Cyclists

[NorfolkShaun]

Why do they insist on riding in packs of ten or so three and four abreast on busy roads so it is impossible for anyone to overtake them?

Then to make it better as I was stuck in a queue traveling around 15 mph trying to get past them, another MAMIL decided he was going to start undertaking the cars and going up the pavement to get past the queue, I hate to think what would of happened to anyone who walked out of their driveway to be met by this plonker doing 20mph on a cycle down a pavement. :sbox:

Surely it would make more sense on a busy main road to ride one abreast in groups of two or three leaving gaps to allow people to safely overtake?

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Why do they insist on riding in packs of ten or so three and four abreast on busy roads so it is impossible for anyone to overtake them?

Then to make it better as I was stuck in a queue traveling around 15 mph trying to get past them, another MAMIL decided he was going to start undertaking the cars and going up the pavement to get past the queue, I hate to think what would of happened to anyone who walked out of their driveway to be met by this plonker doing 20mph on a cycle down a pavement. :sbox:

Surely it would make more sense on a busy main road to ride one abreast in groups of two or three leaving gaps to allow people to safely overtake?

God forbid they try to be sociable and enjoy their time, interrupting your right to go quickly in your metal killing machine... (tongue slightly in cheek, but with a bit of seriousness behind).

Just so you know, unless it's a particularly wide road, you need to be on the other side of the road to properly pass even a single cyclist. If you can't do this, you're not doing it safely, and putting their life at risk. By being two abreast (no offence but even with you being there, i doubt they were 4/5 abreast - absolutely noone rides like this), it's making it quicker for you to get past, as you have a much shorter obstacle to pass.

Worth a watch: https://www.theguardian.com/environ...e-cyclists-the-video-all-drivers-should-watch

Imagine it was your loved ones cycling along, how would you want someone to pass them? Does waiting a few minutes make it worth endangering their life?

I appreciate you have said you did wait, just explaining the full position for anyone reading.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

This is a bit like another Aimpoint thread. Some will decry cyclists and others will defend their every move. No good ever comes out of a cyclist thread.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

This is a bit like another Aimpoint thread. Some will decry cyclists and others will defend their every move. No good ever comes out of a cyclist thread.

If one person can be educated to overtake properly/to understand when they see cyclists cycling as they do, it's a good thread. The more education about cyclists (and just how vulnerable they are) can only be a good thing.

 

[NorfolkShaun]

God forbid they try to be sociable and enjoy their time, interrupting your right to go quickly in your metal killing machine... (tongue slightly in cheek, but with a bit of seriousness behind).

Just so you know, unless it's a particularly wide road, you need to be on the other side of the road to properly pass even a single cyclist. If you can't do this, you're not doing it safely, and putting their life at risk. By being two abreast (no offence but even with you being there, i doubt they were 4/5 abreast - absolutely noone rides like this), it's making it quicker for you to get past, as you have a much shorter obstacle to pass.

Worth a watch: https://www.theguardian.com/environ...e-cyclists-the-video-all-drivers-should-watch

Imagine it was your loved ones cycling along, how would you want someone to pass them? Does waiting a few minutes make it worth endangering their life?

I appreciate you have said you did wait, just explaining the full position for anyone reading.

In fairness was more than happy to wait which I always do and go fully onto the other side to do so, I cannot see the point of being three / four abreast, which they were.

The biggest point is that you jump down my throat about this metal killing machine I was driving and totally ignore the one riding along the patch as this clearly must be fine, wobetide anyone who wishes to walk along a path

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

In fairness was more than happy to wait which I always do and go fully onto the other side to do so, I cannot see the point of being three / four abreast, which they were.

The biggest point is that you jump down my throat about this metal killing machine I was driving and totally ignore the one riding along the patch as this clearly must be fine, wobetide anyone who wishes to walk along a path

I did point out the tongue in cheek thing about metal killing machines.

If you watched the video, it explains why riding next to each other (and it's actually making life easier for you!)

Re: the cyclist on the pavement, i agree it's a very bad thing, and I will have a go at people I see doing it. The difference is, however, how many people are killed by cyclists on pavements, versus how many killed by cars. That's the reason for the difference in my opinion.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

If one person can be educated to overtake properly/to understand when they see cyclists cycling as they do, it's a good thread. The more education about cyclists (and just how vulnerable they are) can only be a good thing.

Equally, if one cyclist could appreciate that good manners on the road and sticking to the law were a good idea then that would also be a good thing.

See what is happening here, it's starting ................:rofl:

 

[ADB]

I would much rather cyclists ride in a peleton rather than spread out in a line which is much harder to pass IMO.

 

[guest100718]

I'd like it if they didn't bat it the wrong way up 1 way systems and jump red lights.

 

[patricks148]

its all a question of attitudes.

I lived and raced in Northern France for two years and motorists were always patient and respectful on training rides. The club i rode for used to have a club run every Wednesday and you would get 150 cyclists turn up for that and that was a small town. most towns in France had a similar turn out. Italy was the same.

 

[NorfolkShaun]

its all a question of attitudes.

I lived and raced in Northern France for two years and motorists were always patient and respectful on training rides. The club i rode for used to have a club run every Wednesday and you would get 150 cyclists turn up for that and that was a small town. most towns in France had a similar turn out. Italy was the same.

We get a lot round Norfolk, guess something about being so flat.

Generally just end up sat behind them but in fairness most of the times this happens this is on a quiet back road, which in fairness that's where I would be personally I would avoid main roads like the plague if I were a cyclist in a group, bloody nightmare for me when I cycle to work as there is no 'back way'.

 

[Hobbit]

If one person can be educated to overtake properly/to understand when they see cyclists cycling as they do, it's a good thread. The more education about cyclists (and just how vulnerable they are) can only be a good thing.

More than happy to give them a wide berth but 20-30 cyclists 3 and 4 abreast... sorry but that's just selfish from their side. Where's the middle ground/compromise? 4 groups of 5/6 with gaps to allow cars to get past safely. Frustrate a cage driver and he's just as likely to do something silly.

 

[NorfolkShaun]

More than happy to give them a wide berth but 20-30 cyclists 3 and 4 abreast... sorry but that's just selfish from their side. Where's the middle ground/compromise? 4 groups of 5/6 with gaps to allow cars to get past safely. Frustrate a cage driver and he's just as likely to do something silly.

I think this is the difficult thing, following on from the earlier video is the below video, this highlights cyclists should not ride more than two abreast and slow moving traffic should not hold up traffic therefore they should allow faster vehicles to pass indicated as cyclists spreading out and riding single file on busy roads to allow themselves to be passed.

This courtesy should be a two way street, where cyclists should be given room when being overtaken and they should also position and group themselves to allow themselves to be overtaken

Too many cyclists do not and it becomes all tarred with the same brush

[video=youtube_share;OTGRQgw6PDA]https://youtu.be/OTGRQgw6PDA[/video]

 

[Doon frae Troon]

We live on a well used cycle route.
It is a quiet, scenic B road so makes a good run out from the busy Troon/Prestwick/Ayr towns.
No problem with cyclists, it just needs a wee bit of patience when overtaking.

I do have a problem when the have occasional unofficial races and ignore common road safety issues.
Imagine if they allowed that for car enthusiasts.

 

[patricks148]

We live on a well used cycle route.
It is a quiet, scenic B road so makes a good run out from the busy Troon/Prestwick/Ayr towns.
No problem with cyclists, it just needs a wee bit of patience when overtaking.

I do have a problem when the have occasional unofficial races and ignore common road safety issues.
Imagine if they allowed that for car enthusiasts.

happens all the time, cars and motorbikes that is.
main difference is cyclist racing each other ( usually for the "sign") won't be breaking the speed limit. and i doesn't happen on busy roads, usually small villages on quite Sunday morning rides

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Used to ride and race mountain bikes, and when out with the club we would ride no more than 2 abreast, but preferred to knit in to minimise our width taken.
Sadly whilst there are many drivers and motorcycle riders who think a cyclist is fair game, there are quite a similar amount of cyclists who think themselves invincible and king of the road, ignoring all traffic signals and courtesies.

 

[Deleted member 18121]

I'm a cyclist and to be honest a large number of other cyclists really do take the pee.

If I ever cycle side by side with a mate we will always listen out for cars and if we see/hear one coming will always move into single file....its just common courtesy.

In my opinion there is simply never any excuse for cycling 3/4/5 abreast, jumping red lights, riding on pavements etc etc.....but as in all walks of life, some people are just richards.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

but as in all walks of life, some people are just richards.

That is the crux of the matter isn't it. Cyclists, motor bike riders, car drivers, lorry drivers. Richards are involved in all of these. No one group is uniquely blessed with more or less than the other. Consideration and awareness all round is the key.

 

[drdel]

One of the issue seems to seem from the Lycra warriors who believe it gives them anoynymity. I once 'tooted' a group of 8 as its driving an election car (I.e quiet) to warning them I was there.

At the next junction one of them decider my left mirror didn't look right on the car so attempted an on-the-spot modification and rode off. When I caught up and stopped them the group decided if I reports it they would claim it was nowt to do with them. Even though the car had a dashcam it could show the side of the car so the culprit was in the clear.

A form of ID would force a degree of responsibility that is lacking and allows the arrogant Lycra prats impunity.

 

[Fish]

Tax them, make them have some degree of insurance, on the spot fines for riding on pavements and jumping lights

I don't like cyclists :angry: