Perhaps cyclists could help themselves by being more courteous to other road users?
There are many letters published in your column regarding cyclists and the despicable treatment they sometimes receive from motorists. I often agree with their comments. They are obviously the ones who are going to come off worst in the event of a collision and that is the way I approach the situation. This does not however mean that cyclists are the road angels they purport to be and I would suggest a little bit of consideration, not to say manners, would help their cause.
A couple of days ago, on the A68 approaching Pathhead I encountered a lone cyclist. I hung back for a while until I could overtake safely. This I did and crossed the broken centre line of the road to do so. This was obviously not enough for this cyclist who deemed that I had been too close and made several theatrical and rude gestures to express his displeasure. I am exasperated.
Apart from follow him all the way to Edinburgh I don't think there was any pleasing this person. I did think that there are several people of my acquaintance who would have stopped their vehicle and acquainted this person's cycle with parts of his anatomy hitherto unexplored by anything other than a doctor. I think this particular cyclist is heading for some trouble with this attitude and at the same time doing no good for the cyclist cause whatsoever. Why cannot manners often expressed when a pedestrian be transferred to when motoring or cycling?
A couple of days ago, on the A68 approaching Pathhead I encountered a lone cyclist. I hung back for a while until I could overtake safely. This I did and crossed the broken centre line of the road to do so. This was obviously not enough for this cyclist who deemed that I had been too close and made several theatrical and rude gestures to express his displeasure. I am exasperated.
Apart from follow him all the way to Edinburgh I don't think there was any pleasing this person. I did think that there are several people of my acquaintance who would have stopped their vehicle and acquainted this person's cycle with parts of his anatomy hitherto unexplored by anything other than a doctor. I think this particular cyclist is heading for some trouble with this attitude and at the same time doing no good for the cyclist cause whatsoever. Why cannot manners often expressed when a pedestrian be transferred to when motoring or cycling?
Asked on 15 June 2012 by SH, Middlesbrough
Answered by
Honest John
If the road is clear I try to give them a lot of room to wobble about. But they don't have any automatic right to my extra caution. I merely exercise it out of common sense. The roads in my area will be closed for a day in July or August. Guess what for? An Olympic cycle road race. Over the next few weeks, “long delays” are promised while they resurface the roads to be used for this cycle race.
Tags:
cyclists
driving techniques
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