Anti-cyclist comments
Discussion
Silver993tt said:
walm said:
+1
Please someone close this thread and put Silver993tt out of my misery.
Shame, I was just starting to enjoy it Please someone close this thread and put Silver993tt out of my misery.
It makes you look like a silly pompous twit.
pablo said:
part of the problem is the fascination with traffic lights in this country, we have them at every conceivable location, often on roundabouts. if we adopted a "turn left on red" policy like other countries traffic could move a lot better.
heres another idea, where a cycle lane stops at traffic lights, at a crossroads for example, why not continue the cycle lane around the corner so cyclists turning left needn't stop. motorists coming from the right or from ahead turning right would know that there is a cycle lane and (one would hope) would know not to encroach in it so there wouldnt be a problem. cyclists can continue with their progress in relative safety, motorists have to wait on account of them usually fiddling with the radio, talking on the phone, not watching traffic, shouting at children in the back seat....
I know that trying to bring some sense to this thread is a dangerous thing, but you are right about the traffic lights.heres another idea, where a cycle lane stops at traffic lights, at a crossroads for example, why not continue the cycle lane around the corner so cyclists turning left needn't stop. motorists coming from the right or from ahead turning right would know that there is a cycle lane and (one would hope) would know not to encroach in it so there wouldnt be a problem. cyclists can continue with their progress in relative safety, motorists have to wait on account of them usually fiddling with the radio, talking on the phone, not watching traffic, shouting at children in the back seat....
Take a look at this junction: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=51.464916,-0.2485...
The cycle lane (which incidentally is very badly designed, forcing cyclists to yeild at every driveway and side-road) dumps cyclists onto the road just before the junction. Fine... except for the fact that there is a cycle symbol that goes green when the pedestrian crossing light goes green, which implies that cyclists can legally jump the red light or legally ride on the pavement and cross with the pedestrians.
However, I can see the likes of TT frothing at the mouth and calling us
s if we were to obey(or try to obey) the actual contradictory signage.pablo said:
part of the problem is the fascination with traffic lights in this country, we have them at every conceivable location, often on roundabouts.
yup. Maybe a thread diversion, but by god, this doesn't boil my piss, it turns it into superheated plasma leaving my entire uretha a smouldering ruin every time I see an unnecessary traffic light. There's one almost traffic light controlled t junction outside my door, no accidents in the decade before they were installed, no visibility or traffic flow problems either. 2 accidents in the 2 years since they were put in, 1 of which I've seen, and more cars idling next to me. And no reason why they'd be any actual extra traffic.To be fair, the 2 accidents were cyclists on the main road running the red light and being hit by a car turning out of the side street - obviously 100% the cyclists fault, but even so, without the traffic lights, the drivers WOULD HAVE LOOKED. Again, not placing any blame on the drivers whatsoever, but both could have been averted simply by reverting to the old t-junction layout. Turning out of the side street on a red is easy, and even legal - pedal up to lights, dismount and walk 3 feet along kerb, check for cars (visibility out of the side street is excellent), get back on. Pedalling or driving those 3 feet however, somehow makes you a criminal. For the love of feck, why?
When did it become ok to criminalise arbitrary actions? What the fk happened to treating citizens like basically decent people until you knew otherwise?Sorry for going O/T, but... actually considering the thread's current status, I'm not. </rant>
Last night on my ride home from work I decided to stop at every single red light and pedestrian crossing, even if it was totally clear.
It added maybe 2 minutes to my journey time, which is not much of an issue really.
There were a couple of stupid cyclists as ever who go through reds when pedestrians were trying to cross.
But the highlight for me was counting 2 vans which went through lights after they turned to red (well beyond amber), 1 motorbike which went across a zebra crossing within inches of a kid crossing at the time, 7 cars/vans that overtook me at speed in a 20mph zone whilst my speedo was reading 19mph and 21 cars/vans/lorries/buses that were trangressing the lines of the Advanced Stop Zones for cyclists.
And yet cyclists are the idiots according to PH.
It added maybe 2 minutes to my journey time, which is not much of an issue really.
There were a couple of stupid cyclists as ever who go through reds when pedestrians were trying to cross.
But the highlight for me was counting 2 vans which went through lights after they turned to red (well beyond amber), 1 motorbike which went across a zebra crossing within inches of a kid crossing at the time, 7 cars/vans that overtook me at speed in a 20mph zone whilst my speedo was reading 19mph and 21 cars/vans/lorries/buses that were trangressing the lines of the Advanced Stop Zones for cyclists.
And yet cyclists are the idiots according to PH.
oyster said:
Last night on my ride home from work I decided to stop at every single red light and pedestrian crossing, even if it was totally clear.
It added maybe 2 minutes to my journey time, which is not much of an issue really.
There were a couple of stupid cyclists as ever who go through reds when pedestrians were trying to cross.
But the highlight for me was counting 2 vans which went through lights after they turned to red (well beyond amber), 1 motorbike which went across a zebra crossing within inches of a kid crossing at the time, 7 cars/vans that overtook me at speed in a 20mph zone whilst my speedo was reading 19mph and 21 cars/vans/lorries/buses that were trangressing the lines of the Advanced Stop Zones for cyclists.
And yet cyclists are the idiots according to PH.
I'd love to film my entire cycle commute to highlight this exact same observation one day.It added maybe 2 minutes to my journey time, which is not much of an issue really.
There were a couple of stupid cyclists as ever who go through reds when pedestrians were trying to cross.
But the highlight for me was counting 2 vans which went through lights after they turned to red (well beyond amber), 1 motorbike which went across a zebra crossing within inches of a kid crossing at the time, 7 cars/vans that overtook me at speed in a 20mph zone whilst my speedo was reading 19mph and 21 cars/vans/lorries/buses that were trangressing the lines of the Advanced Stop Zones for cyclists.
And yet cyclists are the idiots according to PH.
I've just been out on the MTB (AKA the hooli machine) and made a belter of a manoeuvre.
Red light appeared so I popped onto the path, ignored the red man on the pelican crossing (obviously) as I cycled across the road, wheelied off the path back onto the road and left all the cars standing.
Tell you what tt, it felt fookin' good
Red light appeared so I popped onto the path, ignored the red man on the pelican crossing (obviously) as I cycled across the road, wheelied off the path back onto the road and left all the cars standing.
Tell you what tt, it felt fookin' good
BliarOut said:
I've just been out on the MTB (AKA the hooli machine) and made a belter of a manoeuvre.
Red light appeared so I popped onto the path, ignored the red man on the pelican crossing (obviously) as I cycled across the road, wheelied off the path back onto the road and left all the cars standing.
Tell you what tt, it felt fookin' good
ah well, small things for small minds Red light appeared so I popped onto the path, ignored the red man on the pelican crossing (obviously) as I cycled across the road, wheelied off the path back onto the road and left all the cars standing.
Tell you what tt, it felt fookin' good
BliarOut said:
That sense of freedom, knowing you won't get nicked as you have no plates and insurance...
Bet it really rancours when you're stuck there in your tin can...
Not really because I'm often on my bike but even then I see no need to put myself at risk of injury simply to show 'big brother' and other road users what a Bet it really rancours when you're stuck there in your tin can...
Silver993tt said:
Not really because I'm often on my bike but even then I see no need to put myself at risk of injury simply to show 'big brother' and other road users what a small big man I am. If I want to beat the traffic over some distance, I use the motorbike, If I want to take it easy I use the pedal bike, If I want some comfort I'll use the car. I also have the choice of public transport (Trams, Trains, U-bahn and buses) all for €80 per month - and take a friend at weekend for free, choices, choices ....
All possibly true, but I can't imagine it even begins to get close enough to being sufficient compensation for having to live in Germany. Why anyone would actually choose to live there of their own free will is a complete mystery to me!Silver993tt said:
heebeegeetee said:
So when you see a cyclist, how do you know how many cars and properties he/she owns?
How do you?Kermit power said:
All possibly true, but I can't imagine it even begins to get close enough to being sufficient compensation for having to live in Germany. Why anyone would actually choose to live there of their own free will is a complete mystery to me!
Germany's a great place. 
oyster said:
Last night on my ride home from work I decided to stop at every single red light and pedestrian crossing, even if it was totally clear.
It added maybe 2 minutes to my journey time, which is not much of an issue really.
There were a couple of stupid cyclists as ever who go through reds when pedestrians were trying to cross.
But the highlight for me was counting 2 vans which went through lights after they turned to red (well beyond amber), 1 motorbike which went across a zebra crossing within inches of a kid crossing at the time, 7 cars/vans that overtook me at speed in a 20mph zone whilst my speedo was reading 19mph and 21 cars/vans/lorries/buses that were trangressing the lines of the Advanced Stop Zones for cyclists.
And yet cyclists are the idiots according to PH.
I remember the first time I drove into central London during daylight hours. It was quite recently - after all these threads first started appearing on PH a few years back - and I was appalled to see quite a few people riding in the sort of way that PH portrays all cyclists as doing. I'm not talking about the odd red light here, but borderline dangerous lane changes, undertaking buses etc. I actually felt a bit embarrassed as a cyclist to see it wasn't exaggerated as much as I'd hoped.It added maybe 2 minutes to my journey time, which is not much of an issue really.
There were a couple of stupid cyclists as ever who go through reds when pedestrians were trying to cross.
But the highlight for me was counting 2 vans which went through lights after they turned to red (well beyond amber), 1 motorbike which went across a zebra crossing within inches of a kid crossing at the time, 7 cars/vans that overtook me at speed in a 20mph zone whilst my speedo was reading 19mph and 21 cars/vans/lorries/buses that were trangressing the lines of the Advanced Stop Zones for cyclists.
And yet cyclists are the idiots according to PH.
But as the journey went on something occurred to me. I thought about the number of times someone in a car had cut me up, undertaken in a bizarre place or squeezed through a red light and realised it was even higher. I'm not talking about incidences I'd seen on my bike, but the times I'd noticed other drivers acting like t
ts in the duration of this car journey. It happens so often I'd become sensitised to it since leaving the suburbs and I didn't even notice them doing it any more.south germany's not what I expected to be, but very like provincial britain, with bits of switzerland thrown in (unsuprisingly given the location). Men in funny leather trousers, beer, classic sports cars, similar flea markets and tourist crap. Better weather though. Oh, and <cliche> the roads were very smooth </cliche>. Must say I rather liked it.
Couldn't help thinking of this thread this morning. I was sat in a less than stimulating meeting looking out over the high road at the point someone tried to pull out in front of a guy on a road bike. The cyclist calmly swerved round as the car driver lurched to a halt and then the guy in the car beeped his horn at him. The guy on the bike wasn't riding ridiculously quickly, he wasn't overtaking or following anyone closely ... it was as clear cut a right of way as you get. It just demonstrates that some drivers believe different laws apply to them. Much like some cyclists. So we're just as bad as each other. The only difference is the consequence of getting it wrong when your indiscretion affects 12 stone of flesh and blood rather than a ton and a half of steel.
Kermit power said:
With the sole exception of Munich, I've always found the place to be rather grim, regimented and humourless.
Can't say that's my experience of Germany at all! Very kind, and funny people and lots of lovely places to visit! Have been there once a year for the last 6 or so years with the car owners club and love it more each time I go back. will_ said:
You may not care too much, but I'm rather fed up of having to defend myself against rabid anti-cyclists spitting the "you all run red lights" bile, even though I don't do it.
If you're that desperate not to wait, get off and walk your bike through. Or pedal faster!
Equally I'm rather fed up of rabid "everybody overtakes too close and doesn't give us enough room" bile when I do give people the same room I would give a car. (As said before position so if they suddenly wobbled fell onto the road sideways then wouldn't run over their head.)If you're that desperate not to wait, get off and walk your bike through. Or pedal faster!
I don't cycle these days ever since it got nicked but I'm firmly of the belief all as bad as each other across the spectrum.
On my regular commute there is one narrow winding A road where it’s impossible to overtake a cyclist safely without getting right out across the white line.
Regularly see overtakes ahead of me and oncoming that have real buttock clenching moments as people just aren’t prepared to wait a second, and you have to save them from themselves
There is one regular cyclist who always gives a cheery thumbs up when you wait, sit well back from his rear wheel and then give him plenty of room, and I think he appreciates a decent exhaust note too.
Then there were the four last week who were cycling single file, A space B, big long space, C space D. No chance of making an overtake A > D in one hit, but plenty of room to do it in two goes AND room to sit well off C’s rear wheel whilst waiting for a second opportunity.
Of course at that point the gradient changes, A tail end charlie is now the fastest of the lot and catches up the car who had overtaken him and B giving them plenty room and he now overtakes on the left into a space which just wasn’t there.
Then complains when he’s squeezed because he’s put himself into a position where he’s got no room for lateral movement and encounters a pothole in the gutter, and the vehicle on his right can’t give him any space because of oncoming traffic.
I'm firmly of the opinion as somebody said, deal with the militant bolshie bar stewards on both sides plus the terminally dim witted again on both sides and there wouldn't be a problem.
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