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[mudflap]

As a careful law abiding cyclist myself, i was somewhat shocked to read the following communication from my local neighbourhood watch co-ordinator regarding local issues for concern from local people USING OFF-ROAD PATHS (excerpt shown)...

"We and some of our dogs have been hit with the bikes. Last week a cyclist hit me at speed wacking my elbow. My arm was numb for nearly an hour. She also hit one of the dogs knocking her over. £40 vet bill to have her checked out. Both dogs were on leads walking to heel. This happened at 7.30 am on the pavement outside the ****** ***. The young lady did not stop but I`m sure our paths will cross. Mine is not an isolated incident as was shown by other members recounts. If you ask or tell the riders to slow down you get foul mouth abuse from both sexes. Can the team and or the Council do anything. "

I have seen then weave through pedestrians at crossings and red lights, and swing out in front of my car as if they owned the road - Is this new aggressive generation of cyclists common to my area? Should they be insured and licenced? Should truck drivers take all the blame for accidents? 

[Mr Skrunts]

I give them a lot of lee-way but agree with you on insurance.

Anything that uses the road should abide by the same rules as us, I passed my cycling proficieny test as a kid and was not allowed on the road untill I had.

Dont get me wrong, I have no problems with cyclists using the road, most of them are excellent and thoughtfull riders, I dont mind giving them space, I dont even have issues when they come up the nearside to traffic lights.

But it's like when a driver is bad they oh boy are they bad, sadly it's even worse with cyclists and especialy the ones who think they are outside the law.

[Gaffers]

As a frequent and law abiding cyclist as well I often come across people like this.  I hate them more than the people that killed my brother (knocked down while he was cycling) because in my opinion they perpetuate disrespect for cyclists which makes the roads dangerous for those of us who beleive in defensive legal cycling and relative harmony with motor cars on the roads.

Luckily though in my local area I hold more rank than most cyclists around here and local orders have decreed that bad and illegal cycling will not be tolerated.  The most common problem I find here is cycling on the pavements or without lights in the dark.  I bollocked one guy once to find out he was one rank above me 

Ah well!  He should have known better 

[CaptainZok]

As a frequent and law abiding cyclist as well I often come across people like this.  I hate them more than the people that killed my brother (knocked down while he was cycling) because in my opinion they perpetuate disrespect for cyclists which makes the roads dangerous for those of us who beleive in defensive legal cycling and relative harmony with motor cars on the roads.

Luckily though in my local area I hold more rank than most cyclists around here and local orders have decreed that bad and illegal cycling will not be tolerated.  The most common problem I find here is cycling on the pavements or without lights in the dark.  I bollocked one guy once to find out he was one rank above me 

Ah well!  He should have known better 

Does that matter if he's being a prat when off duty?

[RobG]

Don`t know why you were shocked. Came across this the other day.
"The Battle Hymn of the Cyclist"  (to the "greensleeves" tune)

I am a cyclist bold and free
No rule of the road applies to me
Pedestrian and motorist be aware
As on my merry way I tear

Chorus

Cycling is my great delight
I`m a menace by day and I`m worse at night
Road or pavement they are all the same
To me, the whole world is a cycle lane

Red or green, the lights don`t matter
for cars and walkers I love to scatter
One-way streets are fun to use
There isn`t a law I won`t abuse

Chorus

No lights, no brakes, no indication
What fun to live in a socialist nation
Where rules can be broken every day
And the police are obliged to look away

Chorus

No petrol or diesel to create a smell
We can all tell OPEC to go to hell
We may lose money from North Sea gas
But you can stick that problem right up your a**

Chorus

I hope the day will never come
When doing what I have always done
That`s break the law, because I am free
And a bloody great lorry drives over me.

Not saying it applies to all cyclists, but you get the general idea

[Mysteryman]

IIRC, there was a thread on here a while back which said that we were going all continental, and that the motorist was going to be blamed every time he was in collision with a bike.

Dont think I dreamt that. :-/

[Chris_H]

A couple of years ago I saw 2 plod cyclists cycling in Soho Square.  The signs say "No" and it's not a big square (50m x 50m) as if you need to save your legs.

When plod disobey the laws flagrantly you can tell we're a long way from having it regularised.  They drive cars on the pavement in my road - criminal offense by the RTA.

[RobG]

IIRC, there was a thread on here a while back which said that we were going all continental, and that the motorist was going to be blamed every time he was in collision with a bike.

Dont think I dreamt that. :-/

Mostly seems to be the case now Steve

[feeutfo]

Don't see the difference, it's people, not cyclist, pedestrian, car driver, lorry driver IMO. ESP in higher populated areas, people become intolerant, frustrated, feel their space is being invaded. Rat raced/road raged etc. We all get impatient at times and we all make mistakes too. And become a little too righteous on occasion.

Now don't even get me started on Lorrie drivers......

[Mysteryman]

Here we go:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6841326.ece

[steve_daly]

Cyclists should IMO be insured 3rd party at least. I have had several cars stuck over the years by many a two wheeled demon and left to pick up the costs of repairs. There's also an old chap in a electric buggy who seems to like the road, despite the council putting drop kerbs everywhere on his route.

Funny this topic came up, as driving around for the last few days I have noticed laminated signs appearing from the local constabulary regarding riding on the pavements.

[Lazydocker]

Cyclists need to obey the rules of the road, carry insurance and pay a token road tax after having an "MOT" of some sort.

They also need to use the facilities provided. There is a road near me which has a wide cycle/foot path combined but the cyclists have to give way at road junctions so they all use the road. It really grips my $h!t and I must confess they get less room from me than normal

Still plenty of space but I normally pass cyclists as if they are the size of a car... Not on this road

[Gaffers]

Cyclists need to obey the rules of the road, carry insurance and pay a token road tax after having an "MOT" of some sort.

They also need to use the facilities provided. There is a road near me which has a wide cycle/foot path combined but the cyclists have to give way at road junctions so they all use the road. It really grips my $h!t and I must confess they get less room from me than normal

Still plenty of space but I normally pass cyclists as if they are the size of a car... Not on this road

Cyclists are not obliged to use cycle lanes, especially when they are poorly designed.  They ahve just as much right to be on the road as you do and they have just as much an obligation to obeying the rules also.

[RobG]

Cyclists need to obey the rules of the road, carry insurance and pay a token road tax after having an "MOT" of some sort.

They also need to use the facilities provided. There is a road near me which has a wide cycle/foot path combined but the cyclists have to give way at road junctions so they all use the road. It really grips my $h!t and I must confess they get less room from me than normal

Still plenty of space but I normally pass cyclists as if they are the size of a car... Not on this road

Cyclists are not obliged to use cycle lanes, especially when they are poorly designed.  They ahve just as much right to be on the road as you do and they have just as much an obligation to obeying the rules also.

Laws, not rules. It`s a pity the old bill doesn`t turn as many blind eyes to the motorist as they do to the cyclists

[Lazydocker]

Cyclists need to obey the rules of the road, carry insurance and pay a token road tax after having an "MOT" of some sort.

They also need to use the facilities provided. There is a road near me which has a wide cycle/foot path combined but the cyclists have to give way at road junctions so they all use the road. It really grips my $h!t and I must confess they get less room from me than normal

Still plenty of space but I normally pass cyclists as if they are the size of a car... Not on this road

Cyclists are not obliged to use cycle lanes, especially when they are poorly designed.  They ahve just as much right to be on the road as you do and they have just as much an obligation to obeying the rules also.

Yep... And when they obey the rules of the road I'll eat my hat

As I said, they get enough space, just not as much as I give in normal circumstances.