Attitudes towards cyclists.

Noticed some colourful attitudes towards cyclists in this thread the other day

http://www.talkceltic.net/forum/showthread.php?t=131837&highlight=cyclists&page=2

And after being nearly knocked off my bike this afternoon (again) by an entirely unapologetic driver, I'm just curious.

What do you all think about cyclists? Why does there seem to be so much hatred towards them?

edit: I've decided that if a poster clearly isn't interested in having any sort of reasonable discussion that they'll get their very own animated picture by my way of response. No point is wasting time arguing with idiots. ​

 

Can't stand them, I hate having to clean their blood off my car bonnet :icon_mrgreen:

 

They should just go on a path. Make them half cycle lanes, half path.

 

I actually don't mind cyclists. Well, that is unless they are on the wrong side of the road coming towards you and then blame YOU for not moving over for them

 

Cant styand these organised cycle rallys they have in the highlands, causes nothing but mayhem, I get really * when I get stuck behind 2 riding side by side that I would have been otherwise able to pass. Other than that I aint that fussed.

 

TWATS!

 

That's fair enough. There are plenty of cyclists out there that need to learn and abide by the rules of the road.

If we had the political will to make the massive investment in infrastructure that is necessary for such a development, I'd be happy. Segregation is how it generally works in many places abroad and they are reaping the benefits.

For now though, cyclists should stay on the road - it's not fair on pedestrians otherwise.

What rallys do you mean?


As for your second point, I've always been a bit confused by this point.

First of all - the highway code says it's fine for cyclists to ride like this.
Second - the police ride their bikes like this.


Third - surely it's more difficult to over-take two cyclists in single file than it is to overtake two cyclists side by side? Given that the law states you should give a cyclist as much room as you would a car when overtaking, going past two in a row means that you'd be further out of your lane for a longer amount of time.

Whereas two cyclists side by side is more or less the same sort of space that your average vehicle takes up on the road in the first place.

 

Total pain in the * who are a danger to themselves and other road users.

 

1. Think it's good that some people try and use a healthier, more environmentally friendly form of transport.

2. Because a lot of drivers are selfish *.

 

False. Studies have shown that in the majority of incidents involving both cyclist and drivers, drivers are solely to blame for the majority of the time.

source

The thing about your second point - I honestly think it's a simple matter of perspective. If more drivers had experienced cycling on our roads, I think they'd change their behaviour.

 

:icon_mrgreen:

 

Agreed, but the chances of so many lazy drivers getting off their * to experience cycling on the roads, is slim.

 

Whats the stats on the extent of the damage they do to themselves in comparison to someone who has a bump in a car?

 

In all honesty... The only reason I don't want them there is because they slow me down, and that annoys me.

 

I can't imagine cycling in Ireland. The roads are barely fit for driving on, let alone cycling as well. Major improvements are required...in the US, or at least in Colorado, most roads come with the addition of cycling lanes, which work out well.

 

They`re ignorant *

 

Consider the risk that a sedentary lifestyle (typified by driving instead of walking or cycling) poses (see the figures for heart disease/obesity etc) and you'll find that cycling is actually very safe.

This study =found that people who engaged in leisure-time physical activity had life expectancy gains of as much as 4.5 years

Dunno where you drive, but in rush hour Glasgow I'm miles faster on a bike. Filtering, innit :icon_mrgreen: