Club run abuse

I think it's true there's something of a north/south divide. I've rarely experienced problems in Lancashire be it driving or cycling but I certainly notice a worse attitude from (most) drivers in the South East. It's all very stressed, congested and aggressive. Not long ago that was confined to London but it seems to have gotten worse lately.

I don't enjoy driving in the SE and certainly will avoid cycling on major routes there. Worst is the Friday evening rush hour when everyone is manically driving out of the urban areas for a nice relaxing weekend in the country. How ironic. Chill out and show some respect to other road users. Better still, have a go yourself. It does wonders for your state of mind.

A lot of drivers seem to think that riding two abreast is illegal. I've even had a driver sound their horn at me when I was riding behind my companion, but further out from the curb than them.

Hmm, talk about timing, I was thinking of meeting up with the local club for the first time this weekend! Best prep for some aggro!

Ridiculous post? Of course I want to be respected as a road user. As someone who just before Christmas was run off the road by an inattentive driver, breaking a collarbone, I've got recent first hand experience of bad driving.

OK, 'understand...(their) frustration' was perhaps loose terminology - how about 'knowing how drivers think, I can see how frustration occurs'. It's not condoning it, far from it. But in my experience there's a direct correlation between the size of the bunch and aggro/stupidity from cars. So, given the choice - and apart from commuting I cycle for pleasure/fitness - I find it more pleasant to do it solo or in smaller groups. If that's giving in then so be it. The comparison with a cyclist being faced with a group of 10 cars is irrelevant.

As for why it should be more pointed towards cyclists than any other road users (Simon E's point), I agree it is probably because we are 'different', relatively frequently encountered (unlike sheep/horses/milk floats), and perceived easy targets.

While returning from dropping my kids off at school, I saw a particularly dangerous overtake of a cyclist made by a white van. The van cut into the lane just behind the cyclist to avoid vehicles turning right off the main road, then cut back into the lane again, just missing the cyclist who carried on ahead as his lane became a bus lane. What struck me was that there was a traffic queue ahead. All the van driver did with his dangerous overtake (that took him within cm of the cyclist) was to arrive at the back of the long queu of vehicles marginally earlier than had he allowed more time and distance for the cyclist to get ahead. And of course, the cyclist almost immediately overtook the stationary van by passing in the otherwise empty bus lane. It struck me just how many vehicle drivers are unable to think further than the end of their own noses so to speak. The van driver made no difference to his journey time with his dangerous overtake, yet put the cyclist at risk and entirely unnecessarily.

Too many vehicle drivers behave in the same way, without appreciating that by driving slower and more considerately, they will arrive at their destination at exactly the same time as if they had driven aggressively. Driving slowly and more considerately reduces overall accident risk, and reduces feelings of aggression that can trigger road rage.

Moreover, the perceived immediate congestion in the mind of the vehicle driver caused by the presence of a slower moving cyclist in the road ahead is only momentary, and generally makes no difference at all to the overall journey time for a vehicle driver. In fact, the presence of cyclists on the road actually reduces journey times for vehicle drivers, as by their very use of a bicycle the cyclist is removing a vehicle from each traffic queue.

I too have all but stopped riding with club runs, the differentiating skills mean some are not aware of bunch riding, string out too slowly etc which equals drivers with less patience. This said I have experienced poor riding skills when out with 3/4 others. There will always be drivers in a hurry etc but a those that do wait for a safe passing opportunity a quick hands up to say thanks works well. This is not just a UK problem I rose in Australia for 3 years and had similar issues. Strange as it may be but I find solo riding much safer and drivers more patient.

We seem to suffer relatively infrequent abuse on the roads up in Scotland, even when out with 15+ club members on a ride. Possibly due to the population pressure being a lot less in the Stirling area than it would be further south in England.

Being from England originally, (I moved up here for uni 12 years ago) I now find that population pressure on road networks down south is one of the largest factors keeping me up here.

That's not to say that we don't get our share of moronic or dangerous driving, it's just in my experience there seems to be less of it in my local area.

I suffer frequent abuse ( over 50% of rides) and threatening/aggressive driving whilst in groups and riding solo but I feel safer in a group.

In a group most drivers will wait for a safe opportunity to overtake (even if they also develop inappropriate frustration whilst waiting) - but when I'm solo more will try and overtake when it's not safe, cutting me up when they try to avoid oncoming cars.

This is a particular danger as, In my experience, any car driver will avoid a perceived threat to themselves or their car even if, in doing so, they take out or threaten a cyclist, pedestrian etc. For an example of an example of how driver self preservation instinct overrides (literally) the clear relative vulnerability of cyclists see the 2011 stage 9 TdF outrage at:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxoWQVgwvzA

Sadly there's not alternative than staying very alert to idiots and risks.

Though slightly removed from this (although I often join a club run on my trips back to the UK) I think there are two factors at work here.

One, as was pointed out above, is that the Clarksons and other columnists, presenters and pundits looking to be controversial choose cyclists as an easy target and one of the few remaining to them which will not lead to prosecution for incitement.

But second, and more controversially perhaps, I think they are only feeding off a sense that motorists are regarded by the government as a cash cow and there is a genuine argument that their taxation has outstripped representation.

I know we are fond of saying we pay 'road tax' too but the amount of money raised from motorists in VED and fuel taxes vastly outweighs the money spent on roads, even if you include an estimate for carbon emissions.

They really do get a shit deal and since there a no government ministers available to take out their frustrations on, cyclists are the immediate face of 'the enemy'.

Cycling organisations and cyclists are often seen as setting themselves in opposition to motorists and their organisations. It is viewed as a net sum game - take from them, give to me.

I'm not excusing or justifying the behaviour but sadly it will continue until there is less higher-level antagonism between the groups. We should be looking for a more equitable deal for all road users.

I ride on my own or with a friend. I now and again get a honk of a horn or a shout but that is about it. In groups of 4 or more you get hassle.

I have to say on club runs we're generally lucky. Obviously there are the odd idiots. My theory when it comes to some of the drivers is that we as cyclists present them a challenge, they can't just drive in a straight line, they need to actually think about what to do when they pass us. This is why they react the way they do. Obviously there are a few idiots who do it for their own amusement. Anyway that's just my theory, it's not an excuse for them, far from it.

Main reason why I gave up going on club runs - now find it more fun to go out on my own or with one or two mates. Thing is I can understand the frustration of car drivers when faced with a phalanx of 10 riders in front of them on a country road, even if stretched out singly. Doesn't warrant the abuse and dangerous driving though...

The best thing we can do is not rise to the aggressive motorists' bait. I try to just feel sorry for how idiotic they are rather than let them win by getting me wound up. I know that doesn't make them any less dangerous but at least I can get on with my ride and enjoy it. I am looking at getting a helmet camera so I can point at it to a motorist who is giving me abuse. "I've got your reg number madam / mate!"

Blame Jeremy Clarkson and his ilk.

Last Sunday a coca cola can was launched out of the window of a car at a junction while going over the M25.

Later on in the ride, a man in an expensive rover tailgated me and swerved around behind me sounding his horn.

A woman, also in a rover, sounded her horn unnecessarily while performing a dangerous overtaking maneuver.

Several 'hot hatchbacks' also performed overtaking maneuvers. No doubt in stolen cars.

It angers me that ignorant fools are ruining something which we so passionately enjoy, especially because we tend to respect them as road users in what should be a two way relationship.

Whetheryou want to take to the roads with a GoPro stuck to your helmet is up to you. It could offer the potential to be evidence in court, I don't bother though.