Dangerous cyclists

[quote=DandyCobalt]

To make it safer and get more people cycling, where we live, I think it should be legal for cyclists to use the pavement, even where there is no cycle lane ( but with a speed limit the same as for those mobility scooters (another subject ) but they should be properly policed - and have to wear reflective clothing and lights. Or be fined.

/quote]

ONLY if they're going to show some consideration for the pedestrians who are on the pavement. That is, after all, the point of a pavement. I've recently come close to being run over a number of times by cyclists using the pavement with no: 1. lights, 2. bell, 3. helmet, 4. consideration for other road/footpath users.

Oh yes, and I'm a cyclist/motorist/pedestrian so I'm looking at this from all three points of view

I don't need to guess, the answer would be the cyclist.

I drive past a cycle path which cyclists often ignore and ride on the road. They do go nuts if you shout at them. They also go nuts if you park on the cycle path. What is that all about?

Correct, but the guidelines in the Highway Code can be used to establish liability when deciding on fault under the Road Traffic Act 1988. See Sec 38 (7) RTA 1988.

So if you break a guideline under the Highway Code and it leads to an accident, that guideline can be used to evidence your guilt.

I think that's marvelous.

What is needed is compulsory insurance for cyclists and a means by which cycles/ists can be identified.  The worst of human nature comes out when the individual is anonymous and can not be traced.  

Not all bad behaviour would be eliminated, you can not legislate for the idiotic and willful, but if cyclists were identifiable then perhaps we would minimise the occurence of; running red lights, riding the wrong way up a one way street, ignoring Stop signs, crashing into people and cars causing damage and/or injury and clearing off, etc., etc., etc.

I nearly crashed my bike into a car about a month ago, I went to overtake a stationary car but didn't see a car coming the other way, I then pull out to overtake quite fast and had to slam on my brakes, I nearly went flying over my handlebars!    Luckily the car stopped when it saw me come flying out too.  I then composed myself before making a quick getaway before the driver could swear at me!  

Yes, forums would be much nicer places if everyone had to use their real name...

I do

Sadly as a keen cyclist, I get easily riled when I see fellow riders breaking the law - Whether it is cycling on paths or without lights, sneaking across reds. This behaviour was once quoted as justification by the motorist who failed to give way to me when pulling out from the side street forcing me onto the other carriageway into the path on an oncoming bus. Apparently 2 month's ealrier a cyclist had hopped off a kerb causing him to swerve, and he was still angry about it.

It does however pain me to admit - that I do see a higher percentage of cyclists breaking the rules than car drivers. But this is a really small number of offenders - cyclists are so few on my journey I only counted 4 on the way home tonight, and all were riding legallyish(one cyclist only had a flashing light on rear with no reflectors). Comparing that to over 20 motorists not following the rules:- mobile phone use, eating a sandwich! while navigating a roudabout, lights not working, sneaking across junctions which have already changed to red, speeding, tailgating, overtaking on blind bends. We can easily see where the biggest risks lie.

All accidents would be avoidable, if everyone acted responsibly and followed the rules.

It also irritates me to see other cyclists breaking the law or riding irresponsibly, as it gives all cyclists a bad name. I admit that I do ride on pavements sometimes (when I feel it is safer for me to do so), but I do so in a sensible manner. I never run red lights (there's always some idiot driver jumping the lights).

It doesn't matter how well a cyclist rides - drivers know they're invincible (in comparison to a cyclist) in their metal cocoon and will take risks - and much of the time won't be concentrating enough to even notice cyclists when they're smoking/using a mobile phones/eating/messing with the satnav etc.

Oh, and stop tailgating - we know you're faster, and you know you're faster - no need to sit right up our arses waiting for the first half opportunity to overtake (and usually without giving much room). I appreciate you see us as a hindrance, but we're on the road, and have just as much right to be there as you, so let's all stay calm, give each other space, and all get home at night.

All accidents would be avoidable, if everyone acted responsibly and followed the rules.

In an ideal world that might be so, but unless the country grinds to a halt because we go to everyone travelling below about 10mph then it is impossible.

I do sympathise with cyclists where motor drivers, don't "see them".  For very many happy years I was a motorcyclist and despite always riding with dipped beam on there were numerous occasions when car drivers didn't see me.  I have had to show people the error of their ways many times.  

Interesting programme on bbc1 at the moment.