What Do Cyclists Have Against Cycle Tracks ?

Nasqueron

hugheskevi wrote: »

I do wonder how big an issue cyclists 'holding up' motorists on minor roads really is.

I holiday a lot in UK, and usually spend at least 10 days a year driving around a lot of minor roads. The most I have ever been held up by cyclists is perhaps a minute at a single time, and maybe 5 minutes over the course of a week or so.

In comparison, traffic jams of 2+ hours are not uncommon, and it is almost certain that on a long journey in Wales or Scotland I'll spend at least 10 miles ambling along behind a car doing 40mph in conditions where it is safe to do 60mph but overtaking is not possible due to visibility.

Tractors are likely to cause a big tail-back at some point, and lorries driving side-by-side at 56mph will doubtless add to the minutes lost.

Cyclists hold me up for a fraction of the delays caused by all the above, I am surprised so many seem to get so het up about it?

20s behind a bike = :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: + rant at work about road tax

5 minutes stuck in traffic on a commute = :doh::doh::doh:should have left home earlier

Madbags

I often say to my partner "If you don't enjoy driving and all it has to offer, don't do it. Get out of the car and I'll take over"


She quite happily moans about cyclists on the road whenever she sees one and I'm quite the opposite. Just get on with it, getting angry doesn't help with any of your decision making skills or health.


I see any potential hazards on the road as a chance to improve upon my driving skills.

System

sacsquacco wrote: »

Chaos ! thats a strange word to use for a group of cyclists making their way legally along the road. Maybe its a good idea to pop along to the doctors and get your blood pressure checked if you get wound up so easily to complain like that. The highway code gives a guideline of two abreast but its not actually a legal requirement.
If the doctor does find that your blood pressure is high or possibly you may have to lose some weight to lower it , then cycling is a great way to lose weight.Then you too will be able to sample how pig headed, selfish and ignorant many of today`s motorists are when they are denied going along at top speed for a few minutes.

WOW ! aybe when cyclists contribute to the roads up keep i will see them a less of an ignorant inconvenience.

sysadmin

You dont contribute to the cost of or upkeep of the roads any more than a cyclist does

Elsewhere

hugheskevi wrote: »

I do wonder how big an issue cyclists 'holding up' motorists on minor roads really is.

I holiday a lot in UK, and usually spend at least 10 days a year driving around a lot of minor roads. The most I have ever been held up by cyclists is perhaps a minute at a single time, and maybe 5 minutes over the course of a week or so.

In comparison, traffic jams of 2+ hours are not uncommon, and it is almost certain that on a long journey in Wales or Scotland I'll spend at least 10 miles ambling along behind a car doing 40mph in conditions where it is safe to do 60mph but overtaking is not possible due to visibility.

Tractors are likely to cause a big tail-back at some point, and lorries driving side-by-side at 56mph will doubtless add to the minutes lost.

Cyclists hold me up for a fraction of the delays caused by all the above, I am surprised so many seem to get so het up about it?

Maybe the issue comes up more lately because of the rising popularity of cycling events like sportives, which don't have the same strict rules as cycle races and thus are more easily arranged? We seem to get a lot of these on our local roads now, so it's often not a case of a single group of cyclists to pass but group after group over several miles. The other problem we have are some of the lycra warriors, who I assume are practising for proper races, who zip though our villages at high speed because "speed limits don't apply to cyclists". http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/10633437.Woman_remains_in_critical_condition_after_crash_with_cyclist/

I think it's great that more people are out and about taking exercise but it's understandable that car drivers get frustrated. Cyclists can be just as bad on bridleways, many times I've had one pass inches away from me when I've been out walking - I don't hear them approaching from behind, they don't ring a warning bell...

GwylimT

CHRISSYG wrote: »

WOW ! aybe when cyclists contribute to the roads up keep i will see them a less of an ignorant inconvenience.

I didn't realise cyclists were exempt from paying tax, I'm due a huge refund then!!!

Norman_Castle

CHRISSYG wrote: »

WOW ! aybe when cyclists contribute to the roads up keep i will see them a less of an ignorant inconvenience.

When you understand highways are funded through general taxation, paid by all, including cyclists, you can consider yourself as less of an ignoramus.

Educate yourself http://ipayroadtax.com/no-such-thing-as-road-tax/who-pays-road-tax/

Johno100

Elsewhere wrote: »

Maybe the issue comes up more lately because of the rising popularity of cycling events like sportives, which don't have the same strict rules as cycle races and thus are more easily arranged? We seem to get a lot of these on our local roads now, so it's often not a case of a single group of cyclists to pass but group after group over several miles. The other problem we have are some of the lycra warriors, who I assume are practising for proper races, who zip though our villages at high speed because "speed limits don't apply to cyclists". http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/10633437.Woman_remains_in_critical_condition_after_crash_with_cyclist/

I think it's great that more people are out and about taking exercise but it's understandable that car drivers get frustrated. Cyclists can be just as bad on bridleways, many times I've had one pass inches away from me when I've been out walking - I don't hear them approaching from behind, they don't ring a warning bell...

WOW, so they are actually racing on open public roads! You'd think they'd at the very least need police/local authority permission to do that.

Norman_Castle wrote: »

When you understand highways are funded through general taxation, paid by all, including cyclists, you can consider yourself as less of an ignoramus.

Wait till that changes in c2020.:p

JP08

Elsewhere wrote: »

The other problem we have are some of the lycra warriors, who I assume are practising for proper races, who zip though our villages at high speed because "speed limits don't apply to cyclists". http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/10633437.Woman_remains_in_critical_condition_after_crash_with_cyclist/

Not sure your article illustrates your point very well ...


The cyclist was aged 61, and I can tell you from personal experience to get beyond the speed limit (I'm assuming 30mph) for a moderately fit person on a cycle takes a heck of a lot of effort - preferably with a slope assist and wind assist.


And even then you will be pedalling hard in top gear. 26 / 27 mph is relatively easy for a short while on the flat and no headwind. Such is the aerodynamics of the human form on a bike.


To get to the speed a significant minority of car drivers manage in a 30 is beyond most lycra weekend warriors.

JP08

Elsewhere wrote: »

I don't hear them approaching from behind, they don't ring a warning bell...

I do try not to do this and generally give one bell a good distance back, then maybe three more as the distance closes and I've had no reaction. I feel that any more comes across as "get out of my way" bullying, but I reckon that at least 20% still manage to be surprised. I may only be passing at 6 / 7 /8mph - slow on a bike, but to the surprised person that may still be perceived as fast - like a running person.

And as to passing too close, an 18" clearance is about all that is available on most shared use footways but probably feels too close for comfort when surprised. Though it is deemed quite acceptable, apparently, by some drivers when the speed differential is 30mph or so ...