers. He wasn't signalling so I checked I was safe to over take, got halfway past the bus when he decided that it was ok for him to resume his journey. He hadn't used his indicators to signal that he was about to pull away from the curb.

Was rather shaken up after this and other incidents previously, so decided to start cycling on pavements where possible. Was pulled up by a policeman who have me a telling off, but once I explained why he was more sympathetic. Turns out he was a keen cyclist too.

heneghj

In my experience most drivers tend to be generally courteous to cyclists. However a few things that really (sorry for the pun) grind my gears:-
- Drivers who are turning right from a side road and pull right out across my line
-Drivers who sit behind you revving the engine then scream off round you for you then to only catch them up again 50 metres down the road at a set of traffic lights

In all honesty I have to say pedestrians are the worst, just yesterday a couple were stood talk in the middle of the cycle lane and didn't hear or see me coming and didn't realise I was shouting at them to move until I slammed my brakes on and missed them by an inch. They then preceded to tell me how I was going to fast and I was a danger to pedestrians, to which I responded pedestrians in the cycle lane maybe, but that's the chance your taking by standing there.

interstellaflyer

Marco_Panettone wrote: »

Drivers not using indicators. How am I supposed to anticipate your movements if you don't tell me what you're about to do? You don't need to take your hands off the controls, or make your brake unusable to do so. So just do it.

A pet hate of mine as a motorist as well, however, cyclists can't have it both ways, a lot of cyclists seem to like to ignore vehicles signalling to make a left turn and just charge through on the inside of them, this is incredibly dangerous, especially in rainy conditions at night in heavy traffic as it is often difficult to pick out the cyclists lights from all the other traffic.

Mids_Costcutter

heneghj wrote: »

-Drivers who sit behind you revving the engine then scream off round you for you then to only catch them up again 50 metres down the road at a set of traffic lights

As someone who cycles and drives, can anyone explain why some drivers (in my experience a small minority) behave in that way? What is their motivation? Intimidation?

Marco_Panettone

interstellaflyer wrote: »

A pet hate of mine as a motorist as well, however, cyclists can't have it both ways, a lot of cyclists seem to like to ignore vehicles signalling to make a left turn and just charge through on the inside of them, this is incredibly dangerous, especially in rainy conditions at night in heavy traffic as it is often difficult to pick out the cyclists lights from all the other traffic.

I completely agree. I'd like EVERYONE to just chill out on the roads, think about others for a change and not the 5 secounds they 'might' save by pulling dangerous moves, be that squeezing through a gap that isn't quite there or diving up the inside of vehicles at junctions.

The vast majority of drivers cause me no problems at all on the road when I'm riding, just like the vast majority of cyclists cause no problems when I'm driving (or riding). However, if I'm on the bike and I get it wrong I'll come off worse in any resulting collision. If I'm on the bike and a driver gets it wrong I'll STILL come off worse from any resulting collision through no fault of my own. I'd just like to be given the chance to get home safely, and road-users using their vehicles correctly will aid this.

interstellaflyer

Mids_Costcutter wrote: »

As someone who cycles and drives, can anyone explain why some drivers (in my experience a small minority) behave in that way? What is their motivation? Intimidation?

I just think it's funny, they're gaining nothing and using expensive fuel, in that situation I'm quite happy to just sit behind until it is worth getting past them, what's the point of overtaking a cyclist that is keeping up with the speed of the rest of the traffic, pointless.