Graham0127 Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 I think this is a Marmite topic. You either accept cyclists or HATE 'em. I think certain rules should be set and ALL road users should abide by them.. 1) Third party insurance. 2) Basic test for everyone over 16.....similar to motorcycle CBT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 I think generally, a large number of all types of road users have got significantly worse over the last ten years or so. Particularly obvious is the lack of thought and consideration for any other road user that many exhibit. This includes car drivers and cyclists. I suspect the difference is that with cyclists, they're much more on show, you see the person not the bike, so when having a whine and a moan, you personalise it. So when you make it home after a frustrating commute, you might call Audi drivers **** for carving you up, Volvo drivers k*** for holding you up and BMW drivers t****** for not indicating, but it becomes just a general "cyclists" for every red light jumper, etc. I do think compulsory TP insurance for all road users and a basic test for all over, say, 16, should be a requirement. As should a level playing field when it comes to the Highway code. Have to say though, we do get an unusual perspective in this part of the world. (Not unique, I'm sure). We seem to have a lot of bicycle clubs, in particular, the road racing type. You can generally tell when they're on club nights/days, as the road use is usually to a high standard, though having twenty odd people trying to race on a piece of road that's still open can be, er interesting, even when every ones behaving. But equally, you often see smaller bunches of the guys out practising on non club nights, and the behaviour is frequently shocking and outright dangerous. Sadly, as in life, you tend to remember the idiots. Equally, in this bit of Cheshire, we get a lot of horse riders. Most are absolutely fine, but dear God some just haven't a clue and shouldn't be allowed out on the public highway, as they obviously have less common sense than the horse, and absolutely no understanding of how to behave on the roads. (A bit like some drivers you see!) Unfortunately, the roads in many parts of the country, are just too congested these days, for us all to continue behaving like we're in the fifties/sixties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Oh, and if the recumbent thingy is what I think it is, we have conformation that Yanto is officially mad! Expect a white van any minute, those things look terrifying when stood still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyonspride Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 I think generally, a large number of all types of road users have got significantly worse over the last ten years or so.I'd agree with this, it seems now like its a constant battle, I think drivers are the worst though, especially when their status symbol is tied to their ego and the higher social class they think their car makes them look, the worse they drive.We've also got this strong queuing mentality, where by overtaking has become frowned upon, we've got passive/aggressive drivers out looking to wind people up by being obstructive, dual carriageways have turned into slow lane and rude/impatient lane. People can't park, I reckon 80℅+, they have zero spacial awareness and no respect for other peoples property. I lose count how many I've nearly hit reversing off their drive in the morning. Cyclists, they don't help their cause, the two worst types being the "pro" and the "just got a bike to save fuel", both of these run reds and do really stupid things. But unfortunately drivers hate cyclists mostly because of our class system, they're seen as the lower class minority.... Seen as being in the way rather than as an equal on the road. I'd go so far as to say we Brits have the worst on road attitudes in the westernised world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s2rrr Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Ever driven around Paris, Rome, Damascus, New York, San Francisco they do make us look quite good really. Agree with Dave on the drop in general standards of driving and interesting to note you mention over the last ten years. Imagine being able to go back ten years before that and then ten years again before that. Which unfortunately or fortunately the more mature and aged members on here would remember. Driving standards were in most case far better but there were far fewer cars on the road. I witnessed a case of road rage just a couple of days ago where a chappie was trying to convince another motorist he was at fault over something, I waited a few minutes while he merrily continued to block the full road whilst he vented his spleen on this poor older guy who may have made a mistake, the venom in the shouters eyes was a bit fierce and I was not going to intervene. Makes you worry, might may not always be right. Back to cyclists and I'm afraid they are getting a hard time and generally a minority deserve it. May have mentioned before about my trainee cycling straight into the back of a parked range rover in daylight. 40 odd stitches in his head and could have killed him. How on gods earth do you miss a parked Range Rover on a straight road. Ear plugs in head down ar*e up and brain somewhere else an accident waiting to happen. Just started riding again to get some exercise and so far haven't had any issues as I always avoid cars and keep my distance. Also do it on side roads and avoiding peak times. Bob :d Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyonspride Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 I witnessed a case of road rage just a couple of days ago I was involved in one today and here's what I don't understand.......... Driving standards have dropped drastically in the last 10 years (this I agree with), but why do I get so much trouble with the 45-65 age group? In today's case i'd overtaken a gent in a Focus on a 50 limit dual carriageway (A449 Worcester to Kidderminster for those who know), space for at least 2 cars (with 2 second gaps) in front of him. So I overtake 4 cars + him and I hold the RH lane for a couple hundred meters until the road merges down to one lane (mostly to avoid coming across as aggressive). JUST as I start to follow the merge into the LH lane, this guy comes flying up the inside and glues his focus to the bumper of the car in front. Now i've got nowhere to go, the lane is closing and there's van on my rear bumper. I'm forced over hatch markings and over a protected RH turn lane until the road opens out to two lanes again, at which point said driver backs off from the car in front. It's not road rage as such, but this sort of behaviour is what would send some stressed out commuter over the edge and lead to a very nasty situation. This passive aggressiveness, goading people into rage, it rarely ever happened 10 years ago. It seems to me that some people have a certain mentality that means they take it upon themselves to make up their own version of the highway code and to then enforce this on law abiding drivers, and there's nothing more aggravating than a self appointed plastic policeman who doesn't actually know the law. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pistonbroke Posted May 28, 2014 Share Posted May 28, 2014 Having completed 27 years as a television service engineer making up to 25 house calls per day , I can say catagoricaly say, there is nothing new in road rage, bad drivers , cyclists , kids dogs , what have you etc.etc. blah! blah! blah ! IMO It was just as bad in the 60's 70's and onwards as it is today , it always was thus it always will be thus , So calm down you lot , take a pill , don't react to others bad behaviour, you cant and wont change the world , so chill out, take a deep breath and move on . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff oakley Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 I think what has changed is that cyclists are now much more militant in they way they act. I am talking about the vocal ones who we see too often. I think it reflects a change in the values of society where people believe they can do whatever they want as it is their right regardless of any facts. We have cameras in all our vans, one day we get an email from one of these "militant riders" who had posted a clip on Youtube, along with his other 50 or so and then proceeded to explain how our driver had "nearly killed him". When we pulled the footage, the cyclist just pulled across in front of our driver without any signal at all. Our driver did well to avoid the F******. I wanted to post the footage in response, but was stopped, instead the MD spoke with him and he updated his comments by saying he had received a satisfactory explanation and discussion with us. Watching many of his videos he clearly was a menace on the road, but reading the comments from people who had seen a one sided view of the incident, he was some sort of cycling messiah. Rules should apply to all, insurance should apply to all and we should all share the space as best we can. My top tip is this anyone wearing a camera on their helmet is a dangler and one who is out to prove motorists are to blame for everything. Give them wide bearth and you will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyonspride Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 For as long as there are psychopaths using their vehicles as weapons (and we all see them everyday), cyclists will increasingly wear cameras. Its a case of the minority creating a problem for the rest of us, the militant cyclist is the symptom, not the cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickmaster Andy Lowe Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 I find it funny that when going around tescos or walking around town a little bump or evasive move is followed by many apologies But the same situation on the road takes on a whole new level of aggression ? I try to stay alert and stay safe and accept others stupidity, but I do have a dash camera just incase thing go wrong What drive me mad is if someone steps off the pavement and you run them over you could be for the high jump Yet at the weekend I saw a woman with 3 kids pull a stupid overtake which ended up a glancing head on !!!! Front wheel off other car Front wheel, door and full side swipe on hers Then into another car too before a spin up the road Bet she doesn't even get points or a fine for behavior like that Kids were fine, other driver fine she needed a trip to hospital Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander72 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Yikes.... sounds bad Andy....you werent in the midlands/birmingham were you mate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickmaster Andy Lowe Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 No North Wales but that's where Brumies holiday sometimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickmaster Andy Lowe Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 I have an answer to all your problems The speed series No cyclists No caravans No road works You get the place to yourself You even have the right car, just a few small mods and next season you'll be ready Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M444TTB Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 It witnessed some fantastic stupidity yesterday. The local estate road near my house is two way but the reality is one entire lane is taken up by parked cars. Thus with two way traffic someone has to give way occassionally. Sometimes it's even sensible for the person with right of way (their lane not having the parked cars in) to give way. So a whole two metres onto the problem section of the road and two cars are at a standstill as neither will move. Both could haev reversed two cars lengths and pulled into a gap but nope. They just sat there with some shouting from the car window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander72 Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 Pick was that to me or My Lyonspride mate ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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