*MERGED* Militant Cyclists & Joggers

[peachey]

I like to cycle myself in the summer


but I can't stant those militant ones you see in the traffic
dayglo stipes everywhere - helmet - po-faced - you know the sort

saw one this morning whacking the side of a car for no apparent reason

[Enterian]

Agreed - as a cyclist myself I'm embarrased by the actions of some of them - Cycling Nazis I call them. Smothered in day-glo lycra!

[peachey]

Originally Posted by Enterian

Agreed - as a cyclist myself I'm embarrased by the actions of some of them - Cycling Nazis I call them. Smothered in day-glo lycra!

they seem to think that all car drivers are one and the same - they are "car-ist"

[The Diplomat]

Originally Posted by peachey

I like to cycle myself in the summer


but I can't stant those militant ones you see in the traffic
dayglo stipes everywhere - helmet - po-faced - you know the sort

saw one this morning whacking the side of a car for no apparent reason

And then probably rode through a red traffic light, or up onto the pavement...

[Lord Nikon]

I think there should be a law brought into place regarding cyclists.

Currently they are the ONLY road user not required to pass a test before using the road, not required to have their vehicle inspected annually and therefore not responsible for problems they cause.

Cyclists should have to take a Cycling Proficiency test to ride on the roads, to show they have SOME road sense, Their cycles should be inspected annually and some form of MOT issued, also they should carry license plates.
Age shouldn't be a limitation on whether they use the cycle on the road, but a basic road knowlege would not go amiss.

Why should every other road user be bound by the laws of the road and them be free to do as they please?

They are THE most vulnerable road user, and yet they are in some (not all) cases the ones responsible for the accidents they are involved in. Ignoring road signs, riding at night with no form of lighting, bald tyres which only get changed when the cloth wears through, swerving without notice or just generally unstable on a bike.

To ride a motorcycle a test is compulsory, as is an annual check to ensure the vehicle is safe (at least at the time of the test) Same for a car. Why not for a cycle?

Example - a cyclist rides out of a sidestreet without warning, you hit your brakes, a car runs up the back of you...

The car that hit you is at fault, The cyclist gets away from the scene and you have no way of establishing who it was, no number plate, generic cycle and no eyewitnesses can identify them.

The cyclist caused the accident, yet cannot be found.

This needs to be redressed.

[Salu]

and there is the issue of 3rd party insurance. If a cyclist rides into my car, why the heck should I have to claim on my insurance as cyclists dont have any?

[paulyoung666]

Originally Posted by Lord Nikon

I think there should be a law brought into place regarding cyclists.

Currently they are the ONLY road user not required to pass a test before using the road, not required to have their vehicle inspected annually and therefore not responsible for problems they cause.

Cyclists should have to take a Cycling Proficiency test to ride on the roads, to show they have SOME road sense, Their cycles should be inspected annually and some form of MOT issued, also they should carry license plates.
Age shouldn't be a limitation on whether they use the cycle on the road, but a basic road knowlege would not go amiss.

Why should every other road user be bound by the laws of the road and them be free to do as they please?

They are THE most vulnerable road user, and yet they are in some (not all) cases the ones responsible for the accidents they are involved in. Ignoring road signs, riding at night with no form of lighting, bald tyres which only get changed when the cloth wears through, swerving without notice or just generally unstable on a bike.

To ride a motorcycle a test is compulsory, as is an annual check to ensure the vehicle is safe (at least at the time of the test) Same for a car. Why not for a cycle?

Example - a cyclist rides out of a sidestreet without warning, you hit your brakes, a car runs up the back of you...

The car that hit you is at fault, The cyclist gets away from the scene and you have no way of establishing who it was, no number plate, generic cycle and no eyewitnesses can identify them.

The cyclist caused the accident, yet cannot be found.

This needs to be redressed.

or you are driving quite legally down the road and a bike appears in front of you , you hit it and the father comes out and bawls you out for hitting there kid even though they were in the wrong , then you have a damaged car without it being your fault , because the kid is not insured you cant do a thing about it , been there done that


salu beat me to it

[peachey]

cycling through red lights is half the fun of summer cycling

I don't see a problem with that as long as you are not too reckless or are wearing a naff luminous strip

also - it's an excellent way to get back from the pub since they stopped everybody going down there in cars


its this bicycle clipped - covered in accessories - kagoule wearing type that irritates me

one whacked my car as I passed him once - I stopped and asked him what he thought he was upto - he then flew into a rage about me being too close to him - silly b@stard - probably worked in local government - I could sense it

[The Diplomat]

Is it in Holland where the cyclist is NEVER deemed to be responsible for an accident?

The vehicle driver is ALWAYS at fault.

[Lord Nikon]

my response would have been "I have a license which proves I have a working knowlege of the highway code, where is yours?"

[basa]

Originally Posted by peachey

one whacked my car as I passed him once - I stopped and asked him what he thought he was upto - he then flew into a rage about me being too close to him - silly b@stard - probably worked in local government - I could sense it

If he could 'whack' your car as you passed.....YOU WERE TOO CLOSE !!!!!!!!

It's difficult enough cycling in this weather, rain blinds you, gusty wind causes you to wobble, glass in the gutter (which is where we have to cycle !) causes you to avoid it, not to mention those 'local govt workers' who pull right over to the kerb when a car is turning right in front so you can't get past. Yeh like they are gonna get through !!

Originally Posted by Lord Nikon

Example - a cyclist rides out of a sidestreet without warning, you hit your brakes, a car runs up the back of you...

The car that hit you is at fault, The cyclist gets away from the scene and you have no way of establishing who it was, no number plate, generic cycle and no eyewitnesses can identify them.

The cyclist caused the accident, yet cannot be found.

Same scenario, only this time with motorcycle or car. Are you going to be able to read and remember a number plate in this weather ?? Unlikely.

Cyclists are generally amongst the safest of road users (with a few notable exceptions !) .....they have to be to stay alive. Think who comes off worst in an accident between car / lorry / bus and a bicycle ????

Only two days ago I had to swerve and brake because a car cut a corner on me. My front wheel hit an ice patch and now I sport a badly grazed knee, shin and pride plus one pedal is slightly out of 'skew'. Not much I grant you, but the driver was blissfully unaware of what they had done and carried on in their nice cosy car listening to the radio no doubt !!

[basa]

Originally Posted by Lord Nikon

my response would have been "I have a license which proves I have a working knowlege of the highway code, where is yours?"

And I would produce mine (licence that is !). I've driven a car for 39 years now, although I cycle to work and back daily (yes, whatever the weather !)

[Pierre]

Cyclists should pay road tax

Cyclists should have 3rd party insurance

Cyclists should pass a highway code test

Cycles should have a road worthyness certificate

Cycles for road use should have lights lights

Cyclists that cyle on the footway should be fined

Cyclists that mount the footway and cycle round traffic lights should be fined. (if they dismount and walk their cycles that's OK)

Cyclists that drink and cycle should be fined

If cyclists want to use our roads they should observe the laws of the road and contribute to their maintenance. I own a Car and Motor bike and have to pay tax on both, so why should cycles be taxed??

[Enterian]

Originally Posted by Salu

and there is the issue of 3rd party insurance. If a cyclist rides into my car, why the heck should I have to claim on my insurance as cyclists dont have any?

Last week I came off my bike after colliding with a pedestrian who walked out into the road without looking. Surely by your argument pedestrians should also have third party insurance?

And before you say anything: NO I was not cycling on the pavement and YES I did have lights on.

[basa]

Originally Posted by Pierre

Cyclists should pay road tax

Cyclists should have .... .... .....

By the same argument: Pedestrians should have ... ....