A cyclist was slashed across the thigh in an unprovoked and motiveless attack in a Sheffield suburb. The 20-year-old victim did not realise he had been hurt until he felt blood on his leg. He found a deep gash which needed four stitches. He told police he had been cycling in Bishops Gardens, Woodhouse on Saturday at about 11pm. A group of youths was walking in the opposite direction and one brushed against the cyclist.

This doesn't surprise me at all. I stopped cycling around Sheffield about 2 years ago due to my bike being bother vandalised and stolen in two seperate occasions! I was leaving my bike near the Sheffield University in a busy area... but people just turn a blind eye nowadays.

well ,,,,,,,,,,
maybe this cycilist had been riding on a pavement
oh btw if anyone rides there bike on fargate i always stick my foot out as you ride pass

av a nice trip boys

Of course, it's only the victims word for it that the attack is motiveless.

As a racing cyclist i hit the road most days although i do not ride in suberbs the roads are full of idiots in cars and vans throwing anything at you they can lay there hands on.
I have had plastic bottles, apple cores and once a van through urine out of a bottle at me over Moscar top missing my face and hitting my leg and i had to jump in the ladybower to clean it off.
Recently the bottle was thrown at Holmfirth from a van yet again and also again as in the urine the van was going toward manchester.
Manchester must be teeming with idiots not fit to be on the road.
( See my topic tag-a-long ).

Firstly I've got to say that I condemn any form of violence.
That said there are a lot, in fact the majority of cyclists that I would love to throw a bucket of p+ss over if I had one to hand.
In my experience cyclists are the most selfish bunch of road-users you will come across. I am not surprised that there are a lot of horror story near misses I am surprised that a lot more cyclists aren't flattened.

Originally posted by Whelk
Firstly I've got to say that I condemn any form of violence.
That said there are a lot, in fact the majority of cyclists that I would love to throw a bucket of p+ss over if I had one to hand.
In my experience cyclists are the most selfish bunch of road-users you will come across. I am not surprised that there are a lot of horror story near misses I am surprised that a lot more cyclists aren't flattened.

It is attitude like this that causes friction between different road uses.

I cycle most days and observe the Highway Code, i.e. not going through red lights, staying off pavements etc.

I regularly get abused, mostly by drivers and passengers in cars, usually verbal abuse such as kids shouting things out the window as they pass in the car. This is so dangerous, some drivers seem to think that bicycles shouldn't be on the road. And before anyone says that cyclists don't pay road tax - most do (as they are also car owners) and every time I use my bike instead of my car it cuts down on congestion and pollution.

I used to cycle everywhere I went.
Some of the comments I have seen on here disgust me (even as an ex-cyclist). What right do you people have to condemn cyclists in this way?
I'm sure there are loads of car drivers who you would like to throw urine over but I don't see many of you shouting about that!!!

I'm sure you lot are FAR from perfect drivers too... speeding, going through amber (if not red) lights, honking your horn in anger (all illegal activities)!

Get off your high horses!

And although I don't cycle down fargate panda99 you stick your leg out at me and you'll find yourself waking up in hospital mate!

Fully aggree Bouncer, me to.
Welk its people like you that make cycling a dangerous hobby.
I see people like you every day and to be quite frank if you have a gripe against a cyclist then i suggest you pull up ahead of him and tell him face to face.
Your no better than the yobs who threw p**s over me and regarding car tax i think as a car user myself i do more miles on the bike than i do in the car so i think i have a right to be on the road with my bike and infact i should get a tax rebate for the lack of road use i do in my car.

Yea you stick to the highway code - in addition :

*Force everyone behind you to travel at 10mph
*Stick at least two yards out from the kerb so no-one can safely overtake.
* dodge in and out of traffic
* rest against cars and vans at traffic lights
* frighten innocent overtaking motorists by swerving out as they pass
etc. etc.

You have judged me wrongly, I have not shouted abuse, thrown p+ss, threatened any one or condemned cyclists for not paying tax . . . all of the above accusations are wrong. But I am not pleased with the selfish attitude displayed by cyclists and frankly wish they would get a bloody car.

All that stuff you have spouted is utter ****** mate!
Some people who ride bikes may do that, I suppose you are the PERFECT driver? Don't make me bloody laugh. I don't confess to be a perfect driver, but I know when I rode my bike I didn't do any of that stuff you mentioned in your post above whelk!

If you dont want to drive at 10mph, then overtake me! As you would someone who was driving too slow in a car! You have to go completely on the other side of the road when you do that anyway. I have never rested against someones car at traffic lights... I sit waitin to go (all this is when I used to cycle everywhere)!

You should be a better driver if all that intimidation comes from a simple cyclist! You people really have some worped ideas when it comes to cyclists!

lol looks likw we have stirred up a hornets nest with the cyclists who plauge our days..... i think its quite funny that you gettin worked up i wonder if its because you know your wrong ..and a reply to da bouncer ............if you dont ride your bike down fargate i wont feel a need to stick my foot out .lol.........its bad enough gettin up fargate as it is .....i do the fargate shuffle now going across left to right to avoid the sales reps etc ....... ........

I get worked up at prats who think its funny to have a go at cyclists because they are in a hurry, feel they take up too much road etc etc... not because I think I'm wrong! Anyone on this board who knows me... when I'm wrong I say it... I will openly put my hand up if my opinion is incorrect. This time I dont feel it is.

Why is it fair for people like cycleracer to have urine thrown on them, just because they use the road... when they have every right to do so!

I had a bunch of kids come past me in a car once while I was still in my bike everywhere stage, and they spat at me. I shouted some abuse back and they stopped the car and got out to have a go. After flooring 2 of the little a** wipes, the driver thought better of an attack and drove off leaving his mates on the floor! I got back on my bike and carried on my merry ways! I did nothing to promote that attack, but I sure as hell finished it!

I wouldn't think of having a go at cyclists... I'd rather wait for a safe place to go round them! Why do motorists feel they have more of a right to the roads than cyclists? They don't and the sooner the attitudes change the better!

Originally posted by Whelk


*Force everyone behind you to travel at 10mph
*Stick at least two yards out from the kerb so no-one can safely overtake.
* dodge in and out of traffic
* rest against cars and vans at traffic lights
* frighten innocent overtaking motorists by swerving out as they pass
etc. etc.


What's wrong with overtaking the cyclist if they are going too slow?

And the rest of your claims are nonsense for the majority of cyclists.

Lets face it 99% of motorists break the law every time they get in the car, breaking the speed limit, going through amber lights, driving without due care and attention etc.

If road users in general were more considerate of each other then there wouldn't be so much stress as a result.

Typically holier than thou cyclist answers, I expected nothing less. I'll answer your questions one by one:

1) "Why don't I overtake a slow cyclist?"
Wherever possible of course I do, leaving as much room as possible so any draft doesn't disturb them. In a lot of cases it is not possible because there is oncoming traffic and the cyclist has hogged a fair bit of the lane, to overtake would put the cyclist in jeopardy. All you can do is travel really really slowly waiting for either an opportunity to overtake or for the selfish prat to move over.
THIS IS A DAILY EVENT. Of course none of the cyclists on here do that do they?

2) Am I the perfect driver - NO. But I am considerate and take into account other road users. My experience is that most cyclists are inconsiderate selfish gits.

3) "You should be a better driver if all that intimidation comes from a simple cyclist!"
So not wanting to run the git over is being intimidated or a poor driver is it? Yes I agree cyclists are generally simple.

Read my posts again. You will see that I have condemned violence, never shouted at a cyclist, don't find it funny to insult cyclists etc. etc. etc. Now compare that to the cyclists posts where there are threats, insults, tales and bragging of violence etc.
I think it is quite easy to see who is the aggresive party here - the bloody cyclist!

PS - Out of interest how did you know it was p+ss thrown over you - more exaggeration? wasn't it water or orange juice? How many vehicles carry a bottle of **** about to throw over cyclists?

They don't carry p!$$ around with them, no one said they did! But if they have an empty bottle all they have to do is "sit back and relax" Not so long ago I was on a coach to this night out and someone passed a bottle of "wine" down to us... it wasn't wine it was urine!! So yer see, it's easy!
Chloé

Originally posted by Whelk
....holier than thou cyclist answers,

..... for the selfish prat to move over.


..... My experience is that most cyclists are inconsiderate selfish gits.

..... the git over is being intimidated or a poor driver is it? Yes I agree cyclists are generally simple.

Read my posts again. You will see that I have condemned violence, never shouted at a cyclist, don't find it funny to insult cyclists etc. etc. etc. Now compare that to the cyclists posts where there are threats, insults, tales and bragging of violence etc.
I think it is quite easy to see who is the aggresive party here - the bloody cyclist!



Whelk, you have stated in your post that you don't find it funny to insult cyclists,..... the aggressive party the is bloody cyclist,

- yet earlier in the very same post you are very abusive towards cyclists.

My point was that if road users (motorists, cyclists and pedestrians) in general were more considerate of each other then it would make life easier. I also think your claims against cyclists are wildly exaggerated.

It would seem we mix in different circles Chloe.

Originally posted by Whelk
PS - Out of interest how did you know it was p+ss thrown over you - more exaggeration? wasn't it water or orange juice? How many vehicles carry a bottle of **** about to throw over cyclists? [/B]
If it was a van, it's quite likely that they have a bottle of **** onboard - a multi drop driver has time on his mind a lot - he can go home after his last drop (so to speak). By peeing in a bottle whilst driving along he can save himself valuable minutes.

It's more common than you think

I don't think we need to read your nonesense holier than thou posts again whelk, it's quite clear you are too small minded and arrogant to care about cyclists. I don't cycle anymore... not because of prattish motorists... but because the distance from my new home to work is quite far and being a big chap, I can't be a*s*d to cycle the whole way. I now just cycle round wooded areas and off road for fun!

Bragging about violence... lets just get one thing clear, those guys (3 of em) wanted to give me a slap... my actions where for my own protection.
So it aint the cyclists with the attitude... we don't go around spitting on cars as they pass, hurling abuse and throwing p*ss or even orange juice (like that makes it any better) over cars... but we do retaliate. Especially when arrogant motorisist (much like you whelk) honk your horns in frustration, pretend to swerve into my bike as they pass in an attempt to scare and spit at us because they feel we take up too much of THEIR road. Grow up!

just remember the nest time you think it's funny (and this goes for any motorist who wants to pick on a cyclist) to spit at, throw things at, shout at or try and intimidate a cyclist because you feel you're in the right. First think about how YOU'D feel if it were you... then if you still wanna have a pop... remember this... you could end up on the wrong side of a kicking for your troubles!

Originally posted by DaBouncer
I don't think we need to read your nonesense holier than thou posts again whelk, it's quite clear you are too small minded and arrogant to care about cyclists. I don't cycle anymore... not because of prattish motorists... but because the distance from my new home to work is quite far and being a big chap, I can't be a*s*d to cycle the whole way. I now just cycle round wooded areas and off road for fun!

Bragging about violence... lets just get one thing clear, those guys (3 of em) wanted to give me a slap... my actions where for my own protection.
So it aint the cyclists with the attitude... we don't go around spitting on cars as they pass, hurling abuse and throwing p*ss or even orange juice (like that makes it any better) over cars... but we do retaliate. Especially when arrogant motorisist (much like you whelk) honk your horns in frustration, pretend to swerve into my bike as they pass in an attempt to scare and spit at us because they feel we take up too much of THEIR road. Grow up!

just remember the nest time you think it's funny (and this goes for any motorist who wants to pick on a cyclist) to spit at, throw things at, shout at or try and intimidate a cyclist because you feel you're in the right. First think about how YOU'D feel if it were you... then if you still wanna have a pop... remember this... you could end up on the wrong side of a kicking for your troubles!

You seem to be totally incapable of reading properly. Read my posts again you will find that I have said the opposite of what you are accusing me of. I am considerate to other road users - I have said that. Now to explain considerate to you because you clearly cannot understand the word : this doesn't include, spitting swerving, shouting, intimidation or any of the other accusations you have just written. So how did you manage to include me in this when I have stated the exact opposite. I also remember stating that I did not find this behaviour funny, whoosh! that went right over your head as well. I have come to the conclusion that your total lack of awareness of what is actually going on might in some way be a contributory factor in what keeps happening to you.
As for your constant references to fighting, people being on the wrong side of a kicking etc. - just who the hell are you trying to impress? Not me, I find that behaviour pathetic.

LMAO.. I'm not trying to impress anyone mate.
I'm mearly stating the obvious if people want to go ahead and have a go at cyclists just because they dont ride as fast as people like to drive then one day they will pick on the wrong person. Did I say I was going to be giving anyone a kicking? Erm No... whoosh that one went right over your head it seems.

You display a complete lack of consideration towards cyclists judging by your pevious posts (whether you actually said you throw stuff, spit at or abuse them or not). You have stated that you think cyclists are "inconsiderate selfish gits" (to use YOUR words)! This to me shows a lack of consideration on your part and quite frankly shows you to be a fool. The fact is not ALL cyclists are bad cyclists, just like not ALL motorists are bad drivers. Obviously this is going to be heated on both sides because both sets of road users have strong feelings. A cyclist CANNOT ride faster than a motorist can drive, so you'll just have to accept the 10mph until you find a safe place to overtake. Just as you would a slow driving motorist.

Just as cyclists will have to accept that not ALL motorist are arrogant tossers who are impatient and rude towards them.

Like I have stated I can see both sides of the coin as I no longer cycle on road... I only use my car! I cycle off road for fun!

AFAIC both parties may contribute to the effect of what is being displayed here in this thread, so it's a 50-50 thing. But come on admit it, when have you EVER seen a cyclist giving a car driver the finger, spat at the car, thrown a drink over it (while riding)! Be honest! If you have it's VERY rare, as a cyclist knows that if the car driver could cause more damage to the cyclist than vise versa.

....cyclists can be a menace especially those who ride on the roads in the dark with no or very weak lights...its the poor motorist who's gonna have it on his conscience for the rest of his life when he hits one when hes done nothing wrong

the real menace though are MOTORCYCLISTS especially the hordes of them out in the peaks and North Yorkshire at weekends and bank holidays. They drive like maniacs and disturb the peace of some of the most beautiful countryside around to which peopole visit for tranquility. Not to have some noisy ******* ruin every few minutes.

Compare that to all the trouble which police give the ravers if they have a free party out there where disturbance is minimal compared to these bikes!

I agree gloworm, Cyclists riding in low/no light should have strong lights to be visable.

I also agree about the motorcyclists in the Peak district, they are very dangerous riders, and I have seen more than a handfull of serious crashes caused by them.

Originally posted by gloworm
....cyclists can be a menace especially those who ride on the roads in the dark with no or very weak lights...its the poor motorist who's gonna have it on his conscience for the rest of his life when he hits one when hes done nothing wrong



Yes I agree - and I think most cyclists would. Riding in the dark with poor lights is dangerous. I'd rather not be hit by a car, as it will always be the cyclist who comes off worse.

Cars get you where you're going and have lots of storage space.
Bicycles are environmentally friendly and good exercise.
Motorcycles are very cool, good fun, and useful for traffic queus.

It's SOME of the drivers of ALL these that cause the problems. Drive the way you want others around you to, be considerate, and we should all be all right. (except that isn't human nature. ):lol:

Originally posted by cosywolf
It's SOME of the drivers of ALL these that cause the problems. Drive the way you want others around you to, be considerate, and we should all be all right. (except that isn't human nature. ):lol:

I'd argue that it's inhuman nature causing the problem ;)

Unless there are far more aliens (from Mars, for instance) driving around Sheffield than I ever suspected, It's definitely human nature. :lol:

Funny how people try to distance themselves from what is quite clearly human behaviour by calling it inhuman even though it's very obviously humans doing it, and so by definition human.:P

Originally posted by cosywolf
Funny how people try to distance themselves from what is quite clearly human behaviour by calling it inhuman even though it's very obviously humans doing it, and so by definition human.:P

If humans behave like animals, that isn't human behaviour :)

:lol: Abby, I don't know of many animals that drive around Sheffield on a regular basis. In fact, I'd stick my neck out and say there may be even less animals driving about than little green space men.:o

Me and DaBouncer have found some common ground, I agree on a lot of that (not all but a lot) - success!

Now to get on to other groups of road users I don't like:

Bus Drivers
Taxis (not black cabs they seem in the main ok)
4 x 4's
Couriers

Now surely nobody will disagree on that list.

Originally posted by cosywolf
:lol: Abby, I don't know of many animals that drive around Sheffield on a regular basis. In fact, I'd stick my neck out and say there may be even less animals driving about than little green space men.:o

You are trying to wind me up aren't you? :D

Well I'm not going to give in to inhuman nature, so I'll just say thank you and goodnight :wave:

Originally posted by cosywolf
:lol: Abby, I don't know of many animals that drive around Sheffield on a regular basis. In fact, I'd stick my neck out and say there may be even less animals driving about than little green space men.:o

You missed his magic word... it was "like" ;)

i.e. humans behave "like" animals

This doesn't mean humans are animals now, does it? :P

humans are animals:

unless someone can tell me different:

an animal is a member of the animal kingdom

animalia - taxonomic kingdom comprising all animals

defined as -

The members of this kingom are complex, multicellular, eukaryotic organisms that digest food outside their cells and then absorb the digested nutrients. Animals must consume other organisms to obtain most of their nutrients.

Sorry, off topic:
I didn't miss Abby's point...my point is we aren't behaving like other animals, we are behaving like humans. Other animals tend to fight/ harm each other only for a few good basic reasons (for the most part) (survival of self, survival of genes). It isn't in their interest or the interest of their species to go around getting hurt needlessly. Humans on the other hand hurt each other for many many reasons (most stupid) because it isn't as harmful to us - we can just pop round to the doctors and be made better again.
So I stretched the point - other animals don't drive. Humans do. Therefore behaviour exhibited by humans whilst driving is entirely human.
But yes, PRT, also animal if you're going to get basic, cos we are all animals.
:lol: :lol:

Originally posted by Whelk
Me and DaBouncer have found some common ground, I agree on a lot of that (not all but a lot) - success!

Now to get on to other groups of road users I don't like:

Bus Drivers
Taxis (not black cabs they seem in the main ok)
4 x 4's
Couriers

Now surely nobody will disagree on that list.
Bus Drivers..... Grrrrrrr dont get me started! My Road rage has shot through the roof because of them!

Taxis, never had a problem with them, black cab or private.

4 x 4's take up loads of road, but again I haven't had much of problem there either.

Couriers... get to me a little, but on the whole I ignore!

It's just the flaming bus drivers with their pulling out from stops as cars pass them. Sometimes without indicating... OK I'm aware they have right of way according to the highway code but the way they abuse that... they could cause a SERIOUS accident.

Originally posted by Whelk
Yea you stick to the highway code - in addition :

*Force everyone behind you to travel at 10mph
*Stick at least two yards out from the kerb so no-one can safely overtake.
* dodge in and out of traffic
* rest against cars and vans at traffic lights
* frighten innocent overtaking motorists by swerving out as they pass
etc. etc.

You have judged me wrongly, I have not shouted abuse, thrown p+ss, threatened any one or condemned cyclists for not paying tax . . . all of the above accusations are wrong. But I am not pleased with the selfish attitude displayed by cyclists and frankly wish they would get a bloody car.
First of all how fast do you expect cyclists to go. The roads around sheffield are hard roads and wear you down, seeing that you have never tried it riding up Riverlin valley for example is not as flat as it may seem and rises to a gradiant the same height as Bell Hagg. I get caught in more traffic hold ups caused by cars than cars do caused by cyclists.
The reason for weaving in and out of traffic at peak times is simple.
Do you expect a cyclist sitting at the back of a traffic jamm, i mean seriously if theres room at the side we will go through, what else do you expect after all the hold up is caused by cars.
Traffic jamms are for cars not bikes and maybe if you get frustrated in a jamm watching cyclists get through then i suggest you get out of your car and buy a bike.

2. The problem with riding close to the kerb edge is simple, the grit thats thrown there yet again caused by cars is dangerous and could easily throw you off. By law we are allowed to ride 18 inches from the curb edge due to the danger of drains and grit, but i do ride close enough not to give any problems for cars to overtake. I suggest you change down gear and pass safely when its clear. I always wave them on when its safe to do so especially truckers and they honk there horn in a gratefull manner.

3. No one i know, and i know a lot in the cycling game rests on cars and vans at traffic lights.
We respect peoples property as we do the countryside so if someone has done that to you i suggest next time you ask them not to do so.

4. It would be foolish for a cyclists to swerve out and frighten a motorist infact suicidal so i,m not having any of that either.
Some cyclists do wobble especially setting of from a stationary position and i can't believe any cyclist in there right mind would deliberatley set off to frighten a motorist.
Motorists deliberatley do it to cyclists and don't care as i see that every day.
If you ride in the continent motorists give way and pedestrians applaud you with respect. I am constantly passed by cars on mountain passes and they honk there horns and wave.
Here they just act like you, nasty and thoughtless drivers full of verbal abuse.
They say the British are friendly, what a joke, the folk on the continent blind us with friendliness.

5. Finally how did i know it was urine and not orange juice well orange juice don't stink like urine and it don't sting you like due to the acid thats in urine either. Believe me it was urine and people do carry bottles in there cars if doing a lot of mileage, it saves getting out and finding a hedge.
I do it myself as my races can be 100 miles away and it saves the hassle of finding a quiet spot and the embarrassment of being seen urinating.
Talking of irate drivers only yesterday i was riding from work at 13.00pm along Brooke Hill towards Ecclesall Rd and a bloke in a peoples carrier delibratley cut me up almost taking me out.
There was cars parked on both sides of the road and i was in the cycle lane clearly painted red and a car was coming the other way and instead of stopping and making the situation safe so one of them could get through he decided to run me of the road.
I chased after him and after catching the ignorant get, he had the gaul to blame me.
Thats the kind of ar****s we are dealing with on British roads.
Not all drivers are like tha but theres quite a good few and your remark about flatenning more cyclists as you put it, i have lost many dear friends due to cars running them over because of drivers in your frame of mind and the worse thing is you get away with it because its just another cyclist taking up road space and i will tell you mate that i am currently running a campaign to get drivers that kill getting away with it and go to prison for manslaughter as your attitude is what makes our roads dangerous.
Just remember one thing that you may think you have more right to be on the road than cyclists but bikes were on our roads long before the cars were so think again.

Thank you, Cycleracer, for taking the time to write such a precise and righteous comment on the relationship the cyclist has with other road users.

I used to cycle lots more than I do now, but it is simply the danger factor that made me lose my motivation. I sweat it out in a gym now, and miss the freedom of cycling alot.

This Whelk person seems to be one of those that doesn't have a mind strong or open enough to admit their insecurities.

Take care out there, Cycleracer.

It would be better if motorists understood what cycling is all about and that we are all doing the same thing trying to get from A to B safely.

As a former cyclist, I agree with you Da Bouncer, although I always rode correctly there were certain people who took a delight in picking on cyclists.

I will admit, there are some bike riders who break every rule in the book, but there are car drivers who do also, as a car driver myself, I always give priority to a person on a cycle, because they are very vulnerable, especially on a wet greasy road and in heavy modern day traffic.

It'd be better if cyclists got out of my way instead of holding me up. Cyclists are harder to overtake than HGVs because they're so slow and they swerve about the road so that you have to give them such a wide berth. Many don't bother with helmets or any kind of highly visible clothing at night, and a lot don't even use cycle lanes when they're provided, choosing instead to either use pavements or the road.

Cyclists do not have to wear helmets, it ain't law to have to do so.
Cycle lanes can be dangerous in them selves as the grit that ecumalates, once again thrown there by cars and lorrys can cause a cyclist to slip and could then end up under a motorists front wheels.
Cycle lanes are fine when clear, thats when you can get through with all the cars parked on them.
I am a driver to, and its not hard to pass a cyclist, maybe your to nervous to do so but how many cyclists are you likely to pass.
Theres no excuse riding on the pathment which is usually done by kids anyway.
You just have to live with the fact that cyclists are road users and care should be taken on overtaking.
Your negative attitude comes second.

Well said CR.