[Closed] Car drivers - what is your problem?

Owenfackrell - so no cars break that speed limit - only bikes? I watch the cars I see as I ride around the city and its a very small minority of car drivers that obey traffic law

but I would,like to know why they seem unable to obey speed limits in built up areas.

Same reason as car drivers fail to obey traffic law?

Because they're self-important bellends who think their personal wishes and convenience trump everyone else's right to safety and consideration?

Well that's alright then.

TandemJeremy - Member
Ain't it the truth tho

Really makes me laugh this. On a supposed cyclists forum but anytime the slightest criticism of cars and car drivers is made people rush to defend the indefensible.

The great god Car rules - even on STW

You're not really being much better constantly taking the view that bikers are never (rarely maybe) to blame though, are you...

Stupid people drive cars, stupid people ride motorbikes. Unsuprisingly as a consequence stupid things happen.

I thought that kinda thing was only legal if someone was turning and there was a queue behind them..
I don't block them but did nearly take one out when changing lane in slow moving motorway traffic. Checked mirrors, shoulder check then doing maybe 30 or more a biker (in full team stormtrooper uniform) whizzed past my door just missing my wing mirror. Proper shat it I nearly did!! Traffic moving about 5mph.. Just crazy.
I've also had a wing mirror clipped by someone's bar plug when sitting waiting for traffic lights, did they stop to check? What do you think?

Different but related question - driving to work this morning and there is somebody doing 50mph. It's a busy road and a lot of people speed routinely, so traffic builds up. I'm in the line, maintaining a safe distance for the speed, waiting for my turn to overtake.

3 cars overtake me in the 10 minutes of sitting in the line of traffic, all in dodgy short straights, inserting themselves in the not really big enough gap, in one case I had to hit the brakes. Why why why why why why why why ??

It just leads to everybody driving a foot from the car in front of them ?? And the truck turned off and I sat behind all 3 cars to the next traffic lights. One of them then undertook another 6 cars in a bus lane, so clearly a nutter and where are the Cops when you need them ?? I hate driving cars sometimes.

[i]As a small hijack, what does the 'cocking the leg' gesture mean? [/i]

It means, thank you - often safer than taking a hand off the bars to wave.

[i]1. That's quite impressive commuting 100 miles a day on a bike and not being dead yet so can't be that bad a rider.... [/i]

Ta, 30 years riding on the road so far, and the only bone broken was while mtb-ing... 8O, (touches a large piece of wood).

Not sure if its a coincidence or not, but more drivers moved over this morning - wonder how many were STWer's?

althepal

perfectly legal to filter - indeed you can fail your motorcycle test for not doing so.

Traffic moving at 5 mph a filter is perfectly OK.

You need to work on your observation skills

Actually I do a wee leg wavy thing on the motorbike sometimes on corners, it's my tribute to Rossi, good to know it perplexes people.

Traffic moving at 5 mph a filter is perfectly OK.

Yes, however,

You need to work on your observation skills

Filtering at mach one isn't. Rule 88 again, "when filtering in slow-moving traffic, take care and keep your speed low."

if a motorbikist (real word, honest) is riding sensibly, within the speed limit and obeying the same traffic laws as i am, then i will [u]always[/u] make a concious effort to move to the left as much as i safely can to allow them to filter through the traffic when they see it as safe to do so.

if however, they've suddenly appeared behind me at 100mph and are riding like a selfish cock then i will not go out of my way to let them past, i'll continue driving safely and if they want to risk some epic-cock-type manoeuvre to get past to their ever so important business then that's their choice. the speed limit applies to everyone, not just cars.

allowing safe riders to pass easily is a considerate thing to do IMO, and its always appreciated when they indicate their thanks with a small hand gesture or something 🙂

[quote=TandemJeremy ]althepal

perfectly legal to filter - indeed you can fail your motorcycle test for not doing so.

Traffic moving at 5 mph a filter is perfectly OK.

You need to work on your observation skills

I don't have an issue with filtering where appropriate and carried out appropriately.. I would not consider filtering at speeds well in excess of the queuing traffic to be appropriate (and I assume would lead to a test failure also?).

It's very easy to tar all motorcyclists with the same brush but, as with many things in life, negative experience seem to have a greater effect on shaping our opinions than positive. On the one hand I have friends who ride motorbikes who complain about the actions of car drivers, but on the other on a daily basis I see motorcyclists who seem to be unwilling to do their best to 'keep themselves safe'. I would compare it to walking out onto a zebra crossing without looking - the highway code dictates that cars should stop for you, but that's no consolation when one hits you because they weren't concentrating. It's just as much your responsibility (to yourself, if no-one else) to take appropriate steps to keep yourself safe.

You sound like a classic motorbike ****, perhaps it's you that has the problem?

Im a cyclist (obviously) and a motorcyclist. Many times ive been sat minding my own business doing the correct speed limit and a car/van/ another motorcycle has sped up behind me and sat right up my chuff. Everyone seems to think that just because youre on a motorcycle, you must razz it everywhere.
At the same time, if traffic is stationary and it is relatively safe to do so why wouldnt i filter? Why would i just sit there if i could get down the middle?
If you could get past the traffic in a car, you would wouldnt you?
Ive seen lots of nutty cyclists (and banzai pedestrians) too, trying to overtake me while im trying to overtake traffic. (Pedestrians just tend to cross the road without looking first).
There are always tossers about, just dont assume that all motorcyclists are.

In Cambridge, drivers move over to the left to let gnarly motercyclists past. They move over into the cycle lane, where I am. Stange how they can check they right mirror but not their left

Not as bad as when they here a siren in the distance & mount the kerb, mind....

I suspect this:

In far too many cases will car/van drivers just not move aside when trying I'm trying to pass them, and some purposely move to block?

Is directly related to this:

I already take a 'no prisoners' approach to riding, including liberal use of horn/main-beam and have no worry whatsoever with squeezing through narrow (or sometimes, too narrow :oops:) gaps.

I've also had a wing mirror clipped by someone's bar plug when sitting waiting for traffic lights, did they stop to check? What do you think?

😆 They probably thought you was going to get out and lamp them one.

For both drivers and bikers- it's all common sense really isnt it? And a sense of self preservation.
Some people (whatever mode of transport they choose) seem to lack it.

Everybody should use and keep their safety bubble intact- thats an imaginary bit of common sense, not some kind of science fiction safety shield!

If you want to overtake that's up to you, I'm not going to encourage you. I generally will not pull to the nearside when driving as I do not have a clear view of what's ahead and do not what to run into something at the side of the road. Sorry but I think most motorcyclists ride like knobs. Especially the ones who seem to think there is a third lane in the middle of the road.

I tend to swerve when a motorcycle is filtering as I'm texting friends on my phone and I'm trying to use my legs to do the steering.

I tend to swerve when a motorcycle is filtering as I'm texting friends on my phone and I'm trying to use my legs to do the steering.

😆 or if youre serious 😯

😆

OP wants to be like this guy:

[img] [/img]

if someone wants to pass it is for them to do it safely, not for me to encourage a manoeuvre.

I commute 20 miles a day (by proper bike) and notice an increasing amount of near-incidents caused by people doing things out of what I guess they consider to be courtesy, such as this.

A few days ago a car in front of me with clear space ahead on the road suddenly jammed on the brakes to let someone out from a right hand T junction. There was traffic coming the other way, so the guy waiting couldn't move anyway but the driver in front on me had obviously noticed him but failed to look at oncoming traffic or in his rear view mirror. No harm done, but I guess the next six cars behind me also had to brake. No help to anyone.

The OP sounds as though he rides like a bit of a fanny. One day it'll backfire, hopefully he won't get killed as a result though. Just calm down!

It's a little known fact that all motor vehicles are fitted with IQ supression technology.

Which is why when you put a man in a car you suddenly have something resembling the ape-like missing like.

or if youre serious

I too am a motobikerist. I ride a pushbike and also drive a <gasp!> BMW 320D. Most of my miles are done on the motorbike (around 20k a year). I am also an IAM qualified Advanced Motorcyclist.

There are numbers of cyclists, motorcyclists and car drivers that completely disregard / are ignorant of the highway code. You can't restrict poor road behaviour to one particular group.

On the other hand, the vast majority of roadusers are, in my experience, polite and couteous - however, this doesn't make for good internets.

I've found that if people behave like a dick, they will be treated like one.

Filtering is fine, positively encouraged, if completed safely and with consideration to other road users. Horn blaring and full beam will upset people if used consistendly. A quick pip/flash should be used to alert other road users of your presence, not order them out of your way. If the gap is too small to squeeze through, wait until the traffic moves.

Of course I'm serious. If I'm having an argument over football I'm hardly going to wait 30mins until I get home to reply back.

I'm on a bike, have far greater acceleration and can come past when 'I' deem it to be safe, not when someone in front pulls over.

Thats exactly why I don't pull over to let bikers past, if I'm already doing the speed limit and they feel they desperately need to be in front of me its entirely up to them. Its not for me to control the traffic.

As for bikers filtering through traffic I have no problem with that as I do it on my road bike.

OP wants to be like this guy:

😆 quality!

I've found that if people behave like a dick, they will be treated like one

True- dont go out full of anger as you'll become said dick.
Be calm and lovely inside and you'll be fine.

Just dont be late for an important appointment! Ever!

Last night I had my wing mirror clipped by two motorcyclists filtering in about 10 mins. One held his hand up and apologised and waited to see I'd acknowledged him before riding off, the other didn't. Neither damaged my car but where they were filtering it was clearly barely narrow enough for me and the bus in the other lane.

Tell you what though, the thames-side dual carriage way at rush hour with filtering motorbikes and bikes on all sides is "interesting".

As a driver, I always give motorcyclists plenty of room and thus usually get a cheery thumbs up which always livens up my journey. As with every walk in life there are always idiots and it's best not to be part of their inevitable accident.

As a cyclist in the centre of London, they scare the bejeesus out of me sometimes, but in the main they're a considerate bunch.

Is that a realistic enough response for you?

TandemJeremy - Member

Owenfackrell - so no cars break that speed limit - only bikes? I watch the cars I see as I ride around the city and its a very small minority of car drivers that obey traffic law

Tell you what though, the thames-side dual carriage way at rush hour with filtering motorbikes and bikes on all sides is "interesting".

Certainly is!
Londons West End is what i can only call 'Armaggedon'. I had to ride there (on my lady shave little pop pop- its much easier in traffic than my sportsbike! And dosent overheat when sat at the tenth set of bloody traffic lights) for the first time in years on Monday. I had to stop at London bridge for a breather because my brain was fried!
So much to take in- people diving off pavements even when lights are on green, bike couriers trying to elbow past, sandwiched between busses the whole way, cyclists going for gaps smaller than i can get through, cabbies being cabbies.
Sometimes all at once! I feel knackered just typing it!

And i used to commute there everyday (on a bike) once.

BUT It seems to me that motorcyclists will blast off with quite a bit more speed than the actual limit. WHY?

A bike weighs less, so getting up to speed is effortless. 0-30 from the lights and im easily three or four carlengths in front without much effort. It also means road positioning (for me) if i can get ahead of everyone then i can be on my way and not obstuct everyone else.

[i]I already take a 'no prisoners' approach to riding, including liberal use of horn/main-beam and have no worry whatsoever with squeezing through narrow (or sometimes, too narrow :oops:) gaps.

So drivers, what gives?[/i]

I think you've pretty much answered your own question. You can't expect to be treated with respect if you ride like a cock.

I don't have any issue with filtering bikes. They must get knocked off a hell of a lot though as many moves just look too dangerous.

If I see a bike in my mirrors and it looks like it wants to overtake I do try to move over a bit, same as I would do for a car (and maybe leave a bigger gap in front too). I'd also pull over a bit in traffic, or move into the road if a cyclist was trying to filter on the inside. Just being polite, isn't it?

I feel for those of you who struggle to rotate the wheel and apply pressure to the pedals. Driving must really be a chore 🙂

for me 90% of riders drive like idiots and use public roads to have "fun on" I hate them - putting other road users & pedestrians in danger so they can get there kicks.

scares the shit out of you when a rider appears from "no where" and hammers it past.

However I do move aside - BECAUSE I KNOW IF I BLOCK THEM 90% OF THE IDIOTS WILL MAKE A DANGEROUS MOVE TO PASS ANYWAY PUTTING LIVES AT RISK! and I dont want any part of that!!!!

TJ im not debating about obeying traffic law, although I do stop at red lights. Im asking a specific question about motorcyclists disobeying speed limits in built up areas (national speed limit they can do what they like as far as im concerned)
BUT It seems to me that motorcyclists will blast off with quite a bit more speed than the actual limit. WHY?

rossi46 - Member

BUT It seems to me that motorcyclists will blast off with quite a bit more speed than the actual limit. WHY?

A bike weighs less, so getting up to speed is effortless. 0-30 from the lights and im easily three or four carlengths in front without much effort. It also means road positioning (for me) if i can get ahead of everyone then i can be on my way and not obstuct everyone else.

To be clear, the speed limit is 30mph, the bike is doing 40-50mph

I agree, most people do the speed limit- but there are some idiots out there. Cars and vans too dont forget!
I meant that i will accelaerate UP to 30MPH (or whatever the speed limit happens to be) and then stay there. I like my liscense where it is- in my wallet!

Car drivers - what is your problem?

This (not my words, stolen from the t'interwebs):

There is a mythology that has been carefully constructed around motoring. Look at the adverts: the open road, the perfect wife and contented children secure in the back.

Then there is the reality. The never-ending and spiralling expense. Sat in traffic jams while your hard earned bleeds out of the exhaust making you feel guilty about the environment while the kids are climbing the walls with boredom.

It's hardly surprising that many drivers are half psychotic (or behave as if they are). And when they see a cyclist whipping past them all they can see is someone getting something for free.

So on one hand we have millions of delusional solipsists in control of a ton of machinery and on the other the cyclists blessed with instant karma where any bad decision will cost. Not at the end of the month. Not in insurance premiums, fines or garage bills. But instantly.

So I’m not hugely surprised when motorists complain about being delayed for a few seconds by having to safely overtake a cyclist.

I don't believe its too extreme an example of what's going on in the mind of many motorists:
"I pay all this money, I was promised freedom, my motorcar coddles me like a baby so I can act like a spoiled child, where's my freedom. . . . "

I don't believe its too extreme an example of what's going on in the mind of many motorists:
"I pay all this money, I was promised freedom, my motorcar coddles me like a baby so I can act like a spoiled child, where's my freedom. . . . "

Well said....

Thats fair enough, I have no issues with zooming off from the lights and then settling down to the speed limit +/- 5mph. Its the excessive speed that im annoyed about.

I don't believe its too extreme an example of what's going on in the mind of many motorists:
"I pay all this money, I was promised freedom, my motorcar coddles me like a baby so I can act like a spoiled child, where's my freedom. . . . "

I drive perhaps twice a week, the rest of the time I walk or cycle. I enjoy driving, but CBA with all the idiots who seem to think they can do what they like when they like "because its not doing any harm" in their own selfish perception. The rules of the road are there to protect yourself AND other users, who said we could be selective about which rules should be applied to us?

I don't believe its too extreme an example of what's going on in the mind of many motorists:
"I pay all this money, I was promised freedom, my motorcar coddles me like a baby so I can act like a spoiled child, where's my freedom. . . . "

Anyone who believes that in this day and age is truely deluded.

I'm not so sure.

What's probably the most common complaint/retort from a motorist, about cyclists?: "they don't pay road tax". Which when translated means "I've payed all this money, they haven't, so surely that entitles me to something".

And the 'freedom' bit is definitely true - nobody likes sitting in queues of traffic, we want to be crusing along, unimpeded.

all the idiots who seem to think they can do what they like when they like "because its not doing any harm" in their own selfish perception ... who said we could be selective about which rules should be applied to us?

This is the 'spoiled child' part. So many people unable to obey/follow a few simple guidelines/rules. They need to grow up. My 4 year old knows you're supposed to stop at a red light. Then there's grown men (not mentally, obviously) who seem to think they're above all this.

TandemJeremy - Member
Owenfackrell - so no cars break that speed limit - only bikes? I watch the cars I see as I ride around the city and its a very small minority of car drivers that obey traffic law

Sometimes if I see a motorcyclist coming when I'm in a traffic jam on the motorway I'll open my door just before he gets to my car then get out and beat him to death with a 12inch black rubber dildo.