Freedom at last...

modsandmockers

fred246 wrote: »

OK. You will be lucky in the UK to find cycle paths that go exactly from where you starting point to your destination. Would be normal in more advanced country like Denmark or Holland. It sounds like you have worked out that cyclists and pedestrians can happily share the same space. So why do you complain to the council when cyclists use the pavement round difficult junctions? They obviously feel safer doing that.

I appreciate the fact that you have taken the trouble to follow the thread from the beginning - it doesn't always happen.

If the pavement were to be marked as a shared space, then there should be no problem. But the particular bit of pavement where I regularly have to get out of the way of cyclists (many of whom are not youngsters, and some of whom are actually teaching their helmeted youngsters that riding on the pavement is the way to go) is narrow and frequently crowded with pedestrians who sometimes have no choice but to step onto the equally busy and complicated bit of road in order to make way for the uncompromising style of the cyclists who have mounted the pavement in order to escape the self-same busy and complicated bit of road in order to make their own lives easier.

That was one of my longer unpunctuated sentences - I hope you will be able to find your way through it!

brat

Johno100 wrote: »

I think that must be that MGIF thing these cycling types are always banging on about. It is strange how all this talk of passing distances and 'dooring' goes out the window as they squeeze their way to the front of the traffic queue and into their magical painted box.

It's a bit like the filtering motorcyclist, except that the cyclist generally has a complete overtaking plan, ie he has a 'legal' place to which he is planning to return post overtake.
In terms of passing queues of stationary traffic, surely even you must be able to recognise the difference in terms of the vulnerable road user being the one in control of the momentum, the momentum differentials etc.

Why do you describe the box as magical? At every turn you display prejudice. In fact, you're writing is so jaundiced, I often wonder why. What have cyclists done to you Johno to make you so embittered?

armyknife

I get everywhere by bike, I look out for, and defer to the more vulnerable road/rights of way users, be they pedestrians, horse-riders, wild life or pets.

I don't expect this consideration from people in vehicles bigger than me, lorry, car, motorbike or bicycle riders. I balance the risks involved in sharing the same roads with them vs the benefits to me; this approach has served me well thus far.

However I have no interesting in explaining myself or my behaviour to people hiding behind a curtain of electrons and making obtuse statements. Utter waste of time engaging with them; instead I suggest we spend the time thinking about cycling somewhere different this week or cycling in a different or more fun way.

Strider590

modsandmockers wrote: »

ps - I cycle on cycle paths, most of which are shared with pedestrians and dog-walkers. It works because the rules are clearly understood by all the users, and everybody makes way for everybody else. Confrontations are unheard of, mirrors and signals are not required, there are no lane markings, and people negotiate by voice or eye contact, the paths are never crowded and cycling becomes enjoyable again.

So I conclude you must live out in the middle of nowhere, but where the local council has put cycle paths on every single road, with a mind for every possible route a cyclist may need to take, where drivers don't park in cycle lanes and mini teleporters have been installed to move cyclists from cycle lane to cycle lane without ever crossing a road.

:rotfl:

modsandmockers

Strider590 wrote: »

So I conclude you must live out in the middle of nowhere, but where the local council has put cycle paths on every single road, with a mind for every possible route a cyclist may need to take, where drivers don't park in cycle lanes and mini teleporters have been installed to move cyclists from cycle lane to cycle lane without ever crossing a road.

:rotfl:

OK - here’s something completely different…

Cycling (as a means of getting to work or school) gave way to the motor-car during the last few decades of the 20th century. During the period of transition, motorists accepted that they were the new kids on the block, and they were happy to share the highway with others. They would stay away from major industrial locations during peak times because progress was made impossible by the number of pedestrians and cyclists in a hurry to get home. School turn-out time presented a similar problem for motorists (and continues to do so - but nowadays it’s because of the number of other motorists rather than the number of cyclists and pedestrians).

But motorists, quite predictably, succeeded in taking over the the road system to the extent that some people began to realise that, hey, I reckon I can get there quicker by bike.

Some of those people rapidly moved on to the opinion that they ought to be allowed to reclaim their historic position of alpha-road-user. The putative health benefits, and the green agenda, offered them unconditional support.

But more and more cyclists are taking to riding on the pavement because they don’t like riding on the road.

I really wish I could decide what to tell my grandchildren - I’ve taught them to swim, and roadcraft is no less important.

esuhl

modsandmockers wrote: »

I really wish I could decide what to tell my grandchildren - I’ve taught them to swim, and roadcraft is no less important.

So long as you tell them not to listen anything you say, they'll be fine!

modsandmockers

esuhl wrote: »

So long as you tell them not to listen anything you say, they'll be fine!

What will you say to your grandchildren?

Nebulous2

modsandmockers wrote: »

What will you say to your grandchildren?

You weren't asking me the question - but my grandchildren are 3 and 1.

The three year old is really adept on a balance bike and is getting a real bike for Christmas. The one year old will then inherit the balance bike.

If they are at all interested by the time they are 10 they will both have decent road bikes and will be competing.

I wont need to tell them anything, their club and coaches will. I'll be in the background offering support.

modsandmockers

Nebulous2 wrote: »

If they are at all interested by the time they are 10 they will both have decent road bikes and will be competing.

I wont need to tell them anything, their club and coaches will. I'll be in the background offering support.

Competing? With whom? Why will they need to join a club? Why will you be in the background? It's only biking, !!!!!!...

esuhl

modsandmockers wrote: »

What will you say to your grandchildren?

I'll tell them to be safe. To expect (or at least anticipate) that people will do the most stupid things, and they need to keep their eyes peeled on the roads.

I'd tell them to enjoy our public spaces however they see fit, knowing that anyone who judges them by their form of transport has some serious personal issues that are nothing to do with them.

Oh... and I'd probably tell them not to be as silly as me and waste so much time on forums!