Please stop constantly blaming those who ride bikes
Hi,Can I respectfully please ask that you all stop constantly bringing cyclists/ bike lanes into what feels like every single thread on this forum? I acknowledge that some people may be struggling given everything that's going on in the world right now and all the various problems with traffic around Chiswick isn't helping but please stop blaming all of this on everyone who just happens to ride a bike!The traffic problems are not caused by me riding my bike. If the council decides to reduce the road space available to motorists don't assume that I've asked for this just because I have two wheels. There's been a significant increase in the amount of abuse I've been getting from drivers while on my bike in recent times varying from purposely overtaking me at close range, beeping horn/flashing lights at me, shouting abuse out their window as they pass, etc. When this is sporadic I can normally deal with it but it's happening more and more these days and getting more extreme.The most recent example was this morning on CHR westbound at the junction of Elliot Road around 9am. I was on the main road, not the bike lane, and was around a third of the way into the lane. I've used the bike lane a few times since it's opened but didn't use it this morning as I'm still a little confused on some of the traffic lights on it plus traffic on CHR was very light this hour of the morning. A H91 bus was right behind me and the driver started beeping his horn several times until I moved out of the way and let him pass. As I said, there was very little traffic on CHR at this time so he could have so easily just overtaken me if he felt that I was slowing him down that much. However given he stopped at every bus stop along CHR up to Chiswick Business Park and I had to keep overtaking him each time the few seconds he had initially gained by forcing me into the bike lane were completely pointless. The most extreme example was a few weeks back where I was approaching Chiswick Roundabout having come from Kew. It was very early in the morning and there was only one or two cars around. A driver came up behind me blaring his horn then cut in front of me, rolled down his window and proceeded to shout the usual vitriolic abuse at me: "I shouldn't be on the effin' road", "I don't pay road tax", "I should be on a cycle lane only", "He doesn't want to see me on the road again or else", etc. I'm a 6'1" man in my 30s and not easily frightened but this particular incident did shake me. Do I believe that particular driver was someone from this forum? No. Why am I posting this then? Because I believe the constant moaning on here about cyclists and cycle lanes including the incessant counting that some people seem to do: "I only saw one using it today", etc. effectively adds to the demonisation of those who choose to ride bikes.Thank you
Adam McKinnon ● 2126d226 Comments ● 2120d