Cyclists - what irritates you most about other cyclists?

Naf

Oh, where to begin...
Cyclists who use the pavement - there is a £500 fine for doing this and there is absolutely no need. If you're not confident to cycle on the road, find a different route, or a different mode of transport.
Jumping red lights: really annoys me because it gives other cyclists a bad name. There are a small number of cases near me where the road markings actually make it clear that the traffic lights don't apply: the cycle lane goes on without a line to break it up. Every other circumstance the light isn't just a suggestion.
Slow cyclists who don't get out of the way. OK. So this one is a bit selfish, but if you're going so slow you'd be overtaken by a pedestrian, keep to the side and let the rest of us pass: we have somewhere to be!
No lights when it's dark/poor visibility. Really really gets me riled. Especially these days decent lights are pretty cheap, and don't eat the battery as fast as they used to. The number of people I haven't been able to see until really late (I.e. when my own front light lit them up) is crazy. Linked tothismos people who only have flashing lights. While this is perfectly legal, it makes judging speed and/or distance much harder as well as blinding you with every flash when it's very dark.
People who don't seem to be aware that their bike has a number of gears to make their journey easier and faster, so the moment you arrive at a slight incline, they suddenly slow to a crawl.
Less of an annoyance than utter disbelief are people who just let their bikes deteriorate completely. Chains rusted to the point it seems a wonder it moves at all, wheels buckled, tyres low, clanking, crunching & scraping as they go... Beggars belief. My bike is virtually silent, as it should be.
Also, sheer stupidity, are people who insist on mountain bike tyres for their day-to-day road bike. Complete waste of energy.

Now, pedestrians:
Completely oblivious to other people on cycle ways, shared use and even designated cycle lanes along pavements - get the heck out of my way!!!
Keep your dog under control, I'd really rather not hit it, but I'll have few qualms over doing it.
Know where you are walking,many that just because you can walk there doesn't exclude me on my bike: many pavements and pathways are now shared use so don't look at me in disgust like I'm in the wrong when I ring my bell to alert you I want past.
Wen walking on a unlit cycle way at night, make sure you're visible: I'll hit you with little hesitation.

And motorists:
Cycle lanes are optional!, I am not obliged to use them and am a fully authorised road user.
Where there is a cycle lane along the side of the road, it's not for you, it's for me; stop driving through it, and especially don't park or stop through it!
Be aware of cyclists on the road, if you're not sure what we're going to do; hold back and find out first!
Finally a test for motorist; what does this sign mean?


Anyone who said no bikes... You're a bigot!
I means no cycling, and I'm perfectly allowed to push my bike wherever I please.

Dave_C_2

Lorian wrote: »

Cyclists that ride on the right down shared use paths.

Not disagreeing with you.
Oddly enough, the Highway code says as part of rule 62:

When using segregated tracks you MUST keep to the side intended for cyclists as the pedestrian side remains a pavement or footpath.

This implies that the cyclist side is not always on the right

The cyclist side is normally the one the side nearest the road traffic and I cannot recall seeing or using a shared use path the other way round.

Anyone?

Dave

custardy

Dave_C wrote: »

Not disagreeing with you.
Oddly enough, the Highway code says as part of rule 62:

This implies that the cyclist side is not always on the right

The cyclist side is normally the one the side nearest the road traffic and I cannot recall seeing or using a shared use path the other way round.

Anyone?

Dave

Broomhouse bike path

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=broomhouse&ll=55.932155,-3.27353&spn=0.000617,0.001564&client=opera&oe=utf-8&hq=broomhouse&hnear=Edinburgh,+City+of+Edinburgh,+United+Kingdom&t=h&fll=55.932155,-3.27353&fspn=0.000617,0.001564&z=20

you can just make out the bike symbols

rev_henry

Haven't bothered to read most of this but in answer to the question:

Cyclists going through red lights. Extremely dangerous, gives the rest a bad name, gives motorists an excuse to disrespect us.

Cycling without lights, as above. You can get them from the pound shop !!!!!!!

Cycling on the pavement, as above.

Undertaking other cyclists. Just give me some warning and I'll move over a bit for you if you really need it!
Cyclists who come up behind you then never overtake. (Ok I'm being really picky now)

Cyclists who hug the kerb. Be confident in your riding!
Cyclists not using ASLs properly and lining up behind one another instead. They're there for your safety, and help you to overtake slower riders. Use them or the cars will!
Cyclists who don't bother to change down at traffic lights and thus take about three hours to get up to speed again. I have Nexus hub gears, I can change down whilst stationary, and I know the light timings. I'll be away faster than anyone on a road bike, even if your cruising speed is faster than mine.

Cyclists lacking confidence, which I see all the time, make me sad. Refusing to overtake buses at bus stops etc... Still at least they've got on the bike which is more than most dare to do...

davenport151

Is this just rouund my way? Cyclists that have lights but insist on them being on 'flashing' mode.
Ones that don't stop at Zebra crossings or any set of traffic lights.

Buellguy

davenport151 wrote: »

Is this just rouund my way? Cyclists that have lights but insist on them being on 'flashing' mode.
Ones that don't stop at Zebra crossings or any set of traffic lights.

A/ I'm grateful they actually have lights on

B/ It does make it harder to judge distance than a steady light, which I DON'T like

kerby_crawler

Buellguy wrote: »

A/ I'm grateful they actually have lights on

B/ It does make it harder to judge distance than a steady light, which I DON'T like

I have never understood why breakdown trucks feel the need to continue to use revolving yellow lights even after they have removed the hazard from the scene, and are simply driving down the road like any other road user.

I think the same about emergency vehicles keeping their blue lights going whilst dealing with the emergency. It simply adds to the confusion, especially in dark and/or wet conditions, and encourages rubbernecking. There are better ways to illuminate the scene of an emergency.

Throbbe

Buellguy wrote: »

A/ I'm grateful they actually have lights on

B/ It does make it harder to judge distance than a steady light, which I DON'T like

I'm sort of with you, but the following article suggests that they may be a good idea.

In particular, flashing LED’s (front and rear) are especially effective for cyclists as they create contrast and the on-off flashing attracts the peripheral vision in the same manner that movement does.

http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/raf-pilot-teach-cyclists/

rev_henry

kerby_crawler wrote: »

I have never understood why breakdown trucks feel the need to continue to use revolving yellow lights even after they have removed the hazard from the scene, and are simply driving down the road like any other road user.

I think the same about emergency vehicles keeping their blue lights going whilst dealing with the emergency. It simply adds to the confusion, especially in dark and/or wet conditions, and encourages rubbernecking. There are better ways to illuminate the scene of an emergency.

I believe recovery vehicles having their orange beacons on when not on scene and not towing is actually illegal.

Emergency vehicles should have blues and rear reds on at scene. Most people see flashing lights and think 'hazard, slow down and be careful', but yes it does encourage rubbernecking. What other ways do you suggest?

davenport151 wrote: »

Is this just rouund my way? Cyclists that have lights but insist on them being on 'flashing' mode.
Ones that don't stop at Zebra crossings or any set of traffic lights.

I think its swings and roundabouts with regards flashing lights, which were legalised in 2005. Flashing lights increase visibility and get other road users' attention better, but solid lights allow people to gauge distance better. Ideally you'd have both.

And yes not stopping at zebras and traffic lights is deplorable.

katejo

Cyclists who do the following:

1. Go through red lights, particularly when this involves ignoring pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing. The red lights apply to you too. On the way to work I have to cross a 2 way cycle track to get over the pedestrian crossing. It is not unusual to miss the chance to cross the road because the cyclists don't stop.

2. Those who assume that they have right of way on a shared country footpath and ring their bell madly/expect you to jump out of the way. If the footpath is busy, push your bike or at least politely say "excuse me please".

3. Do a right or left turn without indicating and then swear at a pedestrian who thinks you are going straight ahead.