PJ Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 Quick rant.... What the hell is going on these days? When I was younger I used to cycle to school everyday. You would run the risk of getting stopped by the Police if you had no lights on your bike and especially if you were caught cycling the wrong way down a street or riding on the pavements, or for that matter, riding on the pavements with a carrier bag of shopping balance precariously on each side of your handlebars. These days cyclists don't sem to give a toss about the law, and the Police don't seem to be doing anything about it either. I was almost mowed down by some tosser on the pavement with a carrier bag of shopping on each side of his handlebars, who looked at me as if I was in the wrong when I shouted 'watch it'. To top it all off there was a copper not 15 ft away who saw the whole thing and did fuck all about it. The cycle light thing is another, I've nearly hit a few cyclists of late due to them being all dressed in dark colours and cycling at night with no lights, one of these was nearly a head on with a cyclist coming down a one way street the wrong way with no lights and wearing black. Darwin award nominee? Again, you mention anything to them about it and you would think that it is you that's in the wrong. And the fuckers don't even pay to use the roads and aren't running the risk of prosecution every ten minutes for their offences. I'm sure the Police would act a lot differently if I was driving down a one way street the wrong with my lights off shouting abuse at anyone that dared to challenge my actions Rant over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Geneb Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 do what i do mate , i shove the fookers off if there headin towards me bikes should be on the road not the pavement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSZ Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 As a cyclist myself I have to agree - cyclists should indeed stay on the road and not the pavement. They should also obey the laws (lights, one-way streets etc.) - then perhaps cyclists might get a little more respect from other road users. I drive (so therefore I do pay for the roads) and I pay my taxes. I also have to ride defensively because car drivers see a bike and switch off/ignore it. This is particularly annoying when they are coming out of a junction, see you and ignore you despite the fact that you can be doing 30mph+!! I also love the way car drivers will 'race' to get past a bike only to brake 20ft further on for a junction/round-a-bout/traffic lights!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bromy Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 I used to do quite a bit of road cycling and still have a road bike but I dont think now I would go out on the roads it is just too dangerous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSZ Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 I still get out on mine (still got 2 road bikes) but usually stick to the quieter country lanes. When I am forced to ride the main roads I'll sit in the middle of the lane and move as and when it's safe for cars to overtake me! You have to ride quite defensively now and be assertive if you wish to remain safe:( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewen Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 I stick mainly off-road now, loads of good single-track and forest nearby, but to get there I need to use the main roads and....I admit to using the pavements now and again if they on main roads and are clear of pedestrians. I dont go out when its dark, I've no need to. My bike weighs close to 50lbs as it is, lights would be the last straw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kip Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 A very rant worthy subject - Tax them, test them like they do all other road users, compulsary mot style tests for the cycles every year and make them have some form of insurance. And if they are caught speeding, jumping red lights and NOT using designated cycle lanes etc etc FINE the fekkers - this mini rantette does not apply to those who respect the highway code and other road users whilst riding cycles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewie Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 It's BAD cyclist who are the problem. I do jump traffic lights but only when it's safe and because my racer is carbon fibre and doesn't have enough steel to activate the sensors. Being a two faced hypocrite who plays devil's advocate I hate cyclists who ride full pelt on the pavement and expect you to get out of the way. While out on a night training run, I shoulder barged one twat with no lights into the road and he accused me of almost killing him. Now what if I was a mum with a pram, what then? My girlfriend would be quite shocked. LOL!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter richards Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 couple of years ago , there were two cycleist riding two abreast and holding up the traffic. when eventually i got behind them waiting for my turn to overtake , as i started to pass them it was summertime so window was down i slowed and shouted single file , the twat spat in my car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 Thing is, if your car had no registration marks, and was almost unrecognisible (think "He was on a bike, I don't know what colour, it might have been a mountain bike, or maybe a BMX, I didn't really look) what sort of things would you do that you don't do now in your car? I bet people would jump lights if the way was clear. That's the thing about cyclists, they know they're never going to be caught so they break the law wherever is convenient for them to do so. (I used to) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 My main problem with cyclists is the fact that round our area they have just spent literally thousands of pounds on cycle paths. And the selfish buggers STILL hold you up on roads not suitable for bikes. I can't see why bikes would have to use a road and cause so much disruption when they are RIGHT NEXT to the bloody cycle path. I mean riding parallel to it. Like there is only a curb between the two. That really pisses me off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 My main problem with cyclists is the fact that round our area they have just spent literally thousands of pounds on cycle paths. And the selfish buggers STILL hold you up on roads not suitable for bikes. I can't see why bikes would have to use a road and cause so much disruption when they are RIGHT NEXT to the bloody cycle path. I mean riding parallel to it. Like there is only a curb between the two. That really pisses me off. keen or 24/7 cyclists don't want cycle paths or certainly not the ones put in by the council. They almost always are for a few hundred metres and at the end there is a giveway to cross or rejoin the road ie a point where you have to stop............thats a killer on a bike its all about keeping momentum ie not stopping...... I can sympathise with some irate pedestrians but i can't with car drivers that have such anomosity for cyclists? just don't get it...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 keen or 24/7 cyclists don't want cycle paths or certainly not the ones put in by the council. They almost always are for a few hundred metres and at the end there is a giveway to cross or rejoin the road ie a point where you have to stop............thats a killer on a bike its all about keeping momentum ie not stopping...... I can sympathise with some irate pedestrians but i can't with car drivers that have such anomosity for cyclists? just don't get it...... It's not animosity mate it's frustration. I'm speaking from countless bad experiences on the same bits of road week in, week out. The paths are very long in this instance and very easy to gain momentum. It's down hill in fact. And FAR safer for everyone to be on the cycle path. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pot Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 Imagine, you're all legal in your car, driving safetly and legally, and Joe Chav's on his 'treader' mush, no lights, wearing all black, and probably swerving all over the road as he's got a stolen DVD player under one arm... Who are the police going to prosecute when he falls off his bike after hitting your car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSZ Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 Ah, but the best way to kill someone is to run them over with a car!! Stab someone and you gan get several years in knick - run em over (especially if they're on a bike) and you're looking at a 12 month ban and a couple of grand fine!! A 'habitual hazardous driver' who had a string of convictions for dangerous driving, no insurance, speeding etc. just got exactly that for killing a cyclist last year 100m from my front door!!! When it's car vs bike - car will win - both physically and in a court of law. That's one of the main reasons why I cycle defensively. So what if I slow you down for a couple of hundred meters? You are more than capable of putting your foot down and getting back up to speed quickly. If you happen to hit me on the way past you won't feel a thing! Perhaps ALL road users (inc. tractors, horses, caravans, slow cars etc.) should show a little more tolerance, consideration and patience to each other? The roads were not designed specifically for the fast car driver (originally they were for horse and cart!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogmaw Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 In the UK most cycle paths are crap, too narrow with too many stop/starts. Cars parked all over them much of the time too. No wonder bikes use the pavement, I would too if I cycled cos I'd rather not run the risk of being mowed down by impatient, careless or stupid drivers that are so common these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogmaw Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 A very rant worthy subject - Tax them, test them like they do all other road users, compulsary mot style tests for the cycles every year and make them have some form of insurance. And if they are caught speeding, jumping red lights and NOT using designated cycle lanes etc etc FINE the fekkers - this mini rantette does not apply to those who respect the highway code and other road users whilst riding cycles. ha ha one of the most ill-thought out posts I've ever read! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSZ Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 Cycle paths are too often used as additional parking spots by plonkers. Cyclists are then forced out into the main traffic. Another problem is that most cycle paths are put in as an afterthought and are the bit of the road that has all the gutters, drains, manhole covers etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewie Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 Cycle paths are too often used as additional parking spots by plonkers. Cyclists are then forced out into the main traffic. Another problem is that most cycle paths are put in as an afterthought and are the bit of the road that has all the gutters, drains, manhole covers etc. Hyah hyah! I do 30 mph on the flat on my carbon fibre road racer. I think any pedestrian (includes Supe drivers not driving but walking) would rather I rode on the road than the cycle paths which normally doubles up as pavements here in Cheltenham. Funny thing the other week I went for a run and a cyclist gave me a bollocking for running on the cycle path section!! What that all about then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisSZ Posted January 13, 2007 Share Posted January 13, 2007 Like the Honda advert:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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