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!

"Why would a test put people off? Why wouldn't they feel more confident having passed a test and received some training?"

Do you really not see how forcing people to take a test, and all the ensuing bureaucracy, costs etc involved will impact significantly on the numbers cycling? A lot of people just wouldn't bother. Driving is different because to a lot of people it is a necessity. I could cope if I couldn't cycle, but life would be very difficult without my car.

Ivykatty44 I see what you're saying, but I don't want to get backed into a position of having to be nice to someone who is being rude to me because I'm somehow seen as a public face promoting cycling.

I just find this whole concept of objecting to people cycling so backwards and alien and flying in the face of all environmental and health concerns - my mother is Dutch and its just so, so odd an attitude!

The other way of reading is that to agree with the OP is to implicitly admit there is something about the British that means they have to take special measures to control an activity which is encouraged and enjoyed freely in almost every other country in the entire world.

But lets not forget that the OP is arguing against the status quo - ie her argument is to change something, not to keep it the way it is, and the onus should be on her to prove why, not on us to prove why not.

I couldn't see any response to this from earlier. Could the OP and others who agree with her engage with why cyclists like myself find these threads annoying at best.

"That is not to say that cyclists are perfect. They’re not. But I don’t assume all drivers are idiots because of the actions of a few. The attitudes behind these threads feeds into the obnoxious and dangerous behaviour of others towards cyclists. It is part of the culture of lack of respect towards cyclists – for their space on the road, for their safety. When I go cycling I don’t want to be the focus of abuse simply for doing something I have every right to do. Calling for licenses, compulsory insurance etc legitimises those who view cyclists as scum, and deserving of everything they get."

LMA I am so very sorry about your friends. The only glimmer of hope is that these threads are getting a little better - more debate, more support for a reasonable shared use of the roads and less abuse. I too am utterly bewildered by the attitude of some...

profplum
"The only glimmer of hope is that these threads are getting a little better - more debate, more support for a reasonable shared use of the roads and less abuse."

And that is due to movement on both sides of the discussion.

Indeed .

Let's hope that the same can be said on other social media. Today someone again has made silly comments about cycling and drivers

Its silly and I hope mn can only get better on both sides