Is it just me ?

[Shearwater Missile]

I have been cycling for years and commuting to work until 2017 when I retired. I never had a problem cycling and all through the lock down it stayed the same. Since lockdown the road traffic is getting forever faster and unforgiving. I am not talking about lorries or vans but the cars in general. No one seems to give a monkey`s nowadays, it is every man for himself. The cars in my opinion are far too large for our roads and the close passes I have had recently bears this out. As a cyclist and a driver as well you see it all the time. What I think is that because the vehicles are higher off the ground the sense of speed is reduced and thus often break the speed limit. If you do reminstrate with a driver you will be in the wrong so I don`t bother. Cyc ling used to be enjoyable but now it seems a chore to keep kit. The cold winter is bad enough plus the poor roads, is it all worth it ? Am I alone in my thinking ? I hope not.

 

[ianrauk]

Recent similar discussion here that may be of interest.

 

[wiggydiggy]

It's not just you, some interesting response in this thread which is very similar: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/s...rs-putting-you-off.301385/page-4#post-7360825

I think entitlement has gotten a lot worse in general, and this has bled into driving. I got pipped at on Saturday for daring to walk in front of a tw@t in a parked car that tried to pull out, I wouldn't have walked in front of cocknose had they not parked on the pavement.

Regarding cycling I wanted to ride yesterday, but it got too late and my house was warm so I skipped it. So I'd say Winter weather is having the biggest effect on me deciding not to ride right now.

 

[cyberknight]

Yes

 

[johnnyb47]

To true indeed.
I even find being a motorist I'm often intimidated by other drivers.
They come past at lightning speed, driving way to close behind, and if I stick strictly to the 20 mph limits here in Wales it often causes pandemonium behind me ( and don't get me started on the stupidity bright led lights that are now common place on modern cars)
As for cycling I have now virtually given up using the main roads and will use the quieter lanes whenever possible

 

[Mo1959]

I’ve gone from cycling several thousand miles per year a few years ago to only being out a dozen times last year. Can’t see this year being any better. Maybe a few really early mornings late May to early July when it’s daylight very early.

The sheer volume of traffic plus the condition of the roads has removed nearly all the pleasure in it for me now.

 

[Brandane]

I think entitlement has gotten a lot worse in general, and this has bled into driving.

This ^^^ pretty much sums it up, IMO...

There seems to be little or no consequences for disobeying the law these days. Chances of being caught are extremely slim, and even if caught and taken to court, they will get a slap on the wrist. And God help anyone who might "disrespect" someone else by pointing out the error of their ways. Telling someone they are wrong these days is akin to being caught with their wife/husband/whatever.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Telling someone they are wrong these days is akin to being caught with their wife/husband/whatever.

But a lot less fun

 

[wiggydiggy]

This ^^^ pretty much sums it up, IMO...

There seems to be little or no consequences for disobeying the law these days. Chances of being caught are extremely slim, and even if caught and taken to court, they will get a slap on the wrist. And God help anyone who might "disrespect" someone else by pointing out the error of their ways. Telling someone they are wrong these days is akin to being caught with their wife/husband/whatever.

There was a thread on another site called reddit that pointed out though driving in countries other than the UK seemed chaotic (India and Italy were the top responses) it was only the UK where people get irrationally annoyed and behave with a temporary mentally illness if confronted with a driving decision they don't like (like passing a cyclist safely).

 

[Drago]

This ^^^ pretty much sums it up, IMO...

There seems to be little or no consequences for disobeying the law these days. Chances of being caught are extremely slim, and even if caught and taken to court, they will get a slap on the wrist. And God help anyone who might "disrespect" someone else by pointing out the error of their ways. Telling someone they are wrong these days is akin to being caught with their wife/husband/whatever.

But say something unkind on social media and the police will go all Iranian Embassy on your house.

 

[All uphill]

I haven't noticed a change and rarely feel endangered by another road user's behaviour.

As I said on the other thread the more decisive I am, with good observation, clear signals and good positioning, the fewer issues I seem to have.

 

[TheDoctor]

I've found over the last few weeks that most drivers are remarkably tolerant of my poor lanekeeping, cornering, pulling away and general incompetance.
I am currently learning to drive a bus.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

But say something unkind on social media and the police will go all Iranian Embassy on your house.

Honestly, this is the opposite of reality. .

Extreme antisemitism, racism and the like are so common they've normalised discourse on much social media.

Except here of course, where quoting that Drago is a big eared know- nothing gets you an immediate ban.

Don't ask me how I know.

 

[Mike Ayling]

There was a thread on another site called reddit that pointed out though driving in countries other than the UK seemed chaotic (India and Italy were the top responses) it was only the UK where people get irrationally annoyed and behave with a temporary mentally illness if confronted with a driving decision they don't like (like passing a cyclist safely).

Not only the Uk. Happens here in Oz and in the land of Trump.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

There was a thread on another site called reddit that pointed out though driving in countries other than the UK seemed chaotic (India and Italy were the top responses) it was only the UK where people get irrationally annoyed and behave with a temporary mentally illness if confronted with a driving decision they don't like (like passing a cyclist safely).

And indeed on here recently too

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/s...rs-putting-you-off.301385/page-3#post-7359168