Everyday we hear stories of road rage against cyclists. Taxi drivers hurling abuse at cyclists, bus drivers deliberately cutting in front of cyclists and cars overtaking cyclists leaving a mere inch of wiggle room between them.

More recently however, more stories are surfacing about road rage and the aggression from cyclists to one another and to other road users. We know cycling in traffic can be stressful but these levels of frustration are shocking.

Earlier this week police were searching for a man who knocked an old lady over while riding his bike on the pavement in Oldham – she died later in hospital. Now they are appealing for information after a 20-year old rider was assaulted by another cyclist in Preston.

The cyclist who was said to be wearing Team Sky kit and riding a carbon bike, collided with the 20-year old while cycling on the Guild Way, a 21 mile “Greenway” that encircles the city.

The 20-year old was put into a head lock by the other cyclist and punched twice in the head. Breaking free the 20-year old tried to cycle off but was then pushed to the ground which resulted in a fractured collar bone.

As year-round commuters and dedicated cyclists, all of the members of TWC can recount occasions where they have been the subject of road rage whether it’s been verbal abuse from drivers or from fellow cyclists, but thankfully we have not experienced violence of this magnitude.

We are eager to hear about your experience with road rage out on the bike, so please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Also worth a read: 

Safety on the road: how safe do you feel?

Cycle safety on the road: 7 essential tips