Study: Ignorance of the Law Leads to Road Rage Toward Cyclists

A new study out of the U.K. will vindicate the suspicion of many cyclists: drivers often misdirect their anger at cyclists who are only following the rules of the road.

1 minute read

May 28, 2017, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Norway Biker

Bård Aase / Flickr

Kieran Howells reports on a new study from the U.K. that finds the source of anger for many drivers regarding bike riders: ignorance of the rules of the road.

"The survey of 1,000 drivers from across the UK found that they regularly lose their temper with cyclists under the belief that they’re breaking the law or cycling without due care and attention," explains Howells. "As a result, 39 per cent of drivers surveyed confess to having got angry with a cyclist."

The article goes on to list the many errors in understanding that surveyed drivers has about the rights of bike riders to the road.

Thursday, May 25, 2017 in BikeBiz

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

1 hour ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

3 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

5 hours ago - The Washington Post