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[Gaffers]

I agree with the majority of this article, I still have reservations about riding in packs but that's my own (minority among cyclists) opinion.

http://www.motoring.co.uk/car-news/cyclists-why-do-they-ride-in-the-middle-of-the-road-_62617

Once more in to the breech........

[Rods2]

I agree with the majority of this article, I still have reservations about riding in packs but that's my own (minority among cyclists) opinion.

http://www.motoring.co.uk/car-news/cyclists-why-do-they-ride-in-the-middle-of-the-road-_62617

Once more in to the breech........

I agree having been a long term cyclist and club cyclist, motorcyclist and car driver. I know how vulnerable I am as a cyclist and motorcyclist and try and ride as safely as possible, in an accident with car, van bus or lorry, regardless of whose fault it is it is me that is going to get hurt. I generally find the worst motorists are some taxi drivers, school run women and older men. Lorry, van and enthusiast car drivers I generally find are the most safe and courteous.

I've no time for red light runners, those that ride or park on pavements, are inconsiderate to pedestrians on shared pavement and cycleways. Bad inconsiderate illegal, careless, dangerous driving is just that regardless of your vehicle. Too many cyclists seem to think they are invincible and car drivers seem to forget that they are driving a 1 to 2 tonne piece of metal that can and does kill.

Most people don't realise travelling about, regardless of the mode of transport is the MOST dangerous day-to-day thing that we all do and 1 in 200 will die in their lifetime as a result. 

[RobG]

Cyclists, in law, operate “carriages”, and have done since a court case in 1879. And, as operators of vehicles they have as much right to the whole lane as a motorist.

Pity they weren`t required by law to have some level of insurance then

[Bigron]

Surely both cyclists and equestrians are inappropriate to today's roads and traffic conditions? As they make no contribution to road costs and are not licensed - therefore not answerable for their misdeeds as motorists are - and cannot be banned, it is time to consider whether they should be on the road at all.
In fact, they often are not, preferring to ride illegally on the pavements and/or ignoring traffic lights, etc.
Those cyclists who are also drivers will try to counter the above by saying that they paid road tax as well, but they pay as MOTORISTS, not cyclists.

Ron.

[Gaffers]

Cyclists, in law, operate “carriages”, and have done since a court case in 1879. And, as operators of vehicles they have as much right to the whole lane as a motorist.

Pity they weren`t required by law to have some level of insurance then

Last count, I was insured 3 times over for riding a bike.  Most people are insured for it without even realising it

[RobG]

Cyclists, in law, operate “carriages”, and have done since a court case in 1879. And, as operators of vehicles they have as much right to the whole lane as a motorist.

Pity they weren`t required by law to have some level of insurance then

Last count, I was insured 3 times over for riding a bike.  Most people are insured for it without even realising it

House insurance perchance??

[Gaffers]

Those cyclists who are also drivers will try to counter the above by saying that they paid road tax as well, but they pay as MOTORISTS, not cyclists.

Ron.

Ah, but they pay the same while damaging the road less. In fact I am wrong, I pay no |VED on my Leaf, so by your reckoning I should rive that on the pavements too?

[Gaffers]

Cyclists, in law, operate “carriages”, and have done since a court case in 1879. And, as operators of vehicles they have as much right to the whole lane as a motorist.

Pity they weren`t required by law to have some level of insurance then

Last count, I was insured 3 times over for riding a bike.  Most people are insured for it without even realising it

House insurance perchance??

And club insurance, CTC membership insurance and Triathlon England insurance....break!  4 times now!

[Entwood]

Surely both cyclists and equestrians are inappropriate to today's roads and traffic conditions? As they make no contribution to road costs and are not licensed - therefore not answerable for their misdeeds as motorists are - and cannot be banned, it is time to consider whether they should be on the road at all.
In fact, they often are not, preferring to ride illegally on the pavements and/or ignoring traffic lights, etc.
Those cyclists who are also drivers will try to counter the above by saying that they paid road tax as well, but they pay as MOTORISTS, not cyclists.

Ron.

Are you really suggesting that 12 year olds should pay road tax ?? (many 12 year olds ride bikes around the estate in a safe and enjoyable fashion)

next you'll want a tax on pedestrians who just "might" walk on "your" road

The Queens Highway is open to everyone to use .. be it in a Maserati or on a Penny Farthing, on a horse or "Shanks's Pony" ... it belongs to no user group at all 

[Andy B]

But many cyclists don't help themselves by doing any/all of the above stupid actions of either jumping red lights & riding with no lights or a single pathetic light on their back/tucked under a saddle that's virtually invisible. If there's a pothole in front of them, it'd be a good idea for self preservation if nothing else, to look over their shoulder before moving out ....... you would in a car, so why not on a cycle when the danger is injury is so much more if you f**k up.

[Rods2]

Surely both cyclists and equestrians are inappropriate to today's roads and traffic conditions? As they make no contribution to road costs and are not licensed - therefore not answerable for their misdeeds as motorists are - and cannot be banned, it is time to consider whether they should be on the road at all.
In fact, they often are not, preferring to ride illegally on the pavements and/or ignoring traffic lights, etc.
Those cyclists who are also drivers will try to counter the above by saying that they paid road tax as well, but they pay as MOTORISTS, not cyclists.

Ron.

That was abolished in 1937 and replaced by Vehicle Excise Duty, the tax is on the vehicle not the road! This BBC article explains the tax clearly.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23694438

[05omegav6]

Is Carlton Reid your pseudonym?

Packs of cyclists are a calamity waiting to happen... riding side by side on anything but a dual carriageway is almost suicidal. If one person wobbles, then there is serious potential to cause the person riding next to you into oncoming/overtaking traffic... scooter riders are as bad for this imho

Otherwise, a sensible piece of journalism

[chrisgixer]

Cyclists, in law, operate “carriages”, and have done since a court case in 1879. And, as operators of vehicles they have as much right to the whole lane as a motorist.

Pity they weren`t required by law to have some level of insurance then

Carriages two abreast would be an offence in most places. ...unless your a cyclist. Law needs an update IMO.

My old landlord was a driving instructor. He once complained "you didn't leave me room to get through" by a 20ft long traffic island. I used to cycle to work and often arrived home at similar times.

That's right, I didn't. I replied.

[Sir Tigger KC]

The 'Holier than thou' attitude of the cycling brigade gets on my tits to be honest! 

Better education for all road users is what's needed, maybe in the form of some 1970's style public information films.  Some headcam footage to show drivers what it is like riding a bike on a busy road might be an idea and a good demonstration of why it's not clever for cyclists to creep up the inside of a HGV.   

[Kevin Wood]

Is Carlton Reid your pseudonym?

Packs of cyclists are a calamity waiting to happen... riding side by side on anything but a dual carriageway is almost suicidal. If one person wobbles, then there is serious potential to cause the person riding next to you into oncoming/overtaking traffic... scooter riders are as bad for this imho

Otherwise, a sensible piece of journalism

Indeed. I cycle quite a bit and agree with most of the article, but cycling 2 abreast or in "packs" displays just the kind of lack of consideration to other road users that cyclists bleat about constantly. If you're in a group, the most sensible, considerate and safe way to cycle is to break yourself up into smaller groups of 2 or 3 who can easily and safely be overtaken by faster traffic, leaving gaps in-between into which a vehicle can pull if required.

Of course, there seems to be a breed of MAMIL who feel the need to demonstrate that they can both hold position in a tight formation and have a natter while exercising where less super-human suspects would be consumed with the need to breathe, stay on the bike and avoid having a coronary event.