http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: “Why are female cyclists targeted by aggressive drivers for abuse?“ en Sun, 31 May 2026 12:05:56 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315485 Wed, 09 Oct 2019 10:51:48 +0000 stiltskin 315485@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I suspect that being on a bike tips the power balance even further away from the weaker party. Let's face it: As a middle aged male I have received aggressive abuse from female drivers in a way that would be inconceivable if we were both on foot in the street. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315480 Wed, 09 Oct 2019 09:59:16 +0000 bill 315480@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A few years ago an Australian friend spent a couple of weeks with her relatives in Curriehill. I remember she commented that here she was able to go for a run without being harassed/shouted at by passing men and how great that was. She said back in Sydney she was shouted/honked at very often when running.</p> <p>I may be lucky but I didn't really get harassed in any of the countries where I resided and don't get harassed in Scotland either. I have three regular drivers with whom we exchange cheery waves in the mornings and that overshadows any odd honk I get. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315452 Tue, 08 Oct 2019 16:25:30 +0000 I were right about that saddle 315452@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Indeed. The thought I was trying to articulate is that some men probably want to shout at everyone but self-censor with other men out of fear of getting paneled. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315451 Tue, 08 Oct 2019 16:13:44 +0000 unhurt 315451@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>Simple cowardice.</em></p> <p>I think it's a bit more complicated than that... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315449 Tue, 08 Oct 2019 15:23:22 +0000 davidsonsdave 315449@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>To my mind, otherwise law abiding motorists, are a lot closer to the edge these days. I'm surprised that so many of them are still alive as thier blood pressure must be through the roof. </p> <p>Perhaps I am particularly unlikable, but I can manage to trigger a driver with no effort whatsoever and clothing doesn't appear to matter: Suits, casual, hi-vis all illicit similar levels of abuse.</p> <p>Yesterday, I managed to trigger a chap to shout sweary words at me when we passed each other after waiting for a green light at a junction even though we were going in opposite directions without any prior interaction nor influence on thier journey. </p> <p>The other week I triggered a driver to leave his car in full-on road-rage mode with an almost imperceptable shake of my head.</p> <p>I consider it to be my super-power. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315343 Mon, 07 Oct 2019 10:51:12 +0000 Rosie 315343@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@IWRATS - Partly that, partly some men do think they have a right to comment on women - telling them to cheer up etc, as well as remarks on their bodies. When I was young and got the "cheer up" it used to p*** me off as I would be thinking about the cold war and possible nuclear engagement. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315332 Mon, 07 Oct 2019 10:03:54 +0000 I were right about that saddle 315332@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Surely the reason is that men think there's less chance of getting battered if they insult women? </p> <p>Simple cowardice. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315329 Mon, 07 Oct 2019 09:39:00 +0000 Rosie 315329@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Male driver:- Nice legs, darlin'<br /> Female cyclist:- Stooge of the advertising/industrial complex </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315325 Mon, 07 Oct 2019 07:59:45 +0000 sallyhinch 315325@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You know, I don't even think it was that deliberate. It was more 'my brain has farted and I must release the output regardless of where I am or whose conversation I am interrupting'. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315317 Sun, 06 Oct 2019 22:44:13 +0000 unhurt 315317@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@sallyhinch he was very "No ladies, they are FOOLING you. Allow me to enlighten you with my special insights." </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315313 Sun, 06 Oct 2019 19:11:21 +0000 gembo 315313@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Beats - beats - beats. Pause - [robotic voiced] BONKERS </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315312 Sun, 06 Oct 2019 19:07:25 +0000 sallyhinch 315312@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Nonono we're getting it all wrong. According to A Random Man on the Women's Cycle Forum (the clue is in the name, dude) Facebook group, this article is part of the Guardian-led conspiracy to put women off cycling so it can sell more car advertising. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315311 Sun, 06 Oct 2019 17:20:01 +0000 gembo 315311@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The article does cite research from 2015 into close passes. Uni of Westminster - women twice as likely to experience close passes.</p> <p>I am about to start wearing the jersey that attracts the second largest amount of abuse. The pink one. Hi viz, hi abuse </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315308 Sun, 06 Oct 2019 14:52:39 +0000 the canuck 315308@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My favourite so far, "it's not about gender, it's about road speed."</p> <p>have to say, most of the comments i've seen from men have been in agreement. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315185 Fri, 04 Oct 2019 12:59:04 +0000 unhurt 315185@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Without even reading the article I could answer that question. A lot of it is to do with how some men react to women taking up space in public - plus the way so many men feel an entitlement to publicly commentate on women's choices / bodies / clothes or to offer unsolicited "advice".</p> <p>Anyway - ladies, prepare your comment bingo cards. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=19881#post-315184 Fri, 04 Oct 2019 12:48:14 +0000 chdot 315184@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2019/oct/04/why-are-female-cyclists-targeted-by-aggressive-drivers-for-abuse" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2019/oct/04/why-are-female-cyclists-targeted-by-aggressive-drivers-for-abuse</a> </p>