to ask why do 'some' appropriately dressed racing cyclists think it is okay to not obey the highway code

[OwlLady]

and I say 'some' because it is some, not all

but they are bloody annoying riding out on junctions without looking because they think they are faster than a car and then you have to slam your brakes on and look at their skinny little arses in overpriced cycling wear and equipment

or three astride trying to wave you past on overgrown country lanes
pah!

all very tongue in cheek you understand but sometimes living in rural bedfordshire is trying

no but geegee has said I have psychological problems and that i am jealous because I am fat and ugly, or was it that she/he was hot slim and fit or something and to then post passive aggressively calling someone else a sociopath when you can't stop talking about yourself and how awful it is for you after being aggressive to others, well I don't know, I shook my head. I feel really bad, sad and sorry that anyone has to lose people they love in mindless circumstances but I don't think I or many of the other posters have been complicit in the death of someone anyway

I don't want to hurt cyclists, I am not even annoyed at cyclists that you know, just cycle in a responsible manner - same for car drivers. I just don't want to kill anyone who takes risks such as pulling out on cars as I would rather not live with that on my conscience

bigmouth, we all make decisions in life and if you don't want to drive, you don't want to drive :) it's good to know your own mind

unhombre

Upthread somewhere, I replied to you that you are the first to admit that cyclists maybe in the wrong and I stand by this.

In every thread (even the ones that ask very politely for cyclists to wear bright colours and lights in winter) the response is the same, cars did this, drivers do that.
Drivers will always admit that there are bad drivers on the road, cyclists not so much.

BBJ - none of that last post goes to in anyway substantiating the 'charge' that cyclists have anywhere said that drivers are always to blame, and that cyclists are never to blame. We are not a looney fringe.

Whilst pedalling along innocently and quite legally, I do often contemplate the analogy available between cyclists difficulties, and domestic violence issues. They often share common characteristics, though the analogy has severe limitations.

unhombre

but there is a loony fringe of cyclists, in the same way that there is a loony fringe of car drivers.

I freely admit that when a car and a bike collide that the cyclist will come off worse, it makes sense.

But I have seen to many cyclists put themselves (and others) in harms way, I am NOT talking about riding in the middle of the correct side of the carriage way, I am NOT talking about filtering through traffic to get to the front, I am NOT talking about using the boxes at the front of the queue or any of the other recommended cycling proficiencies.

I do no see how your DV analogy would work.

For fucks sake it doesn't matter what damage they do, the thought is still behind it. It's still irresponsible. Whether your in a car, on a bike, on foot even! It seems that quite a lot of cyclists have a bee in their bonnet over the fact they're less to blame because they can't do as much damage apparently. Well it doesn't matter, the fact that reckless driving/riding can and does cause damage is enough to give blame.

Apply your logic to other things... Youll soon see the stupidity

Domestic Violence and Cyclist/drivers analogy:

ok. Chucking some obs. out, and they could be controversial in some quarters:

• approx. 2 cyclists per week are killed on roads. (this year that's slightly up), about the same as women being killed by ex- or current partners

• we are warned about what we wear will make us more risky. ( I always wear bright stuff with lights but still get hit as a quick eg.)

• we have as much right to share a common space with other road users, but the other road-users often fail to recognise that fact. ( female 'rights' in the home)

• a driver/ poster above somewhere used the phrase ' I am kind to cyclist's generally', a common thought process that indicates ' I am more powerful than you but I will make allowance' when in fact, in law, we are equal on the road. ( and legally for women in the home).

• at points of physical 'conflict' we are much more likely to come off worse.

• the culture of society and transport policy is skewed in favour of drivers. Similar to a patriarcal society for males.

• we are open to being abused because of 'who we are' by a more powerful, competing lobby.

• when we die, or get seriously injured, there is likely to be only one witness i.e the perpetrator.

This is just a quick analysis, and as I say the analogy isn't perfect at all and has limitations, but it does provide some reflection as I cycle along.

I've just posted this in FWR, as a sort of enquiry to see if it has any legs from a feminist POV.

Actually can't believe that

GS - do try!

Ok I'm game.
by your analogue you have already aportioned blame.

• approx. 2 cyclists per week are killed on roads. (this year that's slightly up), about the same as women being killed by ex- or current partners

OK. the difference is that the drivers are not doing this with malicious forethough.

• we are warned about what we wear will make us more risky. ( I always wear bright stuff with lights but still get hit as a quick eg.)

You are thinking about rape myths but Standard safety clothes, same as lights for drivers.

• we have as much right to share a common space with other road users, but the other road-users often fail to recognise that fact. ( female 'rights' in the home)

The "rights" to the road are abused by both cyclists and drivers alike.

• a driver/ poster above somewhere used the phrase ' I am kind to cyclist's generally', a common thought process that indicates ' I am more powerful than you but I will make allowance' when in fact, in law, we are equal on the road. ( and legally for women in the home).

cyclists often post "When I ride on the pavement I am curtious to pandestrians"

• at points of physical 'conflict' we are much more likely to come off worse.

only if its car/bike and not cyclist/driver*

• the culture of society and transport policy is skewed in favour of drivers. Similar to a patriarcal society for males.

Not really. I see as many cyclists breaking rules as I do drivers.

• we are open to being abused because of 'who we are' by a more powerful, competing lobby.

many drivers are abused by cyclists, cars kicked scratched etc.

• when we die, or get seriously injured, there is likely to be only one witness i.e the perpetrator.

again you have already aportioned blame to the incident.

This is just a quick analysis, and as I say the analogy isn't perfect at all and has limitations, but it does provide some reflection as I cycle along.

oh BBJ, I haven't apportioned blame. I am positing some common observation. And frankly some of your bolded editing is really risible. eg "some cars get kicked/scratched" - really?

I'm responding to an analogy about DV and cycliists/driving accidents being similar and my thoughts are "risible"

but feel free to expand as that is what discussion is about.

"oh BBJ, I haven't apportioned blame."

"when we die, or get seriously injured, there is likely to be only one witness i.e the perpetrator ."

perpetrator 
noun
a person who perpetrates, or commits, an illegal, criminal, or evil act:

yes, BBJ - getting a conviction for causing death of a cyclist by dangerous/careless driving is almost impossible, due to the dynamics involved. So the perpetrator gets off. It's a simple observable fact. There are no other witnesses.

"getting a conviction for causing death of a cyclist by dangerous/careless driving is almost impossible."

The point is that you have already decided that the driver is to blame for the accident.

Following your point if a cyclist undertakes a bus and gets hit then the bus driver is at fault for the accident.

Generally yes BBJ!! If the cyclist is in the right, or wrong, there will be no witnesses. And yes, A cyclist can undertake a bus at a left turn. This is tricky, and not advised, but quite lawful! Drivers have near-side mirrors for a reason.

BoneyBack Jeferson "You believe that cyclists are never in the wrong, I don't. "

I don't believe that. Perhaps you do. It is you who keeps saying it.

Its a comfort, knowing that you know my "infatuations" and beliefs, from a thread on an internet forum.

I'm being sarcastic there. Theres something about what you write that makes me uncomfortable.

geegee888

"I don't believe that. Perhaps you do. It is you who keeps saying it"

interesting twist to my words.

"Theres something about what you write that makes me uncomfortable."

That is probably down to my sociopathic tendencies don't you think?
I will leave you to your and your passive agressive posts.

Be well

unhombre
From the cyclist section of the highway code
Road junctions

72

On the left. When approaching a junction on the left, watch out for vehicles turning in front of you, out of or into the side road. Just before you turn, check for undertaking cyclists or motorcyclists. Do not ride on the inside of vehicles signalling or slowing down to turn left.

and

73

Pay particular attention to long vehicles which need a lot of room to manoeuvre at corners. Be aware that drivers may not see you. They may have to move over to the right before turning left. Wait until they have completed the manoeuvre because the rear wheels come very close to the kerb while turning. Do not be tempted to ride in the space between them and the kerb.

One of my local villages is used by Lycra wearing 'cyclists' for time trials on a weekly basis. They don't look where they are going, they don't pay any attention to passing vehicles, and they don't show any consideration. They are on the public highway, not a race track.
And while I'm on the subject of cyclists, those stupid LED lights that flash are NOT Adequate for cycling at night. They are practically invisible. Especially in street lit areas.

Oh BBJ - are you not reading properly? I said it's lawful to undertake on the LHS - of course be aware of left-turners. Especially where they may not think to indicate! ( the cause of many accidents!)

unhombre

You are again adding to the post,

" Especially where they may not think to indicate! "

I am going to leave you to it.

Be well

Yes, left-hand turners often fail to indicate. Not a news-just-in item.