Rant about a cyclist

red_devil

Rallydriver wrote: »

I just avoid riding on paths as much as possible - having 23C tyres puts paid to most paths anyway. If I can't avoid a particular path and I do meet a pedestrian I'll always unclip a foot and put it on the ground while passing just to reassure the pedestrian that I'm not going to fall on them

The only path on my daily commute is alongside a dual carriageway, is a National Cycleway and I've only met two pedestrians on it in two and a half years. When I see other regular commuting cyclists coming the other way we both move to our lefts early and its quite normal to pass at a combined closing speed of over 40mph without incident.

Tonight on the way back on that same stretch I was tired from work so was cruising along at only about 10-12mph and see a family of 3 on bikes approaching. Daughter and Mother are on the right and show no signs of moving over so I go to my right well in advance and roll. I've nearly rolled to a stop before the Father looks far enough ahead to see me then swerves over nearly taking his wife out in the process.

A discourteous person will be discourteous to others whether they are in a vehicle, on a bike, on foot or controlling a trolley in Sainsburys.

I don't like the fact that more and more cyclists seem to use pavements rather than the road, but the treatment of cyclists by car drivers seems to deteriorate year on year so I can quite understand why its happening.

Cyclists on the path should be fined but they arent.

Its illegal to ride on the path never mind dangerous.

You cant go out without wondering if one is going to knock you down or come up behind you.

If its not safe on the road for you then walk. Its not the person on the paths fault that the road isnt safe is it? Why make it their problem? Where do they walk in safety grrrrrrr?

custardy

red_devil wrote: »

Cyclists on the path should be fined but they arent.

Its illegal to ride on the path never mind dangerous.

You cant go out without wondering if one is going to knock you down or come up behind you.

If its not safe on the road for you then walk. Its not the person on the paths fault that the road isnt safe is it? Why make it their problem? Where do they walk in safety grrrrrrr?

the poster is talking about cycleways

alan99_2

Rallydriver wrote: »

Nope, its still illegal. You can make an exception for kids but adults shouldn't be. There seem to be more cycling on pavements than roads nowadays.

There was a case a year or so ago where a young woman was killed I think by a thug on a bike crashing into her. My point about discourteous people stands for thugs aswell. A thug is a thug whether in a car, on a bike or on foot!

You wouldn't think it was an offence to cycle on the pavement , if it is.
Just yesterday 2 Pcsos on foot " patrol " failed to stop two bike riders (not kids) who cycled past them in the opposite direction, same side.

Also . The local beat bobby ( a full officer not Pcso) also rode on the pavement recently.(not in pursuit)

johnfarquhar74

alan99 wrote: »

You wouldn't think it was an offence to cycle on the pavement , if it is.
Just yesterday 2 Pcsos on foot " patrol " failed to stop two bike riders (not kids) who cycled past them in the opposite direction, same side.

Also . The local beat bobby ( a full officer not Pcso) also rode on the pavement recently.(not in pursuit)

Apparently it is not illegal to cycle on the pavement, but it is illegal to cycle on the pavement if it endangers other users, some judges ruling from 1991, I'm sure google will chuck up some info.
It's the same as cyclists cannot be charged with speeding, but they can be charged with pedalling furiously, you couldn't make it up!

Rallydriver

red_devil wrote: »

Cyclists on the path should be fined but they arent.

Its illegal to ride on the path never mind dangerous.

You cant go out without wondering if one is going to knock you down or come up behind you.

If its not safe on the road for you then walk. Its not the person on the paths fault that the road isnt safe is it? Why make it their problem? Where do they walk in safety grrrrrrr?

I wouldn't ride on a footpath or pavement. But there are numerous cyclepaths, bridleways and designated paths where it is perfectly legal to ride.

I don't feel unsafe on the roads and I use them wherever possible - In fact I'm quite willing to leave my mark on any car that gets too close.

The exception being the path beside the dual carriageway I use on the way to or from work. This is a designated part of the National Cycle Network and really only a fool would choose the 70mph dual carriageway over the path and, as I already explained, I do ride with consideration for pedestrians (who are hardly ever encountered) when I use it.

My only comment was that I can understand why other cyclists are using pavements because of the increasingly hostile state of the roads. Your anti-cyclist attitude suggests you probably contribute to that on the road.

derrick

johnfarquhar74 wrote: »

Apparently it is not illegal to cycle on the pavement,

Wrong, it is illegal to cycle on the pavement; -
64 of the Highway Code

You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
[Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129]


And before anyone says the HC is not a legal document, that is as read, but remember what it states in the introduction; -
"Many of the rules in the Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. Such rules are identified by the use of the words ‘MUST/MUST NOT’. In addition, the rule includes an abbreviated reference to the legislation which creates the offence. An explanation of the abbreviations can be found in 'The road user and the law'."

Therefore as the rule, (64), states "MUST NOT" and quotes the relevant law it IS illegal!

Francesanne

geri1965 wrote: »

Heh, I am a cyclist but I agree with you - some people cycle way too fast on pavements and shared paths. I cycle along a very narrow cycle path to my mum's hosue at weekends, and always slow down when another cyclist is approaching - just wish they would do the same, and not try and force me into the hedge!

Men are the worst.

Isn't it illlegal for an adult to ride on pavements? Woman I knew was spotted by a community policeman and warned. She gave him some backchat and got a £60.00 fine.

geri1965_2

I think so, but I wasn't on a pavement, I was on a cycle track. I don't mind if people cycle on the pavements, because I know how dangerous the roads can be, as long as they do it slowly and give priority to pedestrians.

rev_henry

Saw a programme recently on cyclists in London going through red lights. It was such a problem that the City of London police force started pursuing such offending cyclists on bikes equipped with blue lights and sirens, and fined them. I remember on such incident in the programme where a cycle courier gave so much grief to the police cyclist who pulled him over that he was arrested and taken away in a van. All for going through a red light on a bike.

geri1965_2

Rallydriver wrote: »

There was a case a year or so ago where a young woman was killed I think by a thug on a bike crashing into her. My point about discourteous people stands for thugs aswell. A thug is a thug whether in a car, on a bike or on foot!

I know the case you are referring to - there was some confusion about whether the pedestrian was on the road or the pavement, although the point was that he was arrogant and failed to take any avoiding action, expecting her to get out of his way. I believe he was sent to prison.

As I understand it, on average cyclists kill 2 pedestrians a year, whereas motorists kill 2 per day.

I completely agree with your final paragraph - an idiot is an idiot, regardless of their method of transport!