[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Graham

And *WHO DECIDES*?? Just *when* are conditions so bad that a cyclist "should not" go out? And *why* is it that they "cannot ride safely"? Is it because inconsiderate drivers don't allow for the conditions and drive too close/ fail to give way/ fail to allow sufficient space?? Perish the thought...!

I've seen many cyclists battling wind and rain, and often lose (ie get blown over, or go tumbling, or lose control when they brake), and no cars are involved.
As I said, cars should give plenty of room to cyclists, I know I do, heck if it's safe to I'll go completly over to the other side of the road if overtaking!
Pig ignorant drivers who tailgate cyclists, or cut them up etc do not just come out in bad weather (wish they'd stay at home all the time), they affect other road users too you know, not just cyclists!

Originally Posted by Graham

It is *not* the cyclists who are *causing* the congestion, it is the motorists who are using large amounts of space for a *single* person. How many bikes can you fit in the space of a car? How many bikes can be parked in a slot that one car parks in?

Hmm, normal state of Brighton = many cars, few bikes = no congestion
normal state of Brighton + extra cyclists = severe congestion
Ergo the extra cyclists are causing the congestion :P

Originally Posted by Graham

It's all very well saying "now you be good little boys and girls and use your nice little cycle lanes and everyone will be happy", but the idea is to demonstrate that there *IS* an alternative to environmentally unfriendly, road hogging motorcars.

Not really. I live in portsmouth, I can drive to Brighton in about 30mins.
If I cycled then it would take several hours, I'd not have room to put my shopping, and then I'd have a several hour cycle ride home.
I wouldn't be able to spend as much time in Brighton, or I'd have to cycle back along the A27 in the dark.
Most of the people in brighton walk, it's a nice place, and even if the weather is too bad to cycle, it's still normally safe to go out on your feet.
I also work near Heathrow, not practicle to cycle there, and as for visiting my gf up in Grimsby!
If I need to pop down the road to the shop, I generally walk, it's less hassle than getting the bike out, and safer to walk back carrying a shopping bag than cycling back with it (which I often see cyclists doing)

Originally Posted by Graham

No, because that flashing gives me just a little bit extra advantage.

Yes, I know that, technically, it's illegal and, yes, I know why (after all, if *everyone* had flickering lights it would be a nightmare), but I'll trade that against the increased visibility it actually gives.

Having said that, there are some of those lights which I agree are a problem. Some brands have a slower flash with a distinct "off" phase instead of, like mine, having a rapid flash that means that persistance of vision results in the observer never actually losing sight of it. But the fact of the matter is that, if the driver suddenly loses sight of/ gets confused by the flashing, they should slow down and take greater care! It's not difficult.

Technically illegal? Is that like a little bit pregnant?
Go to 5ave (or time as it's known now) wait for the strobe lights to go on, and try running across the dance floor without hitting anyone.
It's impossible due to the flashing.
A solid light is much easier to track than a strobe, hence why there is the law in place which you are breaking (you nasty criminal!)
It does not give you greater visibility (perhaps if it was on constantly but increased in brightness...) it actually makes it very difficult to notice, hence why I do slow right down.
Why do cyclists also do mad things like cycle down a dark lane wearing black?

Originally Posted by Graham

Apologising like that is like saying "no offence" just after saying something offensive. It lacks sincerity and isn't convincing. If you really felt you'd need to apologise for comments like that you shouldn't have made them in the first place.

It was late, I was trying not to sound patronising but wanted to say what I put, hence why I tried to express I wasn't being patronising.
If you want to get worked up about it, fine, I was trying not to let this turn into an argument, and keep it as a discussion.