Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour?

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Thu 16 Sep 2010 13:36
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - RaineMan

On recent trips to London and Cambridge I have noticed that the type of bike a cyclist is using seems to affect their attitude and behaviour.

i) Fixed wheel bikes. These people seem willing to spend a small fortune on what is basically a very simple set up. They seem to have a road warrior attitude, and rely on the fact that cars do not want to hit them and that pedestrians do not want to be hit by them. Very aggressive in attitude. Percentage ignoring the Highway Code over 95%!

ii) Mountain bikes. Usually have no mud guards (causing a dirty streak down their backs in wet weather) and between 15 and 21 gears. Not as aggressive as the fixed wheelers but switch between road and pavement frequently, usually with total disregard to others. Percentage ignoring the Highway Code about 70%!

iii) Hybrids mid-way between mountain bikes and standard tourers/town cycles. Tend not to switch between road and pavement as frequently as mountain bike users. Some seem to regard pedestrians as an irritation! Percentage ignoring the Highway Code about 50%!

iv) Standard bikes (including Boris bikes). Have mudguards and often only three or five speeds. Ladies may have a basket on the front and gentlemen a carrier. Usually ride on the road. If they are on the pavement they tend to give priority to pedestrians and ay apologise for causing inconvenience. Percentage ignoring the Highway Code under 10%!

Has anyone else noticed this?

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Thu 16 Sep 2010 14:22
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - TheOilBurner

I think you may be right, some types of bike do attract different kinds of rider, probably down to the fact that most young folks (who are always more aggresive, regardless of transport method) will opt for fixed wheel or MTB rather than fuddy duddy bikes.

BTW, it's more like 27 gears on an MTB these days!

Edited by TheOilBurner on 16/09/2010 at 14:26

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Thu 16 Sep 2010 16:25
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - Dutchie

It never affected my behaviour I cycled for years on a fast byke i was fit then.Driving in London ones' every two months,one of our sons lives in London.The behaviour of cyclist in London is a bit strange they use the two fingers a lot.

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Thu 16 Sep 2010 20:33
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - Berisford

I tend to find that cyclists pumping iron, wearing the gear inc fingerless gloves = arrogant, law breaking plonkers!

I give 'em a wide berth especially at junctions, my n/s door mirror is not cheap.

....and don't start me on the ones that like to ride at night with something off the front of a 767 blinding all oncoming road users.

Just my opinion of course, if you are reading this about to venture out for a bit of iron pumping, wearing the eco warrior gear, with a spare set of batteries, then I don't specifically mean you, it's them others! (insert winking smiley face)

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Fri 17 Sep 2010 13:20
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - Sofa Spud

I ride a mountain bike but I tend to keep to quiet lanes and tracks.

As for differing behaviour, well I suppose it's like car driving. Personally, I drive with the same attitude whatever I'm driving, whilst making allowance for the limitations of the vehicle. So I imagine I'd be the same if I had a stable of different types of bike.

I don't think that if someone put me in a Subaru Imprezza or Mitsubishi Evo I'd suddenly go crazy, I'd just drive it within the law, the way I drive my normal boring car! If they put me in an Ariel Atom V8, I'd say 'not here, thanks - can we take it to an airfield with a very long, very wide and very flat runway !!!!

Edited by Sofa Spud on 17/09/2010 at 13:23

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Sat 18 Sep 2010 08:34
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - wrangler_rover

I have more than one bike, depending on the type of ride I am going on:

Fixed wheel bike for when I fancy a hard training ride.

Front suspension mountain bike for when I fancy an offroad ride.

Dropped handlebar racing bike.

Hybrid bike for when I want to ride 6 miles into town but don't need to take the car.

Folding bike to put in the car to use at night when I am away from home.

I am not aware that my behaviour changes according to what bike I am riding.

By the same token, does type of car affect driver behaviour, ie cutting people up, tailgating, not indicating, inconsiderate parking, running through lights as they are changing to amber / red according to the car they are driving ie taxi, white van, 4 x 4, prestiege european marque?

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Mon 20 Sep 2010 23:56
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - likerocks

us MTBers are up to 30 gears now.........the hills keep getting steeper..... ;-)

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Thu 23 Sep 2010 19:23
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - Collos25

Why do some motorists think they are the only ones entitled to use the roads.

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Thu 23 Sep 2010 19:31
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - madf

Why do some motorists think they are the only ones entitled to use the roads.

Simple: they pay for them..

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Thu 23 Sep 2010 21:20
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - likerocks

Why do some motorists think they are the only ones entitled to use the roads.

Simple: they pay for them..

Incorrect. VED is not ringfenced for roads. The majority of road expenditure is actually financed via council tax or from central funds via Highways Agency.

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Thu 23 Sep 2010 22:01
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - nortones2

Exactly the sentiment Churchill was concerned about in the 1930's. Which is when the concept of "road tax" was binned. To stop Mr Toad from hogging the road. Do try to keep up madf:)

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Thu 23 Sep 2010 23:09
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - wrangler_rover

Has anybody made any observations yet on the behaviour of cyclists on the "Boris Bikes" in London?

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Thu 23 Sep 2010 23:25
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - Collos25

If road tax or VED was used for the roads you would have the best in Europe as it is you run Greece a close last.

In fact the money the motorist pays goes towards general taxation ,motorist alone do even cover the wear and tear never mind the polution and traffic chaos.

I am slightly biased as I race and ride for pleasure all over the world even at well over 60 the thrill of racing never goes, I am in Australia at the moment to see the worlds and then back to Germany for some heavy training.

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Fri 24 Sep 2010 12:12
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - Chris S

People with different personalities will buy different style bikes and this will be reflected in their riding style.

I suspect most mountain bikes (like most 4WDs) never go off road - apart from when they're on the pavement.

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Sun 3 Oct 2010 20:09
Pedal bikes - Does the type of bike affect behaviour? - brettmick

I drive a car, previously rode a motorbike from Croydon to London Bridge (via Dulwich) and now take the train and a fold up bike.

Personally if I were Boris I would hire a dozen people to stand at random traffic light junctions every rush hour and hand out £30 on the spot fines for bikes jumping red lights. If I were employed I would collect around £600 in fines from other cyclists each morning from my 12 minute cycle ride. It really irritates me when they pile through pedestrians who have a green light - the knock on effect is that everyone is moaning at all cyclists, like all Impreza drivers get tarred...

Boris bike riders? A real mix - the key points are that few wear helmets and some ride at walking pace (which is dangerous). The also seem to think they can ride on the pavement more than any other type of cyclist?

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