Why do people hate us

[Andrew 14]

Today I was riding along a wide road in darlington I was not in the gutter nor was I in the middle of the road when a car started to pass me slow but very close . When he was half way passed he steered his car at me I turned away from him and he missed me by 4 to 6 inches . He then pulled up about 100 yards up the road to pick someone up I pulled over to have a strong word with him but the cowered just drove off no shouting no hand jestures nothing . Why would someone think its ok to try and hit a cyclist with a car just because he didn't like where they were riding . It make no sense i could have been killed today for no reason . I wasn't even slowing him down it was a very wide road and nothing was coming the other way . Rant over

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Sorry to hear that, Andrew . I think they do it because we make them look bad, because

• our vehicles are more environmentally-friendly;
• our vehicles cost less to buy and maintain;
• we look better because we're fitter;
• we're generally enjoying our ride far more than motorists enjoy their commute.

There are of course other reasons, but I think they treat us badly out of pure jealousy .

 

[Sittingduck]

Unfortunately there are douchebags in every walk of life. This one just so happened to drive past you Today.

 

[Milzy]

Sorry to hear that, Andrew . I think they do it because we make them look bad, because

• our vehicles are more environmentally-friendly;
• our vehicles cost less to buy and maintain;
• we look better because we're fitter;
• we're generally enjoying our ride far more than motorists enjoy their commute.

There are of course other reasons, but I think they treat us badly out of pure jealousy .

Yeah but I have 2 cars my self. :/

 

[Gravity Aided]

Poor self esteem, the reason why so many do these things. They need to get off the couch and onto a bicycle. People in general also need to get out and know their fellow human beings a good deal more. We see so many people living solitary lives, using technology to avoid conversation with others and draw themselves into an electronic cocoon devoid of the random surprises of everyday human encounters. A lot like Tannhaueser, we have to leave our technological Venusburg and seek human contact. Otherwise, we have a tendency to see others as a series of ones and zeroes, and discount their worth as human beings worthy of respect and acknowledgement.

 

[theloafer]

hi Andrew
don't worry...... darlo as its fair share of dickheads ... but there are loads of good drivers also..

 

[DaveyM]

Some little weak people know that they have an ability to bully others when they are big and tough in their car, that's why they wouldn't stop and face to face.

 

[Andrew 14]

I don't think it was done out of jealously I think he just saw me as a b#####d cyclist that needed teaching a lesson For riding to far from the kerb . He didn't think of me as a person with a life and a wife and kids . Some people seem to lose all respect and reason when they get behind the wheel .

 

[Gravity Aided]

And get it back in front of the judicial bench.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

And get it back in front of the judicial bench.

Then you're lucky in the US. In Australia, motorists can (literally) get away with murder, generally with insufficient punishment.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Here, it varies by state. In Illinois, you have to give a cyclist 3 feet of road and treat him like a vehicle. Some roads are designated shared and have expanded cyclist use. We also have many seperate cycle paths, some hundred miles long or so, like the Katy Trail in Missouri, and the Canal Trail along the Illinois-Michigan Canal and the Hennepin Canal. Road workers are also well protected. Heavy fines and the hoosegow for hitting them.

 

[lazy]

I am getting myself insured.

 

[taximan]

Today I was riding along a wide road in darlington I was not in the gutter nor was I in the middle of the road when a car started to pass me slow but very close . When he was half way passed he steered his car at me I turned away from him and he missed me by 4 to 6 inches . He then pulled up about 100 yards up the road to pick someone up I pulled over to have a strong word with him but the cowered just drove off no shouting no hand jestures nothing . Why would someone think its ok to try and hit a cyclist with a car just because he didn't like where they were riding . It make no sense i could have been killed today for no reason . I wasn't even slowing him down it was a very wide road and nothing was coming the other way . Rant over

Its not hatred that guy was simply a Dick Head.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Today I was riding along a wide road in darlington I was not in the gutter nor was I in the middle of the road when a car started to pass me slow but very close . When he was half way passed he steered his car at me I turned away from him and he missed me by 4 to 6 inches . He then pulled up about 100 yards up the road to pick someone up I pulled over to have a strong word with him but the cowered just drove off no shouting no hand jestures nothing . Why would someone think its ok to try and hit a cyclist with a car just because he didn't like where they were riding . It make no sense i could have been killed today for no reason . I wasn't even slowing him down it was a very wide road and nothing was coming the other way . Rant over

I think this is important, as it is genuinely possible he was looking for this person and simple didn't see you, bad driving none the less, it's also seems to be backed up in the way he drove off, though an apology would have helped.
The vast majority of drivers are pretty good in this country, tempers fray a little in traffic, but who is complete innocent of this, but yea there are some bad drivers.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Sorry to hear that, Andrew . I think they do it because we make them look bad, because

• our vehicles are more environmentally-friendly;
• our vehicles cost less to buy and maintain;
• we look better because we're fitter;
• we're generally enjoying our ride far more than motorists enjoy their commute.

There are of course other reasons, but I think they treat us badly out of pure jealousy .

You sure, the O.H. can get 4 tyres for less than two of mine (well not quite but you get the picture) and last longer.
Not all motorists are commuting