Why are drivers so mean to us cyclists?

Question

i cycle everyday and they hassle me non stop

Answer 1

maybe cuz a lot of drivers don't like the way most cyclists ignore the highway code like traffic lights, junctions, riding up the inside when we're turning, Then blaming the motorist when they shouldn't be so dumb,

every day i have some idiot on a cycle on the inside or jump the lights, what they should remember is yes they are little and can get through, in reality they have no idea just how much danger they put themselves in, if a cyclist runs the traffic lights across the front of me they may think they can get away with it but they weigh about 12 stones my coach is 15 ton's,

coach wins battle,

but i would be in the poo and lose my licence cuz of some idiot ,

they should all be licenced to ride, have to pay a road fund licence (tax) and insured

thumbs down time

Answer 2

Because....

You cycle on the path, then the road then the path again (around red lights), you wobble, you weave in and out of traffic, you sneer at us with an air of dumb superiority, you bump our doors and door mirrors and chain your bikes up in stupid places. You spit and drop litter (yes... I have witnessed this) you have no bloody brake lights and no indicators, you never give hand signals pay bugger all tax and STILL think you own the road.

WHY are you riding mountain bikes through london ? I've never seen the Alps of Islington, or the Matterhorn of Hornsey. Why are you riding a recumbant near  friggin' bus ? Have you actually got a death wish ? Why are you BMXing in a multi story CARpark ?

We hassle you because you deserve it.

Answer 3

I tend to believe what confused wrote. There are a lot of plain bad drivers. Drivers that have poor road manners whether it be bikes, trucks, busses or cars. They tailgate, swerve in and out of lanes, speed and cut people off. Being on a bike makes it even easier to be rude as they can bully a cyclist more so than someone their own size.

Answer 4

On main roads sometimes it can be quiet dangerous and slow. Also cyclists have special lanes and can go through loads of places cars can't.

Answer 5

because

you think red lights dont apply to you

you never pedal in a straight line you always wobble outwards TOWARDS US DRIVERS

if theres more thn one of you you ride alongside each other blocking the road

you cycle well wide of the left stopping us from going round you safely

do you need another reason!!!

Answer 6

As both a cyclist and a driver I have to say more often than not cyclists are bearing the frustration of drivers with arrogant, thoughtless or downright stupid cyclists.

In over 25 years of road riding in town and country, and in several different countries (US, Canada, Australia and NZ) I have only twice seen intentional bad behavior by drivers (once a passenger in a car threw a piece of watermelon at a group of us riding a disciplined double paceline in the country (the driver actually had to slow and wait to pass for about half a kilometer!), and I once saw a driver intentionally try to scare a cyclist by passing and swerving in front of her). I have seen thoughtless behavior more frequently (usually, turning in front of a cyclist after passing). To balance that I have many times benefited from courteous drivers who wait while a group of riders get up a hill, wave cyclists through at intersections, stop and offer rides to cyclists broken down by the road, etc)

On the other hand I have seen many, many examples of bad behavior by cyclists (not respecting red lights/stop signs, wrong way on one way streets, riding on sidewalks and "buzzing" pedestrians, blocking traffic by riding several abreast, riding up the right side of cars, turning across several lanes without any signals, etc).

I won't pretend there are not bad, impatient and discourteous drivers out there -- and there are too many who don't acknowledge that cyclists have a right to be on the road -- but in my experience cyclists who ride according to the traffic laws and act predictably (according to car rules) rarely have trouble with drivers. When they do it's (in my opinion) probably because they are being a bad cyclist or have encountered a driver who has just had an encounter with a bad cyclist.

I'm not perfect (I don't always come to a full stop at stop signs in suburbs or the country, and I admit to riding (slowly) up the right side of cars stopped at lights), but I generally try to respect traffic rules. I have got into numerous arguments with cyclists while I'm out on rides about stupid moves on their part (usually not stopping at lights or stop signs in the city), using the argument that all cyclists suffer because of their bad behavior.

So, if you are a good cyclist and get hassled regularly I can only say it is unusual in my experience. On the other hand if you are an unpredictable, discourteous or unlawful rider you are simply seeing the frustration of drivers ... and sooner or later it may cause you a problem.

Answer 7

the only ones i have a problem with are the ones that think red lights dont apply to them

Answer 8

Because SOME drivers are ignorant of other road users and think the road belongs to them.

However, some cyclists also belong in this cateogory and are ignornant also.  

I am always careful of cyclists on the road because my husband is a cyclist.

It is all about common courtesy to each other.

Answer 9

ok point taken!

Answer 10

Driving gives people a sense of false anonymity.  If someone bumps into you in the street, you generally apologise to each other, smile and think nothing of it.  When cocooned inside a car, we dont get to use all the normal social signals and stuff so we're effectively anonymous.  Much like internet messageboards, this anonymity for some reason brings out the worst in people.  I suppose its becuase they will never have to come face to face with the people they're being rude to socially.

Thats what I think anyhow

Answer 11

As a driver, it can be very difficult to judge the amount of room needed for a cyclist without straying into the path of oncoming vehilces. Having said that, I have never shown any (outwardly audible) aggression to a cyclist and feel that cycle lanes could be vastly improved in the Midlands.

Answer 12

I'm very considerate to cyclists when driving, but if y'all could just indicate once in a while that would be helpful.

Ta

Answer 13

I dont have a problem with them

Answer 14

I don't mind cyclists. But what is annoying is when there are 2 of you or more, who cycle alongside eachother, that's frustrating, and I believe against the Highway code- for you bike riders.