Why So Different? I mean, really.....WHY???

MountainMonster

PhilofCas wrote:

Isn't it a bit deeper than 'cyclists versus car drivers', I think it's more like 'good people versus wankers', we must have a greater ratio of wankers than the rest of Europe.

No offense to the british, but the general perception of them on my behalf is one of wankerism.

In no other country in the world have I witnessed such a high percentage of self righteous idiots parading the streets. So many people in shops are a-holes, and the general driving attitude of me first, fark everyone else is downright retarded. It's terrrible since Cambridge is one of the biggest cycling cities in the U.K. and even there, noone stops to let anyone out, or cross the road. Only ever worried about themselves.

gaddster

Yes yes yes!! Finally someone has said it...

So very true, and nicely put.

PhilofCas

MountainMonster wrote:

PhilofCas wrote:

Isn't it a bit deeper than 'cyclists versus car drivers', I think it's more like 'good people versus wankers', we must have a greater ratio of wankers than the rest of Europe.

No offense to the british, but the general perception of them on my behalf is one of wankerism.

In no other country in the world have I witnessed such a high percentage of self righteous idiots parading the streets. So many people in shops are a-holes, and the general driving attitude of me first, fark everyone else is downright retarded. It's terrrible since Cambridge is one of the biggest cycling cities in the U.K. and even there, noone stops to let anyone out, or cross the road. Only ever worried about themselves.

I wouldn't have apologised for possibly offending anyone, the people you describe should be ashamed of themselves, I think you are absolutely correct in your summary, well said.

CyclingBantam

PhilofCas wrote:

MountainMonster wrote:

PhilofCas wrote:

Isn't it a bit deeper than 'cyclists versus car drivers', I think it's more like 'good people versus wankers', we must have a greater ratio of wankers than the rest of Europe.

No offense to the british, but the general perception of them on my behalf is one of wankerism.

In no other country in the world have I witnessed such a high percentage of self righteous idiots parading the streets. So many people in shops are a-holes, and the general driving attitude of me first, fark everyone else is downright retarded. It's terrrible since Cambridge is one of the biggest cycling cities in the U.K. and even there, noone stops to let anyone out, or cross the road. Only ever worried about themselves.

I wouldn't have apologised for possibly offending anyone, the people you describe should be ashamed of themselves, I think you are absolutely correct in your summary, well said.

+1 I often think it might be just me who thinks like this!

APIII

Have I just stumbled onto the Daily Mail forum? Jesus

sascos

Jesus mentioned x2 so far...what`s he got to do with it?

MountainMonster

sascos wrote:

Jesus mentioned x2 so far...what`s he got to do with it?

He birthed the barstewards.

StillGoing

I think it's a combination of the fact the tours are very popular on the continent so a lot of respect is given to all cyclists, but also because of the liability laws. As a consequence they avoid hitting cyclists rather than the British attitude of the insurance will cough up if I hurst them too badly. A few substantial compo awards and punishments should reset the balance.

GyatsoLa

I've two theories:

1. It comes down to road design. In the UK, for decades there has been a tendency to overengineer roads to make them safe. This has had the paradoxical impact of turning people into lousy drivers - they simply aren't aware of things like passing differences in the same way as someone who has learned to drive in haphazard medieval towns or on country roads with lots of dangerous turns. Its something I've noticed about UK and American drivers in particular that they seem to be less aware of passing distances on the passenger side. I drive a lot in both Irish and British rural roads - I always feel I'm technically a better driver after a few days in Ireland as you have to be more aware or you'll end up chunks off your car if you don't.

2. Perception of cyclists. I was riding in Mid-West States in the US last year and quite a few local riders told me there had been a huge improvement in recent years, which they put down to the 'Lance effect'. Cyclists had turned in some peoples eyes from 'skinny panted faggots' to 'cool athletes', and so were accorded more respect on the roads, simple as that. So maybe Britain needs Cav or Wiggins to actually win something big.

I don't think, btw, that the lower population density in France is a reason - there are very low population densities in Australia and New Zealand, all this does is encourage very fast and careless driving as rural drivers simply aren't used to encountering anything on the roads.

mattward1979

My sister lives out in Rural france, and one of the first things she commented on was the massive population of Cyclists out on the roads pretty much every day...

In England, yes we are treated as the red headed stepchild "stealing" the tax paying car owners roads (total wankers) yet on the continent, people are so used to it, and dont have such a total disregard for everyone around them, so adding 5 seconds to their journey to make sure overtaking a cyclist is safe is not a problem.

I suggest that each cyclist in the country gets to kick a chav in the bollocks each time we are cut up, overtaken with CM to spare, or have a dumb slag turn left over you while on her poxy mobile fecking phone...

dirty*sanchez

gaddster wrote:

Yes yes yes!! Finally someone has said it...

So very true, and nicely put.

+1......... the standard of driving is awful (and I thought the spanish were wreckless!).

kieranb

The problem with France, is too many UK drivers there during the holiday season, especially August, so the main roads don't seem too different to here (at least they used to stay on the main roads - maybe with satnav UK drivers will start venturing into the quieter French countryside?)

denzzz28

I wish driving standards agency (DSA) put cycling course a part of the vehicle licensing exam so they can be more aware on how a cyclist feel when they are brushed by a side mirror. but this will be no more than a fantasy or a crazy idea.