Paying lip service to cyclists

[Alex728]

I've noticed this with women, always younger single ones, not granny ladies nor mums - and I am a very right-on non-sexist type of person... but in this area its more a look of annoyance than a blast of the horn or anything like that.. I get the impression they see being "held up" by a male cyclist as an extension of the glass ceiling and that cycling is a "testosterone charged" thing, although I don't go around in lycra (I'd feel it was indecent and even if I were brazen enough to wear it would have to go for a Vladimir Putin style fitness régime before I'd be happy going out in the street dressed like that )

[flecc]

Agreed Alex, it is always the younger single types in my experience too. I think you are right in your diagnosis of the reason.
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[Mussels]

When I read about other areas of the country it seems that riding in London is much easier as speeds are lower and everyone seems much friendlier to cyclists.

[flecc]

Originally Posted by Mussels

When I read about other areas of the country it seems that riding in London is much easier as speeds are lower and everyone seems much friendlier to cyclists.

That also reflects the general experience that the more cyclists there are, the better car drivers behave. London's huge cycling growth has been a blessing. My bad experiences are always on the outskirts and surrounding country where cycling in this hilly area is much less common.
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[Alex728]

Originally Posted by Mussels

When I read about other areas of the country it seems that riding in London is much easier as speeds are lower and everyone seems much friendlier to cyclists.

the same applies to Suffolk (but again there are a lot of cyclists here, and fast motor traffic is filtered onto the A12/A14 where it creates less of a hazard).

[Conal]

One of the main reasons I enjoy power assisted cycling is that the greater speed that I now travel at allows me to cycle a distance away from the curb on busy roads and not slow London traffic down. In bus lanes I can accelarate away at lights and avoid the buses queuing up behind me and understandably becoming frustrated. I would go as far as to say that having an ebike has probably helped me avoid being hit and injured. The only downside I can think of is when vehicles turn left in my lane in front of me or turn right from the oncoming traffic; in both cases obstructing me because they do not allow for my unexpected speed. Again this is understandable because power assist is not obvious from front or back, and I certainly don't fit the image of a fast cyclist!

[Mussels]

Originally Posted by Conal

One of the main reasons I enjoy power assisted cycling is that the greater speed that I now travel at allows me to cycle a distance away from the curb on busy roads and not slow London traffic down. In bus lanes I can accelarate away at lights and avoid the buses queuing up behind me and understandably becoming frustrated. I would go as far as to say that having an ebike has probably helped me avoid being hit and injured. The only downside I can think of is when vehicles turn left in my lane in front of me or turn right from the oncoming traffic; in both cases obstructing me because they do not allow for my unexpected speed. Again this is understandable because power assist is not obvious from front or back, and I certainly don't fit the image of a fast cyclist!

Car drivers do that to motorcyclists as well, some are just morons.
I find most morons in London are pedestrians who shout at me for going the wrong way down a two way street or crossing a junction when my light is green or step out onto a cycle path without looking.