To remind you that cyclists have ears too?

[cuntflapwankbadger]

At the weekend, went to the beach to do cycling along the coastal path, which is split in half, one side for pedestrians, one side for cyclists.

More than once, whilst cycling in the appropriate part of the lane, I had snippy remarks made by pedestrians. Such as "you'd think they'd use their bell" (directed at me when a lady suddenly walked across the front of my bike in the cycle lane as I was about to pass. No mishap, and we'd both said "sorry!" and started to carry on when the man with her piped up) and "you'd think they'd get off and walk" as I was getting off my bike to walk. (cycle path quite busy with pedestrians but still cycle-able if I'd wanted).

I didn't make comments or give looks at all the pedestrians hogging the cycle lane, so why is it appropriate to be a twunt to me, using the cycle lane as I should? Be aware I can hear you and be aware that some paths are for cyclists too and pay attention to signs!

the red light is a red herring - thrown at cyclists to say oh look you do bad things. It is on every single cycling thread on mn going back as far as 2007.

There would be no point in putting a bet on the fact that if you start a thread about cycling within a few posts a poster will state how cyclists jump red lights- start a car thread and you just will not see oh motorists jump red lights.

In fairness OP, no one but cyclists likes cyclists. Pedestrians don't like them on the path and drivers don't like them on the road [shrug]

my kids and I have nearly been hit by cyclists quite a few times when they silently come up behind us and one of us has moved or the children have not been walking in an absolutely straight line. Just dont expect a moving vehicle to come up silently behind us at great speed. If I hear a bell, fine. I will gather the children to the side and let the cyclist pass. If they dont ring the bell, i dont have eyes at the back of my head. The amount of cyclists who dont take any notice of traffic lights is unreal too. Also ones that ride on the pavement or zoom round corners. Seen a really nasty accident once with someone who zoomed round a corner on a bike and straight into a small child.
Or the ones that if there is a red light, just nip onto the pavement instead to carry on.

I cant imagine many people would shout comments at nice considerate cyclists following the rules and alerting walkers in front to their presence

Cycling - brilliant only in theory

Stunningcunt - What a stupid way to see things. I've seen a few times cyclists NEARLY cause accidents by going through red lights, and no that doesn't mean 'in other words nothing at all'. If it hadn't been for quick reactions on other drivers parts there WOULD have been a crash.

And I saw a car nearly crash head on into another car yesterday because he was an utter wanker who decided to overtake me on my bike and then immediately, 50 yards, up the road, turn left into his home road. This in a 30mph zone please note. If it hadn't been for quick reactions by the other driver there would have been a crash.

Car drivers do stupid things constantly. So do cyclists, but the two are not comparable yet all the mouth-breathers inevitably come on and blather on about how dangerous cyclists are, in spite of the fact that I never saw a family of four killed by a bicycle, a toddler reversed over by a bicycle, a rail crash, a twisted railing (have a look around sometimes), etc.

Have not seen any threads on here about car drivers speeding, etc. Actually there's one currently about them not going fast enough.

Your argument is poor because you're simply trying to say that one is worse than the other. It doesn't matter. No matter who is most in the wrong in your eyes NO ONE should run a red light. End of.

We can all tell stories of near misses and incidents we've seen, caused by both car driver and cyclist. Both can cause horrific accidents. Just because maybe one is less likely too doesn't mean they can go about in an irresponsibile manner, ie not stopping at a red light.

The reason people are 'blathering on' as you so put it, is because the topic is about cyclists. I've seen topics about crazy car drivers too, I don't know how you haven't.

To*

ghost think you are reading stuff that just isn't written, I have seen topics about crazy motorist - but that wasn't what I said - but then I never mentioned blathering either.

For the record I don't and didn't try to say one is worse than the other - both are illegal and wrong regardless of whether it is a car, cycle tandem or pedestrian - you don't go on a red light, you wait until it is green the same rule applies to everyone and should be obeyed, should be punished for not obeying

I wasn't aware I was talking to you ivy , I'm speaking to stunningcunt

"We can all tell stories of near misses and incidents we've seen, caused by both car driver and cyclist."

Yup, only this evening I've witnessed some shocking riding. You tend to remember those kind of incidents much more clearly. I certainly remember most of the incidents where drivers almost killed me through their inattention. I say most of them because there were a few.

"Both can cause horrific accidents. Just because maybe one is less likely too"

Trying really hard not to be patronising but I'll undoubtedly fail; there is no maybe about it, both cars and bikes obey the basic rules of physics. A car weighs roughly between 10 and 50 times as much as a bike+rider and is capable of far greater speeds. I agree that both can kill but it's cars that kill 3000 people a year and ruin the lives of lots of families. Granted, motorised transport is bloody amazing but it does have a downside.

At least car drivers generally stick to roads, and you can usually rely on them to respect traffic lights and rules of the road. Massive disincentives for failing to do so.
Cyclists just go wherever the hell they feel like. Im grateful that they are less common though.

Cycling is a brilliant form of transport though - its cheap, green and healthy. It just needs to be better organised, with cylcle tracks everywhere.
Needless to say, stupid ignorant comments like the ones directed at the OP should be ignored. Wheather you cycle, walk or drive, you'll always come across people who think they own the road.

Its bizarre how cycling causes so much vitriol in the UK. Go to Holland, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, etc and you have none of these problems. You don't have so many supersizers with their flesh spilling out ambling dozily along the street/supermarket either.

Go figure. I know what I'd rather do.

"At least car drivers generally stick to roads, and you can usually rely on them to respect traffic lights and rules of the road. Massive disincentives for failing to do so."

Death is the biggest disincentive of all, doesn't stop people driving or cycling like tools. You can't rely on car drivers, If I did I would be dead.

Indeed can't rely on car drivers for anything. If someone is drunk/stupid and they are in a car they are likely to kill you. The same cannot be said of cyclists.

That's why of our thousands of annual road deaths only one or two are caused by cyclists.

I think that they spot your nerves.

Head up, ring the bell & watch them scatter!

dont get me started about the bloody cyclists in Holland. All over the bloody place. I guess people get used to them, but what with the bikes and the trams.Crossing any road was a Nightmare.Even walking down the street was scary. Thank god i could go and have a spliff to calm down

I used to think a lot of cyclists were idiots until I started cycling. There are far more ignorant pedestrians and car users. Cyclists cannot win. I am constantly cut up by cars when using a roundabout or when they should give way. The attitude to cyclists is awful. I have even come off my bike and had drivers just carry on passed me. Thanks a lot! You will soon grow a thick skin and be able to ignore it.

Stunningcunt what is your point exactly? From what you've posted so far it would seem you think cyclist should be exempt from all road laws. Reason being they're 'less dangerous'

Passive Aggressive people are prats. I don't care if it's an English national Institution. Still bratty behaviour.

I have a bell on my bike, I hate using it & only resort to it very rarely. Much more polite to call out something cheery & polite.

But what I want to know is this:
Why isn't it illegal for cyclists not to use a cycle path where one is provided for their safety (and everyone else's), rather than the road?

Our local council spent squillions in time and money building a cycle path along the beach which has a narrow twisty road. But do most cyclists use it? Do they hell!!!

Now that really pisses me off!!!

Shared cycle paths with pedestrians are a nightmare. I prefer the roads.

Because most cycle paths are complete rubbish, they are built for CHILDREN to go very slowly. They are not built for adults trying to regularly commute. They are awkward to access or leave, badly maintained & badly thought out on the whole. They are designed by civil engineers, committees, & health & safety buffs according to rules & regulations. If roads were designed as badly & haphazardly as most cycle paths, nobody would drive anywhere.

Crap Cycle Lanes.

If they are cycle paths with pedestrians on they are a pain. You can't get a high or consistent speed and as stated in the OP some pedestrians get annoyed with cyclists.. There are also the ones that involve bumping up and down kerbs which isn't good for a road bike. Also the ones on the opposite side of the road to the way you are traveling which are a bit of a faff. Cycle routes when they move away from the road are quite often badly sign posted too.

Cycle paths are shit. The road is better.

Why is it not illegal for people to drive half-a-mile to the shops when they could just as well walk or cycle?

Now that really pisses me off.

So selfish.

Basically speaking it's usually only bus lanes that are worth cycling in. Cycle lanes just disappear randomly and are usually too narrow and designed to allow car drivers to drive much closer to cyclists than is really safe. Cycle paths alongside canals etc. are nice for leisure purposes, but that's about it really.