there is a whole psychological thing attached to driving, linked with territory and power, and a sort of “don’t give a fuck” attitude (because you are in charge of a ton of metal and can run stuff over), particularly amongst young men from age 17-30+

I failed my driving test some years ago now, due to lack of confidence on the roads, and although I could have got more lessons and retook it I always ended up in jobs where I didn’t really need a car to get to places and then some squatters introduced me to the joys of cycling in 2001 (I was given a bike by them as a gift for fixing an electric cooker in their squat).

Lack of confidence/fear can easily be converted by a young man into hate and anger….

if I am brutally honest with myself I think I have literally only just (in my mid 30s) reached the level of psychological maturity needed to drive a car safely. If I had passed my test even in my 20s, I would definitely have driven like an idiot and probably wouldn’t be here now, either brown bread or HMP..

Always a time and place to overtake, i never bother in residential areas. I see people doing it a lot and its pointless, well for the sake of 5-10mph. You will be able to get past them in a few minutes.

But most other places its fine and i dont get why people get pissed about it, its the same with filtering on motorbikes. People will swerve for you as your riding past the line of traffic, some just block your route, where as others are just fucking dangerous.

It does seem that driving about can bring thw moron out of some people.

Im with General Lighting.That’s one of the reasons why im glad I ride a bike.I’ve never learnt how to drive.Why would I wanna drive around in a fucking tin pollution box that costs money I don’t really have to run,when I can ride a bike,keep fit,it doesn’t cost money to run it and I can insult at commuters in the mornings as I ride past :laugh_at: :bounce_fl

shauvenistic men thinking with there cocks

hahhaha i sound like a femenist

you’re so wise…i hope to meet u one day and have a pilled up chat with you. you’re like wikipedia

sometimes having no transport is not an option though, i live right out in the sticks with a shit bus service and its about 10 miles to get to the local towns. So cycling is not an option for me, i will stick to my powered two wheels…….

nah, if I was that wise I wouldn’t have learned quite a few things the hard way in my 20s – and maybe led more of a “normal” life (degree, job, career, marriage/kids etc) – but then again I wouldn’t have had so much fun.. and the only reason I “know” stuff is from reading all sorts of books (and maps, good ones are far more interesting than they look at first glance) when I couldn’t sleep due to taking tons of amfet a few years back :groucho:

I still have plenty to learn though, even just about this country – I need to visit Scotland and the North some time, as I barely know where places are up North..

It does depend on your area. The entire region of London is only around 30 miles West-East and 20 miles North-South, most people who live there can easily cycle to work (if I still lived there I’d far rather do this than endure the Underground).

Mid Oxfordshire is more spread out (compared to South Oxfordshire which is becoming an extension of Reading) and there are lots of hills there. I did consider a motorbike but I could easily see myself ragging it too fast and crashing.

come to sheffield home of the best rigs in the north

Ah its West Oxfordshire, about 10 or so miles in the direction of Swindon. If i was closer to a town i would be fine using the bus services or cycling, currently i am on the buses and on a good day i am home from work in 1 hour 20 mins. If i ride a motorbike or even a scooter i can do the journey in 15/20 minutes, the whole crashing aspect isn’t too much of a worry to me as the couple i have had i just bounced down the road. The worse injury i sustained was a pair of sprained wrists :biggreen:

i have the best images of you bouncing along down a road…

no i hear that.the countrys different innit.my gf used to live in bradford and she wouldn’t stop going on about the shit shit shit bus service there too :you_crazy i live in london so i guess everything sorta closer together 😉

yeah definitely, i used the buses once when my moped broke down to get to work, i was 2.30 hours late and 13 quid down! plus being older means it costs you more?? whats the point in that??

i got a car now for work, but give my workmate a lift everyday.

i tend to only overtake on very familar roads and only if i know 100% its pretty safe. any doubt if ill make it and i would never try, but thats mainly cos my cars a shitty 1.1litre