Cyclists - are you a smug git?

[gentlegreen]

I feel less smug than bemused as I cycle past people half my age stuck in traffic queues. Mind you, I didn't make the change until I was forced to at 27 when my Lambretta broke ...

I would guess they assume I can't afford a car or something ...

 

[fredfelt]

I feel less smug than bemused as I cycle past people half my age stuck in traffic queues. Mind you, I didn't make the change until I was forced to at 27 when my Lambretta broke ...

I would guess they assume I can't afford a car or something ...

Well sitting in that car watching you cycle past I could either

a. Think about if I really need to do this every day
b. Dismiss you as a smug cyclist and think no more

 

[editor]

The best I could hope for is that those single occupant drivers on very short journeys sitting in huge traffic queues (caused by other single occupant cars) might consider walking or cycling for some trips in the future as I swiftly pedal past.

 

[_pH_]

and from numerous threads:

fuck me. what a bunch of idiots.

 

[Open Sauce]

Well, being the fastest way of going 5 miles in London does make it feel superior but I try not to rub it in people's faces

Indeed, takes me 30 mins each way, versus 1hour tube, so saving 1 hour of my life a day. Oh, don't need to exercise for an hour either, so 2 hours. Cheap, no crowded tube, sitting in traffic. I wouldn't gloat about it either.

 

[Open Sauce]

I just use my bike to get around on. I don't have any other agenda than getting from A to B. I find it weird that others seem to view cycling as some sort of mission and I hate it when cyclists get all aggressive about it. I saw a horrible incident the other day where an older chap stepped out onto a pedestrian crossing and was almost hit by a cyclist going through on red. The chap mentioned that the lights were actually red and got a very loud, very aggressive "FUCK YOU" from the cyclist

I never understand the point of these anecdotes; picking on this one sure, but what was your point of posting this?

I can give all sorts of examples or idiots in cars, on foot, on bike on motorbike etc, can't see what it proves.

 

[scooter]

I cycle everywhere because I can't afford a car, smugness doesn't come into it. If I could afford a car I'd stow the bike and drive everywhere. I cycle from necessity not choice.

I see it the other way around - car drivers are smug. Rich people sitting there in air conditioned comfort driving around at up to 70 mph protected from the rain and the cold with the radio on.

I can go quite fast now and hills don't bother me but that's only because I've got good through enforced practice. I've got no other form of transport. The only consolation is that I've got quite fit because I have to cycle every day.

 

[Crispy]

Indeed, takes me 30 mins each way, versus 1hour tube, so saving 1 hour of my life a day. Oh, don't need to exercise for an hour either, so 2 hours. Cheap, no crowded tube, sitting in traffic. I wouldn't gloat about it either.

Oh it is great fun, no doubt.
But I tend to feel a little bit more "oh why oh why oh why" when it's pissing down and a 20mph wind is blowing in my face.

 

[Termite Man]

But I tend to feel a little bit more "oh why oh why oh why" when it's pissing down and a 20mph wind is blowing in my face.

I'm like that when it's hot and sunny and I'm sweating like a bastard . I much prefer winter cycling ( and you don't get the fair weather cyclists getting in your way )

 

[Lemon Eddy]

A perfect example of why all vehicles should have legible licence plates to facilitate prosecution and punishment.

I could be just as lairy and aggressive on a pair on inlines - how the fuck do you think you're going to insist on a legible license plate for them?

If people are going to meet up to do that, they'll mask, fake or remove the plates. After all, they're already flagrantly breaking any number of laws which could (and should) see them lifted. It's unfortunate that there weren't any police around to catch them. Having more aggressive enforcement of the laws already in place makes alot more sense than just adding extra regulations that idiots like this will circuvent.

 

[Biddlybee]

Oh it is great fun, no doubt.
But I tend to feel a little bit more "oh why oh why oh why" when it's pissing down and a 20mph wind is blowing in my face.

Rain I don't mind but wind is a fucker

 

[gentlegreen]

I'm like that when it's hot and sunny and I'm sweating like a bastard . I much prefer winter cycling ( and you don't get the fair weather cyclists getting in your way )

I rather like autumn / winter cycling because I feel a bit vulnerable in just shorts / tee shirt - not that I've fallen off in a very long time ...

This time of year when the weather is a bit borderline I have trouble setting off without my flappy coat (and scarf !) - and end up regretting it on the final hill.

 

[Ae589]

fuck me. what a bunch of idiots.

They are wankers, and deserve to be locked up, but that video is way cool.

 

[Herbsman.]

I'm a smug cyclist, but I don't have the self-confidence to manifest it outwardly

 

[Bob_the_lost]

I could be just as lairy and aggressive on a pair on inlines - how the fuck do you think you're going to insist on a legible license plate for them?

If people are going to meet up to do that, they'll mask, fake or remove the plates. After all, they're already flagrantly breaking any number of laws which could (and should) see them lifted. It's unfortunate that there weren't any police around to catch them. Having more aggressive enforcement of the laws already in place makes alot more sense than just adding extra regulations that idiots like this will circuvent.

I think they ride straight past at least one police car in the vid.

 

[Pat24]

I have to admit to being a smug git when I swiflty cycle my way out of a traffic jam and overtake all those miserable looking car drivers...It makes me feel invincible...haha
I love cycling because it keeps me fit and also love being independent. Since I stop relying on public transport, I am not only richer but fitter. Perfect combo.

 

[mattie]

It's hard to look smug when you're coughing up your lungs and being overtaken by 12-year-olds on BMXs.

 

[Mrs Miggins]

I never understand the point of these anecdotes; picking on this one sure, but what was your point of posting this?

Because it had just happened and it pissed me off. It's the kind of behaviour that gets all cyclists a bad name.

I can give all sorts of examples or idiots in cars, on foot, on bike on motorbike etc, can't see what it proves.

So could I. Doesn't prove anything - just illustrates how some people on bikes seem to feel they're somehow entitled to do what they like simply because they are riding a bike.

 

[roryer]

I don't wear Lycra, helmets or any special cycling gear for that matter, but I think that I'm a fairly normal person when not cycling.

I wouldn't classify myself as smug either really, although of course cyclists just through their choice of transport mode do exhibit a vastly superior social and environmental conscience than planet, space, and children killing machine drivers. I'm too worried about the possible destruction of our biosphere and end of the abundance of energy that has enabled this charmed way of life to be smug.

 

[Wolveryeti]

are you a smug cyclist?

Blatantly.

Sometimes I get so excited about shooting a red light that I have to run behind a wheelie bin and have a comedown wank.

 

[Struwwelpeter]

Smug, oh yes, I'm very smug.