BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Greg F.
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 09:14 AM

TYPO: read "Kevin" as KEITH.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 09:34 AM

I am not aware of any Greg, and why all the aggression and hostility?

Cyclists do not and can not threaten you, so why the anger?

Is it because, lean and physical, and with a higher stature, they sometimes leave you standing.
Or rather sitting, slob like.

Right there in your big, shiny penis substitute, humiliated and emasculated.
Oh dear.

That is where all that aggression comes from.
It is also why you use sexual words just to talk about it.
Words like "fuckin'" and "asshole."
That is like what they do to you, isn't it Greg.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Greg F.
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 09:49 AM

Cyclists do not and can not threaten you

Guess you've never been run into by a cyclist doing 20MPH, or after getting out of the hospital you'd surely remember it.

Nor been the victim of an automobile accident caused by a cyclist, eh?

Now, on to the subject of Islamist Jihad Cyclists-

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 11:14 AM

"It is not breaking any rule to slip between stationary vehicles.
Cyclist are not required to stop when their way ahead is clear."

That is not the law where *I* live! You are describing two different types of situations with very different concerns. I could badly injure a cyclist IF I acted as you imply (making 'my' own lane... which I do not do.) I have waited for long stretches to pass a slow cyclist when there was no safe or legal place to do so.

I only pass a bicycle when it is moving and it is safe to do so. I don't think I have ever needed to pass a slow moving motor cycle..... but I have had BOTH bicycles & motorcycles squeeze dangerously between vehicles in downtown Washington DC. They ARE breaking the law (although bicycle messengers do it all the time, and are seldom ticketed unless they CAUSE an accident...which does happen.)

I will continue to give all cyclists all the legal rights they have, even if it slows me briefly.... I will NOT tolerate them leaning on my car as they maneuver thru barely passable spaces.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: GUEST,Spleen Cringe
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 11:36 AM

the impervious mincing machines

I think I have their first album...

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Greg F.
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 12:10 PM

Does sound familiar - they're an Islamist group, aren't they?

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 12:27 PM

Hey, what's REALLY fun , being as it's really unsafe to ride bikes on the sidewalks, is roaring up and down the sidewalks in a bulldozer!..and if you have the need to rush into a store to use the restroom, you won't bump into the sides of the door, either!

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 12:35 PM

"Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: GUEST,Spleen Cringe
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 11:36 AM

the impervious mincing machines

I think I have their first album..."



Hehehe! Best laugh of the day!! :D

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 02:17 PM

I have waited for long stretches to pass a slow cyclist when there was no safe or legal place to do so.
So have I, and every other driver on our narrow roads in UK.
Relevance?

I only pass a bicycle when it is moving and it is safe to do so.
You don't pass stationary bikes? Why ever not?
I would expect all of us to only pass when safe.
Relevance?
BOTH bicycles & motorcycles squeeze dangerously between vehicles in downtown Washington DC.
Why is it dangerous and who to Bill?
They ARE breaking the law
Funny law that.
Please explain.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 02:33 PM

Regarding cyclists or motorcyclists moving through stationary traffic, I've never understood why *some* motorists object so vigorously to other road users utilising what are otherwise dead parts of the road. Many of the motorists I know, are *also* cyclists and motorcyclists, and I've known them to deliberately make a little extra room in order to enable two-wheeled road users coming through, to pass more freely.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 03:07 PM

"You don't pass stationary bikes? Why ever not?"

Stationary in this context MEANS stopped in a lane that I am in, as at a red light....even IF they are at one edge of the lane.

"Why is it dangerous and who to ?"

Because motor vehicles do not expect traffic in non-existent lanes! They begin to edge over, in preparation for changing lanes.... they stick their arms out of the window... and a cyclist who cuts it too close can scratch or damage cars.....and various other possible problems.

Strange law? See above...the law establishes rules which, if everyone follows them, will provide the best OVERALL safety for all...even IF a few cyclists feel 'slowed'.
These questions indicate to me that some folks feel that they wish to be the arbiter of what is reasonable, and intend to "do it their way", whether the law agrees or not.

I PREFER lanes set aside for cyclists (bicycles, as in my link above), but this is not always possible.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: PHJim
Date: 29 Jun 13 - 09:15 PM

DtG said, "I also suspect people tend to see only the idiot cyclists because they stand out from the vast majority of sensible ones in the same was as extremists stand out in any area. Just my two pen'urth of course but I hope it makes sense to others."

I agree that the majority of cyclists are sensible. I didn't start this thread as a tirade against cyclists, I am sometimes one myself. As DtG said, the idiot cyclists stand out from the majority, partly because some of them are on the sidewalk rather than the road, where they belong.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 02:38 AM

Stationary in this context MEANS stopped in a lane that I am in, as at a red light....even IF they are at one edge of the lane.

So in a single lane road, if a bike is stopped at the edge, you will not go alongside or pass him?
That is just silly.
I can not believe that is the norm or the law.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 05:42 AM

I suspect the cyclist will be conveniently ignored as usual.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 01:38 PM

So, in a nutshell, Bill, you will not pass a stationary cyclist at 5mph yet you will happily pass one that is doing 10mph at what, 30/40mph? Hmmm. Makes about as much sense as the rest of the anti-cycling lobby.

Thanks for the confirmation PHJim. I think we realised that you were not anti-cyclist but your thread certainly brought some of them out of the woodwork!

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 01:46 PM

BTW - In case anyone gets the wrong idea, I NEVER cycle on a busy pavement. What I, and I suspect many others are talking about is similar to the following scenario - Cycling along at 10mph. on a busy road. You come to a line of parked cars. The remaining road is barely wide enough for two cars anyway so do you

a) Go on the pavement, where there are no pedestrians, until you are past the parked cars or
b) Move into the road front of an HGV with a driver who must make his delivery and has no time to wait behind a cycle.

I can tell you which would do and have done, in plain sight of a traffic officer on one occasion, who nodded and smiled.

Anyway chaps. Keep digging. We can all see that you care about your precious vehicles more than your fellow man already but it is nice to get further affirmation :-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: SPB-Cooperator
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 02:03 PM

Last year I was walking along a narrower part o0f the pavement on a busy trunk road. A cyclist riding on the pavement as he passed meat without slpwing down gave me a violent shove and told me to get out of the fucking way.

Obviously as the cyclist was my better and has exclusive right to the pavement, should I then demand exclusive right to walk on the outside lane of the road??? How could that be enforced???

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 02:11 PM

Obviously as the cyclist was my better and has exclusive right to the pavement,

No he wasn't. He was a complete knobhead. Are you using this example to say all cyclists are the same? If so then you are no better than those who say all Irish are thick , all Moslems are terrorists and all Blacks are lazy.

Get over it and if it happens again report it to the police.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Jun 13 - 02:13 PM

BTW - Have you ever been on a cycle? If you push anything while you are balancing on two wheels, chances are you will fall over. I suggest you try it.

D.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 10:11 AM

Road deaths are falling, but cyclists' deaths increase.
Vehicles kill about 2 per day, but cyclists only 2 per year.
Lightening kills 3 per year in UK.
Deaths due to cycling on pavements are even rarer, say one in decades.
On the pavement you are at far more risk from vehicles, or from falling objects, or lightening.

Those of us without penis anxieties are happy for a bike to sail past us when we are stuck, and as CS says, even edge over to ease their passage.
Bikes are an urban solution not a problem.

" I will NOT tolerate them leaning on my car as they maneuver thru"
Skin on your chrome!
You are violated.
What will you do?

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 11:05 AM

""It is not breaking any rule to slip between stationary vehicles.
Cyclist are not required to stop when their way ahead is clear.""

They aren't required to leave bloody great scratches from pedal or handlebar along the side of a car either, BUT THEY DO! And spit in your face if you complain about it.

The trouble is that a significant number of cyclists believe that there are no rules which apply to THEM, on road or pavement (sidewalk).

Where I live, there is a maze of footpaths offering shortcuts through the estate, which frankly are a death trap for pedestrians, especially the elderly, disabled or blind, since the local cycling fraternity don't seem to know what the word "footpath" means

I have to use one of those to get to my GP's surgery and about two years ago stepped into the end of it to be confronted by a cyclist doing about 20mph.

This halfwit yelled "Get out of the way, you fucking useless old cripple". I flattened myself against the fence in this 3 foot wide alley, and my walking stick unfortunately hooked his handlebar. It was a complete accident, but I have neither sympathy nor regret for his trip to the hospital in an ambulance, nor for the £80 fine he got for "furious riding".

If you think this prat was a one off, just stand at any set of traffic lights and open your eyes. You'll soon see how wrong you are.

It is more dangerous cycling on main roads these days admittedly, but I find it somewhat difficult to see that fact as a valid reason for ignoring traffic lights, pedestrian crossings or laws concerning bells and lights.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: GUEST,Spleen Cringe
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 11:31 AM

Deep breath.

We all have anecdotes we can use to tar a whole group of people with the same brush because of the actions of a minority. If the situation with bikes were only half as bad as some posters here insist, frankly they'd have been banned years ago...

And surely I can't be the only cyclist who has never scratched someone's car, never run over a pedestrian, never shoved a pedestrian out of the way (whilst simultaneously not falling off my bike), never hurled abuse at a pensioner (no doubt whilst high on petrol fumes from all the feckin' cars!), etc etc etc?

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 11:59 AM

Go stand at a set of traffic lights, count the cyclists who don't go straight through or hop off and walk across against the red, count how many turn up actually on the road and how many arrive on the pavement, weaving in and out of the pedestrians at far too high a speed.

Then come back and talk about minorities.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 12:08 PM

I did, Don. I stood at the traffic lights near work for 45 minutes one day (Don't ask why - It's a long story) and not one single cyclist committed the crimes you detailed. What now? I am sure you have seen it just as I am sure I did not. Do we take a straw poll as to who can come out with most anecdotes? Maybe we could do the same on the anti-Moslem thread? You are happy that the terrorists are a small minority there. I am convinced that only a small minority of cyclists are 'urban terrorists'. I can carry on the 'is, isn't, is, isn't' argument for days if you like. It will get nowhere fast but it should prove who can tell the best tales.

Spleen - I am another. But as I pointed out earlier the same cannot be said about my antics on a motorbike when I was a youngster. I have grown up since. Well, nearly.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 12:24 PM

It's unfortunate that many people get comfortable in their view of the world. Whether that be as a motorist perceiving cyclists as a problem or vice versa. It's worth taking time out to consider the issues faced by another group who may annoy you without intending to. I used to think lorry drivers were a bunch of idiots hogging the roads, until I actually learned how hard it is to maneouver, speed up, slow down and break, when driving a huge and very heavy vehicle from someone who drove lorries for a living.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Greg F.
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 12:30 PM

the anti-cycling lobby

Finally! I've been expecting this.

So anyone who expects cyclists to comply with the highway code/vehicle laws and act in a responsible and courteous manner are perforce card-carrying members of the "anti-cycling lobby".

Perfect example of the self-absorbed, sense-of-entitlement jackass cyclist attitude we've been discussing.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 12:46 PM

"you will not pass a stationary cyclist at 5mph yet you will happily pass one that is doing 10mph at what, 30/40mph?"

aww...Dave... that is a distortion of what I said, and of the point I was making. I 'may' pass a cyclist at 30/40 *IF* it is safe and legal to do so...for both me and the cyclist.

"Skin on your chrome!
You are violated.
What will you do?"

I will yell at them... my only recourse is to make it clear that someone is aware that they are both taking chances and (in my area) breaking the law.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 12:47 PM

So anyone who expects cyclists to comply with the highway code/vehicle laws and act in a responsible and courteous manner are perforce card-carrying members of the "anti-cycling lobby".

No, people who claim that cyclists are anti-social thugs are "card-carrying members of the anti-cycling lobby". There seems to be an abundance of them on here.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Bill D
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 12:55 PM

To clarify: It 'seems' to be your attitude that because cyclists find it easier, and have more opportunities to squeeze between larger vehicles, that the practice is generally justified. I simply disgree with that.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Greg F.
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 12:58 PM

Dave, I think you need help. Talk to an alienist.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 01:00 PM

Nice one :-)

No help required, Greg. There is no opposition...

:D tG

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 01:21 PM

""So anyone who expects cyclists to comply with the highway code/vehicle laws and act in a responsible and courteous manner are perforce card-carrying members of the "anti-cycling lobby".
""

Ditto anybody who dares to point out that many cyclists are not acting that way.

Cyclists frequently are the authors of their own problems, when they decide to occupy the gap between vehicles and the kerb when those vehicles are already signalling a left turn, racing up the left side of a vehicle to try to get ahead before arriving at an obstacle or parked vehicle and swerving wildly out into the path of the one they've passed.

These things are emphaticaly not rare events. They happen every day, in every town, and in every case where a collision occurs, we hear the same old mantra.

"Motorists don't have any respect for cyclists."

I don't see anybody here objecting to all motorists being lumped together as thoughtless road users.

We pay hundreds of pounds every year in Road Fund Licence fees, Insurance and Fuel duty on which we also pay VAT, a TAX on a TAX!

We pay for insurance which pays out for damage done to bicycles among other things.

Cyclists pay nothing, many of them cause accidents, and don't look for any insurance if one of them damages your £20,000 investment.

Our insurance foots the bill for that too.

I'm a pedestrian most of the time, travelling no more than about 80 miles a week in the car, and I'm a damned sight more likely to be hit by a bike where I live, than a car. Your mileage may vary.

Incidentally, when I am out in the car I'm not in the least bothered by cyclists (pedal or motor) moving up between the lines except in the circumstances I mentioned above.

I do get bloody annoyed when one of them jumps a red light to turn left five yards in front of me when I'm driving through a green light, a common occurrence.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 01:25 PM

Christ on a cupcake! I've been reading through this thread. It looks like we've found something else to fight about...

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: artbrooks
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 01:51 PM

I am a cyclist, although (at 67) I don't ride as much as I used to do. I'm also in the US, so please read right for left if you find this difficult to follow.

I ride on the right, but I don't ride in the glass and debris-filled gutter. I stop for signals, don't ride on the sidewalk/pavement and generally use turn signals. I clip on front and rear lights on the (rare) occasions when I'm going to be out after dark. If a car passes me on the road, I feel no guilt by then passing him safely on his right when he stops at a signal - what would you prefer? Should I stop at the end of the line of stopped vehicles? I look to see if the car stopped next to me is signaling for a turn, and either wait until he has done so or I go ahead if he signals me to do so.

I think that, if I ever visit the UK, I will leave my bike home. Not only because there are apparently so many idiot drivers there but also because I really don't recognize the fraternity of cyclists in the behavior you are all describing.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 01:52 PM

" hop off and walk across against the red,"

So what?
They actually are pedestrians now!
Who in this country has never walked across against a red because there is no traffic?
You Don?

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 02:07 PM

Don,

There's no such thing as a Road Fund Licence. Roads are funded out of general taxation since 1937 because Winston Churchill didn't want motorists claiming that they own the roads.

Many, if not most, cyclists are also motorists and have driving licences and pay VED on their cars as well as paying other taxes.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 02:14 PM

""So what?
They actually are pedestrians now!
Who in this country has never walked across against a red because there is no traffic?
You Don?""

You want my objection to that? OK!

Because when the lights change the same eejit is jumping out in front of and swerving all over the road as he accelerates away, having gained nothing whatever, and then I'm stuck at fifteen miles an hour til I can move out a lane.

It's another example of the arrogant sense of "anything I want to do is automatically right and screw the rest!

A bit like you really!

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 02:31 PM

While we're at this mud throwing event, i thought I might as well remind road users that the pavement is for pedestrians, *including* the bits of pavement that happen to have a dropped curb to grant road users access.

Just because that dropped curb is outside your property or between wherever it is you want to get to and where you are now, it is not your private road, it remains the pavement where pedestrians have the right of way.

As such, please do not drive out of your drive as though you're the only being in the universe; there are young children, dog walkers, elderly folk, and me, using that pavement.

While *I* might realise that there are motorists who treat pavements as though they are roads, not all pedestrians are so savvy and they are usually the more vulnerable ones.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 02:33 PM

I absolutely agree with that C.S.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 02:45 PM

"Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 02:33 PM

I absolutely agree with that C.S.

Don T."

Glad to hear it Don! But then if you're a regular walker then you'll be aware of how often car users pull out onto pavements without so much as slowing and looking!

Just had to get that one off my chest!! :D

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 02:46 PM

To be clear, of course not ALL car users behave like that!

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Little Hawk
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 02:57 PM

"of course not ALL car users behave like that"

No...but let's go into a spitting rage over those that do!!! Kick the chair! Roll around on the floor and chew on the carpet! Ahhhhh.... God, that felt good.

And now what about those fecking, bloody, useless, arrogant, self-centred, halfwit cyclists impeding our motorized progress? AAARGHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Kill 'em all, I say!

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 03:05 PM

"No...but let's go into a spitting rage over those that do!!!"

While we're at it, lets get bloody angry about people who drive drunk!

Oh wait, that's dangerous and illegal too..

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 03:23 PM

Don, Cyclists pay nothing. The fact that far too many pay with their lives, which you do not acknowledge, is a good indication of your views on cycling. Sorry, because I know you and think you are a good bloke, but I don't think you really thought that one through.

To make it a little less maudlin, how about the cycle lanes that share a pavement with pedestrians? There are plenty of them. With a painted line and easily understood symbols to separate the two. When I used to cycle to Salford Quays I rode down around 1.5 miles of them every day. Militant pedestrians used to walk in the cycle lane all the time. If I rang my bell, I got sworn at. If I tried to get by them, I got threatened. This was every working day of every week for about 6 months. There were occasions when I was glad I had the extra speed when a sloping forehead Neanderthal decided he was going to 'Kick my fucking old bloke head in'.

How are we doing on the exchange of anecdotes score?

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Greg F.
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 03:41 PM

The fact that far too many pay with their lives,

Ah, yes, the poor, oppressed, martyred cyclists who do nothing wrong yet are constantly harrassed and nailed to the cross by the anti-cycling lobby.

Give it a rest, Dave.

And pull the other one- it's got bells on.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 03:46 PM

Greg I don't think you're on much of a winner if you imagine motorists to be in any way 'the victims' where either non-metal clad cyclist or pedestrians are concerned. Cyclists routinely get injured or die when hit by cars, motorists merely get annoyed when hit by cyclists. There's no equity of offence caused.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 03:53 PM

50% of the time I'm a pedestrian, 50% of the time I'm a passenger in a car.

As a pedestrian I see some abuse of pavements by cyclists, but most of it is by motorists.

As a passenger I see some abuse of roads by cyclists, but by FAR most of it is by fellow motorists.

It is my observation that motorists are overall the most badly behaved of all users of the road and pavement. They also happen to be by far the most dangerous as the death tolls tell us.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 04:02 PM

I didn't know you danced Morris, Greg? What team? Every been run over by a Morris dancer on the pavement? They are complete bastards, the lot of 'em.

Cheers

:D tG

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: Greg F.
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 05:02 PM

if you imagine motorists to be in any way 'the victims

Uh, CS - where did I say or even imply that? Is English a second language for you?

DAVE - give it a rest, already. Not remotely amusing, and puerile into the bargain.

Subject: RE: BS: Bicycles on the sidewalk
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 01 Jul 13 - 05:32 PM

"Uh, CS - where did I say or even imply that? Is English a second language for you?:

it'a so always quaint to be criticised by an American concerning English language usage.