to think cyclists ought to sit a test before being allowed on the road?

[SantanaLopez]

I live on a route popular with amateur cyclists. Yet again this morning another group of folk were causing absolute havoc on a two lane road. They aren't dressed properly, they don't signal, they don't even look where they're going. One man was weaving along instead of cycling in a straight line!

So while I have a cup of tea and a cake (for medicinal reasons)- aibu to think that they should have to be tested before being allowed on the road? I know drivers are the biggest hazard, but safety works both ways!

I'm not saying wait until the laws are obeyed, people will always break the law. But perhaps if the were actually enforced, they wouldn't be broken quite so prolifically. If the police can't even deal with the laws in place already, they won't enforce any new ones either.

wearing a helmet is a decision for the cyclist, and the cyclist only
please tell me about seat belts.

if the were actually enforced
I think having a "licence" that could be endorsed or revoked would help make the laws more enforceable, though something equivalent to a number plate would also be needed.

I think I understand you.

You mean that today the law requires drivers to wear seat belts, but does not require cyclists to wear helmets, therefore today it is the cyclists decision.

If the law was changed tomorrow to make helmets compulsory, you mean it would no longer be the cyclists decision.

RudyMentary
"I actually think that cyclist should be able to jump red lights, withnthe possible exception of pelican crossings. "

You really need to re-think that idea. I'm fairly sure that you haven't considered all the different places where red lights are.

I'd almost sympathise if the OP were moaning about cyclists on the motorway, or a restricted city bypass or similar.

But no, cyclists holding people up on suburban streets. Streets filled with traffic lights, traffic calming measures, people, etc.. All features which mean you should expect to be held up and need to drive with care.

And those people who moan about cyclists holding them up on country lanes. Country lanes! Why not live next to a motorway then? Why choose to live somewhere with the slowest type of road known to mankind, popular with leisure users?

Sheesh.

lma

the op wrote:
they don't signal, they don't even look where they're going. One man was weaving along instead of cycling in a straight line!

you believe that on certain roads, incompetent cyclists should be tolerated?

I think cycling by licence would be counter productive. I'm fully in favour of better education for both cyclists and drivers though. It's really important for people to be able to share the roads with other users.

Some cyclists don't help themselves by dressing like a ninja at night, with lights so dim you'd need to be a cat to see them. Almost cleaned one out last week :( Equally, I have experienced some shockingly dangerous driving. Only yesterday I witnessed a trio of cyclists being overtaken across double white lines up a hill, where the crest was blind! Immediately after the crest is a big roundabout ffs, is it really that hard to slow down for a few seconds?

would it be counter-productive to require drivers to have licences?

if not, why?

I'm pretty sure that IF all cyclists exercised all of their rights under law and the HC, drivers would be experiencing even more frustrations and hold ups. And would have to behave responsibly and courteously.

Drivers have it pretty much as best they ever will right now. Be careful what you wish for.

All their rights, and, of course, all their responsibilities.

To the people who think cyclists should have insurance - I presume this should also extend to pedestrians? And pets? I cycle on a shared path which has clear signs saying dogs must be kept on leads, naturally very few pedestrians comply. The one and only time I have been injured on my bike was when a dog came jumping out from the hedge without warning carrying a frisbee, I pulled the brakes on immediately as he ran across the front of my bike, he dropped the frisbee in front of my tire - my wheel got stuck on it and I fell. I was hurt, and my bike was damaged. I did get a sincere apology from the pedestrian which I appreciated, but of course no compensation for the damage to my bike or for the fact I had to pay for petrol/parking until the bike was fixed and my wounds healed.

Piglet the op wrote:they don't signal, they don't even look where they're going. One man was weaving along instead of cycling in a straight line! you believe that on certain roads, incompetent cyclists should be tolerated?

That was the OP's rather biased impression. My impression of the OP is that she has little experience of life outdoors beyond the prison of her vehicle. She is not someone I would particularly trust as a judge of what is suitable on roads and what is not. She shows tendencies of being irrationally bothered by other road users who have the right to be there, and is a bit histrionic in claiming the above relatively normal Sunday morning mix of road users caused "havoc".

It is entirely possible that the man she describes as "weaving along" was avoiding potholes. But this presumably wouldn't occur to either you or the OP, since you lack understanding of anyone who leads a life slightly different to your own limited experience.

That's my impression of you anyway. None of these things seem to happen to me when I'm driving, I don't go around becoming irate at cyclists as they are something you would expect on the type of road the OP was using. Definately a bit histrionic. Outdoor exercise can be quite calming if you are prone to these tendencies. Try and relax, the supermarket will still be there even if you get there 2 minutes later!

I also saw a cyclist with no lights in dark clothing, on a country road last week. I still saw him quite easily because I was driving at an appropriate speed and looking where I was going. It didn't particularly piss me off, or cause me to obsessively think about how I could control his activities. Seriously, does not much happen in your lives if this is the most interesting thing to happen to you?

In the same week, I also saw more than 10 dangerously speeding cars, was tailgated several times, saw at least 6 or 7 cars with defective or no lights, was overtaken in my car very dangerously twice, and quite likely encountered several drivers without license, insurance, MOT or road fund license, but without being able to prove it. In that week, where I live there were 3 serious crashes, all involving only vehicles and none involving cyclists, despite the fact that the roads here are very much set up for cars and even basic features like pavements for pedestrians are lacking.

"It is entirely possible that the man she describes as "weaving along" was avoiding potholes. But this presumably wouldn't occur to either you or the OP, since you lack understanding of anyone who leads a life slightly different to your own limited experience."

FO with your inaccurate imaginings.

Piglet John "It is entirely possible that the man she describes as "weaving along" was avoiding potholes. But this presumably wouldn't occur to either you or the OP, since you lack understanding of anyone who leads a life slightly different to your own limited experience." FO with your inaccurate imaginings

My goodness, don't you just come across as an excellent role model! Hordes of people must rush to follow your teachings and words of wisdom!

your insults are irrelevant.

Anger management, God-complex and control issues...

Try going out for a nice cycle ride!

Oh no! The wail goes up from LMA. You aren't doing what I told you. You don't agree with me.

You are not someone I would take abuse from

I do wish some of you would at least try cycling a few miles on roads, I definitely think your vile opinions would change!

This is tricky. I like PJ and respect LMA's commitment to biking. But LMA you do seem t obe making swingeing assumptions about non-cyclists in general, which doesn't reflect well on cyclist's attitudes at all, nor reflect mine or other bikists' views I'm afraid.

I spend a lot of time on my bike in a commute, and only rarely come across really stupid stuff from drivers, though when I do it's usually quite serious stuff. Maybe it's my application of road craft and assertive/defensive riding (And NOT riding in London centre) that explains that. I do pretty well for the miles I cover and essentially don;t allow myself to be pushed around. IF I did, even the mild-mannered drivers would cause immense difficulty for me. ime a high proportion of drivers are fairly careless about riders. Not bad or lazy people, just well.....careless and need a bit of education. Drivers often seem to fail to distinguish between adults commuting and kids on mountain bikes when they wish to poor out some vitriol.

And of course when drivers 'complain' of riders not obeying the law, it's risible beyond contempt. They neatly ignore their own competitive demand that leads them to break laws at will.