Quote:
Originally Posted by Osem
Of course not - it'd be ridiculous to assume that idiots only come on 2 wheels which I why I don't. The point is that, whoever's right or wrong, cyclists are far more vulnerable than any other road users so if their instinct for self preservation is serving them well you'd expect them to be far more careful on the roads than many of them actually are. The idiocy isn't limited to novice cyclists either - some of of the lycra clad 'tour de asphalt' brigade are the worst offenders and you'd really think they'd know better. Frankly I'd swap life for self righteousness any time and I just don't understand why you see so many cyclists make the most alarming decisions on busy roads. A car/bus/van/lorry driver may be just as stupid and/or inconsiderate but is far less likely to be injured in any contact with a cyclist and that might be why some of them act the way they do.
Town planning is of course a long term business and if they've got it so badly wrong in respect of motor vehicles, it's no great surprise that they haven't got to grips with the needs of a small group of road users which has only relatively recently started to grow. It'll take decades to sort out reasonable provision for cyclists so in the meantime they're going to need to do their utmost to protect their own interests by at least applying some common sense. It may not be fair but it it would be the prudent thing to do whilst awaiting more/better cycle routes.
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I know that many motorists find assertive riding irritating. I know too that many motorists just do not want cyclists on the roads at all. Accidents will happen.
In the meantime cyclists should do their utmost to protect their own interests by applying the common sense rule of cycling on the pavement. Accidents will happen.
Cycling is a growing industry. Interest in it as a means of transport, improving health and well-being, interest in it as a sport, interest in returning to the less complicated days of yore are all on the up. We can't wait for Cities to be gradually redesigned; a radical approach is needed to pedestrianise/cyclise City Centres and designate specific arterial cycle only road routes asap.
I know you'll love it when it happens. And it will
