AIBU to think drivers should do a cycle test before being allowed to drive?

[bicuriousgeorge]

Sorry thread about a thread but there are good and bad cyclists and good and bad drivers.
Unfortunately bad drivers are likely to do far more damage than bad cyclists.

Yes they should! Bicycle and motorcycle awareness should be part of the driving test.

So are the people who are drivers and cyclists are great and considerate cyclists?

Agreed - I said this on the other thread. There should be much great awareness of other road users - cyclists, motorcyclists and big lorries - as part of the standard driving test.

So many people say "I hate cyclists" when what they mean is "I'm not a good enough driver to be confident around cyclists". A greater understanding of the way cyclists need to behave to stay safe would be good for everyone.

Yup. YABU

Next.

I also wonder how many drivers might change their mind about what bad cycling is after a few weeks commuting by bike. They might just change their minds and agree about the following;

1. Cyclist have every right to over take on the inside when traffic is slow and cars should leave a normal gap not pull toward the curb to purposely obstruct them

1. Road tax is not paid for the up keep of roads but is an emission tax which green electric vehicles are also exempt

1. Many cyclists are also drivers and do pay the emission tax

4 Not all cyclist go through red lights (obviously some do just as some drivers do)

5 The box in front at the traffic lights with a big bicycle painted in it, is not there so cyclist can jump the queue, but to allow them to safely move away before the traffic and vehicles turning left.

I am sure there are more if anyone would like to add them

Yanbu. I think this is an excellent idea.

Yes i think driving tests should include all aspects of road use. Horse riders and cyclists included. I know very very few drivers who are 100% confident that they are passing a horse correctly and safely. Most i know seem to just be hoping for the best.

They also don't seem to be aware that on some roads it is advised that you ride two abreast - For the driver as well as your own safety (Although you are supposed to move to single file as a car approaches).

I would like to see tests like riding and road safety become compulsory though, and an equivilant for cyclists too as i have witnessed some shocking behaviour on the roads.

Good point about Horses Flock

Speaking as a pedestrian, I hate cyclists more than drivers

1. I have never yet had a driver ignore a pedestrian crossing telling me to cross, but several cyclists have whizzed through when I am part way across
2. Cars don't take to the pavement willy nilly
3. I can hear a car approaching but with a bike it's gone past before I hear it
4. I know where the cars are - bikes are much more unpredictable

Sure. a car will do more damage to a cyclist that the bike will to the car, but a cyclist doing any of the above will do major damage to me, the pedestrian.

Flame away

YANBU

I am always shocked at the vitriol directed at cyclists that I read on here.

I cycle daily, as does DS and DP. We are very vulnerable on the road, abide by the rules, and yet some drivers think we are fair game.

I especially don't understand the drivers who get angry when cyclists undertake in slow moving traffic. Cars do that too on motorways if there is slow moving traffic on one or two lanes, and yet that is (obviously) ok.

I cycle and drive. I'm a considerate cyclist, don't jump red lights, etc.

Since cycling I now realise stuff I didn't before about why cyclists place themselves in primary for instance. Wheras before I was always thinking "why is he in the middle of the bloody carriageway (though I always waited and gave space).

But that seems to be something which really annoys drivers and have them crowding you and revving the engine and when they do pass still doing a close pass at speed.

If there was a cyclist/horse rider awareness as part of the test then there would be a better understanding and hopefully some more compassion.

As well as reminding drivers not to do left hook turns in front of cyclists and not to pull out of a side road in front of a cyclist, etc.

YANBU.

BMW6

Yes because so many more pedestrians are killed by cyclists than cars aren't they

BMW it is illegal to cycle on the pavement, unless it is a designated dual use pathway.

I hate it when cyclists are on the pavement and will often tell them to get on the road, but I am a cyclist so am allowed to!

As a cyclist, I hate it when pedestrains assume it is safe to cross a road because they can't hear any traffic, without actually looking. A pedestrian doing this and walking out into me casued me to have a horrible accident once.

Sometimes I move over further into the road when I know it would be dangerous for a car to overtake me at that point, just to make it even clearer that there will be no overtaking. It's amazing how many people try to overtake when there isn't the room to do so safely if you are cycling in the gutter.

I wouldn't want this to come in as it would mean I could never have gotten my license - I can't cycle anymore and there are medical reasons for it so it's unlikely to ever change. Doesn't make any difference to my driving ability.

By all means add something to the theory test about safety aspects around all road users but I don't see the point in making people physically do it. If anything I think it would lead to more accidents as you'd have people who were not confident commuting by bike trying to navigate the roads and that sounds like a recipe for disaster.

YABU, I can't ride a bike, I've tried many times but can't do it, does that mean I shouldn't be driving?

Volestair
Well having been driving for 30 years I have never been undertaken by a cyclist when I have been indicating to turn left. However, whilst cycling I have regularly been overtaken and cut in front of by drivers turning left.

It more probably because generally cars go faster than bikes and therefore is a regularly and very dangerous problem for cyclist.

Hells granny

Maybe you could use a simulator?

music madness

It could be done by simulator for those who cannot cycle for whatever reason.

For everyone else it may just have the benefit of building confidence and take another car off the road.

Reducing NHS bills through healthier lifestyles too.

Just saying

Good idea. And whilst you're at it, make them ride out on horseback. Show drivers exactly how little consideration is shown to horses and how little effort it would take to make life safer for everyone.

Hell you could always try a tricycle!

There is bad behaviour on all sides - Some out of simply being a twat, and some because people generally do not know how to handle certain things on the road and i just think the best way to tackle that is education.

Shocking things i have seen from drivers include;

Pulling out on cyclists
I have even seen drivers open their door as a cyclist approaches i nan effort to have them off.
Horn blasting at horses
speeding past too close to horses

Shocking things ive seen from cyclists include

Assuming red lights do not apply
Attempting (and failing) to beat 4 lanes of moving traffic rather than use the much safer crossing 100metres down the road
Getting right up a horses arse on a bridleway, and ignoring the riderwhen she informs you the horse WILL kick out, please move.

Shocking things i've seen from horse riders;

Letting your ten year old who clearly cannot ride well out onto main roads on a flighty young thoroughbred (Proceeds to bolt up and down uncontrollably)
Smacking cars with whips despite them passing quite safely and considerately
riding down the pavement despite a clear road next to them.
ambling along two abreast ignoring the traffic behind them.

All of these things could be addressed - For car drivers in the form of additional aspects of the test. With horse riders and cyclists in the form of compulsory riding and road safety tests. I often hear the excuse 'it would be unenforcable' well - No it wouldn't. You could be given an id number to wear in an armband when you ride, or be required to present this in so many days in the case of an accident, like with driving licenses, and fined for not having one. Like with driving licenses.

YY, I think there should be more emphasis on how drivers deal with cyclists and horses.

I don't think the Hazard Perception test is terribly good really, and the number of questions on the theory are not very helpful. Loads of people seem to pass and don't know basics like that riding two abreast is legal for bikes, or that a cyclists might move to the middle of the road because they can see it's not safe for you to pass, not just for the fun of it.