Bike-buggy-smuggy-mummies: they think they're invincible!

[Vagabond]

You know those little carriages on the back/front of bikes with little children cocooned inside? What are these mums thinking of? It looks like they've got a litter of kittens inside sometimes!

The way they ride their kids around town in these bicycle people carriers seems so dangerous to me. I pass at least a dozen of them a day and I'm astounded by the sense of entitlement these mums feel above the overwhelming enormity of actual traffic. They seem invincible when, actually, they are putting themselves and their kids in enormous danger.

I drive so carefully around them but it irritates me to see the smug look on their faces. I'm equally sure that they hate my smug face driving my car. It's soooo Oxford and it irritates the hell out of me!

Yes, it's green. I get that. It still gets on my nerves.

Why don't the cyclists cycle and the drivers drive...... and just leave each other alone!! Ha ha I came on here looking for some interesting people to chat too and u guys are all so mean to each other lol.

Nobody needs to go for a walk with their children, why do you do that? Nobody needs to fly in a plane with their children, why do you do that? I mean, how foolishly self-indulgent of you to put your children at risk like that.

I don't take unneccessary risks with my kids (and incidentally they've never been on a plane) but I sure as hell wouldn't have them in flimsy wagons on busy Manchester roads. I see dangerous driving on a daily basis where I live. Your arse may be more pert smug mummies but your brains are soft (and smug and selfish).

not quite as soft as your's clearly. Are you seeking therapy for you over-interest in other peoples children problem?

Turdass, I can just imagine you sitting in your kitchen with a calculator 'balancing risks'
I am sure that you have plenty of stuff that you own/do that other judgey people find "irresponsible". Does it mean you should stop (provided it is legal of course)??

I am not even a cyclist, in fact I drive 4x4. I still think that I have to keep an EXTRA eye for vulnerable users of the road and should I (God forbid!!!!) hit someone because i was not careful, I would not blame them because it was NOT their fault.

As for those who give example of Amsterdam, did you actually drive there?? Cyclists can be just as rude and aggressive if in a herd. It is all about tolerance and not about who drives what.

Just as a general observation from someone who walks/ runs most places, cyclists are comfortably the most dangerous and rude folk on the roads (and pavements).

I've lost count of the number of times I've either seen cyclists taking stupid risks such as jumping red lights or even going straight through them. Or doing things which are just downright dangerous to pedestrians such as skipping onto pavements to dodge lights or not signalling before sweeping across roads, barely missing me or other people. Hello, does the law not apply to you? Do your arms not work for signalling or something?

Most annoying is their "I can do what the f*ck I like attitude cos I'm a cyclist". And this isn't incidentally, just the lycra clad muppets but people with kids on bikes as well. You're not bloody invincible and neither are other people on the roads and pavements.

Ahem, rant over.

I'm pretty sure you can't act like that with a big trailer stuck to you, trust me I am not swerving anywhere, least of all on and off pavements.

Lots and lots of these where I live (not Oxford!).

I think they're a good idea in principle BUT I do think they are a bit dangerous - as far as visibility is concerned.

Wouldn't go all vitriolic about it though - each to their own and all that :)

I rather like the look of these: www.kangaroobike.co.uk/
www.triobike.com/

On the front so bit safer no? But v pricey I bet. I have watched some very fit Mums cycling these up a hill. I didn't think they were smug though. Isn't 'smug' just a way of saying 'I am a wee bit jealous and/or disaproving of the way you live'?? Unless someone actually IS smug, of course

You know what Winter, you probably can't but what you certainly can do (which I've seen) is just sweep across roads or turn into side roads without slowing or signalling even if there's people already crossing.

I think they look great in the netherlands where bikes rule the road ,but i too would be worried riding one in the uk

plane travel is really very safe - not quite as safe as lift travel, but compared to the 6000 odd children hurt and killed in motor cars every year planes are the way to go, or bikes or lifts or even boats.

I see mad cyclists, there is no getting away from the fact that there are mad cyclists who take risks, but then in every single walk of life or travelling mode there are mad people that take risks.

Cyclists don't have a monopoly on crazy risk taking behaviour

"I was v nervous about the trailer at first, but actually find it very safe because people give you such a wide berth."

Erm, doesn't that mean they're putting themselves at risk (i.e. further towards the oncoming traffic) in order to avoid you and your trailer?

It's joggers around here who seem to have the can't stop attitude and run the lights :)

I am taking a calculated risk by picking up my kids in the rain, they might melt

minipie, they should make sure then that there is sufficient space and no oncoming traffic before overtaking.

take a look

I work in Cambridge and see lots of them. I am a cyclist but I just can't believe how I see some people cycling in Cambridge...see lots of dads with children in the littlbe bubble things too...I think they are great and if I lived theer I would probably do it too but I would do it safely not like a lot that I see. but then I am ultra cautious and cycle like an old woman.

I work in Oxford and drive down Woodstcok Road every day, bristling with horro at the proximity of tiny children and babies to the tyres of cars and lorries. It's stupid stupid stupid. i'm all for green travel and I wish I didn't have to drive, but a hideous accident IS going to happen one day.

25 million people killed by 96% of human error whilst driving a car, that is half the population of England

Woodstock

horror

earthpixie - but you are more likely to be killed in your steel box then the tiny children - why do you feel so safe in your car when in reality it is a delusion

Oh god yet another cyclists vs motorists arguement...

Cyclists have every right to use the road as do motorist.

Yes there are some twatty cyclists, but there are some twatty motorists too. No one is perfect.

I cycle to work a fair bit and I have been knocked off my bike a couple of times, and one idiot didn't even stop to check I was ok. But I also drive to work and on those days I paitently wait behind the cyclists until it is clear to pass them.

And yes I'm a Oxford mum and yes I have one of those trailers and a child seat, but DD only goes in it on quieter roads, at quieter times.

If another vehicle bumps my vehicle I MAY be killed but I'd stand a far far greater chance than a 2 year old in a polycotton tent wearing 4 grammes.

weighing

ffs

You are more likely to be killed and you are the vulnerable one - you just don't realise you are, you are safer to drive on the motorway than A roads, but for some reason as you are in a steel container you think as your post describes above. Your steel container has all mod cons with airbags a possablity - yet people still get killed by cars from the inside - why if they weigh more than a few grams?

I used to have a trailer for my ds to get him to and from nursery. I live in a village though, not sure if I would have been comfortable using it on main roads.

\link{http://www.cyclorama.net/viewProduct.php?id=18\this} looks cool, especially if you had proper cycle paths.