Is it just me ?

[Bonzothechippy]

Other than ignoring all the antisocial drivers and preying we don’t get knocked off our bikes, what can we do to make them improve their driving. It’s not funny when a car deliberately near passes you at the keep left bollards. Or the one that wants to make the turn before you, and they are behind you! Or the slow moving car in front, sees you coming and squeezes tight to the kerb.
It’s only one, in say two hundred that drive antisocially, but that’s all it takes to make you wonder if it’s all worth the risk.
I had a bunch of six cyclists on Saturday morning riding two abreast. The first thing that went through my mind was how dedicated these guys must be, considering how cold it was. When I got chance I overtook them and went to the shops. No Agro or distress, they were doing their thing and I was doing mine. I think it’s a pleasure seeing the guys on their bikes, shows there is more to life than sitting at home doing nothing.

 

[Rusty Nails]

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

You are Stewart Lee AICMFP.

 

[HLaB]

I'm finding more and more drivers are becoming more polite but a lot seems to depend on where you cycle.

 

[icowden]

An observation from my own driving (rather than cycling) is that EVs help a little in this regard in that I tend to let the car do the accelerating and braking most of the time, so I'm pretty much stuck fast to the speed limit. In 20mph and 30mph it's much more relaxing than having to hover over the accelerator and brake. The car will also slow when it sees a cyclist*, so I can wait for a safe place to overtake.

*unless the cyclist is cycling in the gutter - for some reason VW's camera doesn't think cyclists too far left are worth bothering with - so safety tip folks - ride at least 18 inches from the pavement.

 

[ColinJ]

99% of drivers are probably not psychotic, 95% are probably competent, and 80% are probably not getting distracted by their smartphones, but if hundreds of drivers are overtaking you per hour... Houston, we potentially have a problem!

 

[lazybloke]

I'm finding more and more drivers are becoming more polite but a lot seems to depend on where you cycle.

Where and when.
Pick nice routes and times when the roads are best for cycling
Easy if it's a leisure ride. Not so easy if you're doing a traditional commute.

 

[Bonzothechippy]

I'm finding more and more drivers are becoming more polite but a lot seems to depend on where you cycle.

I’ve had both at the same time. On my mtb, bike I needed to cross a busy 40mph road. As I was waiting, a car to my right stopped and flashed his lights for me to cross. As I got half way across, another to my left stopped (Wow), then the moment was ruined by a car behind the first car that stopped. He was honking his horn and raising his arms at the first car, I thanked both cars as I was crossing.

 

[rogerzilla]

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

Well, only if you threaten to burn asylum seekers or start a riot. That Tory councllor's wife who was sent down deserved everything she got.

 

[Mo1959]

I’ve had both at the same time. On my mtb bike I needed to cross a busy 40mph road. As I was waiting a car to my right, stopped and flashed his lights for me to cross. As I got half way another to my left stopped (Wow), then the moment was ruined by a car behind was honking his horn and raising his arms at the car that first stopped for me. I thanked both cars as I was crossing.

It’s the impatient, aggressive idiots that do my head in. Even walking through the town here I find myself watching drivers. Yesterday, I saw an elderly man slowly reverse parking into a space at the side of the road and a driver who was held up for all of ten seconds looked outraged and really gunned the accelerator when he went past. I find it quite scary that there are people like that behind a wheel.

 

[Jameshow]

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.

I had a few too many last night and the sign board said don't drink and drive ... Take the bus ..

So I do.... Such a difficult thing to get the hang of after a few, the passengers weren't too well afterwards!🤣

 

[Shearwater Missile]

I had a few too many last night and the sign board said don't drink and drive ... Take the bus ..

So I do.... Such a difficult thing to get the hang of after a few, the passengers weren't too well afterwards!🤣

So not just me then, some interesting replies. Sorry if there are similar threads. Lockdown may have a lot to answer for but for cycling it was a joy and without the fumes. I try to stick to the roads I know, the potholes I know. There is no going back to the good days I am afraid. When I watch the tv program Shetland I wonder what it is like to cycle there ? Cold and windy no doubt !

 

[Sixmile]

From my totally unscientific research with little to no facts to substantiate what I'm going to say, I feel like drivers are less courteous when I'm out full lycra'd up on a road bike compared to when I'm tootling on a hybrid in a pair of shorts and a casual t-shirt, riding the same amount of miles i.e. back and forward to work (12.5 miles). Pretty much everyone has ridden a bike and may it be that some are more understanding of anyone who is more like them. I do find there's a serious dislike of real cyclists as some view the roadies - even though it is they who are more likely to be insured through a club for example.

The condition of the roads however.. yea, get a fat bike - honestly, then you want the road to be cut up and in a state!

 

[glasgowcyclist]

driving way to close behind

I have a rear window sticker which states I have a rear-facing camera in operation (which is true). Tailgating has lessened since fitting that.

 

[Sixmile]

I have a rear window sticker which states I have a rear-facing camera in operation (which is true). Tailgating has lessened since fitting that.

Least your sign is factually correct.

The amount of 'baby on board' signs when there's no child in the car is ridiculous!

 

[wiggydiggy]

Least your sign is factually correct.

The amount of 'baby on board' signs when there's no child in the car is ridiculous!

Judging by the standard of driving, the baby is sat in the driver's seat having a tantrum.