Noah Dougherty, 16, is a student at Cirencester College and hopes to become a journalist. He lives in Stroud.

I’VE been cycling for about five or six months now and something has become very apparent to me. 

Although around Stroud and the rest of Gloucestershire most people seem very happy to share the roads with bikes, there is an obvious anger between those on two wheels and those on four.

Ok, I’ve been on the end of some dislike towards cyclists maybe twice or three times but it’s never been particularly dangerous, just mildly annoying. 

However, it is on social media that I really see the anger that some motorists have. 

The other week I saw a video of someone on a bike riding slowly down a one-way street with a Lamborghini behind him. 

The car’s driver obviously didn’t approve of the speed he was forced to go. 

The driver aggressively revved his engine and the cyclist, in response got off his bike and stared at the driver. 

Admittedly, both parties over reacted but no one was really being affected by the other.

Many of the comments on the video were unbelievable. It almost seemed as if these people (who by the sounds of it were all qualified drivers) didn’t really understand the laws and rules regarding cyclists, the roads and cars.

Some comments that stood out to me were those saying that cyclists should ‘get off the road’ and some people suggested they ride on the footpath. 

This obviously doesn’t make sense. Partly due to the word ‘foot’ in footpath that clearly states the ideal occupants. The other reason for not riding on the pavement, is that it is illegal.

Other comments were so ridiculous they actually applied to electric cars as well. 

One person, stated that in his view: ‘If you don’t go broom broom you shouldn’t be on the road,’ while others said that those who don’t pay ‘road tax’ shouldn’t use the road. 

Many of you will know that road tax doesn’t actually exist. The money you pay to drive your car is actually emissions tax (which electric car drivers don’t have to pay either.) 

As a matter of fact, the roads are paid for by general taxation. So cyclists pay as much as any car owner.

Funnily enough, it was cyclists who first lobbied for and paid for the roads before car drivers joined in later on.

It is always worth noting that, as much as phrases about cyclist breaking the law and running red lights are bandied around, many motorists are far from perfect themselves. 

Cycling is important, for the safety of the roads and the future of the planet, so it is always worth sticking up for cyclists. 

This could be something as small as overtaking safely on a busy road. It means a lot.

However, if you ever find yourself getting frustrated at being stuck behind a vehicle with one, or less than one horse power (the average mid-sized car having 170–190hp,) please, don’t show your frustration. 

Just because they have two fewer wheels than you, doesn’t mean they have any less rights on the road. 

We’re also really fragile.