Short commute + harassment = worth giving up and saving the hassle?

[pedaling]

I have a pretty short cycle (nearly 4 miles) but paired with so many drivers who often do not have a clue about cyclists (overtaking? No, let's just try and squeeze them off the road... too bad if I almost hit them. Actually, why not tell them to f*** off whilst I'm at it? Oh, and I think I'll beep loudly too... - a recent example of a driver who I then reported to the police) I am thinking of just giving it up.

It pisses me off, to be honest, and I'm not sure whether it's worth it. I cycled quite a bit in Germany this summer and, even with cycling on the different side etc, I much preferred it. They have cycle provision! The cars manage to work out how to overtake better! Pedestrians move on dual-use tracks when you ring your bell! How marvellous Coming back to England (even if I wasn't in Germany for that long) makes me feel ashamed about other road users' attitudes towards cyclists, especially drivers.

For my journey I have to take books etc with me and I don't have panniers... I'm using a mountain bike for town cycling, and I don't have proper cycling clothing. I do, however, have lights (two for the back and a decent-ish one for the front), reflective flashing armbands, and reflective bands for my ankles... Plus I have base layers (use the same ones I use for hiking.)

Basically I'm after some encouragement and some advice about panniers too would be helpful. I would ideally like a high-vis jacket and some cycling trousers which are both waterproof, but I'm not sure it's worth it if I'm gonna end up going another way. I really like cycling when it's not too busy (it's town cycling!) and when the cars manage to overtake reasonably. Today was surprisingly okay!

Have considered getting a camera to get my own back on stupid drivers, but that is definitely too expensive for me (I'm a student.) When I have a wage I will.

Also, has anyone had cycling classes/ lessons? I have a reasonable idea, I think, but I could do with some help on negotiating trickier junctions and filtering down when traffic is stationary etc. Might make it a bit safer - after all, I had driving lessons, so why not cycling lessons too?

hello, by the way! I'm from south Manchester! (Which, whilst not as amazing as Germany isn't too bad either!)

I'm contemplating just walking it instead - I bought some decent sturdy town walking boots yesterday, and they're much more appealing right now.

 

[John the Monkey]

I usually feel the same when I get back from France, tbh.

Some days are better than others, I find, and I cycle from Wilmslow to Central Manchester most weekdays. Some of it could be to do with your route - might be worth posting it in case someone knowing the area can give you any tips...

 

[pedaling]

I also spend quite a bit of time in France, as I have family there. The Velibs work so well in Paris! Even though I've not cycled in France (must do next time!), I walk a lot more there, and simply seeing more cyclists and less car-polluted places makes me happier. Germany is quite immense for cycle provision in certain areas, though. It's really very pro-cycling, I feel. Certainly there doesn't seem to be the stigma attached to it as there is over here. One day I'll move to a place like this!

Well, your route certainly is a lot longer! You must be very healthy.

Mine is okay part of the way (past Bramhall park and the tennis club) pretty dismal another part of the way (involving crossing the A6 and the mountain of traffic that is bramhall to davenport...)

 

[fossyant]

Another local..... keep at it - I know about the traffic in the area - any other routes you could possibly use that run parallel ?

 

[HelenD123]

You mentioned panniers. People do say that drivers give you a wider berth when overtaking because the bike looks wider. Put it on the right hand side for maximum effect. Panniers would also be much better for carrying books than a rucksack. If money's tight, instead of getting a pannier you could do like my friend and just strap your rucksack to a rack. Have you checked whether your mountain bike can take a rack?

Don't worry about not having proper cycle clothing, although from my last experience of Manchester waterproofs are a must

 

[furball]

Don't let bad drivers make you give up. Stay on the road and educate them to the fact that cyclists have a right to be there. Choose the best route for your own safety even if this means travelling a little further. Ride assertively and always put yourself in a position where drivers can clearly see you.

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

Hi pedaling and welcome
Here's my advise:

• Get a rear rack and some panniers for the books.
• Go to Homebase and buy a 6 foot length of 8 by 4, a box of 12 inch nails, a big hammer and a bungee rope with hooks on each end.
• Use your imagination to fashion an improvised “overtake too close and your bodywork gets scratched” device to strap on top of the pannier rack.
• Strap device to mountain bike after filling panniers.
• Cycle too and from destination with a smile on your face.
• Don’t forget about improvised device when a, filtering; b, cycling along a narrow cycle path; or c, taking your bike inside the house!
• Finally – don’t let the buggers get you down – and relax in the knowledge that you’re not a complete and utter twat like the motorists you’re describing above…

 

[simoncc]

Another south Manchester commuter here. I'm A56 from Altrincham, 9 miles.

My advice to you is to stick with it. Be very careful and gain experience, road sense, confidence and assertiveness with each day's commute. Then you should be OK.

 

[Tharg2007]

hey pedaling, there is a critical commute ride that goes into town in the morning on the last friday of every month, might be an idea to tag onto that as you would be riding with experienced cyclists most probably and could get some tips on how they handle the traffic, its also supporting a worthwhile cause. They go into town from lots of locations around manchester. Usually just a few cyclist so its not a mass road block but there are enough for safety in numbers.
Info here:
http://www.criticalcommute.org/
and here:
http://www.gmcc.org.uk/main/?p=123

 

[Joseph]

Don't give up!

hivis overjackets (non-waterproof) are a couple of quid on ebay. don't worry about proper cycling great, though a windproof, reflective, waterproof jacket can be a great addition (eg. altura night vision) if you're riding in adverse conditions.

Try taking a slightly longer route if it means you can miss the more dangerous roads/junctions.

Get the cyclecraft book for general tips.

Don't worry about a camera, put the effort into making sure you're keeping yourself in a position where the potential for you to come to harm is minimised. Bad drivers will eventually get what's coming to them; if you feel really agrieved just remember the reg and make a complaint later.

 

[HLaB]

Don't give up!
I have a short commute also 3.2-4.7miles, I occasionally have the odd idiot but its not worth letting them spoil it for you. I have a few different routes up my sleeve and find routinely switching them reduces problems, one route is boring anyway.

 

[BentMikey]

I remember feeling a little like this on occasion, before I read Cyclecraft by John Franklin.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Don't give up. Which is easy for me to say as my commute is relatively traffic-free; I get the odd incident (I'll be 'fessing up to one on my "effin bike" thread in a bit, actually ) but not too much.

I'm no expert by any means, but I think a lot of it is confidence and I also find eye contact with the drivers helps .. at least helps them to see you as a person, rather than an effin bike. You can probably track down a lot of books - such as Cyclecraft - from your local library. Saves a few quid.

I've got a Montane Fetherlite jacket which is reasonably waterproof, keeps the wind out, is a nice bright yellow and folds down into a pack the size of a small apple. Thing is, they're around £35 which could be tricky for a student, I know. One for Father Christmas maybe? (He's getting a HUGE list from me this year ).

 

[J4CKO]

I usually feel the same when I get back from France, tbh.

Some days are better than others, I find, and I cycle from Wilmslow to Central Manchester most weekdays. Some of it could be to do with your route - might be worth posting it in case someone knowing the area can give you any tips...

Yep, ditto, I am from Wilmslow, cycling the seven miles to Knutsford, mostly, thus far most people are ok.

I have an Altura Night vision jacket which is about as visible as you can get and Altura Orkney panniers, very pleased with both, the panniers keep the weight down low and avoid a sweaty back.

Dont give up just yet, let us know your route and see if we can help.

There are some c*nts about, it is largely area dependant what kind of agro you get, round wilmslow its just rude and arrogant, no actual abuse.

May I recommend a Rear View Mirror (Cateye from Halfords) as it helps plan manuevers (still look over shoulder before making a course adjustment obviously and occasionally look just to remind people it is a human on the bike) but it does help to have a constant and easily accesible eye on whats behind.

Eyeball people, make proper eye contact.

If not sure just stop, think about it and proceed when safe, too many leave things to much to the laws of chance, cant afford to do that on a bike.

A little wave to a courteoud motorist works wonders, I think people get a buzz out of the acknowledgement of their generosity, its compelling, they will want it every time and so will behave better, not everyone as some are just self interested, fat, lazy pathetic examples of humanity.

 

[Mr Pig]

I hate cycling to work too. What can you do, it's life, I don't think you are meant to enjoy it.