Alan, as a non-Lycra clad local cyclist over the last 30+ years I sympathise with your bad experiences with dangerous drivers. I’ve had a couple of near misses when I slowed some driver’s journey down by a micro-second or two, but mostly on local roads around Putney, and on shared space pedestrian priority paths, I have encountered very little hostility. Maybe it’s because I cycle increasingly slowly (must be an age thing!). I try to keep off the main roads for obvious reasons where short tempered car and van drivers can be a threat. I suggested to one driver who drove too close (I caught up with him at the traffic lights) that a collision might dent his bumper but could put me in hospital. Sometimes you just Anglo Saxon responses but I’ve had the occasional apology too. All road users need to respect the vulnerability of cyclists, even the Lycra-clad speedsters.
Jonathan Callaway ● 1304d