http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Today's rubbish unwarranted comments and why en Tue, 19 May 2026 12:00:03 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069&page=2#post-319119 Sun, 08 Dec 2019 21:33:42 +0000 acsimpson 319119@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Did they perhaps mean that they don't fancy altering their driving style despite being aware that there are vulnerable road users.</p> <p>I'm a little confused why thy would be happier to have to move their steering wheel a fer degrees and perhaps alter their speed if you had a cheery wee flag. Perhaps it would raise their mood just enough to offset such huge effort. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069&page=2#post-319118 Sun, 08 Dec 2019 20:57:39 +0000 wingpig 319118@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Presumably your occasional need for milk, fruit juice and rolls would prevent too much pointed retort but who would be able to resist attaching a wee flag (perhaps PoP?) to your cap the next time you visit? Hammily gesturing at it, giving a cheesy/conspiratorial grin and a thumbs-up optional. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069&page=2#post-319117 Sun, 08 Dec 2019 20:40:51 +0000 Frenchy 319117@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>They fly along the roads, y'know</em></p> <p>I suspect you were already aware of this? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069&page=2#post-319113 Sun, 08 Dec 2019 20:17:58 +0000 sallyhinch 319113@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm just trying to imagine how she thought adding a tiny flag would make your torpedo more visible? It's must be the most visible thing for miles around. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069&page=2#post-319112 Sun, 08 Dec 2019 19:57:31 +0000 Arellcat 319112@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I am in my local shop, getting milk and fruit juice and rolls. One of the staff is fussing over the reduced items counter. A man and I are standing equidistant from the staff member who then looks round.</p> <p><strong>Staff member: </strong>Have you no' been killed yet?<br /> <strong>Me: </strong>&lt;thinking she must be sharing a joke with the man nearby who is probably familiar to her&gt;<br /> <strong>Staff member:</strong><br /> <strong>Me: </strong>&lt;noticing the man has not said anything either&gt;<br /> <strong>Me: </strong>Who, me?<br /> <strong>Staff member: </strong>Aye, huv ya no' been killed yet? In your little red…thing wi' no flag? How come the car drivers huvnae hit you yet?</p> <p>Well this is not the hyperlocal, friendly village conversation I've come to expect.</p> <p><strong>Me: </strong>Well I've been doing it for a long time, and <em>&lt;I'm really quite an experienced cyclist you know and quite frankly how dare you start criticising the way I ride my bike! I've just had a lovely walk in the rain and amongst the trees, and you're starting to ruin my mood…&gt;</em><br /> <strong>Staff member: </strong>I didnae mean the way you cycle, I mean all those crazy car drivers out there. Ah cannae believe you've no' been hit.<br /> <strong>Me: </strong>I operate on the assumption that people don't actually know what I am, and so they tend to exercise some caution.<br /> <strong>Staff member: </strong>They fly along the roads, y'know. Do you no' huv a death wi<br /> <strong>Me: </strong>I don't enjoy these roads either.</p> <p>She might have meant well but I had a headache and her natural argy-bargy banter can get in the bin. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069&page=2#post-236484 Tue, 15 Nov 2016 14:11:12 +0000 biketrain 236484@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not sure if this unwarranted advise (for pedestrians)</p> <p>"In winter time when it’s dark pedestrians &amp; cyclists should always wear reflective &amp; fluorescent clothing."</p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/GlasgowSEPolice/status/798154114190295041">Linkee</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235516 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 17:05:27 +0000 paddyirish 235516@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@ih<br /> <em>I've now adopted the habit of saying something to everyone I pass on NEPN, doesn't matter how inconsequential, so long as it's pleasant. Seems to work wonders.</em></p> <p>That is the Fife way. A few of us have commented on this- we get a greeting or acknowledgement from almost all Fife-bound cyclists, with two known exceptions. The Brian Blessed level greeting has already been tried with partial success on one of the two... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235512 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 16:45:22 +0000 dougal 235512@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>simply to make some sort of neutral communication such as "morning"</em></p> <p>I also do this. I am slowly but surely creeping towards a Brian Blessed level of volume and/or cheer. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235508 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 16:12:36 +0000 Min 235508@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Rosie <em>@ Min - that is very sound but I am afraid my good morning would come out as sarcastic.</em></p> <p>Hmm, I am not sure I can come up with any suggestions for autosarcasm! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235503 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 15:22:49 +0000 ih 235503@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks @Rosie. Had to Google that. And there was me thinking it was just a brand of orange juice from the 90s.</p> <p>I've now adopted the habit of saying something to everyone I pass on NEPN, doesn't matter how inconsequential, so long as it's pleasant. Seems to work wonders. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235497 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 14:31:01 +0000 Rosie 235497@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@eddie_h - Of course, we are wonderful. </p> <p>Kia ora! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235496 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 14:28:03 +0000 neddie 235496@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>How about "g'day mate" with a New Zealand accent? Everyone likes Kiwis. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235495 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 14:22:44 +0000 Rosie 235495@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@ Min - that is very sound but I am afraid my good morning would come out as sarcastic. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235487 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 12:23:05 +0000 algo 235487@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>One of my new office co-workers is insistent she has to drive from Blacket area to Greenhill area Road, dropping her kids (old enough to walk or cycle) off at that posh school at the top of MMW. Apparently she hasn't got time for anything other than driving. I sympathise with her concerns for safety on the roads for children on bikes - hopefully though there'll be a wholly connected safe passage from Blacket to the Meadows before too long.</p> <p>The person with the unwarranted comments I suspect this time was me - I was not popular by the end of the conversation, despite attempting to be as polite as possible. I just don't see how it's better to go by car for what I consider to be such a short distance. I also don't even really believe it's quicker. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235478 Thu, 03 Nov 2016 12:03:38 +0000 Min 235478@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have a method for dealing with pedestrians who do absolutely nothing to let you get past and it is simply to make some sort of neutral communication such as "morning" or whatever is appropriate. If they are deliberately blocking you, it shows you haven't risen to it (even if you secretly have) if they are just ignorant they may then be thinking what a nice polite person you are and not like all those other cyclescum. Win win IMO. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235383 Wed, 02 Nov 2016 15:22:01 +0000 I were right about that saddle 235383@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Neither beverage was ruined, boys. Bit of spillage. Coffee table is weatherbeaten anyway. No biggie.</p> <p>On the way back from picking up @nobrake's donor fork and frame I got shouted at by an HGV driver. He thought the way the frame was loaded on the trailer was illegal. </p> <p>Because he was aggressive I was defiantly sarcastic in return. (Oooh!) But, a minute later I countered my inner self-righteous cyclist and asked myself if he might in fact have a point. I thought he might, so I stopped and reloaded with less lateral juttage.</p> <p>It's a shame two citizens can't have a conversation about roadcraft without shouting and swearing and sarcasm. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235342 Wed, 02 Nov 2016 13:08:53 +0000 Cyclingmollie 235342@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Kap: "Got a sarchastic "you're welcome" from two young ladies on the path"</p> <p>I got exactly the same response from a couple of women with kids on the path between Craigleith and Drylaw the week before last. I was going slowly and was well over to the left, they were taking up most of the width of the path. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235325 Wed, 02 Nov 2016 11:32:40 +0000 algo 235325@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@jdanielp - IWRATS will have to confirm, but if that is the case, I'm sending out for any related cctv... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235321 Wed, 02 Nov 2016 11:23:56 +0000 jdanielp 235321@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@algo possibly even two ruined breakfast beverages?! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235290 Wed, 02 Nov 2016 09:55:56 +0000 algo 235290@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@IWRATS - thank you for the commiseration. This man is now also responsible for a ruined breakfast beverage. I wonder how he sleeps at night. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235288 Wed, 02 Nov 2016 09:52:34 +0000 I were right about that saddle 235288@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@algo</p> <p>That incident is so annoying that I just put my glass of orange juice down inside my coffee cup.</p> <p>I fear the guy will have been refering to your transporting a child by bicycle, not your failing to signal. I know one person who views this as akin to taking a baby base jumping. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-235278 Tue, 01 Nov 2016 23:13:11 +0000 algo 235278@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was waiting to turn right from Salisbury Place onto Causewayside. I had a passenger on the back and lights and plenty of reflectives on the seat. I was positioned right, but wasn't indicating as I was edging very slowly forward. The car in front was distracted and was being sluggish setting off on the green, despite creeping into the ASL on red. The car behind came up very close behind us and shouted out of the window at us, as we were turning right "How is that safe mate?". I turned round and gave chase up Grange Road, but alas he had disappeared. I can only imagine he was referring to my lack of indication. I would have liked to catch him to invite him to demonstrate to me his best outstretched right arm on a top heavy bike at 1-2 mph. I suppose he probably had something to say about my lidless state but that comment can retreat into the sunless place whence it came. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-234940 Sat, 29 Oct 2016 09:08:00 +0000 HankChief 234940@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I had an odd one last week.</p> <p>Navigating the northern reaches of the Gogar Roundabout and about to cross the tram entrance, I notice a motorbike is signalling to turn in so I signal and make what I think I eye contact and it appears to me that he nodded and slowed a bit, so I go across the junction comfortably in front of him only to give me a barrage of effing and jeffing. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-234936 Sat, 29 Oct 2016 08:39:26 +0000 gembo 234936@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@nelly, Malcolm is often overtaking me with his distinctive head gear. Last night I gave him a north to Alaska wave to signal he should bomb past me as we left the aqueduct. He did once comment I was dressed for the summer on day in December last year but I would not class this as rubbish unwarranted comment, rather just a bit of banter.</p> <p>Could be aurora interference but mine was at start of week after which everyone has been lovely to everyone. I feel comments should never be made before 7.30a.m. That is uncouth </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-234933 Sat, 29 Oct 2016 06:24:18 +0000 Nelly 234933@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Gembo, must be the electrical interference from the auroura or summat.</p> <p>I went west on canal yesterday morning, almost taken out by a "non-bell ringer" at meggetland bridge, then was roundly abused coming out the other side "nose in, nose in" he shouted. All a bit much at half seven.</p> <p>In other news, I know your West Lothian Clarion guy - Malcolm, used to work with me, very nice guy. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-234918 Fri, 28 Oct 2016 21:40:07 +0000 kaputnik 234918@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Got a sarchastic "you're welcome" from two young ladies on the path alongside Canonmills Tesco yesterday evening who had been occupying the entire path and condensed themselves down to 2/3 of the path as I approached. I think she was expecting me to say thankyou for not crashing into them or something. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-234911 Fri, 28 Oct 2016 19:25:59 +0000 gembo 234911@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Had Stonking ride home tonight, bit late for a Friday so very quiet but also still quite light. Waved marco Pantani (west Lothian clarion version) through after the aqueduct and chap behind marco also overtook. Nearly made it up the slope to the WoL path whilst my second overtaker went the long way (I used to always make it up this slope but combo of weaker lungs, lower branches, intermittent mojo and shopping weighing me down has taken its toll). Anyway second overtaker had clearly slowed so on long straight drag after colinton i overtook again which prompted chap to chase me to Currie which was nice as his light and my light made it nice and bright for the rabbits and dog walkers. I never went down Ray. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-234874 Fri, 28 Oct 2016 13:14:14 +0000 Rob 234874@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Unwarranted advice on lane choice this morning - "maybe you could move over to let us pass?".</p> <p>He'd been stuck behind me for the length of Great Junction Street so it may have been warranted if I hadn't in turn been stuck behind traffic which dispersed just moments before he moved up on my left to impart this advice. Moments later I turned right. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-234733 Thu, 27 Oct 2016 09:10:55 +0000 Min 234733@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes, I don't even know what to say to that one! :-/ </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=17069#post-234720 Thu, 27 Oct 2016 08:10:38 +0000 NiallA 234720@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Laidback - that's really bizarre. He was objecting to you doing all the things that taxi drivers (and others) complain that cyclists never do (wait at red, use lights, signal)? We really cannot win, can we? </p>