My good friend Jon is a fantastic person to run with. We have enjoyed each other’s company on the handful of runs that we have done with each other. We seem to agree on just about everything. Everything, that is, except cyclists.
Jon is one of those lovely people who simply do not appreciate cyclists and I just can’t understand why. He says it mostly from the perspective of being a car driver himself and he complains about the bad behaviour of cyclists and is often ‘put out’ when cyclists make better progress than cars through places like Harpenden.
On our run last week Jon could not help but notice how friendly with each of the cyclists were that we passed. Some of them would ping their bells for us to hear they were coming, others would simply say hello as they passed us. Every single one of them was friendly and pleasant.
I couldn’t help but comment on this.
“Jon you can see, they’re all nice people, everyone of those cyclists”
We strode on a few yards.
“I can’t explain it Doug. Must be because they’ve read your cycling blog!”
Now that sounded good to me. And then another group when past us a few minutes later and they beat us to it in terms of exchanging a greeting.
And Jon, there’s more. When I was running yesterday over a similar area it was almost exactly the same. Apart from one single cyclist, who was clearly on a mission and “in the zone, man” was cheery and at the very least smiled. Even a group of MTBs greeted me; they were at the side of the road waiting patiently while one of them fixed a puncture.
The highlight of me interacting with the happy cyclists of Hertfordshire was at the point of being really thirsty. So when the next cyclist passed by I asked him if he could spare a little water. Naturally and without any hesitation he poured me some water. I commented on his new looking bike, a carbon Boardman and he said he was “just getting into it” as he sped off.
Drat I didn’t get a chance to ask if he’d seen my blog.
So there you are, proof that cyclists are [generally] nice friendly people. Take note.
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Car driving is a frustrating business these days. Cycling is not. Is there some subconscious jealousy from those trapped in traffic?
I have noticed a very odd thing. When riding around on the single track roads in my area, drivers are incredibly polite and helpful. On the main roads, it’s like they all want to bash my elbow with their mirrors. How come?
Great question and no easy answer.
I think it is true that most car drivers are very considerate towards cyclists and this shows itself in rural areas. I have found many will wait patiently for the right place to over take and often they will appreciate it if a cyclist pulls in to the side a little to allow them to pass safely.
Some cyclists push their luck and disobey the rules by jumping red lights and cycling in a provocative way. This gets cyclists a bad name, especially in London and other metropolitan areas. And then there are the big groups of cyclists riding 2 or 3 abreast on a Sunday morning with huge tail backs of cars behind them.
Perhaps it is from this kind of experience that motorists get fed up with cyclists and can “take it out” on a single innocent cyclist who’s doing nothing wrong?
Good points, Doug – chimes with my own experience.
As for groups of cyclists two abreast, it’s both legal AND easier/faster for cars to overtake: http://ukcyclelaws.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-laws-according-to-highway-code.html Group riding in a bunch discourages dangerous, much too-close overtakes. On seeing a group of cyclists taking up much of the lane, motorists know they can’t do the usual “squeeze by” in that same lane (far too close) and actually have to wait until the oncoming lane is clear, which also requires good sightlines. Clear lanes and good sightlines are in short supply in the countryside, hence the tailbacks and frustration.
But yes, some motorists “take it out on others” – hence the “punishment pass”.
By being as considerate as we can to motorists, we can try to reverse the process some. I always feel that if I make it easy for a motorist to pass etc, it’s the NEXT cyclist the motorist encounters that will reap the benefit. Consideration is a two way street.
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