Cyclists Don't Break Rules: People Do | GCN Show Ep. 349

Is there such a thing as a cyclist? People ride bikes, drive cars and walk, so why are cyclists getting a bad name through the actions of individuals who break the law? Dan and Si have a small rant on this week's GCN Show...

Let us know what you think about labels. Are we too quick to apply them?

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Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
Alla Prima - Voodulce
Four Steps Ahead - Little Island Leap
In the News - Marten Moses
Kolaramma Road - Roral Ceef
Summer City (Instrumental Version) - Aldenmark Niklasson
Jonas Elander - Afternoon Swing 3
Hyena - Tigerblood Jewel
Velvetine - Ballpoint
Chow Mein - Cushy
Queen's Jewelry - Cercles Nouvelles
Signal - Cushy
Abstractions - Aleph One

Licensed by Cue:
Viper Creek Club - Because I Know

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[gcn]

Let us know what you think about labels. Are we too quick to apply them?

[Mububban]

I ride to work 2-3 days a week, drive the others, do a group ride Saturday mornings, plus some mountain biking. I do a moderate amount of km a year behind the wheel and on a bike.
Just this morning while driving to work, I saw 2 separate car drivers running red lights. Full clear red lights, in morning light on dry clear roads with nobody right behind them so they easily could have stopped. But no, they floored it and ran the lights after it had changed to red. Yesterday I got tailgated by someone who, when they got past me, went >10kmh over the speed limit (I was doing ~82 in an 80 zone).
Not to mention the texting while driving, not giving way at intersections or while merging, changing lanes without indicating, speeding, tailgating, drunk/drug driving etc etc. I only drive for 15 minutes each way to work and back, but will guaranteed see more than one car driver breaking road rules.
Whenever "bloody cyclists" break a road rule, it is the cyclist that endangers their own life. When car drivers break road rules, they endanger themselves and everyone around them.

[jkmaseruman]

I'm a cyclist, a driver and a pedestrian. As a cyclist I moan about drivers not giving me enough room when overtaking, as a driver I moan about pedestrians not looking when crossing the road and as a pedestrian I moan about cyclists riding on the pavement. How's that for inclusivity. And a lot of moaning.

[McStoolio]

Story about a driver cutting across a lane without looking, mowed a cyclist down. The driver was 100% to blame and the cyclist had facial injuries and couldn’t get up.
The last line in the article, “The cyclist was not wearing a helmet”.

This is astonishing. Edinburgh Evening News. Today. Arseholes.

[williamlivingstone]

So... I do find that my behavior on a bike changes how I act in a car. For example, I ensure that I always give a bike rider his fair share of the road because that is what I would hope someone would do for me if I was on my bike.

[zyghom]

Since I started riding on the road I am MUCH MORE aware car driver. 100%

[ska]

Alright then I'm going for a walk to headbutt some cars! Wait...

[Calum_S]

Finally some GCN presenters actually going for an hour record. Don't think I've forgotten about your trandem/triplet attempt that still hasn't happened.

[declanfaughey]

A new GCN show the best way to relax after a stressful day at work, SI and Dan my favorite GCN presenters. I Plan to watch GCN all day tomorrow on my day off to recover from my heavy head cold.

[JasCar]

I always try to do the right thing whether I am riding a bike, driving or walking. It does seem to me that the main problem between cyclists and motorists is because lots of motorists are impatient and are of the opinion that cyclists don’t have the same rights to the road as them

[griffly]

The media stirring up hate towards cyclists is one of the reasons I ride a lot less on the roads around my area in the UK. I just can’t be arsed with idiot motorists any more. My next bike will be a gravel bike and road riding will then be virtually nil.

[Ispwrfd]

Caption: "I expected something else when they told me I'd have my rear end inspected."

[joshuabourdrez]

I absolutely believe that every move I make as a bike rider is interpreted as either rude or courteous by drivers. My behavior on the road sows the seeds of malice or acceptance by motorists. We make the bed we ride in... 🚲

[angelfranciscomarinolmedil]

Nine years ago I was run over by a car while I was training. I miraculously sourvive. Since then I have became a really agressive cyclist and can not bear when cars pass close to me.
By the way, I reslly enjoy all of your shows, even if I am spanish and we do have your brother channel GCN in spanish, you are by far much better.
Keep up the good work guys

[nicholassekas]

I think a lot of the anger motorists feel towards cyclists is driven by misunderstanding. Lets say you cruise at 22 mph (~35 kph). As we cyclists are acutely aware, it takes a lot more energy to accelerate than to maintain speed. You can do a series of high school physics level calculations to estimate that the required energy output to get up to cruising speed from a stop is something like that required to go up 2-3 flights of stairs. At the tail end of a 60 mi (100 km) ride, do motorists honestly think they would come to a complete stop at an empty junction, benefiting nobody at all by stopping, just to have to ascend three flights of stairs to get back up to cruising speed?

This is illustrative of a point discussed in this video and on the channel before; most cyclists also drive cars, but most motorists do not also ride bikes. Perhaps, if road users of all varieties could make an effort to be more empathetic, our communities would be happier, safer places.

[tabishop]

Caption: If this is an e-bike, we will definitely be indicting the owner for battery charges.

[PH-cull]

Caption: "I say, Inspector Gadget, this bike looks shifty!"

[Velobetty]

The entire debate around roads is marked with two things; firstly that people on bicycles are classed as "cyclists" and thus in a group it is possible to consider all together and collectively blame for the behaviour of a few people on bicycles...and secondly people in cars who, when involved in an incident, are referred to as "car", removing the person's liability. Such as "car hits person". It's an entirely pervasive narrative that perpetuates the myth that "cyclists" are law-breaking hooligans. In fact recent research suggests exactly the opposite; that people on bicycles break far fewer laws and rules than people in cars (see link below). The theory is that a person on a bicycle may go through a red light but rarely would just blast straight through without looking, instead taking care of themselves, but this is no more often than a person in a car might. Further, a person in a car is much more likely to speed and use a phone at the wheel; two of the Fatal Four causes of collisions. Personally the thing that upsets me the most is how much abuse I get when I'm riding a bike despite being a courteous and safe rider. I also drive cars and ride motorcycles so being classed as a "cyclist" is ridiculous.

Although I think this subject goes much deeper... We have been, and continue to be, sold this idea that motor vehicles represent freedom and personal expression; just look at any car advert to see a single person driving a car on an empty road with stirring music. So you can go out and spend a lot of money on a vehicle and end up stuck in traffic with people on bikes whizzing by. I'm convinced that this is a large cause of many people's anger and it's directed at a perceived "out group" of "cyclists". I think the only way we're going to start to resolve this is with clear and effective support for proper cycling infrastructure and councils and the government making it absolutely clear that they support bicycles as a mode of transport; something that today does not happen.

[jackpinchin]

Haha thanks for mentioning my poo bag bodge 🤣 saved a long walk

[j_ckkennedy]

Caption: “Canyon not touch my rear end please... some people! They just have to cop a feel!”