According to a new study, there is a difference between cyclists. At least in the eyes of drivers. It is especially car owners in Japanese brands who get hit on the road.
In a new survey, 75 percent of drivers say that cyclists make them nervous. Conversely, cyclists also have a hard time with drivers.
While 74 percent of drivers feel frustrated that they have to share the road with cyclists, almost 60 percent of drivers, regardless of car brand, generally view cyclists negatively.
This is according to the English used car portal Scrap Car Comparison.
Based on the responses from 2,000 drivers, the British have come up with what they call a 'cyclist negativity value' for each car brand. The value is based on four parameters:
- Drivers' personal frustration with cyclists
- Knowledge of traffic rules when it comes to cyclists
- The distance between drivers and cyclists when overtaking
- Motorists' general attitude towards cyclists
These drivers hate cyclists the most
And according to the English study, there is little doubt about it – cyclists should be most wary of Mazda owners. At least, it is Mazda owners who say they have the most difficulty with cyclists.
A full 83.3 percent of Mazda owners view cyclists negatively, while that figure is 83 percent for Mercedes owners.
Almost as many Seat owners hate cyclists. Namely a full 77.7 percent. Peugeot owners are almost as hostile, while BMW and Fiat owners are starting to break the curve.
But actually we have to go all the way down to 12th place, because Land Rover owners can answer that less than 70 percent of them hate cyclists.
On the other hand, it is actually also the owners of Japanese cars who view cyclists most positively. 'Only' 64.5 percent of Toyota owners detest cyclists.
While 62.5 percent of Hyundai owners are a buffer, owners of another Japanese brand – namely those in Suzuki models – say they have the 'easiest' time with cyclists.
59 percent of Suzuki owners surveyed don't like sharing the roads with cyclists. And that's actually the lowest in the entire survey.
Here in Denmark, the relationship between cyclists and drivers is not too good either. Studies have already established that cyclists are the worst thing you can encounter in traffic. At least according to drivers. Read more about it here .
Interestingly, the same English study shows that one in three drivers does not believe that cyclists should have as many rights in traffic.
Location | Car brand | Cyclist negativity value |
---|---|---|
1. | Mazda | 83.3 |
2. | Mercedes-Benz | 83.0 |
3. | Seat | 77.7 |
4. | Peugeot | 76.9 |
5. | BMW | 75.3 |
6. | Fiat | 74.7 |
7. | Jaguar | 74.3 |
8. | Opel | 74.1 |
9. | Tesla | 73.5 |
10. | Audi | 73.4 |
11. | Nissan | 70.7 |
12. | Land Rover | 69.8 |
13. | Kia | 69.5 |
14. | Ford | 67.9 |
15. | Renault | 66.5 |
16. | Citroen | 66.5 |
17. | Volkswagen | 66.3 |
18. | Lexus | 65.9 |
19. | Skoda | 64.8 |
20. | Toyota | 64.5 |
21. | Honda | 64.4 |
22. | Hyundai | 62.5 |
23. | Suzuki | 59.0 |
Source: Scrap Car Comparison