Sabotage and hatred: what have people got against cyclists?

Strider590

Johno100 wrote: »

No it doesn't and equating prejudice against ethnic minorities with the perceived difficulties encountered by cyclists because of their chosen mode of transport is bordering on the offensive.

Actually that's very close to the mark, the prejudice that cyclists face is extremely similar to racism 20+ years ago.
Until it becomes socially unacceptable to abuse cyclists, it will not stop.

Cornucopia

I'm a car driver, a cyclist and a pedestrian.

I can't say that I have any particular issue with cyclists when I'm driving. When I used to work in Central London though, some cyclists were a menace to pedestrians - much less predictable than car/van drivers, and often moving more quickly.

Johno100

Strider590 wrote: »

Actually that's very close to the mark, the prejudice that cyclists face is extremely similar to racism 20+ years ago.
Until it becomes socially unacceptable to abuse cyclists, it will not stop.

Nonsense, not even in the same ball park. No one (except for that strange lady in the US a few weeks ago) chooses to be part of an ethnic minority, they have no choice about it and the prejudice they suffer. Cyclists make a choice to use their mode of transport.

What makes the comparison even more absurd is that according to statistics gathered by the CTC your typical UK cyclist ticks all the boxes for the groups the least discriminated against, male, white, middle aged and in a professional/management job.

Johno100

fred246 wrote: »

Most cyclists are also drivers but most motorists aren't also cyclists. (I know a lot of drivers will have a bike in the garage that they don't use because the roads are too dangerous).

So when a driver jumps on a bike does he/she go into some sort of zen like state where all the prejudices they exhibit as drivers behind the wheel disappear and they become serene beings?

fred246

The emotion that people display against cyclists isn't prejudice its envy. I choose to cycle because I love it. Getting to work is the best part of the day. Traffic jams are a thing of the past - I fly past them. I know when I'm going to get there - no unexpected delays. I'm using my own powerful muscles to transport me there. It's free, environmentally friendly and is just so right. I understand that motorists will be envious of me. A lot of them would love to join me but are too scared. However long it takes them they will just sit there in the safety of their metal box getting cross. I show them I am superior but also avoid getting them incandescent with rage as some cyclists seem to enjoy doing.

System

fred246 wrote: »

The emotion that people display against cyclists isn't prejudice its envy. I choose to cycle because I love it. Getting to work is the best part of the day. Traffic jams are a thing of the past - I fly past them. I know when I'm going to get there - no unexpected delays. I'm using my own powerful muscles to transport me there. It's free, environmentally friendly and is just so right. I understand that motorists will be envious of me. A lot of them would love to join me but are too scared. However long it takes them they will just sit there in the safety of their metal box getting cross. I show them I am superior but also avoid getting them incandescent with rage as some cyclists seem to enjoy doing.

What a load of smug bulls**t

brat

Johno100 wrote: »

No it doesn't and equating prejudice against ethnic minorities with the perceived difficulties encountered by cyclists because of their chosen mode of transport is bordering on the offensive.

While cycling along a quiet rural 5m road yesterday, I was centre of my half of the road for view and personal safety while offering every opportunity for cars to overtake. An Evoque arrived behind. It moved alongside with plenty of space and time to overtake, but he then and slowed to my pace. He obviously felt that I needed to be educated in his skewed view of correct road positioning, because he moved gradually towards me, pushing me closer and closer to the grass verge. I braked to get out his way, and he slowed down too, still pushing me into the verge. Once he realised I had braked to a stop to avoid his numbskullery, he shot off.

What's your explanation for that behaviour Johno? Notwithstanding the clear criminal offence of dangerous driving, I see it as an unreasonable action based on ignorance...
in other words - prejudice.

Motorists who also cycle will almost certainly not display this prejudice.
Most motorists who don't cycle will not display this prejudice.

Some motorists who don't cycle demonstrably do display prejudice.

brat

!!!!!! wrote: »

What a load of smug bulls**t

Envy/jealousy is recognised as one of the motivators of a driver's unreasonable behaviour towards cyclists.

brat

Johno100 wrote: »

So when a driver jumps on a bike does he/she go into some sort of zen like state where all the prejudices they exhibit as drivers behind the wheel disappear and they become serene beings?

Could it not be as simple as; drivers who cycle understand cyclists' needs and behaviours, and therefore don't generate any unreasoned animosity towards them.

Not all motorists are prejudiced towards cyclists, but a troublesome minority are. That prejudice may be founded on the actions of some 'troublesome' cyclists, but if the rest of us are made to pay, that is indefensible.

supersuzie50

It is the behaviour of cyclists who use pavements with no thought for the pedestrians who wish to walk on the pavements safely. I am deaf. I have been knocked over twice by cyclists. I lost my hearing aids, I was on crutches for several weeks, the cyclist did not even stop. I am a full time carer so my 95 year old mother was inconvenienced for several weeks. I do see why I should use a car or public transport to get about. I choose to walk and I should be able to walk along the pavement safely.

My local shopping area is used by an elderly population yet cyclists use the pavement and terrorise the elderly who wish to shop locally.
Therefore local population do not see local residents and become lonely and restricted to their homes.