To think if you cycle into an elderly lady

[Sexnotgender]

You should at least stop and check she’s ok?

Gobsmacked at the total lack of concern shown by the cyclist. He took a chunk out her arm and just carried on!

Poor lady, hope she is okay. We have cyclists here who shoot across the mini roundabout, refuse to stop at the traffic lights, one ran into an elderly lady who was using the crossing correctly. So many complaints about them in the village, they seem to think they can do what they like. I know all cyclists aren’t like this but locally the majority seem to be.

So you've literally stood in your village and counted every cyclist to back up that statement? Some of these posts are verging on the trump-esque.

The fact with this is that a cyclist, who was on a pavement, hit a pedestrian. The cyclist shouldn't have been there. End of story. If you are a pedestrian on a pavement you shouldn't have to look out for cyclist (young children are an exception). If you're a cyclist you either cycle on the road or walk your bike if you have to go on the pavement. End of story.

The highway code says...

Rule 64
You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.

Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A sect 129

So that's it. If you cycle the pavement is out of bounds.

I hope the woman is OK. I hope the cyclist is caught (CCTV?) and gets a heavy fine. He/she may then realise the pavement is not for cyclists.

if it makes you feel better. I am actually very slim (BMI of 20) and look amazing. Could not care less if someone called me fat grin

So you can be thin but kate can’t

So basically the upshot is, we can criticise a cyclist but only if we follow with “of course car drivers do the same” lest we offend cyclists?

I mean sure, I’m sure there are countless incidences of a car knocking a child into the canal.....

Would all the people defending cyclists on this thread be happy with a system where cycling is a licensed activity akin to driving, where you have to pass a theory and practical test in order to be able to ride a bike on public roads/parks?

I live in London and every. single. day. I see cyclists jumping red lights, riding on the pavement and dangerously swerving around people and cars. I've almost been knocked down numerous times while crossing at lights, and all you get is abuse even though they're in the wrong.

I don't think it's right to unilaterally insult all cyclists or tar them all with the same brush (and I actually think cycling is a brilliant and beneficial thing), but I do think that as the sport becomes more and more popular, the rules and regulations surrounding it need to be updated.

Some of these posts are verging on the trump-esque.

Yes, usually the ones by cyclists trying to detract from the subject.

Totally agree MrsGideon. And a registration plate to be fixed on the bike to show a) you've passed a test to say you're safe on the road AND know the rules (i.e. you don't ride on the pavement, get off and push the bike!) and b) if you're involved in an accident and someone can get your registration number you understand that, like a car driver, you may get a visit from the police if you fail to stop.

Easy, fair to everyone. Can't see the problem.

I see cyclists jumping red lights, riding on the pavement and dangerously swerving around people and cars.

But they are allowed to do all those things because it's safer for them. Apparently. It's been said on cyclist threads before.

@SoupDragon. You left out one word...

But they THINK they are allowed to do all those things...

They're not. It's against the highway code. That's why we now need registration of cyclists. A registration plate which you get once you've passed a test to say you're proficient. Transferred between cycles as you need to and a one off fee to cover it. If you don't have a registration plate you can be pulled over and fined. If you have an accident and fail to stop and someone gets the number you get a visit from the police and the appropriate action.

If cyclists can't sort this out amongst themselves (and there are very many exceptionally good cyclists out there) then the law has to. Because there are too many cyclists now mounting the pavements, tinging bells (if they actually have them) or shouting out 'bike' and expecting you to jump out of the way. It's becoming dangerous and it needs to stop.

Just as people need to keep their eyes and ears on the road when they step off the pavement. Just as car and other vehicle drivers need to pay attention on who ever else is using the road. Just as everyone has to give each other a bit of time and space to do the manoeuvre they have to perform.

All those things are done by drivers. More people are killed on pavements by drivers than are hit by cyclists. By all means slag off that awful cyclist who knocked over that one old lady but it is beyond ignorant and bigoted to slag off the majority of cyclists. I was once mugged by a black man does that make most black men muggers?!

but it is beyond ignorant and bigoted to slag off the majority of cyclists

Do consider that some people live in an area where cyclists - and a large number - are not doing what they’re supposed to.

I haven't got a massive problem with cyclists. I've seen far more drivers being stupid on the road. However, I put that down to the fact that the numbers of cars on the road MASSIVELY outnumbers cyclists. So it makes a lot of sense that more people are killed by cars than bikes. I do wonder what the stats are when you take into account the numbers on bikes vs cars? 100 cyclists and maybe 10 will ride illegally on the pavement. Would the stats be the same for cars?

(Oh and note, I have never had to avoid a single car driving on a pavement in my almost 40 years on this planet. I've jumped out of the way of quite a few bikes though.)

@YouMumsAreLovely

Welcome to MN. Some of us are perfectly lovely and did not insult or swear, just gave a simple opinion.

These threads always make me sad.

I am a cyclist. I am also a driver, a mother, a daughter and a wife. I don't cycle on pavements and I always stop at red lights even if it's a pelican crossing and the pedestrians have crossed already before the lights changed. Please don't tar us all with the same brush. A lot of us follow the Highway Code and are just trying to do our bit for the environment by leaving the car at home and keeping fit at the same time.

*Are you all mums?

Because I really fear for the future of society if this is the kind of educating you're engaged in!*

@YouMumsAreLovely - what is it about my post describing how my elderly Mother was knocked down and injured by a cyclist, that has inspired your unpleasant, bizarre and snobbish post ?

Thanks for the welcome - I suppose I've done what many here have done, used a small window of evidence and applied it.

Yep there's some terrible riders, most notably in London. I've ridden there and took great delight in hammering past a red light jumper whilst on a Boris Bike and told them they'd be better getting fitter than jumping the lights.

I totally agree with your opinion about terrible human beings. Regardless of mode of transport if you hurt someone (regardless of fault) you should do your best to ensure they are ok.

It just boils one's urine when you hear the same old too slow, too fast, blocking the roads, wearing black clothes idiocy. As parents, you'd think people would be much happier if 90% of people were happily cycling with their kids to school in a lovely safe environment, getting healthy et al rather than the horrendous and dangerous free for all around school gates each morning...

Yes the driver should have stopped to see how she was and if he could do anything to help. To take a chunk out of someone's arm is pretty serious!

@KK without going back and reading every post I can offer something simple, whoever knocked into your mum was being an arsehole, if they didn't try and help then an even bigger arsehole.

The problem is that people start shouting into a bell chamber and 'all cyclists are...' tends to come out. As Vulpine said earlier, it'd be considered totally unacceptable to call a race of people a name based on the actions of a few.

It appears that space on roads and pavements (and stupid shared use paths) is very limited, every road we build adds traffic rather than reduces congestion. Shouting at those reducing the problem and getting killed and seriously injured (like pedestrians do) seems counter productive!

Another one that's not surprised. Cycling needs to be properly regulated.

You left out one word...

No I didn't. You didn't read and understand my whole post.

All those things are done by drivers. More people are killed on pavements by drivers than are hit by cyclists.

Classic "whataboutery"