Cyclists - what annoys you most about motorists?

rev_henry

crabyducky wrote: »

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.

Round here the buses are generally good, and used to cyclists. Trick is to pull out well in advance so they can see you in their mirrors and will wait for you to pass.
However there are a few who pull out whilst still signalling left, then decide to signal to pull out after they have completed said manoevre. Or indicate to pull out, then decide to pick up a few more passengers, so I've no idea what the hell they're about to do! A horn such as an airZound or Hornit does help in such situations.

geordie_ben

It worries me that the same people who claim to be great drivers, and can read all the road signs, can read the topic of the thread.. we want to complain about drivers... if drivers want to complain, then start your own thread :-)

So, what do i hate...
People parked in cycle lanes
people edging out of junctions, forcing me further into the road
people who don't stop when they see a bike coming
people who don't realise i can accelerate faster than them over a short distance
people who feel the need to drive as close as they can to me
people who drive in cycles lanes
people who stop in yellow boxes and over crossings
people who are behind me, then speed past me and 50mph on a 30, just to get in front, just for me to nip past then when they get stuck in traffic

since becoming a cycler my driving has vastly improved and it's a real eye opener seeing how bad some drivers are.

geordie_ben

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?

SPS - Small P3nis Syndrome

Mallotum_X

Buellguy wrote: »

Drivers on mobile phones Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr hate em

Cyclists on mobile phones.... ipods etc

A far higher percentage of cyclists use the roads without any care compared to motorists.

Its rare to see a cyclist stop at a red light for instance. Although im sure that all the stoppers will suddenly be the members here.

Cyclists thinking they should undertake where there isn't space in queues...

Cyclists in general are a greater risk to themselves than motorists.

custardy

people who cant read the original question.....

interstellaflyer

custardy wrote: »

people who cant read the original question.....

No, just people reminding you that there are 2 sides to every story, a lot of comments from cyclists slagging motorists off, some obviously have huge chips on their shoulders, why shouldn't motorists come on here and defend themselves, I dare say that if someone started a thread in the motoring section on things they find irritating about cyclists, you'd be the first to make your case.

custardy

interstellaflyer wrote: »

No, just people reminding you that there are 2 sides to every story, a lot of comments from cyclists slagging motorists off, some obviously have huge chips on their shoulders, why shouldn't motorists come on here and defend themselves, I dare say that if someone started a thread in the motoring section on things they find irritating about cyclists, you'd be the first to make your case.

The 2 sides were when the boards were combined
one member requested they were split as they were fed up of seeing cycling posts in their motoring board
MSE decided to comply with that
ergo by that logic,you are free to post the other side in the motoring board

I have argued that case many times.
I feel I am qualified to do so as a driver & cyclist(driver only at the moment)
more so than many given just today I was at the hospital yet again, on follow up tests from a taxi choosing a few seconds over my life.

1886

For me the most dangerous motorists are the one's that either overtake you when there's another car coming towards you instead of holding back so they have to go even closer to you or the motorists that go really close to you when they go past even though there's no other vehicles on the road. They do it on purpose..

I've always been a mountain biker but last summer bought a road bike as I don't always feel like going off road. I always plan my rides so that I'm on quiet roads wherever possible

rdwarr

Then there are those car drivers who insist on stopping at red traffic lights. They just get in the way of cyclists exercising their right to ignore them.

Dave_C_2

Mallotum_X wrote: »

Cyclists in general are a greater risk to themselves than motorists.

This is not the case, the Guardian article says

"We believe this report strongly supports our view that the biggest problem for cyclists is bad driving."

Dave