Is the negativity towards UK cyclists now empowering them?

I ride my cycles more than I use my car when I'm alone, in fact I only really need the car to transport my disabled wife around.

I often think it's strange when car drivers make it awkward for cyclists to pass in heavy traffic, you must have seen the ones that pull over into your path as they crawl along slower than you are cycling. What they don't seem to realise is that if all the cyclists got into their cars (and almost all of the cyclists I know have cars) then the traffic would be worse, and they'd take even longer to get where they're going.

This treatment isn't the main reason that I joined the CTC, but it is a valid point, and I do like the fact that I'm supporting an organisation that is fighting for cyclist's rights.

As for the cost and financing the roads, I, like many other cyclists, do have a fully legal motor vehicle, but I never use it while I'm out on my cycle, so why shouldn't I cycle on the road?

I always see it as the people shouting the abuse have the problem, not me. I just hope I'm not on the same bit of road as they are when their high blood pressure causes them to have a stroke while they get worked up over some other law abiding road user.

I can't recall getting anything like that shouted at me, but perhaps they're prevented by my 6'5" height and build to match, even though I wouldn't be able to catch them up in their gas guzzlers :-)

What worries me is the people that are dissuaded from cycling by these and other issues. And those people on the borderline of taking up or returning to cycling who read this question and the answers.

The CTC [1] is "The UK's National Cyclists' Organisation", so the 1st port of call for many. But there are others, such as Cycle Nation [2].

If we keep plugging away things will eventually get better.

Yes.

After 30 years of abuse I still react. I campaign through the CTC & LCC, write (email) newspapers, call radio phone-ins, joined the "Jeremy Clarkson is a Tw*t" Facebook group etc.

Tell them 99% of the roads we use are paid for by Council Tax.

Tell them Holland & most of Europe does it better.

Tell errant male drivers to get a bigger dick or a smaller car.

Last year for the first time I turned to violence ( at age 61). A bus had deliberately cut me up 4 times in 2 miles. I wheeled round to the front of the bus a had a word with him. He said "I was indicating", I said "No you were describing". I took my D-lock and smashed his indicator (they're tough). I said, "well you're not indicating now". I got cheers & applause from 2 bus stops & the passengers. I followed him all the way back to the bus station. He refused to make a complaint against me, tosser.

I try to ride my bike everywhere. At least I don't have to spend money on gas.

does not make sense

wle