AIBU to think people who are anti cyclists are hypocrites

[microfight]

I am always hearing people moan about cyclists and the normal argument is that they don't pay road tax and they jump red lights and generally a menace on the roads.
I was wondering how many of these people who moan about them jumping red lights do exactly the same thing as a pedestrian. I would say on my average cycle journey I have to shout, brake or ring my bell three or more times because a pedestrian has stepped out without looking or crossed the road when the red man is lit.

So, AIBU to think that many of the anti cycle brigade must be hypocrites because they don't abide by the highway code themselves.

I was addressing, northernlurker, actually, who suggested ny problem with cyclists might be that I wasn't looking when I crossed the road. I have actually considered standing at the crossing handing out leaflets suggesting that cyclists learn the rules of the road. It really is that bad; there has been an enormous increase in cycle traffic where I live in the last five years and the bulk of it is 20-somethings who are utterly inconsiderate.

BTW I hope you don't mind me being so arsey opinionated here -I'm rather enjoying it. I am scanning about 200 photos while I'm at it and you're passing the time :o

OK so if a pedestrian is jaywalking and you hit him, who do you think would be in the wrong?

So many 'actually's in one post - rage against cyclists makes me incoherent...

teaforone - the cyclist has as much right to be in the middle of the lane as you do. It's actually safer that way.

teaforone - you should allow a cyclist the same room as you would allow a car. Therefore in a road with continuous traffic coming the other way you will find it almost impossible to get past wherever the cyclist positions himself. I sometimes take a wider line where there is the temptation for cars to squeeze past with traffic coming the other way and thereby force me in to the gutter/kerb. I am almost always cycling in a 30 mile an hour limit. If you can't safely get past me then you'll just have to do 20 behind me instead of 35.......

Stoatie - cycle paths which cross side roads are dangerous for the cylists imo. I would cycle on the road too in that situation.

hahaha 20 miles behind you more like 5 !!!!
Honest the man was wobbling all over the place and what you on about the middle of the road!!
In the highway code it says to stay on verge of the footpath so CARS can easily and saftly get passed!!!

Me too. Given the choice though I don't cycle on the roads at all , I value my life and my sanity - we have a decent canalside towpath between home and my workplace. Though that comes with its own risks.

No one in the UK pays road tax it was abolished in 1937, vehicles of all nature pay vehicle emissions tax and it is charged on the amount of emissions you create whilst travelling in your vehicle - so a large engined 4x4 using petrol only will incur hefty vehicle tax whilst a cycle will incur none as cyclists only fart a bit and not nearly as much as cows

No one mode of transport has a monoploy on stupidity, though driving a car can do far more damage.

i have seen cyclists wizz pass me whilst I wait at red lights (on my bike waiting) and I have seen drivers of cars eating with forks whilst driving and using mobile phones - activities which are dangerous to others.

I haven't ever seen a cyclist speeding, though I have seen many motorcar drivers speeding on small lanes in the country and expect pedestrains and cyclist to jump out the way quick or get mowed down. I have also seen a horse rear when a driver brought the car to fast and close to the horse.

I have had people jay walk in front of my cycle in towns where I live up north from London, it is dangerous to step of the pavement without looking, I have been berated for nearly hitting someone who stepped of the pavement without looking and I managed to miss hitting them as I wasn't going fast and had stopping time - why they berated me I don't know? possibly shock?

motor car drivers can though kill far easier from their stupidity than pedestrians or cyclists or horse riders

Ah Northernlurker, you adjust the rules of the road as you see fit. Right!

I see you haven't answered the point that pedestrians are equally carbon neutral...

curryspice the cyclist would be in the wrong (the rule being that you always yield to the more vulnerable road user: alas motorists usually ignore this). I don't know how many times I have read threads like this (not on mn). They always go the same way: I think the problem is that there are lots of what I would consider to be casual cyclists out there, and that you need no training whatsoever to get on a bike and cycle about (I did at least do Cycle Proficiency Training - yes, that dates me). Depending on the city you live in, you will find if you venture onto a bike that lots of the street markings/junctions etc, actually make no sense at all for bikes (just like the scenario where a pedestrian is supposed to use the crossings which make him/her cross three roads, rather than one...etc). That's no excuse for riding on pavements (only ok if you are still at primary school - the number of hulking great men who are too chicken to go on the road amuses and infuriates me in equal measure) or breaking red lights (again, a proper filter system would often help this); but I ride a bike, drive a car and push a buggy around on foot, and often think that everyone should experience all the modes before passing judgement (I hate cars that jump red lights - i.e. accelerate through them much more than I hate bikes - the accelerating car could kill DD, the bike mostly likely won't)

That was a long post for someone who was trying to avoid entering the fray

If a pedestrian was Jaywalking and I crashed into him?

Let me give you a scenario that has happened over the weekend and does regularly. Cycling down the road left hand side tight to curb, traffic at a standstill to my right, passed a bus and a pedestrian crossed the road in front of the bus and totally into my path. Luckily I managed to stop in time but mainly because this sort of thing happens so often I tend to slow right down just in case a pedestrian crosses the road without viewing the whole street.
The pedestrian gave me the most filthy look because I almost ran him over, but he didn't have a clear view before he crossed (basic highway code) and apparently it was my fault.
This sort of thing happens all the time.

microfight yes, similar things have happened to me frequently - parked cars on left, stationary traffic on right - pedestrians do assume that if the cars aren't moving then they can cross. Mostly it's possible to take account of this, occasionally it isn't

I agree some pedestrians are arses OP but as you are in charge of a "vehicle" you have to exrecise caution (as you obviously do - I'm not tarring all cyclists with the same brush! :o)

thanks curryspice

'stay on verge of the footpath so CARS can easily and saftly get passed!!!'

teaforone - would you like to find for me where it says that in the Highway Code?

Teaforone is just winding you up - don't bite, she probably knows the highway code inside out

But walking is not as good for you as cycling , you simply aren't working hard enough plus it is slow - you can only cover a relatively short distance.
Also imo people who say 'oh I walk everyehere' don't actually - they walk between cars and buses and trains. Cycling you actually can go nearly everywhere

yer it is in the rules for cycling :)

I pay road tax :( how come the rest of you got out of it

Please link for me because I don't see it. I've read it several times now.

You might find this enlightening Particularly 'You should ride at least about a metre away from the edge of the road.'

From the Highway Code: "Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass."

Also, if you are passing a stationary bus on your right, you are overtaking on the left, so it is your responsibility to make sure it is safe

If there is a car behind you a quick look at the driver and a hand signal will indicate that you are about to move out into the centre of the road/lane.

WHY WOULD you need to do that if you were already in the middle of the road and looking at that very nice picture he is in his own lane hahaha

i dont know why you think you have a right to hold up traffic lol as if cars are going to follow you at 5 miles an hour it just would not happen :)

teaforone - I said in the middle of the lane not in the middle of the road. Now that would be silly wouldn't it?