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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think cycling should be banned under lockdown?

638 replies

catsarelifetome · 06/04/2020 18:24

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
cologne4711 · 08/04/2020 14:54

I hate being repeatedly dinged by bicycle bells but for some inexplicable reason it seems to be the law to have one. I generally just say excuse me if I want to get past someone on a shared use path. Being "belled" really annoys me. Also, where I live, I sometimes use the canal towpath for a run. I always keep well to the left and run in a straight line and yet some cyclists (always male) feel the need to ding me continually as they approach.

Hearhoovesthinkzebras · 08/04/2020 14:56

I don't think it's against the law where I live, no. If they like getting repeatedly dinged at by bicycle bells and putting everyone at greater risk of a collision, technically I'm sure they are committing no crime.

Then it's fine for them to be there in that case isn't it? After all, it's only laws that matter, not guidelines or following advice, right?

Outedsochanged · 08/04/2020 15:01

I hate joint footpath/cycle paths. If I'm going between 25/30km/hr on the road, the drivers then hate me, but I can't guarantee the cycle lane won't be full of dogs/small kids on scooters, people/kids that will step across the line etc. At that speed if I hit them I will get blamed and it will hurt both of us a lot. I also have to stop at every road junction to cross it making it a very slow journey. So I go in the road, that means I get yelled at by driver's who tell me to go on the cycle path. Can't win. For what it's worth I did 20km with my 9 year old daughter today, both in cycling kit and mainly on the road. She had ridden for years, rides with a club and is well versed in road safety. However I did have to stop her yelling at the few cyclists we saw without helmets on.

Outedsochanged · 08/04/2020 15:02

Probably should have let her yellGrin

PuffinShop · 08/04/2020 15:14

Then it's fine for them to be there in that case isn't it? After all, it's only laws that matter, not guidelines or following advice, right?

Sure, I guess. I said I understand why they're doing it. Ultimately it's worse for them as well as me so I am sure once the 2 metre rule is no longer in play things will go back to normal. These are exceptional circumstances.

Regarding bells, this is another example of cyclists always being in the wrong. It annoys some people but other people are equally annoyed if you don't. I ding at people because it's more audible from a distance and people always understand it as a bike. I always say thanks as I pass. I will ding repeatedly if the person shows no sign of having heard, because it is scary passing someone thinking they don't know you're there and could swerve at any time. You might always hold your line but rest assured not everyone does! You could try giving the cyclist behind you a little wave to let them know you heard, if you want to be friendly about it.

PuffinShop · 08/04/2020 15:29

I hate joint footpath/cycle paths

That's why these ones are (usually) so lovely. It's not just a big path with a line down it. It's a footpath, a wide stretch of grass, then the cycle path (painted like a road with two lanes), more grass, then the road. It's perfect for everyone! No tension, so relaxing.

SybilWrites · 08/04/2020 16:25

The canal towpaths are so busy at the moment with walkers and cyclists. And in any case they aren't 2m wide so there's no way you can keep your distance from anyone on them whether they're the dreaded cyclists, joggers or walkers.

No matter whether I'm walking, running or cycling, it always seems to be me that veers off my path and steers clear of people.

Macncheeseballs · 08/04/2020 16:28

Cologne - I am the same, cannot stand being dinged at

Outed - its non of your daughter's business who wears a helmet

Macncheeseballs · 08/04/2020 16:28

*none

Macncheeseballs · 08/04/2020 16:29

Puffinshop you could just try saying excuse me. Ringing your bell repeatedly sounds aggressive

Macncheeseballs · 08/04/2020 16:30

*excuse me please

PuffinShop · 08/04/2020 16:44

No, I find it's not heard as easily from a distance. Plenty of people get angry at cyclists who don't ring a bell and I've been thanked for ringing my bell plenty of times. You can't please everyone so I'll do what works best in my experience.

Figmentofmyimagination · 08/04/2020 16:46

I ding people once quietly just so they know I’m there - especially groups who might not have noticed me. I’ve always assumed it’s more courteous than going past without a bell.

In fact when my bell was broken for a couple of rides recently, I found myself apologising for not ding-ing, as it felt anti social not to warn them, as I’m pretty silent on my bike. You can’t win!

Outedsochanged · 08/04/2020 17:02

Puffin, I like the sound of your cycle paths, wish we had them!
Macncheese, not wearing a helmet is irresponsible - and as this thread started off about reducing the impact on the NHS, is especially irresponsible at the moment

Iamamoleinthegarden · 08/04/2020 17:04

What is your view on cyclists taking their dog for a run with them or a vet cycling to work at his doggie medical sanctuary. Two wheels bad four legs good.

Macncheeseballs · 08/04/2020 17:06

Outed - thats highly debatable and it certainly isn't your daughters place to preach to people

Outedsochanged · 08/04/2020 17:17

You may have noticed that she didn't preach any one, so lay off.

MinnieMountain · 08/04/2020 17:39

@Macncheeseballs of course it's none of her business but if she's anything like my 6yo, she's got a stronge sense of obeying the rules. I have to stop him telling adults off for cycling on the pavement (I agree with him but it's pointless saying anything).

Bells are a lot easier if one needs to make people aware multiple times in a ride.

Pedallleur · 08/04/2020 17:45

I don't have a bell but common sense tells me to adjust my speed accordingly and slow down or stop. Many people have headphones on so may not hear a bell. Shared paths often have pedestrians in the cycle bit or dogs on a long lead! Let's not get into the helmet thing. Some choose to wear them. It isn't a legal requirement

Wimpeyspread · 08/04/2020 17:49

OhMyDarling ban cars then - fewer cyclists would be hit and injured. And you don’t HAVE to get her shopping, if I were her I would rather you didn’t with that attitude - lovely victim blaming!

TheMustressMhor · 08/04/2020 17:54

I have always thought that cyclists are generally selfish people, but maybe I'm wrong. I don't know. When I used to drive through London, cyclists did my head in.

TorkTorkBam · 08/04/2020 18:02

What exercise do you take yourself OP?

You do realise that being unfit, especially being fat, is a super high risk state to be in?

Worriedmum54321 · 08/04/2020 18:02

out A nine year old shouldn't be shouting at adults she doesn't even know, about things that are none of her business. It's rude. Even if she has SEN I think it shows a really bad attitude that you as her parent seem to be proud of her for this (hence stealth brag about having to stop her)

ErrolTheDragon · 08/04/2020 18:08
  • The canal towpaths are so busy at the moment with walkers and cyclists. And in any case they aren't 2m wide so there's no way you can keep your distance from anyone on them whether they're the dreaded cyclists, joggers or walkers.

The towpath is our local 'nice' walk. We're not using it, walking on tracks and field footpaths instead.

I appreciate cyclists either dinging a bell or calling out when they approach from behind, but of course when you're cycling you can never safely assume you've been heard - some walkers may be deaf. Cyclists need to always be able to stop/avoid on shared paths.

Macncheeseballs · 08/04/2020 18:39

If you're not sure someone has heard you just slow right down

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