What really ticks me off is when cyclists are provided with a perfectly good cycle path yet the choose to use the roads regardless!! I see this nearly every day on the way to and from work i feel like stopping and telling them to use it! 
Should a bicycle be on the roads
- Thread starter Surfer
- Start date
We can but dream eh?
Consider cyclists an attitude test. If you can't cope with them on the roads, are you mentally fit to be a driver?
sorry but is there a second Middlesbrough somewhere other than that stain on the landscape in the north east?
What really ticks me off is when cyclists are provided with a perfectly good cycle path yet the choose to use the roads regardless!! I see this nearly every day on the way to and from work i feel like stopping and telling them to use it!
You've not used them have you?
Apart from:
They end and restart at seemingly random intervals and as there's too few of them, they don't take you the way you need to go.
Are often far to narrow to support bicycles & pedestrians, never mind cyclists passing each other.
Make road junctions a pain in the ass due to the added complexity.
Stop and start every couple of hundred yards (if your lucky) due to their being roads / streets that cross them.
Broken glass / debris over the path as it's obviously used by pedestrians as well.
Pedestrians walking along and cutting across the cycle paths without looking. For roads its taught from a very early age, but how many look before walking across cycle paths? It's got to be less than 1%.
Very poor surface. A path nearby to me and on my way to work (which I choose not to use) would be more suited to a BMX its that uneven and rugged.
Don't get gritted.
Apart from that they are a brilliant idea*
*This is a lie
Cyclist and horse Riders are the own people who can use the roads by right, everyone uses them via license and come Secondary,
I have two cars, but cycle mostly. Cycles lanes are either realy short then put you back on the road, normaly full of glass and Debris, also have sunken drains and most the time have people parked in them.
Road tax does not exist any more, its vehice excise duty based on emission and i'm also insured so that arguement is null too.
Bikes belong on the road, car user need to be more alert and more patient, just because your in a car doesn't mean you rule the road.
I have two cars, but cycle mostly. Cycles lanes are either realy short then put you back on the road, normaly full of glass and Debris, also have sunken drains and most the time have people parked in them.
Road tax does not exist any more, its vehice excise duty based on emission and i'm also insured so that arguement is null too.
Bikes belong on the road, car user need to be more alert and more patient, just because your in a car doesn't mean you rule the road.
Associate
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- Bromsgrove
So much hate for the humble cyclist in here, I drive a car, ride a bike and walk as well so can see it from many different perspectives as I am sure a number of people here can.
First of all I will say I have seen the good and bad of cyclists, I personally hate people who jump red lights as cyclists are road users bound by the highway code and if we expect motor vehicles to follow it then we should also do the same. Anyone who says they jump them when it is perfectly safe is being ridiculous and it "being safe" is missing the whole point. People new to cycling or travelling at a very slow speed can be very dangerous, as people have said cyclists swerve about a lot as if out of control and this is true of a number of people new to it and why I think a skills session is required to teach everyone how to safely control the bicycle, although I also "swerve" (I say turn) to avoid obstacles in the road that pose a threat but will always be aware of those around before doing so.
The speed of cyclists varies significantly from your ambling along at walking pace cyclists who should reassess what they are doing on a busy road unless in slow moving traffic, to those out on training rides who can easily often move along at 30 mph on the flats. Drivers are often less aware of this and as said earlier, I have had instances when I have been seen by drivers waiting in side roads but then they pull out thinking they have plenty of time to only find me dangerously swerving around them to try and avoid a collision.
Cycle paths vary significantly in usefulness, those wide ons on pavements away from roads are perfect for 90% of cyclists. I myself will always be on the road as I am there specifically for training some may see this negatively but I will always pick my routes to ensure I am not on any busy highways for commuters etc as I don't particularly want to be overtaken every 10 seconds much like you don't want to be stuck in traffic following me. Other cycle paths that are often painted on the edges of roads are atrociously bad, the reason cyclists often never use them is they are full of broken glass and debris from the road itself. Cars will clean the edges of roads and push debris into verges, by adding one of these cycle paths you are making it the verge and therefore making it unusable for cyclists. This is down to very poor planning on the part of whoever is in charge of them.
I can see why many people choose to cycle on pavements where there is no dedicated cycle path but I definitely do not agree with it, if the cyclist in question is afraid of being on the road or lacks the confidence then that problem needs to be addressed or take the bus.
If there is a car that happily slows down to wait to overtake me on the road I will signal when it is clear as my vision of the road ahead is usually far better or try and make it easy for them to do so by pulling as far to the left as possible and signalling that they may overtake me closer so long as done with care. Sadly there are those out on the roads who do not consider the safety of others when driving for the sake of 10 seconds and that is not the attitude to have really.
We all have to get along on the roads, and some mutual respect from both parties is the best way to do so.
First of all I will say I have seen the good and bad of cyclists, I personally hate people who jump red lights as cyclists are road users bound by the highway code and if we expect motor vehicles to follow it then we should also do the same. Anyone who says they jump them when it is perfectly safe is being ridiculous and it "being safe" is missing the whole point. People new to cycling or travelling at a very slow speed can be very dangerous, as people have said cyclists swerve about a lot as if out of control and this is true of a number of people new to it and why I think a skills session is required to teach everyone how to safely control the bicycle, although I also "swerve" (I say turn) to avoid obstacles in the road that pose a threat but will always be aware of those around before doing so.
The speed of cyclists varies significantly from your ambling along at walking pace cyclists who should reassess what they are doing on a busy road unless in slow moving traffic, to those out on training rides who can easily often move along at 30 mph on the flats. Drivers are often less aware of this and as said earlier, I have had instances when I have been seen by drivers waiting in side roads but then they pull out thinking they have plenty of time to only find me dangerously swerving around them to try and avoid a collision.
Cycle paths vary significantly in usefulness, those wide ons on pavements away from roads are perfect for 90% of cyclists. I myself will always be on the road as I am there specifically for training some may see this negatively but I will always pick my routes to ensure I am not on any busy highways for commuters etc as I don't particularly want to be overtaken every 10 seconds much like you don't want to be stuck in traffic following me. Other cycle paths that are often painted on the edges of roads are atrociously bad, the reason cyclists often never use them is they are full of broken glass and debris from the road itself. Cars will clean the edges of roads and push debris into verges, by adding one of these cycle paths you are making it the verge and therefore making it unusable for cyclists. This is down to very poor planning on the part of whoever is in charge of them.
I can see why many people choose to cycle on pavements where there is no dedicated cycle path but I definitely do not agree with it, if the cyclist in question is afraid of being on the road or lacks the confidence then that problem needs to be addressed or take the bus.
If there is a car that happily slows down to wait to overtake me on the road I will signal when it is clear as my vision of the road ahead is usually far better or try and make it easy for them to do so by pulling as far to the left as possible and signalling that they may overtake me closer so long as done with care. Sadly there are those out on the roads who do not consider the safety of others when driving for the sake of 10 seconds and that is not the attitude to have really.
We all have to get along on the roads, and some mutual respect from both parties is the best way to do so.
What really ticks me off is when cyclists are provided with a perfectly good cycle path yet the choose to use the roads regardless!! I see this nearly every day on the way to and from work i feel like stopping and telling them to use it!
Well Kazz already summed it up, but just to add to it...
You've highlighted yet another thing that as a Motorist you aren't aware of the Highway Code. It specifically states that Cyclists do not have to use a Cycle Lane if one exists, though they are advised too. A Cyclist still has just as much right to be on the Road even if a cycle lane is next to it, so you have no grounds to be telling anyone otherwise, as it's you in the wrong.
Commuting in London, I don't always use the cycle lanes.
One reason is that during rush hours, I'm quite a quick cyclist on my road bike and sometimes you can end up in a long que of cycle traffic in cycle lanes where you've got people pootling on 'sit-up-and-beg' bikes. In some parts it's quicker just to remain with the traffic on the main road.
Otherwise, some are very poorly designed, which can put you into positions of danger. Pedestrians stroll into them without looking and my biggest pet hate is that some allow people to park in them, thus rendering them totally pointless.
I did once see a motorist drive into a segregated cycle lane near Euston once, despite the fact that it's less than a car in width, painted green, with kerbs either side and big cycle signs. He got his car wedged in between the kerbs, not sure if he got out! muppet!
+1 with bells on.
Problem is, often there will be half a cycle path on a road and it is not adequate. I'm sorry but i put my safety above the letter of the law. I'll cycle on pavements if it is clear (which is most of the time unless i'm in the town in which case i cycle on road OR get off bike and walk). I generally dont hair along at 20mpg + on pavements. I'm just cycling for fun.. i dont want to be in fear of my life on the roads: potholes x dangerous drivers = me dead or seriously injured.
Way i see it its common sense. I dont want to hold up traffic unnecessarily and i dont want to annoy packs of pedestrians so i use my judgement to decide what is best to go on depending on the given situation.
Soldato
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- 23 Oct 2002
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- North Devon
What annoys me is this... on the main non-NSL road between me and the next town over, I'm forever having to dodge cyclists riding two or sometimes three abreast. Yet, if you look ten feet off the side of the road, behind this barrier is *gasp* a cycle path, completely seperate from the roads.
It really winds me up.
It really winds me up.
Soldato
- Joined
- 23 Nov 2004
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- 10,648
Love these threads
There are so many different 'cyclists'. Some ride on a £50 asda bike but others commute on £1-2k machines.
I cycle on the road from my work to the city but go on the pavement to the train station. As long as you show respect for both there usually isn't a problem. I wait at red lights and often take off slow to let a few cars on there way and out of my way.
I made an arse of it today when overtaking a slow cyclist whilst a car was overtaking me, I held my hand up and said sorry for scaring the guy at the next set of lights.
I would pay some sort of road tax if it was a fair price and they actually fixed the roads up for cyclist to use.
There are so many different 'cyclists'. Some ride on a £50 asda bike but others commute on £1-2k machines.
I cycle on the road from my work to the city but go on the pavement to the train station. As long as you show respect for both there usually isn't a problem. I wait at red lights and often take off slow to let a few cars on there way and out of my way.
I made an arse of it today when overtaking a slow cyclist whilst a car was overtaking me, I held my hand up and said sorry for scaring the guy at the next set of lights.
I would pay some sort of road tax if it was a fair price and they actually fixed the roads up for cyclist to use.
To reiterate the point I made only two posts above!
Your understanding of the Highway Code is what is lacking here.
Cyclists are legally allowed to ride two abreast, which still makes them about the same width of a car, so I don't see why this is an issue.
As I pointed out above, the Highway Code states that just because there is a Cycle Lane, it doesn't mean Cyclists have to use it, it is their discretion whether they wish to or not.
Numerous reasons have already been pointed out as to why Cyclists don't always use the lanes.
Love these threads
I would pay some sort of road tax if it was a fair price and they actually fixed the roads up for cyclist to use.
There's no such thing as a Road Tax anymore.
Only Vehicle Emissions Tax, which is based on how polluting your vehicle is. As is the case now, there are car vehicles on the road that pay no tax whatsoever due to being green.
The money to actually fix and develop roads comes from the general government tax pot.
It's the one thing that always really grates me and many Cyclists is that angry motorists always shout that one at you, because they try and claim you aren't paying 'Road Tax'. Even if it still existed, I have to pay the VED on my car regardless!
One useful thing I'll say for Cyclists is that CTC setup a way of reporting Pot Holes if you have a troublesome one on your usual route for example. You can report it here http://www.fillthathole.org.uk/
Once reported, local councils have to fill them quickly as if somebody is injured after its been reported they are liable.
You've not used them have you?
Apart from:
They end and restart at seemingly random intervals and as there's too few of them, they don't take you the way you need to go.
Are often far to narrow to support bicycles & pedestrians, never mind cyclists passing each other.
Make road junctions a pain in the ass due to the added complexity.
Stop and start every couple of hundred yards (if your lucky) due to their being roads / streets that cross them.
Broken glass / debris over the path as it's obviously used by pedestrians as well.
Pedestrians walking along and cutting across the cycle paths without looking. For roads its taught from a very early age, but how many look before walking across cycle paths? It's got to be less than 1%.
Very poor surface. A path nearby to me and on my way to work (which I choose not to use) would be more suited to a BMX its that uneven and rugged.
Don't get gritted.
Apart from that they are a brilliant idea*
*This is a lie
You forgot to mention dog walkers, they are left ungritted in winter and the ones which physically cross busy roads when you are therefore better off cycling on the actual road if you want to get anywhere.
Soldato
- Joined
- 23 Nov 2004
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- 10,648
The problem with my cycle to work from the city is on a busy bus route and goes past a first bus depot. The holes tend to come from 14 ton buses sitting on crap road surfaces for certain periods of time.
They get filled with that crap they spray and that then goes everywhere and makes a bloody mess.
The problem I see is people in their cars feel too safe. They're sitting there driving along, protected on all sides in their steel box and this gives way to some people zoning out, and others who just feel so confident they put their foot down and drive dangerously.
The point is roads are dangerous and I reckon a lot of motorists seem to forget this. When I'm cycling I'm much more aware of what's going on on the road, because if something goes wrong I'm the one who ends up worse for wear. And this has made me a better driver.
I think it should be compulsory to cycle on the roads for a few months before you can take a car test. That way people will better understand the dangers on roads, and also the way cyclists move. It might even help create some respect between motorists and cyclists.
The point is roads are dangerous and I reckon a lot of motorists seem to forget this. When I'm cycling I'm much more aware of what's going on on the road, because if something goes wrong I'm the one who ends up worse for wear. And this has made me a better driver.
I think it should be compulsory to cycle on the roads for a few months before you can take a car test. That way people will better understand the dangers on roads, and also the way cyclists move. It might even help create some respect between motorists and cyclists.
As driver (who pays car tax and insurance premiums, a pedestrian and a cyclist my views are:
Should cyclists be allowed on the roads - Yes
Should cars be allowed on the road - Yes
Should bad cyclists be allowed on the road - NO
Should bad car drivers be allowed on the road - NO
Im a very confident and decisive cyclist, my commute is approx 32miles round trip which i usually do 3 times a week, driving my car the other couple of days. I wouldnt dream of cycling on the pavement, im touching 30mph on my push bike on the roads, i'd be crazy to do that on the pavement with cars reversing out of drives, pedestrians being ***** etc.
Cyclists are exactly the same as car drivers, you get the retards who can't drive/cycle for **** and you get the other people who have a clue. I always find the hatred that some ppl portray towards cyclists a tad disconcerting, you hate someone that much you'd quite happily laugh if you saw them got knocked off there push bikes...do you know what happens to the human body under the wheels of a lorry?
Should cyclists be allowed on the roads - Yes
Should cars be allowed on the road - Yes
Should bad cyclists be allowed on the road - NO
Should bad car drivers be allowed on the road - NO
Im a very confident and decisive cyclist, my commute is approx 32miles round trip which i usually do 3 times a week, driving my car the other couple of days. I wouldnt dream of cycling on the pavement, im touching 30mph on my push bike on the roads, i'd be crazy to do that on the pavement with cars reversing out of drives, pedestrians being ***** etc.
Cyclists are exactly the same as car drivers, you get the retards who can't drive/cycle for **** and you get the other people who have a clue. I always find the hatred that some ppl portray towards cyclists a tad disconcerting, you hate someone that much you'd quite happily laugh if you saw them got knocked off there push bikes...do you know what happens to the human body under the wheels of a lorry?
Speaking objectively; I couldnt really care if the cyclist comes off worse, they caused the accident and should have the appropiate cover to compensate the driver of the car - in this case, insurance. If the reverse happens then by all means the driver should hold his hands up and except liability. I dont have an issue with this.
I not sure how this is relevent to the discussion of liability, could you please explain?
Material goods and all that; I understand. But once the dust has settled why should I be left out of pocket (repair bill, depreciation of car). To say a cyclist is unlikely to scratch a car and then talk about the 2 times you've hit a car is laughable at best.
Apologies if I take pride in something I worked damn hard to pay for. It staggers me you have such a flippant view on your own property. Sure if someone brushes a wing mirror its not a big issue, but when they physically damage the vechicle, whether it just be a scratch, and then they play ignorant as if it's there god given right is an outrage.
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Caporegime
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At least the thread turned out exactly the same way it always does when this comes up. I'm still shocked by the "but it's just a car, what's a few scratches?" mentality but , again, this always comes up as well.
At least we're consistent.
At least we're consistent.