Thoughts on Cyclists not in cycling lane

[Connor]

So I have just got to work but n the way I see this cyclist. I see him every morning and it bugs me everytime that he isn't in the cycling lane!

This is Sheffield City centre so is busy, and he was holding traffic up. To the left of him is a raised cycling lane, (which I obviously use when I cycle to work on the same route) and to the right of him 2 lanes of 30/40mph+ traffic.

WHY ARE YOU NOT IN THE CYCLE LANE?

thoughts?

 

[hard top]

Over here, we just run them over....

 

[Connor]

Over here, we just run them over....

Sounds like a good method, although those cyclist over there
just because they continuously ring their bell they feel that it is OK to continue accelerating towards you

Connor.

 

[Low Rider]

HT to replace Clarkson

 

[hard top]

Sounds like a good method, although those cyclist over there

Yep, I was just kidding, over here they are a protected species, hit one and you are in deep sh***...

 

[DirtyDog]

All depends on what level of cyclist they are, novice/everyday rider/family . Ok cycle lanes if they are good and long enough.
For club/ CAT riders hell yes they should be on the road. my son rides a bike faster through a town than I can drive, many riders ride at speeds of 25/30mph + now that is just as dangerous for them to be going down a cycle lane with slower users/kids/runners etc. as it is if they stay on the road.
Not many areas have decent cycle lanes, Milton keynes being a newish city has. You go to Holland and they are everywhere, You go to France/Belgium and cyclist are treated with so much respect and friendship.
My son rides hundreds of miles each week and it scares me sometimes when he tells me how drivers have tried to have him off because he is able to cycle quicker in traffic than they can drive, the red mist comes down, was exactly the same when I used to ride bikes, filter through traffic at a safe speed and the drivers in cars stuck in traffic would start to nudge you out.
There are bad cyclist, don't get me wrong, but they have very little protection if they get hit or mess up and crash, believe me he has the scars to prove it.

Love

 

[MartinN]

Worse still, my town has one of the most extensive cycle path systems in England, & the Bu***** still ride on the footpaths, no lights ETC

 

[Z Victor 1]

You can be sure that there are idiotic cyclists just the same as there are idiotic drivers and pedestrians.I'm obviously a keen driver,having had many sporty cars,but I'm also a keen cyclist.
The difference between idiotic cyclists and drivers is that the cyclists will soon be dead or badly injured whereas the drivers will get away with murder /manslaughter.
Whatever I'm doing I try to treat other people the way that I would like them to treat me.It's not too much of a hardship.I was listening to some body moaning on about being held up by cyclist the other day.Funny,I've been driving since 1966 and I don't ever remember being significantly held up by cyclists.Last week on the other hand I spent three and a half hours moving two miles on the A 38 near Burton because some prat had crashed.
I rest my case your Honour!

 

[pgunter]

Just love the Lycra warriors who ride two and sometimes more abreast. Had a close one last year on the downs. Came around the corner and came across a peloton ( large group of twats ) right across the whole width of the road. Ended up hitting the bank and exchanged some very choice words... Mind you a few of them did end up in the hedge. Lucky I was only doing about 20 as if I had been doing the 60 on the national speed limit I am sure I would have been looking at a few very serious broken bikes .. They thought is was fine to ride like the Tour de France. Not happy lol..

 

[DirtyDog]

Worse still, my town has one of the most extensive cycle path systems in England, & the Bu***** still ride on the footpaths, no lights ETC

Now no lights or just as bad as no lights the cheap low performing lights is another story and that does drive me nuts.
That's the sort of thing that give decent riders a bad name.
My wife has cycled to work for several years, no cycle paths and the number of time people pull out on her then say " sorry didn't see you line" I can't count . I have upgraded her lights several times over the years, always decent lights and the ones on her bike are stupidly bright now.
If some one doesn't see her then they shouldn't be on the road.

 

[M666BMG]

Over here, we just run them over....

I'm not damaging my front end for nobody

 

[andyglym]

As a former cyclist of circa 100 miles a week I have some sympathy, however, I need 360 degree vision on my commute to work as I regularly get passed on the inside by cyclists and motorbikes on the outside at the same time. If I had another coat of paint they'd both clip me. Nutters from all disciplines are out there.

 

[Connor]

It turns out that this is a good talking point.

I personally have no issue with cyclists, but people were having to drive around the cyclist and straddle the white line between 2 lanes. This is dangerous for everyone, and all it would take to go into the cycling lane.

Also @DirtyDog this wasn't your son, whom I would have happily say behind but this cyclist everyday rides in the middle of the road and goes straight through lights etcetc

Connor.

 

[Redline]

Mr Sensible here ....

Difficult to tolerate because of how much drivers pay to be on the road, but, everyone has an equal right to be out there. Live with it.
Even if there is a cycle paths for cyclists, and footpaths for pedestrians, bridleways for horse riders, they have a right to be there on the road, so, you need to expect them to be there and accept them when they are. Tough but that's the way to is. Accept it and life becomes are lot easier to deal with. If you don't they think you're equally as much a t**t.

Yes, there are stupid cyclists and pedestrians as there are stupid drivers. Sadly, you can't legislate for stupidity. Darwin however frequently comes to the rescue.

When you come against someone blocking your way, breathe deeply and think what you'd do in your life with the extra three seconds you'd get back. Yes - not a lot usually.
As for the peloton incident, I'd be talking to the race/event organiser - if they are racing like that without a lead car or outrider they are being irresponsible and dangerous. The organiser was being negligent. They need to be told so.

 

[Connor]

they have very little protection if they get hit or mess up and crash, believe me he has the scars to prove it.

This is the reason I would personally use the cycle path.
For my own safety NOT so I wasn't in the cars way

 

[pgunter]

@Redline It was a 'wiggle' event. Lots of riders let loose around a route but nothing telling drivers about the event. I spoke to one of the riders and as a former cyclist, it seems they just let them ride between points on any route the choose. Fastest time between the points. Not impressed was an understatement. The cyclists apologised, I said next time the driver might not react so quickly on a bend. Exchanged a few words with a few who thought I had been at fault too...

 

[Redline]

An illegal road race then. Darwin rules again!

 

[pgunter]

They are advertised as a cycle ride for all. It's the same group that got into bother in the new forest as they rode on the footpaths and not the byeways and set routes. All they seem to do is set up drinking stations at different points and you get from A to B to C etc. How you want. Very dangerous if you ask me as it is advertised as a family ride... Hence the cycle clubs and Lycra warriors in matching outfits... It's not a race honest .. Yea right !!

Here's what people in the New Forest have been doing.

http://road.cc/content/news/116334-saboteurs-attack-wiggle-new-forest-sportive-again

 

[Redline]

Big difference between a cycle ride and an event that has any kind of competitive edge to it.
Still needs rules and people accountable to ensure participants are aware of their responsibilities. Always the irresponsible selfish minority that spoil things for everyone.
On the other hand, anyone wanting to keep others off the road should be made to pay for its upkeep entirely. Cant pick and choose unless you own it.

 

[Zeti]

Over here, we just run them over....

You wish HT! In the country of cyclists, I don't think so! But come here in RO, to see how they drop like flies! When I'm cycling , I always use the side walk and parcs!