24 hours in London - now I know why cyclists are so hated!

[Globalti]

What was remarkable for me as a cyclist coming from laid-back rural Lancashire was the aggression of the cyclists I saw - there really was a strong sense that they saw themselves as part of a war of attrition against drivers and pedestrians. Quite apart from anything else they were bad mannered and selfish and not behaving in a way conducive to happy co-existance in a crowded city.

 

[glenn forger]

How many bad cyclists were seen by the OP? He says "countless", then two actual incidents of cyclists being silly. It's a rather small sample.

 

[snorri]

Let's face it- everyone's a tosser.

You calling me a tosser?

 

[Globalti]

Countless because I lost count of the idiots I saw.

 

[Domeo]

I commute every day from North East London into the City and I've got to say that the OP is correct in his observations. The majority of those that I see have no regard for the rules of the road or the safety and consideration of others. I'm glad that riders from other parts of town ride amongst the enlightened.

 

[J.Primus]

What was remarkable for me as a cyclist coming from laid-back rural Lancashire was the aggression of the cyclists I saw - there really was a strong sense that they saw themselves as part of a war of attrition against drivers and pedestrians. Quite apart from anything else they were bad mannered and selfish and not behaving in a way conducive to happy co-existance in a crowded city.

As someone who lived in Lancashire for 20 years time before moving to London hopefully I can provide a bit of insight into the difference. Essentially I don't recall ever having cars try and run me off the roads or peds stepping out in front of you constantly when I lived in Blackpool so I could have a nice relaxed riding style and it wasn't a problem. Unfortunately if you are not assertive on the roads in London you will not get anywhere or otherwise you'll just have to put up with other road users taking the mickey constantly.
It's the same as a motorist. I used to attempt to wait for gaps in traffic or assume someone will let you in but you'll be waiting all day the only way to get anywhere is to go for it and force other cars to let you in.
Essentially the base level of rudeness is massively higher than nearly other place I've ever lived in and if you attempt to cycle/drive like you would anywhere else you will get nowhere.
So you are half right, cyclists do appear worse than other places but so is just about everyone else so no idea why you would just single out cyclists.

 

[morrisman]

As someone who lived in Lancashire for 20 years time before moving to London hopefully I can provide a bit of insight into the difference. Essentially I don't recall ever having cars try and run me off the roads or peds stepping out in front of you constantly when I lived in Blackpool so I could have a nice relaxed riding style and it wasn't a problem. Unfortunately if you are not assertive on the roads in London you will not get anywhere or otherwise you'll just have to put up with other road users taking the mickey constantly.
It's the same as a motorist. I used to attempt to wait for gaps in traffic or assume someone will let you in but you'll be waiting all day the only way to get anywhere is to go for it and force other cars to let you in.
Essentially the base level of rudeness is massively higher than nearly other place I've ever lived in and if you attempt to cycle/drive like you would anywhere else you will get nowhere.
So you are half right, cyclists do appear worse than other places but so is just about everyone else so no idea why you would just single out cyclists.

Spot on, as a West London driver/cyclist of many years before moving to leafy Bucks I really could not understand why people here dither all the time at junctions etc.

 

[Pieface]

Should see people on bikes around Chester. Constantly going down one ways or riding on the pavements at a good speed (As it's a relatively historic city these pavements are mostly narrow). I rarely see a cyclist follow the law (Heck today I saw a girl riding on a busy road, approach the lights and just hop on the pavement to get around it and nearly knock someone over).

Luckily I live out in the country and not in Chester anymore.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

[QUOTE 2541627, member: 1314"]Scariest thing on the commute is me:[/quote]
What is with the brake levers angled up at the sky? Is it the latest hipster trend?

 

[J.Primus]

What is with the brake levers angled up at the sky? Is it the latest hipster trend?

Only if they're angled "ironically"

 

[Bodhbh]

It is a bit of a madhouse. My only London cycling is going between train stations every few weeks, but I generally see something nuts. Monday I was walking down Oxford Street. I had to laugh at some bare chested guy trying to jog down it at rush hour - why they hell would you choose to jog down Oxford Street?! If that wasn't enough, within a minute some numpty comes along riding down the pavement on a Boris Bike, slowly picking his way thru the peds. Have to say I always enjoy the ride thru central London tho.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

[QUOTE 2541840, member: 1314"]Just got back from a pub lunch in a very busy part of that there EC1. Cars, vans, black cabs all over the place as we walked there and back. Running zebras, pulling over without indicating, mobile phones glued to their ears.

ANNNNNNND we’re coming to a nice rural town near YOU!
[/quote]
You riding to Felpham then?

The riding standards amongst the MAMIL/weekend warrior/ride home from the station classes in the 'Sham have gone severely downhill in recent years. So many of them commute by train to work in London and then they re-enact what they see on the mean streets there down here. I much preferred the maiden aunts and girls in floaty dresses wafting by on their Pashleys, and the ninja yoof on his BMX to them. I've even seen two other fixed gear bikes about the town one complete with cardigan skinny jeans and ironically rolled up trouser leg.

It will not do.

 

[LarryDuff]

What was remarkable for me as a cyclist coming from laid-back rural Lancashire was the aggression of the cyclists I saw - there really was a strong sense that they saw themselves as part of a war of attrition against drivers and pedestrians. Quite apart from anything else they were bad mannered and selfish and not behaving in a way conducive to happy co-existance in a crowded city.

Is not that the way most big city dwellers act, no matter what mode of transport they use?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

[QUOTE 2542014, member: 1314"]I can’t. Looking after kids on that Friday as wife’s away. And it’s tt’s birthday party on Saturday after.

I’m planning to be on Banjo’s Welsh ride up some Devil’s Shoulder sometime in September, though. You should come! Pubrunner’s offered to put everyone up in Oswestry. [/quote]
that has to be a euphemism.

 

[Dan B]

some of you down there ride as if you own the place

I do own the place