Why are Police now enforcing laws & advising cyclists?
Discussion
Hol said:
Seroiusly Where do YOU live then? ColourBlind Town?
I can't remember any time I was sat at my own red light and saw another car jump a Red light SO LATE that everybody in a green light situation had to avoid him.
Yes, I have SEEN some people jump lights on amber as it changed as they appraoched, and SOME retarded people follow them through on the Red, but never have I seen the situation as described.
The A404 / M40 Handy Cross round about, every morning I sit at the road from Marlow joining the roundabout and watch cars coming from the A404 jump a full red by a matter of seconds sometimes. It happens every day on every phasing of the lights. I don't know what it is about these light but it happens all the time!I can't remember any time I was sat at my own red light and saw another car jump a Red light SO LATE that everybody in a green light situation had to avoid him.
Yes, I have SEEN some people jump lights on amber as it changed as they appraoched, and SOME retarded people follow them through on the Red, but never have I seen the situation as described.
From my daily cycling in London I don't see many cars jumping red lights to be fair, there was a massive bell end who shot through a red light on a boris bike last night at the bottom of Hatton Garden and nearly got taken out by a cab who thankfully spotted him coming. Some cyclists really don't help themselves or other cyclists.
BGarside said:
...use to justify their own dangerous driving around cyclists...
This is exactly what makes the typical PH rant against cyclists so utterly mind-boggling.It appears that more often than not someone will say something along the lines of:
"If cyclists don't respect the rules of the road, why should we respect cyclists?"
The implication of such a question is frankly terrifying.
The implication is that the correct punishment for a minor violation of the highway code by a virtually weightless vehicle is a life-changing injury administered by a completely unqualified judge-jury-and-executioner while fuming behind the wheel of his poverty-spec rep-mobile.
The reason you should respect cyclists is because you should attempt to drive well under all circumstances. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Singling out one mode of transport for victimisation is similar to racism, ageism, homophobia and all other examples of tyranny of the majority.
The most vulnerable in our society need protection, precisely because they are vulnerable.
When they cause no harm to you, offer no threat to your way of life and generally do their best to keep themselves to themselves... who are you to decide to run them off the road just because you don't like the clothes they wear and their "icky" mode of transport.
walm said:
It appears that more often than not someone will say something along the lines of:
"If cyclists don't respect the rules of the road, why should we respect cyclists?"
The implication is that the correct punishment for a minor violation of the highway code by a virtually weightless vehicle is a life-changing injury administered by a completely unqualified judge-jury-and-executioner while fuming behind the wheel of his poverty-spec rep-mobile.
The reason you should respect cyclists is because you should attempt to drive well under all circumstances. NO EXCEPTIONS.
The most vulnerable in our society need protection, precisely because they are vulnerable.
I think you just made all that up. Nobody has ever suggested running cyclists off the road. It is possible to operate a car, HGV or bicycle carefully and with consideration for other road users, regardless of if you think a significant minority of those other road users are retarded morons with no self-preservation instinct and in some cases a good dose of superiority complex thrown in."If cyclists don't respect the rules of the road, why should we respect cyclists?"
The implication is that the correct punishment for a minor violation of the highway code by a virtually weightless vehicle is a life-changing injury administered by a completely unqualified judge-jury-and-executioner while fuming behind the wheel of his poverty-spec rep-mobile.
The reason you should respect cyclists is because you should attempt to drive well under all circumstances. NO EXCEPTIONS.
The most vulnerable in our society need protection, precisely because they are vulnerable.
Anyway I also ride a motorbike (and it may surprise some that whenever I have worked within a few miles of home, I routinely commuted by bicycle). I'm classed as a vulnerable road user. I don't need special protection. The greatest increase in my safety would come by all other road users following the Highway Code, all the time.
creampuff said:
Nobody has ever suggested running cyclists off the road.
I never said they did.I said that is the implication from "why respect cyclists".
And of course I was exaggerating.
But just look up virtually any cyclist thread on here discussing an injured cyclist.
I guarantee someone will say "he deserved it".
In other words, some minor traffic infringement (usually debatable) justifies physical injury as the proper punishment.
Creampuff - I am glad that you are able to muster enough self control to drive well around everyone despite your views on any one particular group of road users, but many can't!
I can't be bothered to look it up but on one thread I definitely had a response from someone admitting that when they see bad cycling they are less likely to give the next cyclist they encounter as much room when they overtake.
So directly suggesting that bad cycling justifies dangerous driving.
I am sure he would draw the line at deliberately running them off the road but the principle is pretty similar...
Fair cop though - I was definitely exaggerating.
Do cyclists deserve to get injured?
The answer is a bit of a tautology.
The ones who deserve it deserve it, the ones who don't deserve it don't.
The kid who jumped of the kerb in front of me deserves skinned knees and a limp for a few weeks - but even the most callous driver wouldn't wish him a 'deserved' death. Even if such a death was 100% his own fault.
There is a point between blame and compassion.
Someone can be to blame for thier own injuries, can deserve them (in one interpretation of the word) but I'd still feel compassion for them to some degree.
Obviously a bit of self caused bruising will get less compassion than a self inflicted serious injury.
The answer is a bit of a tautology.
The ones who deserve it deserve it, the ones who don't deserve it don't.
The kid who jumped of the kerb in front of me deserves skinned knees and a limp for a few weeks - but even the most callous driver wouldn't wish him a 'deserved' death. Even if such a death was 100% his own fault.
There is a point between blame and compassion.
Someone can be to blame for thier own injuries, can deserve them (in one interpretation of the word) but I'd still feel compassion for them to some degree.
Obviously a bit of self caused bruising will get less compassion than a self inflicted serious injury.
I passed through Marble Arch two nights ago, 10 seconds later, armed police stopped me saying they don't normally stop people but given the situation with cyclists they have been asked to interject where possible! Absolute codswallop. I was passing through an amber first of all, and pointed out that motorists have to spend half the time looking at pedestrians these days as they seem to cross when they like! He decided to check my car, tax, credentials, blah blah. But the worst...... as soon as he said I was welcome to carry on with my journey a cyclist skimmed straight through a blatant red and absolutely nothing happened!!!
As far as I am concerned I drive circa 5-25 mph tops in central as my journeys are always less than 2 miles so am in no rush, and am more than used to traffic, but many cyclists jump straight through red lights. Which direction their bodies fly as a result is their issue.
Before people jump down my throat I am referring to cyclists jumping reds, not lorries etc who hit cyclists, then it becomes a case by case scenario.
As far as I am concerned I drive circa 5-25 mph tops in central as my journeys are always less than 2 miles so am in no rush, and am more than used to traffic, but many cyclists jump straight through red lights. Which direction their bodies fly as a result is their issue.
Before people jump down my throat I am referring to cyclists jumping reds, not lorries etc who hit cyclists, then it becomes a case by case scenario.
There is a big difference between injuries self-inflicted by their own stupidity (most likely deserved) and injuries inflicted by someone else, who actively decided to drive at a standard below their very best because of the stupidity of the cyclist. (Or even worse, because of the stupidity of OTHER cyclists!)
I don't mean self-inflicted injuries.
I don't mean self-inflicted injuries.
JiggyJaggy said:
... I was passing through an amber first of all...
Remind me again, what does amber mean? A: Quick, put your foot down, the lights are about to change.
or
B: Stop, unless doing so would cause an accident.
(Yes; I know we all do it - myself included. Doesn't make it right or safe though)
walm said:
There is a big difference between injuries self-inflicted by their own stupidity (most likely deserved) and injuries inflicted by someone else, who actively decided to drive at a standard below their very best because of the stupidity of the cyclist. (Or even worse, because of the stupidity of OTHER cyclists!)
I don't mean self-inflicted injuries.
What about injuries that are a result of councils failing to maintain the roads? I don't mean self-inflicted injuries.
jimbop1 said:
The most dangerous people on the roads are cyclists in cities/built up areas! They all seem to have very strange attitudes and personalities! It's like they all have something to prove.
Just though I'd open this thread back up due to my hatred for cyclists being proven again today.
Why, did one nearly kill you today?Just though I'd open this thread back up due to my hatred for cyclists being proven again today.
heebeegeetee said:
jimbop1 said:
The most dangerous people on the roads are cyclists in cities/built up areas! They all seem to have very strange attitudes and personalities! It's like they all have something to prove.
Just though I'd open this thread back up due to my hatred for cyclists being proven again today.
Why, did one nearly kill you today?Just though I'd open this thread back up due to my hatred for cyclists being proven again today.
Could be him?
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