Not just hatred of cyclists, but aggression in general seems to be on the increase. Or maybe it's entitlement- "I've been shut away for a couple of years so now I am let out I will do what I blinking well want and I don't care what anyone else thinks" sort of thing. De-socialised.pete75 wrote: ↑22 Jun 2022, 7:41pmPolice enforcement - where and how?. Rode 85 miles on Monday on a variety of roads. Several close passes and almost all under 1.5 metres apart from HGV drivers. Didn't see a single rozzer anywhere. If anything hatred of cyclists is on the increase.cycle tramp wrote: ↑22 Jun 2022, 6:41pmI believe that close passes currently happen mostly out of habit and ignorance more than anything else - but thanks to the highway code changes and police enforcement, in my area, at least they are happening less and drivers on the whole seem to be more cyclist aware
My work is "essential" so I worked throughout COVID including traveling and staying away from home at times. Compared with pre-COVID, the roads have become grim and the standard of much car-driving dropped dramatically IME. Nor does setting a good example help; just last Friday, I was coming home in the work van from a week away (working), overtook a cyclist with my van wholly over the white line to give plenty space. But the car which had been tailgating me for the past couple of miles (as I had the nerve to do no more than 50mph- i.e. the speed limit on a single carriageway road for a big van) passed very close to the cyclist, then dangerously overtook me. MGIF on steroids. I also still see a lot of folks on the phone or (worse) texting in their cars- you see a lot from a higher up vehicle.
I admit that I no longer ride on the road. I had an ankle injury a while back which reduced my ability to walk and cycle, and I didn't really get the nerve back. Too many SUVs full of angry people about.
TPO