Is it a good idea to berate bad cyclists?

el_presidente
el_presidente Posts: 1,963
edited November 2008 in Commuting chat
I saw a really bad RLJing episode yesterday from a bloke who had decent kit & should know better. I was really tempted to have a word but bottled it. Was I right? There seems to be so much antagonism about maybe it's time to start being part of the solution. I have been shouting "LIGHTS" at everyone I overtake without lights though I admit I did make an exception for a big angry-looking guy the other night 8)
<a>road</a>

Comments

  • linsen
    linsen Posts: 1,959
    The only bad cycling I berate on a regular basis is my children's.
    If someone is on the path cycling towards me I make sure I take up as much room as possible so it is difficult for them.
    Obviously I'm walking then, not cycling on the path myself :roll:
    Emerging from under a big black cloud. All help welcome
  • zanes
    zanes Posts: 563
    I've just given up "advising" other cyclists around here, far too many violations. Unfortunately it's got to the point where I don't really care as long as the inevitable accident doesn't involve me or anyone I know. That's sad, I think.
  • toontra
    toontra Posts: 1,160
    When I see particularly bad cycling and I'm in the mood I'll give them a word, no matter their size/shape/sex. They are usually surprised that another cyclist is bothered to complain.

    BTW I've never been threatened with violence!

    a serious case of small cogs
  • Porgy
    Porgy Posts: 4,525
    I see too many bad cyclists - I don't have time.

    I do react when I see something so stupid that it astounds me, as long has it hasn;t struck me completely dumb.
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    Have been tempted many a time, but I'm not the police. However, if a video disk should find its way to the local police station along with other "documents" then its not my fault if the pillock in question gets a knock at his or her door by plod. :wink:
  • jeffhope
    jeffhope Posts: 8
    Poll missed a button saying something like:

    " No, because why the 'ell would I think, me *berating* someone doing something in a way I disapproved of, is going to make them change their behaviour?"

    It never seemed to work with car drivers anyway!
    (But did used to make me feel better ;-)
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    Yeah, life's too short.

    I'll very occasionally try a "public service" comment, but its generally useless. For example, the other day I was filtering (on the left) with a guy. Its an odd road that is nice and wide, but sweeps to the right, so all thr drivers sit pretty much on the white line so its best to be on the left.

    But, it straightens and then there are a couple of left turns. I switch to the outside there, or stop filtering. I followed a guy there and watched as he was nearly left hooked, by a driver who was indicating for ages. When he popped out the other side, I said "Good to see you, thought you were going to get left hooked" and he said, "Erm, uh" or something like that. At the next lights he obliviously went through the red lights, hopped onto the pavement, turned the corner, dropped down to the road again and pootled off.

    I had to count to 10.
  • chromehoof
    chromehoof Posts: 79
    I've reacted about twice ever. Once was to a bloke on his phone who was crossing a lane and nearly crashed into me.

    I don't think berating anyone down (or on the same rung of) the food chain is productive. Its better to save that energy for those up the chain (motorists basically).
  • salsarider79
    salsarider79 Posts: 828
    It can be very hard to tell someone else that you think they are doing something wrong, as we may do the self same things sometimes. I'm saying any of you do stupid things, just pointing out.

    "He who casts the first stone..."
    jedster wrote:
    Just off to contemplate my own mortality and inevitable descent into decrepedness.
    FCN 3 or 4 on road depending on clothing
    FCN 8 off road because I'm too old to go racing around.
  • always_tyred
    always_tyred Posts: 4,965
    salsarider79 wrote:
    It can be very hard to tell someone else that you think they are doing something wrong, as we may do the self same things sometimes. I'm saying any of you do stupid things, just pointing out.

    "He who casts the first stone..."
    Are you saying I do stupid things?
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    why berate why not mention it politly?

    you rlj'ing doesn't make you faster and gives us all a bad name... not to mention being dangerous
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • boybiker
    boybiker Posts: 531
    I don't berate anyone I did have a guy belting down the pavement towards me on his MTB the other day, clearly looking for trouble so i made sure I gave him a bit of a shove as he went past, sadly he didn't come off and break his moron head open. :cry:
    The gear changing, helmet wearing fule.
    FCN :- -1
    Given up waiting for Fast as Fupp to start stalking me
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    boybiker wrote:
    I don't berate anyone I did have a guy belting down the pavement towards me on his MTB the other day, clearly looking for trouble so i made sure I gave him a bit of a shove as he went past, sadly he didn't come off and break his moron head open. :cry:


    Erm, whole world of overreaction? How is that a better solution than telling him to get off the pavement?

    I kind of hope you're joking... :shock:
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    Hypothetically:

    Your perception of problem is simply not my problem. I would not be rude enough to comment on your riding or presume to be better than you......And you don't know said comment victims history, bad day at work, very tired, trying to get home quick for sick kid/puppy or simply needs a pee.....Commenting just winds people up and ultimately will probably end in the commentor being knocked out by the likes of me.......And it makes the commentor look like a right know-it-all twat....something I really hate.
  • ansbaradigeidfran
    ansbaradigeidfran Posts: 526
    I'll berate people for obvious things like not having lights, and that's it.
  • dirk_van_gently
    dirk_van_gently Posts: 826
    I've voted yes, however I am diplomatic about it.
    If it's someone with no lights, then I politely point out
    "your lights are not working mate"
    even if they clearly have none.
    Although I almost never see any RLJers, I think I would offer a similar approach, like "phew that was close".
    Saw a bozo this morning, no lights, and full camoflage fatigues, and of course riding in the gutter!! I used "your lights are not working mate", and he looked very embarrassed, as I went the opposite way looking like a Christmas tree :-)
    If you see the candle as flame, the meal is already cooked.
    Photography, Google Earth, Route 30
  • gradiric
    gradiric Posts: 89
    I usually save my 'advice' for the inconsiderates whose actions put me in more danger (eg cyclist coming out of turning without looking) or for the hypocrites that berate other road users for an offence then commit exactly the same act...(eg cyclist shouting at car RLJer before going through red himself). But I usually avoid passing on my opinion to hoods weaving slowly all over the road on jump bikes - I think they know what they're doing and it ain't worth the risk...
    Time VRS Pro-Team 08 – weekend steed
    Condor Moda - commute
    Scott something or other - manky old MTB
  • Littigator
    Littigator Posts: 1,262
    I only berate other people for misdemeanours when I'm cycling home hammered...a quick yell of

    "Yaaaf*ckingerrofyab*stud...yerr my besmate!" usually does it a treat....
    Roadie FCN: 3

    Fixed FCN: 6
  • Sewinman
    Sewinman Posts: 2,131
    Littigator wrote:
    I only berate other people for misdemeanours when I'm cycling home hammered...a quick yell of

    "Yaaaf*ckingerrofyab*stud...yerr my besmate!" usually does it a treat....

    :D V good :lol:
  • Stewie Griffin
    Stewie Griffin Posts: 4,330
    The Police dont do anything about riding on the pavement or without lights where I live. Then again its all "hoodies" on squeaky full sus MTB's so they are probably afraid of being stabbed and left in the gutter.
  • Nick6891
    Nick6891 Posts: 274
    I dont see too many when i am on my commute, but when im around the city centre or in some estates i see loads of them, but i never bother saying anything, are they really going to listen?
  • toshmund
    toshmund Posts: 390
    They are probably glad you actually noticed them and acknowledged their existence. Possibly the same muppets who post the "Ooooh someone rode past and did not wave at me, like I was a long lost friend!?" I don't berate people, life is too short and precious to be dealing with muppets all of the time. If their actions effect me, I won't compensate for them - if that causes them offence, fair play - bring it on mate.
  • chuckcork
    chuckcork Posts: 1,471
    I only have at go at other cyclists if they've done something stupid that has affected me, like the woman who did a motorist thing and turned left across me at an intersection without so much as a glance in my direction forcing me to stop o avoid a collision; or the bloke I was going around with a good margin to spare who then decided without a backward glance that he wanted to turn left, or the child who was playing with his BMX so did a sudden jump out into the road leaving me to emergency brake with only a few feet to spare.

    Otherwise let the fools kill themsleves.

    In all honesty, if they're not serious enough about cycling that they think about equipment, consequences of running red lights etc then we're all better off with them eventually removing themselves from the gene pool.
    'Twas Mulga Bill, from Eaglehawk, that caught the cycling craze....
  • NWLondoner
    NWLondoner Posts: 2,047
    To be honest if i were to berate EVERY bad cyclist i see i would have no voice left :shock:

    Again last Wednesday night i was amazed at the number of RLJ cyclists.!!!

    I won't go into a rant about the number i saw riding on the busy city roads with NO lights!!!
  • number9
    number9 Posts: 440
    I told a bloke off for riding over a zebra making a ped jump back.

    "Sorry!"

    he said when I caught up with him:

    "No brakes!"

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