Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

May I ask you a question Arthur, I know you will answer honestly. Have you ever had formal cycle training and have you ever sat a proficiency test?

I suspect the answer is no to both aspects of that question and yet, here you are, alive! So am I and I've never had cycle training or a cycle test either. I don't have, and have never needed, cycle insurance, I go through red lights when I judge it safe to do so, I wear hi-vis and use lights, I ride on the pavement if it is safer than the road and with deference to pedestrians, I don't generally go between lorries or vans.

And here I am, alive.

It beggars belief eh? Either I have the luck of the Irish or cycling is not about rules, it's about riding defensively on dangerous roads.

Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

Kursk, I will answer honestly. Yes to both questions. In my job, l had to take several tests and pass an exam to even get on a bike.

I used to build bikes as a kid, and l got frustrated when my boss told me to go on a course within my job, and then pass it.

I don't like having a go at cyclists, as they ride them either for Recreation, out with the family or maybe part of there job.
I have seen some really stupid cycling in my life, and yes, some stupid drivers. BUT. There comes a point where you have to say that cyclist need education.

Many years ago l was knocked off my cycle on the A4 at Hammersmith, l ripped my finger open and the driver didn't stop

But, l have driven down some roads where l live and seen cyclists on th roads going in between cars and Lorries, one day ; actually saw a cyclist go between TWO buses and was holding onto the bus to avoid putting his feet on the floor

This is why l say they need educating on the roads

Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

When I was 10 years old I did a cycle proficiency test, yes it was in the playground and teachers pretended to be cars but they taught us how to ride.

I should add this was 36 years ago, long before helmets and HiVis. But where were taught not to ride like idiots.

---

I nearly ran over some muppet, it was after midnight and our town turns of street lights, this muppet had no light, helmet, or HiVis, oh year he was wearing black. Had I not had full beam he would have been wearing my car. but luckily I wasn't driving fast and I saw him and manage to drop the anchor.

---

This business about fining lorry drivers who don't adhere to the new rules £1,000 is a joke.

How about fining cyclist £1,000 if they have no lights, helmet, HiVis and jump red lights etc, but oh no we cant do that can we they might throw a hissy fit.

Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

Fair enough Arthur, I believe you. Incidentally do you really spend 8 hours a day in the saddle? No, really?

How about providing proper facilities for cyclists to stop us throwing these hissy fits?

I don't claim to be a cycling expert but riding around whilst the teachers pretend to be cars (teehee) may not be good preparation for cycling these 36 years later :rolleyes:. You must have been traumatised and confused when you rode on the real roads and noticed there weren't any teachers to avoid.

Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

The number of fines and other punishments handed out to cyclists will increase and for those who believe that having no insurance is a good idea, a few very costly court cases and compensation claims successfully brought will focus a few minds amongst a good number who do actually have something to lose.

Only so much can be expected of other road users before the focus is directed squarely at that proportion of cyclists who behave totally irresponsibly on our roads and increasingly on our pavements, pubic spaces etc.

Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

Conjecture; and a timely indicator that we've probably done this to death.

Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

Kursk, yes, l do spend that time in the saddle, and most of the time its cycling up roads that have steep hills.

In my job, its the vulnerable who depend on me getting to them and making sure that they are safe.

And yes, l do have sore legs and buttocks the following day

This is why l have strong feelings in what is happening to them in the budget cuts - and the withdrawing of all there dues.

This is what Cameron and co don't give a damn about - sorry about going off the subject as well

Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

8 Hours a day on a bike?? Ok so how long is your actual working day if that amount of time is spent riding? Also yet another job?

ITs not about educating people its common sense really and many people of this world are severely lacking in that department.

Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

I think you should have a new strap line beneath your forum name Arthur: Big heart, sore bum :)

I know; the thought makes my eyes water too :).

Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

This should be interesting... :D

Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

London is quite a big paper round ;)

Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

No wonder we don't get any papers these days... :)

With all those jobs under his belt, I reckon he's spent more time being told to get on his bike than actually riding it. :D

Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

I found myself driving behind an elderly cyclist yesterday, barely at walking pace.

Too much oncoming traffic in a narrow road, so I just held back a bit and crept along.

Drivers behind us started to sound their horns after about 50 yards.

What did the old gent do? Gesture at them? Shout obscenities at them?

No, he stopped, got off his bike and pulled it onto the pavement and waved us forwards.

100 yards later I was stopped at traffic lights, and guess who appeared next to me?

Care, courtesy and consideration. A motto often unheard of by many modern drivers and riders.

Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

I also met a cyclist this morning in Cardiff, he was very eager to get out of the way.

Taf you may know the area, I was proceeding along Elm Street Roath towards Newport Road at 5:50am. From the left as I was approaching the 4 Elms pub a cyclist with no lights shot out from the lane that connects it to Partridge Road. He was of East European appearance and as per usual he was on the wrong side of the road. i.e. It appears he had come down the lane hugging the right hand side, so he had a very bad view of any traffic on the road he was joining.

I wasn't anywhere near close to him because I was travelling down the middle of the road due to parked cars and the speed bumps. When he caught sight of me he swerved left into the pavement and fell off his bike. (I was at least 20 feet away from him and he wasn't in my direct path)

As I sat at the traffic lights laughing he made about 3 attempts to get back on the bike. He gave up because I estimate his legs were about a foot too short to reach the floor. He started pushing it rapidly in the opposite direction, at this point the lights changed and I turned into Newport Road.

As I carried on my way I started thinking he had most likely just stolen it!

Re: Yet again - Cyclist Killed in London
 

Do you meet this cyclist very often then?