What is it with cyclists ?

[Macca]

I think you are harking back to a golden age that never actually existed, Marco.

[walpurgis]

I don't see how that can be true as anyone can become a cyclist if they want to, push bikes are not expensive anymore.

Because the average person is too lazy and out of shape to consider riding a bike.

You can't just buy a bike and use it as transport, as many seem to think. If you're unfit, you won't get far. It could even kill you (I've seen it happen.....bloke dropping dead whilst riding along).

[Marco]

I don't see how that can be true as anyone can become a cyclist if they want to, push bikes are not expensive anymore.

Depends on the "push bike" in question - some specialist ones, for enthusiasts, can cost tens of thousands of pounds. I appreciate though, that those aren't used by the average person.

Out with of that, however, the point Geoff made I think was valid. No doubt some car drivers would think that way.

Marco.

[hifi_dave]

Indeed, but cyclists could still be made to sit some form of proficiency test, before being allowed out onto public highways. That won't happen though, because it all comes down to cost!

Also as I said in my previous post, much of this problem is to do with how we've become now, compared with how we used to be, when the world was a rather different (and in many ways better) place.

Marco.

That seems like a very sensible idea. Maybe they would then have a better idea of the Highway Code and safety.

Far as I know, riding a bike on a pavement, unless it's been specifically marked out, is not allowed and nor is riding up a one way street the wrong way but it now seems to have become normalised. It used to be that the Pedestrian took priority but it now appears that the cyclist can do what he/she likes, even if it endangers pedestrians.

[Marco]

I think you are harking back to a golden age that never actually existed, Marco.

Not at all, mate. I see the difference every day from how life is where I live, compared with when I was in Glasgow, and compared with any time I venture down south to London!

A real eye-opener, for any car driver, going from North Wales, down south, is when you leave the relatively 'serene' M54, and join the M6 at Birmingham - and things progressively become worse the nearer you get to London - and I'm not just talking about traffic congestion, but driving attitudes in general, which become progressively more selfish and aggressive.

You don't drive, so you may not be so aware of this, but I can assure you it's reality. An interesting experiment, in that respect, would be to take someone used to the 'rat race' of London, and the style of driving needed there to 'survive', and put them on roads around rural North Wales for a week, then monitor their driving behaviour...

I guarantee that it would take the person concerned some time to adjust! And the same would apply the other way round, if a rural North Wales driver were taken down to London. Trust me, both drivers would be forced to respond to their environment, and with it their driving attitudes and overall behaviour would quickly change!

Marco.

[Macca]

A stout walking stick inserted 'accidentally' into the spokes of the offending cyclist would be quite effective. Might try that next time I go to The Smoke.

[walpurgis]

it now appears that the cyclist can do what he/she likes, even if it endangers pedestrians.

Sweeping generalisation there Dave. It's the riders that won't abide by rules or use common sense that stand out and give cyclists a (perceived) bad reputation. They are the minority.

I commuted by cycle in town traffic until I was 58 and observed the rules, as did most other riders around me. Like car and motorbike users, there will be those that take liberties with disregard to others.

[Macca]

.

You don't drive, so you won't see this, but I can assure you it's reality.

Marco.

I hear that a lot and it is a really odd comment. What do drivers think their passengers are looking at whilst they are driving? if anything the passenger has more ability to notice bad driving as he's not doing anything else.

I agree you have a point about down south, it is a much worse problem there.

[Joe]

I think you are harking back to a golden age that never actually existed, Marco.

Well, there were certainly far fewer cars around when I was a nipper, so less need for cyclists to ride on the pavement for self-preservation reasons. And there were plenty of cyclists around in those days; my father rode a bike to work most of his working life, even after buying a car.

In my experience there are idiots on bikes, idiots on foot and idiots driving cars. My own 'near miss' was on a pedestrian crossing a few days ago; several cars were approaching, but at some distance, and were visibly slowing down as I began to cross. To my horror, the leading car suddenly accelerated towards me. He slammed on his brakes and came screeching to a halt a few millimetres from my legs. If the road had been wet, I'd have been a goner. He acknowledged his fault (I can only assume his foot slipped or something; he was a middle-aged bloke with his family on board, not a boy-racer) and drove off.

[Marco]

I hear that a lot and it is a really odd comment. What do drivers think their passengers are looking at whilst they are driving? if anything the passenger has more ability to notice bad driving as he's not doing anything else.

Yes, but that's not the same as driving. As a passenger, you can sit there and relax - you're not having to continually concentrate and sometimes make split-second decisions. Your mood alters when you become stressed, which is when your attitude changes, and not for the better.

One day, if you ever get a diving licence, you'll understand

Marco.

P.S See my edit (re: the experiment) to the post you quoted.