Self preservation, are car drivers putting you off?

[Fastpedaller]

We were on holiday in Sorrento last year and although the driving was mad chaos, especially the scooters zipping and weaving in and out on all sides, and frequent horn blowing, people seemed to just accept it and go with the flow. I didn't see any road rage.

We were in Sorrento 26 years ago, and I couldn't handle the zebra crossings. The 'accepted' way (it seems) was for the pedestrian to just walk across and the cars would avoid you! My Wife would do this, but I was more wary. It seemed the drivers had more awareness of their surroundings than Uk drivers. On returning to UK I crossed on a zebra and was (as usual) waiting for a vehicle to stop, or allowing more than sufficient distance for them to do so. Despite allowing a good 150m for a van to stop, when I got halfway across he was still going far in excess of the 30 limit and if I hadn't leapt quickly I'd have been squashed - he was obviously totally unaware of my presence, and maybe even the crossing Give me Sorrento compared to a UK town any time. We noticed how the UK seemed very quiet without the Buzz - Buzz of the little mopeds, they were somewhat reassuring in a strange way.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Reminds me of a time my wife and I, accompanied by a very sprightly and very tiny 90 year old lady were trying in vain to cross the road in Naples. Eventually my wife just marched out into the road, stopped the traffic, made that "I've got my eye on you" gesture at the leading driver while indicating me, with the lady on my arm as as we crossed. The driver looked a bit stunned, and certainly not about to start raging.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

One way streets in Italy are interesting. Many, but by no means all are signposted as two way for cyclists only. However, if you cycle down an unsigned one the wrong way, motorists don't seem worried at all, they'll just cheerfully avoid you or give way.

Contrast to the spittle fuelled rage or deliberate endangerment that a similar act would induce in the UK.

 

[Dogtrousers]

One way streets in Italy are interesting. Many, but by no means all are signposted as two way for cyclists only. However, if you cycle down an unsigned one the wrong way, motorists don't seem worried at all, they'll just cheerfully avoid you or give way.

Contrast to the spittle fuelled rage or deliberate endangerment that a similar act would induce in the UK.

Oddly enough there's one way street near my home where, according to the signs, it's ok to cycle against the traffic. I never have done so, I make a small detour to avoid the inevitable aggro.

 

[Badger_Boom]

What a wonderful example they give to their children.

The passenger did also accuse me of upsetting the children and 'ruining their day'.

 

[HLaB]

One way streets in Italy are interesting. Many, but by no means all are signposted as two way for cyclists only. However, if you cycle down an unsigned one the wrong way, motorists don't seem worried at all, they'll just cheerfully avoid you or give way.

Contrast to the spittle fuelled rage or deliberate endangerment that a similar act would induce in the UK.

Even when you go down a signed one in the UK some muppets in cars get aggressive and deliberately drive at you 😲 Thankfully they are becoming more and more of a rare breed.

 

[Dogtrousers]

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

A sunny day (but not too sunny) in the hills, with tweety birdies and polite drivers doffing their caps to cyclists would be a joy.

Where it gets to be a closer call with the trainer is a shitey day in the freezing cold, hissing down with rain, getting repeatedly close-passed and everything is gritty and soaking.

There's "type two fun" and then there's just plain horrible.

 

[Bonzothechippy]

Another possible and increasing danger to everyone, is the guys that think it’s fine to smoke the cannabis whilst driving. Near every trip out on my bike, a car goes by that absolutely stinks of the stuff. I’ve no idea how it affects your driving, but the car has gone passed anyway 🤷‍♂️

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Another possible and increasing danger to everyone, is the guys that think it’s fine to smoke the cannabis whilst driving. Near every trip out on my bike, a car goes by that absolutely stinks of the stuff. I’ve no idea how it affects your driving, but the car has gone passed anyway 🤷‍♂️

Report it, as drug driving deserves a ban

 

[Dogtrousers]

Report it, as drug driving deserves a ban

Could always be the passengers? That excuse would be unavailable to the guy who passed me on an ebike in the park the other night, going at quite a lick uphill without pedalling. What a pong!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Could always be the passengers? That excuse would be unavailable to the guy who passed me on an ebike in the park the other night, going at quite a lick uphill without pedalling. What a pong!

Just like alcohol, drugs remain in your body for a period after using them with known decay rates. The driver could be tested.