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

[Globalti]

I went to London last weekend to see The Stones. As a cyclist I am always interested to see what others are doing and riding and in the 24 hours I was there I saw countless cyclists breaking the law by riding on pavements, jumping lights and going the wrong way. Then coming out of Hyde Park late at night, 65,000 people flooded into Park Lane so the Police had the road closed for obvious reasons. What do I see? A muppet on a road bike weaving up Park Lane, fast, swerving around groups of concert-goers and screaming abuse at anybody who he thought was impeding his journey. Soon after that a bloke on a commuter bike shot past me as I crossed a road, so close that I felt his breeze... no lights, no bell, no warning, just a deliberate "punishment pass".

Shocking altogether. I'm a cyclist but after all that I understand the cyclist-haters, some of you down there ride as if you own the place and the rules don't apply to you.

 

[GrasB]

For every cyclist do something wrong I see a pedestrian or motorist do something equally stupid! So why the lack of ped or motorist hate?

 

[dan_bo]

For every cyclist do something wrong I see a pedestrian or motorist do something equally stupid! So why the lack of ped or motorist hate?

Cars tend not to bunnyhop onto pavements mind. Let's face it- everyone's a tosser.

 

[rb58]

Last night was my worst London commute for ages in terms of bad cyclists. I saw it all - RLJs, pavement jockeys (including at speed to get round buses), undertaking (bikes, cars, buses.), shoaling. And not always newbies in trainers, but several roadies who should have known better. In fact, I felt more at risk from other cyclists than the motorists - one guy (with headphones) squeezed between me and another cyclist whilst a car was overtaking and nearly took all three of us out. And they far outnumbered the bad drivers and peds. No wonder drivers get wound up.

 

[GrasB]

Cars tend not to bunnyhop onto pavements mind. Let's face it- everyone's a tosser.

Where I lived previously I was frequently presented with cars coming towards me with two wheels on the pavement & about 9" between a wall/hedge & their wing mirror...

 

[dan_bo]

Where I lived previously I was frequently presented with cars coming towards me with two wheels on the pavement & about 9" between a wall/hedge & their wing mirror...

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

 

[Markymark]

I think I am more at risk in central London, coming off due to a collision with another cyclist either switching lanes without looking, RLJ, turning without warning, undertaking, dangerous jostling at light-changes etc etc

My worry is that when this is surrounded by cars, coming off could end up with me falling in the path of a car.

 

[rb58]

If it is safer for a cyclist to use a pavement I see no harm.
Safer for who?
Not sure what you are moaning about with undertaking by cyclists or are you moaning about cyclists using the pavement to undertake?
What do you need to be a Pro or a proper cyclist to wear SPD's?

Certainly not safer for the pedestrians they were weaving between - this was at high speed. Or should we only be concerned with the safety of other cyclists?
I'm moaning about other cyclists passing me on the inside. If you want to overtake me, then please do so on the right hand side, which is where I would expect you to be and be looking out for you.
I'm simply pointing out that there are a great many new cyclists in London (which is great). They tend to be on new bikes and not to be wearing cycling shoes (I generalize obviously) and I tend to be less critical of these folks as they're still learning their cycle craft.

 

[StuartG]

Walking, riding or indeed driving in London is not like other UK cities. It has more in common with Paris or New York. That can be alarming at first sight but you soon adapt and revert to the mean.

I, in return, get very frustrated walking in Birmingham where everyone is so slow, don't keep to the right on escalators and tut-tut as you try and squeeze by ... as for cycling - well London is a paradise in comparison.

 

[rb58]

I think I am more at risk in central London, coming off due to a collision with another cyclist either switching lanes without looking, RLJ, turning without warning, undertaking, dangerous jostling at light-changes etc etc

My worry is that when this is surrounded by cars, coming off could end up with me falling in the path of a car.

This is my concern too.

 

[Leodis]

It was busy for me this morning, I spotted about 10 cyclists and me and another lady cycled together.

Shocking altogether. I'm a cyclist but after all that I understand the cyclist-haters, some of you down there ride as if you own the place and the rules don't apply to you.

Divide and conquer

 

[BentMikey]

Cars tend not to bunnyhop onto pavements mind. Let's face it- everyone's a tosser.

Something like 700 people KSI'd on the pavement by drivers annually in the UK. I'm forever having drivers bump up onto the pavement to park near me, so no, you'd be wrong.

 

[dan_bo]

Something like 700 people KSI'd on the pavement by drivers annually in the UK. I'm forever having drivers bump up onto the pavement to park near me, so no, you'd be wrong.

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

Really. Including me. And 3BMcG.

 

[Leodis]

Certainly not safer for the pedestrians they were weaving between - this was at high speed. Or should we only be concerned with the safety of other cyclists?
I'm moaning about other cyclists passing me on the inside. If you want to overtake me, then please do so on the right hand side, which is where I would expect you to be and be looking out for you.
I'm simply pointing out that there are a great many new cyclists in London (which is great). They tend to be on new bikes and not to be wearing cycling shoes (I generalize obviously) and I tend to be less critical of these folks as they're still learning their cycle craft.

Thanks for that, I must buy some cycling shoes to look the part

 

[Glow worm]

Thanks for that, I must buy some cycling shoes to look the part

Ha ha! I've been cycling for 25 years or so and never been near a cycling shoe and hope I never will. In fact I'm about to go for a short lunch time ride in flip flops.