Why do some cyclists use the entire lane, use fog horns, and flashing lights?????????

boliston

im sure i saw a survey that said the average cycle commuter has and averge higher salary than an average car bound commuter

Tobyjug12000

As a driver who gives cyclists lots of space (stay well back, drop my speed to match theirs and only overtake them as I would a car, know they might do random things), I've nearly seen several near-misses where other drivers behind me have not realised that I've slowed down for a cyclist in the middle of the lane who I can't overtake (on a bend, traffic coming in other direction) but because the other driver can't see round my car they overtake anyway and nearly hit the cyclist when oncoming traffic forces them back into the side of the road I'm on - and this is on 60mph roads in Hertfordshire so low traffic speeds in London don't come in to it!).

At somepoint someone's luck will run out but not sure what can be down about the lack of patience in drivers!

Strider590

boliston wrote: »

im sure i saw a survey that said the average cycle commuter has and averge higher salary than an average car bound commuter

Well I have two cars and two bikes, I pay some £400+ per year in VED, £600+ in insurance and my fuel costs are around £2500 per year.

Drivers do seem to assume that cyclists are too poor to own a car and this is where they feel entitled to give them abuse...... But actually if a cyclist has all the right gear, then he/she probably has at least one car at home and their bike could easily be worth more than the car your driving.

There is an amusing video on Youtube where some driver is having a go at a guy on a recumbent bicycle (might be CyclingMikey), driver looks like a fool when the cyclist points out his bike is worth about £5000.

ab1982

Strider590 wrote: »

Drivers do seem to assume that cyclists are too poor to own a car and this is where they feel entitled to give them abuse......

I disagree, never crossed my mind that this may be a reason and I think there a lot more pertinent reasons for drivers to hurl abuse at cyclists.

I bet you have Rapha gear too!

brat

ab1982 wrote: »

I disagree, never crossed my mind that this may be a reason and I think there a lot more pertinent reasons for drivers to hurl abuse at cyclists.

I don't think there's a direct correlation with motorists being abusive because they think cyclists are poor...

...but many drivers for various reasons consider themselves superior to cyclists. This may be because they pay 'road tax'. It may be because they drive a more powerful vehicle. They may think they have a better knowledge of how to use the road properly; they may feel bigger; they may feel that their ostentatious vehicle exhibits their wealth. They may feel that might is right.

It's wrong for them to feel superior. But cyclists need to be aware that some of them do think that, and some of them act on this misconception.

ab1982 wrote: »

I bet you have Rapha gear too!

Most of my gear is Rapha. It's beautiful kit. Why do you ask?

brat

nigglenoo wrote: »

Rapha kit is certainly nice looking, preferable to the race team replica stuff IMO, and the quality is up there, but it is sold at such a premium price compared to some brands that are comparable or better in quality but not so flashy, e.g. Lusso or Corinne Dennis. Just my opinion of course...

I guess you buy what suits. I've heard of Lusso, not Corinne Dennis, so I'll have a look on their website; but the Rapha cut fits me well (small in pro gear) so I haven't really looked elsewhere recently.
Brand loyalty plays a part too - you know what you're going to get, and you can trust it.

Surprisingly it's quite MSE compliant too. After 2 seasons wear, I get between 50% and 70& of my money back on Ebay, (sometimes more than I pay in the sale!) so it's not so expensive really.

Rosemary7391

Tobyjug12000 wrote: »

As a driver who gives cyclists lots of space (stay well back, drop my speed to match theirs and only overtake them as I would a car, know they might do random things), I've nearly seen several near-misses where other drivers behind me have not realised that I've slowed down for a cyclist in the middle of the lane who I can't overtake (on a bend, traffic coming in other direction) but because the other driver can't see round my car they overtake anyway and nearly hit the cyclist when oncoming traffic forces them back into the side of the road I'm on - and this is on 60mph roads in Hertfordshire so low traffic speeds in London don't come in to it!).

At somepoint someone's luck will run out but not sure what can be down about the lack of patience in drivers!

This sounds nasty. I don't drive so only an idea, but might it help to put hazard lights on in that situation? So the folks behind know you're not just on a go slow.

trinidadone

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

This sounds nasty. I don't drive so only an idea, but might it help to put hazard lights on in that situation? So the folks behind know you're not just on a go slow.

if drivers see a car with hazzards on, would they not still over take?

ab1982

brat wrote: »

I guess you buy what suits. I've heard of Lusso, not Corinne Dennis, so I'll have a look on their website; but the Rapha cut fits me well (small in pro gear) so I haven't really looked elsewhere recently.
Brand loyalty plays a part too - you know what you're going to get, and you can trust it.

Surprisingly it's quite MSE compliant too. After 2 seasons wear, I get between 50% and 70& of my money back on Ebay, (sometimes more than I pay in the sale!) so it's not so expensive really.

I'm not a fan, it seems to be really good quality but ultimately for me it does exactly the same job as stuff costing a quarter of the price. I think the price tag is as much to do with aspirational marketing as quality.

trinidadone

Saw this clip on today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1ULw6Lngxg

iis this still a cycle????