OK, now let's get the cyclists

pendy · 29-06-2005, 16:36

We've had complaints about pedestrians and complaints about drivers. Let's get to the worst of all worlds - the cyclist.

On the road, on the pavement, you never know where they'll come from next. We have lots of cycle lanes (many double ones) in London. Do they use them? Only if it suits them at the time. They ignore red lights - I would have been hit by one not long ago if the man at the crossing hadn't pulled me back in time - and I had a green man. A woman was killed in Oxford Street a year or so ago, by a cyclist who mounted the pavement at speed and hit her mid on. There's also the idiotic EU directive that cyclists are never at fault when involved in an accident - even if they come round a blind bend on the wrong side of the road, doing a wheelie, talking on their mobile, and blind drunk.

So - who agrees that cyclists should be licensed, should carry insurance and an identifying number? - and they should be liable to a cycling ban for causing an accident, just as drivers are.

I know there are sensible, responsible cyclists out there - if they are responsible, they wouldn't mind being accountable.

What do Accywebbers think?

staggeringman · 29-06-2005, 17:01

tax them,make them have insurance, a cycling profisioncey test, and tell them to keep off the roads.

and a spell check on here lol.

jpest1 · 29-06-2005, 17:13

[QUOTE=staggeringman]tax them,make them have insurance, a cycling profisioncey test, and tell them to keep off the roads.

I hope you mean on the roads. Pavements are for pedestrians not bikes. I also agree that cyclists should have to undertake some form of test

jimmi5bellies · 29-06-2005, 17:28

Its the really old men that are the worst offenders and you darnt over-take them in case they shake off !

lettie · 29-06-2005, 17:30

I remember when I got my first bike as a child. My dad wouldn't let me ride it on the road until I'd passed my cycling proficiency test. I do believe that cyclists should be accountable for their actions especially regarding causing accidents.

cashman · 29-06-2005, 19:34

ah some common sense,cyclists should definatly be accountable for their actions, saying that i think that many of them ARE safe on the roads,but that still doe'snt detract from the fact that all ROAD USERS should be. a proficiency test would not be a problem to those who are responsible cyclists.

vorlon24 · 29-06-2005, 19:50

I was on my motorbike and the lights had just turned green when a cyclist went straight through a red light across my path.

He was lucky that I was not as quick off the mark that time, otherwise I would have had him off.

I tooted at him, but all I got in response was a finger.

Maybe one day he'll learn the hard way

K.S.H · 29-06-2005, 20:14

Shouldn't be allowed on the roads, they should have to stay on cycle lanes, if it means building more fair enough but get them to pay for it dont take it out of my tax, they dont contribute to the roads I use so why should I pay for anything for them. same for horses they should stay on the fields were they belong not on the tarmac.

West Ender · 29-06-2005, 20:31

I live near Warrington. The shopping centre is mainly pedestrianised.

To me a pedestrian is a person who progresses on 2 FEET (or 1 foot if he's very unlucky). A pedestrian does NOT progress on 2 WHEELS but, every day, the Jolly Cyclist weaves his merry way in and out and round about the shoppers, causing havoc and scattering pensioners in his wake (It's such FUN).

On the highways the Jolly Cyclist (if he has strayed off the pavement) assumes that road signs/markings and traffic lights apply to other road users, not to HIM. What is a One Way Street to the Jolly Cyclist? You will meet him, head-on, as you drive in the correct direction and he will give you the Finger and a stream of invective if you pass too close to him. A red light, to the Jolly Cyclist, means "Carry on regardless" - especially if it is on a pedestrian crossing. No Entry means "Come in".

In the dark, the Jolly Cyclist comes into his own. He dons his darkest clothing and makes sure that he is observing the war-time black-out, not a light to be seen. It is YOUR responsibility to see him and avoid him. Knock him off his bike and he will sue you for the great god Compensation. Kill him and his family will sue you and you will want to kill yourself.

If policing is the answer, and it should be, then there is little hope. In Warrington it can take the police 2 days to respond to a burglary so policing errant cyclists is merely a pipe dream. So yes, treat them as motorised road users. Tax them, licence them, make them take out insurance. As the police always have time to pursue the motorist this might make a difference.

N.B. Apologies to the Sensible Cyclist. You are capable, responsible and, sadly, a minority.

Steph · 29-06-2005, 20:45

They need TAX, INSURANCE and DEFINATELY a TEST!!!

cashman · 29-06-2005, 22:49

i hope they bring in road tax tomorrow- that might bring a smile to busmans face.

Uncle Mick · 29-06-2005, 22:59

[QUOTE=K.S.H]Shouldn't be allowed on the roads, they should have to stay on cycle lanes, if it means building more fair enough but get them to pay for it dont take it out of my tax, they dont contribute to the roads I use so why should I pay for anything for them/QUOTE]
I contribute to the roads through my council tax, which is divved up to LCC who maintain the local roads ( Allegedly!) Motorways are maintained by the Highways Authority which is funded from central goverment from taxation.... which I pay as well. Where road tax goes to God only knows!

chav1 · 29-06-2005, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Mick

Where road tax goes to God only knows!

to abolish poverty and dissease

unfortunatly not in the uk

harwood red · 29-06-2005, 23:17

I think there should def be tests but also I think it should be law to wear a helmet.

staggeringman · 30-06-2005, 00:48

when you are driving through the countryside and you get at the back of these bikers its so frusterating you could rip your hair out if you had any,they are a pain inb the aSS.