Thread: Cyclists.

The drivers actions were illegal, dangerous and inexcusable no matter what may or may not have happened at any other time anywhere on the planet.

Why are you guys so intent on vilifying a cyclist who was almost knocked off his bike and then threatened with a knife!?!? seriously?? What, you think the cyclist might have done something similar to that driver before the video starts? Seriously?

Originally Posted by MrLandy

The driver pushed past the cyclist just before a roundabout, crossing double lines, then cut the cyclist off! The driver is clearly in the wrong. ...to then speed past, stop and pull a knife! Is even more outrageous, dangerous and illegal! And some of you guys are defending this driver??? Seriously?? The cyclist did nothing wrong at all in that video, which is why he would have posted it on the Internet. It was dangerous driving and illegal threatening behaviour by the Toyota driver who should be charged.

Unless something is done about this thread which is consistently endorsing illegal, threatening and dangerous behaviour by drivers towards cyclists on a motoring website, I will report it and cancel my membership of AULRO.

That is just it, it is not. Just because you have an opinion (which you are entitled to) does not mean that every motorist is out to get every cyclist which IMO is what you are inferring. Everyone has their thoughts and opinions and are quite free to both have and express them (within the forum guidelines of course). I don't think there is a need to shut a thread down just because you don't like what is being posted.

A large number of members here are both (drivers and riders) and having had another browse through the thread the bias is not really one way or the other.

Originally Posted by MrLandy

What actions did the cyclist take?

The video is all we have to go on. Supposition about anything else is irrelevant.

In the video the Rider is riding to the left of centre as the car approaches. when the car is near he moves closer to the centre to prevent the car overtaking but doesn't succeed. When the Driver slows at the roundabout the Rider, giving no quarter, rides up to the car and makes contact, at which point the Driver stops. Had the Rider stayed to the left and slowed for the Roundabout as he should, there would have been no incident at all. Had the Rider not slapped the car (There is no contact with the bike.) there possibly wouldn't have been the ensuing incident.
In his so called torrent of abuse, the Driver states that the Rider touched or punched(I can't tell.) his car and that he pulled out on him.
The Rider slapped the car and said "What the %$#@ are you doing?" This is the only abusive language I heard.
The Rider is reported to have said that earlier that day he had been forced to assert his position and made sudden movements to prevent being overtaken at roundabouts and intersections. Really???
In no way do I defend the actions of the Driver and that means any of his actions but the rider by his actions, shows an aggressive attitude, which on this occasion, got him more than he bargained for.

Originally Posted by pop058

That is just it, it is not. Just because you have an opinion (which you are entitled to) does not mean that every motorist is out to get every cyclist which IMO is what you are inferring. Everyone has their thoughts and opinions and are quite free to both have and express them (within the forum guidelines of course). I don't think there is a need to shut a thread down just because you don't like what is being posted.

A large number of members here are both and having had another browse through the thread the bias is not really one way or the other.

With respect, it is not about bias or whether the debate is balanced or not. It is about a motoring blog site effectively condoning illegal and dangerous behaviour by motorists towards other road users.

Dont put words in my mouth. I have never asserted that every motorist is out to get every cyclist. This is a ridiculous assertion from a moderator.

I am appalled at some of the attitudes on here and this is something I no longer want to associated with in any way. Therefore I am considering cancelling my subscription.

Originally Posted by cuppabillytea

In the video the Rider is riding to the left of centre as the car approaches. when the car is near he moves closer to the centre to prevent the car overtaking but doesn't succeed. When the Driver slows at the roundabout the Rider, giving no quarter, rides up to the car and makes contact, at which point the Driver stops. Had the Rider stayed to the left and slowed for the Roundabout as he should, there would have been no incident at all. Had the Rider not slapped the car (There is no contact with the bike.) there possibly wouldn't have been the ensuing incident.
In his so called torrent of abuse, the Driver states that the Rider touched or punched(I can't tell.) his car and that he pulled out on him.
The Rider slapped the car and said "What the %$#@ are you doing?" This is the only abusive language I heard.
The Rider is reported to have said that earlier that day he had been forced to assert his position and made sudden movements to prevent being overtaken at roundabouts and intersections. Really???
In no way do I defend the actions of the Driver and that means any of his actions but the rider by his actions, shows an aggressive attitude, which on this occasion, got him more than he bargained for.

It is a cyclists right to ride on the road, even if it is in the middle of the road. Not being sidelined by a car through a roundabout is precisely why the cyclist rode through the roundabout in the middle of the road. The cyclist did nothing wrong.

Originally Posted by MrLandy

The cyclist did nothing wrong.

I disagree, the cyclist was being awkward and unco-operative to the point of aggression. The car driver's actions were also aggressive and OTT. I feel the cyclist's beef is that he lost in a battle of egos.

Originally Posted by MrLandy

The drivers actions were illegal, dangerous and inexcusable no matter what may or may not have happened at any other time anywhere on the planet.

Why are you guys so intent on vilifying a cyclist who was almost knocked off his bike and then threatened with a knife!?!? seriously?? What, you think the cyclist might have done something similar to that driver before the video starts? Seriously?

Without question and I think everyone here has said that, but the cyclists actions were equally so - that has been discussed a lot as well. By any stretch of the imagination you cannot begin to say the cyclist was as far left as safe and practicable, so he was also acting illegally and dangerously.

What I don't get is just because there are people bagging out what the cyclist did, you automatically think we all think the driver was in the right - it's not one or the other - the driver was in the wrong AS WELL as the cyclist - both parties clearly were - can't you see this or are you just so one sided that you think the cyclists are always right? Maybe when you stop thinking in the 'us and them' mentallity you may understand what some of us are trying to say.