Self preservation, are car drivers putting you off?

[Bonzothechippy]

Hi guys,
I have a road bike and two mtb bikes. The reason for riding mtb bikes, is to get myself off the road as much as possible, especially during the winter months.
I also have a smart trainer that I absolutely love as it’s as near to real life cycling as you can get. I’m on the fence with going back on the road this year ( except charity rides) with the cars and abuse we often have to suffer, just for enjoying a morning out. Although they say cycling is declining, I’m thinking, maybe it’s not, maybe more people are moving onto smart trainers or mtb for their own safety.

 

[Drago]

Not me.

The more people give in, the worse it gets for the few that remain. I never back down from a fight.

And you're not helping yourself. A smart trainer is dandy for fitness, but does zero for your control skills and roadcraft so when you do venture out onto he tarmac you're not as sharp as you could be. We all see the roadies wobbling about come the first rays of spring due to this.

The perception is worse than the reality. You're more likely to die while walking in public than while cycling.

 

[Bonzothechippy]

Not me.

The more people give in, the worse it gets for the few that remain. I never back down from a fight.

And you're not helping yourself. A smart trainer is dandy for fitness, but does zero for your control skills and roadcraft so when you do venture out onto he tarmac you're not as sharp as you could be. We all see the roadies wobbling about come the first rays of spring due to this.

The perception is worse than the reality. You're more likely to die while walking in public than while cycling.

I see what you’re saying, but I also ride a lot off road so no skill loss there. Maybe my problem is when I’m out on my road bike I’m not hanging around, but I’m still thoughtful of others using the road. In fact I tend to pull over when going uphill on a country lane to allow cars to pass.

 

[Oldhippy]

What @Drago says, the perception is so much worse. I'm no lycra clad racer or MTB'er I just ride a bike as transport and pleasure, no special clothing and in 50 odd years I've come across the odd looney but never once considered staying off the road.

 

[Paulus]

Not me. All my riding is on the road. Whether it's a longish recreational rides or for shopping and local rides I make my presence seen. I am not alone round my way, there are plenty of utility riders about.

 

[PaulSB]

I was hit by a tractor driver in June '24. I'm back on the bike and enjoying every mile. I've no concerns about road riding though I must admit tractors bother me a bit!!!

With my buddies I have ridden more gravel in the last two years. We do find this more enjoyable as it opens up new route possibilities, tracks and trails we've never seen before. The lack of traffic definitely adds to the fun. This is because it's quiet and peaceful and not because we're worried by traffic.

As for smart trainers? These definitely have their place in a training regime. Sadly I see a lot of people moving into the garage when the weather deteriorates instead of going out. I don't get it. A TV screen and a fan are no substitute for a bike ride......no matter how "near to real life" cycling it is.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

The sheer joy of a sunny day in the hills on a bike is incomparable to a trainer.

Like comparing sex to masturbation (let's see how long that lasts!)

And I don't think there's any evidence cycling is declining btw, the Cheshire lanes were swarming with us on a cold camp February day on Sunday.

 

[Drago]

Like comparing sex to masturbation (let's see how long that lasts!)

a cold camp February day on Sunday.

Surely you mean hot and clammy?

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Surely you mean hot and clammy?

Definitely was that inside my waterproof!

 

[fossyant]

I commute on the bike - that's far more dangerous than road or MTB rides in my 40 years of riding everything. Been smacked up by cars a few times, and then more recently, luck ran out with my ice tyres, came off first time in 15 years. Shoot happens.

 

[ianrauk]

Motor vehicle drivers have got worse and worse over the past few years. They are more inconsiderate and more selfish.
But it hasn't put me off road riding and never will. Despite (like Fossy) being whacked a few times by crap drivers.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I also have a smart trainer that I absolutely love as it’s as near to real life

It’s nothing like outdoor riding.

 

[lostinthought]

It's difficult to generalise, but I suppose I'm going to. I've noticed, as a regular road rider, in the last few years, a polarising of attitudes from vehicle drivers. Overtakes are often either flamboyantly respectful (fully into the opposing carriageway, after waiting at a distance), or aggressively close, and punishing (we all know how that goes).

Before then, the prevailing behaviour, in my estimation, was inattentive and thoughtless: panicked aborted overtakes, everybody just a bit too close, MGIF, etc. A bit ignorant, ill-judged, but rarely malicious. Equally rarely, considerate. It's as if the thing with cyclists has become even more politicised

 

[HLaB]

Motor vehicle drivers have got worse and worse over the past few years. They are more inconsiderate and more selfish.
But it hasn't put me off road riding and never will. Despite (like Fossy) being whacked a few times by crap drivers.

It probably depends where you cycle but I would say the vast majority of them have got better but that the minority is getting worse. But I don't really cycle in heavily congested areas of the drivers I've encountered, area wise I think Hertfordshire is the best and the once I cycled to your area on open roads (London) I got knocked off.

 

[Fastpedaller]

The perception is worse than the reality. You're more likely to die while walking in public than while cycling.

The week before last it was a bit chilly so I decided to walk along the disused rail track into town. I came out of the Post Office and walked along the pavement...... next thing a car came along with its tyres scraping the kerb. I thought 'crikey, that's a bit odd'. I then found out I'd nearly been run over! A guy on a scaffold on the building opposite shouted to his colleague "ere, did you see that car was on the pavement and just turned and missed the guy walking along!"