Have we become a nation of cycle haters?
Discussion
vsonix said:
but the number of times that cyclists persist on using the road when there is a separate, protected cycle track running PARALLEL
Does it have priority at side roads? Is it shared with pedestrians? Is it suitable for cycling at 20mph on? If they aren't using it, it's probably because it is inferior to the road.vsonix said:
but the number of times that cyclists persist on using the road when there is a separate, protected cycle track running PARALLEL
Does it have priority at side roads? Is it shared with pedestrians? Is it suitable for cycling at 20mph on? If they aren't using it, it's probably because it is inferior to the road.otolith said:
Does it have priority at side roads? Is it shared with pedestrians? Is it suitable for cycling at 20mph on? If they aren't using it, it's probably because it is inferior to the road.
or breaking up and full of glass....like some of my local ones.it is why I use the road in preference
There's some corkers in here, which perfectly illustrate why many cycle lanes are best ignored.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pete.meg/wcc/facility...
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pete.meg/wcc/facility...
I don't think we are becoming cycle haters. Just in general people are less considerate and respectful to others.
I also think that the tarring all with the same brush logic is being applied.
When I drive my car I try to overtake cyclists with enough room and safely. It does get a bit hard when the lycra clad racers here ride 2/3 abreast on 50mph+ roads with no consideration to other road users. It's not difficult to just slot back in to make the car passing easier, then the drivers might start giving you more room in turn.
They also tend to think one way systems and red lights apply.
Problem is when out on my bike a lot of cars don't do this, overtake on crests and blind corners or not giving me any room should I have to avoid a pot hole.
Thankfully I'm only on the bike to get fit and recover from injury so don't have to suffer buses really.
Countryside has its benefits.
I also think that the tarring all with the same brush logic is being applied.
When I drive my car I try to overtake cyclists with enough room and safely. It does get a bit hard when the lycra clad racers here ride 2/3 abreast on 50mph+ roads with no consideration to other road users. It's not difficult to just slot back in to make the car passing easier, then the drivers might start giving you more room in turn.
They also tend to think one way systems and red lights apply.
Problem is when out on my bike a lot of cars don't do this, overtake on crests and blind corners or not giving me any room should I have to avoid a pot hole.
Thankfully I'm only on the bike to get fit and recover from injury so don't have to suffer buses really.
Countryside has its benefits.
I kind of agree with this and kind of don't - if the riders are 3 abreast then surely it's a faster overtake than if they were nose-to-tail?
i.e. three riders are in a space one bike long, so you only need to be on the other side of the road for the time it takes to pass a single bike, rather than two or three bikes.
i.e. three riders are in a space one bike long, so you only need to be on the other side of the road for the time it takes to pass a single bike, rather than two or three bikes.
gazza285 said:
mybrainhurts said:
I have to admit I'm getting rather tetchy about being held up by skinny runts on bicycles, with the energy of a herd of elephants, demonstrating colour blindness every time they come to traffic lights.
Are they bloody aliens, or what...?
You are being held up by cyclist who run red lights? Are you also running the red light then?Are they bloody aliens, or what...?
I have thrashed myself mercilessly for one second by way of atonement.
mybrainhurts said:
gazza285 said:
mybrainhurts said:
I have to admit I'm getting rather tetchy about being held up by skinny runts on bicycles, with the energy of a herd of elephants, demonstrating colour blindness every time they come to traffic lights.
Are they bloody aliens, or what...?
You are being held up by cyclist who run red lights? Are you also running the red light then?Are they bloody aliens, or what...?
I have thrashed myself mercilessly for one second by way of atonement.
vsonix said:
I'm not going to tar all cyclists with the same brush but I would say that 50% of the cyclists I come across display some very irritating behaviour patterns. Maybe it's just because I live in an area with lots of young students and so they are less thoughtful road users as a rule, but the number of times that cyclists persist on using the road when there is a separate, protected cycle track running PARALLEL, or snaking about in the lane as they are swaying with the exertion from pedalling uphill making it impossible to pass them safely etc etc. Just silly behaviour that shows lack of consideration for other road users, and also scant regard for their own well-being combined with a default hostile position towards motorists.
And why do you think this is unique to cyclists? My business used to be on a road that was a rat run. Thanks to the 2 lines cars parked on both sides of the road the rat runners filled the only available space, turning the road into a one-way road and meaning residents and businesses had to wait til rush was over before we could go about our normal daily stuff. All this while a perfectly good main road ran PARALLEL (as you put it). The rat-runners used it to save a few seconds and they don't give a toss about anyone else. My scenario would have been replicated at countless other locations all over the country, and the people doing it no doubt would also moan if a cyclist delayed them by seconds.
The cycle lane issue is the same as the 'road tax' one - it shows who the numpties are.
It always amazes me the amount of times you hear "I was held up for xxx seconds/minutes by a cyclist(s)" What a load of old rubbish.
I will always give a cyclist plenty of room when I pass, even if it means sitting behind them for a few seconds (lets face it that's all it ever is) waiting for a large enough gap in the opposite direction. Invariably I will then just roll up behind the vehicle I was behind before having to go around the cyclist anyway, so zero effect on the journey time.
Even if there was a difference in journey time, it would be in the realms of seconds, so what does that matter. "oh my 1.5 hour journey was delayed by 15 seconds because I had to behave in a safe manner and give a cyclist some room" SO WHAT! it doesn't matter! Do they get as equally mad about having to stop at a zebra crossing? do they get equally mad having to stop at a pelican crossing?
Yes I'm a pretty chilled out kind of chap, but I really don't understand the need for the anger at all
I will always give a cyclist plenty of room when I pass, even if it means sitting behind them for a few seconds (lets face it that's all it ever is) waiting for a large enough gap in the opposite direction. Invariably I will then just roll up behind the vehicle I was behind before having to go around the cyclist anyway, so zero effect on the journey time.
Even if there was a difference in journey time, it would be in the realms of seconds, so what does that matter. "oh my 1.5 hour journey was delayed by 15 seconds because I had to behave in a safe manner and give a cyclist some room" SO WHAT! it doesn't matter! Do they get as equally mad about having to stop at a zebra crossing? do they get equally mad having to stop at a pelican crossing?
Yes I'm a pretty chilled out kind of chap, but I really don't understand the need for the anger at all
t driving in the park won't be missed. 
Dammit said:
See, this is probably the root of your problem: "some cyclists speed, whilst some others are obstructive".
We'll take the second one first- you seem to think that the cyclist is deliberately obstructing you, they're not, they're going about their journey. It's not always about you, but trying to make everything fit into a solipsistic view of the universe will, but its very nature, create frustrations for "you". Grow up, realise that other people exist apart from and outside yourself, and that they aren't out to obstruct you, hold you back, etc etc.
Back to the first part- cyclists can't speed, not in this country.
Were I the only car being held up, it wouldn't be a problem. I have no need to get anywhere that quickly. The problem occurs when there is a back up of traffic due to some cyclists (not all) choosing to ignore the fact they're on a narrow, busy road and cycle 2 abreast. It can appear that this might be deliberate or that they're not paying attention to other road users, as opposed to their being out to get me and frustrate my progress. We'll take the second one first- you seem to think that the cyclist is deliberately obstructing you, they're not, they're going about their journey. It's not always about you, but trying to make everything fit into a solipsistic view of the universe will, but its very nature, create frustrations for "you". Grow up, realise that other people exist apart from and outside yourself, and that they aren't out to obstruct you, hold you back, etc etc.
Back to the first part- cyclists can't speed, not in this country.
With regard to speeding, I imagine you're alighting to the fact that cyclists cannot be prosecuted? Trying to pass at all costs and causing other road users to swerve, brake and/or take avoiding action probably brings other laws into play though? Or maybe it simply an attitude that reinforces the belief that some cyclists see the rules of the road as being for other people?
e21Mark said:
Were I the only car being held up, it wouldn't be a problem. I have no need to get anywhere that quickly. The problem occurs when there is a back up of traffic due to some cyclists (not all) choosing to ignore the fact they're on a narrow, busy road and cycle 2 abreast. It can appear that this might be deliberate or that they're not paying attention to other road users, as opposed to their being out to get me and frustrate my progress.
With regard to speeding, I imagine you're alighting to the fact that cyclists cannot be prosecuted? Trying to pass at all costs and causing other road users to swerve, brake and/or take avoiding action probably brings other laws into play though? Or maybe it simply an attitude that reinforces the belief that some cyclists see the rules of the road as being for other people?
I'm not saying its right but if you just accept that if the "two abreast" slow cyclists are in front of you and that's that your likely to have lower blood pressure.With regard to speeding, I imagine you're alighting to the fact that cyclists cannot be prosecuted? Trying to pass at all costs and causing other road users to swerve, brake and/or take avoiding action probably brings other laws into play though? Or maybe it simply an attitude that reinforces the belief that some cyclists see the rules of the road as being for other people?
Treat them the same as a tractor, or horse and cart. You are behind them, there are people behind you. They are slow, so what.
If you can get past them then its a bonus. Hey, at least we don't let them on motorways.
e21Mark said:
Were I the only car being held up, it wouldn't be a problem. I have no need to get anywhere that quickly. The problem occurs when there is a back up of traffic due to some cyclists (not all) choosing to ignore the fact they're on a narrow, busy road and cycle 2 abreast. It can appear that this might be deliberate or that they're not paying attention to other road users, as opposed to their being out to get me and frustrate my progress.
If you can't overtake cyclists two abreast because there's something coming the other way - THEN YOU WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OVERTAKE THEM SAFELY IN SINGLE FILE EITHER.FFS.
I went for a 20 mile ride on Saturday through Windsor, Fifield, Virginia Water, Eglefield Green and Old Windsor.
The only issues on the road I encountered was running out of water, being too fat and not having strong enough legs
Everyone needs to chill!
I usually give cars a little wave as a thank you for waiting to overtake me, seems to work for me.
The only issues on the road I encountered was running out of water, being too fat and not having strong enough legs
Everyone needs to chill!
I usually give cars a little wave as a thank you for waiting to overtake me, seems to work for me.
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