cyclists tales

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Sun May 14, 2017 11:32 pm

I had an incident yesterday with a motorist who did his best to kill me...will elaborate more on this later...interested in hearing your tales of woe...if you are a cyclist who cycles in the middle of the road blocking traffic then forget it...just interested in hearing stories from cyclists like myself who want to cycle along our roads in a law abiding fashion who perhaps have been treat like sh1te by other road users...utc.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Sun May 14, 2017 11:46 pm

My deaf mother was nearly knocked down by a cyclist who assumed that 20 mph on the footpath is fine if you ring a little bell. Is that the sort of tale you have in mind?

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Sun May 14, 2017 11:55 pm

naaaa..I am talking about cyclists...not a d1ckhead on a bike...no helmet...on their phone and when they aint on their phone they have a head set on...dont confuse these idiots with cyclists...I have plenty of run ins with these d1cks.

Cirrus_Minor · Post by **Cirrus_Minor** » Mon May 15, 2017 12:15 am

I am a cyclist and could spend hours writing stories about conflicts with motorists.

I agree that cyclists should obey the Highway Code as much as car/lorry drivers. But beware if you are a cyclist not to hug into the gutter when on the roads since this is dangerous, much safer to hold your own space (not in the middle but at least a yard or from the roads edge).

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon May 15, 2017 12:25 am

Cyclists are classed as second class citizens on the roads...lots been killed, by arrogant drivers you see everyday.

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Mon May 15, 2017 12:37 am

great points cirrus
personally as a cyclist and business owner who pays tax on several vehicles I would welcome all us cyclists having to pay for insurance...perhaps 50 quid per year so that we could end all this rubbish about us cyclists not paying road tax etc...yesterday I had cycled to burnley and dropped down past the fire station..past turf moor and turned right at the lights...went past the princess royal where the pavement angles out intp the road, turning it into 1 lane before a left filter lane appears before the roundabout.
I cycled down the middle of the 2 lanes so that any cars/small vehicles could still pass me....I looked in my mirror and a luton van was approaching....I clocked him and he came alongside me forcing me into the left filter lane.....at this point I was just lucky nothing was coming up the left filter lane....I shouted " you f---ing w---er "..at which point he started blasting his horn....so I dropped my bike and tried his passenger door...it was open...I climbed inside and gripped him by the throat....he was mid 20s and asian...he looked petrified.....I explained the highway code to him whilst maintaining a healthy grip on his wind pipe....he saw my point eventually....the thing was though that there were 3 or 4 cars already waiting at the roundabout...he was going nowhere so why endanger my safety by trying to barge through ????? I hope this doesnt happen again but if it does I will do the same again without doubt.....I wouldnt dream of endangering someones life if driving my car or van...and niether should he.

minnieclaret · Post by **minnieclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 12:40 am

I used to have a couple of road rage incidents every day in Lancs and no I'm not out looking for bovva.
We moved to Ireland in 04 and I've had two since. In both cases they were UK registered cars which, at the same junction, came past me then turned left across me, into the minor road.
There are some right twohats on the road and most of them are in cars.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon May 15, 2017 12:43 am

He was mid twenties fair enough....Asian ? And....

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Mon May 15, 2017 12:44 am

the vast majority of drivers are brilliant...its just a minority who are just knobs....just like a minority of cyclists are knobs....unfotunately if there is an incident between a car and a cyclist its the cyclist that ends up in hospital or worst....think about it .

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon May 15, 2017 12:47 am

Sounds like the'asian' driver could have ended up injured and in hospital on this occasion

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Mon May 15, 2017 12:55 am

just as injured as you would be tim if you tried that manouvre on me.....couldnt care less what colour or creed the knob who was trying to kill me was...it would be the same outcome.

Jakubclaret · Post by **Jakubclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 1:00 am

Cirrus_Minor wrote:I am a cyclist and could spend hours writing stories about conflicts with motorists.

I agree that cyclists should obey the Highway Code as much as car/lorry drivers. But beware if you are a cyclist not to hug into the gutter when on the roads since this is dangerous, much safer to hold your own space (not in the middle but at least a yard or from the roads edge).

Works both ways should be mutual respect. It's annoying as a driver when driving behind a pack straddling the road chatting oblivious to me instead of moving into single file but equally when I'm cycling it's also annoying cars not giving me enough room I've almost been in a ditch on a few occasions I try now whenever possible to cycle offroad less aggro.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon May 15, 2017 1:02 am

You obviously need anger management... Attacking a driver threatening me,for having a point of view,when you were 'forced' into the empty lane you could have carried on cycling up to the first car in the queue and carried on your way.

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Mon May 15, 2017 1:09 am

shut up tim....you dont half talk some crap...it was nothing to do with points of view...it was sheer luck that nothing was on that inside lane and he was bang out of order....read this carefully...THERE WERE 4 CARS IN FRONT GOING NOWHERE yet he chose to barge through....is this too difficult for you to understand....
Jakubclaret ....I hate those groups of cyclists who do that....I go out on my own and take up minimum road space....most cyclists go out on their own....my suggestion is to have it out with the group on the spot....they are pathetic at times.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon May 15, 2017 1:23 am

Try and relax 'happy' it's for the best.your posts are very threatening in tone,just take a look at them.

Pearcey · Post by **Pearcey** » Mon May 15, 2017 6:39 am

I have been cycling for a few years now and would say I'm a considerate cyclist. I have had a lot of incidents with ignorant drivers. It's infuriating that these halfwits get away with it. Makes for some funny videos on YouTube though!

https://youtu.be/6fKof31u-2o" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Mon May 15, 2017 7:18 am

Driving standards have been poor for years.

The number of times I've almost stacked into the back of a car that has either stalled turning onto my road, coming off a roundabout etc is just getting stupid now.
Cars fail to keep up with the flow of traffic, poor indication, general lack of awareness of what's going on around them etc.

Some people clearly just drive and don't take any enjoyment from it and don't improve their basic skills either.

Roads are also poorly maintained so sometimes it isn't worth cycling on the road.
I use the pavements a lot when I'm cycling too and from work, much to the annoyance of the Police cyclists in Didcot.

The main road from my estate into Didcot is shocking, you can't stay about 1-2 feet away from the road because that's where the holes/dips are in the tarmac.
Too many lorries/Heavy vehicles and poor maintained roads = shocking cycling conditions.

TheFamilyCat · Post by **TheFamilyCat** » Mon May 15, 2017 7:28 am

Fortunately, for the number of miles I cycle I've had very few near misses.

One with an Audi driver, which I posted on the 'Audi Drivers' thread.

Another where a woman turned left in front of me without indicating.

conyoviejo · Post by **conyoviejo** » Mon May 15, 2017 7:55 am

Ive had a few problems with people who have just parked their car and opened their door without even looking to see if there is anything behind..tossers ...Always give parked cars a wide berth whenever possible now..

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Mon May 15, 2017 7:56 am

as Sydney rightly says, the edge of our roads with pot holes...grates that are fitted in line with a cyclists tyres etc are a menace to cyclists....I try to stay on the double yellow lines, that's how close I cycle to the kerb but on certain stretches of road thats impossible and weaving in and out of them is actually more dangerous than just going a bit wider in the road....main problems for me are town centres where lack of indicating and just rank bad driving is an everyday occurance....what people need to remember is that in the vast majority of accidents involving cyclists its the cyclist who is most likely to end up in hospital or worse. A cyclist, generally speaking is switched on to all situations...the pedestrian with their headphones on who cant hear you ring your bell....the dog, not on a lead that's running all over the place....the child ....and traffic all around him....sadly a minority of drivers are in their own world in their car....standards need to rise and as I said before I wouldn't mind if cyclists had to be insured on the roads....also, helmets should be compulsive....my helmet saved my life when I tee boned a car which jumped a red light.

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Mon May 15, 2017 8:10 am

oh and you are right tim...I do get angry when someone threatens my safety for no reason....I am one of the most laid back people you could imagine but enough is enough when it comes to people who think they can try and injure me for no good reason....that driver who I had my run in with will think twice next time....I shudder to think what the outcome would have been if it was a child in my place or perhaps a lady cyclist....I am damn sure if it was your child in my position you would have had something to say to that driver at least....remember he came away uninjured but a good deal wiser...the outcome for me was potentially a lot worse.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 8:29 am

Been lucky to be honest as take the kids to school on the bikes and do a fairly regular weekend longish one.

The only time I've got really annoyed was when we were cycling in single file into the village approaching the roundabout to turn right, I was at the back of my two kids when I indicated that we were turning right, looked behind me, made eye contact with the driver so I knew that she had seen me and then pulled into the middle of the road with the kids.

The daft bint decided to overtake us just then, just missing me and my kids and causing the women behind her to stop convinced that we'd all been plowed into. The woman who'd almost killed us then pulled up outside the shop by the roundabout to nip in for something.

I was waiting outside for her, and she got a lot of fluent anglo-saxon in which her response was "I thought you were overtaking".

Vast majority perfectly fine though, and as a cyclist and a driver I share the dislike of people who cycle on pavements. There really is no need.

Claretmatt4 · Post by **Claretmatt4** » Mon May 15, 2017 8:36 am

Cyclist helmets and cars should all be fitted with a cameras. They're cheap as anything these days and can be run off an app on your phone.

That when when the base happens drivers can be named and shamed. That will soon improve both cycling and driving standards.

Motorbikes are the biggest pain in my neck though. It appears the rules of the road don't apply to them for some reason.

minnieclaret · Post by **minnieclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 8:44 am

a couple of historic ones.
I was going up Manchester Rd, just above the station, and there were temporary lights on red. They changed I set off, a motorbike comes alongside and the pillion passenger gives me one hell of a push. I managed to stay but didn't get his number. The police would not have been involved.

In Rochdale, approaching a roundabout with two lanes. A woman flies up alongside me and forces me into the railings. She then has to stop and I have time to leave an enormous dent in her roof, fist sized. The stupid cow then turns right, she was in the wrong lane all the time.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Mon May 15, 2017 9:38 am

happyclaret17 wrote:oh and you are right tim...I do get angry when someone threatens my safety for no reason....I am one of the most laid back people you could imagine but enough is enough when it comes to people who think they can try and injure me for no good reason....that driver who I had my run in with will think twice next time....I shudder to think what the outcome would have been if it was a child in my place or perhaps a lady cyclist....I am damn sure if it was your child in my position you would have had something to say to that driver at least....remember he came away uninjured but a good deal wiser...the outcome for me was potentially a lot worse.

See post five.... I'm in agreement with you, I'm a long term cyclist and car driver.. I see a lot of your points. But your your posts contain lots of threats and name calling and rude comments. The road is full of angry car drivers it's a dangerous place for the cyclists full stop.. Weve all as cyclists had hairy moments on the road..and on the canal bank,it's a different type of situation ...your scowled at and people just don't want to move.it all takes the enjoyment out of it for me.happy cycling.utc

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 9:45 am

Yeah, everytime someone moves out of the way, or people apologise because they haven't heard the bell, or whatever, I'm always very polite and say "thank you".

It costs nothing, and it does annoy me when you see other cyclists doing Mach 1 on paths on which you really can't and then getting annoyed when people get in their way.

Politeness is key here!

AndrewJB · Post by **AndrewJB** » Mon May 15, 2017 10:58 am

I've cycled since I came to London eighteen years ago, and seen the infrastructure improve no end. Now they've apparently found hundreds of miles of cycle routes from the 1930s, so if they get that modernised it will be another big (and very cheap) improvement.

I've never understood the Car vs Bicycle thing. As people on here say there are a minority of knobs either behind the wheel, or on a bike that act as though they can do what they like, but the vast majority are good. The more people who cycle, the more room on the road for those who drive, so it's win-win. When you consider the reduction in pollution and health benefits, it's a no-brainer to encourage cycling. Of the people I've seen take it up for commuting, nearly all have continued through winter and some of have taken to doing it as a leisure activity. I drive as well, so speak from experience of both in saying arriving at work after cycling is significantly less stressful than driving (which in central London would be stupid anyway), or taking public transport.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Mon May 15, 2017 11:03 am

AndrewJB wrote:When you consider the reduction in pollution and health benefits, it's a no-brainer to encourage cycling. Of the people I've seen take it up for commuting, nearly all have continued through winter and some of have taken to doing it as a leisure activity. I drive as well, so speak from experience of both in saying arriving at work after cycling is significantly less stressful than driving (which in central London would be stupid anyway), or taking public transport.

I started cycling to work in February, it's 3.5 miles each way and plenty of hills....
I did it for health reasons, but I picked a good time apparently because the weather was shocking then and I'm so used to it now that it doesn't bother me.
It is less stressful too and the time it takes me to cycle the full distance to work is what it took me to walk half the distance when I used to get the bus in from town.

happyclaret17 · Post by **happyclaret17** » Mon May 15, 2017 11:12 am

I also cycle to and from work...unfortunately its only 2 1/2 miles round trip but I often go long way home at full speed....even though its not a lot of miles its surprising how much fitter in general you feel....mornings can be a lottery if drivers are half asleep but I try to use routes that avoid traffic as much as possible.
when you look at all the traffic with just 1 person in a car you cannot help but think that more people should try this....as Andrew jb says...if we had more cyclists and less cars everyone would win....

gawthorpe_view · Post by **gawthorpe_view** » Mon May 15, 2017 11:14 am

Avoid the cycle path / footpath on the old railway line in Padiham.
Loads of out of control dogs with attendant mess, kids running out in front of you, indifferent parents on all day drinking sessions.
Particularly bad on the section from Memorial Park to Victoria Road, chav central on a sunny day.

Corky · Post by **Corky** » Mon May 15, 2017 11:16 am

As a pedestrian in London I can only tell you that cyclists can be absolutely stupid. It's a wonder more are not killed or injured. And it is not a small minority.

Whether it is different in leafy Lancashire I can't say.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 11:16 am

Did three years 6 miles there and back on my bike.

Only bit of my day that I enjoyed!

dpinsussex · Post by **dpinsussex** » Mon May 15, 2017 11:19 am

Horse riders on mobile phones do my nut in
Just as dangerous as using in the car.

Wouldnt mind but have to slow down for the numpties too

dpinsussex · Post by **dpinsussex** » Mon May 15, 2017 11:19 am

Lancasterclaret wrote:
Only bit of my day that I enjoyed!

Was the pub ??

LeadBelly · Post by **LeadBelly** » Mon May 15, 2017 11:28 am

I got rid of my car 18 years ago and used a cycle as my main transport for 12/13 years until I retired; now I walk mostly.
I can see most points of view of drivers and cyclists and pedestrians. As a cyclist, my worst experiences were at roundabouts- especially from cars trying to turn left across me when I was going straight on or those coming onto a roundabout thinking "give way to traffic from the right" was only applicable to cars.
There are a lot of cyclists v drivers/ pedestrians v cyclist; drivers v cyclists etc conflicts written about but really it boils down to: most normal people v those who dont care enough about other road users (whatever mode of transport they use).
Pedestrians aren't always innocent parties either - see story in Mail (don't knock, I read 'em all)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... otage.html

Sutton-Claret · Post by **Sutton-Claret** » Mon May 15, 2017 11:53 am

I commute York to Shipley each day via the A59 - going through Huby / Otley / Menston. This route is also full of cyclists commuting. I'm also a cyclist (mainly off road mountain bikes) - I always give plenty of room for cyclists... as do most of the other commuters en route. Pretty much every morning I hit several slow moving traffic jams - had one last week that went on for about 4 miles.... eventually when I got to the front it was a cyclist... the ironic part was that printed on his lycra top was a symbol and some wording showing off the fact that he's saving the world by not using his car and cycling to work....... I wonder how much extra fuel everybody has to use to eventually get past him.

Pstotto · Post by **Pstotto** » Mon May 15, 2017 11:59 am

Sundays and bank holidays can be a danger from youfs all het-up and looking for trouble. Had a Range Rover car door opened on me in traffic to try and knock me off. Plenty of near misses with cars too close. People turning off and cutting me off a few times, but the near-death experience came in the mid-70's cycling back to Padiham after a Rovers match. I had my scarf on and some Rovers fans in a car tried to kill me, by wielding a hammer at me from the car window. If it had connected that would have been it. The Police stopped them further on.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Mon May 15, 2017 12:01 pm

gawthorpe_view wrote:Avoid the cycle path / footpath on the old railway line in Padiham.
Loads of out of control dogs with attendant mess, kids running out in front of you, indifferent parents on all day drinking sessions.
Particularly bad on the section from Memorial Park to Victoria Road, chav central on a sunny day.

the downside of it all. People work hard to create these areas for walkers and cyclists, great to see the old railway line being used for something beneficial. Inevitably the idiots and **** try to ruin it as soon as they can, it'll potentially put people off using it.
Looks good on paper, nice tarmac cycleways away from traffic, scenic wooded areas, but as usual with all these schemes, it becomes a magnet for *****.

aggi · Post by **aggi** » Mon May 15, 2017 12:25 pm

Jakubclaret wrote:Works both ways should be mutual respect. It's annoying as a driver when driving behind a pack straddling the road chatting oblivious to me instead of moving into single file but equally when I'm cycling it's also annoying cars not giving me enough room I've almost been in a ditch on a few occasions I try now whenever possible to cycle offroad less aggro.

There's a reason for not going into single file, it's generally more dangerous to overtake in that manner. If a group of cyclists are in single file, motorists will often assume they can overtake in places which are not safe and will not leave the cyclist enough room. Motorists should give cyclists the same amount of room they would give another car when overaking which means they should be on the other side of the road and would have to wait until there are no oncoming cars. Being in two files usually forces this scenario but riding in single file can lead the motorist to think they can overtake on the same side of the road if there are oncoming cars thus not giving the cyclist the correct amount of space.

Riding two abreast also allows the motorist to overtake the group of cyclists quicker as there is less distance between the front and rear of the group (about half). This means that the motorist is past the group in less time, spending less time on the other side of the road and along side the group of cyclists and therefore safer all round.

It's one of those things that drivers seem to get unreasonably angry about, being passed within inches at 40mph might seem fine if you're the one in the car but it's much less fun when you're cycling.

Firthy · Post by **Firthy** » Mon May 15, 2017 2:33 pm

Well over here we have narrow roads and cyclists riding 2 or 3 abreast is a pain in the butt, especially on an incline where they are doing about 2 mph with a long line of traffic behind them. Courtesy works both ways and there are as many ignorant and bad cyclists as there are drivers.

Anyway a nice thank you to the cyclists is to use your windscreen washers as you eventually pass them, cools them down a bit

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Mon May 15, 2017 2:50 pm

happyclaret17 wrote:A cyclist, generally speaking is switched on to all situations...the pedestrian with their headphones on who cant hear you ring your bell...

Using your bell to move a pedestrian out of the way is bad riding. A car driver shouldn't drive at cyclists sounding his horn to make the cyclist move; similarly, a cyclist shouldn't drive at pedestrians sounding a bell to make them move. If a pedestrian is in the way, you slow down until they're not in the way; you can even speak to them if you have to.

SalisburyClaret · Post by **SalisburyClaret** » Mon May 15, 2017 3:18 pm

I do my best to treat cyclists considerately, slowing down, leaving plenty of space etc- but it should work both ways

Cyclist trying to get from A to B - fine

Lycra clad halfwits who think it's ok to slow down all other road users and use the roads as their gym - not so fine, get to a velodrome.

bfccrazy · Post by **bfccrazy** » Mon May 15, 2017 3:50 pm

happyclaret17 wrote:great points cirrus
personally as a cyclist and business owner who pays tax on several vehicles I would welcome all us cyclists having to pay for insurance...perhaps 50 quid per year so that we could end all this rubbish about us cyclists not paying road tax etc...yesterday I had cycled to burnley and dropped down past the fire station..past turf moor and turned right at the lights...went past the princess royal where the pavement angles out intp the road, turning it into 1 lane before a left filter lane appears before the roundabout.
I cycled down the middle of the 2 lanes so that any cars/small vehicles could still pass me....I looked in my mirror and a luton van was approaching....I clocked him and he came alongside me forcing me into the left filter lane.....at this point I was just lucky nothing was coming up the left filter lane....I shouted " you f---ing w---er "..at which point he started blasting his horn....so I dropped my bike and tried his passenger door...it was open...I climbed inside and gripped him by the throat....he was mid 20s and asian...he looked petrified.....I explained the highway code to him whilst maintaining a healthy grip on his wind pipe....he saw my point eventually....the thing was though that there were 3 or 4 cars already waiting at the roundabout...he was going nowhere so why endanger my safety by trying to barge through ????? I hope this doesnt happen again but if it does I will do the same again without doubt.....I wouldnt dream of endangering someones life if driving my car or van...and niether should he.

Glad this has come to light as it was a family member of mine in that van who had some bad news and was en route to Blackburn Hospital.

Glad you've admitted all this as he has already approached the police with the incident.

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Mon May 15, 2017 4:07 pm

: cyclistp-e-n-i-s.jpg (51.3 KiB) Viewed 4358 times

CleggHall · Post by **CleggHall** » Mon May 15, 2017 4:33 pm

A pretty depressing thread this one #44 apart, not much goodwill or give and take in the battle between cyclists, motorists and pedestrians. Why do cyclists raise such anger? Is happy co-existence of cars and bikes on road space impossible?
Live and let live I say.

USC · Post by **USC** » Mon May 15, 2017 4:44 pm

happyclaret17 wrote:so I dropped my bike and tried his passenger door...it was open...I climbed inside and gripped him by the throat

Typical cyclist - always think they're above the law. I bet you jump red lights too.

Pstotto · Post by **Pstotto** » Mon May 15, 2017 5:02 pm

That cartoon is hilarious. I have a pair of shammy leather inners cycling lycra shorts from the 80's but I never wear them, as I quit long-distance cycling and they don't look necessarily right for a jaunt to the pub.

aggi · Post by **aggi** » Mon May 15, 2017 5:33 pm

USC wrote:Typical cyclist - always think they're above the law. I bet you jump red lights too.

Only 50% of car drivers think they're above the law so I guess that isn't as bad http://www.brake.org.uk/media-centre/17 ... 0mph-areas" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

LordBob · Post by **LordBob** » Mon May 15, 2017 5:44 pm

Last year I did 1005 miles in my van and 8000 on my bikes we all have tales of bad drivers but I honestly believe the majority of motorists are thoughtful and caring the problem is they sometimes have very little road to use. My biggest gripe is when I'm on my mountain bike on tracks that clearly states which national cycle route the track is and walkers, often with unleashed dogs, say " you shouldn't be on here" unbelievable some people.

Claretnick · Post by **Claretnick** » Mon May 15, 2017 5:48 pm

For the sake of clarity Rule 66 in the Highway Code states when a group of cyclists should ride in single file.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway ... s-59-to-82" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;