OK, from the start I know that this is going to upset a number of you out there. Sorry, but this is the way I see it.
First of all, the good guys. Serious ‘club’ cyclists, maybe a dozen or more of them, almost always in single file, often with a few gaps in between them for you to duck in if needs be. Then the solo biker, helmeted with hi-viz, understanding when you hold back on overtaking on a ‘blind’ bend.
Now the horrors ! The holiday season is upon us, although these people can infest the roads at any time. I came round a corner the other day to be faced with three 50yo maniacs three abreast ! Drastic evasive action. Then the elderly couples on holiday - both about 70 (“we haven’t been on a bike for years, eh?”) without any casquette or hi-viz. Wobbling bikes and trajectory.
I could go on, but you get my drift. The roads around here are narrow and even car vs car has to be treated with a bit of care. However, if you hit a cyclist, there’s only one person who’s going to be blamed.
Right, flak will doubtless start, but just maybe some will take my point.