Cyclists - what irritates you most about other cyclists?

art_for_arts_sake

1886 wrote: »

OP, you only wear a helmet in bad weather.

I would love to know your reasons behind this

I really don't want to start the helmet debate here, but if you'd like to start a helmet thread I'd be more than willing to explain my reasons there.

custardy

art_for_arts_sake wrote: »

I really don't want to start the helmet debate here, but if you'd like to start a helmet thread I'd be more than willing to explain my reasons there.

I'll start one...

art_for_arts_sake

custardy wrote: »

I'll start one...

Can't wait . Nothing like a helmet debate to ruffle a few feathers...

JQ.

art_for_arts_sake wrote: »

Can't wait . Nothing like a helmet debate to ruffle a few feathers...

100% of cyclists involved in an accident not wearing a helmet die, FACT

CRISPIANNE3

The cyclists who annoy me are the ones who wear this tight lycra which exposes their fat bellies.

Its certainly big but not clever.

Biketrials08

What annoys me about other cyclists?

1.Ability.

Many cyclists I see using the roads in cities have no skill. They have such rudimentary balance and bike control that they are unable to respond to a situation outside of basically riding in a straight line. I see many riding in too high of gear, sitting down and wobbling left to right on the verge of falling off. Maybe my view on required ability is a bit skewed though.

2. Self preservation

Out of the city the lack of self preservation I see boils my blood as a driver and a cyclist. I drive home on a very busy but ridiculously narrow A road and I regularly see someone holding up an artic' truck and epic queue of cars probably because he feels he has the right to be there etc. My view when I'm on two wheels on major roads like that is that I want to live. If I have a massive truck behind me that can't get past because the road isn't wide due to vehicles going the other way, I stop and lean in on the verge or hop onto the pavement briefly and let the queue dissolve. Are these cyclists militant or just plain ignorant? Do they feel that large vehicles will avoid them at all costs? Do they feel indestuctible? The way I see it is that one day a truck may try to pull past , misjudge the gap to oncoming traffic and swerve back, and I don't fancy my chances against 40 tonnes of truck on such a road.

LimeLight

Cyclists going through red lights
Cyclists flying down the pavements.

I used to be a cyclist, before my accident shot my nerves and my disability became worse.
On the odd occassions that i cycled on a pavement, i made sure that 1) i was next to the road, 2) i cycled at a walking pace, 3) i kept my eyes and ear open constantly expecting someone to move into my way and made sure my hand was on the brake at all times.

1886

Nice weather = no helmet
Bad weather = helmet

OP, I reckon you've fallen off and banged your head. The weather was nice though so it was okay

stevemcol

Well meaning advice from other cyclists re: not wearing a helmet. It's my choice and has no impact on you so leave me alone please.

liz545

Biketrials08 wrote: »

I regularly see someone holding up an artic' truck and epic queue of cars probably because he feels he has the right to be there etc. ... If I have a massive truck behind me that can't get past because the road isn't wide due to vehicles going the other way, I stop and lean in on the verge or hop onto the pavement briefly and let the queue dissolve. Are these cyclists militant or just plain ignorant? Do they feel that large vehicles will avoid them at all costs? Do they feel indestuctible?

I think some cyclists don't always understand why vehicles are waiting behind them rather than passing - just as there are plenty of drivers who pass cyclists very close because they underestimate how much room you need, there are plenty of cyclists who wobble along in the gutter thinking "He's got plenty of room, why doesn't he overtake?" That's not to say that there aren't some people who are just stubborn and don't want to pull over, but I think even among cyclists, not everyone understands how much space you need. They're probably the same people who cycle in the door zone...