Aren't Bicycles Great.

wiogs

My local council have just repainted a cycle lane near me. It is about 300 yards long.

It is just a random bit of road that has no parking restrictions so cars can and do legally park on it. As it is in a residential area I have actually never seen it without at least one car on it.

A complete waste of time and paint but I suspect it allows the council to hit some target and say that they have so many miles of cycle lanes.

Retrogamer

I ended up picking up a folding bicycle last night.
"Philips" branded which is strange.

Teacher2

When I was a child we all had (second hand) bikes and rode everywhere. We did the 'Cycling Proficiency' test at school and learned we had to obey codes and rules, take responsibility for our own safety and that of others and that we had to share the road with other users. This awareness and sense of responsibility seems to evade modern cyclists who appear often to be aggressive narcissists on two wheels. The idea that legal requirements like stopping at red lights is optional is ingrained in many a town cyclist and really should be pursued by law enforcement so dangerous is it to other road users and the cyclist himself. Recently I was run into by a cyclist 'running' a red light who then shouted abuse at me when he was in the wrong and my 23 year old daughter watched a cyclist die under a truck by riding in its blind spot. I heartily endorse cycling for its health and 'green' benefits but I do not think that taking up cycling should result in a 'moral lobotomy' in its adherent.

Therefore, in answer to the question, 'Aren't bicycles great?' I would say, 'It depends...'

Retrogamer

Teacher2 wrote: »

When I was a child we all had (second hand) bikes and rode everywhere. We did the 'Cycling Proficiency' test at school and learned we had to obey codes and rules, take responsibility for our own safety and that of others and that we had to share the road with other users. This awareness and sense of responsibility seems to evade modern cyclists who appear often to be aggressive narcissists on two wheels. The idea that legal requirements like stopping at red lights is optional is ingrained in many a town cyclist and really should be pursued by law enforcement so dangerous is it to other road users and the cyclist himself. Recently I was run into by a cyclist 'running' a red light who then shouted abuse at me when he was in the wrong and my 23 year old daughter watched a cyclist die under a truck by riding in its blind spot. I heartily endorse cycling for its health and 'green' benefits but I do not think that taking up cycling should result in a 'moral lobotomy' in its adherent.

Therefore, in answer to the question, 'Aren't bicycles great?' I would say, 'It depends...'

brat wrote: »

Have a trawl round the forum mate, you'll soon find a thread more suited to your whinge.

See above. :T

Norman_Castle

Teacher2 wrote: »

When I was a child we all had (second hand) bikes and rode everywhere. We did the 'Cycling Proficiency' test at school and learned we had to obey codes and rules, take responsibility for our own safety and that of others and that we had to share the road with other users. This awareness and sense of responsibility seems to evade modern cyclists who appear often to be aggressive narcissists on two wheels. The idea that legal requirements like stopping at red lights is optional is ingrained in many a town cyclist and really should be pursued by law enforcement so dangerous is it to other road users and the cyclist himself.Or herself!. Recently I was run into by a cyclist 'running' a red light who then shouted abuse at me when he was in the wrong and my 23 year old daughter watched a cyclist die under a truck by riding in its blind spot. I heartily endorse cycling for its health and 'green' benefits but I do not think that taking up cycling should result in a 'moral lobotomy' in its adherent.

Therefore, in answer to the question, 'Aren't bicycles great?' I would say, 'It depends...'

6/10. Must try harder.

pinkteapot

To be fair, I don't think any cyclist on here will argue that it's OK for cyclists to run red lights. Just like drivers, a minority give the rest of us a bad name.

Retrogamer

It just amazes me that when people make theads about walking, everyone discusses walking.
No one randomly comes in saying pedestrians are stupid for walking out in front of cars without looking or similar.

When a general thread is made about cars no one randomly drops in to tell them all drivers are bad because some of them drink & drive.

But when it's a cycling thread...;)

richj

Retrogamer wrote: »

It just amazes me that when people make theads about walking, everyone discusses walking.
No one randomly comes in saying pedestrians are stupid for walking out in front of cars without looking or similar.

When a general thread is made about cars no one randomly drops in to tell them all drivers are bad because some of them drink & drive.

But when it's a cycling thread...;)

usually with headphones in and/or on their phone...

Cycrow

Teacher2 wrote: »

When I was a child we all had (second hand) bikes and rode everywhere. We did the 'Cycling Proficiency' test at school and learned we had to obey codes and rules, take responsibility for our own safety and that of others and that we had to share the road with other users. This awareness and sense of responsibility seems to evade modern cyclists who appear often to be aggressive narcissists on two wheels. The idea that legal requirements like stopping at red lights is optional is ingrained in many a town cyclist and really should be pursued by law enforcement so dangerous is it to other road users and the cyclist himself. Recently I was run into by a cyclist 'running' a red light who then shouted abuse at me when he was in the wrong and my 23 year old daughter watched a cyclist die under a truck by riding in its blind spot. I heartily endorse cycling for its health and 'green' benefits but I do not think that taking up cycling should result in a 'moral lobotomy' in its adherent.

Therefore, in answer to the question, 'Aren't bicycles great?' I would say, 'It depends...'

When I was a child we all had (second hand) cars and drove everywhere. We did the 'Driving' test and learned we had to obey codes and rules, take responsibility for our own safety and that of others and that we had to share the road with other users. This awareness and sense of responsibility seems to evade modern drivers who appear often to be aggressive narcissists on four wheels. The idea that legal requirements like stopping at red lights is optional is ingrained in many a town drivers and really should be pursued by law enforcement so dangerous is it to other road users and the driver himself. Recently I was run into by a driver 'running' a red light who then shouted abuse at me when he was in the wrong

Marco_Panettone

pinkteapot wrote: »

To be fair, I don't think any cyclist on here will argue that it's OK for cyclists to run red lights. Just like drivers, a minority give the rest of us a bad name.

This only happens with people on bikes though. People driving cars are never lumped together as one group with collective responsibility, and 'drivers' are continually defended for breaking the law. As to your first point, there are many times where going through a red on a bike is safer for the rider, rather than waiting for the green and trying to battle the motor traffic. It simply shouldn't be the case where people have to decide between 'safe' and 'legal', and good cycle infrastructure is the solution.


What I do on a bike is NEVER your fault, or your responsibility, and vice versa.


Anyway, bikes are brilliant...