Has anyone changed their opinion of cyclists?

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
1

I didn’t used to think much of anything about cyclists. I would give them space on the road (and still do) and always assume that they might not have much road sense if they don’t hold a licence for another form of transport. I did my cycling proficiency at school, but realise that this is no longer as widespread as it used to be. So I would be cautious and assume the worst (again - I still do)

But- after reading some of the posts here lately, and realising the mindset of some cyclists, and their attitude to other road users, I find myself feeling increasingly resentful when I encounter one on the roads. I wonder if they are almost looking for an argument, or filming everything in the hope that they see a driver doing something that they perceive to be wrong. Maybe shaking their head because I don’t have 20 cameras and 54 mirrors trained on their every move.

So well done to the cycling fraternity - your efforts to change attitudes towards you have certainly worked. In this case, not for the better.

I know that a lot of lorry drivers are also cyclists, but I think you can distinguish between those that have road sense, and those that just think they do. The former share the road with due consideration to other users. The latter think they own it and it’s everyone else’s responsibility to ensure their safe passage without any input of their own.

I don’t mean this to be an incendiary post - just something I have noticed. Maybe some people have changed their opinion for the better?

2

Considering most posts on here are from HGV drivers, which posts have changed your opinion for the worse?

3

people are people fella. if someone’s whittling on about something, then he speaks for himself and no one else, unless he’s been asked to speak on behalf of. don’t listen to individuals as spokesmen

4

Never changed my opinion of cyclists.Good ones bad ones just the same as lorry drivers and car drivers.
What I have changed my opinion of is the bad attitude from drivers and cyclists and the hatred that goes along with it.
I just feel sorry for the good drivers and good cyclists that have to put up with the brainless morons on both sides that cause all these problems with their selfish frames of mind.

5

My opinions on both truckers & cyclists haven’t changed a bit since coming on this forum. I cycle 16kms to work, drive the truck then cycle home. Most days there are no problems, when there are its normally cars not seeing you, then the drivers get irate because you’re on the road when, most of the time they are just embarrassed at their own poor driving. never had a problem with trucks as I don’t put myself in a position to have problems, they have always given me room.
What does annoy me on these threads is the poster that generalises, as in " they all go through red lights" we don’t, “they are all Lycra clad loonies” we aren’t, “none of them use cycle lanes” we do. While at the same time not being able to admit that truckers do anything wrong, clearly we do. Cyclists aren’t angels, we are normal human beings trying to get from one place to another. Yes they do stupid things on the roads, we all do occasionally. But, as far as I’m aware, there is no cycling conspiracy to get trucks off the roads, clearly that would not work on any level, and besides, it would put me out of work.

6

Slackbladder:
My opinions on both truckers & cyclists haven’t changed a bit since coming on this forum. I cycle 16kms to work, drive the truck then cycle home. Most days there are no problems, when there are its normally cars not seeing you, then the drivers get irate because you’re on the road when, most of the time they are just embarrassed at their own poor driving. never had a problem with trucks as I don’t put myself in a position to have problems, they have always given me room.
What does annoy me on these threads is the poster that generalises, as in " they all go through red lights" we don’t, “they are all Lycra clad loonies” we aren’t, “none of them use cycle lanes” we do. While at the same time not being able to admit that truckers do anything wrong, clearly we do. Cyclists aren’t angels, we are normal human beings trying to get from one place to another. Yes they do stupid things on the roads, we all do occasionally. But, as far as I’m aware, there is no cycling conspiracy to get trucks off the roads, clearly that would not work on any level, and besides, it would put me out of work.

You are the lucky one.I cycle as well and I am forever being passed by trucks some who give me plenty room but others who give me none!Same with cars.

7

I cycle regularly but mainly on off road cycle tracks. I do find that even when other bikes are the only vehicles on the “road” a lot of cyclists appear to have little or no road sense.

8

Albion has in in one, can’t improve on that comment.

9

Put the best of the eagles cd in and take it easy bro!!! You are getting paid they ain’t so just sit behind em and sing along :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

10

maestegboy:
Put the best of the eagles cd in and take it easy bro!!! You are getting paid they ain’t so just sit behind em and sing along :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

Exactly a lot of drivers and cyclists need to chill out and start having respect for each other instead of all the hatred.

11

I do not think attitudes have changed over the years but the posting of them has due to the internet which gives a different impression

Certainly the roads have got more congested over the last 20 years and the authorities/law makers have been reluctant to change the rules to fit in with what we have now

12

waynedl:
Considering most posts on here are from HGV drivers, which posts have changed your opinion for the worse?

There have been so many lately - cyclists designing trucks, new cycle-friendly roundabouts, cyclists v trucks, ban trucks from city centres (yes please!) and as a well-functioning forum, these road-related topics gets discussed on Trucknet. And so they should. So not a specific post or poster, just a general anti-truck, pro cyclist feeling…

albion1971:
What I have changed my opinion of is the bad attitude from drivers and cyclists and the hatred that goes along with it.
I just feel sorry for the good drivers and good cyclists that have to put up with the brainless morons on both sides that cause all these problems with their selfish frames of mind.

This is a first… I agree :open_mouth:

Slackbladder:
But, as far as I’m aware, there is no cycling conspiracy to get trucks off the roads, clearly that would not work on any level, and besides, it would put me out of work.

Personally, I think if you asked most non-truck driving cyclists, they would want trucks off the road. I’m not sure the implications of that would occur to most people.

gardun:
I cycle regularly but mainly on off road cycle tracks. I do find that even when other bikes are the only vehicles on the “road” a lot of cyclists appear to have little or no road sense.

Agreed

maestegboy:
Put the best of the eagles cd in and take it easy bro!!! You are getting paid they ain’t so just sit behind em and sing along :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

It’s not the being held up bit - we should all be able to cope with that. It’s the danger that some of them put themselves in, expecting other drivers to compensate. For instance, I very rarely see a cyclist look behind them before pulling out (to overtake another cyclist for instance) assuming that you will have seen them and take appropriate avoiding action. I may have a cyclist coming up on the offside too - cyclists often come up both sides of vehicles but still expect you to give them both room!

ROG:
I do not think attitudes have changed over the years but the posting of them has due to the internet which gives a different impression

Yes, I think that has a lot to do with it - same as some people often say that the world used to be a safer place. Maybe it did, but maybe it’s just that we didn’t have the technology and means to report every incident.

Thanks for your input fellas - it is just me then :blush: :laughing:

13

Slackbladder:
‘…What does annoy me on these threads is the poster that generalises…’

Total agreement with that, matey - but generalisations are useful to illustrate hard to ignore microns of disatisfaction despite the Government not giving a monkey’s to listen and/or act upon :exclamation:

Q. What has Government done to address the monster topic of poor cyclist behaviour :question:

A. Ignore it

It’s a political strategy to be at another’s throat since it keeps the dissatisfied off the political leadership’s back: Hitler did it brilliantly :frowning:

The way the UK has been dished-up and is now force fed ‘diversity’ courtesy of pro-EU governments with covert ambition that wasn’t mandated to voters has created an ‘Us versus Them’ society (or lorryist v cyclist, etc, etc) in hundreds of sphere’s.

Hence the otherwise passive UK society has a cynical & growing distrust emerging with all/most/much of what count as daily interactions creating an unhealthy disaffection upon and within many otherwise reasonable and well-meaning people on the street and in lorries too.

Of course, many individuals and groups are actively abusing this to the advantage of societal disharmony.

The nation hasn’t sufficiently advanced it’s supposedly Government managed infrastructure, in this case to cope with decent management of road-users, eg, cyclists as fast as cultural, attitudinal and financial effects have randomly (diversely!) rampaged ahead.

Cool Brittannia or Great Britain? Hardly…!

Add to this how the Police have disappeared off the streets and how distant Big Brother cameras now do their work (ie, at a distance, poorly reimbursed, facelessly & badly) and it isn’t hard to see why times have changed not necessarily for the holistic better.

Cyclists don’t necessarily ■■■■, but to deliberately generalise, I’m advocating that badly managed - or worse, the encouragement of unfocussed, uber-liberal diversity that permits (encourages?) bad behaviour among any societal group to the detriment of others, as advocated by too many pro-EU, UK political jelly-men certainly does ■■■■.

14

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15

Happy Keith, I agree with most of your reasoning. I just don’t believe the government has a strategy at all, they seem to lurch from crisis to crisis with no apparent direction. This is because we live in an era of the professional politician, one that never had a proper job in their life. They studied politics at uni, became councillors and then on to be an MP somewhere they have never heard of. Years ago they came from jobs they held for years, got experience of the ups & downs of life. And it’s not just the Tories, they are all the same. I’ve not seen one in recent years that looks like they are comfortable talking to “normal” working people. I’ve often heard it said that we get the government we deserve, if that’s the case then it’s time we started claiming this country back before it’s too late.

16

Only a few months ago I was escorting a STGO 3 load through a town, cant remember where, but was around Swindon area. As we were 145 tons and pretty wide we had to keep things nice and steady. We were making steady progress down the single carriageway at 30mph even though the speed limit was 40mph and we soon came up behind a cyclist who I imagine was doing 14mph. The traffic flow in the opposite lane was pretty constant, so the wide load we had, had to stay in lane, we had no chance of overtaking the cyclist. I knew the only way we could make progress was for the cyclist to hop onto the footpath and let us pass, so I drew the pilot van level with the cyclist and round my window down and said (hey mate can you please let us pass we’ve got a wide load behind you)

The response of the cyclist was to phlegm up a greeny and spit it on the floor in front of him whilst still cycling and to stare at me in the eye. I said shall I take that as a no then, he shrugged his shoulders whilst he still kept his course of travel whilst still staring at me.

I then held back and got on the radio to the guy behind to tell him" looks like we’re here for the long haul" so we, and a huge queue of traffic sat behind the cyclist until a few miles down the road became a dual carriageway.

Did it ruin my day - No
Did I get in from work and complain about the nasty cyclist on the Internet - No
Did it make me think all cyclists are a law unto themselves - No
Did it make me think in every type of road user they may be a couple of throbbers - Yes

Judging by the cyclists size, shape and company uniform which is a well known haulage firm, I put him down to a miserable truck driver on his way to work :grimacing:

17

grumpybum:
always assume that they might not have much road sense if they don’t hold a licence for another form of transport

plenty of those who do hold a licence for another form of transport dont have any road sense

18

chester:
Only a few months ago I was escorting a STGO 3 load through a town, cant remember where, but was around Swindon area. As we were 145 tons and pretty wide we had to keep things nice and steady. We were making steady progress down the single carriageway at 30mph even though the speed limit was 40mph

I thought the speed limit for STGO 3 on a single carriageway was 20mph? I stand to be corrected of course…

19

Happy Keith:

Slackbladder:
‘…What does annoy me on these threads is the poster that generalises…’

Total agreement with that, matey - but generalisations are useful to illustrate hard to ignore microns of disatisfaction despite the Government not giving a monkey’s to listen and/or act upon :exclamation:

Q. What has Government done to address the monster topic of poor cyclist behaviour :question:

A. Ignore it

It’s a political strategy to be at another’s throat since it keeps the dissatisfied off the political leadership’s back: Hitler did it brilliantly :frowning:

The way the UK has been dished-up and is now force fed ‘diversity’ courtesy of pro-EU governments with covert ambition that wasn’t mandated to voters has created an ‘Us versus Them’ society (or lorryist v cyclist, etc, etc) in hundreds of sphere’s.

Hence the otherwise passive UK society has a cynical & growing distrust emerging with all/most/much of what count as daily interactions creating an unhealthy disaffection upon and within many otherwise reasonable and well-meaning people on the street and in lorries too.

Of course, many individuals and groups are actively abusing this to the advantage of societal disharmony.

The nation hasn’t sufficiently advanced it’s supposedly Government managed infrastructure, in this case to cope with decent management of road-users, eg, cyclists as fast as cultural, attitudinal and financial effects have randomly (diversely!) rampaged ahead.

Cool Brittannia or Great Britain? Hardly…!

Add to this how the Police have disappeared off the streets and how distant Big Brother cameras now do their work (ie, at a distance, poorly reimbursed, facelessly & badly) and it isn’t hard to see why times have changed not necessarily for the holistic better.

Cyclists don’t necessarily ■■■■, but to deliberately generalise, I’m advocating that badly managed - or worse, the encouragement of unfocussed, uber-liberal diversity that permits (encourages?) bad behaviour among any societal group to the detriment of others, as advocated by too many pro-EU, UK political jelly-men certainly does ■■■■.

The government knows exactly what it’s doing.It’s all about making cycling ‘more attractive’ by providing cyclists with carte blanche to do as they like on the roads with no sanctions taken against them and by using the bs global warming agenda to make the case for cycling and cyclists better than it really is with the cyclists then using all that to provide themselves with a sense of self righteousness.While at the same time using all of the above to make motor vehicle use less attractive by making drivers responsible for the suicidal actions of cyclists and using cyclists as yet another form of ‘traffic calming’ to make motor vehicle journeys slower than they should be thereby reducing the so called ‘attraction’ of motor vehicle use even more.The same thing can be seen in other types of bs anti motor vehicle policies like removal of pedestrian bridges and subway walkways to be replaced by traffic controlled crossings and speed reduction programmes etc etc etc all usually led by that bastion of the raving militant cyclist commie tendency known as TFL.

The reason for that is to lower expectations amongst the working classes in order to get them out of their cars and back onto cycles as was the case in the early 20th century all in order to save the employers some money in wage demands.Hitler did try something similar with the exception that his idea was to make his virtual slave labour force feel better by giving them all the chance of owning a Volkswagen Beetle instead of a decent Merc. :smiling_imp: :unamused:

Unfortunately truck users/drivers are just getting caught up in that raving commie war against the motorist ( the agenda as usual from the cyclists persepective often being based on that type of agenda that if they can’t afford to buy and run a car then they’re going to make anyone else who can’s life a misery ) as a form of unintended collateral damage. :bulb:

20

grumpybum:
I didn’t used to think much of anything about cyclists. I would give them space on the road (and still do) and always assume that they might not have much road sense if they don’t hold a licence for another form of transport. I did my cycling proficiency at school, but realise that this is no longer as widespread as it used to be. So I would be cautious and assume the worst (again - I still do)

But- after reading some of the posts here lately, and realising the mindset of some cyclists, and their attitude to other road users, I find myself feeling increasingly resentful when I encounter one on the roads. I wonder if they are almost looking for an argument, or filming everything in the hope that they see a driver doing something that they perceive to be wrong. Maybe shaking their head because I don’t have 20 cameras and 54 mirrors trained on their every move.

So well done to the cycling fraternity - your efforts to change attitudes towards you have certainly worked. In this case, not for the better.

I know that a lot of lorry drivers are also cyclists, but I think you can distinguish between those that have road sense, and those that just think they do. The former share the road with due consideration to other users. The latter think they own it and it’s everyone else’s responsibility to ensure their safe passage without any input of their own.

I don’t mean this to be an incendiary post - just something I have noticed. Maybe some people have changed their opinion for the better?

I think the same but i still give them a wide birth