To think cycling should be banned under lockdown?

[catsarelifetome]

I just had to drive to an essential medical appointment, and come across dozens of cyclists.

Why is cycling still allowed when driving is only allowed for essential travel? Surely the 1 hour exercise should be restricted to walking? If the cyclist falls off or is hit by a car, that puts pressure on emergency services.

And yes I know a very small minority will be cycling to an essential job... but I doubt all the people I saw were doing so. Surely the rules should be the same... essential travel only.

It seems you’re more interested in bureaucracy than safety, lives won’t be made safer by red tape

@ivykaty44, since you've replied before I posted. You're missing my point that cyclists do cause accidents with cars that wouldn't have happened if they had ridden properly and sensibly. I also think bad driving should be reduced, I agree with that. I just think bad cycling should be stopped too.

It seems you’re more interested in bureaucracy than safety, lives won’t be made safer by red tape

Not at all, I just want bad cyclists removed from the roads and for them to take responsibility for their riding.

Turning notifications off now. I hope you get some rest.

Galleyfm

You talk a lot about the damage bikes can do yet want registration plates, which we know won’t prevent crashes, it doesn’t with cars have licence plates.

Can you show where a cyclist has caused a driver to have an accident? If it’s common enough to be a problem it will be well documented

I bought an ebike last August and have ridden it all winter. I was really looking forward to using it in the sunshine, but I haven't. I don't want to risk falling off and all the consequences , so until this is all over, it's staying in the shed. I'm not going out walking either. I don't need to, so I'm staying safe at home. I can, however understand why some people are using bikes for exercise.

Not at all, I just want bad cyclists removed from the roads and for them to take responsibility for their riding.

How would registration plates remove bad cyclists from the road, it doesn’t happen with bad drivers therefore why would it be different with bad cyclists? In fact cyclists that are caught and charged are proportionally treated far harsher than drivers committing similar offences.

If you want reduction of deaths in the road using tried and tested methods that don’t work with drivers, they won’t work with cyclists due to it being people operating both firms of transport

If you want to prevent death and injury by both firms of transport you’ll need to look at other ways of keeping people safe.

With cycle numbers increasing during lockdown & motoring numbers down, it will be interesting to see the figures for fatalities during this period

YABU.

And I can't even ride a bike! I hate passing cyclists on the road, but they have every right to be there, whether it's a form of transport or just for the exercise.

@ivykaty44

My issue is you think that some cyclists are breaking rules that are a myth

Quote me where?

I mean if you want split hairs:

In the Highway Code, legal requirements are identified by the words “MUST” and “MUST NOT”. As rule 66 is not phrased this way, those who do not adhere to it are not breaking the law. However, all road users are expected to be aware of the code, and failure to follow it may be used as evidence in court to establish liability in the event of an accident.

It still says you shouldn't do it.

I'm kind of fascinated by the presumption that experienced, adult cyclists should take it for granted that they will just "fall off".

The last time I came close to falling off, it was because I was getting out of the way of a teenager having a driving lesson, who veered into me to avoid a car. That was in 2016.

As has been covered in various threads on MN, driving lessons aren't essential and aren't taking place right now, so I needn't worry about that.

I thinknit's worth noting that I have cycle insurance, including public liability insurance to the total of £1,000,000, in return for £30 premium a year. The same policy only insures my own life for £10,000. Fortunately I have life-insurance that pays off the mortgage, whatever kills me.

I think that adequately demonstrates that insurance companies know where the risk for cyclists is, and it's not cyclists ramming car-drivers.

And it’s not illegal to cycle more than 2 abreast, even recommended for safety in some instances, so if there are 3 or 4 or 5 across the road, as the police say - wait behind until it’s safe to pass

I wish it was banned. My SIL is in hospital with 8 broken ribs and a punctured lung through falling off his bike.

I love her but she is selfish and the whole ordeal serves her right

What a dick of a friend you are

Also OP, it's ok to cycle but not have non-essential drives because driving isn't a form of exercise. HTH

Hang on, you're going to a medical appointment and the cyclists are out getting exercise which is vital for health?

You couldn't made this shit up.

took up ambulance, a&e and tomorrow a dentists time

Wow what a total bitch, a decent person would have gone home with a broken set of teeth and scraped face - thank god she's got you as a friend to set her straight

So you don't like being a driver surrounded by bikes. Imagine how it feels too be a cyclist surrounded by cars.

I hope we never return to the same traffic levels again, cars are terrible in so many different ways. If you can't drive safely around cyclists then don't drive.

Oh dear...

I'm kind of fascinated by the presumption that experienced, adult cyclists should take it for granted that they will just "fall off

I’ve “fallen off” 3 times in 30 years.

First time I was assisted over the bonnet of a car by a driver failing to look for a bike when turning right.

Second time I was assisted off by a stationary driver failing to check before he opened his door into the road.

Third time i was assisted off by a white van man who tried to squeeze between me and another car and hit me with his wing mirror.

But yes, it’s the cyclists that are the problem falling off into the road all the time....

Well quite Micah
I always ask aggressive drivers this question.
"What are 87% of cyclists doing wrong when they are hit by cars?"
They lap it up, eyes bright and gleeful.
The answer?
"Cycling in a straight line on a flat road"
Dickheads!

it’s not illegal to cycle more than 2 abreast

You can cycle up to two abreast, not more. The jury is out as to whether it's safer to bunch up and cycle two abreast, so you are more like a van and a car overtakes everyone together, or whether it's better to make it easier, single out, string out, and let the cars overtake and then come back in between the riders. I can see the argument for the first option but on the other hand I think you should make it as easy for cars to get past as you can. You may just be out for a leisure ride with friends, you don't know if they are trying to get to work or visit elderly relatives.

People definitely shouldn't be riding right across the road, 3/4 abreast.

Why do car drivers think they have the priority anyway? It’s like a natural assumption that cars are important and bikes are an annoying irrelevance. I use my bike like I used to use my car to do errands.

Most people I know commute by bike thinking about it. Cycling is now normal get used to it. Or even better get out of your car and on your bike. My arse is 2 dress sizes smaller now and I don’t pollute the environment what’s not to like?!

There were big groups of cyclists cycling together... I doubt they all live together

I saw a line of cars yesterday. In a traffic jam. 3 were convertible. Most had windows down. Ban cars.

cologne4711 Not according to Surrey police, which is probably more reliable than your view on the matter

There you go, you can cycle 3/4/5 across and no law stopping it