What do you guys think of number plates for cyclists

[SexyGreyFox]

From all the stats it's pedestrians that need the training and a license to walk! They're the ones at danger and seemingly often at fault!

In all 3 cases the pedestrian looked at me approaching and then walked out which means I now treat pedestrians differently when they look at me first, I slow right down.
It's not a lot but I bet over the last 6 years I've had 4 Mothers just drop their pushchairs off the kerb and I just go past shouting "It's a good job I wasn't a car".

 

[chaparral]

Having Numbers plates on bicycles may also help cyclists if there bike is stolen...

 

[AndyCr15]

Yeah, it really slows car and motorcycle theft... right?

 

[Dis86]

You couldn't have picked much worse examples, unless you wanted to disprove your own point

Mobility carts: Need to be registered if they are on the road
Segways: Banned on roads and pavements in the UK
Self Propelled scooters: Banned on roads and pavements in the UK.

Would you like to see the above for bikes? Seems a bit harsh?

Honestly wasn't aware...Certainly doesn't seem to stop them. Gonna stuff my face so I'll have a feed and then reply properly to you later.

 

[chaparral]

Yeah, it really slows car and motorcycle theft... right?

Am guessing a hell lot more bicycles are stolen compared to cars & motorbikes...

 

[Orionaut]

So given that -

a) the whole route for me to the gym are 20 or 30 zones, so no slowing from 40 and back up again
b) not once was a HGV held up behind me this morning on my ride to the gym
c) I drive a 4.6 ltr V8

I'd be fairly sure I've just been much more environmentally friendly.

I would add, I am hardly ever held up by cyclists when I'm driving. Much more likely a pedestrian crossing (they must really guzzle fuel from a HGV, how are they even legal!) traffic lights, slow moving cars, cars turning right... the effect of cyclists around me is next to nothing.

Some people do have literacy issues dont they!

All along, I have refered to extra-urban roads.

Cyclists turn free flowing (Mostly) extra urban driving into stop/start urban driving, with an inevitable impact on congestion and fuel consumption.

c) I drive a 4.6 ltr V8

I would add, I am hardly ever held up by cyclists when I'm driving. the effect of cyclists around me is next to nothing.

Well they probabally wont be if you are driving a serious level muscle car. You can probabally blat past the typical cyclist in the blink of an eye.

It is a rather different experience for drivers of less impressive vehicles that might need 5-10 seconds of clear road to do so (Or maybe even 30 in the case of an HGV or Bus)

 

[AndyCr15]

Some people do have literacy issues dont they!

All along, I have refered to extra-urban roads.

Are you sure it's me with the literacy issue? This is what you said.

Cycling on the public highway does not reduce congestion. It does not reduce fuel consumption, it does not reduce pollution, and it is not particularly benign either

So you do agree then, I saved fuel cycling to the gym? **EDIT** About a litre of fuel in fact (that was my point on the engine size)

I also think I will bow out of this conversation at this point. I take your point on how it can increase other road users fuel consumption, I don't believe it will be as much as I saved by not driving.

 

[jpaul]

It is a rather different experience for drivers of less impressive vehicles that might need 5-10 seconds of clear road to do so

drivers are frequently unable/inexperienced to evaluate speed/convergence point, for an oncoming vehicle, cyclist, and themselves, to permit a momentum conserving over-take,
I doubt autonomous vehicles can do that either.

In all 3 cases the pedestrian looked at me approaching and then walked out which means I now treat pedestrians differently when they look at me first, I slow right down.
It's not a lot but I bet over the last 6 years I've had 4 Mothers just drop their pushchairs off the kerb and I just go past shouting "It's a good job I wasn't a car".

and an anticipatory yell, or prominant, crown of the road positioning, do not restrain them, combined with day-glow orange clothing.

 

[Orionaut]

and an anticipatory yell, or prominant, crown of the road positioning, do not restrain them, combined with day-glow orange clothing.

I remain unconvinced as to the benefits of extreme bright colours really, especially with razzle-dazzle patterns.

After all, the whole point of dazzle camouflage is to confuse observers as to the speed and heading of the target.

Not really a good idea if you, as the "Target", are a cyclist or biker!

 

[Drollic]

Completely agree some cyclists are inconsiderate pricks. I have a great stretch of cycle path near me that stretches uninterrupted for 2 miles. They'll still ride on the road alongside it. Muppets.
However...drivers do the same. I don't know how often I get stuck behind some berk doing 40 in 60 or 70. The road I've just mentioned is a 50 limit and I can guarantee every time I drive along it I'll be in a queue behind some doddery git doing 30.
Then you get those who sit at junctions awaiting what I can only assume is an invitation.
They cause far more issues than the odd self important cyclist.

The problem is, the cycle path you mention perhaps won't be as great as you think it is, at least on a road bike designed to be ridden fast with 23-28mm tyres. It's quite surprising how much debris gets chucked on to them from cars due to tyre design. I can assure you that some cyclists pushing for speed on these types of bike simply won't bother the risk of a puncture when they can instead cycle on the road where it's cleaner ground. There's a cycle path near me stretching the same distance partially interrupted. It's covered in debris, leaves and twigs and this is in a city. That's without mentioning the people who walk in it and cycle on it as if they're half drunk oblivious to their surroundings.

 

[Energize]

I think horses should not be on the road these days as there far to many cars on the road now and it dangerous

It's a necessity to ride on the road because of the poor access routes the UK has to bridal paths and beaches no one likes doing it trust me.

power source is irrelevant, 30mph on a moped requires a licence, training and insurance, why is 30mph on a push bike allowed with none of that?

Simple physics my dear, a moped is a much heavier vehicle than a bike giving it much more kinetic energy, thus a much higher liability for damaging accidents.

The small amounts of money involved in a typical bike crash can be paid directly by the individual and handled by the county court if need be.

 

[Minstadave]

The problem is, the cycle path you mention perhaps won't be as great as you think it is, at least on a road bike designed to be ridden fast with 23-28mm tyres. It's quite surprising how much debris gets chucked on to them from cars due to tyre design. I can assure you that some cyclists pushing for speed on these types of bike simply won't bother the risk of a puncture when they can instead cycle on the road where it's cleaner ground. There's a cycle path near me stretching the same distance partially interrupted. It's covered in debris, leaves and twigs and this is in a city. That's without mentioning the people who walk in it and cycle on it as if they're half drunk oblivious to their surroundings.

So cyclists couldn't just go slower?

It seems odd that cyclists want to use the road as they can't go fast enough on a cycle path yet by going on the road they slow traffic down. I don't know why one group is more privileged than others.

Two cyclists in the village next to mine this afternoon cycling on the wrong side of the road, despite a cycle path, no helmets on. Ugh.

 

[StriderX]

So cyclists couldn't just go slower?

It seems odd that cyclists want to use the road as they can't go fast enough on a cycle path yet by going on the road they slow traffic down. I don't know why one group is more privileged than others.

Two cyclists in the village next to mine this afternoon cycling on the wrong side of the road, despite a cycle path, no helmets on. Ugh.

It’s recommended to cycle in oncoming traffic so you can see the murderous ***** in front rather than rear ending you to death.

/may or may not be true

 

[Orionaut]

Simple physics my dear, a moped is a much heavier vehicle than a bike giving it much more kinetic energy, thus a much higher liability for damaging accidents.
.

In both cases, most of the weight is the weight of the rider.

It’s recommended to cycle in oncoming traffic so you can see the murderous ***** in front rather than rear ending you to death.

/may or may not be true

Of course, this also means that you have significantly increased the speed of impact should a collision take place.

 

[Drollic]

So cyclists couldn't just go slower?

It seems odd that cyclists want to use the road as they can't go fast enough on a cycle path yet by going on the road they slow traffic down. I don't know why one group is more privileged than others.

Two cyclists in the village next to mine this afternoon cycling on the wrong side of the road, despite a cycle path, no helmets on. Ugh.

Going fast on a bike for prolonged periods is sometimes seriously tough going. If you think otherwise, you should try it some time. I can guarantee if you try it enough, you will allow them that extra few seconds it adds to your journey in overtaking them.

What drivers fail to understand whilst there sat on their arse in the increasingly common automatic, is that some of the people cycling are possibly slightly/partly/heavily fatigued. This in turn can impact decision making from a really minor amount, to making silly erratic choices on the road. They're entitled to the road so give them some space.

I should add that some cyclists are complete morons and there is simply no excuse. Much like in your example.

 

[Dis86]

The problem is, the cycle path you mention perhaps won't be as great as you think it is, at least on a road bike designed to be ridden fast with 23-28mm tyres. It's quite surprising how much debris gets chucked on to them from cars due to tyre design. I can assure you that some cyclists pushing for speed on these types of bike simply won't bother the risk of a puncture when they can instead cycle on the road where it's cleaner ground. There's a cycle path near me stretching the same distance partially interrupted. It's covered in debris, leaves and twigs and this is in a city. That's without mentioning the people who walk in it and cycle on it as if they're half drunk oblivious to their surroundings.

The path is about 4m to the side of the road separated by a grass verge. It is quite flat, smooth, straight and has 2 cycle lanes and a pedestrian lane. I ride on it on my cyclocross which is fitted with road tyres. Keep in mind with mtb gearing I can still hit 25mph on it and well...I'm not dead.

I know the reason that they don't use it. And it ties in with what minsta says. At the end of the path it switches to the other side of the road. You can actually get to the other side without crossing the road as it doglegs at what used to be a t junction but is now a roundabout. It just means going part way around it and 5m up the road.

 

[Drollic]

The path is about 4m to the side of the road separated by a grass verge. It is quite flat, smooth, straight and has 2 cycle lanes and a pedestrian lane. I ride on it on my cyclocross which is fitted with road tyres. Keep in mind with mtb gearing I can still hit 25mph on it and well...I'm not dead.

I know the reason that they don't use it. And it ties in with what minsta says. At the end of the path it switches to the other side of the road. You can actually get to the other side without crossing the road as it doglegs at what used to be a t junction but is now a roundabout. It just means going part way around it and 5m up the road.

Without seeing it I wouldn't know. Some are perfectly useable, others are less than ideal.

 

[adolf hamster]

Simple physics my dear, a moped is a much heavier vehicle than a bike giving it much more kinetic energy, thus a much higher liability for damaging accidents.

The small amounts of money involved in a typical bike crash can be paid directly by the individual and handled by the county court if need be.

Ahh ok, so its fine then, if someone hits your vehicle it's your responsibility to chase them down and get them to pay up, assuming theyre kind enough to stop and give you their honest name and address so you can send legal documents through. No problem.

 

[Deleted member 66701]

It’s recommended to cycle in oncoming traffic so you can see the murderous ***** in front rather than rear ending you to death.

/may or may not be true

Make the trolling less obvious.

 

[Minstadave]

What drivers fail to understand whilst there sat on their arse in the increasingly common automatic, is that some of the people cycling are possibly slightly/partly/heavily fatigued. This in turn can impact decision making from a really minor amount, to making silly erratic choices on the road. They're entitled to the road so give them some space.

If you're decision making is that mad then you really should you really be on the road?