Cyclists, a question

[MyBoyChe]

As I sat patiently behind a cyclist this morning waiting for a safe place to overtake it occured to me that they seldom acknowledge or thank drivers as we horse riders do (well, most of us). Horse riders get such a bad press for failing to thank drivers who slow down, wait for them. As we have as much right to be there as cars and cyclists, and round our way cyclists cause some fairly major tailbacks due to the twisty roads, I wondered why cyclists are not expected to be as courteous. Or are they? Any serious cyclists on here who might know why it seems to be different for 2 vulnerable groups or road users. I would also say that in the last few weeks I have had 2 occasions where a cyclist has pulled over to let a long tail back pass and another where a guy did thank me as I slowed to pass him, so there are a few that do, its just that it is the minority rather than the majority

 

[Sandstone1]

I would be interested to know this too. Why are horse riders expected to thank drivers but not cyclists?

 

[AmyMay]

I never expect a cyclist to thank me, other than a nod of the head. I really wouldn’t want them taking their hands of the handle bars, given the state of most roads.

 

[Roxylola]

I don't consider myself to be a "serious" cyclist, on a personal level though I do try and give a wave or nod if someone has been especially courteous if it is safe to do so.

The safety thing is key though - honestly so much of the time the roads are so shocking I would be scared to take my hands off the handlebars.

 

[ester]

Some are, if someone has to stay behind me for a protracted amount of time I will lift a hand but do keep it on the handlebars. I don't think anyone would notice if I nodded my head.
Also in general cars are travelling much faster past a cyclist than they do a horse so the amount of time they would be in the right eyeline to notice a thank you is much reduced.
Reasons I do not lift a hand:
I'm going uphill
I'm going downhill
I'm going round a corner
I'm hanging on as we traverse the latest bit of road complete with potholes and gullys.
I'm in a group and not on the outside.

Pulling over is tricky, it's something you could end up doing a lot, you have to get started again, and you have to faff with unclipping and clipping back in inbetween.

People complain if you use the multi-use paths, complain if you don't use said paths. There is a whole half mile stretch on my commute where I have to cycle in the middle of the road as the surface is so bad on the left hand side my road bike can't cope with it at all. I don't imagine any road drivers realise this as they aren't pot holes per se and you don't notice it much in a car. I hate it when I can't explain why I am doing things that would seem contrary to normal road use/getting in others way.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I always thank drivers if I can whether I’m on the horse or on the bike, but it is not always possible to safely take your hands off the reins, or the handlebars.

ETA I agree that the potholes at the side of the road are often so bad that a cyclist has no alternative but to cycle further into the middle of the road than they’d prefer.

 

[Sandstone1]

Did any one see the tv program about cyclists in the week? Interesting.

 

[Shay]

I don't mind the solo cyclists - its the large groups that take up the entire side so you can't overtake I don't understand. I don't mind the not lifting a hand - I do get why. But its the blocking up the whole road which aggravates me. Horse riders are taught to ride single file (unless protecting a vulnerable horse or ride and lead) and leave a car's length between sets of 3 so cars can pass simply and safely. Why don't cyclists do the same? Safer for all surely?

 

[Tiddlypom]

What program on cyclists? The Tour de France is currently being shown live every day and the highlights are on for an hour every evening. Required viewing in the TP household, as it is every summer.

Go G!

 

[MyBoyChe]

Ester, fab response, thank you. Totally get the pot holes thing, I drive my lorry on the outside a lot as I dont want to jar it in some of our bigger ones!! Personally, I would notice a smile or a head nod because I always check my inside mirror before I pull back in to make sure Im clear. I know what you mean about people not realising why youre doing what youre doing, I think all car drivers should be made to either ride a cycle, a motorbike or a horse on the roads before being allowed to drive a car, it certainly does give you a different and I think, better perspective of some of the hazards!!

 

[Sandstone1]

What program on cyclists? The Tour de France is currently being shown live every day and the highlights are on for an hour every evening. Required viewing in the TP household, as it is every summer.

Go G!

it was a documentary last week. It was on channel 4 or 5 I think.
sorry cant remember what it was called. It was about the behaviour of both cyclists and drivers. You could probably find it on catch up.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I find being expected to wave and gush thanks and praise to drivers for not killing me a bit much to be honest (I do it though because of the whole rage thing drivers seem to get about it) and do not expect thanks as a driver for driving my killing machine responsibly. If I'm privileged enough to be able to get from A to B without it taking the hours and hours and hours if would take without a car then I'm going to do so with care, attention, courtesy and patience. Anything else baffles me.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I live on a popular designated cycle route that keeps cyclists off a horrid A road. Most of them will nod thanks if I am driving or say thanks if dog walking and I park the dogs on the verge-its all single track with passing places and pretty good pothole wise as it was resurfaced recently. Even en masse they are pretty good with the pony.

The only thing I don't understand is cycling with your head down in such a beautiful spot..

(I love the TdF and the other tours, especially the Vuelta-pretty much the only sport I watch on TV)

 

[ester]

I don't mind the solo cyclists - its the large groups that take up the entire side so you can't overtake I don't understand. I don't mind the not lifting a hand - I do get why. But its the blocking up the whole road which aggravates me. Horse riders are taught to ride single file (unless protecting a vulnerable horse or ride and lead) and leave a car's length between sets of 3 so cars can pass simply and safely. Why don't cyclists do the same? Safer for all surely?

If in single file or pairs (the latter often better for passing, again partly because cyclists are much faster than horses) we do try to leave gaps between groups for passing, it doesn't always work though and I've had more than one car just shove themselves in front of me regardless.
(hence my assumption that many are not checking in their mirrors for smiles or nods, and frankly I often don't feel like smiling as I'm working quite hard )

 

[ester]

The only thing I don't understand is cycling with your head down in such a beautiful spot..

Strava

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Strava

lol-philistines the lot of you.

 

[MyBoyChe]

I watch the TDF for the scenery

 

[ester]

*I do not have strava it's also why I still go out on my own but we aren't exactly innundated with beautiful spots anyway

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I watch the TDF for the scenery

thats why I love the Vuelta-Northern Spanish beaches and castles!

 

[Sandstone1]

Just looked it up. Cyclists scourge of our streets ? It was on channel 5.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

*I do not have strava it's also why I still go out on my own but we aren't exactly innundated with beautiful spots anyway

I am easily distracted by views and birds-I mostly manage it in the car but would be lethal as a cyclist. just seems a shame as this is a stunning spot and they are just busy yelling 'horse/dog/car at each other'

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Just looked it up. Cyclists scourge of our streets ? It was on channel 5.

sounds er, very Ch5.

 

[Cat91]

I don't mind cyclists on the roads and understand why it's not always possible for them to thank me, but what I don't understand are the idiots who bomb down footpaths/bridlepaths at a million miles an hour without giving any warning that they're coming then can't even be arsed saying thank you if you move over for them or apologising if you've had to jump out of the way. Walkers/riders have right of way on the majority of the paths round here, it's up to the cyclists to slow down and work around everyone else. If they want to cycle that fast they should get back on the road.

 

[MyBoyChe]

Doesnt it MoC, a bit harsh!!

 

[ester]

If they want to cycle that fast they should get back on the road.

And that's when I have drivers swearing at me

 

[scruffyponies]

Cars go so fast past cyclists I don't see how they'd notice if you waved, smiled, nodded, or whatever. I hack on the road all the time, but was shocked how little regard we were given when I took a small child (8yo, and still a bit wobbly) out for their first road-cycle. I rode defensively behind and made things give us more space than they would have otherwise, but the cars paid no heed to the risk or vulnerability of a small person at all... and this was on suitable country lanes, not a fast A road.

 

[cindars]

Not a serious cyclist only use bike for going to yard about 10 mins downhill but very narrow I always pull over and let cars go am usually thanked I always try to acknowledge anyone who has pulled over for me.I was complimented by a car driver for wearing hives as he could see me a long way off. We get a lot of serious cyclists round our lanes and they are much improved with horses and yes why do they never look at the view its the South Downs for goodness sake.

 

[ester]

going downhill reminded me of something else I have discovered having moved up from my roadie hybrid recently
standard brakes on road bikes are pretty rubbish for actually stopping and I'm in cambs!

 

[cindars]

Agree with Ester on rubbish brakes I've had them fail going down our lane the sudden prayers must have frightened God.

 

[waggit]

Ester, fab response, thank you. Totally get the pot holes thing, I drive my lorry on the outside a lot as I dont want to jar it in some of our bigger ones!! Personally, I would notice a smile or a head nod because I always check my inside mirror before I pull back in to make sure Im clear. I know what you mean about people not realising why youre doing what youre doing, I think all car drivers should be made to either ride a cycle, a motorbike or a horse on the roads before being allowed to drive a car, it certainly does give you a different and I think, better perspective of some of the hazards!!

I use to cycle every day before back issues caused too much pain. I always use to thank motorists if I could even by a big nod of my head. Taking your hands off the bars could be a little risky but a cheery wave would be given if I could. Depended on the road surface and how busy the road was. Pulling into the hedges to let a queue get past was a common occurrence.
Totally agree that horse riding, cycling and even a spin on a scooter should be part of lessons before you go in for the test to get your priorities in order. One of the lorry drivers in work would love to see learner drivers go out as a passenger in a HGV as well so that they could come to grips with why cutting up a 30 ton lorry is a bad idea. As is trying to squeeze upsides at those tight little roundabouts.
And whilst we are talking acknowledging courtesy, car drivers are the worst and in my experience women are worse then men. I once stopped along a lane to let cars get past standing on real muddy ground and of the 8 cars going past only the two male drivers gave me a thank you ! Mind you that could of been because of the very wet clinging cycle top !!!