Cyclists two abreast on busy 'A' road, selfish?

[Conscript]

Do you mean empty cycle lanes?
During one part of my commute I have about 1.5 miles of cycle lane and I've never seen any other cyclist use it as I go past them.
I've even shouted several times 'There's a cycle lane here'.

Given the state of some of the cycle lanes around here I'm not surprised.

I use them where I can but a lot of the time they are poorly surfaced, broken up, potholed and if they are at the side of the main carriageway they are often full of detritus such as broken glass and litter.

 

[explicit4u]

Do you mean empty cycle lanes?
During one part of my commute I have about 1.5 miles of cycle lane and I've never seen any other cyclist use it as I go past them.
I've even shouted several times 'There's a cycle lane here'.

Probably because some cycle lanes are pretty dangerous. They're either too close to parked cars so you have to constantly worry about opening doors/people crossing between them or half the crap on the roads get's dumped into them and you have to swerve out of them to avoid debris.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

I tend not us use cycle lanes because you have to stop at every junction and the priority at driveways is dubious at best. Most are built by folks who have never cycled a day in their lives.

I also like the way they tend to stop when 'there isn't enough room' or rather precisely the point at which you would actually find it useful.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

Probably because some cycle lanes are pretty dangerous. They're either too close to parked cars so you have to constantly worry about opening doors/people crossing between them or half the crap on the roads get's dumped into them and you have to swerve out of them to avoid debris.

This is part of the cycle lane I'm on about - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/previ...m4!1e1!2m2!1sQLw8QoaS6JatII2OmQEsKQ!2e0&fid=5

It's excellent and exactly how they should be made but nobody uses it except me.

 

[xyphic]

i would argue there must be more accidents on the road network shared with cyclists then a road network without cyclists

I would argue that there would be more accidents on the road network shared with cars than a road network without cars. Get rid of all the cars!

Seriously, why can't we all get along? Cyclists are generally trying to get somewhere, the same as you, and they're generally trying to do it in the safest way possible. Sometimes when a cyclist uses the middle of the lane rather than the left, it's because it's safer. Consider that the left of a lane tends to be where there are most potholes, grates and debris, and that in some cases there is significant camber.

I agree that cyclists travelling two abreast when it's clear there's a lot of traffic is a bit selfish. There are times that I'd do it and stay there though, for example if I were cycling with someone inexperienced, or if I felt that cars weren't giving us enough room when overtaking. In that case, I'd probably just move into the middle of the lane. Inconveniencing someone for a few minutes is a small price to pay to be safe.

I'm not defending all cyclists -- there are a lot of idiots out there, just like there are a lot of idiots driving cars. The difference is that one group is liable to cause a minor inconvenience, but the other is liable to make that inconvenience permanent.

 

[Gixer]

Do you mean empty cycle lanes?
During one part of my commute I have about 1.5 miles of cycle lane and I've never seen any other cyclist use it as I go past them.
I've even shouted several times 'There's a cycle lane here'.

If no cyclist is ever using it that is because as others have said it is likely to be in pretty bad condition or viewed as dangerous to use. Also cyclists do NOT have to use a cycle path if they do not wish to (You should re read the highway code). They have as much right to be on the road as you do so plan your trip accordingly for potential delays. I do not know why people feel the need to shout stupid comments like 'There's a cycle lane here'? They spout off tosh like this like it is the law when actually to me they just make themselves look idiotic and that they don't actually know the rules of the road.

I really don't know why the attitude of many of todays drivers is so bad. There is so much 'rage' out there. Take a chill pill people. Set your alarm 10 minutes earlier and you know what, you won't be bothered at all about being stuck behind a cyclist, horse etc on your way to your destination.

 

[Lethagized]

Cyclists shouldn't be allowed on the road. Most of them go around like they own the road, yet they pay zero road tax. Get on the pavement, it's far safer. Yes, they're a danger to walking pedestrians, but not as much of a danger as motorists are to cyclists.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

This is part of the cycle lane I'm on about - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/previ...m4!1e1!2m2!1sQLw8QoaS6JatII2OmQEsKQ!2e0&fid=5

It's excellent and exactly how they should be made but nobody uses it except me.

Those junctions where you can't see if the cars running parallel are indicating because of the parked cars look like fun. I particularly like the one where the path goes through the ASL.

 

[Gixer]

I stand corrected. That lane doesn't actually look too bad but there are several junctions and whilst unlikely to happen passengers in cars are even worse at checking behind them than drivers so a door flung open from a parked up car could cause some entertainment. Only thing I can see there is there are a few junctions near the start so I'd, through choice which I have, stay on the road until past those so I'm not stop start all the time. Do you get many issues with pedestrians on that path? One I use local to me is awful for pedestrians wandering onto the cycle bit. I've even been shouted at by pedestrians to get on the road when i'm on a cycle path?!

Can't win sometimes. I still however don't agree with people shouting at others. We all have choice about what we do.

 

[Phil99]

Probably because some cycle lanes are pretty dangerous. They're either too close to parked cars so you have to constantly worry about opening doors/people crossing between them or half the crap on the roads get's dumped into them and you have to swerve out of them to avoid debris.

Too close to parked cars? Frequently they're full of parked cars rather than just being close to them!

 

[Gixer]

Cyclists shouldn't be allowed on the road. Most of them go around like they own the road, yet they pay zero road tax. Get on the pavement, it's far safer. Yes, they're a danger to walking pedestrians, but not as much of a danger as motorists are to cyclists.

You have to be a troll or simply can't read there is no such thing as road tax. I still cannot believe the amount of people who don't understand this. It doesn't help that I hear adverts for vehicles saying cheap 'road' tax. Such mixed messages.

Your last comment you basically admitted that all motorists are dangerous drivers as they cannot perform the simple maneuver of overtaking a cyclist. Looks like you all need to be banned from the road or re-do your driving test? Seriously, cyclists are more vulnerable yes but it only becomes dangerous when either cyclist or driver makes a bad decision and performs a crazy maneuver of some kind.

 

[SexyGreyFox]

If no cyclist is ever using it that is because as others have said it is likely to be in pretty bad condition or viewed as dangerous to use.

There is nothing wrong with them and I'm on slicks.

Those junctions where you can't see if the cars running parallel are indicating because of the parked cars look like fun. I particularly like the one where the path goes through the ASL.

You have to slow down at the 'junctions' with Harplands Hospital and the Ambulance depot but other than that I'm hitting 25+ on it.
Also because you're on the pavement as such you can clearly see cars coming out of these junctions but cycling on the road your view is obscured by parked cars.
I've been using it for a year with zero problems.

 

[Ryan-3]

...the increasing levels of arrogance displayed by cyclists pretty infuriating.

I find this very annoying. These are the ones who should be issued with Clarkson's cycling shirt.

edit: Also those with their bikes who ride either (along side/opposite side ignoring the fact there is) a cycle path annoy me too. Along with people who open their door without looking, people who cross the road into where you are going, etc.*

*I seem to get annoyed a lot.

 

[Rimsy]

I have every right to drive down the centre of a lane and block traffic from over taking me as long as I'm not going so slow that a car would be pulled over for dangerous driving.

Yes... I suppose people have lots of rights in modern society - doesn't change the fact that doing this makes you a selfish idiot.

Cars move faster than bikes.. its common sense therefore that if you are the slowest moving thing on the road you use it in a way which causes least possible disruption to other road users. Why is this so hard to grasp?
Are these people not taught basic manners when growing up?

 

[Genoma]

Question is why would they endanger themselves and ride like this?

 

[arknor]

Yes... I suppose people have lots of rights in modern society - doesn't change the fact that doing this makes you a selfish idiot.

Cars move faster than bikes.. its common sense therefore that if you are the slowest moving thing on the road you use it in a way which causes least possible disruption to other road users. Why is this so hard to grasp?
Are these people not taught basic manners when growing up?

you are approaching a roundabout on your cycle.
you have 2 choices.

A,
staying at the side of a lane riding on the dotted line if there is one with cars wizzing past at both sides unsure of where you are going.

B,
riding in the centre of the correct lane at around 20-30mph.

Common sense suggests you should do whatever is the safest option for you even if it holds up other road users for a few seconds....


Not every cyclist is like this guy

 

[Woden]

Cyclists shouldn't be allowed on the road. Most of them go around like they own the road, yet they pay zero road tax. Get on the pavement, it's far safer. Yes, they're a danger to walking pedestrians, but not as much of a danger as motorists are to cyclists.

If you are a danger to the cyclists you share the road with (by law) I suggest you get off it and get the bus before you hurt someone.

The sheer arrogance is astounding ... "cyclists think they own the road ... get off mah road!"

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

Cars move faster than bikes.. its common sense therefore that if you are the slowest moving thing on the road you use it in a way which causes least possible disruption to other road users. Why is this so hard to grasp.

Inside the M25 cyclists tend to move quicker and yet I don't see cars going out of their way to make life easier. Pot / kettle.

 

[Twirlywoos]

cyclists have gotten away with too much road crime, it's about time the government man's up against these selfish individuals who think they are above the law and that they should be emphasised on every occasion.

reflectors, high visible jackets, head gear should be made mandatory and the cycling proficiency test should be made a requirement before any retard steps foot on a bike, with theory tests on how to ****ing read road signs and what a traffic light colour means also being a major requirement.

 

[Rimsy]

you are approaching a roundabout on your cycle.
you have 2 choices.

A,
staying at the side of a lane riding on the dotted line if there is one with cars wizzing past at both sides unsure of where you are going.

B,
riding in the centre of the correct lane at around 20-30mph.

Common sense suggests you should do whatever is the safest option for you even if it holds up other road users for a few seconds....


Not every cyclist is like this guy

Absolutely agree with you, but not really whats being argued here.