NO...Cyclists don't ride on pavements or jump red lights at all.

birkee

Flyboy152 wrote: »

Although I very much agree with the underlying sentiment, I have to disagree with this. How difficult is it to get off the bike and walk a few yards? By the same logic, car drivers could drive along a pavement, as long as they are considerate of the needs of pedestrians.

And of course, he is ignoring the fact that pedestrians have the right of way. How many pavement cyclists observe the rules?

GillsMan7

Interesting topic.

I'm a cyclist (and a driver, and a user of public transport, and a pedestrian), and I must say, I was surprised to see the OP also cycles occasionally given he can barely go two posts without referring to "two wheeled warriers", "lycra nuts" or other such childish insults.

I don't think there's a single cyclist who says that no cyclists run red lights, cycle on the pavement, go the wrong way down a one-way street, etc. Similarly, I'm sure there's no driver who would say that no drivers tailgate, turn without indicating, cut other road users up, etc.

Some cyclists would do well to remember that we're essentially road users, but some drivers/pedestrians would do well to remember the world doesn't revolve around them. Just this morning I had to shout at a pedestrian who stepped right into my path without looking. Gave her the fright of her life too - good. Maybe it'll teach her to look next time.

The closest I come to running a red light is taking off a few seconds early when I can see the other set of traffic has been stopped so I know my light is about to turn green. I particularly do this when the idiot driver next to me is in the ASL area (you know, the one with a big picture of a BICYCLE in it). Riding on pavements? Nah. Riding down one-way streets? Nah. If you want to do that, get off your bike and push it.

I do hate this demonisation of cyclists though. Remember: everyone's a c***.

samba

Flyboy152 wrote: »

Although I very much agree with the underlying sentiment, I have to disagree with this. How difficult is it to get off the bike and walk a few yards? By the same logic, car drivers could drive along a pavement, as long as they are considerate of the needs of pedestrians.

It's not all about logic tho, otherwise we could just have computers doing all the driving (and law enforcement) as they as supremely logical. It requires something more - to be able to empathise and put yourself in other people's shoes and understand why they do the things they do, such as riding on the pavement. I generally don't myself (and if I do I cycle slowly and give any pedestrians right of way as a matter of course), but after cycling on the roads, I understand entirely why other cyclists do it - it's bloody dangerous on the road coz of the nutters who are late for work/showing off/stressed/whatever, and by cycling on the road you increase the chance that you won't be coming home to your loved ones later... I think perhaps the metal and glass container that surrounds drivers somehow cuts them off from the world around them, and they start to lose touch with their humanity - just the other day I had a young woman overtake me (in my car) on a blind bend, putting us both in danger if a car had been coming the other way at just that instant, yet when I indicated my displeasure at the way she gambled with my life, all I got was the v sign - !!!!!!? I'm not a perfect driver or cyclist, but I try to be courteous to others and do my best to avoid doing anything that would endanger the lives of other road/footpath users - that's the least I can do.

janninew

I don't understand why people cycle on the roads at all?! There are so many threads on here about how dangerous it is and how there are so many dangerous drivers - why risk it? Yes its cheaper and greener (but who actually cares that much about being green?!) I've seen many on here comment that yes they are cyclist's, but they are also car owners as well. Why not use your car then if cycling is so dangerous?

Cycling for leisure I understand, cycling on the busy roads in rush hour I don't understand!

MackemPunk

janninew wrote: »

I don't understand why people cycle on the roads at all?! There are so many threads on here about how dangerous it is and how there are so many dangerous drivers - why risk it? Yes its cheaper and greener (but who actually cares that much about being green?!) I've seen many on here comment that yes they are cyclist's, but they are also car owners as well. Why not use your car then if cycling is so dangerous?

Cycling for leisure I understand, cycling on the busy roads in rush hour I don't understand!

It can be quicker, and keeps you fit, I can get from Easington lane to Houghton ( about 5 miles) in 15 mins on my bike it takes about 20 by bus and about 15 by car, so I go for the healthy choice.

Bowling_4_Gold

Flyboy152 wrote: »

I think you might have been reading a different thread, because I don't remember writing that at all. I'd be happy to address your concerns, if you could be so kind as to point out where that was written. If I did write it, perhaps there was something within the context which might expalin why I did.

Yep, here it is.

it stands to reason that the cyclist needs to take responsibility for their own actions, as much a the motorist should for theirs.

I inferred from this that if, for example, a cyclist was going the wrong way down a one way street, and you continued in your car going the correct way without braking or steering clear and struck the cyclist, it wouldn't be your fault as the cyclist was going the wrong way.

Your argument implies you would say 'He needs to take responsibility for his own actions...', despite the cyclist being crushed under your wheels.

My argument therefore is that this is wrong - the cyclist's life could be in danger, just because a point was being proven.

Make it a bit clearer?

passatrider

janninew wrote: »

I don't understand why people cycle on the roads at all?! There are so many threads on here about how dangerous it is and how there are so many dangerous drivers - why risk it? Yes its cheaper and greener (but who actually cares that much about being green?!) I've seen many on here comment that yes they are cyclist's, but they are also car owners as well. Why not use your car then if cycling is so dangerous?

Cycling for leisure I understand, cycling on the busy roads in rush hour I don't understand!

What's wrong with someone cycling during rush hour?? Oh, hang on..it slows you down. :T

janninew

passatrider wrote: »

What's wrong with someone cycling during rush hour?? Oh, hang on..it slows you down. :T

Nothing's wrong with cycling during rush hour (not sure I said there was!), just people seem to complain about all the dangerous driver's out there, I wondered why people risk it!!

It was meant to be a light hearted post!

birkee

There is something I've identified due to my elevated age, and life experience.

Has anyone else noticed it? I call it "the TV age vision limiter".

These days, an awful lot of people only seem to see what is going on in front of their nose. Peripheral vision seems to be disappearing.
Is this a possible cause of some of the motorist / cyclist confrontations?

Personally, I'm fed up with people walking into me, stepping backwards without so much as a backward glance before they do, running a supermarket trolley into mine, and most of all, falling over me when I'm in a wheelchair.

In other words, their awareness only extends to the area a TV screen would occupy in front of their noses.

JQ.

birkee wrote: »

There is something I've identified due to my elevated age, and life experience.

Has anyone else noticed it? I call it "the TV age vision limiter".

These days, an awful lot of people only seem to see what is going on in front of their nose. Peripheral vision seems to be disappearing.
Is this a possible cause of some of the motorist / cyclist confrontations?

Personally, I'm fed up with people walking into me, stepping backwards without so much as a backward glance before they do, running a supermarket trolley into mine, and most of all, falling over me when I'm in a wheelchair.

In other words, their awareness only extends to the area a TV screen would occupy in front of their noses.

I totally agree with what you are saying, drives me mad. It's also reflective of the me, me, me, now, now, now culture we've developed.

However, it certainly does not apply to me when cycling - I'm on red alert at all times, it's the only way to stay safe. Although, I do see some cyclists in a world of their own, but they tend to be in the minority.

Classic example the morning. Happily cycling to work on my regular route, I know there's a danger ahead (pedestrian island in the middle of the road) where it's unsafe for a car to overtake me as there's not enough room, so I slowly start moving to the primary position on the road as I'm aware there is car approaching from the rear. Despite me now being in the middle of my carriageway he still tries the overtake, only to have to slam on when he realises he's heading for the island.

Anyway, the reason for my comment is the reaction of the driver - we catch each other up further down the road and he's seething with rage, literally bouncing off the roof of the car ranting and raving about bloody cyclists out of his open car window. He threatened to kill me several times. All of this because I delayed his journey by about 5 secs (for very good reason - my personal safety). I'm quite sure all the other cars on the road held him up for far more than that. However, it's far easier to bully someone when you're encassed in 1 ton of metal with airbags galore and the other party have a plastic helmet for safety.

It's incidents like this that make me consider using a helmet cam. Whilst I'm sure his threats were not genuine, it's still worrying that I share the road with people like this.