Should cyclists be booked for cycling like idiots?
Discussion
Should the police make more of an effort to book cyclists that, for example, simply ride up onto the pavement when they approach a red-light and cross with the pedestrians, only to then cut back onto the road when they reach the other side?
Is it not the case that the law applies equally to cyclists as it does to other road users? Cyclists seem to think that they have carte blanche when it comes to how they can and cannot act on the road. And, I wonder how many have been run over because they've been cycling without due care and attention? (And how awful the person that run them over felt because of it.)
I haven't got anything against cyclists remotely, but I do have a problem with the significant percentage that seem to think they're exempt from the law.
Is it not the case that the law applies equally to cyclists as it does to other road users? Cyclists seem to think that they have carte blanche when it comes to how they can and cannot act on the road. And, I wonder how many have been run over because they've been cycling without due care and attention? (And how awful the person that run them over felt because of it.)
I haven't got anything against cyclists remotely, but I do have a problem with the significant percentage that seem to think they're exempt from the law.
The roads are dangerous places for cyclists-I used to switch between the Road and the pavement all the time depending on where it was safer.
The petty rule that cycles shouldn't be on the pavement is more control freak nonsense that should be scrapped.
>> Edited by JagLover on Friday 8th April 16:14
The petty rule that cycles shouldn't be on the pavement is more control freak nonsense that should be scrapped.
>> Edited by JagLover on Friday 8th April 16:14
I AM excempt from the law on my pushbike 
Agreed, and it happens already. There's even a charge of 'furious cycling' that applies in some parts, in addition to the usual stuff cyclists are prone to do - like treating one way signs as optional, not stopping at traffic lights when they show the wrong shade of red light, wearing lycra contrary to the laws of taste and decency, only showing a red light to the rear after a curry etc etc
JagLover said:
petty rule that cycles shouldn't be on the pavement is more control freak nonsense that should be scrapped.
You surprise me.
Having seen 2 people hospitalised by a cretin on the pavement, one of whom was knocked into the road where they were also hit by a car, there is a very good reason for this.
In any case the only time I have ever seen a copper stop anyone doing this was when there were a few people about. They never seem to mention it when the pavement is clear.
I also believe that there should be a compulsory 3rd party insurance, of say £25 p.a., payable by cyclists who wish to ride on land the public has access to.
I think it is in Cambridge where you can get a £25 on the spot fine for not having front and rear lights after lighting up time. again this should be countrywide.
Oh and helmets should be compulsory. get rid of this stupid 'I'll look like a dikc in front of my mates if you make me wear that' attitude.
OK then, on the rare occasion I can be arsed to bike, why should I stop at the lights and get beaten into the kerb by cars and lorries? Just because it's the law? Sorry, but every bit of momentum is hard earned and I'll be buggered if I'm going to waste it. The "nip on the path" manouever is perfectly legit on a pushbike.
Besides, pushbikes "should" be on the path most of the time IMHO. The speed difference is less between a bike and a pedestrian and if there is a coming together, the results are usually far less serious.
Being on a bike is freedom from laws and bloody good fun. Racing cars is a sport and an artform in traffic. I know how annoying it is when I'm in the car to get beaten by a pushbike, so when the tables are turned I'm going to damned well enjoy myself
The only laws that apply are those of self preservation... If I can hear a bloody great big lorry behind me, it's up on the path first, then check.
Ark at yourselves.... Ban, ban, ban
Besides, pushbikes "should" be on the path most of the time IMHO. The speed difference is less between a bike and a pedestrian and if there is a coming together, the results are usually far less serious.
Being on a bike is freedom from laws and bloody good fun. Racing cars is a sport and an artform in traffic. I know how annoying it is when I'm in the car to get beaten by a pushbike, so when the tables are turned I'm going to damned well enjoy myself
The only laws that apply are those of self preservation... If I can hear a bloody great big lorry behind me, it's up on the path first, then check.
Ark at yourselves.... Ban, ban, ban
rude-boy said:
You surprise me.
Is that because I have advocated more stringent punishment for criminals in the past?.
I have a simple philosphy as little government control as possible-except where your actions are harming other people.
With the odd isolated exception cycling on pavements hurts noone and reduces danger to cyclists.
I am in favour of making a bonfire of all petty regulations.
"I AM excempt from the law on my pushbike."
Really? On what basis do you make this assertion? (And you're wrong, BTW.)
"OK then, on the rare occasion I can be arsed to bike, why should I stop at the lights and get beaten into the kerb by cars and lorries? Just because it's the law? Sorry, but every bit of momentum is hard earned and I'll be buggered if I'm going to waste it. The "nip on the path" manouever is perfectly legit on a pushbike.
Besides, pushbikes "should" be on the path most of the time IMHO. The speed difference is less between a bike and a pedestrian and if there is a coming together, the results are usually far less serious."
Uh, because it's the law. You're in charge of a vehicle on a public highway and should therefore comply with the law. I don't know how many times some tw@ has just bolted off the pavement onto the road in front of me and narrowly missed going under the wheels of the car. And this is a double-edged sword in a way, because many car drivers hate cyclists for this very reason: that they think they're above the law and career all over the road like the own the place.
Really? On what basis do you make this assertion? (And you're wrong, BTW.)
"OK then, on the rare occasion I can be arsed to bike, why should I stop at the lights and get beaten into the kerb by cars and lorries? Just because it's the law? Sorry, but every bit of momentum is hard earned and I'll be buggered if I'm going to waste it. The "nip on the path" manouever is perfectly legit on a pushbike.
Besides, pushbikes "should" be on the path most of the time IMHO. The speed difference is less between a bike and a pedestrian and if there is a coming together, the results are usually far less serious."
Uh, because it's the law. You're in charge of a vehicle on a public highway and should therefore comply with the law. I don't know how many times some tw@ has just bolted off the pavement onto the road in front of me and narrowly missed going under the wheels of the car. And this is a double-edged sword in a way, because many car drivers hate cyclists for this very reason: that they think they're above the law and career all over the road like the own the place.
Yes, I have exceeded the speed limit, but there's a difference between driving safely over the speed limit (over, say, moorland, where you can see clearly round each bend in front of you) and driving recklessly over the limit. I've seen so many cyclists cycling dangerously. Dangerously, to the extent that they have come close to getting nailed. How can you say, for example, that weaving on and off pavements onto a busy road is safe? In most busy cities cycling at the same pace as the traffic, whilst still observing the laws of the road, will get you to where you're going in probably the same time, if not a little quicker than if you were in a car. It's just impatience. Just because you can nip onto the pavement and cross with the pedestrians at a red-light doesn't mean you should.
To do it legally you have to rush up to a red light, dismount cyclo-cross stylee, run across the ped-crossing and mount your steed again in mid-step. Riding on the pavement should be fined yes.
Basically car drivers leave NO room for cyclists and clip them on purpose. I have been a cyclist nut for many years and have been a cycle courier in Copenhgagen in my young days so have seen both sides of the coin. The british roads are absolut crap and hence I stay off them with the road bike.It just aint worth it to risk life and limb because of the atrocious driving standards here.
Besides the pushbike has existed on the roads before the automobile showed up so by birthright the bike wins..
Basically car drivers leave NO room for cyclists and clip them on purpose. I have been a cyclist nut for many years and have been a cycle courier in Copenhgagen in my young days so have seen both sides of the coin. The british roads are absolut crap and hence I stay off them with the road bike.It just aint worth it to risk life and limb because of the atrocious driving standards here.
Besides the pushbike has existed on the roads before the automobile showed up so by birthright the bike wins..
I'm all for getting rid of stupid laws, but at the same time I also think that there are a few good ones.
I have had my car damaged by a cyclist but what were the chaces of me ever being able to recover the cost from some 13 yearold scrote. It was almost worse than when I found my car had been keyed as I saw who did the damage this time, spoke to them, but there was no way in hell they were going to give me their details. If they had had insurance of some sort the story might have been different.
I have lost count of the number of times I have found some idiot on a bike, at night, in jeans and a black coat, riding down the lanes where I live with no lights.
I have had my car damaged by a cyclist but what were the chaces of me ever being able to recover the cost from some 13 yearold scrote. It was almost worse than when I found my car had been keyed as I saw who did the damage this time, spoke to them, but there was no way in hell they were going to give me their details. If they had had insurance of some sort the story might have been different.
I have lost count of the number of times I have found some idiot on a bike, at night, in jeans and a black coat, riding down the lanes where I live with no lights.
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