Cyclists - what annoys you most about motorists?

someone

rev_henry wrote: »

............

Chances are the commute is likely only to be made up by a small amount of slow city miles and a higher amount of miles on other parts of the road network (Motorways etc).

Marco_Panettone

real1314 wrote: »

Mind you, if I pass a cyclist i will inevitably "speed off" to the lights - I guess I'm taking the gamble that they might actually change to green and I can proceed. I don't know why some cyclists see this as odd.
It's almost a parallel to filtering - "why do cyclists filter only for me to pass them again during the next section of open road" - cyclists have the same pre-occupation with being in front of/catching up as motorists it would seem.

That wasn't the point being made - it was about dangerously overtaking (eg squeezing through pinch-points) when there isn't any point as there's queueing traffic at a red light. If there's plenty of room to pass then it stops being a problem.

There's some evidence that it's safer for cyclists to be at the front of queueing traffic as they're more visible and have more space than they would otherwise. The road infrastructure also encourages it - bike lanes on the left of traffic leading to an Advanced Stop Line for cyclists. This isn't always a good thing as it gives the impression that being on the left-hand side of vehicles is the best place to be at junctions when it's often the absolute worst place for a cyclist to be.

real1314

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

Marco_Panettone wrote: »

That wasn't the point being made - it was about dangerously overtaking (eg squeezing through pinch-points) when there isn't any point as there's queueing traffic at a red light. If there's plenty of room to pass then it stops being a problem.

You might have read something about dangerous overtaking at pinch points, but it was only a feature in your internal dialogue. As the quoted post does not mention any difficulty in passing, i think your "plenty of room" alternative kicks in.
It's better to read what's actually there rather than what you'd like to be there. :cool:

geordie_ben

Another thing that bigs the shiz out of me is cars waiting in the 'bike box' at traffic lights. YOU'RE NOT A FREAKING BIKE!!!

Do you honestly think that extra two foot is going to make a difference???

I make a point out of making sure I get in front of the car in the bike box then slowly pulling away when the lights turn green.

Eat my karma!

art_for_arts_sake

This

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Flat-out-cyclist-gets-backs-up-at-area-forum-meeting-26102012.htm

leading to the well-deserved verbal kicking he got in the paper later

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Cyclist-remarks-are-met-with-barrage-of-criticism-29102012.htm

Predictable reporting by the Burton Mail, a worthless rag at the best of times, but Councillor Stanton apparently has an axe to grind with this cyclist and thinks he deserves to die. Anyone fuelling hatred of cyclists isn't fit to hold a responsible position let alone a driving licence. Someone on the LFGSS forum put it far more succinctly.

rev_henry

real1314 wrote: »

Sometimes cars will though. Hence why they do it.
Quite why cyclists worry about it though is the key issue. :cool:

Oh yeah, I just mean when there's quite clearly a queue ahead that I can filter past, and they overtake anyway.

someone wrote: »

Chances are the commute is likely only to be made up by a small amount of slow city miles and a higher amount of miles on other parts of the road network (Motorways etc).

Yes of course. I live near and cycle up one of the main routes into Manchester city centre. It is usually gridlock of a morning. Granted the best mode of transport for them is their car because they come from further afield, but I guarantee I'll get wherever they're going first once they hit that traffic!

spongybobby

a few things that get me are(and yes i am a cyclist!):

1) cyclists who think its a great idea to ride in the 'primary' position to stop cars overtaking, even at the slightest hint of a 'pinch point'

2) cars who decide to use the cycle lane to stop in when in cuing traffic

3) cars who dont realise that cyclists can travel faster than the others and require to overtake cyclists now and then.

biggest annoyance is people comming out of junctions and using the cycle lane as the place where their bonnet / wheels are...
yea its really helpful thanks!

4) cyclists who go through red lights!
5) cyclists who cant afford lights!
6) cyclists that wear headphones (yea, nice idea that! listening to music instead of the dangers around you)

thelawnet

spongybobby wrote: »

a few things that get me are(and yes i am a cyclist!):

1) cyclists who think its a great idea to ride in the 'primary' position to stop cars overtaking, even at the slightest hint of a 'pinch point'

Why does this annoy you?

stevemcol

spongybobby wrote: »

a few things that get me are(and yes i am a cyclist!):

1) cyclists who think its a great idea to ride in the 'primary' position to stop cars overtaking, even at the slightest hint of a 'pinch point'

2) cars who decide to use the cycle lane to stop in when in cuing traffic

3) cars who dont realise that cyclists can travel faster than the others and require to overtake cyclists now and then.

biggest annoyance is people comming out of junctions and using the cycle lane as the place where their bonnet / wheels are...
yea its really helpful thanks!

4) cyclists who go through red lights!
5) cyclists who cant afford lights!
6) cyclists that wear headphones (yea, nice idea that! listening to music instead of the dangers around you)

Agree with all that. I'm a cyclist by the way. Also:
Cyclists who won't unclip at lights and wobble their way almost to the middle of the junction with the lights still on red.

Motorists who race cyclists to the next left turn then cut straight across the path.

Cyclists who take the red light of the crossing traffic to be their green light. They are just asking to get wiped out.

Cyclists with incredibly bright, undipped LED front lights.

The worst for me recently...oncoming motorists who decide to blast their horn at the car overtaking your bike because it's left inadequate clearance on its offside. It's already a dicey situation for the cyclist without the added stress of a 3 second horn blast.

rev_henry

spongybobby wrote: »

a few things that get me are(and yes i am a cyclist!):

1) cyclists who think its a great idea to ride in the 'primary' position to stop cars overtaking, even at the slightest hint of a 'pinch point'

2) cars who decide to use the cycle lane to stop in when in cuing traffic

3) cars who dont realise that cyclists can travel faster than the others and require to overtake cyclists now and then.

biggest annoyance is people comming out of junctions and using the cycle lane as the place where their bonnet / wheels are...
yea its really helpful thanks!

4) cyclists who go through red lights!
5) cyclists who cant [STRIKE]afford[/STRIKE] be bothered to buy lights!
6) cyclists that wear headphones (yea, nice idea that! listening to music instead of the dangers around you)

Corrected that for you. Everyone who can afford a bike can afford lights. The pound shops sell them!