CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting

Need an International Perspective

(10 posts)

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  1. TwoWheels
    Member

    So here's the gig: In the past 4 weeks, I have encountered a significantly increased level of aggression from motorists.

    Just a few days ago, I was climbing up a hill, in the lane, when a state road repair truck driver -- who was parked on the side of the road, among a convoy of seven similarly-parked trucks, opens his door and yells at me, "Nobody can see you!!" (I ride an ICE trike). I get no more than 50 feet, and a pickup truck driver riding down the opposite side of the road stops, jumps out of his cab and yells, "I can't see you!!"

    Both of these statements exhibit so much stupid that I don't even bother responding to either one of them. Then, yesterday, I'm doing 10 miles to do the grocery story/pharmacy/egg & milk run, and no less than three motorists, all going the opposite direction as me in low traffic, flip me the bird as I go by.

    Excuse me, but WTH? I mean, we did just have a wicked nor'easter hit us, dumping over two feet of snow and robbing great swaths of the northeast US of electric, but the roads were all clear and dry at the time of the bird-flips.

    I'm at a bit of a loss, and needed a good rant anyway. Can anyone explain to me all the aggression?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. Dave
    Member

    It has nothing to do with being seen.

    Think about it - if you were genuinely hard to see, there would be a lot of last minute screeching of brakes and swerving which you'd notice every time you set out. It takes so much time for someone driving the other way to see you, think about it, stop their car, get out and shout something before you've ridden away that the idea they find you hard to see is simply laughable.

    IMO the problem is that you're not respecting the rules (or social norms) of your environment. Roads are Dangerous Places where Safety has a capital S and everybody not in a car HAS TO TAKE THEIR SAFETY SERIOUSLY.

    If you could be bothered reading about group theory (as in sociology) you might find it quite reassuring. IMO it's just territorial behaviour by a group against an outsider. You are even more of an outsider than ordinary cyclists, because at least they are seen to invest in the Culture of Fear - so you get more aggressive treatment (and aggression from other cyclists to boot).

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Roads are Dangerous Places where Safety has a capital S

    And those things with pedals are called toys. One of those toys with the pedals out in front is from the spaceships rack in local hypermarket and DEFINITELY SHOULDN'T BE ON OUR ROADS.

    In the UK, if you ride a bicycle on the road, you're still 'very dangerous' (IME) but at least most motorists huff and accept it.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Arrelcat: "those things with pedals"

    Funny how every cyclist can complete around 180 effective, successful pedal presses per minute while some drivers can't even manage one.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. Morningsider
    Member

    I think that some drivers, on seeing someone cycling (something healthy, fun and practical) feel quite a bit of guilt that they are sat in a huge gas guzzling car and how all their good intentions to get fit, reduce emissions etc. have fallen by the wayside. Obviously, no-one likes to be reminded that they are lazy, environment destroyers so they take their guilt out on passing cyclists.

    I think this gets worse as the weather gets worse and some drivers know for sure they would never go cycling, where usually they can convince themselves they would have cycled but for practical reasons.

    Or, they are just idiots - take your pick.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. chdot
    Admin

    "Or, they are just idiots - take your pick."

    Don't think those are mutually exclusive!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. kaputnik
    Moderator

    How can they see you to shout at you if they say "they can't see you". Idiots.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. LaidBack
    Member

    Tom Funny how every cyclist can complete around 180 effective, successful pedal presses per minute while some drivers can't even manage one. Like.

    Dave has it worked out. Actually the film Antz covered it quite neatly I think....

    I was 'acknowledged' last night by a cyclist for being 'too low' (whatever that is). My reply is that many people seem happy enough to drive cars at this height despite the difficulty of operating such cars in busy conditions and not being able to see over things.

    "But that's different..." My answer to that is on a bike or trike you're far more aware of what's going on and can actively take care of your own safety and might be able to hear as well as see what is going on around you. At the end of the day you are invisible on a bike - whether you think your are visible or not.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. Nelly
    Member

    LB the 'too low' argument is such nonsense.

    Would the same argument be used against a small child crossing the road ? I think not, but the argumentative driver will say 'thats different'.

    Its not, and if you drive, its part of your responsibilities to make sure you can see whats in the road ahead.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. Dave
    Member

    I actually always got it much worse from cyclists than drivers (perhaps because there wasn't as much opportunity for drivers to communicate though).

    My favourite is when you come up behind someone and, without really knowing why, they start to notice that drivers are giving them lots more space. As you overtake they scream a warning that you are invisible... and as you pull away into the distance, you notice that the cars are back shaving their elbow, while passing you over in the oncoming lane... </rolleyes>

    Posted 12 years ago #

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