ShareThis
Normally going slowly is associated with more careful cyclists. However there is a distinct type of rider who will rarely get into an accident themselves but cause plenty. I was stuck behind someone like this today.
To qualify as a this type of rider you need to check off some very important habits:
1. Tunnel vision. Ideally you are completely unaware of what is going on around you and especially behind you. Your neck should never be turned more than 45 degrees left or right. After all if you can’t see it, it doesn’t exist. And if doesn’t exist, it can’t hurt you.
2. Accelerate fast to low top speed. It is very important that you accelerate fast off every traffic light (if you make the mistake of stopping for one) but then cycle very slowly. Whatever you do don’t let other faster cyclists go past if you can possibly help it. If you don’t stop at traffic lights make sure it’s at busy junctions for maximum impact.
3. Like narrow roads. Always cycle on roads where it’s almost possible to overtake. This means that you can cause the maximum inconvenience to everyone else.
4. Annoy drivers. This is always a good tactic because you’re going slowly enough not to get hit but wind up the drivers enough that they lose concentration and make mistakes that other cyclists pay for. Or deliberately exact revenge for later.
Follow these 4 rules and you too can be obliviously causing chaos on your daily commute.
We’re all cyclists here. My point was bad cyclists like bad drivers cause problems for other people. Was meant to be provocative but tongue in cheek blog. Am not seriously encouraging either people to cycle / drive dangerously or justify road accidents
Very good points. The type of rider you describe can be found everywhere. Even offroad
And remember if there is an accident always the victim, it is never the drivers fault….
Heh, cyclists are imperfect too shock! It’s almost as if there are bad cyclists and bad motorists. Like a sort of shared human trait, cos were all humans.
So on that one I disagree with you Maryka.
It’s just a blog, and a good one. But I don’t like pic!
N
Agree on (1). Sort of agree on (2) (although there’s no problem with being slow - I can deal with that and will overtake once it’s safe for us both).
3 and 4?
Not so much. Drivers and cyclists can’t always be behind someone faster than them, and it’s for them to make allowances and continue to ride/drive in a way that’s safe for everyone. Drivers that get annoyed because they can’t reach the next red light as quickly as they’d like aren’t more “forced” to make dangerous manouevres, lose concentration &c. Indeed, if they’re unable to maintain control of their vehicle in such circumstances they shouldn’t be on the road.
Thanks for all the comments and feedback. It is always good to discuss important points like these
@John Agree that patience is important and no matter how badly someone’s cycling there’s no excuse to follow suit with dangerous behaviour
@Nick Thanks and agree on the picture - it’s a sight that none of us like or ever want to be involved in
@Kim It does sometimes feel like that!
@Oz The blog was inspired by the worst rider I’ve seen for months but it’s certainly not the only time.
Pingback: GoingGoingBike - Blog
[...] celebrate Going Going Bike’s first ever simultaneous live and online
is a comment made by Sign up to newsletter for chance to win Cervo Rosso Team Kit - Going Going Bike in the blog post called Live bike auctions at London Bike Show
[...] - How I lock my bike [...]
is a comment made by The importance of a bike register - Going Going Bike in the blog post called How I lock my bike
[...] - How I lock my bike [...]
is a comment made by The importance of bike frame numbers - Going Going Bike in the blog post called How I lock my bike
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Going Going Bike, Going Going Bike.
is a comment made by Tweets that mention A London guide to cycle mechanics - Going Going Bike -- Topsy.com in the blog post called A London guide to cycle mechanics
Live bike auctions at London Bike Show
Backlash forces withdrawal of bike licence plate law
Are the London Superhighway routes a success?
Sign up to newsletter for chance to win Cervo Rosso Team Kit
One way soon to go cyclists way
A London guide to cycle mechanics
That’s it, blame the cyclist. Is this a real cyclist blog or just a front for the car alliance? Nice pic up there by the way, glad to know that if I get killed it must have been my fault for riding on a narrow road, pulling away from a green light quickly, or riding “slowly enough not to get hit but wind up the drivers enough that they… deliberately exact revenge for later”. Because hey, it’s not their fault right, they can hit whoever they want and just blame the previous cyclist they saw for making them do it?
If this is a serious post, it’s seriously irresponsible.
Reply