Why is bad cyclist behaviour so often excused instead of called out?
Posted by HawkwardGames@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 99 comments
Why is it so hard to discuss bad cyclist behaviour without it instantly turning into “yeah but cars”?
I’m talking specifically about things like riding on pavements, flying through red lights, weaving through pedestrians, and generally acting like the rules are optional.
Yes, obviously bad drivers exist too. Nobody is denying that. But whenever cyclists are criticised for dangerous or selfish behaviour, the discussion seems to immediately become excuses, deflection, or comparisons instead of just admitting the behaviour is out of order.
If a driver went up onto a pavement people would rightly call it reckless. So why is there such a reluctance to call out cyclists doing the same sort of selfish shit without immediately dragging cars into it?
Do people genuinely think it is acceptable, or is it just one of those topics where nobody wants to admit some cyclists behave like entitled arseholes?
seeyoujim@reddit
My personal bugbears with them are ignoring red lights and riding on the road then there is cycle lane on the pavement that they just flat out refuse to use- especially when it makes an already slow road slower.
A prime example of this is priory lane in Roehampton. The shitty behaviour you get from them if you challenge them about it is like that of a petulant child.
glasgowgeg@reddit
Entirely legal to do that, but you're conflating it with breaking the law for some reason.
If there's a cycle lane that's not being used, it's clearly not fit for purpose. If it was fit for purpose, why would a cyclist risk their life with the massive metal boxes?
seeyoujim@reddit
Take a look at the road . A meter wide cycle lane - no reason at all not to use it. Illegal or not it is selfish shitbaggery.
glasgowgeg@reddit
Poorly maintained, difficult to turn down a side street, pedestrian crossing points making it slower than a road, doesn't connect properly for the length of a journey, littered with debris, all reasons I've used a road rather than a cycle path.
There's nothing illegal about not using a cycle path. If the cycle path was a better alternative people would use it. If they're not, then it's not a good cycle path.
It's not selfish to use a road you're legally entitled to, no more than it's "selfish" for motorists to use normal roads instead of a motorway.
Cielo11@reddit
It's excused??? Where?
You tried to head off the "yeah but cars" reply.
But the actual reply to this is there is a problem you are missing... Humans can be twats.
It does not matter what they are doing, some humans will find a way to be a horrible to other people.
It does not matter if they are cycling, skateboarding, walking, driving a car, running etc etc etc.
There are a huge amount of cyclists who are considerate. As always in these situations, you only noticed the ones being idiots.
Does that make running red lights okay? No. Likewise with cars, buses and lorries running red lights. It's not okay. But it will still happen.
The only thing you can do is to look out for yourself in life.
I cycle, I ride Motorbikes, I drive cars, I drive a Van for work. No matter what I am doing I will always find other people doing irresponsible things. All I can do is make sure I am doing things right, and keeping myself and others safe.
Fuzzy_Cantaloupe6353@reddit
Rules exist and are enforced for cars.
Cyclist and a whole safe or not seem to think they don't t apply be it simply dismount here or from bigger idiots and yes the minority to stop at a red light etc.
Much-Ad7704@reddit
Bullshit...
Fuzzy_Cantaloupe6353@reddit
😂😂. What's BS?
That parks and under passes etc where cyclists are told to get off the damn bikes with signs and huge letters are in fact full of cyclists doing the complete opposite? Because that's a daily occurrence add In The electric bikes used buy food runners using the parks as cut through and the danger sky rockets.
The amount of times I've been hit and or yelled at while crossing the road at a controlled crossing because a cyclist decided the red light is optional is in the double digits.
Cyclist are the biggest bunch of self entitled grown children I've ever had the mis fortune to have to interact with.
Much-Ad7704@reddit
That motorist rules are enforced. I regularly see people driving through red lights, not indicating, speed, using phones while driving, driving vehicles unfit to be on the road and see the police ignore it. FFS I see the police regularly break the bloody rules.
Those modified bikes with the electric motors? Those people aren't cyclists they are motorists.
I cycle, I drive and walk plenty to as well. You do realise most cyclists are also motorists?
Fuzzy_Cantaloupe6353@reddit
You do realise well other People do it isn't a defence for being an inconsiderate person right?
Do better
Much-Ad7704@reddit
You said rules exist and are enforced for cars.
I said that's bullshit. Also whatever else you had written made no sense.
I'm not justifying anything, you are...
Fuzzy_Cantaloupe6353@reddit
It's clearly not Bs though is it if it was no one would ever end upmin court, with fines, driving bans etc.
Cars are worse is a really shitty excuse for being a bad cyclist.
Much-Ad7704@reddit
Who said cars are worse?
Certainly wasn't me. I'm just calling out your bullshit. If the law was enforced the courts would be overloaded.
Cielo11@reddit
Outstanding English skills. Not sure I fully understand your point.
Fuzzy_Cantaloupe6353@reddit
😂😂 fair.
gggggenegenie@reddit
Hello OP. I guess you've started this thread based on my earlier thread about cyclists taking pavement away from pedestrians.
Buddy-Matt@reddit
I'm not a cyclist, but honestly, bad cyclists behaviour is always being called out. As is shit car behaviour.
I don't think I've ever seen an online thread about a cyclist not descend into mud slinging by both road using groups, each group assuming the worst type of cyclist/driver is the only type of cyclist/driver.
Which is largely happening here already.
HawkwardGames@reddit (OP)
This thread already proves it. I asked why bad cyclist behaviour gets excused, and loads of replies are just “but cars” rather than answering the actual point.
Buddy-Matt@reddit
Of course they are, but that doesn't mean cyclists aren't being called out. In fact, if you think about it, they have to be called out otherwise nobody would be able to say "but cars"
And I suspect the reason you're perceiving more "but cars" is precisely because cyclists are being called out so frequently. Its far more common for people to respond to these kind of "debates" in order to argue against OP rather than agree.
Much-Ad7704@reddit
It gets called out a lot more than it gets excused.
HawkwardGames@reddit (OP)
On reddit?! Absolutely not the case.
Much-Ad7704@reddit
You must not be here long.
RadaghasztII@reddit
A car driving on the pavement is not really the same thing is it lol
HawkwardGames@reddit (OP)
True, not the same. A driver would get points for it. Both are still illegal though, so why does one get condemned and the other endlessly shrugged off?
stargasm420@reddit
Yeah points that's the difference, funny cause would think maybe it's the fact that the car actually takes up the entire pavement and weighs more than a tonne and will continue to plow through people with merely the weight of a foot
HawkwardGames@reddit (OP)
You’re literally proving the point of the post. Instant deflection to cars rather than just admitting some cyclists act like entitled arseholes.
stargasm420@reddit
Oh yeah sure of course they do I don't care
stargasm420@reddit
Why do you think they are the same? What is your problem exactly
geeered@reddit
Why when someone answers a question, is that so often people attack the answer given, instead of appreciating that someone took the time to answer the question with their understanding of the situation.
Okay, why did you feel the need to attack reasonable explanations of why other people might ride on a pavement, rather than accepting it was an answer to the question asked?
The person asked a question, if everyone had given the "because cyclists are the most evil people in the world" answer that some people (possibly including the OP) seem to want, it wouldn't have really provided a useful answer.
dbltax@reddit
Cyclists don't kill a fraction of a percent as many people as drivers do.
HawkwardGames@reddit (OP)
These replies prove exactly what this posts says, excuses.
stargasm420@reddit
That people enjoy arguing over dumb shit? Yeah
katie-kaboom@reddit
This post isn't about legal enforcement. It's about social excuses. Thanks for demonstrating.
Fuzzy_Cantaloupe6353@reddit
Utterly stupid argument
SpectreSingh89@reddit
Cause they're most vulnerable road users.
WeDoingThisAgainRWe@reddit
And pedestrians are the most vulnerable on the pavements and crossing but cyclists don’t bother with that when it suits them to race through them.
Hopeful_Lake9382@reddit
dont they? from what i've gathered living in a city its a minority of cyclists who behave like that.
R2-Scotia@reddit
One of the English papers did a survey at a crossing in London, over half the cyclists went through on red
Hopeful_Lake9382@reddit
ya think thats representative of the majority of cyclists? a good sample, london?
WeDoingThisAgainRWe@reddit
Not my experience as a pedestrian at all. It’s the majority of cyclists I see every day doing it.
stargasm420@reddit
Racing really?
SpectreSingh89@reddit
Excellent point!
Nice_Back_9977@reddit
No that would be pedestrians, particularly very young, elderly, disabled and sight or hearing impaired pedestrians who I've noticed a lot of cyclists don't seem to give a second's thought to.
stargasm420@reddit
Which part of the internet are you on? Why is every video I see of a car Knocking some poor fucker off their bike full of people blaming the cyclist and generally being cunts. Everyone hates cyclists and you are full of shit
Serious-Top9613@reddit
I’d say it’s caused by a disconnect of road knowledge between drivers and cyclists. It could also be a superiority thing, due to the hierarchy of road users where cyclists are second and car drivers are fifth. That being said, you don’t need to take a test to cycle. So, anyone who cycles but doesn’t drive has essentially no need to read the Highway Code to understand which rules apply to them 🤷♀️
cleb9200@reddit
Cyclist charging downhill on a pavement at about 20mph nearly took down my young child recently. Missed her by a cm, only because I pulled her out his path. I was obviously pretty triggered and yelled something like “what the fuck are you doing, you could have killed her?” to which he yelled that “your kid should look where she’s going” like genuinely he thought it was on us. I wonder if cycle lanes have confused the more stupid end of the cycling spectrum so that they think those rules apply to all pavements. I can’t explain it any other way. This is the stupid dangerous crap pedestrians have to deal with now
AdministrativeLiving@reddit
This has happened so many times to me over the years with either elderly parents or our dog and when I call them out I always get abuse hurled at me.
Impetuous_doormouse@reddit
I think that a lot of it comes from cyclists being super defensive. Quite often, when you see/ hear of a cyclist that gets knocked down, the comments get *filled* with with "I see lots of bad cyclists, so this guy deserved what happened" type responses. And I guess in the more enthusiastic cyclist (the one so into their hobby that they'd wade into a discussion like that), a siege mentality develops and they habitually go into defensive mode.
HuntingTheWren@reddit
Literally more vulnerable. So yeah, maybe more defensive but justifiably so.
ActionBirbie@reddit
I think it's a bit of an open secrete that Cyclists have Discord servers that they've used to organise pile-on threads here before.
That's a big enough reason on its own to hate them.
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daddywookie@reddit
Just replace every mention of cyclists or cars or drivers with “people” or “person”.
Why is it so hard to discuss bad people’s behaviour without it instantly turning into “yeah but people”?
We understand those people that act like us and are confused by the behaviour of those people not like us.
If I see a bike run a red light I’m annoyed because I don’t do that. I do sometimes pavement hop to avoid a dangerous situation (very carefully) so I’m more open to that, but not to wholesale pavement riding next to a decent alternative. I judge people speeding in a school zone because I don’t do that but I’m cool with doing 80 on the motorway… for some reason.
Arbycutter@reddit
Cyclists that don’t thank you when you give way to them.
whereohwhereohwhere@reddit
Because you're still way less likely to kill someone with a bike than with a car
HawkwardGames@reddit (OP)
So that excuses it? Weird logic. By that standard anything short of killing someone is apparently acceptable.
Sinemetu9@reddit
I agree, I’m a cyclist without a car in London (rent one when needed - damn and blast the new policies disincentivising EVs, so end of Zipcar, recently but that’s another story).
I learned the rules of using the road, they’re good in the UK, they make sense for everyone’s safety, so I respect them.
It’s beyond me why the majority of cyclists that use the road don’t stop at lights or zebra crossings. Nobody wants to be run over, or run someone over.
GenericDefaultGuy@reddit
Cyclists ride on pavements because… drivers are nut jobs hell bent on killing. Cyclists fly through red lights because… drivers don’t stop behind you so you simply have to keep going. Cyclists weave through pedestrians because… pedestrians don’t have the spatial awareness to move out of the way.
Every problem you listed isn’t a cyclist problem.
Glittering-Round7082@reddit
Traffic lights apply to cyclists.
Laws apply to cyclists.
I've had cars drive into my car at traffic lights. Does this mean they are now optional for me?
Your post is beyond moronic
HawkwardGames@reddit (OP)
Cool excuse. It’s still illegal to ride on the pavement, and pedestrians should not have to dodge cyclists because drivers are also shit.
Hopeful_Lake9382@reddit
I live next to a police station and leave my drive and cycle past them entirely on the pavement. often exchange good mornings, why have they not stopped me?
HawkwardGames@reddit (OP)
Because lack of enforcement isn’t the same thing as permission. It’s still illegal, you’ve just not been pulled up for it.
Hopeful_Lake9382@reddit
or is it because they dont punish people for safely riding on the pavement because its not an issue?
GenericDefaultGuy@reddit
Pedestrians should use more common sense. Take off those silly headphones and look around, be aware. Maybe you’ll learn a thing or two. Nobody has been arrested for cycling on a pavement that’s woke nonsense.
ClimbsNFlysThings@reddit
I'm going to get downvoted for this, but I actually did nick a bloke for cycling on the pavement.
Found out later he didn't want to give me his name because he was wanted so 🤷
reeko1982@reddit
Interested to know; what’s the definition of woke for you? I’ve heard it used in some odd context but this is a new one on me.
FudgeVillas@reddit
Ohhhh it’s a troll account.
mud0k0n_34@reddit
Oh wow, found the muppet. Do everyone a favour and stay off the road.
Risky_Doughnuts@reddit
It didn't take long for the trolls to begin circulating.
ellie___@reddit
Exactly. This post is written exactly like someone who's never cycled in an urban area. I often ride on the pavement because I don't want to end up in a wheelchair for the rest of my life but I make sure to give way to pedestrians.
FudgeVillas@reddit
Thanks to this guy for helping us drill down into the problem. It’s him.
Thomasinarina@reddit
The reason they don't stop isn't because the driver doesn't stop. I've seen it many a time where the cyclist simply carries on because they feel they can weave around the person on the crossing.
andrew0256@reddit
I think you are a problem though.....
Capable-Campaign3881@reddit
I cycle myself a lot, but I hate cyclists that give us a bad name in full honesty
Avon_gent@reddit
Because it's normally in the context of petrol heads who dislike cyclists on principle complaining about the one time they've seen bad behaviour from them in the last 6 months.
People complain about cyclists all the time, this really isn't a hot take.
Delicious_Ad_2464@reddit
Wouldn’t mind them been on the pavement if they acknowledged when you step out of their way rather than get run over at an inconsiderate speed. I find the ones on the pavement seem to have an attitude of ownership of the path will use the road as they see fit hopping on and off the path at will for no apparent reason and will often be the ones who ignore lights and pedestrian zones. Wheelies in pedestrian zones seems to be the new hobby There are many good cyclists though and I acknowledge that. No enforcement or punishment I believe is the issue
midgetman166@reddit
I find it's Uber Eats and Deliveroo riders that are the worst for riding on the pavement and being massive bellends when they do.
JayR_97@reddit
As a pedestrian the cyclists are so fucking annoying.
Abd before anyone brings out that "But cars!!!" line, I've had more near misses with cyclists than Ive had with cars. At least you can trust 99% will actually stop at a red light
Pocket_Aces1@reddit
Cyclists cause a lot less deaths than cars do. significantly less.
And I haven't seen any excuse cyclists blatantly running reds, or dangerously swerving through traffic.
I've had to go through red lights before, because they haven't registered me. It's allowed in the highway code.
Some people don't want to ride on the road because of the idiotic and dangerous car and lorry drivers which will most likely kill them if they got hit by them, and so ride on the pavement, especially with younger children.
Likewise, the people who moan about having to give a minimum of 1.5m to pass a cyclist, but I cyclist can pass at any distance, a cyclist hitting you car will cause some scuffs at 5/10 mph. You hitting a cyclist at 30+ mph will cause them to fly over your bonnet.
It's not an us Vs them in terms of vehicle type. It's idiots Vs the rest of us. They are everywhere.
DTH2001@reddit
Sadly some people do minimise or dismiss bad driving
DependentRounders934@reddit
Riding on a pavement should be legal in my view, its no more dangerous than running on a pavement and keeps the roads more open
Ok-Rain6295@reddit
Idk getting hit by a bike would hurt more. And it’s a lot easier to dodge on foot (should a small child dash in front of you or god forbid a blind or deaf person leave their house)
DependentRounders934@reddit
The children must learn the dangers of this world and the fragility of their own mortal beings
Fuzzy_Cantaloupe6353@reddit
Running isn't as fast as cycling. No.
DependentRounders934@reddit
Skill issue, i run pretty quick
ClimbsNFlysThings@reddit
I'm impressed you also way two to three stone more when running than when you walk if we extend the metaphor
DependentRounders934@reddit
I near relativistic speeds when running so my mass increases in proportion to my kinetic energy as Einstein predicted
MangoonianLord@reddit
It's easier to hit someone on a pavement with a bike than running.
DependentRounders934@reddit
Ive knocked down dozens of old ladies while running on pavements and nobody comes after me
MangoonianLord@reddit
Usain Bolt over here.
DrMacAndDog@reddit
No way. There is no direction on the pavement. People coming out of doors or gates. That is crazy.
ClimbsNFlysThings@reddit
I've noticed that motoring for the most part is just something many do, but is only a part of their identity for a small minority.
Cycling appears to be a larger part of the cycling populations identity and certainly for those on reddit.
Hence when someone takes aim at cycling, it's taken more as directed at someones identity than motoring.
I drive, bike and cycle. None of these things are part of who I am. I feel no protective bias towards any of those groups.
BillyJoeDubuluw@reddit
It’s one of those topics that doesn’t go down well on Reddit BUT I wouldn’t say bad cyclists go unchallenged in terms of how they’re treated on the roads… In fact, I think a considerable portion of drivers are hostile towards them.
Greggybread@reddit
You don't need a license to cycle. As a result many cyclists aren't aware of the rules of the road. There are many problems with UK cycling infrastructure and deeply aggressive drivers, but it's never okay to cycle through a red light...
rabid-fox@reddit
Police generally dont enforce it
VolcanicBear@reddit
Cunts come on all forms of transport, but it's probably because bicycles don't kill or maim people quite as often as cars.
Neat-Suspect-6666@reddit
Some people simply enjoy siding with the minority.
GenericDefaultGuy@reddit
Cyclists ride on pavements… because drivers are nut jobs hell bent on killing. Cyclists fly through red lights because… drivers don’t stop behind you so you simply have to keep going. Cyclists weave through pedestrians because… pedestrians don’t have to spatial awareness to move out of the way.
Every problem you listed isn’t a cyclist problem.
MangoonianLord@reddit
A lack of education around the rules of the road with cyclists (from a young age) and lack of enforcement by police.
I am disabled and can't drive. I have more problems with cyclists than any other road user.
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