CYCLISTS: Know your limits! (From Watford Observer)

Good morning Erastus.

Totally agree. Hate cyclists as much as I hate motorcycle riders or more importantly motorcycle riders who ride down the middle of traffic weaving in and out of cars. What gives them the right?

Cyclists should be banned from the roads, they cause more grief than good. Although I would like to see the resurgence of the penny farthing.

Lukeyboy wrote:
Good morning Erastus. Totally agree. Hate cyclists as much as I hate motorcycle riders or more importantly motorcycle riders who ride down the middle of traffic weaving in and out of cars. What gives them the right? Cyclists should be banned from the roads, they cause more grief than good. Although I would like to see the resurgence of the penny farthing.

Good morning, Lukey.
I can tolerate motorcyclists because at least they've had to pass a test, pay insurance, MOT their bikes and adhere to the drink driving laws.
I also think cyclists shouldn't be on today's roads but, to be fair to them, there aren't enough cycle lanes and they are not allowed by law to ride on the pavements.
North Cray road has a wide pavement on the left side going towards lovely Bexley Village and an even wider grass verge on the other side. Why oh why do we need such wide pavements for pedestrians? Why do we need a grass verge which serves no purpose whatsoever? Why can't the verges and pavements be made narrower in order to incorporate cycle lanes?
You can come round and see my penny-farthing anytime ...

Don't even get me started on this one!!!!!!!

I think the police did mount an operation in two places in central London to catch out the rouge cyclists - but it is not enough.

The worst offends are those who come up King William a one way street the wrong way so they can use the park and then give you evils when you come out of Nevada street the correct way!

I personally think more dedicated "proper" cycle lanes would help (not just a foot wide green strip) but they should be made to use them.

I cannot believe in winter and on dark nights people wear black and have no lights!!

Tink, the clothing issue really is an important one. Are the cyclists who wear dark gear in the winter months potty or something? Do they not want to be seen or do they think it is uncool to sport fluorescent jackets.
Another thing that always amazes me is the pathetic lights that cyclists fit to their bikes - if they fit them at all, of course. In the old days, they used to have a big white lamp on the front and an equally large red one on the back. These days they seem to have been replaced with sittle little strips of green light which are more or less useless in the dark, winter months.
Oh, and what happened to reflectors on the back of bikes? They seem to have disappeared too!

Totally agree with Erastus on this one!! and soo, much better than the previous rant!! rofl!!

ohms scoffer wrote:
Totally agree with Erastus on this one!! and soo, much better than the previous rant!! rofl!!

I'm honoured, I'm sure.

OMG the lights!!!!!! those stupid flashing little things! WTF how are you supposed to see them!

Also there is a perfectly good cycle path in Greenwich park - does anyone acutally use it! Nope - lets sit in the middle of the road instead!

O glad you got a nice message from OHMS apparently I bored him/her to death on my blog (took him/her over a month to acutally read it and leave a comment from when I first posted it!)


haha look-book!

Tinks, I really do wonder how these silly little lights were ever allowed to be sold in the first place.
I'd be interested to hear everybody's views on cycling on the pavement. Boris the Spider Johnson is keen to allow under-tens to cycle on the pavements but what about ALL cyclists, no matter their age?
As I've already said, some of our pavements are so wide that they could easily accommodate cycles as well as pedestrians. After all, the disabled are allowed to drive their scooters on the pavements - presumably without insurance - so why shouldn't all cyclists be given the go-ahead? It certainly wouldn't bother me, as long as the cyclists used a bit of common sense.

Having thought about the disabled using the pavements, perhaps it's time they were made to drive in the road.
Think about it - if cyclists have to, why shouldn't the disabled in their buggies and scooters?
A bicycle takes up far less room than a disabled scooter/buggy yet cyclists are made to ride on busy, dangerous and overcrowded roads.
Crazy, isn't it?

I'm in two minds about the pavements (although if i did cycle I would prefer to be on the pavement! haha where is Malcom when you need him)

Along part of the embankment where I drive there is a very underused cycle path on both sides of the road. Don't they have these in Holland? it would be much safer.

As for just on the pavement -hmmm could cause a bit of a commotion? and I don't fancy ducking out of the way of a speeding cyclist......

O the lights are just so stupid!

Not sure what the solution is.

As I've always said, it's all very well and good for Boris and all the other cycling nuts to tell us to get on our bikes, but not all of us fancy sharing a road just inches away from potentially lethal cars, lorries and buses. Cyclists just haven't got the speed at their fingertips to get out of trouble like motorcyclists have.
If Boris and his cronies really want more of us to get around on two wheels, the government has got to invest in proper cycle lanes and monitor them to make sure cars don't use them or park on them.
What does everyone think about cyclists paying insurance?

Deffo! I think they should have to pay insurance and have some registration system

I also think the disabled should pay insurance for their transport.
Without any word of a lie, Lady P. and I went out for a walk over Dartford Heath (yes, really) one sunday last year. As we crossed the A2 via a footbridge we were amazed to look down at the traffic and see an old man driving his 4-wheeled buggy up the London-bound carriageway!
We both had to rub our eyes to make sure we weren't dreaming.

I'm newish to the NS website, and have only just discovered the blogs sections. Erastus, your blogs are brilliantly witty with your observations of life in Bexley and the surrounding areas, and I totally agree with your blog about cyclists. I hate them with a passion, both as a car driver and as a pedestrian (especially when I work up London). My biggest bug bare is when you cross the road at a set of red traffic lights, and a cyclists totally ignores the lights and goes careering into innocent pedestrians crossing the road. This happened to me once, and the cyclist actually had the cheek to shout and swear at myself and the fellow pedestrians like it was our fault. Honestly, if my handbag could have reached him, he would have had a good swipe to the back of the head!

Been a while since I’ve posted, but couldn't resist sharing a little tale with you regarding one such related incident I witnessed not too many moons ago.
Whilst on the usual decent from inner London down towards London Bridge for the commute home, I witnessed a passenger attempting to exit a black taxi via the passenger side just as a cyclist was flying past at full speed. Granted, it was technically the Taxi drivers fault for stopping in the middle of the street, but as the cyclist had dark clothing and no lights, maybe poetic justice?
Needless to say, the cyclist continued on foot…..

Cyclists can be a nuisance for sure but as a pedestrian I find car drivers have an awful lot of faults of their own. They may hold little regard for cyclists but pedestrians fall way below their thoughts.

I fail to understand why drivers insist on blocking pedestrian crossings when in queueing traffic. A case of I can't move so you can't move either.
Just let me cross the road. This is especially irritating in bad weather. It must amuse car drivers greatly watching cold, wet pedestrians waiting while they sit in their warm dry cars.

As for parking heaven forbid the motorist should have to walk more than a few steps. So pavement parking and blocking drop kerbs forcing pedestrians into the road are all considered OK. The drivers needs are paramount.

Cyling on the pavement? No thanks! tax and insurance could be a good idea, maybe reduced or removed completely after the cyclist has passed some kind of proficiency test. It would then be in the cyclists interest to make sure their bike was road worthy and they obeyed the rules of the road.

ex-Blackfen, Barnehurst, and
DirtyElegance, Beckenham.

Who's who here ? LOL.

Thanks for all your comments and kind words about the blog.
I'm afraid I think the road is no place for the cyclist, as it is no place for the horse either.
Motorbikes are dangerous enough but people hanging onto a steel frame with no protection around them in busy traffic is absolutely ludicrous.
Cyclists, do yourselves a favour and get an Oyster card. It might not only save your lives but others too.
Oh, and keep the disabled and horses off the high way too!

As a keen cyclist I will take many of your comments as tongue in cheek Mr Piggott, although I do a have some sympathy with your views.

Although I do own a nice, modern comfortable car I choose to cycle to work a couple of days a week - better use of my time than going to a gym and certainly more enjoyable!

Firstly lets be clear, you could write a similar article about car drivers - many of those should not be allowed on the roads either. When cycling poor drivers are more pronounced as any lousy driver is potentially your executioner so please have some sympathy for that cyclist who simply gives themselves enough room to get out of the idiot's way when they come along!

The only hand signals you will get from me are ones of thanks to those of you considerate enough to give me sufficient room to share the road safely. Those cyclists that make other signals are morons - every car driver has a 1 tonne weapon capable of wiping you out in an instant so don't wind them up!

Where you are entirely right Erastus is in the lack of education in some cyclists - for the record:
- flashing lights are not sufficient; by law all cycles on a public roadmust have at least one static rear light displayed after dark
- "drink cycling" is an offence; it is infact the exact same offence as drink driving and a cyclist will loose his driving license (if he has one) upon being prosecuted for being drunk on his bike.
- cycling on the pavement is also an offence so please don't suggest cyclists should break the law to appease car drivers!

Whilst I feel proper regulation is impossible to instigate, how about, as in so many cases today, we just enforce the laws we already have?

Agree with most of the comments on here and there are some car drivers who are totally abhorrant in their behaviour. A bad driver is a bad driver no matter what their vehicular preference.

GnT, thanks for your very interesting comment. Do you mean to tell me that if a car driver happens to be caught cycling whilst under the influence, his licence will be revoked? Are you kidding me on?
Does anyone actually know if this has happened to anyone?
GODUPERE2, I realise there are some dreadful drivers out there but I can't change my mind about bicycles being unsuitable for today's roads unless they are ridden in proper cycle lanes.
I admire anyone for having the guts to put their life at risk by mixing it with cars, buses, taxis and tippers because I know I wouldn't fancy it.
Shouldn't the cycle proficiency test be compulsory for all cyclists? I mean, surely that is the least we could ask. That and some insurance to cover not only themselves in an accident but other road users as well.

Tinker Bell wrote:
I'm in two minds about the pavements (although if i did cycle I would prefer to be on the pavement! haha where is Malcom when you need him)

Along part of the embankment where I drive there is a very underused cycle path on both sides of the road. Don't they have these in Holland? it would be much safer.

As for just on the pavement -hmmm could cause a bit of a commotion? and I don't fancy ducking out of the way of a speeding cyclist......

O the lights are just so stupid!

Not sure what the solution is.

As somebody who doesn't cycle any more :-( I'm actually in favour of people cycling wherever possible. Just DON'T make it compulsory for cyclists to use cycle lanes - make it so they WANT to use them.

In Holland they're well-taken care of, but I believe in Belgium cyclists MUST use them if available, so typically they are pot-holed, overgrown, and generally pretty much impossible to use :-(

Oh - and as a responsible cyclist myself I do agree about the (rather large) minority that give all cyclists a very bad name. Mind you, the same could be said about car drivers!

Two day's a week I cycle along with a fellow cyclist into London, I travel to Liverpool St. Whereas my good friend cycles to Canary Wharf. Each morning we witness the antics of drivers who quite clearly should have their licence revoked!

The comments on this blog are both hilarious and offensive! I weigh close to 19st, on the roads I average 20mph and can hit 30 down hill. Keeping up with moving traffic. No imagine for one minute myself hurtling down Eltham high st at those speeds on the pavement..... if i hit anyone that is going to be a serious mess if not fatal! So why we should be pushed onto the pavements because other road users are unable to give us the same amount of room as a car. Please bear in mind we have every right to be on that right and If needed I can ride in the middle of the lane if required.

The state of the bus lanes in and around London is appalling, this is why cyclists swerve they are not still over the limit from the night before! Hitting a pot hole at 20MPH or even a drain cover is enough to jolt the bars out of your hands especially if you are checking for other road users. Something we have to do constantly, when was the last time you checked your mirrors?

And where the hell do you get the statistic that most cyclists don't want to be cyclists?? because they can't afford a car/motorcycle?? I suggest you have a look at Evanscycles and check out the current prices, a good quality road bike costs a lot more than most cars scraping through their MOT. The true fact that most people cycle is beacause they enjoy it! It is an excellent way to keep fit and yes you can save some money at the same time. I for one would much rather cycle home then stand on an overcrowded train in 30degree heat! Oyster cards & rail tickets should be going to improvements on our rail services yet Air Con doesnt appear in SETRAINS vocabulary.

Cyclists also have a responsibility to maintain their bikes, if they don't its at their peril. most bike stores offer different stages of service starting from around £50 the bike is stripped down and you are advised if new brakes/tires are needed. I do this regulary for my own safety, admittedly this could be something that could be controlled. Provided that the proceeds are given back to the cyclist in the form of improved cycle lanes.

As for the lights, they may be small but you see them... you have all commented on them so they do their job. Black clothing, generally if its cycle apparel and is black it will have reflective strips on them.

Next time you decide to take a drive, go that little bit further to London and you will see cyclists being pulled over for driving offences. I can guarantee though it will be a similar amount to the number of other road users that should be pulled over. Next time you show some disdain for the guy in front who indicates late or pulls out in front of you. Or you sit behind some old banger with plumes of smoke forcing you to close your windows. Apply a simple measure of what would you have said if this was a cyclist, I think people driving cars are more sympathetic to other car users than they are cyclists.

In short the only real way you will ever understand is if you are prepared to embark on a fact finding mission with Lady P. and attempt your journey on a bike. It is very easy to pass judgment from the safety of your car seats!

"Black clothing, generally if its cycle apparel and is black it will have reflective strips on them."
No, it's usually just ordinary, black clothing.
"The state of the bus lanes in and around London is appalling, this is why cyclists swerve they are not still over the limit from the night before!"
Cyclists should learn to look further ahead.
"If needed I can ride in the middle of the lane if required."
Yes, that's what a lot of cyclists do, isn't it?
"Cyclists also have a responsibility to maintain their bikes, if they don't its at their peril."
Unfortunately, the majority of cyclises DO NOT maintain their bikes, at OUR peril.
"Next time you decide to take a drive, go that little bit further to London and you will see cyclists being pulled over for driving offences."
I have no need to drive to London. I am only interested in what I see and experience in my local area, so whatever happens in London is of no rrelevance.
"In short the only real way you will ever understand is if you are prepared to embark on a fact finding mission with Lady P. and attempt your journey on a bike. It is very easy to pass judgment from the safety of your car seats!"
Why would we want to do that? We are speaking from the point of view of car drivers, not cyclists, though I'm glad you've admitted that cars are safer.

Apologies for the typos in my last comment but I've been in a bit of a rush - a bit like most cyclists.

I would love to look further a head, however what concerns me are the cars sitting on my back wheel or pushing me to the kerb. Spacial awareness is something that a driver of a vehicle lacks due to the various inhibitions posed by the model of car they drive. Cyclists however are all to aware of their surroundings, we have to be!

If you are not prepared to go to London or even actually get on a bike, then your comments are both biased and flawed. Simply basing your arguments on a 3 mile journey, without ever contemplating what it is like for the cyclist sharing the road with the millions of cars and their inhabitants. Each with as many bad habits as the next is ridiculous.

One High Vis Jacket

http://www.fudgescyc
lestore.com/index.ph
p?p=107839&o=94757

In Black!

Malachai wrote:
I would love to look further a head, however what concerns me are the cars sitting on my back wheel or pushing me to the kerb. Spacial awareness is something that a driver of a vehicle lacks due to the various inhibitions posed by the model of car they drive. Cyclists however are all to aware of their surroundings, we have to be! If you are not prepared to go to London or even actually get on a bike, then your comments are both biased and flawed. Simply basing your arguments on a 3 mile journey, without ever contemplating what it is like for the cyclist sharing the road with the millions of cars and their inhabitants. Each with as many bad habits as the next is ridiculous. One High Vis Jacket http://www.fudgescyc lestore.com/index.ph p?p=107839&o=947
57 In Black!

Malachai, you seem to be missing the point. I am concerned with inconsiderate cyclists in MY local area, not central London. That is why I have a blog on a LOCAL online newspaper.
Obviously, my wife and I do make other trips out by car in the local area, not just to Eltham, but we have no need to visit London by car. If we travel to London, we take the train.
No, I am not prepared to ride a bike simply to humour you. I have no interest in cycling, only in driving safely. Unfortunately, safety on our roads is often threatened by dangerous, inconsiderate, incompetent, unruly, drunk, cyclists.
I hope you now understand.

I'm afraid I don't...

Safety on our roads is often threatened by dangerous, inconsiderate, incompetent, unruly, drunk humans!

Singling out the minority and blaming them for everything is pointless. There will be more drunks behind the wheel of a car than on a bike, luckily four wheels tends to help with the wobbling.

Malachai wrote:
I'm afraid I don't... Safety on our roads is often threatened by dangerous, inconsiderate, incompetent, unruly, drunk humans! Singling out the minority and blaming them for everything is pointless. There will be more drunks behind the wheel of a car than on a bike, luckily four wheels tends to help with the wobbling.

Err, yes. Humans who cycle because they have to, not because they really want to.
"There will be more drunks behind the wheel of a car than on a bike, luckily four wheels tends to help with the wobbling."
Well done for that most sweeping of unfounded statements which considerably devalues your point of view.

Pretty much the same as your demeaning sweeping comment about cyclists being poor and having to cycle because of their situation, rather than out of enjoyment. As I said before cycling is not cheap.

Malachai wrote:
Pretty much the same as your demeaning sweeping comment about cyclists being poor and having to cycle because of their situation, rather than out of enjoyment. As I said before cycling is not cheap.

Try telling the banned drivers who dig their old bikes out of the shed that cycling isn't cheap.
What you have got to realise is that the majority of cyclists are not of the fantatic variety who do because they enjoy it. A large proportion of people who ride bikes on our roads are banned drivers, meanies and the tree-huggers who would rather take the bus but have got to retain a certain image.
When I take a look at the majority of bikes on the road, their tyres are flat, their chains are dry and rusted and their lights are either non-existent or completely inadequate.
I'm afraid that's the truth, whether you like it or not.

Unfortunately this seems to be the simple naive view of someone who quite clearly doesn't know what they are talking about. As I said before you are basing these facts on your own simple short local outings, the truth is that the majority of the cyclists on the road are riding bikes which are newer and more road worthy than some cars on the road. Bike sales in the UK increased 50% last year, part due to the recession and part due to the government ride to work scheme which provides tax benefits to anyone who wishes to enroll. The London To Brighton charity ride for the British Heart Foundation is booked up the minute they advertise the dates. More rides are being introduced each year, I myself will be taking part in the London-Windsor ride. These are not drunks, these are not banned drivers. They are sensible adults and children, commuting to work or school. Which makes them want to take things further and partake in charitable events. Your misguided labeling and irrational finger pointing is based on what seems to be very few cyclists you have encountered in one small area. A similar example would be me stating that all drivers of purple cars on B roads only are dunks and layabouts and should have their limbs removed to ensure their own safety.

I was stuck in a traffic jam, heard a siren & saw there was an ambulance trying to get through. Myself & other cars pulled to the left - yes we were in a cycle lane - to let it through.

A lycra lout came along and kicked / struck most of the cars, I was lucky that he didn't damage mine but a number had dents

There is no way to trace him so several people were facing repair bills!

Marty1979 wrote:
I was stuck in a traffic jam, heard a siren & saw there was an ambulance trying to get through. Myself & other cars pulled to the left - yes we were in a cycle lane - to let it through. A lycra lout came along and kicked / struck most of the cars, I was lucky that he didn't damage mine but a number had dents There is no way to trace him so several people were facing repair bills!

I completely sympathise with you.
It all boils down to the fact that cyclists are not trained, insured or policed.
Something really MUST be done to regulate cyclists.

'sympathize', rather.
Apologies.
Still, what's a few zzzzzzzzzs between friends?

Or an 's' even?

Couldn't resist! :-)

Let's Agree To Differ wrote:
Or an 's' even? Couldn't resist! :-)

Let's, you are quite right. Thank you for pointing out my error.

I like the term "lycra lout" - very apt. I had a similar experience to Erastus - driving along Crofton Lane in Orpington a cyclist pedaling furiously in the middle of the road with no chance of passing him - yet when he approached a traffic island (meaning I could not overtake) he slowed to a crawl !

When I eventaually got past I also got a wave (2 fingered)

I have had similar experiences from both people behind a wheel and on motorbikes, whilst as a cyclist and as a driver. This is unfortunately human nature and there are idiots on the road using all forms of transport.

Last week myself and my cycling friend had to deal with an unpleasant individual who screamed enough profanitys at us to make a tomato blush. Having ignored the individual at a T-Junction where we turned right and he turned left, he suddenly reappeared after turning his truck around and attempted to push us off the road by swerving the rear end of his flat-bed into us, narrowly missing my friend. He then pulled over into a petrol garage and got out of his cab to offer us out as we rode past. The only fault we had was that he had approached a bend at high speed heand had to swerve as we were already half way round.

Both of us wear enough high-vis to be seen from the moon yet this still doesnt work for some drivers.

Serious question for cyclists - why do you not use cycle lanes where they are available?
I was driving along Sevenoaks Way from Orpington to Sidcup, there is a clearly marked cycle lane as part of the verge (completely off the road) yet there were a number of cyclists using the road.
Surely it's safer for everyone if they use the cycle lane?

I actually saw a police car stop a cyclist who rode through a red light in the one way system at Greenwich once!

I was so amazed I had the urge to go up to the cyclist and say
'Ha! You think you're so untouchable and above the laws of the road, now you've had your collar felt, Ha!'
But I thought everyone would think I was a little touched by the mad stick so I kept my thoughts to myself!

Kitten x

But, unlike a motorist, I expect all that happened is the cyclist was "warned" - then immediately rode off and went through another red light ........