Why drivers allegedly hate cyclists
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Why drivers allegedly hate cyclists
Why do drivers hate cyclists? - Home | The 180 with Jim Brown | CBC Radio
The initial episode was a pro/con thing on a Vancouver bike licensing proposal which was, IMHO, pretty lame on both sides. This episode asked a psychologist why drivers hate cyclists (assuming they do).
The initial episode was a pro/con thing on a Vancouver bike licensing proposal which was, IMHO, pretty lame on both sides. This episode asked a psychologist why drivers hate cyclists (assuming they do).
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So for example, vegetarians are another group of people who have chosen a lifestyle that is different to the majority, and there might be some joking around that, but there are very few people actually making serious death threats to vegetarians. My guess would be that it's tied to the fact there's also a competition for limited road space with the cyclists.
The other really interesting thing that came out from the bus drivers was the idea of empathy. So there was one bus driver in particular who said this incredible phrase that probably sums up the whole problem. She said, "I can always forgive pedestrians, because of the number of times I've been in the city centre and I've just stepped into the road without looking, and thought, oh God, I've stepped into the road. So when pedestrians make mistakes, I can understand that and forgive them, but never cyclists." And that just captures the problem - that we've got people sharing the road in this very imbalanced way, and some of them have never tried cycling. To drive a car past a cyclist not knowing what it feels like is probably at the root of a lot of these problems.
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First basic cycling skills, then road use while cycling, then eventually the rules, laws and ethics of driving, and finally the physical skills of driving... not in a 40 hour course, but in 3 or more semesters, with each following phase requiring the earlier phase.
This is how driving is taught in public schools in places like Copenhagen... not the quicky "hope you remember this" 40 hour weekend sessions that are typical of drivers ed in the US.
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Fat slob with pre-diabetes is enraged when he sees fit cyclist pedaling in front of his double chin at over 20 miles per hour. Easy to understand.
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The answer is easy...we are different than they are, and they don't like it. It is irrational and it blows their minds that people would use anything other than a car to get around
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Any reason you seem to feel that other people envy you for no other reason then your butt is sitting on a bicycle seat?
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It's the best explanation I could find for why fat people in cars would flip off cyclists and/or yell at them for what appears on the surface to be no good reason.
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This so called 'war' seems to be manufactured by cyclists who want to make their hobby appear more tough than it really is. If one pulls their head out and communicates with other drivers, most will find that drivers are neutral to friendly. We share the road with folks who drive more dangerous vehicles than we do so it is a foolish to make it out as some battle.
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First of all, I don't see anything resembling hate for cyclists among motorists, except for a very small percentage. Yes, there is dislike, or even hatred about some specific behaviors, including no lights at night, excessive weaving in tight traffic, blatant running of red lights (with cross traffic having to adjust), and so on which drivers feel makes their own lives harder, but it doesn't seem to translate to a general antipathy. Cyclists and motorists are usually fellow users of a shared resource, and sometimes competitors for more limited space, but both share an go along to get along attitude most of the time.
The place where I see the most antipathy between motorists and cyclists is right here on BF, with the most blatant hatred being that of some of the posters here for "cagers" or whatever, with drivers freely and unashamedly being characterized as fat slobs, diabetics, jerks, idiots, murderers, etc.
IME- you get what you give, and given the attitude I see among some of the cyclists here, it's no wonder that they report that motorists hate them. I would too. There's also a certain smug, sanctimonious, "I'm better because I'm greener, healthier or whatever" attitude, and it shows through to others. That doesn't relate only to motorists, I see that reflected in many posts based on the need to "enlighten" fellow cyclists about helmets, where/how to ride, use of lights, and whatever is perceived as being done wrong.
You want to see friendlier roads? Start by showing some consideration for other road users, and giving them the respect and courtesy you're hoping they'll give you.
Or just keep whining that nobody likes you.
The place where I see the most antipathy between motorists and cyclists is right here on BF, with the most blatant hatred being that of some of the posters here for "cagers" or whatever, with drivers freely and unashamedly being characterized as fat slobs, diabetics, jerks, idiots, murderers, etc.
IME- you get what you give, and given the attitude I see among some of the cyclists here, it's no wonder that they report that motorists hate them. I would too. There's also a certain smug, sanctimonious, "I'm better because I'm greener, healthier or whatever" attitude, and it shows through to others. That doesn't relate only to motorists, I see that reflected in many posts based on the need to "enlighten" fellow cyclists about helmets, where/how to ride, use of lights, and whatever is perceived as being done wrong.
You want to see friendlier roads? Start by showing some consideration for other road users, and giving them the respect and courtesy you're hoping they'll give you.
Or just keep whining that nobody likes you.
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Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Last edited by FBinNY; 11-02-15 at 12:26 PM.
#10
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On top of that, your boss is a *****, your daughter is pregnant from some lazy schlmiel with acne and your wife just sent you an angry text because you left the bath towel on the freakin' floor again. And there's that @%$%@#! cyclist i hate his guts god he's smiling i'm gonna chuck my slurpee at him, the prick.
I think that's more how it goes.
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First of all, I don't see anything resembling hate for cyclists among motorists, except for a very small percentage. Yes, there is dislike, or even hatred about some specific behaviors, including no lights at night, excessive weaving in tight traffic, blatant running of red lights (with cross traffic having to adjust), and so on, but it doesn't seem to translate to a general antipathy. Cyclists and motorists are usually fellow users of a shared resource, and sometimes competitors for more limited space, but both share an go along to get along attitude most of the time.
The place where I see the most antipathy between motorists and cyclists is right here on BF, with the most blatant hatred being that of some of the posters here for "cagers" or whatever, with drivers freely and unashamedly being characterized as fat slobs, diabetics, jerks, idiots, murderers, etc.
IME- you get what you give, and given the attitude I see among some of the cyclists here, it's no wonder that they report that motorists hate them. I would too.
You want to see friendlier roads? Start by showing some consideration for other road users, and giving them the respect and courtesy you're hoping they'll give you.
Or just keep whining that nobody likes you.
The place where I see the most antipathy between motorists and cyclists is right here on BF, with the most blatant hatred being that of some of the posters here for "cagers" or whatever, with drivers freely and unashamedly being characterized as fat slobs, diabetics, jerks, idiots, murderers, etc.
IME- you get what you give, and given the attitude I see among some of the cyclists here, it's no wonder that they report that motorists hate them. I would too.
You want to see friendlier roads? Start by showing some consideration for other road users, and giving them the respect and courtesy you're hoping they'll give you.
Or just keep whining that nobody likes you.
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First of all, I don't see anything resembling hate for cyclists among motorists, except for a very small percentage. Yes, there is dislike, or even hatred about some specific behaviors, including no lights at night, excessive weaving in tight traffic, blatant running of red lights (with cross traffic having to adjust), and so on which drivers feel makes their own lives harder, but it doesn't seem to translate to a general antipathy. Cyclists and motorists are usually fellow users of a shared resource, and sometimes competitors for more limited space, but both share an go along to get along attitude most of the time.
The place where I see the most antipathy between motorists and cyclists is right here on BF, with the most blatant hatred being that of some of the posters here for "cagers" or whatever, with drivers freely and unashamedly being characterized as fat slobs, diabetics, jerks, idiots, murderers, etc.
IME- you get what you give, and given the attitude I see among some of the cyclists here, it's no wonder that they report that motorists hate them. I would too. There's also a certain smug, sanctimonious, "I'm better because I'm greener, healthier or whatever" attitude, and it shows through to others. That doesn't relate only to motorists, I see that reflected in many posts based on the need to "enlighten" fellow cyclists about helmets, where/how to ride, use of lights, and whatever is perceived as being done wrong.
You want to see friendlier roads? Start by showing some consideration for other road users, and giving them the respect and courtesy you're hoping they'll give you.
Or just keep whining that nobody likes you.
The place where I see the most antipathy between motorists and cyclists is right here on BF, with the most blatant hatred being that of some of the posters here for "cagers" or whatever, with drivers freely and unashamedly being characterized as fat slobs, diabetics, jerks, idiots, murderers, etc.
IME- you get what you give, and given the attitude I see among some of the cyclists here, it's no wonder that they report that motorists hate them. I would too. There's also a certain smug, sanctimonious, "I'm better because I'm greener, healthier or whatever" attitude, and it shows through to others. That doesn't relate only to motorists, I see that reflected in many posts based on the need to "enlighten" fellow cyclists about helmets, where/how to ride, use of lights, and whatever is perceived as being done wrong.
You want to see friendlier roads? Start by showing some consideration for other road users, and giving them the respect and courtesy you're hoping they'll give you.
Or just keep whining that nobody likes you.
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First of all, I don't see anything resembling hate for cyclists among motorists, except for a very small percentage...
You want to see friendlier roads? Start by showing some consideration for other road users, and giving them the respect and courtesy you're hoping they'll give you.
Or just keep whining that nobody likes you.
You want to see friendlier roads? Start by showing some consideration for other road users, and giving them the respect and courtesy you're hoping they'll give you.
Or just keep whining that nobody likes you.
Last edited by asmac; 11-02-15 at 01:20 PM.
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This so called 'war' seems to be manufactured by cyclists who want to make their hobby appear more tough than it really is. If one pulls their head out and communicates with other drivers, most will find that drivers are neutral to friendly. We share the road with folks who drive more dangerous vehicles than we do so it is a foolish to make it out as some battle.
-In large cities like the state capitol...you're very likely to get honked at (horn laid on in anger, not polite "I'm here" short honks) or flipped off or had profanity shouted at you by 50% or so of the motorists on the road for no reason other than your presence, all of whom are under the impression that roads are only for cars. All of these shouters are men, and most all are between 20-40 most of whom are driving SUVs and pickup trucks. And many of whom attend the local university.
-Leave the city and immediate area and enter farm country, and most everyone will wave at you and give you room....including the farmer pickup drivers of just about all demographics. Note I say "most".
On Saturday I was minding my own business on a country road towards evening with my lights on heading down a 1-2% hill booking it at 20MPH coming to a country road 4-way with a turn (tons of visibility to see traffic). I see an SUV with my mirror and signal my turn well in advance (no driveways or side streets on that stretch). When I signal again as I'm starting to bank my bike and brake to bleed of some speed, SUV guns his engine and cuts me off right in the middle of the intersection. For no reason other than to be a jackhole. Easily could have passed me before, or waited to after. Nope.
A few miles later I'm headed back on a long straight country road with several driveways for acreages scattered about. My lights are on, I'm visible. Oncoming lane of traffic is stopped ahead and backed up 5-6 cars for a van turning left into their driveway, again truck closes behind me and waits until and then guns his engine when I'm immediately parallel with that first van in that line and passes me laying on his horn while he does so. Why? To be an @$$. Could have killed me and wrecked his truck and 6 other motor vehicles potentially killing more. But he had to be macho. Could have waited 5 seconds and yielded and been safe, but nope.
"Most drivers are neutral to friendly" indeed. It is far more realistic and safe to presume all are idiots who never signal their lane changes (which is 99% the rule in Nebraska), who don't signal any of their turns (which is 99% the rule in Nebraska)...whom are texting on their phone and driving...and the larger the vehicle the more likely they will cut you off or treat you dangerously just to be a macho jerk.
Last edited by Marcus_Ti; 11-02-15 at 01:23 PM.
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First of all, I don't see anything resembling hate for cyclists among motorists, except for a very small percentage. Yes, there is dislike, or even hatred about some specific behaviors, including no lights at night, excessive weaving in tight traffic, blatant running of red lights (with cross traffic having to adjust), and so on which drivers feel makes their own lives harder, but it doesn't seem to translate to a general antipathy. Cyclists and motorists are usually fellow users of a shared resource, and sometimes competitors for more limited space, but both share an go along to get along attitude most of the time.
The place where I see the most antipathy between motorists and cyclists is right here on BF, with the most blatant hatred being that of some of the posters here for "cagers" or whatever, with drivers freely and unashamedly being characterized as fat slobs, diabetics, jerks, idiots, murderers, etc.
IME- you get what you give, and given the attitude I see among some of the cyclists here, it's no wonder that they report that motorists hate them. I would too. There's also a certain smug, sanctimonious, "I'm better because I'm greener, healthier or whatever" attitude, and it shows through to others. That doesn't relate only to motorists, I see that reflected in many posts based on the need to "enlighten" fellow cyclists about helmets, where/how to ride, use of lights, and whatever is perceived as being done wrong.
You want to see friendlier roads? Start by showing some consideration for other road users, and giving them the respect and courtesy you're hoping they'll give you.
Or just keep whining that nobody likes you.
The place where I see the most antipathy between motorists and cyclists is right here on BF, with the most blatant hatred being that of some of the posters here for "cagers" or whatever, with drivers freely and unashamedly being characterized as fat slobs, diabetics, jerks, idiots, murderers, etc.
IME- you get what you give, and given the attitude I see among some of the cyclists here, it's no wonder that they report that motorists hate them. I would too. There's also a certain smug, sanctimonious, "I'm better because I'm greener, healthier or whatever" attitude, and it shows through to others. That doesn't relate only to motorists, I see that reflected in many posts based on the need to "enlighten" fellow cyclists about helmets, where/how to ride, use of lights, and whatever is perceived as being done wrong.
You want to see friendlier roads? Start by showing some consideration for other road users, and giving them the respect and courtesy you're hoping they'll give you.
Or just keep whining that nobody likes you.
https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-s...s-drivers.html
#16
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While I somewhat generally agree with this... and feel that most animosity on the road is not hate, but just the result of drivers not paying attention and then being shaken out of their daze by "something unusual" on the road... I disagree that this is a situation limited to cyclists... I provide an example in this thread...
https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-s...s-drivers.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-s...s-drivers.html
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#17
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True, I believe there is little hatred for cyclists, by drivers in general, but there is a certain "let's play games with them" attitude by a very small slice of the population... otherwise most of us, drivers and cyclists alike, we're just trying to get there... where ever there is.
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True, I believe there is little hatred for cyclists, by drivers in general, but there is a certain "let's play games with them" attitude by a very small slice of the population... otherwise most of us, drivers and cyclists alike, we're just trying to get there... where ever there is.
The vast bulk of both cyclists and drivers are just road warriors trying to get home (shorthand for any destination), and IME very willing to help each other out when things go wrong.
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WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#19
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it is a reason i lost interest in a&s many years ago.
#20
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And yet here you (we) are.
I left the advocacy "movement" some 25-30 years ago because of philosophical differences, and don't consider myself a "bicycle advocate" by any stretch.
I'm here and I speak publicly on the various issues mainly to reinforce the point that those who purport to speak for bicyclists, speak only for themselves and those who share their views, which is a far cry from bicyclists in general. Cyclists encompass a large and varied community, and I find the notion that we should be expected to speak with a single voice, or hue to a single message insulting.
I left the advocacy "movement" some 25-30 years ago because of philosophical differences, and don't consider myself a "bicycle advocate" by any stretch.
I'm here and I speak publicly on the various issues mainly to reinforce the point that those who purport to speak for bicyclists, speak only for themselves and those who share their views, which is a far cry from bicyclists in general. Cyclists encompass a large and varied community, and I find the notion that we should be expected to speak with a single voice, or hue to a single message insulting.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#21
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[QUOTE=FBinNY;18288923This whole cyclists vs. drivers thing is a bunch of nonsense that segments on both sides create and the media pick up on to "sell papers". Yes it's there, but it's limited and a two way street. [/QUOTE]
Not nonsense, and as others have pointed out, it varies by location. Results from an Australia-wide study:
"Of 1830 respondents, 76% of men and 72% of women reported harassment in the previous 12 months." Cyclists' experiences of harassment from motorists: Findings from a survey of cyclists in Queensland, Australia. Preventive Medicine. Volume 53, Issue 6, 1 December 2011, Pages 417–420
Then there's this study
which found that not a lot of people do it much of the time but almost everybody does it some of the time; the authors called these times "stress points."
This is a really interesting study. Worth a read.
Not nonsense, and as others have pointed out, it varies by location. Results from an Australia-wide study:
"Of 1830 respondents, 76% of men and 72% of women reported harassment in the previous 12 months." Cyclists' experiences of harassment from motorists: Findings from a survey of cyclists in Queensland, Australia. Preventive Medicine. Volume 53, Issue 6, 1 December 2011, Pages 417–420
Then there's this study
which found that not a lot of people do it much of the time but almost everybody does it some of the time; the authors called these times "stress points."
This is a really interesting study. Worth a read.
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"Lies, damned lies, and statistics". Often this kind of survey data is very misleading, and reflects the polling base, and how a question is phrased rather than a true picture of what's happening.
Take myself, for instance. If I were asked if I'd been harrassed while on a bike in the last 12 months, I'd have to say yes. But some perspective.
1- I ride almost daily, and am out on the roads an average of 10 hours per week year round.
2- I pass and get passed by countless thousands of motorists every week.
3- while the answer was yes, it was ONCE in those countless possible opportunities, so at best it makes the case that it's NOT a common issue for me.
4- the irony is that while there WAS a single incident in the preceding 12 months, there hasn't been one in the prior year, so if I'd been asked 6 months ago the answer would have been no, and may be no again in 6 more months. (and that's riding every day)
Are there ******** out there--- of course there are, and while the odds of being to go an entire year without running into one are low, the odds against running into one on any given day are actually very high.
Take myself, for instance. If I were asked if I'd been harrassed while on a bike in the last 12 months, I'd have to say yes. But some perspective.
1- I ride almost daily, and am out on the roads an average of 10 hours per week year round.
2- I pass and get passed by countless thousands of motorists every week.
3- while the answer was yes, it was ONCE in those countless possible opportunities, so at best it makes the case that it's NOT a common issue for me.
4- the irony is that while there WAS a single incident in the preceding 12 months, there hasn't been one in the prior year, so if I'd been asked 6 months ago the answer would have been no, and may be no again in 6 more months. (and that's riding every day)
Are there ******** out there--- of course there are, and while the odds of being to go an entire year without running into one are low, the odds against running into one on any given day are actually very high.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Last edited by FBinNY; 11-02-15 at 02:53 PM.
#23
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#24
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"Lies, damned lies, and statistics". Often this kind of survey data is very misleading, and reflects the polling base, and how a question is phrased rather than a true picture of what's happening.
Take myself, for instance. If I were asked if I've been harrassed while on a bike in the last 12 months, I'd have to say yes. But some perspective.
1- I ride almost daily, and am out on the roads an average of 10 hours per week year round.
2- I pass and get passed by countless thousands of motorists every week.
3- while the answer was yes, it was ONCE in those countless possible opportunities, so at best it makes the case that it's NOT a common issue for me.
4- the irony is that while there WAS a single incident in the preceding 12 months, there hasn't been one in the prior year, and if the current trend continues I'd be answering NO to the same question in another few months.
Are there ******** out there--- of course there are, and while the odds of being to go an entire year without running into one are low, the odds against running into one on any given day are actually very high.
Take myself, for instance. If I were asked if I've been harrassed while on a bike in the last 12 months, I'd have to say yes. But some perspective.
1- I ride almost daily, and am out on the roads an average of 10 hours per week year round.
2- I pass and get passed by countless thousands of motorists every week.
3- while the answer was yes, it was ONCE in those countless possible opportunities, so at best it makes the case that it's NOT a common issue for me.
4- the irony is that while there WAS a single incident in the preceding 12 months, there hasn't been one in the prior year, and if the current trend continues I'd be answering NO to the same question in another few months.
Are there ******** out there--- of course there are, and while the odds of being to go an entire year without running into one are low, the odds against running into one on any given day are actually very high.
#25
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I'm not exactly a sunken cheek, stick figure with big calfs and I still experience occasional harassment. Virtually every incident I've experienced doesn't fit the stereotype you described.
I think it's nothing more than those who can't control their selfish impulses, and that bikes are often an impediment or inconvenience. That bikes are often associated with holier than thou lifestyles probably doesn't help either.