Why do some people cycle down a dual carriageway?

  • Thread starter Thread starter HAz
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I regularly work in central London and you'd be wrong. There are an awful lot of cyclists who jump lights there but try actually counting them and you'll see it's only a fraction of the total. You just think there are a lot because you notice them.

You could also try counting cars going through amber and red lights and those entering ASLs illegally or, if you have the means, speeding. You'll find those figures to be quite high too.

On the ecowarrior front I'll see if I can find the IAM study showing that car ownership inceases in households where the members cycle regularly. That kinda makes a mockery of the 'crusty green cyclist' argument.
 
Just come into this thread to say this...

I hate cyclists. :p

To be more specific, I hate cyclists that decide to cycle on the road :p

Late for work this morning because two jaffas decided to cycle one of the busiest going-to-work routes :p
 
Marky said:
Just come into this thread to say this...

I hate cyclists. :p

To be more specific, I hate cyclists that decide to cycle on the road :p

Late for work this morning because two jaffas decided to cycle one of the busiest going-to-work routes :p
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In cyclists defence:

Few cycle lanes
Those that exist are generally poor and limited in where they go and their length
As stated earlier most cycling incidents are from rejoining a road, so safer just to stay on the road
It's illegal to cycle on pavements
 
[DOD]Asprilla;22279762 said:
the actual figure of red light jumpers, as counted by the IAM is around 5% which is only a marginal increase on the number of drivers who pass through stop light.
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The IAM number is 57%. 57% of cyclists admitted to jumping red lights. 73% would ride on the pavement for variety of reasons, 59% would ride on pavement to avoid stopping at busy section of a road. 54% thought cyclists need to adhere to Highway Code.

As someone said above. In London number of cyclists that stop at lights is marginal. Complete run away train. Nowhere near the claimed 50-50.
 
garak112 said:
I walk to work in central London and would say with confidence that about 90% of the cyclists I see will go straight through a red light without slowing down (often causing cars to have to take evasive action).

Cyclists round here are a hazard.
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That is nonsense, I commute to work on my bicycle and sometimes drive my car in London. While there are people who jump red lights it's not 90%, infact the majority of riders will be sat waiting at the lights.

I can also never recall seeing a car have to take action due to somebody jumping a red light. Those who do jump them don't just go ploughing through without checking for cars.

The people who I feel do get it worst from red light jumpers are pedestrians at designated crossings. I myself have had cyclists sail by when I'm trying to cross the street. That said, I'm yet to see anyone get hit yet.
 
v0n said:
I'm not. You know I'm right.
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Wrong. It is a cyclists right to use the road, along with pedestrians, animals, and horse riders. Motor vehicles use them by license.

So how about you motorists start driving with that in mind? Remember the road is shared and animals, people and cyclists are far more vunerable than you in your metal cage.

I cycle and drive by the way.
 
Unilluminated cyclists are trying for a darwin award.

I must say that before I drove I didn't realise how hard it was to see you on a bike without lights.

Now I drive I think cyclists without good lighting and high vis on dark roads must be on drugs.

I am not sure if I'd consider cyclists generally a menace but the way some drivers try and overtake them on blind bends definitely is and I will admit I do find myself wishing there was somewhere else for them to cycle on some roads as they are a bit of an obstruction.
 
v0n said:
The IAM number is 57%. 57% of cyclists admitted to jumping red lights. 73% would ride on the pavement for variety of reasons, 59% would ride on pavement to avoid stopping at busy section of a road. 54% thought cyclists need to adhere to Highway Code.

As someone said above. In London number of cyclists that stop at lights is marginal. Complete run away train. Nowhere near the claimed 50-50.
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Headline figure was 57%. Makes a good headline.

However, if you read the report the realistic figure is much lower.

IAM did a similar self selecting survey that states 84% of drivers speed, 65% use a hand held phone while driving, 44% text whilst driving, and so on.
 
tomoW1 said:
What annoys me is when there is a perfectly good, purpose-built cycle path along the pavement; But they still choose to cycle in the road.

Dey turk err roads!
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Yes, but often those "perfectly good cycle paths" are no good at all - they often have pedestrians wandering across them, they are full of road debris, they stop at road junctions, they have people reversing off thier driveways across them without looking etc.

It's often quicker and safer to use the road.

Oh, and I generally cycle to work but also drive a Cosworth and Westfield, so no branding me with the "typical cyclist" image thanks!
 
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I think I would be a little more lenient with my attitude towards cyclists if they paid road tax, and actually followed the road laws. But I rarely see a cyclist wait at a red light, and they have the cheek to cry about pot holes in roads :p
 
Marky said:
I think I would be a little more lenient with my attitude towards cyclists if they paid road tax, and actually followed the road laws. But I rarely see a cyclist wait at a red light, and they have the cheek to cry about pot holes in roads :p
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You maybe didnt notice the first few pages of the thread before you waded in with your insults, but if you take the time to go back and read them you'll find several people have posted lots of good information about the misconceptions around road tax.
themoreyouknow.jpg
 
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