To worry about seeing little cyclists on busy roads

[heartstornastray]

It's nice that family's all get to go out cycling and learn how to be responsible on roads but there's no way i'd have a small child cycling behind me on a busy road like i often see. You really can't depend on car drivers seeing the child. Also if something's overtaking on the other side and a car has to pull in the child would be killed. Surely if they must cyvle on busy roads the child would be safer in front.

The other day we passed a man with two children, both cycling behind him and the smallest one (about 6) was wobbling precariously trying to keep up with dad, he could so easily have fallen into the path of a car, and the father wouldn't have even been aware, why put your children at risk.

No you wouldn't be able to overtake a car on the road i'm talking about. It was similar to a dual carriage way, no parked cars, and no overtaking allowed. Why should you be getting annoyed. Are you saying it's acceptable for a six year old to ride behind his father on a road like that? Because that's the main point of my thread. Either you think it's right or not surely.

Just to reiterate, regardless of bad drivers or not, the child was in danger because his dad had him cycling behind him on a busy road. If anyone thinks this is a safe thing to do please tell me why. There are crap drivers out there, who the hell is denying that? that's why it's dangerous too. What is the argument? Read the thread properly,

splod just read your post again, you should also wait behind the bike at such a distance that you would be able to stop without hitting he bike ?? Are you actually saying that on a busy highway a whole convoy of cars which could be going back miles keeps behind a father and child on their bikes and mustn't overtake? Seriously?

Yes hearts you need to realise roads are used by cyclist, horses riders and pedestrians. They all have a right to be there even though you consider your journey is more important, luckily the law does not agree. A motorway is the only place you have priority.

Yes hearts you need to wait. Even if it does cause a tail back. You wait because you are surrounded by a metal box. The rider or horse gets priority because they are flesh and bone.
The only place you have priority is the motorway - where bicycles and horses are banned anyway!

Sadly, I think the OP is one of those drivers who thinks their journey is more important than anyone else's. Anything slowing them down is a nuisance, and any parent who dares to take their child on the road is irresponsible.

You are totally wrong, you're thinking of a totally different scenario to what i'm describing. I'm not talking about a country lane where, yes you wait until you can see oerfectly in front. Are you actually saying that streams of traffic get behind a cyclist on a busy highway and wait, wait till when, the roads goung on for miles. What exactly would you be waiting for? i'd live to hear what traffic police would have to say about that. Bizarre.

and any parent who dares to take their child on the road is irresponsible.
Wrong, not any road, a busy road and the father not aware. Damn right irresponsible . Was it you?

Bloody hell hearts

Op yanbu, anyone who thinks it acceptable what you witnessed aren't right in the head. Ignore the argumentative feckers. Sounds like they know naff all about road safety.

Haha legend think i'll hide it now, too many thickos who've purposely misinterpreted what i've said. Either that or they really are thick, or of course just love arguing for the sake of it. Feel sorry for anyone their kids though. Anyway that's it, you can't argue with stupid. Byeee

Well that was certainly a graceful exit.

I have a 6 year old. We all cycle regularly. How else is he going to learn to cycle if not on roads? He's not legally permitted to cycle on pavements, the 11 year old cycles with us and although we've had a couple of hairy moments, I don't see why I shouldn't take them out on their bikes.

You can't cocoon your children permanently. You just have to try and teach them to keep themselves as safe as possible and reinforce how serious road safety is. I'd bet my left arm though that my 6 year old understands safety on his bike than most 6 year olds who don't ride on roads.

I think that we should go back to training cyclists properly as well. Had one last week try to turn right in front of me with no signal and no change of position to get close to the centre line. Bloody glad I was too hesitant to want to overtake him on a busy road in rush hour, since he just suddenly darted in front of my car with no warning!

Well that escalated....

I also get annoyed when driving if waiting for ages but then I remind myself when I am the cyclist I want to be passed at a safe distance.

I also don't get the surprise at the idea you should leave a gap between you and the road user ahead that is big enough to stop in should the road user ahead suddenly stop.....thats what a safe stopping distance is.

I'm confused - if it's a dual carriageway type road then surely there was a whole other lane to overtake.

Look OP I agree that if out on the roads with small kids it's safer to be behind the child rather than in front. One adult in front and one behind would be the best option. However, many of the posts subsequent to yours were ignorant of the highway code and that's when things become frustrating because there are rules but folk seem to forget them the instant they pass their driving test.

It's also an excellent opportunity to write something having yet another pop at cyclists, but disguised as a "safety concern".

A safety concern that conveniently also has the end goal of removing cyclists from roads and the mighty car's all-important progress of course.

Theres loads of roads in the UK that aren't suitable for very young kids. You'd have to be crackers to even contemplate letting a six year loose on one. Some strange people on here.

The Op didn't seem to be having a pop at cyclists at all, she said she was one. It was very clear she was annoyed about the stupid father. How the hell could that be right.