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!

ProfPlum, you're just basing your opinion on facts and statistics rather than gut feeling and resentment!

I used to get annoyed by bike-bashing threads. But now I usually read antagonistic drivers posts with a comedic view. It's a bit like watching the extreme ends of Top Gear (which I do like) except in print form.

2nd that Rudy. It does take a lot of confidence to assert yourself on the road and dominate lanes, but the cost of not doing so can be very uncomfortable.

It's in a 30mph zone

Fair comment if you're setting a decent pace yourselves.

Round here it's mostly National Speed Limit so a very different matter over long distances.

Pan I used to get annoyed by bike-bashing threads. But now I usually read antagonistic drivers posts with a comedic view. It's a bit like watching the extreme ends of Top Gear (which I do like) except in print form.

It is really odd. Odd to read comments such as I hate cyclists, cyclists are the spawn of the devil because they made me 2 minutes late for the supermarket cyclists are bastards by grown adults, who would presumably condemn anti-social behaviour!

But then I've had juice squirted at me by bitchy women when cycling, so I'm not that well disposed.

Was'nt there also a test involving a cyclist and measurements of room given by passing cars, which found that the safest way of cycling (in terms of amount of room given) was to have long blonde hair?!

no I wouldn't be so well disposed with your experiences either LMA.

When a lot younger I used to have long blonde hair! Really amusing to have drivers beep at me, only to have their little faces in shock to see the object of their sexual desire sport a grizzly blonde beard as well.

Rudy could you explain your post a wee bit more please? What is the National Standard? I'm guessing DfT is Department for Transport? And what do you mean by taking the lane- is that the cyclists moving in a pack?

The roads I am referring to are 40 and 30mph. One section is 50.

Wow! I'm just imagining blonde hair extensions, stuck to the back of the helmet, being the new must have cycling accessory. Very tempted to try this.

I do have a bright blue wig from a fancy dress outfit, not sure it would have the same effect. Anyway, I'll have to wait until this wind and rain abates. Blonde/blue wig would probably end up being whipped in front of my eyes. Not a good look

profPlum a friend of mine had his collarbone broken and his vintage bike written off by a cyclist who hit him.

Two cyclists are in hospital in my city after hitting each other at a junction.

How many examples do you want?

Is there any research about the most effective lights? I hate the flashing ones, they give me migrane :( Surely the most effective light is one that makes you look a bit like a car?

thedog, I think anyone can produce something about anything IF they scour their memory and sometimes their imaginings hard enough.
The flashing light on a bike giving you a migraine? How on earth do you get through a day what with being so sensitive to everything. And frankly I just don't believe you.

Pan, I'm answering a specific question by Prof Plum, which was, do you know anyone hurt by a cyclist. Yes, I do.

And separately, I'm asking about research into lights, given that other posters are having a discussion about another well-known piece of research about the impact of being percieved to be female.

I cycle 20 miles a day to work and back, so you can take your knee jerk hostility and fuck right off with it.

"how many people do I know who have been injured by cars" vs "how many people do I know that have been injured by bicycles?".

This is simplistic. A cyclist running a red light for example puts a lot of other people at risk as other drivers take avoiding action.

Says a lot about the road sense of most cyclists on here that they don't understand that it's not just about them.

Bizarrely this thread has actually inspired me to get the bike out of the shed and attempt to cycle to and from work.

I thought the flashing lights were to make people pay more attention, as you notice flashing more than a constant light?

There are already fines available to the police for bad cycling www.gov.uk/highway-code-penalties/penalty-table

Maybe they should just enforce them?

where i live the cyclists cause more pollution, not less. on a 60mph limit country road when there are 15 cars having to drive at 20mph behind a lone cyclist, the cyclist is the problem (and as per the highway code - should pull over to let the cars pass but never do).
i often wonder if some cyclists who don't drive cars don't really understand the hazards they can cause. i'm not bike-bashing, and i wish there were more dedicated cycle lanes for those who wish to cycle - i'm not sure there can ever be harmonious sharing of the roads between cyclists and motorists.

Wow I have just seen the light, I will stop my kids riding to school and get a car right away. May as well carry on and drive to work too, they always complain of lack if parking , but if I get there early, someone else can park in one of the residential streets nearby and walk, after all I need my car now...:/

" I don't advocate breaking the law but I doubt drivers have to take action when a cyclist runs a red light. A red light to many cyclists means 'proceed with caution"

That pretty much says everything you need to know about cyclist road sense. And why they need to be insured and licenced.

Reminds me of this!
the-mouth.co.uk/cyclist-does-the-right-thing/