I'm annoyed by (among other things) car drivers being annoyed by bicycle riders because they somehow think the road belongs to cars only. Newsflash, people: Get on the autobahn for that.
Sometimes I think it should be mandatory for everyone to spend time in/on every kind of vehicle, just to get the different perspectives.
If you're referring to me: I respect cyclists as equal traffic participants anytime they stick to the rules, as long as they behave like predictable entities with a brain.
I disrespect them and really believe they should be pulled off the road by their ears by someone, when they think the rules do not apply to them -- which is the case with the majority of cyclists, let's be honest.
The real reason for my annoyance, though, lies in the fact, that when it comes to cars, we all sit in a more or less safe environment, while cyclists are not.
If I hit another car, in most cases only insurance data is exchanged. When I hit a bycicle, it more than likely means heavy injury, invalidity or death for the bycicle rider.
So it infuriates me, that I might hurt or even kill one of those idiots without me being guilty of anything but sticking to the traffic rules. Because I'd have to deal with feelings of guilt for the rest of my life and that just isn't what they deserve.
But let me tell you again: As long as cyclists are behaving correctly, which includes
- Using a cycle track when there is one (and the one on the right side, to be exact)
- Using the road instead of the sidewalk, if there isn't a cycle path
- Not cutting corners or crossings in dangerous ways
- Cycling with the lights on, when it's getting dark
- Stopping at redlights
- Dismounting at zebra crossings
- Not overtaking stopped cars at a redlight on the right side
- Keeping to the speed limits in 30 km/h zones or play streets
- Not running down or scaring pedestrians to death
- Not parking their bycicles where they are in the way of cars or pedestrians
- Not thinking of themselves as better, "greener" human beings who should not be bothered with rules like the stinking cars,
they have my full respect and recognition and I treat them with consideration.
But the sad truth is, that it's very likely that I see ALL of the above mentioned offences on a regular drive to work every morning -- which takes about 10 minutes.
I know that car owners also disrespect the rights of cyclists a lot and I don't want to play that down. But the big difference is: When cars annoy cyclists, it's in most cases just from indifference and thoughtlessness.
But when cyclists violate the rules, they do so deliberately, thinking the rules don't apply to them. And there's no argueing out of that, because every cyclists reaction to a honk is either a raised fist, the middle finger or a feisty grin (or both)
P.S.: I usually do not ride a bycicle. I have one but it collects dust in the cellar.