Drivers' Atttitudes
ladybee
Posts: 34
So, after years of struggling about with my one-bike-does-all cheapo hybrid, I just got myself a road machine (a Scott Addict), only to take it out and be treated like the scum of the roads by car drivers!
I've done an awful lot of biking on the roads on my hybrid, and on a mountain bike, but never have I ever had so many idiots overtake aggressively, beep, keep less distance, and just generally be right tits.
Was this just bad luck or has anybody else found drivers treat people on a road bike differently? I didn't realise my new bike came with a Please run me over now invisible sign...
(in positive news it was a bloody awesome ride, i'm still buzzing from it
)
I've done an awful lot of biking on the roads on my hybrid, and on a mountain bike, but never have I ever had so many idiots overtake aggressively, beep, keep less distance, and just generally be right tits.
Was this just bad luck or has anybody else found drivers treat people on a road bike differently? I didn't realise my new bike came with a Please run me over now invisible sign...
(in positive news it was a bloody awesome ride, i'm still buzzing from it
) 0
Posts
I don't let drivers overtake usually. If they want to get past, they have to wait until the opposing lane is free, unless there are special circumstances such as when going uphil, or if I know there's a good and safe overtaking opportunity approaching. When I was a beginner, I got sick of drivers after a couple of weeks of it, so only use the right-hand half of the lane now. Not had any trouble for about a year.
Also, if you've got a "head down, in pain, trying to go fast" look, they'll usually give you a bit more space than normal.
Take a strong secondary position for general riding so that you are visible and cars need to make a positive move to overtake you rather than just fly by.
Take primary position (ie the middle of the road) when needed ie pinch points etc.
Be courteous to drivers and treat them with respect and the majority will respond in kind.
Be as assertive as you need to be but don't seek confrontation (like by riding on the right hand side of the road).
who are aggressive toward all other vehicles on the road. They just have road rage in them no matter what you drive or ride. Nothing really personal. It's just that, to them, EVERYONE else out there is an *sshole.
Why not? I've not had any issues in ages. When there IS an issue with a stupid driver, you have to be confrontational, otherwise drivers just take the pi55 - outweighing how much you would be taking the pi55 by riding in the middle of the road.
Drivers can kill you, but you can't kill drivers, so there's a massive difference between you being confrontational and them being a menace and sqeezing past. If your life is at stake, why risk it?
I assume ladybee is a lady, therefore less likely to go toe to toe with a toss pot driver!
Just keep your head when being hassled, keep to your line and don't be intimidated.
You'll still come across the odd t1t...
I'll probably tempt fait now, but, I have only come across one idiot in the last two-three years
True. I mean, SOMETIMES you have to be confrontational, like if the guy behind is not leaving enough stopping distance, or is beeping at you, etc... Of course, I wouldn't go out there putting two fingers up at every driver I see.
I don't see riding on the second half of the lane as aggressive/confrontational but some cyclists do. This is where opinion takes over and there's no right answer.
Can of worms closed.
Everyone is going to have their own opinion on it. However, I think everyone will agree that a key point is not ride right up against the kerb, and to ride at least in the secondary position. You need to leave yourself somewhere to go if a motorist passes too close to you.
Personally, I try and take a courteous but assertive approach to my riding.
I also find that making eye-contact with motorists (especially in urban areas) helps.
All that aside, some motorists are just d*cks.
I assume most don't notice/care.
I always ride about about 2ft from the edge of the road. On the A4 near Newbury, this means 2ft from the white line on the left. This line indicates the edge of the carriageway, and the road is sh*t on the wrong side of it.
I also carry a full length frame pump under the top tube. This is handy when you get the proper idiots who decide they're going to stop and have a go at you. It's only happened once to me, but he cut short his advance when he saw me brandishing said frame pump like a bat
Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4XxCZagAjk
good shot though !
Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved
I'm sure that's not the only research I've read about, but I can't be bothered to go searching just now - anyone got any links?
Is this what you're on about? http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/s ... ioncode=26
"This study shows that when drivers overtake a cyclist, the margin for error they leave is affected by the cyclist's appearance. The effect of appearance was found to be even more important when Dr Walker donned a blonde wig. Drivers gave him an additional 14 cm when they thought he was female"
Interesting! There's a link at the bottom of the times page too, looks like there's been a lot of research done on it. I like the idea that I looked "serious"
I have hair with ginger tendancies (it's strawberry blonde I tell yah) and (so far) have only met courteous drivers. Its either something to do with cycling in the country or drivers figuring I have had enough bad luck in my life already
I only have road bikes, so I can't comment on that bit!
I ride in a semi-defensive way, try to keep a visible position, not get in the way and always give a wave of thanks if I feel someone has waited a while to get past.
Not all drivers are numptys, and there are also numptys on bikes.
Giving it Large
Most drivers here are very courteous and allow plenty of room; indeed, while I was out on Sunday there were at least three occasions during my 2-hour ride when drivers waited patiently behind me because they could see the road ahead was twisty and potholed and therefore not great to be overtaken. I of course reciprocated by waving them past at the earliest opportunity and also giving them a thumbs-up to show my appreciation. Riding assertively yet with consideration and courtesy to other road users works well most of the time - of course, there's always the odd [email protected]
Expensive, but not as much as your life!
The isntances of cars flying past me not caring how close they were has decreased drymatically, but on the flip side, the instances of cars passing me with a wide birth and almost hitting on coming traffic has increased dramatically as well. i.e. tonight over 33 miles, 3 isntances of idiots doing this on corners and a summit. Purely on a selfish point, would prefer the car hits another car than me
MTB - Trek Fuel 80
TT - Echelon
http://www.rossonwye.cyclists.co.uk/