General Chat

When I was a very young girl, we used to do our proficiency on our bikes so we could use the road safely, the first thing they taught us was, when out riding with our friends never ride in a group only single file, so I ask why should adult cycling clubs be any different?

When I was a big girl and learnt to drive, I was told to always be considerate to cyclist, if only others remembered this.

Igor!

Is that some sort of proposal or do you just want to nick my name?

LOL

Jill

CAN I BE MR GRUMPY (PLEASE)

PME - LOL - I now drive a car more often than I cycle - but yes - Ben Hur spokes - they have crossed my mind before!!

Igor - yes - mirrors should be compulsory for cyclists and why not.

Linda - Poor old cyclists be d*mned. They know they are taking a risk on the roads nowadays so they do need to be careful. Both my OH and my son cycle regularly - and car drivers can be inconsiderate and pedestrians can be stupid. But then so can cyclists!

I think - wherever we fit in this spectrum - we all need to be a bit more aware of other road users.

So - motorists - please indicate at roundabouts and stop using your mobiles!

Cyclists - please keep to single file when there are more than one of you and indicate as well!

Pedestrians - give car drivers a second or so to register you at zebra crossings!

See - easy-peasy - all sorted! LOL

Jill

to pme i wasn't having a go at all cyclists , just the inconsiderate .
so on the subject of mirrors , i have to wear a seat belt by law , so why don't they make mirrors compulsory for cyclists.
igor

That is not true Linda !

Just tell us what you are into and I am sure that we can fit you in somewhere. LOL

Poor old cyclists......still, while you're having a go at them you're leaving someone else alone!

Linda

Car ,van bus,lorry drivers and cyclists ....who ever uses the roads should have respect and awareness of others.Main thing is to be aware.There are mad cyclists and mad drivers.It just is common sense.

So let me get this straight ..................
"cyclists have a right to use the road without being harrassed, as long as they are following the highway code."

Could someone just point me to relevant section of the Highway Code that encourages our intrepid cyclists to cruise around town waving their D Lock at unsuspecting motorists and misunderstood kids ?

:):):)

Havoc, sorry to hear about your husband, glad he's on the mend.

While I'm not a lyrca wearing cyclist, or selfish, I have been known when provoked to pick my D-lock off my handle bars, I used to put it in its proper holder but between gobby groups of teens and the odd road rage motorist I find having it to hand can be useful, never used it just helps them think twice. I mean the motorist is normally sat in a nice metal box feeling very 'safe' were as I've not protection as such and am more vunerable.

It is funny though as a pedistrian most people think, cyclists and motorists are inconsiderate, if your driving then its pedistrians and cyclists and if your a cyclist its pedistrians and car drivers. Having worn all those hats I find I am much more aware than some of my friends. I would say don't have a go unless you have been in that persons shoes, unless they are breaking the highway code, and if they are don't tar them all with the same brush.

On the other hand ........................................ that Grumpy Jill, with the "tyre slashers" fixed either side of her handlebar basket, may be a force to be reckoned with !!!

If it's any consolation PME ................................ I don't think that you are the type of cyclist that our host is complaining about :)

Havoc - you're right about pedestrians. The way some of them just step right out onto the zebra crossing - they don't even pause. Whilst it's OK most of the time when the pavements are busy it's really difficult to spot them! Just a second or two spent looking at the car approaching is enough - that would be all I need to stop for them. I've not run anyone down yet ...

Jill

I have to say my BIL is an excellent cyclist.He is part of a cycling group.Last year he was knocked off his bike by a car driver who by his own admission was his fault.
I think as there are more and more cyclists on the road we all just have to take extra care and be more aware.(of eachother).

I do sympathise with cyclists and stupid drivers/passengers who fling open doors. However pedestrians are not immune to that problem, one did it to me as I walked past last week. not a word of apology either.

And of course you can't class all cyclists as bad cyclists.

Havoc I am sorry to hear about your OH, Hope he will be better soon and what a good job he was wearing his helmet.

what I hate is the cyclist on the pavement or in the pedestrian area of town (cyclists not allowed) who come up behind me then swerve in front. i am hard of hearing so don't hear them coming to get out of the way, and because they shouldn't be there i don't expect them to be.

I would say if you are a cyclist and are not aware of a motorised vehicle coming up behind you which, because of the speed difference means they are likely to overtake you, then you should not be on the road. Many cyclists do ride considerately and safely but up in the Lake District we came across several groups of three or four and they insisted on riding two abreast with the outside one well out in the road, very difficult to overtake.
Anyway, thank you to those of you cyclists who are considerate to motorists and pedestrians.
Ann
Glos

Never argue with idiot drivers. They will bring you down to their level, then beat you with experience.

Am smiling ... a Mohican ...

Gosh, tis good to be young ..., I can still put my hair into a long ponytail lol!

xxx

Hi Shimms, yes I used to be a punk.
I tried the soap trick a couple of times. But it isn't very good if it rained, as it gets into your eyes. Hairspray was much better. I had a broad mohican, rarely put it up though. It was normally tied back into a pony tail.
That got chopped off in 1990 when pony tails came into fashion.

Good memories & fun times.

Steve
xx

Inconsiderate motorists must outnumber bad cyclists by thousands. I must admit I have never encountered yelling, road-hogging cyclists - perhaps I live in the wrong place!