I would like to have a rant. If this will put you off your cornflakes, maybe read it later (or not at all) but really, I need to moan. My problem is cyclists on the road. Let me explain.

Now, before I begin, I should admit that I also cycle on the road. In fact, after my surgery cycling was my only form of transport for many months because I wasn’t allowed to drive. I feel this gives me some rights with regard to cyclists, because I am one of them. I know what it means to slog up a hill, to be overtaken at speed by a careless driver, to be squashed into the pavement when they misjudge an overtake, to risk being thrown by dangerous potholes. However, without being overly harsh, some cyclists should have their bikes forcibly removed and put into a crusher.

Cyclists have every right to be on the road and not be killed by careless drivers. They do not, however, have the right to cycle selfishly, to ignore all the rules of the road, to flip between road and pathway, to inconvenience and cause trouble to everyone else on the road. I find it intensely irritating when someone is selfish, and most cyclists I encounter seem to be exceptionally selfish (especially those wearing lycra, but that’s another issue).

When I am driving, I will do my best to make the road safe for cyclists. I will not overtake them when I can’t see round the corner, or when the road is too narrow, or when someone is approaching towards me. I wait, patiently driving at snail-pace, until I can overtake safely, giving them a wide berth, ready for unexpected wobbles due to potholes. However, when there is a traffic queue, I do not expect them to overtake me on the inside (which is a traffic violation) so that I have to repeatedly overtake them. Nor do I expect them to selfishly move to the front of the line at traffic lights, so that when the light turns green not only do we all have to overtake them again but if there are roadworks we also have to drive extra slowly behind them until the road is clear. To do this is just plain selfish. Why do they think they have more rights than anyone else? Why can they break the law by overtaking on the inside, and then expect the law to protect them?

Now, when I am in charge of the world, I shall make it a legal requirement for all cyclists to wear a high-visibility jacket, with a number–like a car number plate. Then these lycra-wearing road-hogging obstacles will be easy to identify, people can record their number, report them to the police (who can then either crush their bike, or fine them–whichever is deemed most appropriate). They also, before being allowed on the road, should be forced to read the Highway Code, and to sign it, acknowledging that there are laws around road-use, and if they use the road, they should obey the laws.

I’m sure I am not alone in feeling exasperated by cyclists. When I have slowed my journey to overtake them safely, I do not feel inclined to do this repeatedly. My feeling is that I have kept them safe once, if they repeatedly under-take me, must I protect them again and again when I overtake them a second and third time. They can only steal so much of my time. It takes incredible self-control to continue to protect them. They should know this–not every driver has incredible self-control. They make the road dangerous, especially for other cyclists, because we all get lumped into the same ‘selfish cyclist’ group. There are some cyclists who do behave properly, who do deserve to be protected, who have every right to being protected. But please, do let’s stop selfish cyclists abusing their position. Let’s make road use fair.

Thanks for reading. Drive safely, and take care.
Love, Anne x

anneethompson.com
******