View Full Version : "Ello John dya drive a motor"
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/new-laws-you-need-know-15591994?fbclid=IwAR3r7UvQPioNj3vCmbAmF_o2kbkDnDZ2-dBYgrLTfhTW9bZrAJuwGHgd3Fg
So far as cyclists are concerned (being a regular cyclist myself) European regulations say to give 1.5m of space when overtaking a cyclist and I thought that the UK were thinking of bringing it in here. I suppose we await the Brexit fiasco. Where I live it would be farcical to enforce a 1.5m passing width as the roads are just not wide enough which I suspect is the case all over the country inc London (where there are no cycle lanes).
All I ask as a cyclist is that care is taken when ever you encounter a cyclist and pass leaving a sensible and safe amount of space. I know there are the Tour De France impersonators who ride like idiots especially when in a pack. I have driven behind them many times around here as it is a popular area for them and it beggars belief the idiotic things they do....and anyone cycling two abreast or more is asking for trouble. I know what the Highway Code says about cycling two abreast, but in practice this just leads to drivers doing stupid and dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.
Pigmy Pony
27-12-2018, 10:26
Oh dear, my eyesight is going from bad to worse - I thought the thread title said "Elton John". Time for some new specs. Or maybe sell the car and get a bicycle.
Oh dear, my eyesight is going from bad to worse - I thought the thread title said "Elton John". Time for some new specs. Or maybe sell the car and get a bicycle.
I was also expecting to read something about Elton John so it's not just you. Fortunately for the rest of the world I don't drive. Or cycle.
To me this seems like making up more rules and regulations just for the sake of it.
Curfews - Times when they are allowed to be on the road
Passengers - Limits for how many passengers a new driver can have
Speed - Separate, lower speed limits to other drivers
Engine sizes - Limits on how powerful their cars can be
Mandatory P plates - These are currently optional, but could be made mandatory for up to two years
Alcohol - Lower limits than the general driving population.
Who is actually going to police all of this stuff? It's very rare you see a copper round here, either in a car or on foot. And if you do they are already on their way to something far more urgent. Like they've got time to stop and count how many passengers you have in the car and check to see how long you've been driving. And exactly why does it matter how many passengers there are? What difference does that make to anything?
Yes, and how are they going to police the cyclist passing width? I suppose I will have buy a headcam, which I have avoided doing so far, not to dob anyone in, but in case I am knocked off.
walpurgis
27-12-2018, 11:00
The engine size limit is probably a good thing, but more important would be a power limit.
No domestic vehicle actually needs more than 100 bhp, in fact if being realistic, 75 bhp would be adequate. The 'boy racers' would of course be up-in-arms at such a suggestion. It will come anyway, sooner or later. In any case, the important thing is useful torque and flexibilty and electric vehicles will deliver this.
Eventually, vehicles will be area speed limited. Probably controlled by something like GPS or localised ground stations of some sort. A blanket max limit of say 60 mph will hurt nobody, but would make travelling boring (or is that 'more boring'?)
Yes, and how are they going to police the cyclist passing width? I suppose I will have buy a headcam, which I have avoided doing so far, not to dob anyone in, but in case I am knocked off.
The headcam view isn't going to show how close a car is to you unless you happen to glance to your right just before it knocks you off. You need cameras all round really.
I get the impression that these are laws invented by lawyers for lawyers. Ambulance chasers. I mean it is already against the law to knock a cyclist off, the difficulty is in proving that the motorist was driving without due care and attention and that the cyclist didn't just swerve into his path.
Was on the A50 late on Xmas eve, pretty heavy fog. There was a motorbike doing 70 mph, with a pillion passenger and L plates. Changed lanes right in front of us without looking. Just a question of split seconds between him getting away with it and them both being dead or seriously injured. You can't legislate for stupidity.
mad-moon
27-12-2018, 11:03
Cyclists should be made to learn to ride a bike properly, like the drivers of cars and motorbikes have to. They also should have to take a test to get a license to ride a bike on todays roads, as most of them haven't a clue about the highway code, or don't care about it. Also, they should be made to buy insurance, to leaglly have their bicycle on the road. It should have to have an MOT, afterall it's a vehicle on the road with other traffic. Another point to consider is, what happened to rear view mirrors? If cyclists didn't ride two abreast and the tour de france squad rode properly, drivers of cars wouldnt have to do stupid and dangerous overtaking manoeuvres... The tour de france squad can get their push bikes in excess of 60 mph and I've frequently seen cyclists do more than 30mph.
Cyclists should be made to learn to ride a bike properly.
Doesn't work for motorists so why would it work for cyclists? Next time you are in the car count how many incidents of bad driving you can spot in any ten-minute period (exceeding the speed limit counts). One a minute is pretty easy to achieve. But they've all had hours of instruction and passed the test.
think they are making way too many rules... the old rules are still valid and if used properly will stop bad driving. its the lawyers you need to get under control;) can you imagine a world without lawyers?
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/Travel/hotels/oceania/Fiji/paradise-cove-fiji-l-xlarge.jpg
mad-moon
27-12-2018, 11:14
Doesn't work for motorists so why would it work for cyclists? Next time you are in the car count how many incidents of bad driving you can spot in any ten-minute period (exceeding the speed limit counts). One a minute is pretty easy to achieve. But they've all had hours of instruction and passed the test.
probably not. but it would be legal by law. a license, an mot, insurance and the power would be there, as it is for everyone else on the highway, to have the privilege to be on the road, taken away from you...
Those palm trees don't look very safe.
Those palm trees don't look very safe.
your first up against the wall ;)
anyone else?:eek:
probably not. but it would be legal by law. a license, an mot, insurance and the power would be there, as it is for everyone else on the highway, to have the right to be on the road, taken away from you...
There's the argument that the bicycle is the one form of transport anyone can afford and use without being regulated heavily and I do have quite a lot of sympathy for that point of view even though you would not get me on a bicycle even at gunpoint.
Pigmy Pony
27-12-2018, 11:18
I reckon that a copper running along the space between a car and a cycle while trying to read his tape measure is never going to end well, and we already have a shortage of police.
The regulations listed by Macca could never be policed, at least not by the police. Luckily for our tightwad government, we will become police "snitches", thanks to the increasing use of dashcams. And we even have to pay for these cameras ourselves!
At some point in the future, these dash cams will be a compulsory fitment on all vehicles (no cam no insurance), and then, thanks to the wonders of tinternet, all the footage from all the journeys will be streamed to some massively powerful police computer which will automatically send out fixed penalty notices.
I can't wait for climate change to see us all selling our cars and buying boats - all that dash cam technology will have been for nought :D
AJSki2fly
27-12-2018, 11:20
probably not. but it would be legal by law. a license, an mot, insurance and the power would be there, as it is for everyone else on the highway, to have the privilege to be on the road, taken away from you...
So would you advocate a test for a horse on the road as well then, or perhaps a pedestrian test as well then. :lol:
walpurgis
27-12-2018, 11:21
Those palm trees don't look very safe.
Bet that water's wet too.
walpurgis
27-12-2018, 11:23
perhaps a pedestrian test as well then. :lol:
Not a bad idea, considering the amount of 'phone zombies' about.
The 'tour de france' types are annoying though and it is a good job I don't drive as the temptation to just nudge their back wheel and send them spinning off would be too great for me to resist.
I think a better solution would be to build cycling Neurburgrings in every town, where they can pay a fiver and spend the day cycling round and round. I'm sure the attraction would be the same (whatever that is, I've never understood it) and then they wouldn't be bothering anyone else. If you are just using the bike to get to the shops or to work that would be okay to carry on with as long as you cycle slowly, safely and on the pavement where possible.
I see people cycling down the dual carriageway causing all sorts of problems and taking their lives in their hands when right next to them is a ten foot wide pavement with no pedestrians for miles. What's that all about?
Pigmy Pony
27-12-2018, 11:31
So would you advocate a test for a horse on the road as well then, or perhaps a pedestrian test as well then. :lol:
Don't get me started on pedestrians!
The way I see it:
People who are able, ride a motorbike.
People who can't, drive a car.
People who can't even drive a car, we call them pedestrians.
People who are too impatient to walk, but too tight to pay for petrol, insurance, etc, these are your cyclists.
Of course there are exceptions, all of whom are AOS members. :)
Stryder5
27-12-2018, 11:36
The engine size limit is probably a good thing, but more important would be a power limit.
No domestic vehicle actually needs more than 100 bhp, in fact if being realistic, 75 bhp would be adequate. The 'boy racers' would of course be up-in-arms at such a suggestion. It will come anyway, sooner or later. In any case, the important thing is useful torque and flexibilty and electric vehicles will deliver this.l
Eventually, vehicles will be area speed limited. Probably controlled by something like GPS or localised ground stations of some sort. A blanket max limit of say 60 mph will hurt nobody, but would make travelling boring (or is that 'more boring'?)
I'm up in arms, most of the above is rubbish.
Why a power limit? What would it achieve. In a lot of occasions power will avoid an accident. Pulling out of junctions, overtaking etc, risk is proportional to exposure.
We need drivers to learn to drive not the stupid, inadequate current Driving Test.
Unfortunately all this is arbitrary, our society is broken. There is no courtesy no manners and a f*ck you attitude prevalent.
Gary
walpurgis
27-12-2018, 11:39
I'm up in arms, most of the above is rubbish.
Gary
Quite right. I should have suggested a blanket speed limit of 50 mph. Not 60 mph.
nonuffin
27-12-2018, 11:39
Allowing a 1.5 metre gap when passing cyclists? Have the dickheads who promulgated this ever driven around rural Cornwall?
Pigmy Pony
27-12-2018, 11:40
The 'tour de france' types are annoying though and it is a good job I don't drive as the temptation to just nudge their back wheel and send them spinning off would be too great for me to resist.
I think a better solution would be to build cycling Neurburgrings in every town, where they can pay a fiver and spend the day cycling round and round. I'm sure the attraction would be the same (whatever that is, I've never understood it) and then they wouldn't be bothering anyone else. If you are just using the bike to get to the shops or to work that would be okay to carry on with as long as you cycle slowly, safely and on the pavement where possible.
I see people cycling down the dual carriageway causing all sorts of problems and taking their lives in their hands when right next to them is a ten foot wide pavement with no pedestrians for miles. What's that all about?
It's because the road sweepers don't bother with the roadsides, so the cyclists get lots of punctures. Largely because modern cycle tyres are based on condom technology. We should be throwing lots more money at keeping these lanes clear for cyclists. And maybe put canopies over these lanes so they don't get wet when it's raining.
The engine size limit is probably a good thing, but more important would be a power limit.
No domestic vehicle actually needs more than 100 bhp, in fact if being realistic, 75 bhp would be adequate. The 'boy racers' would of course be up-in-arms at such a suggestion. It will come anyway, sooner or later. In any case, the important thing is useful torque and flexibilty and electric vehicles will deliver this.
Eventually, vehicles will be area speed limited. Probably controlled by something like GPS or localised ground stations of some sort. A blanket max limit of say 60 mph will hurt nobody, but would make travelling boring (or is that 'more boring'?)
Yeah let's just stop everyone from doing anything. Why shouldn't I have a 500BHP car if I want one? What happened to the freedom of the individual?
It's because the road sweepers don't bother with the roadsides, so the cyclists get lots of punctures. Largely because modern cycle tyres are based on condom technology. We should be throwing lots more money at keeping these lanes clear for cyclists. And maybe put canopies over these lanes so they don't get wet when it's raining.
And have those little stands every few hundred yards where people hand them bottles of water as they go along. And people going really slow on motorbikes with a pillion rider filming them so when they get home they can downlead it and watch themselves.
I see these 'mobility scooters' now that have a proper roof on them. They look pretty good, no licence required. Just soup it up a bit and lose some of the weight by discarding all the trim and they might take over from cars for urban transport. A bit like the Sinclair C5 except not quite as shit. And legally you have total right of way over every other vehicle or pedestrian on those things. I think. Certainly many of the people using them act like that's the case.
AJSki2fly
27-12-2018, 12:36
Don't get me started on pedestrians!
The way I see it:
People who are able, ride a motorbike.
People who can't, drive a car.
People who can't even drive a car, we call them pedestrians.
People who are too impatient to walk, but too tight to pay for petrol, insurance, etc, these are your cyclists.
Of course there are exceptions, all of whom are AOS members. :)
Well I hate cyclists, I can't stand the gear they wear or the superior looks they give you as if they are the chosen ones to be on the roads. Of course the first thing they will tell you is not only are they keeping fit but also saving the world as they are not polluting the place. They forget to tell you that their bicycle is electric and they charge it up using energy causing pollution and they are not really getting fit because the electric motor is doing all the work, or that they only get on the thing for an hour a week to show off, and the rest of the week swan around in their big engined luxury high end cars. :rolleyes:
mad-moon
27-12-2018, 13:03
So would you advocate a test for a horse on the road as well then, or perhaps a pedestrian test as well then. :lol:
No..Horses and pedestrians are ok...well that is until you sit a pedestrian on the horse, or strap the horse to one of those 2 wheeled buggy contraptions, so 2 pedestrians can ride on it... then the trouble starts again
AJSki2fly
27-12-2018, 13:26
No..Horses and pedestrians are ok...well that is until you sit a pedestrian on the horse, or strap the horse to one of those 2 wheeled buggy contraptions, so 2 pedestrians can ride on it... then the trouble starts again
Bring back Rockin' Horses I say. :eyebrows:
Pigmy Pony
27-12-2018, 14:57
I don't think anyone here is implying that all cyclists are bad, just enough of them to give cyclists a bad name. If the law dealt more harshly with these individuals, it would be better for all of us.
I'd love to be in a position of power where I can force cyclists to have a licence. So that I could revoke my brother's, who can't do anything (including cycling) without it becoming a confrontation with anyone with the gall to be anywhere near him.
Pigmy Pony
27-12-2018, 14:59
Bring back Rockin' Horses I say. :eyebrows:
Saw one in a shop in Shrewsbury - it was about 3 grand, and it wasn't even road-legal :(
Haselsh1
27-12-2018, 15:21
LOL, I just typed a response to this thread but then deleted it. I have used the roads since 1976 mainly on motorcycles. My safety is my responsibility, it is not another person's. Once you are smashed and broken, blaming someone else is not a lot of good. The possibility of suffering permanent brain damage in a crash means that even if it is not your fault, you'll never know.
Pigmy Pony
27-12-2018, 15:33
Agree 100% Shaun - no shortage of knobheads on the road, but it is up to us (as far as possible) how we deal with it, hence "defensive" riding/driving. Being in the right means nothing when you're brown bread.
AJSki2fly
27-12-2018, 16:25
Agree 100% Shaun - no shortage of knobheads on the road, but it is up to us (as far as possible) how we deal with it, hence "defensive" riding/driving. Being in the right means nothing when you're brown bread.
I work on the bubble principle personally.:eyebrows:
I'm up in arms, most of the above is rubbish.
Why a power limit? What would it achieve. In a lot of occasions power will avoid an accident. Pulling out of junctions, overtaking etc, risk is proportional to exposure.
We need drivers to learn to drive not the stupid, inadequate current Driving Test.
Unfortunately all this is arbitrary, our society is broken. There is no courtesy no manners and a f*ck you attitude prevalent.
Gary
I don't know, my car is about 220bhp, I wouldn't mind losing 120bhp on the proviso I could keep the 275ft/lbs from 1800-45000rpm lol
Stryder5
27-12-2018, 20:31
I don't know, my car is about 220bhp, I wouldn't mind losing 120bhp on the proviso I could keep the 275ft/lbs from 1800-45000rpm lol
But we really need to torque (sic) about bhp/ton ( or the equivalent in metric) so I have a low in one car of around 250 and 400 in another, DC motors give torque from virtually zero rpm, but I don't know of any DC motor that will rev at 45000 shaft rpm? :fence:
Gary
My safety is my responsibility, it is not another person's.
...... Is only half the story, everyone else's safety is my responsibility too.
No good being sorry when someone else is brown bread.
Pigmy Pony
28-12-2018, 07:52
...... Is only half the story, everyone else's safety is my responsibility too.
No good being sorry when someone else is brown bread.
True enough, but defensive riding/driving means assuming everyone else is an idiot and putting yourself in the best position and at the best speed to (a) make yourself visible to other road users, and (b) be ready to react to a hazard as early as possible. I'm sure driving like this would help keep everyone safe.
But we really need to torque (sic) about bhp/ton ( or the equivalent in metric) so I have a low in one car of around 250 and 400 in another, DC motors give torque from virtually zero rpm, but I don't know of any DC motor that will rev at 45000 shaft rpm? :fence:
Gary
Good point, I may have accidentally added an extra 0 lol
Stryder5
28-12-2018, 08:33
Good point, I may have accidentally added an extra 0 lol
Good idea though, would be fabulous :hotrod:
Gary
The problem is obvious. too many cars on too little roads all vying for the same goal; to not be late for work, or get home as early as possible... everything now is against the clock. Too many commuters tbh, and a totally inadequate public transport system. Add to that an attitude of "i'm all right jack" and its always going to end in tears for someone.
The problem is obvious. too many cars on too little roads all vying for the same goal; to not be late for work, or get home as early as possible... everything now is against the clock. Too many commuters tbh, and a totally inadequate public transport system. Add to that an attitude of "i'm all right jack" and its always going to end in tears for someone.
Yes exactly, that's why cyclists are hated so much as they are seen as an inconvenience and are expendable to a lot of motorists,
The problem is obvious. too many cars on too little roads all vying for the same goal; to not be late for work, or get home as early as possible... everything now is against the clock. Too many commuters tbh, and a totally inadequate public transport system. Add to that an attitude of "i'm all right jack" and its always going to end in tears for someone.
Spot on, in all respects!
There are more selfish arseholes than ever, not just on our roads, but *everywhere* in public, living in their superficial, largely meaningless 'little bubbles', who couldn't give a damn about anyone else, which the grossly materialistic society we're created and live in today has bred.
In terms of the bit in bold, yup... Too many stressed to buggery, headless chickens, with fatally poor 'work/life balances', running around the place with no time to themselves - and it's a disease the UK suffers from in particular, especially in places like London.
In that respect, it's a real eye-opener, going abroad and watching how the French, Italians, Spanish, and even Germans exist, working hard, yes, but also managing to find the time to LIVE.....
It would be a useful, and I suspect beneficial exercise, therefore, to introduce 'work swaps', where a selection of workers from the UK, from various industries, swapped places for a week with their European counterparts, and see if they learned anything useful, and if so, whether it would force a chance in their 'headless chicken' lifestyles, before they all end up dead from heart attacks.
Marco.
mad-moon
28-12-2018, 11:25
Yes exactly, that's why cyclists are hated so much as they are seen as an inconvenience and are expendable to a lot of motorists,
I do not hate cyclists. Cyclists who are riding correctly, have every right to be on the roads, providing they abide by the laws of the road and I'm sorry, but the majority of them don't. Running red lights, bouncing up on to the pavement to avoid red lights, undertaking vehicles who are waiting at red lights, snapping off wing mirrors, and when you confront them, they kick your car or smah your wing mirror off purposely in anger. That's just one scenario , the waiting at a red light road rage scenario. the prolem on the roads today, which I pointed out in a previous thread " what makes a good driver" is PATIENCE ! and Grant pointed it out further up this thread
" The problem is obvious. too many cars on too little roads all vying for the same goal; to not be late for work, or get home as early as possible... everything now is against the clock. Too many commuters tbh, and a totally inadequate public transport system. Add to that an attitude of "i'm all right jack" and its always going to end in tears for someone."
Pigmy Pony
28-12-2018, 14:29
Spot on, in all respects!
There are more selfish arseholes than ever, not just on our roads, but *everywhere* in public, living in their superficial, largely meaningless 'little bubbles', who couldn't give a damn about anyone else, which the grossly materialistic society we're created and live in today has bred.
In terms of the bit in bold, yup... Too many stressed to buggery, headless chickens, with fatally poor 'work/life balances', running around the place with no time to themselves - and it's a disease the UK suffers from in particular, especially in places like London.
In that respect, it's a real eye-opener, going abroad and watching how the French, Italians, Spanish, and even Germans exist, working hard, yes, but also managing to find the time to LIVE.....
It would be a useful, and I suspect beneficial exercise, therefore, to introduce 'work swaps', where a selection of workers from the UK, from various industries, swapped places for a week with their European counterparts, and see if they learned anything useful, and if so, whether it would force a chance in their 'headless chicken' lifestyles, before they all end up dead from heart attacks.
Marco.
I wonder how the lifestyles of our "headless chickens" differ materially from our "finding time to live" European counterparts? Is housing cheaper over there? Do they spend less on their cars, food and drink, essential services (gas, electric, water), holidays, etc?
I would argue that it is not the workers, but the employers, politicians and bankers that need to do a "job swap", at the end of which we may say "Nah, you can keep 'em".
If the problem turns out to be that British workers have to work longer than our continental cousins to earn comparable incomes, well that's not necessarily the fault of the workers. Failing businesses are never the fault of the workers, but always the fault of those in charge. It would be nice to be able to say to your boss "I'm leaving for a better job because you're a complete wank-stain and your firm is headed for the toilet", but unfortunately it's still a buyers market jobwise.
And that's probably at the root of the "headless chickens" problem.
I wonder how the lifestyles of our "headless chickens" differ materially from our "finding time to live" European counterparts? .
Me too.
I've been to Paris and Rome and they didn't seem to be so laid back there. Not been to Germany so not sure what that's like now but going by their previous form I wouldn't describe their culture as particularly 'chilled'. The Dutch seem to be cycling somewhere all the time and the Spanish to be either sleeping or partying hard. Scandinavia has some of the highest suicide rates in the world so they're clearly out and the Poles and Russkies are on the piss all the time so hard to tell with them.
Now I've been to rural France and the shops all close at 10am and I don't know what they all do after that but whatever it is they aren't doing it on the streets as it's like a ghost town. So maybe they are finding 'time to live' but if so they do it in private. And you can go to rural Britain and see pretty much the same thing (except the shops are open all day).
Pigmy Pony
28-12-2018, 15:52
Whatever it is they do in rural France, it certainly isn't home maintenance. I've driven all over France, and not just on the autoroutes, and most of the houses look like they're ready to fall down. The owners are probably busy setting fire to bins and cars in the cities, and being as laid back about it as possible.
And no one in their right mind would drive a nice car round Paris.
Pigmy Pony
28-12-2018, 16:00
At the risk of being branded 'Francophile', I'll just mention that the most commonly seen sign outside the cities is 'Ferme'. Not sure if this is a type of cheese, but it seems to be big business. I'll buy some next time I'm over there, if I can find anywhere open :)
. The owners are probably busy setting fire to bins and cars in the cities, and being as laid back about it as possible.
.
I've not tried it but it's possible that setting fire to bins and cars and throwing a few rocks at the police reduces your stress levels. It does look like it's more fun that working for a living although I suppose that's not saying much.
So get up at 6 am, open your boulangerie or whatever, close at 7am then off into town for spot of rioting. Back home for tea-time, some wine, some cheese, catch some rays, then off to bed in your falling-down house.
I wonder how the lifestyles of our "headless chickens" differ materially from our "finding time to live" European counterparts? Is housing cheaper over there? Do they spend less on their cars, food and drink, essential services (gas, electric, water), holidays, etc?
I would argue that it is not the workers, but the employers, politicians and bankers that need to do a "job swap", at the end of which we may say "Nah, you can keep 'em".
If the problem turns out to be that British workers have to work longer than our continental cousins to earn comparable incomes, well that's not necessarily the fault of the workers. Failing businesses are never the fault of the workers, but always the fault of those in charge. It would be nice to be able to say to your boss "I'm leaving for a better job because you're a complete wank-stain and your firm is headed for the toilet", but unfortunately it's still a buyers market jobwise.
And that's probably at the root of the "headless chickens" problem.
It's mainly a culture thing. We (although I don't count myself in this, nor I suspect most folks here, but Brits in general) have become conditioned to working all the hours under the sun, to fund a lifestyle we can ill afford. We're obsessed with 'stuff', and so earning enough money to pay for it all has become the primary focus, thus encroaching on our free time and ability to LIVE.
My experience of how folks live abroad, in the countries I've mentioned, is that they tend to lead a more frugal existence, with less focus on having 'stuff', and where TIME (to spend doing what *you* want) is ultimately more important than money - and so if you have less 'stuff', you don't have to work such long hours to pay for it, thereby reducing stress and achieving a healthier work/life balance.
Try telling a Frenchman, for example, that he or she can't have (at the very minimum) a one-hour lunch break, in order to relax and enjoy a proper cooked hot meal, and that instead they'll have to eat a microwaved pie, or some such, at their desk, whist carrying on working, and they'll tell you where to go in no uncertain terms!!:eek:;)
Yet we put up with it here and don't dare say 'boo to a coo', continually accepting being put upon by our employers, to the extent that they put upon us more and more (because they know that they'll get away with it), and so control our lives, not just in work, but also (supposedly) out of it, by expecting us to be contactable virtually 24/7, at the beck and call of an email or text message....
It's a vicious circle that has put so many people in a lifestyle trap (made them become a slave to the 'rat race') that's very difficult to escape.
However, from what I've seen abroad, in the countries I've mentioned, they seem to manage the pressures of modern living rather better than we do, and have held onto the things that ultimately matter most and make life precious: having TIME to ENJOY LIFE (spending more of it with their loved ones, than working their fingers to the bone - for *what* exactly in the end?) and simply continually running around like a headless chicken.
They don't seem to care about 'keeping up with the Joneses', or are as obsessed with lifestyle trends, as we are, and aren't so materialistically-driven, nor generally, do they give a bugger what others think of them, as they tend to have the self-confidence to adopt more of a 'fuck you' approach.
After all, in terms of working like a dog to earn lots of money, what good will it do, if you've got NO TIME to enjoy it...? Life's too short to ultimately waste it neglecting the people who matter to you most. None of us know how long we've got on this earth, so why not ensure that when you do depart, you've got as little regrets as possible?
If you're a parent, what would you like your kids one day to put on your gravestone: 'We loved you dad, but never really knew you, because you were always working', or 'We loved you dad and will treasure all the wonderful memories we made spending time together while you were here'?
The 'headless chickens' of today would do well to think about that, and make the appropriate changes to their 'busy lifestyles', before it's all too late....
Marco.
Now I've been to rural France and the shops all close at 10am...
Not generally true; more like closing at 12 noon, for a LONG lunch/siesta (after having opened at 8am), and so often won't surface again until 3pm, then they'll close at 6pm. If you can earn enough money during that time, to pay your bills and live comfortably, then why not?
...and I don't know what they all do after that but whatever it is they aren't doing it on the streets as it's like a ghost town. So maybe they are finding 'time to live' but if so they do it in private.
Enjoying a few glasses of vin rouge? Eating a nice meal? Making love? Who knows...;) Thing is, *whatever* it is, to THEM it's more important and worthwhile, for their overall well-being, than working! I admire them greatly for it, and indeed have emulated that lifestyle approach myself, as I've worked hard/smart enough in my younger years, now to be able to adopt it successfully.
It's one of the reasons why I'm genuinely happy, and wake up with a smile on my face every morning, looking forward to the day ahead, instead of dreading it, as unfortunately is the case for lots of folks these days... Stress is today's biggest killer, and that's a fact! Life's too short to spend it being unhappy, so if that describes *you*, then my advice is to do something about it while you can.
Marco.
Haselsh1
28-12-2018, 18:38
Can anyone explain to me why the tax classification for a motorcycle is 'bicycle' but it requires insurance, tax and MOT whereas a bicycle does not..?
As far as I am concerned bicycle riders should be forced to have insurance especially public liability insurance as should mobility scooters.
Public liability insurance is a type of business insurance, say if you have visitors to your premises or carry out work on client sites. It can cover legal expenses or compensation claims if clients, suppliers, or members of the public suffer personal injury or property damage because of your business.
If cyclists had to have compulsory insurance I would assume that this would work in the same way as car insurance and protect both parties. If the accident that resulted in your injury was the fault of the cyclist then your claim will be against their insurer.
I can see no reason why this should not be brought in and would work both ways to protect all road users. Perhaps cycles should also be registered and have a number plate for identification.
Haselsh1
29-12-2018, 09:35
Strange you should say that about public liability insurance. Photographers are required to have public liability if they use a tripod in a public place but very few actually do. If they cause personal injury to a member of the public through the use of their equipment when in a public place they could be sued massively if found to be liable for those injuries. I have heard that the same is true for mobility scooters and the public. If you discount the Harley then I don't ride a mobility scooter and I never use a tripod in a busy public place.
;)
It's mainly a culture thing. We (although I don't count myself in this, nor I suspect most folks here, but Brits in general) have become conditioned to working all the hours under the sun, to fund a lifestyle we can ill afford. We're obsessed with 'stuff', and so earning enough money to pay for it all has become the primary focus, thus encroaching on our free time and ability to LIVE.
My experience of how folks live abroad, in the countries I've mentioned, is that they tend to lead a more frugal existence, with less focus on having 'stuff', and where TIME (to spend doing what *you* want) is ultimately more important than money - and so if you have less 'stuff', you don't have to work such long hours to pay for it, thereby reducing stress and achieving a healthier work/life balance.
Try telling a Frenchman, for example, that he or she can't have (at the very minimum) a one-hour lunch break, in order to relax and enjoy a proper cooked hot meal, and that instead they'll have to eat a microwaved pie, or some such, at their desk, whist carrying on working, and they'll tell you where to go in no uncertain terms!!:eek:;)
Yet we put up with it here and don't dare say 'boo to a coo', continually accepting being put upon by our employers, to the extent that they put upon us more and more (because they know that they'll get away with it), and so control our lives, not just in work, but also (supposedly) out of it, by expecting us to be contactable virtually 24/7, at the beck and call of an email or text message....
It's a vicious circle that has put so many people in a lifestyle trap (made them become a slave to the 'rat race') that's very difficult to escape.
However, from what I've seen abroad, in the countries I've mentioned, they seem to manage the pressures of modern living rather better than we do, and have held onto the things that ultimately matter most and make life precious: having TIME to ENJOY LIFE (spending more of it with their loved ones, than working their fingers to the bone - for *what* exactly in the end?) and simply continually running around like a headless chicken.
They don't seem to care about 'keeping up with the Joneses', or are as obsessed with lifestyle trends, as we are, and aren't so materialistically-driven, nor generally, do they give a bugger what others think of them, as they tend to have the self-confidence to adopt more of a 'fuck you' approach.
After all, in terms of working like a dog to earn lots of money, what good will it do, if you've got NO TIME to enjoy it...? Life's too short to ultimately waste it neglecting the people who matter to you most. None of us know how long we've got on this earth, so why not ensure that when you do depart, you've got as little regrets as possible?
If you're a parent, what would you like your kids one day to put on your gravestone: 'We loved you dad, but never really knew you, because you were always working', or 'We loved you dad and will treasure all the wonderful memories we made spending time together while you were here'?
The 'headless chickens' of today would do well to think about that, and make the appropriate changes to their 'busy lifestyles', before it's all too late....
Marco.
Fancy having a go at this, Piggurs - or indeed if anyone else has a view on it?:cool:
Marco.
Mexico work the most, followed closely by Costa Rica, South Korea, Greece and Chile. Brits average 32hrs a week. Germans work the least ....
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/nationalities-that-work-the-longest-hours/
Cheers for that... What about in Western Europe, though? I'd be interested to see the figures for that, and how Brits compare, in that respect, with the other countries in that part of the (developed, more affluent) world.
And the Germans will probably just utilise their working time more efficiently;)
Certainly fits though, with what I've seen when I'm over there... They work, but still seem to find time to relax and enjoy themselves socialising with their families, and so the focus isn't simply on Work, Eat, Sleep/Repeat, as so often seems to be the case here.
Marco.
Which nationalities work the longest hours?
Mexico - 2255 hours per year
Costa Rica - 2212
South Korea - 2069
Greece - 2035
Chile - 1974
Russia - 1974
Poland - 1928
Latvia - 1910
Israel - 1889
Lithuania - 1885
Iceland - 1879
Estonia - 1855
Portugal - 1842
Turkey - 1832
Ireland - 1820
US - 1783
Czech Republic - 1770
Hungary - 1761
New Zealand - 1757
Slovakia - 1740
Italy - 1730
Japan - 1713
Canada - 1703
Spain - 1695
Slovenia - 1682
UK - 1676
Australia - 1669
Finland - 1653
Sweden - 1621
Austria - 1601
Switzerland - 1590
Belgium - 1551
Luxembourg - 1512
France - 1472
Netherlands - 1430
Norway - 1421
Denmark - 1410
Germany - 1363
So the Italians actually work more hours than the British, sort of blows your theory there Marco?
I never use a tripod in a busy public place.;)
Maybe I should attach one to the side of the bike, like those pathetic plastic wands you used to see with a red reflector on.
Lol - if you trust the figures, Martin!:eyebrows:
It certainly doesn't reflect what I've witnessed whenever I've been there [our village in Tuscany, for example, is dead between the hours of 2-4pm, as every bugger is snoozing after lunch], although I'm used to life in rural and/or town areas, not cities, which I suspect the figures were calculated from.
Marco.
I do 1695 hours a year so the same as a Spaniard.
Lol - if you trust the figures, Martin!:eyebrows:
It certainly doesn't reflect what I've witnessed whenever I've been there, although I'm used to life in rural and/or town areas, not cities, which I suspect the figures were calculated from.
Marco.
True but we don't have anything else to go on apart from personal anecdote which is equally dodgy if not more so. I get 34 paid holiday days a year, plus weekends, it isn't that bad. Although I'd be happier doing a 4 day week instead of 5. That's always seemed more equitable to me, 4 days work 3 days off.
I do 1695 hours a year so the same as a Spaniard.
Bet he (or she) gets a longer lunch break though, and has a better stocked staff canteen!;)
Do you even have such a place, or eat your lunch at your desk? How long is your lunch break? Also, do you get a morning and/or afternoon tea break? It's not just about how many hours you work, but how civilised your working conditions are.
Marco.
Bet he (or she) gets a longer lunch break though, and has a rather nicer staff canteen!;)
Do you even have such a place, or eat your lunch at your desk? How long is your lunch break?
Marco.
Don't get paid for lunch in my job so that's not counted as working hours. They allow you 30 minutes (legal minimum is 20 I believe). Although no-one is timing you. There's no staff canteen although we used to be able to use the canteen of another company located in the same building (until they went bust).
I'd imagine canteen provision in Spain also varies wildly from employer to employer.
Which nationalities work the longest hours?
Mexico - 2255 hours per year
Costa Rica - 2212
South Korea - 2069
Greece - 2035
Chile - 1974
Russia - 1974
Poland - 1928
Latvia - 1910
Israel - 1889
Lithuania - 1885
Iceland - 1879
Estonia - 1855
Portugal - 1842
Turkey - 1832
Ireland - 1820
US - 1783
Czech Republic - 1770
Hungary - 1761
New Zealand - 1757
Slovakia - 1740
Italy - 1730
Japan - 1713
Canada - 1703
Spain - 1695
Slovenia - 1682
UK - 1676
Australia - 1669
Finland - 1653
Sweden - 1621
Austria - 1601
Switzerland - 1590
Belgium - 1551
Luxembourg - 1512
France - 1472
Netherlands - 1430
Norway - 1421
Denmark - 1410
Germany - 1363
So the Italians actually work more hours than the British, sort of blows your theory there Marco?
interesting that all the countries at bottom make great beer and enjoy drinking it, but in a fun way....bar the Germans; bastards:eyebrows:
Don't get paid for lunch in my job so that's not counted as working hours. They allow you 30 minutes (legal minimum is 20 I believe). Although no-one is timing you. There's no staff canteen although we used to be able to use the canteen of another company located in the same building (until they went bust).
I'd imagine canteen provision in Spain also varies wildly from employer to employer.
Well, you see, that's not right for starters, IMO. It might be the 'norm' now, but that doesn't make it right. When I last worked for a large company (during the early 90s), we were paid during our lunch breaks, had a proper staff canteen with a chef who cooked basic homemade food, and had (paid) morning and afternoon tea breaks.
Times change eh, and not for the better either!
No doubt you're right about Spain, but I'd still bet any money that they get proper lunch breaks and access to hot meals. I certainly know from experience how well French lorry drivers eat, and how long they spend on their lunch breaks!!:eek::D
Wonder if the same could be said for UK truckers?
Marco.
Well, you see, that's not right for starters, IMO. It might be the 'norm' now, but that doesn't make it right. When I last worked for a large company (during the early 90s), we were paid during our lunch breaks, had a proper staff canteen, with a chef who cooked homemade food, and had (paid) morning and afternoon tea breaks.
Times change eh, and not for the better either!
o.
I don't think that is/was typical though. We're about the same age, I've had 17 different employers over 30 years and only one offered a paid lunch break - an hour as well! No canteen, you had to bring your own lunch or go to the shop. I was only there 8 weeks and they went bust.
Pigmy Pony
29-12-2018, 14:05
Not interested in a long lunch break, would rather just go home earlier.
I don't think that is/was typical though. We're about the same age, I've had 17 different employers over 30 years and only one offered a paid lunch break - an hour as well! No canteen, you had to bring your own lunch or go to the shop. I was only there 8 weeks and they went bust.
!7 different employers?:eek: I had four, before becoming self-employed.
The main one, which I was referring to with the canteen, etc, was House of Fraser, where I worked from 1983 until 1990. However, two of the other three all provided paid lunch breaks, although no staff canteen, as they were much smaller companies.
However, most large companies I knew of back then had canteens, where (chargeable, although only at cost/subsidised) freshly cooked hot meals were available for staff. Not sure how many such companies still do that now...
Marco.
Not interested in a long lunch break, would rather just go home earlier.
Well, I was in retail, and we worked a straight 9-5 [with two days off per week: a Sunday and an alternating week day, as working Saturdays was mandatory], apart from during sale periods, where paid overtime was provided, and we worked until (I think) 9pm on Thursdays, when late-night shopping was offered.
Therefore, finishing most days at 5pm was early enough (with 2 x 20 mins tea breaks and an hour for lunch), especially as I only lived 20 mins away from home, in the car!:cool:
Eating properly, whilst at work, rather than simply snacking and consuming shit, and having time to relax and chill out, away from your immediate workplace, for me is vitally important for your good health and well being. IMO, it should be a mandatory provision for all full-time employees, and built into the normal working day. Heck, I often used to go for a business lunch in town!
Quite simply, going to work should be as pleasurable an experience as possible (which it always was for me), and never something that you hate or dread doing.
No thoughts on post #50?:)
Marco.
last job for a company i worked 9.30 to 9.30 13 days from 14, with 2 hrs off in afternoon if you got lucky.. slave labour tbh.
Pigmy Pony
29-12-2018, 14:40
Fancy having a go at this, Piggurs - or indeed if anyone else has a view on it?:cool:
Marco.
Just got home after a 2 hour shift, so I'm too knackered to bother. But I'll have a go anyway.
I don't think the differences between Britain and the rest of Western Europe are that great as far as working hours and incomes go. You speak of the lifestyles of people living in Tuscany and other European rural areas, and their lifestyles probably don't differ greatly from rural areas over here. Certainly Farmer Sweatbag down the road from us doesn't spend much time driving round the country like a headless chicken.
The manic driving seen in towns and cities here will be no different to what you would find elsewhere in Europe. You may see less in France simply because they fit a similar size population into a country two and a quarter times the size.
I would readily believe the figures posted by Macca - what reason would the author have to lie? It looks like the French work on average about 4 hours a week less than UK, which is nice, but as this is an average, the people you see who appear to do jack shit for much of the day (apart from making love, eating cheese and saying paa-donn to each other) means that in the towns and cities they must be grafting 25 hours a day to make up for their rural cousins.
Also I've just read that in France you are 20% more likely to be murdered - I'm sure that figure could be reduced if they moved a bit quicker.
What I take from this is that your quality of life (or lack of) has little to do with the country you live in and more to do with where in that country you live.
Just got home after a 2 hour shift, so I'm too knackered to bother. But I'll have a go anyway.
I don't think the differences between Britain and the rest of Western Europe are that great as far as working hours and incomes go. You speak of the lifestyles of people living in Tuscany and other European rural areas, and their lifestyles probably don't differ greatly from rural areas over here. Certainly Farmer Sweatbag down the road from us doesn't spend much time driving round the country like a headless chicken.
The manic driving seen in towns and cities here will be no different to what you would find elsewhere in Europe. You may see less in France simply because they fit a similar size population into a country two and a quarter times the size.
I would readily believe the figures posted by Macca - what reason would the author have to lie? It looks like the French work on average about 4 hours a week less than UK, which is nice, but as this is an average, the people you see who appear to do jack shit for much of the day (apart from making love, eating cheese and saying paa-donn to each other) means that in the towns and cities they must be grafting 25 hours a day to make up for their rural cousins.
Also I've just read that in France you are 20% more likely to be murdered - I'm sure that figure could be reduced if they moved a bit quicker.
What I take from this is that your quality of life (or lack of) has little to do with the country you live in and more to do with where in that country you live.
I don't disagree with that, and suspect that your last sentence contains a lot of truth. However, it just goes to prove then why, if I had the choice, I'd *never* work or live in a big city!:nono:
You can see the change in the pace of life, and people's stress levels, when you venture from a quieter and/or more rural area, to a busier and/or more urban one... I even notice this when I go from Wrexham, to visit Macca in Stoke - the difference in traffic levels alone is quite marked, and Stoke isn't exactly huge!:eek:
Marco.
interesting that all the countries at bottom make great beer and enjoy drinking it, but in a fun way....bar the Germans; bastards:eyebrows:
You been to Octoberfest?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Pigmy Pony
29-12-2018, 15:46
You been to Octoberfest?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
No - when do they have that?
No - when do they have that?
September. Of course...!
Pigmy Pony
29-12-2018, 16:15
Of course it is, I'm such a silly bratwurst :)
AJSki2fly
29-12-2018, 16:55
interesting that all the countries at bottom make great beer and enjoy drinking it, but in a fun way....bar the Germans; bastards:eyebrows:
Weil sie effizient sind
interesting that all the countries at bottom make great beer and enjoy drinking it, but in a fun way....bar the Germans; bastards:eyebrows:
Lol - not sure what you mean? (Genuine) Germans, certainly those among my wife's family, represent some of the most fun-loving and nicest folk I know!:barrel:
I love going out with them for a few beers in Cologne, especially here, drinking ice-cold Kölsch [the local beer]: https://www.frueh-am-dom.de/
Been there many times, and I can assure you, the folks there were having LOTS of fun, drinking some great beer!;)
Marco.
Lol - not sure what you mean? (Genuine) Germans, certainly those among my wife's family, represent some of the most fun-loving and nicest folk I know!:barrel:
I love going out with them for a few beers in Cologne, especially here, drinking ice-cold Kölsche [the local beer]: https://www.frueh-am-dom.de/
Been there many times, and I can assure you, the folks there were having LOTS of fun, drinking some great beer!;)
Marco.
lol... was just a wee jest...i think:ner: been to hamburg, although it was just before it got inundated by the east. tbh 95% of folk i spoke to were not really for it. yup, in their own country you couldn't find nicer folk.
buggers when they go "on tour" tho:D
Pigmy Pony
29-12-2018, 18:01
lol... was just a wee jest...i think:ner: been to hamburg, although it was just before it got inundated by the east. tbh 95% of folk i spoke to were not really for it. yup, in their own country you couldn't find nicer folk.
buggers when they go "on tour" tho:D
Yes they don't have that easy-going, open minded nature that we Brits abroad are known for...(just so long as we don't have to eat any of that foreign muck) :D
lol... was just a wee jest...i think:ner: been to hamburg, although it was just before it got inundated by the east. tbh 95% of folk i spoke to were not really for it. yup, in their own country you couldn't find nicer folk.
buggers when they go "on tour" tho:D
Lol.... Never experienced that, or indeed the strange breed who (apparently) place towels on deck chairs in Spanish beach resorts!;)
Actually, tonight I'm having some of Lidl's excellent (and rather authentic) brātwurst:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/YVjlsY.png
Superb, pan-fried, nice and golden, and served with paprika-salted hand-cut chips, and a selection of nice pickles, along with a good dollop of German mustard (senf). We bring this stuff back from Germany, which has a nice 'kick' to it:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/921/ecx9rx.png
...all washed down with one of my favourite German beers:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/QFH46c.jpg
...which I buy from here: https://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/beer/country/germany/hacker-pschorr-munchner-hell
:cool::cool:
Marco [who's never been to a Spanish beach resort in his life].
Lol.... Never experienced that, or indeed the strange breed who (apparently) place towels on deck chairs in Spanish beach resorts!;)
Actually, tonight I'm having some of Lidl's excellent (and rather authentic) brātwurst:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/YVjlsY.png
Superb, pan-fried, nice and golden, and served with paprika-salted hand-cut chips, and a selection of nice pickles, along with a good dollop of German mustard (senf). We bring this stuff back from Germany, which has a nice 'kick' to it:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/921/ecx9rx.png
...all washed down with one of my favourite German beers:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/924/QFH46c.jpg
...which I buy from here: https://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/beer/country/germany/hacker-pschorr-munchner-hell
:cool::cool:
Marco [who's never been to a Spanish beach resort in his life].
When i was going to spain in late 60's 70's they did it all the time much to the annoyance of every other nationality. They took it in turns to get up at 6am and take all their friends towels down and get a load of deckchairs into the best spot, leaving a towel on each then retire for breakfast.
No idea if they still do it(probably not as now the towels would be nicked).
They were also arrogant and loud. I was pleasantly surprised when i went to Germany to find they were the opposite within their own country....positively helpful and pleasant
Lol, so those strange creatures actually existed? Were they more arrogant and loud than Brits [read as mainly English] abroad?:D;) Thank goodness I've only ever met the latter from your description!
Do you like brātwurst, btw?:)
Marco.
I take everyone as I find them - if they live up to stereotypes that is their problem not mine. Generally I find individual travellers abroad are free from the stereotypical behaviour of travellers/holidaymakers en masse.
Pigmy Pony
29-12-2018, 19:19
lol... was just a wee jest...i think:ner: been to hamburg, although it was just before it got inundated by the east. tbh 95% of folk i spoke to were not really for it. yup, in their own country you couldn't find nicer folk.
buggers when they go "on tour" tho:D
Oh yes Marco, they can be buggers, with sun loungers, and when in self-serve restaurants they don't mind a bit of queue barging. This has been our experience in Bulgaria, though to be fair we found Russians to be just as bad, and we Brits have pretty much caught up when it comes to towel-on-sunbeds-at-dawn. Didn't bother me as I can't think of anything worse than spending the day round the pool.
Last September (I missed this as I was at the shop at the time), Anita plated up some breakfast items, put them on a vacant table, then went to get a couple of juices. Upon returning she found our food pushed to a corner of the table and this German* lady sat on her chair, with her kids installed in the other seats. Anita politely informed her that this was where we were dining, but just got some indecipherable comment and a dismissive wave of her hand. Neither woman could understand the other (though it would be quite likely that the other woman knew perfectly what was being said.
What she didn't know however was Anita's intolerance for such nonsense, and it must have come as a bit of a shock when Anita grabbed the back of the chair and tipped her onto the floor. Strangely this drew no reaction from the other diners-probably an everyday thing.
Nothing breaks down language barriers like direct action!
No German women were harmed in the making of this work of (part) fiction (the bit about tipping her on the floor is true though).
I know it's not very PC to generalise, and I'm sure humans are fundamentally the same the world over, but when an individual lives up to their stereotype it's hard not to. I daresay Mrs. P's hotheadedness will have reinforced a stereotype for someone too.
*May not have been German, but definitely not British
Last September (I missed this as I was at the shop at the time), Anita plated up some breakfast items, put them on a vacant table, then went to get a couple of juices. Upon returning she found our food pushed to a corner of the table and this German* lady sat on her chair, with her kids installed in the other seats. Anita politely informed her that this was where we were dining, but just got some indecipherable comment and a dismissive wave of her hand. Neither woman could understand the other (though it would be quite likely that the other woman knew perfectly what was being said.
What she didn't know however was Anita's intolerance for such nonsense, and it must have come as a bit of a shock when Anita grabbed the back of the chair and tipped her onto the floor.
:laugh::laugh::laugh:
:clapclapclap:
Funny as FUCK!!!! Tell Anita that I'm now a fully paid-up member of her fan club!:respect::respect:
Pity she didn't boot the arrogant, selfish cow (whatever nationality she was) in the fanny, when she was down on the deck..... Now *that* would've made for primo comedy on YouTube.
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
29-12-2018, 20:00
:laugh::laugh::laugh:
:clapclapclap:
Funny as FUCK!!!! Tell Anita that I'm now a fully paid-up member of her fan club!:respect::respect:
Pity she didn't boot the arrogant, selfish cow (whatever nationality she was) in the fanny, when she was down on the deck..... Now *that* would've made for primo comedy on YouTube.
Marco.
Oh no we shouldn't encourage her ;) I'm not very good with confrontation, probably why we work well together. By combining her no-nonsense approach and my pathological need to be liked, we can amalgamate our names to become a nice guy named Stan.
It was our last day there, so we didn't get to exchange addresses, with the promise to stay in touch :D
Minstrel SE
30-12-2018, 13:51
"Ello John Gotta New Motor?"
My take is that cars interest me less and less as a transportation medium.....maybe as a fun drive with the top down on clear roads but commuting in rush hour traffic leaves me cold.
There are bad cyclists just as there are plenty of bad drivers. I was thinking recently about drivers who seem to panic and get over safe when they see a cyclist. They hold back for ages not wanting to pass as if they cant judge what the hells going on or realise there is plenty of space to pass quickly and be on their way. Just as dangerous in my view as they ramp up the tension for me and impatient drivers behind them
A key point is the need for a passive cycling technique....not cycling like I own the road. Im never going to win against motor vehicles so I see no point in a racing bike and asserting myself on busy roads. There is a fine balance that comes with experience.
I have also noticed a rise in angry or very aggressive drivers...maybe it was always that way but the clogged up roads and cost of motoring has seemed to bring out a real road rage where these people think they are the moral guardians of the road system.
To be fair there are cyclists like that as well and it doesnt get anywhere but anger, assault and you tube videos
The deep issues are a road system that cant cope and car ownership ingrained in our culture. I get confused about it because I would love to drive my MX5 on clear roads.
The real answers are things that nobody seems prepared to deal with yet
I was taught to give cyclists at least 6 foot of clearence when overtaking, and when overtaking to do it at no more than 30mph. That requires appropriate road conditions, and waiting for the right opportunity whilst being up close to the cyclist only intimidates them. So not easy, but a cyclist is far more vulnerable and if drivers behind me don't like it, then tough.
Everyone is in far too much of a rush these days, and any courtesy shown is rare.
"Ello John Gotta New Motor?"
My take is that cars interest me less and less as a transportation medium.....maybe as a fun drive with the top down on clear roads but commuting in rush hour traffic leaves me cold.
There are bad cyclists just as there are plenty of bad drivers. I was thinking recently about drivers who seem to panic and get over safe when they see a cyclist. They hold back for ages not wanting to pass as if they cant judge what the hells going on or realise there is plenty of space to pass quickly and be on their way. Just as dangerous in my view as they ramp up the tension for me and impatient drivers behind them
A key point is the need for a passive cycling technique....not cycling like I own the road. Im never going to win against motor vehicles so I see no point in a racing bike and asserting myself on busy roads. There is a fine balance that comes with experience.
I have also noticed a rise in angry or very aggressive drivers...maybe it was always that way but the clogged up roads and cost of motoring has seemed to bring out a real road rage where these people think they are the moral guardians of the road system.
To be fair there are cyclists like that as well and it doesnt get anywhere but anger, assault and you tube videos
The deep issues are a road system that cant cope and car ownership ingrained in our culture. I get confused about it because I would love to drive my MX5 on clear roads.
The real answers are things that nobody seems prepared to deal with yet
Spot on Martin. Surrey's roads are probably far more clogged than Cheshire's?
Aggression, arrogance, me me me behaviour is prevalent everywhere, but when they are in charge of a lethal weapon it gets scary. I cycle sensibly but the antics of other road users beggars belief and is what makes cycling dangerous (leaving out the kamikaze TdeF style idiots who are a danger to themselves) Timid overtakers are often those that have zilch spatial awareness and/or road sense and are a danger to everyone.
Cars get bigger with every new model and in comparison to cars of the 70's when I first started driving, the most humble hatchback is far more powerful than anything around then, save big Jags/Mercs/ specialist sports cars.
Minstrel SE
01-01-2019, 16:43
Yes I have been thinking about this for a while and timid overtakers are a problem. Im not having a go at courteous driving but drivers who seem to have no spatial awareness or confidence with their vehicle. They seem to see a bike, go into confused mode and start dithering even though there is a clear run at overtaking. They may initially slow down which is fine but half a mile later they are still unsure what to do
To be fair most drivers give enough room when overtaking but I generally dont worry about it. I dont act like a scared cyclist but I have a sixth sense of whats coming past and if they are going to brush past me. An artic lorry will make me wary and one brushed past me the other day. I will sometimes pull off the road to avoid larger vehicles
Ive seen drivers where the driving line is with nearside wheels on the kerb lines. On any trip I see lots of driving behaviour because they are all passing me.
Most drivers are fine but there are plenty who have a driving licence but dont seem fully in control of a car
Yes I have been thinking about this for a while and timid overtakers are a problem. Im not having a go at courteous driving but drivers who seem to have no spatial awareness or confidence with their vehicle. They seem to see a bike, go into confused mode and start dithering even though there is a clear run at overtaking. They may initially slow down which is fine but half a mile later they are still unsure what to do
To be fair most drivers give enough room when overtaking but I generally dont worry about it. there are plenty have a driving licence but dont seem fully in control of a car
Same here. You have to cycle on all roads and get on with it. If you get scared you shouldn't be cycling. In the case of those who seem not to be fully in control of the car, it is the car driving/controlling them, not vice versa. A lot of people around here (and I make no reference to either male or female of any age...cough cough) may be those that have lost a wife/husband/partner and need to get to the shops or elsewhere and use a car. I will say no more.
mad-moon
06-01-2019, 22:21
Yes I have been thinking about this for a while and timid overtakers are a problem. Im not having a go at courteous driving but drivers who seem to have no spatial awareness or confidence with their vehicle. They seem to see a bike, go into confused mode and start dithering even though there is a clear run at overtaking. They may initially slow down which is fine but half a mile later they are still unsure what to do
To be fair most drivers give enough room when overtaking but I generally dont worry about it. I dont act like a scared cyclist but I have a sixth sense of whats coming past and if they are going to brush past me. An artic lorry will make me wary and one brushed past me the other day. I will sometimes pull off the road to avoid larger vehicles
Ive seen drivers where the driving line is with nearside wheels on the kerb lines. On any trip I see lots of driving behaviour because they are all passing me.
Most drivers are fine but there are plenty who have a driving licence but dont seem fully in control of a car
so pull in and let the unsure driver pass you...as you do with the lorries...and stop the build up of traffic behind you.....and the ensuing road rage that comes with it.....that would be riding properly if you ask me...As to your other point..it amazes me how some people do get a license to drive a car..
I rode a bike for a few years before my disability but not on main roads. Far to risky especially buses and lorries. I have I cycled on cycle paths and on quiet areas.
Minstrel SE
11-01-2019, 06:13
so pull in and let the unsure driver pass you...as you do with the lorries...and stop the build up of traffic behind you.....and the ensuing road rage that comes with it.....that would be riding properly if you ask me...As to your other point..it amazes me how some people do get a license to drive a car..
Oh I do after a while but I shouldnt have to. I dont get too worked up but the longer they are dithering about it can lead to rash decisions at the wrong time.
Im just commenting that the car seems to be taking them for a drive rather than being fully in control...dangerous for other car users...There seems to be more than the odd one....I think a lot of people cant really drive to any satisfactory standard.
It seems to be mainly elderly or middle aged drivers where the test is a distant memory. Maybe they dont drive much but always seem to have the money for a new car :) I dont know...maybe I cant generalise
I didnt drive for years but I went back to a driving instructor to get brush up lessons and a full appraisal. The basics are there but you do get rusty until getting back into the swing of things. My eyes are getting worse in all sorts of ways and although I do check with my opticians it seems to be quite lax what is suggested for driving requirements.
Maybe there should be refresher tests. My Grandad was driving long after he was fully capable of doing so.
Maybe there should be refresher tests. My Grandad was driving long after he was fully capable of doing so.
Are you a member of the Royal Family by any chance?
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