Is it just me ?

[ColinJ]

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

Or... the children in the back of the car are having a tantrum so parent driver has given up on paying attention to the road ahead and has turned attention to the kids!!!!

I almost got squashed once on the climb of Saddleworth Moor by a large car whose driver had turned to remonstrate with her children who were squabbling in the back seats. I will never forget the look of horror on her face as she cut me up facing back down the hill at me!

 

[cyberknight]

I will admit today my standard of driving was poor, had to take mini ck 1 to a hospital appointment this morning after the long shift last night and i was making bad judgement calls at junctions , head is fuzzy so im going to take some painkillers before i go to work .

 

[Punkawallah]

If you are determined to throw the towel in, can I have your bikes?

 

[HMS_Dave]

I dont think I've noticed a change. It's always been poor. Despite riding very slow, on my elephant bike on a canal towpath, I still get people telling me I shouldn't be there. I've given up politely explaining. But there we are, best just to carry on with your day.

 

[Dirk Van Der Dirk]

Usually find this approach works with dickhead drivers...

 

[HLaB]

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.

I do the traditional commute via main roads and by where I mean it varies by areas round the country. I think on my recent commuting experience I rank Hertfordshire as the best out of Bedfordshire, Peterborough and Nottinghamshire. I'd hate to cycle regularly in Glasgow, folks there seem right vindictive and I have only been there off peak

 

[Mike Ayling]

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!

Agree 100%

 

[Shearwater Missile]

Agree 100%

I think you may be right about the lycra clothing and that drivers seem to thing that we are all the same. Tar, feather and brush springs to mind. I know that there are some cyclists out there who are reckless and they give others a bad name. There are also a lot of drivers who would not pass their test if they drove like they do on a test. The number who overtake me whilst approaching a bend, blind bends at that, overtake on or near junctions. What is wrong with these people ? Simmer down Shearwater or I will blow a gasket.

 

[Jameshow]

I do the traditional commute via main roads and by where I mean it varies by areas round the country. I think on my recent commuting experience I rank Hertfordshire as the best out of Bedfordshire, Peterborough and Nottinghamshire. I'd hate to cycle regularly in Glasgow, folks there seem right vindictive and I have only been there off peak

Do they know what a bike is up there? 🤣

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Do they know what a bike is up there? 🤣

They use them to fish in the canals

 

[Alex321]

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

I don't find that an issue in my part of Wales (Vale of Glamorgan). I rarely find any issues when driving at (or close to) the 20 limit.

( 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

And I find on the smaller roads that I prefer to cycle on, drivers are generally very considerate. The fact there are a lot of cyclists around o those roads may help, as means we are more expected than might otherwise be the case. Butr even when I do ride on the A48 or A4222, while traffic is busier and faster, they still usually give plenty of space.

 

[Electric_Andy]

I concur with many of the similar comments in that people in general are much more selfish, entitled, lazy, impatient, distracted; and this behaviour does not improve when they step into a vehicle. It is now nearly a daily occurance when I see someone waiting or crossing at a zerba crossing and a car or van will shoot right through. Sometimes I'm even sat there in the car waiting for someone to cross, and some other prat will pass me in the other lane and not even realise/care that I might be stopped because someone is crossing.

I can empathise with any cyclist who has to put up with this, it made me never want to cycle on the road again

 

[ianrauk]

it made me never want to cycle on the road again

This really upsets me to hear this.

 

[Electric_Andy]

This really upsets me to hear this.

Me too, but if an activity is no longer enjoyable and I have no control over other people then I had to stop doing it. I do have other options, like drive the bike to a cycle trail but it's just not practical. Generally I've also stopped going out to pubs in the city for similar reasons; people just have no manners or decorum so I'd prefer to go out for a meal during the day to an out of city country pub where I'm less likely to encounter wastes of skin

 

[Shearwater Missile]

I don't find that an issue in my part of Wales (Vale of Glamorgan). I rarely find any issues when driving at (or close to) the 20 limit.



And I find on the smaller roads that I prefer to cycle on, drivers are generally very considerate. The fact there are a lot of cyclists around o those roads may help, as means we are more expected than might otherwise be the case. Butr even when I do ride on the A48 or A4222, while traffic is busier and faster, they still usually give plenty of space.

I find that if I use the narrow country lanes it is generally better, with exceptions. Mostly the people who use them are polite but there are a few who despite seeing you ( as a cyclist) will continue at a great rate of knots forcing you (myself) to take evasive action. Somebody mentioned upthread about entitlement. This appears to be across all age groups.