BS: Bleeping Cyclist

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 21 Aug 23 - 01:07 PM

To be clear, "at large" simply meant out and about, not running loose.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Rain Dog
Date: 21 Aug 23 - 12:32 PM

"I know that the odd cyclist can cause harm, but that pales alongside the health hazard that every dog at large in our streets potentially causes."

Potentially?

Dogs at large?

Don't see too many dogs at large on the roads these days.

I am always wary of any dog riding a bike though.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Aug 23 - 12:22 PM

Ban them all 3 times!

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Aug 23 - 11:57 AM

Yep. Along with mobility scooter riders and mobile phone users. Should they all be banned?

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Aug 23 - 11:57 AM

Yep. Along with mobility scooter riders and mobile phone users. Should they all be banned?

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Aug 23 - 11:57 AM

Yep. Along with mobility scooter riders and mobile phone users. Should they all be banned?

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Aug 23 - 05:54 AM

Most of that post was about cycling. Dogs were first mentioned in this thread by someone else two days ago. There is a connection in that both cyclists on pavements and dogs on extendable leads, or just loose, are potential hazards to pedestrians. Stop being so defensive!

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 20 Aug 23 - 04:47 AM

Hey Professor Cynophobe, the thread is about cyclists, SFA to do with dogs. I suggest that you stop being a knob, desist from the ‘Whataboutery’ and address the subject of the thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 19 Aug 23 - 08:20 PM

Gosh, until the mid-90s (after which one of my knees went) I cycled thousands of miles a year, for several years in just about the busiest urban area of outer London, then in rural Devon and Cornwall for four or five years after that. My daily commute was 16 miles a day (return!) in London and 22 miles a day in the Westcountry (each daily return trip involving 1400 feet of climbing). Not once did I ever break any rule of the road, nor did I ever have any altercation with motorists or pedestrians. I think that most cyclists are environmentally conscious and would not wish to harm or inconvenience pedestrians. Of course, there are always a few. It's amazing how so many people, including two or three here, jump opportunistically on cyclists, who, as a genre, are mostly very responsible. Cyclists don't create air or noise pollution and are not using fossil fuels. Remember that at least. And yet, when I mention that the vast majority of dog owners can't control their dogs and fail to clean up after their pet noise machines (come to Bude if you don't believe me), I get shot down by the "it's not my dog" brigade. I know that the odd cyclist can cause harm, but that pales alongside the health hazard that every dog at large in our streets potentially causes.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Aug 23 - 07:32 PM

Here in the Washington DC/Maryland area, most cyclists don't stop at stop signs or red lights unless there is heavy traffic. They look both ways and if they see an opening, they just keep going. Downtown is even worse where bicycle messengers act as though none of the rules apply to them in any way. Up here, a few miles north of DC, it's just cycling aficionados ignoring stop signs. They are breaking the law every time, and they do not appreciate being reminded.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 19 Aug 23 - 03:52 PM

”Charmion:

Unless things have changed there are no legal e-Scooters in Stratford:”

Nigel, I think you’re confused. Charmion is in Stratford, Ontario, Canada.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 19 Aug 23 - 03:44 PM

Charmion:

Unless things have changed there are no legal e-Scooters in Stratford:
Here

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Aug 23 - 02:47 PM

Offering insults means he doesn't have a good argument to answer your logic.

Charmion: 1

Tourist: 0

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Charmion
Date: 19 Aug 23 - 02:38 PM

I was walking home from the theatre one night a few weeks ago when I found myself face to face with a thirty-something man mounted on an electric scooter -- the kind with two small wheels, a little platform to stand on, and handlebars mounted on an upright thingy. I was on the sidewalk and the street was quite innocent of other traffic.

Scooter Man was larking about with a buddy, likewise mounted, and I rather suspect both of them were at least a little tipsy. He braked just in time to not hit me dead on.

"You have wheels. You belong on the road," I said, pointing into the carriageway.

"But that's dangerous!" he replied, not moving.

"Better you should be scared than you should run me down," I replied, also not moving.

"Bitch," he yelped and swooped away -- but off the sidewalk.

Scooter Man and his buddy were almost certainly tourists, the species that makes summer in Stratford such a mixed blessing. The electric scooter is a newcomer to the local scene and I hope it is a quickly passing fad.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: gillymor
Date: 19 Aug 23 - 12:46 PM

That's very generous of you but I was referring to it as an alternative to expensive ED drugs (insert smiley face here).

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Aug 23 - 12:43 PM

Yebbut I can forgive female lycra clad cyclists...

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: gillymor
Date: 19 Aug 23 - 12:27 PM

Or maybe lycra keeps the blood down in a region where it can do some good.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 19 Aug 23 - 12:15 PM

... it is invariabley male cyclists that act like idiots

I know, from personal experience, that to be untrue.

DC

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 19 Aug 23 - 11:55 AM

"Cyclists do not now what brakes are for"

Some cyclists, SPB, and then only a minority.

I have a theory. Lycra constricts the flow of blood to the brain. The more Lycra a cyclist wears, the more stupid he becomes. And before I am accused of sexism, it is invariabley male cyclists that act like idiots

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: gillymor
Date: 19 Aug 23 - 08:41 AM

Wow, I guess I'll have to mount some kind of weapon on my handle bars to deal with disgruntled pedestrians.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 19 Aug 23 - 07:28 AM

.... Discuss


The Guardian 2 Mar 23

A woman has been jailed for 3 years for manslaughter after causing cyclist to fall in front of a car in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK. The woman, who has cerebral palsy, waved her arm aggressively and shouted “get off the fucking pavement” causing the cyclist to fall into the road where she died after being struck by a car. During the trial, police could not confirm whether or not that section of path was legally intended for both pedestrians and cyclists, but in the sentencing the judge declared it a shared path.

DC

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 18 Aug 23 - 04:19 AM

Live by the sword, die by the sword… ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 18 Aug 23 - 03:46 AM

Was it here or somewhere else I read this ....

Old lady gets cut up by a speeding pavement cyclist. With great presence of mind, she shoves her walking stick through his spokes. Cyclist goes arse over tit. Sympathetic crowd gathers round old lady; they help her to her feet, and generally check that she's OK. Fate of cyclist unknown, as nobody pays him any attention.

.... Discuss.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 17 Aug 23 - 08:24 PM

Cyclists do not now what brakes are for ans expect us inferior pedestrians to respect their right to not have to slaw down. As I am lucky enough to not be frail and do not need assistance for walking, I do not have the means to accidently poke a walking stick through the wheel spokes.

I have heard that one of the causes of food delivery riders not giving a toss about pedestrians safety is that they have to meet unreasonable delivery times or lose pay.

In UK we have laws that mean that householders that use unlicensed disposal services the go on to flytip rubbish can be heavily fined. We need similar laws which means that people who order takeways which are deivered by inconsiderate riders who are caught breaking the law face similar fines. having to pay $1,000 for a takeaway will discourage customers from buying from cafes/restaurants that fo not poperly supervise their riders.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: gillymor
Date: 17 Aug 23 - 05:23 PM

It got way too scary riding on the main roads around here, even the ones with bike lanes, what with all the big pickups rumbling by at 60+ mph and the rubbernecking out of towners weaving all over the road, so I sold my road bike and bought a comfort/fitness bike with shocks and started riding on the sidewalks. No incidents so far, I give plenty of warning to pedestrians verbally and by clicking my brake handles and when when there's dog or people situation that looks dicey I stop and maneuver around it on foot. I do agree though that ebikes traveling on the same track with pedestrians is potentially a dangerous proposition.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 17 Aug 23 - 01:08 PM

Spot on there, Dave. Especially those deadly extending dog leads. Is there anyone here who would ban disability scooters from pavements?

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 17 Aug 23 - 05:44 AM

Like with many groups it is the vociferous minority that grab the headlines, BWM. As a motorist, cyclist, public transpot user and pedestrian I can quote you many examples of bad behavior in all of the groups. Believe it or not, particulary in Skipton on a market day, running the gauntlet of mad mobility scooter users, dog owners with extending leads and young girls with their noses stuck in mobiles can be very challenging!

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 17 Aug 23 - 04:06 AM

The rules about cycling have been changed in the UK in comparatively recent times, SRS. Back when I was a keen cyclist, riding a bicycle on the pavement was absolutely forbidden, as was riding without an ‘audible warning of approach’ (usually a bell), and riding at night without front and rear lights.

In recent years, the requirement for an ‘audible warning of approach’ has been abandoned, many riders simply ignore the requirement for lights at night, and many local authorities encourage cyclists to ride on the pavement, even marking the pavements to indicate that cycling there is acceptable. This is certainly the case in my part of the Lincolnshire Backwoods. Add to that the fact that, where separate cycle lanes are provided, they are frequently ignored by cyclists who just ride on the pavement anyway.

I’m very much a pedestrian since I retired eleven years ago - I do drive when and where necessary, but I try to walk a minimum of five miles each day - and I’ve become very aware of how vulnerable pedestrians are, and how reckless many cyclists are. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve narrowly escaped being hit from behind by cyclists (and E-scooter-riders, for that matter) speeding and weaving around on the pavement when, owing to their not having an ‘audible warning of approach’, I had absolutely no idea they were there.

I find it rather surprising that so many cyclists - a group who constantly draw public attention to their vulnerability on the roads - appear to have so little regard for the vulnerability of pedestrians on the pavement.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 17 Aug 23 - 03:49 AM

I wonder if the law ever got changed to allow perambulators to use the pavement. At one time they had to use the roadway and I'm not sure if it ever got an official alteration.

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 17 Aug 23 - 03:41 AM

I have cycled on the pavement. Usually when pushed off the road by a white van or a BMW! Only when there are no pedestrians present though.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Aug 23 - 11:54 PM

Vehicles are supposed to stay in the street, whether motorized or bicycles. They don't belong on the sidewalks. They're also supposed to follow the rules of the road.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Aug 23 - 07:13 PM

It's a shame. Thirty or forty years ago I was commuting by pushbike thousands of miles a year. My route for years included the incredibly busy road from Woodford towards central London and often through Chingford High Road and on the South Circular. There were rush-hour jams all along the way. I weaved in and out of traffic all the time. I never ran a red light or cycled on a pavement. Not once did I encounter any aggro or intimidation from motorists. It seems that the culture has changed radically. I notice that in London these days the roads cater for cyclists far better than they used to. A cyclist is quiet, non-polluting and takes up little space. Every town and city should be treating cyclists far better, in terms of separating them from traffic, than many of them do. Having said that, being a cyclist doesn't mean being a saint. No cyclist should ever cycle on a pavement (small children excepted) or jump a red light. It's complicated, but those two rules should be immutable.

By the way, unlike my cycling son I never wore Lycra. I found baggy shorts (with the chamois gusset) and loose tops far more comfortable and far less likely to attract the automatic "look at that twat" reaction that lycra does.

Subject: RE: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 16 Aug 23 - 06:40 PM

e bikes are even worse - they use the pavement at speed. aybe pedestrians need to pass a driving test to demonstrate lane disciplin before they are allowed to leave their homes, and in the meantime pay for supervision by a qualified walking instructor.

Subject: BS: Bleeping Cyclist
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 16 Aug 23 - 06:36 PM

I understand that as a pedestrian and public transport user I am probably of an inferior race to those who need to get about on their cycles, but these days cyclists disregarding the law is almost at an epidemic level, but these days it seems to be getting worse, particularly with food delivery riders who are not bothered about anything except earning money and think that gives the right of way on the pavement and us inferior pedestrians having the duty to make allowances for them.

There need to be a lot more enforcement so that delivery rider run the risk of prosecution for having to meet the targets that they are expected to fulfill by their employers to avoid losing pay.