Cyclists - what irritates you most about other cyclists?

fuzexi

I'm a new cyclist and I think the 2 things that annoy me most are cars, etc that overtake you and then turn the corner in front of you forcing you to slam your brakes on. The other thing is cyclists that go right through red lights without even checking. I mean, if nobody's coming the other way that's fine, but in London it's dangerous for everyone.

art_for_arts_sake

rorylando45 wrote: »

What is the argument against wearing a helment and/or hi-vis, out of interest?

In my original post it wasn't so much about the helmet and hi-vis, it was doing that and then still riding on the pavement. Really, what's that all about?

The opening line was a reference to the helmet debates which seem to plague cycing forums.

I've personally seen too many accidents involving hi-vis wearers to be convinced of its effectiveness, and you only have to view one helmet debate to be convinced of the sheer pointlessness of entering into a discussion about helmet use.

If it works for you, do it, but don't expect everyone else to do the same.

thelawnet

Oh yes I've thought of one re using cycle lanes.

One thing that REALLY annoys me, is when I see cyclists riding in the gutter.

Examples: you are on a typical town-centre road, the lane a bit wider than a car, there is a queue at a traffic lights, and people line up on the inside of a car?

!!!!!!? No, don't do that the traffic is in YOUR way, you should be waiting directly behind the middle of the car in front. Don't allow cars to treat you as if you are not there, ok fine if they are passing you safely, but when the traffic slows, take your space in the queue.

Again, at the front of a multi-lane junction I've seen a cyclist, apparently competent (busy road, SPD pedals, hi-vis, etc.), take his place at the front of the queue (lights just gone red) in the left lane of three, barely six inches from the kerb, leaving room for a car to pull up alongside him in the same lane (the two lanes to the right had cars in), which sure enough it did.

When the lights changed, the car took off from alongside him like a rocket (predictable really, someone taking that spot is always likely to be a bit of a racer), putting him off, he wobbled, and had to re-try his start 5 yards along the road.

All of this was avoidable by clearly positioning himself in the middle of the lane. No reason to allow the car space there at all. Car wants to overtake? Fine, there are two more lanes. But don't allow them to treat you like you are not there.

I'm sure that a large number of cyclist deaths are caused in part by cycling in a way that permits drivers to ignore you. Sure, there are other deaths in part caused by over-confident cycling, e.g., cycling along 70mph dual carriageways, but just because you assert yourself in town doesn't mean you also have to cycle down the A3....

jaffa30

nice thread, here is my moan.......

Ninja cyclist. the police should give them a on the spot fine ( if they can see them ;-) )

Parents who have a child seat on the back of the bike and neither the rider or the child have a helmet on.

Ohh and a favorite is road bike users why do they have to be so ingnorant and not give you a nod or a hello when passing..

Only_a_ginger

Only 1 thing, other cyclists using me as a shield from he wind :rotfl:

I'm a big lad,I'm sure it helps them....

It doesn't annoy me really, I just never get to do the same back as I'm to quick enough ha ha

davidlizard

What annoys me about other cyclists?

Two things:

Firstly:

I am cycling along a path through the woods, as part of my commute to and from work. These woods are also used by a lot of dog walkers, ramblers and all sorts of other folk.

I usually go at a decent speed, but I always slow right down to less than walking pace for pedestrians, especially if they have dogs or children, and get their attention with what I consider to be a polite "good morning/afternoon/evening" if they have their back to me.

Others just tend to go screaming past them full speed, with little or no consideration. Of course then if I am a few seconds behind, I usually take a lot of flak with them assuming I am with the maniac.

Secondly:

I have not spent a lot of money on my bike. The way some of them look down their nose at you because you have not spent several hundred pounds on handmade spokes gets my goat. Snobbishness.

Mids_Costcutter

thelawnet wrote: »

Oh yes I've thought of one re using cycle lanes.

One thing that REALLY annoys me, is when I see cyclists riding in the gutter.

Examples: you are on a typical town-centre road, the lane a bit wider than a car, there is a queue at a traffic lights, and people line up on the inside of a car?

!!!!!!? No, don't do that the traffic is in YOUR way, you should be waiting directly behind the middle of the car in front. Don't allow cars to treat you as if you are not there, ok fine if they are passing you safely, but when the traffic slows, take your space in the queue.

Again, at the front of a multi-lane junction I've seen a cyclist, apparently competent (busy road, SPD pedals, hi-vis, etc.), take his place at the front of the queue (lights just gone red) in the left lane of three, barely six inches from the kerb, leaving room for a car to pull up alongside him in the same lane (the two lanes to the right had cars in), which sure enough it did.

When the lights changed, the car took off from alongside him like a rocket (predictable really, someone taking that spot is always likely to be a bit of a racer), putting him off, he wobbled, and had to re-try his start 5 yards along the road.

All of this was avoidable by clearly positioning himself in the middle of the lane. No reason to allow the car space there at all. Car wants to overtake? Fine, there are two more lanes. But don't allow them to treat you like you are not there.

I'm sure that a large number of cyclist deaths are caused in part by cycling in a way that permits drivers to ignore you. Sure, there are other deaths in part caused by over-confident cycling, e.g., cycling along 70mph dual carriageways, but just because you assert yourself in town doesn't mean you also have to cycle down the A3....

So how do you reach those cyclists and sell them the benefits of cycle training? Or would you ever just shout out "do yourself a favour mate and don't ride in the gutter?"

thelawnet

Well I thought about it, but I was in my car two cars behind, in the middle lane, and I figured if I shouted at him he would probably assume I was saying 'get off the road' or something similar.

shadybrady

I tend to cycle when the roads are fairly quiet at about 07:10, on the days when i go by car i do get annoyed by cyclists who jump in front of you from other lanes at roundabouts or cutting in and out of lanes without any looking or signalling !

There are many drivers who just get annoyed by cyclists with the road tax comments etc... But i tend to ignore them.

Unfortunately roads are only designed for vehicular traffic and nothing else, i do get annoyed by pavement cyclists or worse still the road and pavement cyclists who jump onto pavements to avoid red lights etc or traffic queues.

armyknife

davidlizard wrote: »

What annoys me about other cyclists?

Two things:

Firstly:

I am cycling along a path through the woods, as part of my commute to and from work. These woods are also used by a lot of dog walkers, ramblers and all sorts of other folk.

I usually go at a decent speed, but I always slow right down to less than walking pace for pedestrians, especially if they have dogs or children, and get their attention with what I consider to be a polite "good morning/afternoon/evening" if they have their back to me.

Others just tend to go screaming past them full speed, with little or no consideration. Of course then if I am a few seconds behind, I usually take a lot of flak with them assuming I am with the maniac.

Secondly:

I have not spent a lot of money on my bike. The way some of them look down their nose at you because you have not spent several hundred pounds on handmade spokes gets my goat. Snobbishness.

Agreed on both of those issues, Mr Lizard.

I rings true what you say about giving pedestrians due consideration, just for any goodwill generated by ones 'cycling ambassadorial' work to be undone by a speed merchant.

I consider my self a utility cyclist, it's just the way I get about and don't feel materialism should intrude on such a pleasant mode of transport.