What would stop drivers from getting angry with cyclists? 🚗

@MarkPhilp1970

4 ай бұрын

Better driver education.

@billkallas1762

4 ай бұрын

Most drivers would prefer cyclists being banned from riding on the roads. They will say something silly, like wishing that we should ride on the sidewalks.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

@@MarkPhilp1970 This is such a good point! Should there be specific training involved when riding around cyclists?

@con2719

4 ай бұрын

Cycling in single file on small two lane roads, the way we always did as a kids. We make sure we still do now in our groups, there are some entitled assholes that are cyclists too.. Unfortunately..

@AmvC

4 ай бұрын

That's easy. Ban cars from cities, make muscle-assisted transport #1 and public transport #2 - thereby shifting the massive burden away from the plebs. Calm plebs = less angriness and less cars for some = more space for everyone. (plebs = those with less than 35 million € income/stealing annually).

One thing we forget when we say that some motorists hate all cyclists. Those same motorists also likely hate the other motorists as well.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

Very true! There are bad people in every camp

@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe

4 ай бұрын

Whats the point of the vdeo then?​@gcn

@GeekonaBike

4 ай бұрын

as we as hate themselves no doubt :/

@chrisdavidson911

4 ай бұрын

@@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe general mild "road rage" of people who simply don't want anything to be in front of them and for every traffic light to be green just for them, isn't the same as the specific way in which cyclists encounter it as an "us and them" style of event.

@joerenner8334

4 ай бұрын

They hate themselves

As a civil engineer, just popping in to say that the relative amount of damage that a bike does to the road versus a car or tractor trailer is vanishingly small. If only bikes used the roads, the cost of maintenance would be greatly reduced. Even if bikes were charged taxes to help maintain roadways, they should be prorated based on the proportion of road maintenance needed due to the damage caused be different vehicles.

@stevec6232

4 ай бұрын

Even a car relative to lorry are surely quite low damage? I assume heavy suvs and lorries cause most of the road damage?

@arnoldhau1

4 ай бұрын

@@stevec6232 Yes but then imagine the amount of damage a bike does...

@ColinSmith2001

4 ай бұрын

@@stevec6232 It's the forth power of the weight, so a steep curve, but as a rule of thumb 1 car does the same damage as 10,000 bikes, 1 HGV does the same damage as 10,000 car. The bikes probably don't do any damage at all, as they'd make too little deflection in the surface, but there you go.

@davedixon2068

4 ай бұрын

"If only bikes used the roads cost of maintenance would be reduced" TRUE ! BUT we would all die of malnutrition because most food is delivered by HGV's

@JFat5158

4 ай бұрын

​@@davedixon2068yes that's true because no one would even lift a finger to figure out an alternative... 😂

I had a conversation with a motorist after they’d calmed down from ranting at me. They were really upset that I wasn’t hugging the kerb and that I kept “swerving” out from the hedge! I was on a narrow country B road. When I explained that the swerving was to avoid potholes, cracks in the road and general lumps of country organic matter that was at the edge of the road I could see the sudden light bulb go on. I asked them if potholes were a problem for them and if they needed to swerve occasionally for bad potholes. The anger really dissipated after that conversation.

@johannarobertson1114

4 ай бұрын

I'm not sure it's possible to get the message across to everyone who needs to hear it, but I think some kind of general education programme on why cyclists don't like to, and shouldn't, hug the kerb reduce a lot of the anger we see. Some will still be frustrated that we exist for all kinds of reasons, but if the starting point for many drivers is to routinely see cyclists behave in a way they assume to be selfish, then it is inevitable they will see everything else we do through that lens. There's more that could be added to help drivers understand why cyclists are being sensible, not selfish by doing x, y, or z. But simply having most understand why we don't hug the kerb would go a long way to improving relations.

@HeliosFish

3 ай бұрын

That's a good common ground. I think as motorists and cyclists the one common antagonist we can all empathize over is potholes.

Whenever someone honks at me when I'm cycling eventhough I'm already at the very side of the road, I just think that they're mad because you're physically fit and they aren't.... It's just pure jealousy! 😂

@aboomination897

4 ай бұрын

They're mad cause they need that car to get to that bullshit job that barely pays enough to pay for and maintain the car.

@JonCannings

4 ай бұрын

Healthy body is a healthy mind!

@yukiko_5051

4 ай бұрын

They're envious you have the money and the time to spend for cycling, while they're stuck on boring job with low wages

@out_spocken

4 ай бұрын

I blow them kisses and wave

@out_spocken

4 ай бұрын

@@yukiko_5051 mate...plenty of rich people do the same. tradies (at least in australia that are on 6 figures), BMW's and Mercs etc. Arrogance and entitlement aren't limited to how much you take home

Correct Simon, road upkeep is from central taxation. Even pedestrians that don’t own a vehicle pay for the road upkeep.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

The road his here to share 🙌 This goes for all road users!

@BigglesMeister

4 ай бұрын

Actually, it's a mix. County Councils pay for the roads we cycle on so local road funding comes from Council tax and the Highways Agency pays for the Motorways and major A roads. For example: www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/what-we-look-after/roads/road-and-pavement-planned-maintenance

@simonrichardson7808

4 ай бұрын

@@gcn UK VED is "non-hypothecated tax" so that the money raised isn't ringfenced for any particular use and anything spent on the roads just comes from the same big pot of general taxation & govt borrowing as everything else......

@aaronpike1853

4 ай бұрын

Another thing to keep in mind is that nearly all the cost of a road (after initial install, anyway) is in repairing the damage caused by vehicles. Bicycles do not cause damage to the road, so there have been tax plans suggested that would go off of vehicle weight.

@alexanderh2715

4 ай бұрын

In Germany it's different but it also does not make sense to tax cyclist for road usage since it's negligible. I roughly remember that in uni it was said its weight of the axle^3. Therefore a lorry is so much worse than a car.

I'm just a commuter, but I do notice I get more space and "respect" from drivers when I've got my lights on. I don't know if that's because I'm suddenly a "vehicle" or something in their eyes, but I definately don't hesitate to turn them on on rainy and dim days.

@SuperRat420

4 ай бұрын

The flipside tho is drivers drunk tailing you focusing on the light, or people looking to harassas you. The correct light situatuion is always up to the cyclist in the moment. More often than not it is much safer to remain unseen

@out_spocken

4 ай бұрын

@StickWarrior "The correct light situatuion is always up to the cyclist in the moment. More often than not it is much safer to remain unseen" This has got to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard a cyclist say...or person. There is no time as a cyclist on a road that it is better to be unseen. EVER! The issue isn't just being unseen and not noticed but drivers not registering you are there. There's countless studies that have been done to show this very issue...the great invisible gorilla test for one (google it mate). Unbelievable. Even as a car driver you don't want to ever not be seen lol Being in a blind spot of a truck can be deadly in a car...and you'r suggesting cyclists aim to be as unseen as possible . FML mate

@willmo1725

4 ай бұрын

Yes I agree. I use lights, most of us do. I think a head light set to flash, really gets attention. The signs in front of you flash and my flashing rear light does the same.

@paulthomas3035

4 ай бұрын

Messaging from Canada I totally agree. I always get more respect with lights on, I think they assume I am a pro or semi pro rider. Mind you, this applies much more to rural and suburban roads. Urban roads are still chock full of car commuters that hate anything that slows them at all!

@dr_taka

4 ай бұрын

I have See Sense light front Beam+ and rear ICON3 even during daytime commuting in Australia. I also have a Varia running on all bikes (one varia and many brackets 😄)

I changed a few things in my behavior and ever since then I had no arguments with other drivers and saw more smiles and had frequent "go aheads" when I had no right of way. I do not longer use mirrored lenses this makes the connection towards other drivers human instead of a car vs cyclist situation, photochromatic lenses are ideal in any situation really. I ride in a defensive way and this changes completely the impression you make on the bike. I obey the rules and I care to always be a able to stop in time when in city-limits. Of course I still make mistakes but I then apologize and mostly this is appreciated and we both go on with a smile instead of a grim face. This way cycling brings a huge amount of joy and no stress, highly recommend it!

@DB-sj8km

3 ай бұрын

I think many bad interactions (not all) can be avoided if cyclists act in a courteous way. Most times in winding roads I will motion the car forward when the road is clear but they can’t see from their point. Prizm road lenses for me, but if changing sunglasses works for you then all power to you :)

@ihbcsomerset6966

3 ай бұрын

Exactly, spot on!

@marklink26

3 ай бұрын

This sounds like ChatGPT

@bobzuidema3560

3 ай бұрын

@@marklink26 Thanks for the compliment buddy, it isn't...

@davidr1431

3 ай бұрын

Well said, although when i suggested, in reply to another commenter who spoke of the value of eye contact, that mirrored glasses inhibit this, I was accused of blaming the victim.

One thing that bugs me is drivers who pull right up to the kerb to prevent me from filtering past. The worst are the ones who have already stopped, but do an extra kerb blocking manoeuvre when they see me coming. I just go around and pass on the other side, but they're probably the same people who complain about cyclists weaving through traffic.

@PP-cm4re

4 ай бұрын

I hate this as well. They overtake me right before joining the back of a queue. Then position their near side wheels tight to the kerb to stop me filtering. Like you said, I just pass on the other side and laugh at them as I pass like “what was the point”. 😂

@TheNightmoves

4 ай бұрын

As both a driver and a cyclist, I always wait in line. I know that drivers hate passing me, so why would I make them do it twice?

@blake-gl4wn

4 ай бұрын

I kinda love it. I just wait and appreciate the attention. It’s not often people are so emotional due to my presence. 😅

@PP-cm4re

4 ай бұрын

@@TheNightmoves I agree with that. If they’ve already passed you, there’s no point filtering because they’re only going to have to pass you again. I do still filter though if there is a long queue of cars otherwise I would be there all day lol.

@PRH123

Ай бұрын

​@@TheNightmoves you really don't need to do that... in fact in cities like London you are supposed to go ahead of cars at the light, there is a special zone for bikes there painted on the asphalt... It's safer that way... In cities due to traffic most likely you will pass those cars and never see them again... I can't imagine how long it would take to ride to work waiting in the Q at lights with cars... I've even seen drivers laughing at a cyclist waiting in line at a stoplight with the cars...

Used to work with this guy who raged against cyclists often to me, ( it was the lone cyclist that made him late for work, not the 10.000 rush hour cars between him and his destination). He stood in the canteen and raged, proposing a huge change to UK infrastucture to force us pesky cyclist off the road. His proposal was genius: a country wide network of roads that cyclists were banned from using, I listened agog, then mentioned the motorway system, that I also pay for, between roars of laughter. He called ma an activist and stormed off.

@joerenner8334

4 ай бұрын

He was an angry man who hated himself. Lots of those.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

There is no winning with some people, just stay smug when you zoom past in traffic 😉

@tacticalskiffs8134

4 ай бұрын

@@gcn Door!

@joekrusec9066

3 ай бұрын

Gee, being called an “activist” is quite an honour, for simply minding your own business and riding a bike! Never has a bar been lower!😂

@cyc00000

2 ай бұрын

You can't argue or even have a sensible conversation with stupid mate.

In my 30 years of cycling I have been criticised for: cycling on the road, cycling on the cyclepath, ringing a bell, not ringing a bell, cycling two abreast, cycling in a long single line, cycling too fast, cycling too slowly… you get the idea. We will never be able to cycle in a way that stops some drivers hating, because they will always find some reason to hate. The problem isn’t with cyclists.

@user-xj5xp6qz5g

Ай бұрын

Im a cyclist and drive car.. there is NO reason to bike two abreast and tick every car off... doesnt matter if its "legal". DONT DO IT

@kovie9162

Ай бұрын

Yeah but most drivers are ok with most that except for two abreast, or riding too far into the lane when the edge or shoulder are perfectly fine for cycling. Just because some drivers are jerks doesn't mean that most are.

@jamesf8864

29 күн бұрын

​@@user-xj5xp6qz5gYou clearly haven't understood how this practice benefits car drivers. I'm grateful to cyclists for riding two abreast when I'm in my car. Far easier to overtake 👍

@user-xj5xp6qz5g

29 күн бұрын

@@jamesf8864 🤔

@MMCM

23 күн бұрын

@@user-xj5xp6qz5g I ride two abreast to give more of a buffer to my wife (cycling on the inside) and enforce that people overtake only once it’s clear ahead. If a car cannot overtake us when riding two abreast on two lane road, they cannot overtake us when we are single file either so it makes no odds. if they get mad about that that’s very much a them problem.

Being a frequent bike commuter, weekend roadie warrior and a classic motoring enthusiast at the same time, I do respect cyclists on roads with all their flaws. In fact, any car driver who cannot handle his car in the environment, where bikes are present as well, should not have a driver's license.

@out_spocken

4 ай бұрын

If drivers can handle other drivers, they certainly can handle cyclists. They just think they don't have to.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

Great to hear from someone that is passionate about both - We have to understand that most cyclists are drivers too 🙌

@ambiarock590

4 ай бұрын

Amen to that. If someone cannot operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner then maybe they shouldn't have a license

Dan, as a winner of the competition today, I can say with certainty that having your name read out as a winner is amazing and surprising 😊🎉. Thanks GCN 👍

Here in the UK, VED goes into the pot along with income tax, fuel duty, tobacco duty.......... The government then spend a tenner a year on the upkeep of the entire road network.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

as much as a tenner?! 😂

@DrRusty5

4 ай бұрын

Most local roads are the responsibility of the local council, who have seen massive cuts to their central govt funds and probably don't see a penny of VED.

@mikeainsworth4504

4 ай бұрын

There is an indirect link between VED and road maintenance in the UK. The government has pledged that the funding for National Highways will at least match the amount raised by VED. That said, National Highways are only responsible for the strategic road network which comprises motorways and major trunk roads - ie the type of roads that cyclists either cannot ride on or would avoid riding on (apart from the odd TT). As has already been mentioned the vast majority of roads are maintained by local authorities not the National Highways body.

@jonchapman4448

4 ай бұрын

That much?!

@a1white

4 ай бұрын

Also most roads we cycle on are funded by the local authority, so that cash comes from your council tax. The “they should pay Road tax” argument could be made against pedestrians, horses etc. Bikes don’t wear out roads like 2 tonne cars do.

A few years ago I did the Public Service Cycling course as a bicycle paramedic. Although I no longer work in that role, I still cycle accordingly. I think, on occasions when I defensively take the lane, by cycling directly down the middle of the active lane of traffic, it is always polite to acknowledge the patience of the drive when I drop back to my position 0.8m from the kerb.

On a club ride last summer one of our group was abused and stopped by a woman in horse riding gear who was accompanying her daughter who was driving as a learner. All he did was to shout up to the group in front that there was a car approaching from behind. She accused him of all sorts of stuff in a very intimidating manner and her highly strung daughter wouldn't even calm down. She was a danger to anyone on that road, certainly not in a fit state to drive. My colleague was incredibly tactful and explained our protocols but that woman wasn't even listening and he explained several times but she was just not having it. A posh horsey person near Cheltenham who thinks she owns the county! What a mare :-)

@davidspendlove5900

4 ай бұрын

Some horses can be freaked by sudden noises or unfamiliar sights and it is advisable to pass slow and wide.As a cyclist I will observe this.

@CommissionerManu

4 ай бұрын

@@davidspendlove5900there was no horse involved here though, she was with her daughter in a car

@tacticalskiffs8134

4 ай бұрын

You don't say whether your protocols were legal or you simply assumed the road. Hey, we gotta do what doesn't get us killed, asked the motorcycle riders, but I wouldn't complain about backlash if that was the case. You can probably report her if she was literally intoxicated with rage. Not sure why what she was wearing, or your class prejudices belong in the story. Seems as though you were just mirrors of each other. Why is it relevant she was a woman?

@jeremynorth

4 ай бұрын

Completely legal. She wasn't a physical threat but just unwilling to reason. Her daughter though was in no fit state to be driving as she was so wound up yet our presence on the road was not at all intimidating. Single file on a quiet road. The irony is that horse riders when in twos always ride side by side and respect cars which pass with care. I don't understand why you are picking up on the details of my account. Are you trying to say I'm being a misogynist? I was not the person being abusive, she jumped out of the car and shouted abuse at my friend and even though he apologised if she and her daughter were upset she wouldn't accept that there had been a misunderstanding. She was arrogant rude, and aggressive.He however was calm and very polite as he wanted to protect the integrity of our club and the way we ride. @@tacticalskiffs8134

@DavidMarkun

4 ай бұрын

If your protocol was the one that I learned in club riding here in Massachusetts, USA, it is to shout "car back", preferably in a voice loud enough to be heard all the way at the front of the pack. Cyclists are so used to this that they might not consider that a motorist hearing it for the first time might think that they're being commanded, in a louder than polite voice, to stay back and not overtake the cyclists.

I'm so grateful for the bike paths here in Perth, Western Australia. I live more than 20km from the city but can cycle to work pretty much the entire way in separate paths. It makes the daily commute a lot less stressful than having to ride with cars. As a bonus there is a network of paths going all over the metro area which are very enjoyable to explore on the weekend for longer rides. It's not a perfect system by any stretch but it's a great resource that I very much enjoy utilising.

@user-zc3do8vk4q

4 ай бұрын

I love Ed Oxenbould,does he cycle????

The problems are 1) Infrastructure and 2) Identity. 1) At least in the US, roads are designed for cars, with all other forms of movement as an afterthought. This naturally leads to people believing they have a greater right to public roads once they step into a car. That is what the road tells them! When anything else is there, be it someone walking, cycling, a school bus, etc, etc... that thing is "in the way" because that is what the road tells the users. Narrower & fewer lanes, speed bumps, traffic furniture, and most importantly transportation alternatives, alleviate this problem drastically (not to mention, removing "free" on street parking in cities - there is ample room for safe cycling infrastructure in cities if on street parking is reduced. That is a choice we have made which so far we have been unwilling to reverse). 2) There is no need to identify someone by their chosen mode of transport. Nobody at a party says "Nice to meet you; I'm a driver". Everyone is simply a PERSON who is using a tool to accomplish a goal. Nothing more; nothing less. Next time you find yourself talking about these things, instead of saying "driver" or "cyclist", say "person using a _____". Road usage does not need to be a battle with different teams. This is a co-op game!

@ridegarden

4 ай бұрын

This!

@SuperRat420

4 ай бұрын

I wish it weren't a battle, but it is. Fuck fourwheelrs

@out_spocken

4 ай бұрын

yup... I keep saying that building cycling infrastructure is great...till you realise you cant built it absolutely everywhere like cars drivers and pedestraians have and you actually need to have great road culture. Incidents will always happen..just as they will always with everything in life...but it would be great to live in a soceity where drivers actively care about the damage and harm they can do when driving and actively drive to be safe, not fast.

@SuperRat420

4 ай бұрын

@@out_spocken will never happen

@markachternaam5207

4 ай бұрын

@@SuperRat420 Not with that attitude! Some countries have, and others could do as well.

I am a cyclist myself, and I hate cyclist who don't obey any trafic rules, eg, ride in the middle of the lane, jump red lights, stop signs etc, and then go in the GCN comments, to moan about other road users that motorists are road raging. I have real life example, I was on a training ride, was stopped at red light and other cyclist just sprinted by me through red light like nothing was there and managed to shout at me for why I had stopped :D

@fiix7026

Ай бұрын

I especially despise ignorant cyclists that pass me with more than 30kph narrowly when I trackstand and thereby could swere sideways at any given moment. They just dont care!

If a car feels fine passing me within the lane, then they can be quiet about me doing the same thing when they are stopped due to traffic.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

Good point! Respect goes both ways 🙌

Dan absolutely nailed it. The FEW inconsiderate, ignorant cyclists who act a fool and ignore rules gives ALL of us who try our best to follow rules a bad name. Many Cyclists DO pay taxes and registration of vehicle to help pay for roads.

@daniellloyd100

4 ай бұрын

I think that's the main problem - all people on two wheels without a motor are 'cyclists', but there's such a huge difference in what we all do, and how we behave on the roads.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

There are bad apples in every bunch, it's all about respect for all road users 🙌 What steps can be made to improve this?

@MMCM

23 күн бұрын

I always feel like that’s a problem for the driver to deal with. I can’t control what other cyclists do so if they’re going to use another cyclists misbehaviour to justify their own around me, that’s a them problem and inexcusable.

I used to care. Now I just hit the road, don't worry about what's beyond my control and enjoy the ride.

@billmann3184

4 ай бұрын

Just happy to still be ridding. I acknowledge courteous drivers with a smile and wave.

My experience of angry motorists has been during group rides and although as a club we were conscious and respectful of other road users, our group rides were 15+ cyclists along country lanes.. We would split the group into 3 or 4 on hearing a car approaching us to allow for easier overtaking, this did upset some car drivers - to the extent that on one occasion a motorist had adjusted his windscreen spray jets to fire at 90 degrees so he could 'soak' us as he drove past.. Didn't have the desired result, we thought it was hilarious that someone would spend so much time out of their day just to spray a little water on some cyclists in August..

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

ah yes, the old windscreen spray... 🙄

@andrewblakesley4202

4 ай бұрын

I really love that approach to group rides. It's considerate and safer. Where we live it's not necessarily the group riders that are less considerate. I am a cyclist but when driving behind a cyclist on a busy A-road next to a cycle lane I'll admit to muttering. It's not like they're smashing Strava at that point.

@GeorginaWilcox

4 ай бұрын

Don't worry, it wasn't because you were in a group that they got you with the wind screen. I've had that when I've been riding myself, no provocation whatsoever (except for being on a bike).

@harryhunter552

4 ай бұрын

As a cyclist doing something courteous for a driver would u consider 2 short beeps as a "thank you" or would u not be sure?

@ambiarock590

4 ай бұрын

I just follow the normal rules of the road, adding in the "no need to stop at a stop sign if I can see if its perfectly safe to proceed"; I advise not to spend the mental effort on these people who must not have anything better going on in their day that they have to be angry at some people getting a workout in

I live on a resort island and found that the thinner the tire on the bike the higher the blood pressure of the driver!😅

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

Interesting! - Another reason why wide tyres are better 👉 kzread.info/dash/bejne/fnuhj8mcfqjRhbQ.html

When I was a junior, I had a wonderful coach that gave a friendly wave and smile to every passing car. I have kept that practice, and although it's no panacea and one can't account for every ill-tempered motorist, it does set the stage for a positive interaction. I do not relinquish my right to the road, but I do what I can to accommodate a motorist's need to pass in the safest manner possible. Most of us want to get along whether driving, riding, or on foot. Less ego, more joy, watch out for the dummies.

My favourite is when a driver close passes me,then after they move over to avoid potholes.just awesome thanks

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

😬

@mrcookie0890

4 ай бұрын

Agreed privileged motorist wanting to protect their car and not a care for an actual life

@cyrusf.4039

4 ай бұрын

True, they may even hate themselves a little bit, but I think they harbour a "special" kind of hate in a dark poorly ventilated area of their heart for cyclists.

@Jack-hz1ey

4 ай бұрын

Yup, you gave a wider berth to an inanimate object than you did to me, really appreciate it bud!

@tacticalskiffs8134

4 ай бұрын

Interesting. Though, there is a flip side to that. I noticed in this one province, that all the polite, lovely people would cross over the line to pass you. What sweethearts. But there is a dark side. And it happened to a guy I knew slightly who was coming through Texas on a coast to coast. Driver saw an oncoming truck, panicked, moved over, and took him out. Amazingly, his time wasn't up, and after a brief stay in a hospital he returned to the road. The lesson is that the person who confidently passes you close, may be at ease around you. It can be too close (take off your helmet and dress in all black if there is good visibility, see what they do then), but they may also be confident. After that story, I started to look out for oncoming logging trucks because these drivers that cross over don't actually have the skilset.

We have road tax in Ukraine, and the reason for it is that cars destroy roads! And bicycles do not. Moreover, the road tax income is completely insufficient to cover the road repairs, so most of the money comes from general taxes that are paid by every citizen, including cyclists. Therefore, that line of argument is completely insufficient, at least here.

@mctrials23

4 ай бұрын

This could be a copy paste for the UK. Far too many drivers parrot the crap about road tax and cyclists.

@dbt5224

4 ай бұрын

@@mctrials23 And the US. The same drivel is brought up in nearly conversation about cycling.

Si and Dan, you are the A team. I am a cyclist who also drives. what frustrates me when driving is the number of cyclists who pass on the left in slow moving traffic. That is so dangerous (in the UK) as anyone turning left may wipe them out. when cycling I always overtake on the right. The other thing is when they ride at dusk with no lights. Their vision is so much better than someone in a car and they feel it's safe but a driver can't see them so well. I have to admit sometimes I scoot across red lights when it is green to pedestrians, partly to avoid holding up drivers who are behind me when the light goes green.

@ryanfeeley2407

3 ай бұрын

Here in the US, we cyclists also overtake on the right. And yep, mirror image of your situation and it's incredibly dangerous. Some of the issue is cars have shit visibility, drivers don't want to kill cyclists but don't know how, so they get stressed out, and act like your average stressed out human. They could slow down, but then other motorists will stress them out. They cars just aren't designed to share the roads with cyclists.

I live in Southern California and commute to work on my bike. I'm very pleased with the respect I get here, especially while riding briefly through sections of roads with no bike lanes. But I go the extra mile to respect drivers by not blocking their paths. I stay far right and don't stop in the right lane when approaching cars are coming to turn right on red.

@JonCannings

4 ай бұрын

Keep up the good work!

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

That's a really great point! It's all about mutual respect for other road users 👌

My view is those who get triggered by cyclists are likely to be triggered by everyone "in their way". Somehow it has become accepted to see the cyclist as the problem whereas perhaps it is simply the impatience of drivers that is the real issue.

@DrRusty5

4 ай бұрын

Oh and I don't get why what cyclists wear is so often ridiculed. Why, does it concern someone what someone else wears, it doesn't affect them at all (well unless they have some deep sense of guilt that they are not exercising and seeing someone displaying athleticism reminds them of their lack of the same)

This episode really speaks to me right now because yesterday, a car driver purposefully swerved into me, hitting my left elbow/wrist, and twisting the handlebars. I chased her down - thankfully I'm one of these people who can manage to keep up with cars in urban environments - to ask for a statement. She refused and proceeded to crushed my front wheel. Even though I'm physically OK with no fractures, this was a difficult ordeal. One of the things that has struck me is that car drivers showed no concern about my obviously destroyed bike, and were just asking me to get off the road as I was obstructing traffic. The only witness I've managed to get a number from was... a cyclist.

@vapyd3999

4 ай бұрын

Had an ex-colleague hit a cyclist who was going straight while he wanted to turn left (Australia) and had damaged their bike as he drove off, almost boasting. Months later became very remorseful about it as he'd moved and found he could commute to work via a bike way so went to buy a bike thinking any mountain bike or flat bar road bike would be under $200 and was thinking about how much the bike he ruined might've cost. Supervisor told him he's just an a-hole in general anyway, as even $200 is a lot to some people.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

Never nice to read these bad experiences, unfortunately it's the case that there are bad people in every camp. We hope it's not turned you off riding your bike? 👀

@lbx5359

4 ай бұрын

@@gcn Well obviously my weekend ride is off, but I'm expecting to be back on a bike in a couple of weeks at most!

@simonlewis3438

4 ай бұрын

Any traffic cameras around?

@Erd_Geschoss

4 ай бұрын

Assault with a potentially lethal weapon... nice.

Hawaii also makes you register your bike. It is only $15 one time, but it helps pay for cycling paths, and you get a numbered sticker that prevents bike theft/selling on.

@SuperRat420

4 ай бұрын

I simply would refuse, my tax dollars should go to bike paths; not Israel and Lockheed Martin

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

That's a really interesting idea! Do you think that cyclists would be happy to pay more for better infrastructure should it be part of the taxes we all already pay?

@RifleEyez

4 ай бұрын

@@gcn Already part of the taxes. However I would pay a fiver a month or something genuinely if it meant we would get awesome cycling infrastructure in the UK, and I don't mean nonsense lines painted with no thought behind it. Hell I don't even watch regular TV so I'd rather pay 160£ annual bicycle license rather than a TV license.

Several years ago, while riding in open country, I started giving drivers who moved over a bit more than absolutely required while passing me a friendly wave and nod in thanks. It seems to have helped . . . or not, it might just be my imagination but drivers seemed a lot nicer in subsequent years.

@JonCannings

4 ай бұрын

I have always done that. Just to share the love

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

Good manners go a long way - Mums know best!

I think GCN(?) had an interesting traffic psychology video some time ago where it was mentioned that the entire traffic infrastructure itself suggests to drivers that they are legitimate road users and cyclists are not.

@BirdmanDeuce26

4 ай бұрын

NotJustBikes and Shifter identified similar conclusions in their own research. Car-centric road infrastructure means that drivers are taught and expect to see _only_ other cars on the road, even if legally speaking the road permits mixed traffic. Motorcycle riders encounter the same issue, even though they have much more power to spare and can easily keep up with cars.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

We've got some great content on this soon, make sure your notifications are turned on

@ridegarden

4 ай бұрын

Came here to say this!

@tacticalskiffs8134

4 ай бұрын

Seriously, that is how it feels to drive in London? If it is psychology, it is usually a lie. That is a "science" with a huge replication problem. The carbon they want to ban is you. If the cars go, the bikes will go. They aren't going to let you ride under the radar on you expensive carbon bikes when the economy is collapsed. If things carry on as they do, there is no model for that level of industry based on bikes.

@ambiarock590

4 ай бұрын

Ever since fall of 2022 I've been going down the urbanist rabbit hole and I have taken up bike commuting and it has been a genuine pleasure to not need to worry about oil prices, getting some movement in on my way to work and the store. I genuinely hate massive pickup trucks and car dependent infrastructure. Even as a car enthusiast we should be fighting against car dependency.

In my experience car drivers just hate everyone that they feel are 'getting in their way', cars, bicycles, busses, etc.. bicycles are just extra annoying because a lot of them feel bicycles 'don't belong on the road'. Thus they should have a license plate if they do use the roads. Motorcyclists where I live usually don't respect red lights, but they are not getting in the way of car drivers, so we just call them idiots.

@jfkusa123

4 ай бұрын

Getting held up on their way over to spend 10 minutes in the Starbucks drive through

@chocolate_squiggle

4 ай бұрын

Bicyclists who don't ride courteously, and display excessive entitlement piss me off. It's nothing whatsoever to do with them 'not paying road tax' or anything as such. I've only ever read that in comments after cycling articles..

@RH-nk7eo

3 ай бұрын

I agree. It's not about cars vs bikes it's about people that want to drive fast everywhere vs everyone else. As a driver, do a very simply test: Strictly follow the speed limit of whatever road you are going and see how quickly a driver tails you.

@timrathbone

3 ай бұрын

@@chocolate_squiggle I always try to facilitate other road users, but the difference is that when cars don't drive 'courteously', there's a risk of death, not just an risk of being 'pissed off'.

In Barcelona it is common to hear motor drivers complaining about new cycling lanes being the cause of traffic jams 🤣

I don't think cyclist should single out. For safety, they should take up as much of the lane as possible so cars are required to move entirely into the other lane to pass. When cars think they can pass a cyclist without getting into the other lane, that's when cyclists get clipped. If you don't like it as a motorist, then lobby for more bike infrastructure, but I think the lives of cyclists on the road are more important than a brief delay.

Personally I try to bring my cycling into my conversations every now and again, so that others (who are drivers) are aware that I'm out on the roads. Making it personal might help drivers feel more friendly towards cyclists (if my friends like me, that is...) If we can remember that others are humans, that can go a long way.

Here in Brazil I cycle to work on avg once or twice a week via a highway pullover lane. The majority of drivers are lovely and do respect the cyclists (at least in my city hahaha) but some go absolutely bonkers when I just cycle past them when they're stuck in traffic... "You should be on a sidewalk!" or "Roads are for cars only!", nor to mention the looks hahaha despite that it's a lovely 25Km to go to work and another 25Km to go back. Keep up the good work guys! You should come here once for a beautiful beach descend

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

🏖️ the beach ride sounds amazing! Not sure we fancy being told to ride on the sidewalk though!

Here in the the USA its called an "idaho stop" and its legal in 8 states. In 4.5 of those states it applies to red lights as well. The "Idaho stop" allows the Bicyclist to yield rather than come to a complete stop. It improves safety and helps prevent crashes so I actually agree with it.

I agree, that it’s simply that we exist. I have had drivers yell at me when driving by, and I was riding on the 5’ shoulder. Not even in the road, so they don’t even need to move to go around me.

In Colorado it is legal to roll a red light if it is safe. We passed the law a few years back.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

that's a really interesting concept!

@michaelmappin4425

4 ай бұрын

Virginia too

@RuffRides

4 ай бұрын

We all do it....cmon, I'll do it and car if the pedestrian has already crossed what are you waiting for????​@@gcn

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

@RuffRides you never know where that policeman is hiding ready to give you a ticket!

@jfkusa123

4 ай бұрын

Is it the Idaho Stop Law? Most say you can roll/yield a stop sign and treat a red light as a stop sign and still must come to a complete stop.

As a cyclist and a motorist, they both annoy me! But the best cyclist story from my last week was the chap who was cycling in the dark, no lights or reflective clothing, no helmet, going the wrong way down a one-way street, with a full shopping bag dangling from each handlebar. The stationary police car in front of me wasn't bothered. Welcome to Edinburgh.

@LaurentiusTriarius

4 ай бұрын

That's every homeless dude that lives around here, beaten up stolen ebikes without any lights or reflective gear 😂

I drove with a relative in a busy city the other day. He was complaining about the bike lanes themselves. For him more bike lanes means less space for cars and therefore slower car traffic.

When I lived in the Netherlands in the early ‘90s, Dutch police would routinely stop moped riders in bike lanes to make sure their engines were under 50cc. Many moped riders modified their engine displacements to go faster, which was a safety hazard in the bike lanes. If the police caught an illegal moped, they would confiscate the cylinder head and let the rider push or pedal home.

From what I've seen and heard, the biggest issue with cyclists vs automobile drivers is the perceived flouting of road rules combined with freedom of movement in busy traffic and general hooning that some cyclists partake in.

I've been riding over 40 years. In that time, I've also been a courteous motorist. If I add up all the time where a cyclist has caused me to slow down or wait, I'm probably out 2 whole minutes

@DavidFritzIII

4 ай бұрын

You anyway likely have to wait at the next traffic light anyway and what makes the motorist even more angreifen is that after they pass You amd wait at the traffic light, you casually Filter up ahead of them.

@joerenner8334

4 ай бұрын

Waiting at a red light with no traffic? Shit. I don't wait in my car either.

@SuperRat420

4 ай бұрын

that's why cagers are horrible. Follow the rules. Rules matter for motors@@joerenner8334

@out_spocken

4 ай бұрын

Mate, I've probably been held up by a cyclist over my time driving for about 10 minutes...which is less time than the amount of time I've been held up by cars in just one trip to the city.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

It's all about respect, we could all learn to slow down a little 🙌 This goes for cyclists too

I am a commuter and I follow the same rules riding my bike as driving my car. I use my lights day and night. Drivers give me lots of respect and space. One freezing or rainy days when I come to a four way stop intersection and cars arrive at the same time I see all these merciful drivers in the warm and dry cars waving their hands for me to go first even when I am last to arrive. In six years I have only had one distasteful encounter with a car, she thought bikes should be on sidewalks. I have had a number of near misses with cycling jerks who think they alone have right of way over everybody, traffic lights, walker, cyclist and motor vehicles. I want to listen to their reasoning when they have an intimate encounter with a couple tons of steel.

Here's a better way to look at it: This is why car drivers annoy cyclists. Because the bike was here before the car. Not gonna make myself an easy target to be hit by a maniac driver, but I'm not going to stop riding my bike because of them.

When I get yelled at I usually shout back “go ahead and call the police on me.” Usually if a driver puts my life in danger through some maneuver, I take mental note of their car and license plate call the police on them.

@RH-nk7eo

3 ай бұрын

Without a gopro/video footage do you have any luck at all?

Drivers need to understand their own hypocrisy of taking up space on the road. If a cyclist is keeping distance away from parked cars to avoid being doored, its the space of another car obstructing the road not the cyclist because otherwise they would be closer to the curb and that kind of space can be three cyclists wide.

@iyadkamhiyeh527

4 ай бұрын

Car drivers are so ignorant to understand this!

Another reason drivers have cursed me out is because of OTHER drivers being overly cautious of me. I was biking home from work on a road easily the width of 3-4 cars, and a van held up several cars behind it because it would not pass me. Once the van finally did pass me (with acres of space) the next car in line buzzed my handlebar and told me where he thinks I should go, in so many words.

On our club we usually ride two abreast to defend space on the road since a few drivers have passed us way to close on a social ride when riding single file. But we have made a tweak, when there are a few cars lining up behind us we find a spot to pull aside as a ground to let all the traffic pass and it has been working fairly well :)

In my state and most in the U.S. not only are cyclists allowed to "split traffic" at lights/intersections, but so are motorcyclists. I looked it up as I was admittedly annoyed with seeing motorcyclists do this all the time while In my car.

Cyclists jumping red lights can also be a problem for us runners 😊

I’ve always felt that it ultimately comes down to the fact we are using the roads for recreation rather than transportation reasons. This is why a bicycle clearly being ridden to work slowly, wearing high vis and a large backpack, gets more empathy. As does a slow moving moped with a food delivery bag on the back. We are unpredictable as well, often trying to increase our fitness and speed in groups or alone. So, as Simon admitted to, we do skip red lights in the ‘right situations’ - which obviously do not exist, you should never skip a red light. But, I am guilty of that as well. And for riding too fast approaching junctions, etc when there is a strava segment involved. I have become much more road aware and safe as the years have passed but there are many out there that I see riding in this way - and all Lycra wearing road cyclists are seen in the same light. We ride for pleasure, physical health, mental health and to spend time with friends - but will forever be a nuisance to the majority of road users who are trying to get from A to B. Solution - ride safe and smart. Also, I’d love to see crit style road circuits being built for road cyclists to flock to become a thing. A few less golf courses wouldn’t hurt! (which is where the least empathetic car drivers attend in their BMWs and pickup trucks)

As a 'merican who rides, I will cross red lights 10000% of the time if the intersection is clear. The last thing i want is to be in front of a bunch of cars when that light turns green, or worse, splitting a lane when everyone starts moving. Better to cross when everyone's stopped and I'm most visible, than to cross when people are moving. Every. Time.

When I'm training on a road, I wear a helmet that has a turn signal and headlight built into the lid. People tend to leave me alone. They actually back off like a car when I'm turning.

@samfrombelgium

4 ай бұрын

How does that work? Do you press a button when u turn? Which helmet is that?

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

Oooo interesting! Do you use this in the day too? 👀

@Kimberlietriracer25

4 ай бұрын

@gcn yes but I use hand signals during the day too, which are less effective because alot of drivers don't know what they mean. They do understand turn signals.

@Kimberlietriracer25

4 ай бұрын

@samfrombelgium yes. There is a remote left right signals mounted neat my bike computer

@Jack-hz1ey

4 ай бұрын

Is this the solution, to "hack" the system 2 mindframe? Interesting

In the past my issue with cyclists was when they go on the new 40mph link road, instead of on the new, purpose built and paved bike path that runs next to the road. I get that some people prefer the road and they have a right to be there, but I don't want to rush to overtake them, there is too much oncoming traffic to feel confident in passing, and then cars behind me start honking cause I'm not overtaking. It's in these situations where I wish I could ask them *why?* and telepathically plead with them to just pull over for a moment so the 6 car queue going 15mph on a 40 could just pass without risking anyone's safety. If you know why people do this please let me know cause it baffles me. I cycle that path frequently and it's so well paved, I don't see why I'd choose the road.

I live in a more rural area. What I find perplexing is most of the time, it isn’t much wait before there is room for the car to pull around. Farm equipment is often on the road moving at about the same pace as a bike. Due to its size, it can be much harder for cars to pass. Generally, the drivers seem to just accept that is part of driving in the area. I think it mostly comes down to their perception of who should be using the road.

I cycle in a rural community where I also live and work. We get a few groups of cyclists who like to visit the countryside but forget it is where others have to live and work. So groups riding 2 or 3 abreast for miles on narrow lanes must be seen as deliberately causing problems for other road users. Often they prevent passing traffic from giving them the room needed for a safe pass. When a group come to a wider section of road and spread out to be 4-5 abreast riding on both sides of the road what does that say to the traffic that has been following them for two or three miles? When I ride the bike if I get to a junction or wider section I let traffic past - everyone's happier.

I was a taxi driver in Portsmouth uk. Never really cared about cyclists. Always gave them the room I thought I needed when I rode. But there was one occasion when my car was kicked by lady cyclist in full racing gear. I was sat at traffic lights on main road with 2 offset side roads 10mbetween them. I was sat at a red light on main road indicating left, with the left had turn 10m in front of me and the right turn at the lights all controlled by the lights. There was one car in front of me and a line of cars behind me. We all pulled away very slowly with me still indicating checked my side mirror as I was about to turn as I always did because I was paranoid about being hit as it was my own car and the cost of taxi insurance was expensive and I didn’t want it going up any more. I didn’t see anything then as I started to turn I heard a bang as something hit my car, I stopped and a this cyclist continued to ride round she shouted at me and said it was my responsibility to see her and wait. I said why should it be my responsibility to avoid her when she was breaking the rules of the road. Would any cyclist think it was sensible to undertake a slow moving car indicating left just before a junction and think the car would see them despite the possibility of being in a cars blind spot. I ended up screaming at her that she shouldn’t put her life in the hands of car drivers by breaking rules of the road and assuming that they would see her and stop. When I cycled I would always assume every vehicle hasn’t seen me and would pull out on me or cut me up and prepare to take avoiding action. Not assuming the vehicle will see and they will take avoiding actions. It is my life and I take responsibility for it not pass on the responsibility to other road users, but hey that’s just me !

@pw7010

3 ай бұрын

"I ended up screaming at her". Says a lot

@timrathbone

3 ай бұрын

I might be misunderstanding your description, but the new highway code instructs drivers to give right of way to cyclists travelling on the nearside and turning left into a junction...as if there was another imaginary lane between the nearside lane and the kerb. I don't really agree with most of the updated code, but it's worth a check if that is the issue here..

@user-ky7fe1ce3p

3 ай бұрын

That would be correct if I was overtaking a cyclist and turning left just past them. I was not overtaking them I had just pulled away from a junction and the cyclist was undertaking me at a traffic light junction while indicating left. Rule 74 says when approaching a junction on the left, watch out for vehicles turning in front of you, out of or into the side road. If you intend to turn left,check first for other cyclists or other motorists before signalling. Do not ride on the inside of vehicles signalling or slowing down to turn left. I repeat DO NOT RIDE ON THE INSIDE OF VEHICLES SIGNALLING OR SLOWING DOWN TO TURN LEFT. I assume it’s in the Highway Code not just for a rule but you would have to be completely mad to think undertaking a vehicle turning left would be a good idea. If you can find me a rule in the Highway Code where it says a cyclist is allowed to undertake a vehicle indicating left I would love to read it. Thank you for your reply

Some years ago we were leaving the Tintern Abbey area. We drove up over the ridge and on the way down the other side we saw a lone cyclist part way up that long climb. Behind him was a bus and behind the bus were dozens of cars. They were strung out for a half mile, it seemed. All crawling up the hill at the pace of the cyclist. Can't imagine why those drivers would be angry at the cyclist, lol. And yes, I ride. But I live in the boonies where 3 cars in a row is a traffic jam.

As both cyclist (non-competitive) and driver, I have to admit that I have issues with some, but not all cyclists: In central Cambridge, they absolutely piss me off. They swarm around the car like a flock of gulls, swooping unpredictably and in every direction, in front, behind and on both sides, with no conception of how hard it is to keep track of hem or predict what fecking stupid thing they will do - and it really pisses me off that they seem to think neither the laws nor the highway code applies to them. Outside Cambridge the main thing that pisses me off about some cyclists is their failure to have lights or highly visible clothing at night, I really don't think a lot of you understand how hard you can be to see from twilight onward. Even some lights are hard to actually interpret, but the worst I have seen round where I live (near an army barracks) is someone in full camouflage riding at night on country roads with no lights and no streetlights. Talk about asking to die! The other thing that pisses me off about some cyclists, and a lot of motorbikes as well, is the sense of superiority and the refusal to take any responsibility for the high high rate of accidents, even though many of them are actually actually caused by riders being reckless, not by bad drivers. On the plus side, cyclists do not piss me off half as much as runners. n our country lanes, they run round, self-obsessed, entitled and ignorant in the extreme. They will run in pairs round blind bends ignoring everyone else and refusing, not just to move onto the verge, but event o acknowledge that there might might be other road users and that they place everyone in danger, especially themselves, by refusing to pay any attention to anything except their own pace.

Singling out to let cars pass is a courteous practice, unless there is also traffic coming toward you. Then it's safer to stay two abreast to stop overtaking vehicles thinking they can squeeze by you, regardless of oncoming traffic--that's a recipe for ending up in a hedgerow.

@rob-c.

4 ай бұрын

It depends on the road. If it’s wide enough to safely pass two cyclists riding side by side, it’s more courteous to ride two abreast as it means the driver is on the other side of the road for a shorter time.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

Do you find riding two abreast helps to calm the roads down or does it create more arguments?

@chocolate_squiggle

4 ай бұрын

@@rob-c. Riding two abreast is NEVER more courteous. I say that as a cyclist, a motorcyclist, a car driver and a road runner. The absolute entitlement from cyclists with your attitude, where you do these mental gymnastics to justify your shitty behaviour is astounding.

@DB-sj8km

3 ай бұрын

Generally should ride one up until you have more than 3 cyclists. At that point (4 or more), then two abreast works better. Unfortunately not all cars understand this.

@matthew7419

2 ай бұрын

Be careful, some drivers will risk a high speed head on collision with oncoming traffic, and possibly take you out in the process. I've seen this happen many times, and I ride alone.

When I used to cycle to work five days a week, I would regularly see car drivers jumping red lights. Not quite daily but at least once a week on average. Strangely, most drivers will claim to never have seen a car jump red lights.

@petergibson7287

4 ай бұрын

I see it every single day; I've taken the same route to work and back for ten years, it's just seven kilometres and just three light sets, two of which (for me) are crossings, and every single day I see car drivers run those lights. I see some cars go around other cars to run the light, and on the one where I have to stop on the carriageway I've had car drivers get on the horn at me because I'm stopping, or they go around and run the light! Hypocrisy at it's finest.

@ABlanch

4 ай бұрын

Yes, same here. On my 5k commute through a city, cars daily assume a yellow light means hurry up and a red means one more car must get through. And this is frequently on pedestrian crossings.

I feel like car drivers are just annoyed by vehicles of any kind that are slower than them. I say this because I'm one of those drivers who won't drive above the speed limits and I'm quite often overtaken pretty aggressively, even in dangerous situations without any visibility whatsoever, or other cars will try to pressure me to speed up by driving a few meters behind me which generally has the effect of making me slow down.

Here in Colorado, treating a red light as a stop sign, and a stop sign as a yield, are legal.

Poor driving adds to the problem. I’ll often be all the way to the side, with more than enough room to be safely passed, and a car will hover behind me like they are afraid to overtake. As traffic backs up behind them, I get the blame.

@JonCannings

4 ай бұрын

It's odd, it's so often either way too close, or they don't pass at all.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

Would you prefer this or an overtake? 🚙

@thepracticalmum1172

4 ай бұрын

I have a fairly big car and when I’m driving sometimes I do hover to make absolutely sure there’s nothing coming before I pass as I would HATE to pass to closely by accident and make someone uncomfortable. Cos if someone passes too close to me on the bike especially with one or both of the kids I feel really shaken.

@markschmalenberger8301

4 ай бұрын

Drivers for the last 10 years have gotten way more clueless. They don't know how to keep right or know how much room they have on either side of them. They don't know how to turn their wheel or are just too lazy and complacent in spite of everything having power steering . Driver Ed doesn't seem to happen anymore.

@RifleEyez

4 ай бұрын

Even without traffic this is especially infuriating when I've moved right over, slowed down, and as always the sides are a death trap full of the worse potholes, debris, drains and so on - and if it's rained the worse puddles - and the car behind seemingly refuses to pass despite me making it obvious I know they're there, I know they want to overtake, I'm giving them space to pass. Then I feel forced to keep that dodgy line until they eventually do pass because I don't trust that they won't get the courage to overtake just as I move out a little, and I don't wanna be too unpredictable. I hate that. And you feel awkward and boxed in trying to keep that hazardous line while checking over your shoulder as well knowing they're hovering. Often I've thought (and said outloud) ''for fuck sake man you can fit a truck past me".

I like cycling but road rage is the number 1 reason why I can't see myself cycling or riding a motorcycle on an open road. That and the fact that there is little to nothing that would protect me in the event of a potential accident with another vehicle. With that said I'll take up indoor cycling for exercise.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

Out of interest, if you don't cycle, what is your interest in it? Watching racing? Learning more from GCN? Really curious!

@kenpointerII

4 ай бұрын

​​@@gcnI began following the channel for your extensive knowledge on different kinds of bikes. I'm going to eventually purchase a bike of my own with a bike trainer attachment for indoor cycling. I used to ride when I was younger but after being in a few car accidents, potentially getting in an accident while on a bike would be etched in my mind if I actually went for a ride. In short, I'm scared.

@aloras405

4 ай бұрын

I am a trail rider. My city has a lot of trails so I don't have to ride on the roads most of the time.

@SuperRat420

4 ай бұрын

Not with that lack of confidence, but it's easy to build. I'm sure you could holdyour own on the road

A while back I did see a cyclist breaking so many laws it was like a parody of a bad car driver. This was in Chicago, in one of the few parts of the city with anything remotely resembling a hill, about a 20 foot drop from one end of the block to the other. It's a one-way street going down the "hill". It was at night. The cyclist was coming up the hill, no lights, no helmet, no bright clothing, no hands on the bars and talking on a smartphone up to their ear without a hands-free device. But what I see more often is car drivers rolling through stop signs at 12-15mph complaining about bikes going through stops at 10-12mph.

Hi there. I know this is an old video, but still I want to leave my comment and review. Since 2019 I started to use my bike to work in a summer project (which is only 3 kms away), but during the year I only drive and forget that I had a bike. Now this year, 2024, I wanted to get more fit so I'm using my bike again. So after almost two months I commuting with my bike almost everywhere.i ride my bike 4 to 6 times a week (depending on the mood and my legs) but getting more excited with cycling in general. And here on KZread, GCN took a big impact. I started to watch all your videos, recognising the presenters and enjoying the content. And this episodes, which to be honest, hearing podcasts is not my thing, there are many topic you cover. So thank you Dan and Si for your excellent work and of course, all GCN team which are behind the screen! These episodes are amazing!

on riding through red lights, the big annoyance is people who don't wait their turn. Really there should be more roundabouts, but even at 4-way stop signs, if you go in order, it's not a big deal if you haven't exactly 100% stopped

@paulmcknight4137

4 ай бұрын

Except for drivers who think if you are still rolling they'll hit you.

@Bungle2010

4 ай бұрын

Wait their turn?

I find that when I ride my old one-speed step-through bike with a flower-studded wicker basket, drivers smile and wave me through intersections, that doesn’t happen when I wear Lycra… Also, way back when (in the 70s) I was slapped on the rear (of my wool shorts) while riding more than once, very scary and dangerous , by passengers leaning out of cars.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

Ah sorry to hear you've felt unsafe on the roads - it shouldn't matter what you wear of what bike you ride! Thanks the commenting and we hope this experience hasn't stopped you wanting to ride?

@cecilebodington5268

4 ай бұрын

@@gcn Fortunately, nothing will stop me from wanting to ride and there is so much more bicycle infrastructure these days to add to safety. I try to advocate for cycling by being super friendly, waving at drivers, thanking well behaved drivers, making eye contact and smiling at intersections… Who can be mad at a little old lady with a big smile and flowers on her basket?

In Colorado, it's perfectly legal for a cyclist (age 15 and up) to ride through a red light as long as they come to a stop first and there's no traffic with right-of-way. It's really nice. That still doesn't stop me from using the turn lane to turn right, doing a U-turn at 20 to 25 mph, and then using a second right turn lane to bypass the light entirely (which is also legal, depending on the particular roads).

As a driver and cyclist I am schizophrenic I’m afraid. Cycling on really busy A roads is a bit annoying if there is a big tail back. I live in rural Scotland and once two cyclists insisted on cycling two abreast and I came up behind and was forced to drive behind them for miles! Then when I cycle I just can’t understand why everyone is so angry at me!

My cycling friend said to me years ago that motorists anger with cyclists always stems from jealousy, jealous you're enjoying yourself,travelling cost free,getting exercise etc

@tacticalskiffs8134

4 ай бұрын

Get real, they think your are hobos. I used to commute in Toronto, and then there was a large transit strike. I thought great. I ride a bike 20 miles a day to my job, why worry. That did not work, the roads were not only crowded, but stuffed with newbie car commuters swinging open doors, and other stuff. Made me realize how much cars respected and took care of cyclists, and how well we got on on the roads. Not long after that the people in city hall started setting us against each other with stupid bike lanes that nobody uses, and a bunch of loose talks.

@tacticalskiffs8134

4 ай бұрын

Also stuff like 'travelling cost free" In big cities, people who are able to afford the parking are getting like 700K participation bonuses, annually. You think they care about what it costs to drive in? Looser talk. And exercise with your mouth in a tail pipe. OK. Thing I liked about it was the feeling of power. In Toronto you drop down the old contours of the lake like a diving hawk for the trip into town, and you come out with a great feeling as you easily ride back up the hill. I once paced a messenger back up, and he was kind enough to express his surprise at how fast I was. He was just being kind (not to mention long into his day and not showing it), but it felt great to not worry about the hills. I am not going to bother myself about what cars think of me. I drive cars, I know.

@shuycg

4 ай бұрын

​@@tacticalskiffs8134depends on the location. I live in Flanders and no one thinks cyclists are "hobos" or lesser, in any way. They get pissed, but just because they like following the rules and lack perspective (shit bike paths).

@RH-nk7eo

3 ай бұрын

This is dangerously close to the 'they hate us because of our freedom' stupidity that the yanks often spew.

I tend to treat Stop signs as Yield signs. If I approach a stop sign, and nobody is crossing in the other direction, I'll slow a little, and then go through it.

@zoebakker7087

4 ай бұрын

As you should

@fitzt70

4 ай бұрын

Also known as an “Idaho stop”. They made it legal.

@billkallas1762

4 ай бұрын

@@fitzt70 Not in Illinois.

@ryanw8987

4 ай бұрын

This was made legal in Oregon 4 years ago. Even though I still slow way down before going through (when I have right-of-way) I still get yelled at by drivers for not stopping (probably because they were planning not to stop). Just goes to show how bad a lot of drivers are at keeping up with current laws.

@SuperRat420

4 ай бұрын

Nah they're just jelous even tho they'd need to be caught redhanded and the planets alliegned for them to get in trouble@@ryanw8987

If there's a traffic light that doesn't change for bikes, I usually go and press the button for the pedestrian crossing.

Got shouted at today by a driver at a four way stop from my left. "Why the hell did you stop and not go straight through, waiting all day for you." This road is mostly closed to cars, JFK drive San Francisco, and cyclists and runners just blast through stop signs most of the time. I guess he was expecting me to do that. I guess because I was responsible I was unpredictable.

That’s where the Garmin Varia (or similar product) is an absolute game changer. The constant monitoring and early warning makes singling out completely seamless in small groups and pairs. It takes all the stress out the situation and the driver sees riders lining out almost immediately. No wobbling or deviation from riding line caused by looking behind either. Transforms group riding.

@GregJC

4 ай бұрын

Best piece of kit I’ve ever bought besides the bike itself. I don’t ride without it.

I think it's jealousy - "Why are they enjoying themselves while I am stuck in a metal box?" "Why can't I go through red lights if there is nothing coming?" "Why can he filter through traffic while I am forming a queue?"

@chrisdavidson911

2 ай бұрын

Highway Code Rule 69 (from the cyclist's bit) You MUST obey all traffic signs and traffic light signals. Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD schedule 3 part 3, schedule 7 part 4, schedule 9 parts 4 and 6, schedule 13 part 6, schedule 14 part 2

@jonathanbouchard39

2 ай бұрын

@@chrisdavidson911 Like speed limits

I rode in Italy last year and was amazed how much respect cyclists get

I will go through red lights but only if there are no pedestrians crossing the road and its clear of other road users. One of my justifications is I clear the junction so when the lights go green I won’t get in the way and delay motorists. What I get out of if though is to try and keep moving, riding through somewhere like London with so many traffic lights and pedestrian crossings is just stop start stop which knackers me.

@out_spocken

4 ай бұрын

Both of these. Sadly drivers just don't understand that as long as cyclists take care and it's safe to do, it benefits them to want cyclists to not bunch up at the lights. It's also far safer than having angry drivers try to overtake you when the lights go green. The issue is doing this just creates animosity on the roads. Damned if you do...damned if you don't

@markachternaam5207

4 ай бұрын

Traffic lights are an invention for car traffic and without cars we wouldn't need them. So even if it's a traffic violation to cycle through red, I feel it's morally fine. Just be sure you take care of yourself.

Riding through stopped traffic on the margins is called "filtering", and motorcyclists do it too (if the traffic's moving, it's called "lanesplitting"). It's illegal here in Canada, but it's legal in a lot of other places. For example, the UK!

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

Do you think it should be made illegal?

@weevilinabox

4 ай бұрын

Here in the UK it's called filtering regardless of whether or not the traffic is moving. As you say, it's completely legal, though the onus is on anyone filtering to do so safely. Personally, I consider it daft to _not_ filter if the option is available. It's one of the perks of being on two wheels.

@frozenbean

4 ай бұрын

@@gcn Not at all. If done safely and with regards to other road users, it's totally fine.

@curlybrownliz

4 ай бұрын

@@weevilinabox very few things are more satisfying than riding down the middle of two lines of sheeple stuck in traffic

@Markycpics

4 ай бұрын

Legal in Australia up to 30kph I think

These are usually the same people who hate motorcycles. I behave myself in similar fashion on the road. I try to help by communicating via hand signals; thanking drivers who yield or were obviously being aware of me, directing traffic that seems confused, flipping the bird only when they do dangerous things. Amazingly, just today, I had a motorist narrowly miss me and then swerve into the bike lane. I caught them at a light just up the road, but another motorist, who had seen it, was yelling at them for me and asking if they were drunk.

A few months back a guy on a BMX was on a sidewalk. I was driving past on the road and jealous that I wasn't riding. Then, with no signal, he cut into the street in front of me and cut across 5 lanes of traffic. It was dawn. No lights, no colours, no helmet.

#captioncompetition: Such tall glasses this year at the Tour of Column Beer

As a motorist, here is a list of things that make my car journeys longer, in order of added travel time: 1. Other cars 2. Unnecessary traffic lights 3. Drivers waiting to turn right and blocking the road 4. Cars inappropriately parked and creating an obstacle (often on both the road & pavement) 5. Cars parked on double yellow lines 6. Drivers using their mobile phones and thus not paying attention other traffic 7. Drivers staring at their mobile phones in a queue of traffic and not noticing the cars ahead have moved on. 8. Accidents caused by cars (especially a motorway accident) 9. Drivers not indicating at turns and causing confusion. 10. Drivers not indicating when pulling out from a parked space (90% of motorists) 11. Drivers not indicating at roundabouts, therefore not giving the opportunity for other drivers to move onto the roundabout 12. Drivers being baffled as to how a roundabout works 13. Bewildered drivers who cause mayhem 14. Cyclists I can't explain why, but I'm calm & accepting of reasons 1 - 13. Even though they cost time, additional fuel & create pollution. But the 55 seconds per annum that cyclists hold me up, and even though I'll probably make the time back knowing No.'s 1 - 13 are somewhere down the road, No.14 MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL!! Doesn't make any sense

@matteomuniz2433

4 ай бұрын

That's the power of years and years and years of propaganda telling us that cars mean freedom, lifestyle and power. And everything that is in the way of a car is an object. Even if said object has two arms, two legs and a heart. We live in a soulless world, unfortunately.

I have exactly one goal when cycling in the city. It's to put as much distance between myself and the cars as I can. This almost always mean that I will run lights, dodge in-and-out of traffic, ride the sidewalk, pretty much anything to stay far away. I've had too many cars turn left in front of me, pull out without looking, squeezing me off the road and many, many more problems. When a car makes a "whoopsie" with me, it's my life, so I keep maximum distance.

Number one for is people who don't use turn signals. If i'm riding on the road and i see you're looking to turn right on a red light and i'm going straight? i will move over and let you pass me; no reason you need to wait 2-3 mins; but... i only do it if you have a turn signal. no signal? i'm not going anywhere One guy behind me w/o a signal got so mad that he couldn't make his turn because of me and hit me on purpose (road rage is what we call it here in America) i've got a decent Kryptonite u-lock i put it through the back of his windshield

@out_spocken

4 ай бұрын

lots of accidents would be avoideded too if people just indicated their intentions

Used to ride with a team. We always remind the group to single file when there’re cars approaching from behind, too ok share the road and the car doesn’t need to move that much over to the other lane to pass, especially on a one lane country back roads. But these days I have seen so many riders especially group rides just take over the whole lane, feel like they own the roads, and don’t care about the cars.

@SuperRat420

4 ай бұрын

Why should they at all care about the cars? No one won their freedom by being a good enough cuck

@JonCannings

4 ай бұрын

I agree, we need to all work better together and whilst it is legal to ride two riders side by side, singleing out helps that driver get to their destination too! Besides, nobody likes a car sitting behind them breathing down their neck!

@elmurcis1

4 ай бұрын

This was reason why I was very careful to join any group cycling. I was in one nice tourist-like group where we would ride slow-paced weekends and follow single-file rules by default (unless it was more rural road and somebody - mostly me - kept eye on behind and shouted "car coming"). While on solo rides I knew that as long as I'm predictable, visible and... well.. "budget class looking" I will be fine. Many times would go for whole night rides (7-9 hours in dark on almost empty roads hits so different to daylight cycling). Only tricky part was not all cars switched to near lights when did see my bike light coming so would get blinded (i didn't use rechargeable "monsters" but normal budget light). But most did and many times I would flash mine for thanks =))

I'm a huge fan of drivers who get angry and get the window down to shout at me... Because they are now angry because they don't know the highway code and I'm still on a lovely bike ride 🤣

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

At the end of the day you're the one having more fun 😉 ( as long it's not a dangerous situation)

@HrishikeshHaldankar

4 ай бұрын

I just smile and wave at them. Most of them get more furious as they were expecting me to angrily talk back but i didn't fulfill their urge

The only time I jumped red lights as a cyclist was at a roundabout where I needed to go all the way round to the third exit, i could see the lights for the other traffic change and as soon as the oncoming traffic stopped I started moving it gave me about 2-3 seconds head start round the busy traffic lanes so I could get ahead and clear of traffic and position myself safely in the middle of the lane without annoying motorists.

Driving around other people - especially people not in cars - psychologically just makes some people angry. I was on foot recently crossing with the walk sign and some lady went absolutely ballistic that she had to wait four seconds before she could turn. There is always an angry driver out there.

As always, being an idiot is not dependent on the mode of transport :)

@out_spocken

4 ай бұрын

cept idiots in cars kill other people....idiots on bikes only kill themselves. And there in lies the problem in prioritising drivers. Why allow the group that kills and does magnitudes of harm and damage to feel they are entitled to do so on roads made for everyone, paid by everyone?

@douglascarson1875

4 ай бұрын

@@out_spockenUnfortunately there are also idiots on bikes who cycle without any thought or consideration, and I say that as someone who cycles and drives a lot. Whether we as cyclists like it or not there is as much need for us to have a little care for other road users as there are for drivers. I usually find if I’m holding up a queue on a country road and pull over for a few seconds to let the faster traffic pass I get a lot of appreciative waves. It’s not that hard to be honest. We can’t expect drivers to make all the effort if we won’t at least give a little ourselves.

Here, in Rhode Island, USA, by law, we can ride 2 abreast until a faster vehicle comes up from behind. We then must go single file.

@gcn

4 ай бұрын

thanks for the comment, it is always interesting to hear the different laws/rules of the road 👍

A car driver recentlty pulled alongside me in slow traffic and told me to use the cycle path on the opposite carraigeway because millions of pounds was spent on it. He did not take into account that it did not go where I wanted to travel, as I was soon to make a left turn into my road to get home.🙄

I think that bicycles should have similar mandatory lights that motorcycles are mandated to have on a public road. Headlights, taillights, brake lights and directionals would be advantageous for all users . Arm signals are usually poorly implemented and pointless in poor light or in the dark. With the advance of micro electronics I think that it wouldn't be difficult to have a quality integrated handlebar and marker system.

I think we need another GCN show on this exact topic but in collaboration with Top Gear.

@katesmiles4208

4 ай бұрын

😂😁🤣