AIBU to think that cyclists and drivers

[helloclitty]

might be a lot more civil to each other if it was mandatory to pass tests in both cycling and driving if using the road, whether you are a cyclist or vehicle driver.

Of course there would have to be exclusions for people unable to cycle or drive for any reason (a simulator perhaps). However, with the focus on green living and the sheer increase in road traffic on our narrow city roads something has to be done. We cannot divide up the roads there is simply not enough space, we need to be able to share them and understand all road users needs as well as our own.

Both sets are full of idiots as well as responsible people, but this thread has descended into the two halves trying to prove which set is to blame most.

I have known several cyclist that have been hurt physically by motorists - I have never known of a motorist being physically hurt by a cyclist.

I drive a car and a ride a bike, I know if I had a crash whilst driving I am likely to live whereas If I have a crash whilst cycling the outcome is very different. regardless of how or what I do on either mode of transport.

I am glad that the government announced their spending on junctions in London in the budget yesterday. But I would like to see the same amount spent on cycling as is spent on motorists each year. The savings in health care if we had a decent cycling network would be millions.

If people could cycle from a-b-c without fear from other vehicles then cycling would increase as fuel is expensive.

it would make sense to drivers as it would reduce there time spent getting from a-b in traffic as their would be less traffic, meaning that there fuel bill would also reduce.

I don't really apologise at all if any comments I have made on here has generated an 'us and them' atmosphere. There have been some pretty belligerent posts from drivers to begin with, and on my daily travel across MAnchester in rush hour it really is a 'me-trying-to-stay-safe' event!

As a highly defensive rider, big and lit up to be a danger to low-flying aircraft, 'safe' drivers may be disbelieving on the no. of occassions careless drivers put me in dangerous positions (esp. on junctions.) When I was a younger chap I rode a Suzuki 650 m/bike, and that was a real education in the practice of observation on roads.
So I guess my personal 'threshold' for drivers complaining about the odd suicide jockey of a bike rider is pretty low.