[cjsmummy]

Originally Posted by gomezz

What doesn't happen? People posting hard evidence?

I was joking. Badly.

Any evidence of badly behaved cyclists has been scorned.

[d'@ve]

Originally Posted by cjsmummy

Any evidence of badly behaved cyclists has been scorned.

I think the point that some of us have been making is that it's badly behaved people. A minority of badly behaved people - they'll behave badly whether they are on bikes, motor bikes, driving cars and probably if they go to watch football matches.

And they are a highly visible and very annoying minority.

Those people are what should be tackled - for their bad behaviour, however they choose to get about. They are the problem, not cyclists in general, motorists in general or even pedestrians in general. How to tackle them effectively I'm not sure - but castigating and tightening laws on the majority of well behaved cyclists for the bad behaviour of others doesn't strike me as the best way to deal with the problems. Whatever laws are introduced will be ignored by the annoying minority anyway, as in all walks of life. Somehow, we need to try and catch them and impose significant penalties on them for their inconsiderate and/or dangerous behaviour but that's easier said than done.

[blueblade]

Originally Posted by DoctorQui

I'm a regular cyclist and adhere to the RTRA and do not ride on a pavement unless its a cycle lane.

When I'm a pedestrian and a cyclist rides toward me, I simply wont move. Ultimately, if they're riding at you hell for leather, they're the ones that will come off worse as they tend to realise that I'm not going to move and squeeze on the brakes,followed by their @rse flying into the air. Only once has a cyclist squared up to me for doing this but he soon realised the error of his ways

Originally Posted by pavier

I had an encounter where the cyclist screeched and swerved at the last second to avoid me and nearly knocked over another pedestrian. He stopped about 10 meters away and had the nerve to say I should get out of the way when I see a cyclist coming. I lost it and gave every expletive under the sun as I walked towards him but he rode off.

I won't get out of the way for them. If they don't have room to pass, eg: on a canal towpath, then they'll have to get off and walk until they've passed. Not a major hardship.

Cyclists should not expect pedestrians to get out of their way on footpaths.

[Ænima]

*disclaimer* I'm not saying all cyclists...

...but the ones I encounter are a right bunch of angry, holier than thou irritants.

They weave crazily several feet from the side of the road, sometimes bang in the middle of the road because they seem to be under the delusion that they can keep up with regular traffic, forcing you to overtake by going on the other side of the road. You then stop at lights that they don't stop at forcing you to have to overtake them again! You don't feel relaxed until they are a spec in your rear view mirror.

They also don't seem to get that when I am turning left and they are riding right behind me, that they will have to be aware I will cut across their path. I always check my left side when turning because the sneaky annoyances never think to look at my indicator and just keep cyling regardless. Pretty annoying when the left turn is at a traffic light and I have to stop to let them pass first when it's green.

They sure are cocky considering it's them that are most likely to pick up a serious injury. They really should be more vigilent. Makes me think of India where the biggest vehicle has right of way and you ignore that at your peril

Not to mention they pay no road tax on a bike, and they look ridiculous riding around in all weathers in their overly tight shorts and wrap around shades. For gods sake, get a damn car and stop irritating the hell out of us!

[Mark.]

Originally Posted by blueblade

I won't get out of the way for them. If they don't have room to pass, eg: on a canal towpath, then they'll have to get off and walk until they've passed. Not a major hardship.

Cyclists should not expect pedestrians to get out of their way on footpaths.

What about if it's a shared path, with no segregation?

[meniscus]

Originally Posted by Ænima

*disclaimer* I'm not saying all cyclists...

...but the ones I encounter are a right bunch of angry, holier than thou irritants.

They weave crazily several feet from the side of the road, sometimes bang in the middle of the road because they seem to be under the delusion that they can keep up with regular traffic, forcing you to overtake by going on the other side of the road. You then stop at lights that they don't stop at forcing you to have to overtake them again! You don't feel relaxed until they are a spec in your rear view mirror.

They also don't seem to get that when I am turning left and they are riding right behind me, that they will have to be aware I will cut across their path. I always check my left side when turning because the sneaky annoyances never think to look at my indicator and just keep cyling regardless. Pretty annoying when the left turn is at a traffic light and I have to stop to let them pass first when it's green.

They sure are cocky considering it's them that are most likely to pick up a serious injury. They really should be more vigilent. Makes me think of India where the biggest vehicle has right of way and you ignore that at your peril

Not to mention they pay no road tax on a bike, and they look ridiculous riding around in all weathers in their overly tight shorts and wrap around shades. For gods sake, get a damn car and stop irritating the hell out of us!

So ill-informed. Read here
There is no such thing as 'Road Tax'. How many more times do people need to be told this?

[Mark.]

Originally Posted by Ænima

*disclaimer* I'm not saying all cyclists...

...but the ones I encounter are a right bunch of angry, holier than thou irritants.

I suggest it's the ones you remember; cyclists behaving in a way you consider normal won't stick in your mind.

They weave crazily several feet from the side of the road, sometimes bang in the middle of the road because they seem to be under the delusion that they can keep up with regular traffic, forcing you to overtake by going on the other side of the road.

I suggest you read the Highway Code. You might be surprised to find that you should overtake cyclists the same as you overtake cars. Presumably if you find the need to overtake a car, you move to the other side of the road?

They also don't seem to get that when I am turning left and they are riding right behind me, that they will have to be aware I will cut across their path. I always check my left side when turning because the sneaky annoyances never think to look at my indicator and just keep cyling regardless. Pretty annoying when the left turn is at a traffic light and I have to stop to let them pass first when it's green.

Hold on, I thought "they" cycled in the middle of the road. Do make up your mind.

Not to mention they pay no road tax on a bike,

Putting to one side the fact "road tax" doesn't exist, nor it is used for what you're implying it is, I presume you're equally annoyed by people who drive electric cars?

and they look ridiculous riding around in all weathers in their overly tight shorts and wrap around shades.

Ah, when all else fails, insult the appearance. How, er, primitive.

For gods sake, get a damn car and stop irritating the hell out of us!

A lot of cyclists do have cars, but find cycling quicker and more enjoyable.

[Britt_Ishrael]

I'm suprised to read that there are still some pavements where there's room for cyclists. What with all the cars, lorries and vans that are parked on them there's certainly no room for pedestrians

[Ænima]

Originally Posted by Mark.

I suggest it's the ones you remember; cyclists behaving in a way you consider normal won't stick in your mind.

I suggest you read the Highway Code. You might be surprised to find that you should overtake cyclists the same as you overtake cars. Presumably if you find the need to overtake a car, you move to the other side of the road?


Hold on, I thought "they" cycled in the middle of the road. Do make up your mind.

Putting to one side the fact "road tax" doesn't exist, nor it is used for what you're implying it is, I presume you're equally annoyed by people who drive electric cars?

Ah, when all else fails, insult the appearance. How, er, primitive.

A lot of cyclists do have cars, but find cycling quicker and more enjoyable.

Yikes! I did say not all cyclists, it was like the very first thing I said. Yeah, probably do remember the bad ones- human nature or just how memory works I suppose.

As for overtaking. Yes, overtake them like a car, I didn't say I don't know how to overtake. But you know, you don't have to overtake most cars because they can travel at a reasonable speed on the road. You have to overtake cyclists because they are so slow.

And their position on the road varies. Yes some cycle in the middle, some don't- there's nothing to 'make my mind up' about. Both can be annoying in particular situations.

I don't know what you mean 'road tax doesn't exist'. I clearly pay road tax and cyclists don't.

Also, nothing has 'failed' they are my observations of 'some' cyclists and yes I happen to think cycling shorts are nasty! Excuse me for having such a 'primitive' opinion on fashion. It's subjective, I'm sure most people have opinions on it. Nothing primitive about it.

[Ænima]

I have no idea why people are saying car tax doesn't exist? Sure, only a small proportion of it is spent on roads but it is still used for that. Also, maybe people think it's unfair to tax cars when clearly, that's what roads were designed for. If the government wants us to use public transport or lower emission vehicles, they need to vastly improve those services first. Maybe they could raise the money by taxing cyclists, then you might not have to see so many of them on the roads

[Madridista23]

Originally Posted by Ænima

I have no idea why people are saying car tax doesn't exist? Sure, only a small proportion of it is spent on roads but it is still used for that. Also, maybe people think it's unfair to tax cars when clearly, that's what roads were designed for. If the government wants us to use public transport or lower emission vehicles, they need to vastly improve those services first. Maybe they could raise the money by taxing cyclists, then you might not have to see so many of them on the roads

Oh..... we can only wish........

[Bogz]

Tax cyclists for what?

We don't pollute the air like car drivers!

My council tax pays for the roads any way.....

[Pumping Iron]

Maybe not tax, but they should pay insurance like a moped and sit a theory test and cycling proficiency test before being allowed on the road, imo.

[Bogz]

Originally Posted by Pumping Iron

Maybe not tax, but they should pay insurance like a moped and sit a theory test and cycling proficiency test before being allowed on the road, imo.

Maybe pedestrians should pay walking tax or have insurance too?

[Pumping Iron]

Originally Posted by Bogz

Maybe pedestrians should pay walking tax or have insurance too?

No thats just silly.

[Mark.]

Originally Posted by Ænima

I have no idea why people are saying car tax doesn't exist?

Because it doesn't.

[Bogz]

Originally Posted by Pumping Iron

No thats just silly.

Same as taxing cyclists....

[Pumping Iron]

If a moped rider needs to do a theory test and cbt to use the roads, why shouldn't a cyclist?

[Pumping Iron]

Originally Posted by Bogz

Same as taxing cyclists....

I didnt say tax cyclists, intact I said the opposite.

[Bogz]

Originally Posted by Pumping Iron

If a moped rider needs to do a theory test and cbt to use the roads, why shouldn't a cyclist?

But that has nothing to do with taxing them.

I do agree that they should bring back cycling proficiency, but it's not going to help the crap cyclists is it?

just like people that pass their driving exam only to get points on their license a year later.

Having exams does not make you a better or safer driver/cyclist...

[Pumping Iron]

Originally Posted by Bogz

But that has nothing to do with taxing them.

I do agree that they should bring back cycling proficiency, but it's not going to help the crap cyclists is it?

just like people that pass their driving exam only to get points on their license a year later.

Have exam does not make you a better or safer driver/cyclist...

Why bother having cbt and theory tests for mopeds then, should we scrap them? Not insure them?

[Madridista23]

Originally Posted by Mark.

Because it doesn't.

Only because the 'tax' has been strategically re-named to accomodate the Greens and Tree-Huggers. I started driving in 1972 and i displayed the 'tax' disc in my car when it was called road tax. Low and behold, in 2012, i am still displaying the SAME type of disc in my car only it's called something else these days. Which ever way you look at it, it's a tax to drive your car on the road.

[Bogz]

Originally Posted by Pumping Iron

Why bother having cbt and theory tests for mopeds then, should we scrap them? Not insure them?

Of course not, but you know that already.


Are you going to pick my comments apart all day, because I have things to do.

I've made my point, not going to go round in circles like most do on here.

[Pumping Iron]

I am not talking about tax. You are. I agree there shouldnt be tax.

[biggle2000]

Originally Posted by GeoBa92

Yeah. Let's tax cyclists, that'll solve everything.

Actually, while we're at it, why not tax pedestrians as well. And how about animals!

etc.

I do think cyclist should have to have some kind of insurance. Lets face it if a cyclist causes an accident which damages my vehicle why should my insurance pay out?