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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think this event should never have happened.

651 replies

DaisiesAreOurSilver · 13/05/2019 15:41

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mare-newborn-foal-die-because-15637103

Big cycle race of 100 miles in our area yesterday. Road closures from 5.30 am till 12.30 pm. Some streets were totally cut off for the whole time.

Residents were just told they should have parked outside the area the night before. For some that would mean a walk of a mile, given how many roads were closed. One family escorted through because they had a flight to catch but had to wait 25 minutes for an escort.

Carers were unable to visit the housebound clients, meals on wheels couldn't get through and the stewards didn't give a stuff. For some people it wasn't a question of finding a way around there were areas that were totally cut off for the duration.

But worst of all the stewards wouldn't let a emergency vet through and a mare and her foal died. The foal would have been worth a lot of money as was the mare. I hope the owner sues for every penny she can.

Residents are very angry and cannot understand why permission was granted for this to happen. If they try it again vigilantes have said they'll force the roads open if they try to close them. Feelings running very high.

OP posts:
TigerTooth · 15/05/2019 19:31

That is disgusting! How do people work? I don’t think this could happen in London - it just wouldn’t be acceptable.
Poor horses - that’s so sad. What about accidents and women in labour? Unbelievable and no, it shouldn’t happen - next year, a mass buttering of streets is required in protest.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 15/05/2019 19:36

If we must choose btwn being crushed by an oncoming car who is passing a cyclist and coming into our lane or hitting the cyclist; ???

Raspberry88 · 15/05/2019 19:38

I don't understand how you didn't know, we had signs up for weeks (which haven't been taken down) saying this road will be closed at these times on 12th May and to not park there for the duration

Oh for god's sake. You had signs...some people didn't. Is it so hard to understand that. Anyway, a sign is no bloody use if you are visually impaired or don't speak English so hardly doing due diligence to making sure everyone is informed are they!?

TinklyLittleLaugh · 15/05/2019 19:40

If we must choose btwn being crushed by an oncoming car who is passing a cyclist and coming into our lane or hitting the cyclist; ??

Or you could respect the fact that everyone has an equal right to use the road, wait a few minutes and overtake safely. What are all these life or death, can’t lose a second journeys that people are compelled to make on Sunday mornings?

clairemcnam · 15/05/2019 19:41

A sign is no use if you are housebound.

RosaWaiting · 15/05/2019 19:42

Tiger "a mass buttering of streets is required in protest."

do you mean...actual butter? I can't think what autocorrect that one might be Grin

clairemcnam · 15/05/2019 19:43

I see cyclists cycle to work, and out cycling with their kids. I am just aware how vulnerable as road users they are.
But there is a certain macho element of male cyclists, they are a danger to pedestrians. Just as the macho element of male car drivers are a danger to any other road user. It is macho men that are the issue.

Stinkycatbreath · 15/05/2019 19:48

This happens in our area, a big cycle race starts In our village the atmosphere is amazing and it raises the profile of our area but I will not be told when I can or cant leave my own street with no other way in or out. While cyclists pass through fair enough but before and after I've removed barriers through threats from stewards and they can do nothing really. If I want to get in and out of the road I live in then I will. Sorry not sorry.

DontTreadOnMe · 15/05/2019 19:51

At the end of the day the car is king and cyclists need to realise they will always be at the bottom of the pecking order

dreichuplands · 15/05/2019 19:58

Cyclists weren't at the bottom of the pecking order, a horse was allowed to bleed to death rather than be attended by the vet and older people didn't receive their home care.

DontTreadOnMe · 15/05/2019 19:59

Cyclists weren't at the bottom of the pecking order, a horse was allowed to bleed to death rather than be attended by the vet and older people didn't receive their home care. and that’s what happens when the pro cycling lobby is given too much clout

justarandomtricycle · 15/05/2019 20:29

Cyclists are a menace. What are we supposed to do? Follow them at their speed for miles? Pass and get killed on the curve?

You're supposed to pass when it is safe.

Getting killed passing would be you driving recklessly, and endangering the life of the cyclist, pedestrian or horse you were passing dangerously as well as the occupants of oncoming vehicles and your own.

It's no different to a horse or a tractor, really.

justarandomtricycle · 15/05/2019 20:32

For that matter people who would overtake dangerously and say so make an absolutely compelling argument for cyclists riding abreast.

dreichuplands · 15/05/2019 20:43

The thing is a rider will pull their horse onto a safe verge if you have be following a while, a tractor that is going a long distance pulls into a lay by every now and then, my experience packs of cyclists is that they do nothing to help pass them.
I don't think that all cyclists are like this but mamils round our way aren't just a nuisance on public roads but I have also found them to be dangerous on the shared bike/horse/walker footpaths. They are very intolerant of anything including small dc cycling let alone walkers or riders.
I think a small group probably gives everyone a bad rep.

clairemcnam · 15/05/2019 20:50

I think the issue is cyclists riding so they take up the whole side of the road meaning you can't get past at all.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 15/05/2019 21:01

But you are supposed to pull out around cyclists, overtake them like you would a car or a horse, not scrape past them ffs.

EggAndButter · 15/05/2019 21:18

Tinkly that poster said clearly that over where she is living, the roads are twisty with many ‘don’t overtake’ stretches.
Qthat means that it’s not a question of waiting a couple of minutes. Where I live, this means driving behind the bike for several miles.

Which cyclists HATE. I am forever told by said cyclist to overtake when I don’t feel it’s safe. But they clearly don’t want to feel me behind them, even with a very safe distance.

Can’t win....

manicmij · 15/05/2019 21:22

Cyclists are nearly at the top of my hate list. Dh is hearing impaired and I am fed up with the verbal abuse I encounter when on paths meant for pedestrians/cyclists. I have been knocked over when these blasted so called citizens fly past without any warning, of course I am supposed to use the eyes in the back of my head! Also when I do hear the whizz behind me of approaching bikes I have to get my DH out of the way. How do you think he feels being pushed to the side of a path with no warning, just to keep him safe. I have on occasion tried to explain to cyclists why we haven't been able to clear the pathway quickly enough so they didn't need to slow down. Nothing but abuse afraid. Cyclists seem to be taking everything away from pedestrians, they definitely rule the rural pathways. This applies to all ages and family groups are the worst. As for road/access closures surely there would have to be access for emergency vehicles. Try closing routes for a street party held to raise funds for a Hospice- wouldn't happen on safety issues. Why couldn't the cyclists cycle non stop in a gym?

EggAndButter · 15/05/2019 21:24

I agree dreich.
I am yet to see cyclist making way for a car the way other users do. Instead, big groups seem to enjoy hogging the road and making sure you can’t overtake.

Tinkly the fact I AM leaving a wide space between cyclists and me is the reason why it makes it impossible. They take the same amount of ssspace/time to be able to overtake than a tractor. Except a tractor usually doesn’t go far OR moves aside to leave people go past. Cyclists don’t. Even less so in a group.

dreichuplands · 15/05/2019 21:31

I wonder if it is because they often don't live in the area. Local people often ride horses locally or farm locally so they understand the need for give and take to keep everything moving smoothly.
Whereas often these large groups of cyclists don't live in the areas they go to at the weekends so aren't interested in behaving in a community minded way.

Aridane · 15/05/2019 21:45

@dishing - no, that's not the measure of the thread. No one is defending the vet being no delayed in getting to the horse or celebrating the horse dying. I guess you need to take a deep breath and RTT

TinklyLittleLaugh · 15/05/2019 21:47

It’s twisty and rural where I live. Sometimes you are behind cyclists for a couple of miles. So what? Just overtake when it’s safe.

browneyes77 · 15/05/2019 21:51

I’m in South West Birmingham and this event has caused nothing but chaos in this area.

The last time it was on, my cul de sac and others nearby were completely cut off because the entire main road that leads onto them was cut off all day. People were trapped in their homes all day. We never even got any leaflets or pre-warning/advertising that it was taking place. People just woke up to find their road cut off.

This year they actually listened to complaints and only cut off the bottom half of the road so we were able to get out (well those of us at the top end anyway), but it was still a complete shambles.

People couldn’t plan alternative travel/routes because their entire road was cut off, buses weren’t running in their area and train stations were too far to walk to (the nearest to my area is 5 miles away). This event literally left many people cut off completely.

Many of the Stewards weren’t local, they were from other areas of the UK, so they couldn’t advise people as they didn’t know the area.

The route was poorly planned, poorly organised and poorly executed. Too many key roads in a big city like Birmingham were cut off.

I’m all for raising money for charity, but it needs way better organisation than this. Pissing off the locals and turning them against you is not the way to further your cause.

Fowles94 · 15/05/2019 22:02

So a whole area of people just sat back and let it happen. I'm sorry but nothing would have stopped the people in my area from leaning their houses or letting an innocent animal due.

TigerTooth · 15/05/2019 22:02

RosaWaiting
Yep - smother the route in tonnes of butter, or maybe olive oil, ghee might be fun...