Are you irritated by bicycles on the road?

Bazza, as a cyclist - I must admit that I'm often very irritated by cars on the road!

I share your fear Greenfinch. Just such an accident happened to a young school boy last year in my area. On his bike, going to school and a bit late. He got to a busy junction with traffic lights and thought he'd just got enough time to get across them. He didn't. A huge tragedy for his family, the school and the motorist who was involved.

Yes, they are very annoying when several abreast but they are infinitely more annoying when they use the pavements instead.

It's really quite amusing that so many refer to 'cyclists' as if they are a different (strange?) distinct group of people. The reality is that - the vast majority of cyclists are also drivers! What is it about driving a car that makes you think you own the road?

I can't speak for others Hetty but personally, as a motorist, I don't think I own the road but I'm cogniscent of the fact that cyclists, who are already very vulnerable anyway, often put themselves into very dangerous situations. They take risks with their own, and other's, safety and it's often the quick reaction of the motorist that saves them from serious accident. Whilst saying this, I fully recognise, and acknowledge, that there are many motorists who do stupid things too and they also jeopardise cyclists safety. Which makes it all the more important for cyclists to be ever vigilant and risk averse.

Yes Chewbacca, there are loads of dangerous and irresponsible cyclists and drivers about. Drivers can do so much more damage, though.

Pedestrians are very vulnerable too, especially small children. I really don't see why everyone needs to go quite so fast either!

Sometimes, sometimes irritated by cars and also pedestrians lol

Generally irritated by annoying people who aren't using roads carefully.

I was stuck the other day, on a winding road, behind a young man who was cycling with no hands... For about 2 miles. I was so impressed I forgot to be annoyed lol

Living in a smaller town with no biking lanes, I have to be aware of traffic and ride accordingly. Also give riders a wide berth when driving my car.. I don't like to see adults bikers on sidewalks, they should ride on the road, and know the proper hand signals.

I really feel bicycles should be licensed and a have a very basic insurance. It would cover some of the cost of adding bike lanes.

Friends that do live in cities are finding more and more bike lanes are being added, in fact some streets are designated bike only. Cars are losing space to bikes, who are not paying for the extra lanes. This causes resentment towards bike riders. I know in a society, municipal government must make decisions based on traffic volumes and what is best for the environment. Some North American cities are very car-centric, and we need to lean more towards public transit and biking.

I read in Vancouver they just increased the fine for 'dooring' a cyclist (hitting a cyclist with a car door).

Until a few years ago I lived in East London. Our Local Council started putting in cycle lanes which initially I thought was a great idea (although I wasn't a cyclist).

Then I realised that most cyclists were not using them and that cross borough roads, cut down to single track in each direction, had become pollution generators.

To get back from my local supermarket had previously taken Five minutes, it now took 30.

If I drove at 10mph I could be charged but cyclists can struggle their way up hills with a tail back of 50 or more cars unable to overtake on narrow or winding roads.
It should be mandatory for cyclists to pull over to allow other traffic to go past.
We have to travel from Glasgow to Loch Lomond several times a week and every single time encounter traffic queues of this nature. As each car attempts to overtake both driver and cyclist are put in danger, frustration mounts as everyone stuck behind the selfish cyclist is forced to a snails pace.

I'm going to put in my pennyworth as it's something I feel strongly about. There's bike lanes here but quite a few have glass sprinkled across them and the inevitable pot holes, which are dangerous to navigate on a bike.

The route I frequently take is a pleasant, quiet cycle into town. The Avenue is wide and basically sectioned into three, with two very wide grass and tarmac paths either side, the road's the same width as the paths.

Probably 6 out of twelve times whilst cycling, I'll encounter pedestrians/runners/electric chairs, or groups of people walking in the middle of the road, or running from side to side. I usually have to stop for them, and cars slow down. They're quite affronted if asked to move onto the path, they ignore the warning ringing of my bike bell.

And don't get me started on the army of 4x4's.

Yes, cars are an additional danger for bikes, and vice versa but on some roads pedestrians can also also a nuisance.

In answer to the question: Yes.
Cyclists do not have the speed to navigate busy traffic safely; many roads are too narrow for safe cycle lanes, and they frequently end abruptly, leaving the cyclist either to swerve onto the pavement or in the middle of traffic;
cycling on pavements is dangerous for pedestrians;
too many serious cyclists ignore road rules whilst pursuing their 'personal best' and are unpredictable;
too many gaggles of four strung across country lanes because obviously, it is the country and there won't be any traffic.

I am happy with two abreast as then they present the same width as a vehicle which makes it less tempting for idiot drivers to overtake when there is a vehicle approaching from ahead. It also stops cars overtaking on blind corners. Three or four abreast, or riding in huge groups without leaving regular spaces for cars to overtake are just plain rude. I drive and ride bikes and wear lots of hi viz - none of that stopped a 40ton grain lorry overtaking me, (I could have touched the side of his vehicle) with a car coming the other way - when he cut in to avoid the car I truly thought I was going to die. Worse still was the fact that a mere 100yds ahead he turned off into a grain store - so there was no need to endanger my life. I was so angry I rode straight into the yard and just went ballistic. No real apology - the manager just said he was sure the driver was not intentionally trying to kill me!!!!

I’m a cyclist and a driver and cyclists annoy me intensely.

I feel guilty however if I’m cycling down a cycle/walking trail and walkers move out of the way, I always apologise. But, I’ll happily move if I’m walking and a cyclist comes.