Cyclist victimisation, Sick of being abused for trying to get to work Options

[Rach E]

I live in Manor Park and work in Kingsclere and ride an (extended) route to the office every day (to avoid the A339). In the last few weeks, I have suffered the following abuse from drivers:

- A *full* can of Monster drink thrown at me. The drink hit my helmet and knocked off my glasses, meaning I couldn't get the registration number. Despite the drink can being retrieved, lack of CCTV meant nothing could be done according to the Police.
- A woman pulling up next to me at the Robin Hood roundabout when I was stopped at the lights hysterically informing me that I was going to "get myself killed". I had done nothing wrong and was stopped at the traffic lights just like the cars.
- A minimum of two "beeps" per journey (normally accompanied by revving) when cars are stuck behind me (despite me waving cars through when I can see round corners and being law abiding).
- Five cars brushing me passing too close within the last four weeks.
- Regular calls of "get on the cycle lane" (or, as this evening's driver said, "getting on the f***ing cycling lane you c*nt". This kind of phraseology is a regular occurrence).

I can normally take it, but this evening's driver - perhaps because it was raining and I was soaked - meant I got into my house and broke down. I do nothing wrong on my commutes and obey the law. I cycle in cycle lanes when they are on the road, but any which are shared use on pavements I avoid as they're dangerous when you've riding at speeds up to 30mph (the DVLA recommend any person moving faster than 18mph should not use shared cycle/footpaths).

Why is there so much hatred towards me? If a car gets stuck behind me - and it's rarely more than a few seconds - they overtake and catch up the car ahead of me.

It's really getting me down now.

[Andy Capp]

Invest in a helmet cam, but to answer your question and paradoxically, it is because some car drivers are c*nts.

[Turin Machine]

Helmet cam. I try, lord knows I try to to treat cyclists with a degree of courtesy I really do but some of them do go out of their Lycra warrior way to be obnoxious. Doesn't mean you should be abused or put in harm's way. Cyclists were on the road before the car after all. Helmet cam will provide evidence for a prosecution.

[TallDarkAndHands...]

I live in Manor Park and work in Kingsclere and ride an (extended) route to the office every day (to avoid the A339). In the last few weeks, I have suffered the following abuse from drivers:

- A *full* can of Monster drink thrown at me. The drink hit my helmet and knocked off my glasses, meaning I couldn't get the registration number. Despite the drink can being retrieved, lack of CCTV meant nothing could be done according to the Police.
- A woman pulling up next to me at the Robin Hood roundabout when I was stopped at the lights hysterically informing me that I was going to "get myself killed". I had done nothing wrong and was stopped at the traffic lights just like the cars.
- A minimum of two "beeps" per journey (normally accompanied by revving) when cars are stuck behind me (despite me waving cars through when I can see round corners and being law abiding).
- Five cars brushing me passing too close within the last four weeks.
- Regular calls of "get on the cycle lane" (or, as this evening's driver said, "getting on the f***ing cycling lane you c*nt". This kind of phraseology is a regular occurrence).

I can normally take it, but this evening's driver - perhaps because it was raining and I was soaked - meant I got into my house and broke down. I do nothing wrong on my commutes and obey the law. I cycle in cycle lanes when they are on the road, but any which are shared use on pavements I avoid as they're dangerous when you've riding at speeds up to 30mph (the DVLA recommend any person moving faster than 18mph should not use shared cycle/footpaths).

Why is there so much hatred towards me? If a car gets stuck behind me - and it's rarely more than a few seconds - they overtake and catch up the car ahead of me.

It's really getting me down now.

Scum like that are not worth it. It reminds me of the rather obnoxious man who would regularly get his dog to sh!t on my path each morning and not pick it up. Thought it was a right laugh. One day I followed him home as I was on holiday. After he had gone to work I picked up his dogs poo and deposited it through his letter box... Would love to have seen his face when he got home. Take care and don't let these animals get you down.😃

[On the edge]

It's a sad indictment of our 'me me' society today. I have to be in front and stuff everyone else. Frankly, we would be far better served if we used cameras etc to identify and punish bad attitudes rather than minor technical infringements. When it comes to cyclists, its worth remembering that if they'd chosen to use cars, you'd be much further back in the queue.

Take heart though, the indications are beginning to suggest we are getting tired of the unacceptable face of Toryisim, hopefully heralding a kinder more mannered future.


(PS, it took me ages to train that dog TDH and my neighbour in the downstairs flat is concerned and upset! )

[Biker1]

You have my sympathy Rach.
You suffer from the same issues as those by many motorcyclists.
That is your reputation is tarnished by others who ride like selfish idiots and invite the wrath of other road users.
This anger is then taken out on all cyclists / motorcyclists whether law abiding or not.
Unfortunately Turin M is correct in that many cyclists do not obey the laws of the road and cycle in a selfish, inconsiderate manner.
Many dress and behave like they are on the Tour de France on narrow country roads.
Others break the rules in many ways that have been discussed at heated length before on this forum.
This attitude becomes a generalisation in the minds of the motorists who then take out their frustrations on all.
The solution?........... Don't know!!

[Simon Kirby]

Invest in a helmet cam, but to answer your question and paradoxically, it is because some car drivers are c*nts.

Every sympathy Rach but it's like Andy Capp says.

[JeffG]

Take heart though, the indications are beginning to suggest we are getting tired of the unacceptable face of Toryisim, hopefully heralding a kinder more mannered future.

What on earth does politics have to do with it? If you want to be taken seriously, you should stop posting nonsense like this.

[gel]

What on earth does politics have to do with it? If you want to be taken seriously, you should stop posting nonsense like this.

Here, here.

[Turin Machine]

Quite. Be blaming Brexit next!

[Andy Capp]

What on earth does politics have to do with it? If you want to be taken seriously, you should stop posting nonsense like this.

Perhaps you might wait for the reply to your question before hurling abuse?





Soddin' Tories; they're all the same!

[JeffG]

Perhaps you might wait for the reply to your question before hurling abuse?

What question? And what abuse?

Edit: Ah - do you mean my rhetorical question in the same post? And a comment about posting obviously irrelevant nonsense is hardly abuse.

[x2lls]

Yes, a camera is the answer, or even two. One forward facing, the other behind. As both a driver and cyclist, I agree wholeheartedly. I have a dashcam in the car and only last week I was able to provide a neighbour with evidence of a wing mirror being destroyed by some a$$hole who failed to stop.

[x2lls]

You could always try this!! lol
https://www.facebook.com/4sarc/videos/1074865985926196/

[Andy Capp]

What question? And what abuse?

Edit: Ah - do you mean my rhetorical question in the same post? And a comment about posting obviously irrelevant nonsense is hardly abuse.

Telling some one what they should do without reasonable grounds is abusive behaviour; not that OTE would really care of course.

My take on OTE's comment is that a government can reflect the country's mood and it follows that if the country starts to tire of the Tories it clould suggest a move away from its overt intolerant, arrogant and selfish personality...assuming that he was drawing an analogy between the zeitgeist (aggressive car drivers) and the Monster Raving Tories.

I don't agree with OTE, but I wouldn't be so rude as to say he should stop posting as such. Or at least not until he's had a chance to explain.

[Andy Capp]

There is no excuse for the behaviour mentioned in the OP, in fact it is illegal, but it is frustrating being stuck behind a cyclist on a narrow twisty road and it only seems to happen when one is pushed for time. It is because of this I will sometimes cycle on the pavement when it seems safe to do so, or simply avoid certain routes.

[Biker1]

There is no excuse for the behaviour mentioned in the OP,

Agreed. But I was pointing out a reason

in fact it is illegal

Quite

It is because of this I will sometimes cycle on the pavement when it seems safe to do so, or simply avoid certain routes.

Whoops, so is that!!

[Andy Capp]

Whoops, so is that!!

Not always, but I don't care. Pavement cyclist very rarely cause me any concern. I realise others will have different experiences.

[je suis Charlie]

Breaking news! Young socialist says "I don't care" when committing crime! Stop the press!

[On the edge]

What on earth does politics have to do with it? If you want to be taken seriously, you should stop posting nonsense like this.

Hurts does it?