| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? 09:12 - Feb 26 with 2428 views | NthQldITFC |
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64774977
'But his message received some backlash. Motorists were angry he was "on the road at all" and that the driver hadn't "finished the job" - and some cyclists accused him of victim blaming by "talking about helmets at all" when the real problem was, they said, "idiots in their tanks".'
As someone who cycles more than drives these day, on decrepit roads which are serving bigger and bigger housing 'developments' and being thrashed along by more and more unnecessarily heavy, wide and polluting motor vehicles, I must admit that I tend to feel a lot of anger and (internalised) violent intent when I have a close shave with another poor, momentarily delayed driver.
In my case the trigger is fear - sheer effing terror that somebody just nearly killed me. Again. I'm sorry about that. I must do better.
From the perspective of the person sitting in the two and a half tons of metalwork, where does the anger that results in sentiments like (anger that) 'the driver hadn't "finished the job"' come from?
If you have those feelings as a motorist, were you ever a cyclist? Are your kids cyclists? Your mum? Your granny?
Is this a peculiarly British disease or is there such (increasing?) hostility to cyclists everywhere? |  |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 09:30 - Feb 26 with 2003 views | DJR |
It's absolute madness, but the pro-motorist (and anti-cylist/traffic calming etc) mood is certainly something whipped up to by the right-wing press.
I think these days many drivers are appalling, with, say, very few keeping their distance behind the car in front. It strikes me as being a combination of too powerful cars, and people who have not got road sense when young because cycling has become so rare amongst the young in the last few decades (presumably because of the danger).
I might add that I live in a relatively small town with five secondary schools but practically no children cycle to school because to do so would be to take their life into their own hands.
What is needed in my town is decent cycle lanes but this has never been a priority for my Tory council. Instead, you have the ridiculous phenomenon of hundreds of teenagers been driven two or three miles to school. In contrast, a trip to Germany a couple of years ago showed just how much they value cyclists, with, for example, cycle lanes cut through fields where cycle lanes were not possible alongside a road.
I've also been to places like Copenhagen where there are thousands of bicycles parked all over the place. [Post edited 26 Feb 2023 10:21]
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 09:40 - Feb 26 with 1979 views | Swansea_Blue |
You hear about a fair few road rage incidents in other countries, so we're probably not unique. I hate the driver/cyclist divide some people like to push - at the end of the day it's all just people. And some people make mistakes, some are stupid. It doesn't hurt to use a bit of caution and give people time and space, whatever mode of transport they're using.
I was close to smearing a cyclist up against a brick wall yesterday - some idiot came up the inside on a narrow stretch of road with lots of things going on ahead that was taking most of my concentration. I'm not an owl, so he was pretty lucky I got a flashing glimpse of something in my near side mirror otherwise it could have been nasty. He was a 'proper' cyclist too with all the gear, so should have known better. I used to spend a fair amount of time on my bike and wouldn't have dreamed of trying to squeeze up the inside like that - in a queue, especially past a constriction I'd sit bang in the middle of the lane in the traffic flow where you can be seen.
The other one that grinds my gears is motorists thinking that 2 abreast is wrong. It's actually safer for the cyclist and makes it easier for cars to get by safely in most instances - better for everyone. I try not to do it though as you get so much grief for it. [Post edited 26 Feb 2023 9:40]
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 09:50 - Feb 26 with 1955 views | Guthrum |
ALL debates rapidly descend into vitriol nowadays. People have been taught (TV drama/soap operas? Social media?) that only extreme emoting counts. There is no place for nuance or reasoned argument. Let alone comprehending an opponent's position.
Perhaps that always was the case, it's just now everything is conducted in public, with ordinary people having louder voices. Ever noticed how a lot of "news" articles are more about what (sometimes random) people think or feel on a subject that what actually happened? Like talk radio, I suppose it's to get people riled up, increasing page-clicks and providing yet more easy broadcast minutes/column inches they don't have to pay a trained journalist to write.
The serious issue is that has now leached into politics and government, with the country being run by shouty, two-dimensional soap-opera characters, rather than "boring", but rationally functional statesmen/women. |  |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 10:16 - Feb 26 with 1919 views | Ewan_Oozami |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 09:40 - Feb 26 by Swansea_Blue |
You hear about a fair few road rage incidents in other countries, so we're probably not unique. I hate the driver/cyclist divide some people like to push - at the end of the day it's all just people. And some people make mistakes, some are stupid. It doesn't hurt to use a bit of caution and give people time and space, whatever mode of transport they're using.
I was close to smearing a cyclist up against a brick wall yesterday - some idiot came up the inside on a narrow stretch of road with lots of things going on ahead that was taking most of my concentration. I'm not an owl, so he was pretty lucky I got a flashing glimpse of something in my near side mirror otherwise it could have been nasty. He was a 'proper' cyclist too with all the gear, so should have known better. I used to spend a fair amount of time on my bike and wouldn't have dreamed of trying to squeeze up the inside like that - in a queue, especially past a constriction I'd sit bang in the middle of the lane in the traffic flow where you can be seen.
The other one that grinds my gears is motorists thinking that 2 abreast is wrong. It's actually safer for the cyclist and makes it easier for cars to get by safely in most instances - better for everyone. I try not to do it though as you get so much grief for it. [Post edited 26 Feb 2023 9:40]
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I'm a "proper" cyclist and I can agree with you there - many other "proper" cyclists seem to have the same sense of total entitlement as motorists, which, when you're dressed in stealth ninja black with no lights, is not very sensible IMHO - always wear reflectivle clothing and always have lights front and back.
Ashley Neal on YouTube is a good follow for good driving and cycling tips! |  |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 10:19 - Feb 26 with 1912 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 10:16 - Feb 26 by Ewan_Oozami |
I'm a "proper" cyclist and I can agree with you there - many other "proper" cyclists seem to have the same sense of total entitlement as motorists, which, when you're dressed in stealth ninja black with no lights, is not very sensible IMHO - always wear reflectivle clothing and always have lights front and back.
Ashley Neal on YouTube is a good follow for good driving and cycling tips! |
Don’t start me on the stealth ninja black look! Clothing companies need to take some responsibility here as well imo.
I’ll have a look at that site cheers - cycling around Gower can be horrendous with its narrow and busy roads. | |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 10:22 - Feb 26 with 1893 views | DJR |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 10:16 - Feb 26 by Ewan_Oozami |
I'm a "proper" cyclist and I can agree with you there - many other "proper" cyclists seem to have the same sense of total entitlement as motorists, which, when you're dressed in stealth ninja black with no lights, is not very sensible IMHO - always wear reflectivle clothing and always have lights front and back.
Ashley Neal on YouTube is a good follow for good driving and cycling tips! |
Maybe it's different in large cities, but I have never found that to be the case in the area where I live. | | | |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 10:45 - Feb 26 with 1845 views | Ewan_Oozami |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 10:22 - Feb 26 by DJR |
Maybe it's different in large cities, but I have never found that to be the case in the area where I live. |
Then you are very fortunate indeed I would say! :-) | |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 10:49 - Feb 26 with 1837 views | MattinLondon |
To a certain extent do you think that bad behaviour has been normalised? Some people laugh when they say that they suffer from ‘road rage’ when in actual fact it’s nothing to laugh about. |  | | |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 10:51 - Feb 26 with 1833 views | BanksterDebtSlave |
Anybody driving one of those vehicles is a bit of a w@nker, it's as simple as that. They seem to have no concept of where the edge of the road is so drive down the middle and assume that you will get out of the way. I have taken to playing chicken with them! |  |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 10:56 - Feb 26 with 1821 views | lowhouseblue |
i assume the people who claimed that cycle helmets were victim blaming were being satirical. surely. |  |
| And so as the loose-bowelled pigeon of time swoops low over the unsuspecting tourist of destiny, and the flatulent skunk of fate wanders into the air-conditioning system of eternity, I notice it's the end of the show |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 11:14 - Feb 26 with 1786 views | MattinLondon |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 10:51 - Feb 26 by BanksterDebtSlave |
Anybody driving one of those vehicles is a bit of a w@nker, it's as simple as that. They seem to have no concept of where the edge of the road is so drive down the middle and assume that you will get out of the way. I have taken to playing chicken with them! |
Your latest chicken playing was caught on camera. | | | |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 12:12 - Feb 26 with 1657 views | eireblue |
It is much more relaxing cycling in other countries.
Now I have cycle cameras, don’t really need to get annoyed at people in cars driving aggressively. I just report them. |  | | |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 12:24 - Feb 26 with 1620 views | NthQldITFC |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 12:12 - Feb 26 by eireblue |
It is much more relaxing cycling in other countries.
Now I have cycle cameras, don’t really need to get annoyed at people in cars driving aggressively. I just report them. |
I'm currently thinking about attaching one to my helmet actually! | |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 12:29 - Feb 26 with 1606 views | Pendejo |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 10:49 - Feb 26 by MattinLondon |
To a certain extent do you think that bad behaviour has been normalised? Some people laugh when they say that they suffer from ‘road rage’ when in actual fact it’s nothing to laugh about. |
Bad behaviour normalised - spot on, an extension of greed is good and an attitude of me, me, me!
Over the last few years I have noticed a huge increase in people running red lights, especially at road works. Many road works are very poorly thought out;- unnecessary 3 way lights, located close to other lights and junctions that cause traffic to back up, people who go thru on green despite the way ahead being blocked.
Today I will have to negotiate a set of roadworks that I sometimes ha be to wait for my second green light to get they bestow being the first car at the lights.
Recently a bus ran a red light at roadworks (Norwood Junction) coming from 3 vehicles back when we had stopped at lights.
As for cyclists; Jeremy Vine is particularly active on Twitter and often as not is completely wrong.
In one video he stated a vehicle is illegally parked - it was on a double yellow line, however, the was clearly a passenger getting in; boarding and sightings is permitted on most double yellow lines
In another he aggressively rode up to a car turning left across a cycle lane. The car indicated early and was a number of car lengths ahead of him, but instead of slow down and give way (as I would do as a driver) he rides up to around and across the front of the car, the front wheels of which has crossed out of the cycle lane. For me a very dickheaded move. |  |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 12:29 - Feb 26 with 1608 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 12:24 - Feb 26 by NthQldITFC |
I'm currently thinking about attaching one to my helmet actually! |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 12:33 - Feb 26 with 1587 views | leitrimblue |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 12:24 - Feb 26 by NthQldITFC |
I'm currently thinking about attaching one to my helmet actually! |
They gonna have to make really weird shaped condoms in the future |  | | |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 12:38 - Feb 26 with 1554 views | LeoMuff |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 12:24 - Feb 26 by NthQldITFC |
I'm currently thinking about attaching one to my helmet actually! |
It’s a must for your own sanity if you cycle multiple times a week, so many idiots out in cars who don’t appreciate you pointing out that they almost killed you, I just report now. |  |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 12:52 - Feb 26 with 1519 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 12:12 - Feb 26 by eireblue |
It is much more relaxing cycling in other countries.
Now I have cycle cameras, don’t really need to get annoyed at people in cars driving aggressively. I just report them. |
I love it in France. Not that I’d want to try Paris! | |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 13:12 - Feb 26 with 1479 views | Ryorry |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 11:14 - Feb 26 by MattinLondon |
Your latest chicken playing was caught on camera. |
Quad bikes can be a complete 'mare - no numberplates, sometimes no indicators, seem to think the rules of the road don't apply to them.
About 10 years ago I was following one going at about 25mph on a local country lane & decided to overtake him on a straight stretch. Was starting to pull out when he abruptly, with no signal, no warning & without looking, suddenly swung right into an open gateway to a field. Luckily I managed to brake in time. He clearly had no idea I was behind him tho I was in my fairly throaty Landrover. Looked completely shocked when he saw me. Recognised him as the elderly chairman of our parish council, hadn't been previously aware he was hard of hearing tho. |  |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 13:30 - Feb 26 with 1457 views | NthQldITFC |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 12:24 - Feb 26 by NthQldITFC |
I'm currently thinking about attaching one to my helmet actually! |
Any recommendations?
(apart from "Don't pull the straps too tight, or you'll cut the circulation off!") | |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 13:35 - Feb 26 with 1449 views | GeoffSentence |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 12:24 - Feb 26 by NthQldITFC |
I'm currently thinking about attaching one to my helmet actually! |
Take it off before you have a wee. |  |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 14:09 - Feb 26 with 1400 views | eireblue |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 13:30 - Feb 26 by NthQldITFC |
Any recommendations?
(apart from "Don't pull the straps too tight, or you'll cut the circulation off!") |
https://cycliq.com/ | | | |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 14:13 - Feb 26 with 1393 views | Trequartista |
While I would agree that the culture towards cyclists / cars on the road differs greatly from the UK to say, the Netherlands, the more extreme attitudes here will start appearing when you have anonymous social media.
Are these people trolling / psychopaths / joking / serious / stupid ? Who knows. |  |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 14:15 - Feb 26 with 1382 views | Swansea_Blue |
| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 13:35 - Feb 26 by GeoffSentence |
Take it off before you have a wee. |
Or make sure it’s a waterproof camera 🤣 | |
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| Why is there so much vitriol here, and is it the same in other countries? on 15:21 - Feb 26 with 1304 views | J2BLUE |
Society seems to have more and more people who are incredibly easily triggered and have the platform to froth at the mouth about any little thing. |  |
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