Indeed so. "Two wrongs don't make a right" At least drivers have to pass a driving test, pay for insurance and " road tax" and have their vehicles regularly checked. None of this applies to cyclists / horse riders / mobility scooter users.
@NorthernJoe , I've heard similar arguments from cyclists before. My point is that pedestrians have a right to be safe on crossings and pavements, and cyclists should respect that. Fortunately I've (so far) been able to dodge the cyclists but they couldn't have known that there wasn't a less-nimble pedestrian on the crossing, or a blind or deaf person who might not be able to see/hear them.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Just to add, when I'm driving I try to give cyclists a wide berth, even if I get a build-up of cars behind me while I wait until there's no oncoming traffic so I can pull out to pass a cyclist. Also leaving room in front of me at red lights if I can see a cyclist coming up alongside and there's no cyclist zone in front of the car stop line.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Unfortunately many, NOT ALL cyclists think the highway code is just for drivers.
Unfortunately many, NOT ALL motorists think the highway code is just for cyclists.
My proof is anecdotal like every one else's but let's start with a few of the most common ones I see every day.
About 1 in 10 motorists or even less overtake cyclists according to the Highway code.
Very few motorists follow many of the highway code such as reversing off the main road not into it say on driveways but can also apply to carparks.
Very few motorists stop at pedestrian crossings when there is no one still there despite being on red still
No motorists follow highway code at lights controlled roadworks. Namely they never wait for oncoming road users to clear the roadworks if they're cyclists or other more vulnerable road user.
Motorists rarely stop at the correct line at ASLs
They rarely obey traffic lights in many ways such as not stopping at Amber when safe to do so instead "squeezing through". Or not fully waiting for green to go. But there's more.
Then the speed limit doesn't apply to motorists. There's even an informal rule about this. You can go over the limit by plus 10 percent plus 3mph. Which equates to 80 mph on a 70mph road. I mean what does that say about drivers obeying the rules? They've even created a rule about breaking a rule!!!
So before drivers start criticising cyclists just bear in mind it really is a minority of cyclists but its a majority of motorists who break rules.
BTW I used to live near a supermarket. There was a double set of lights at a staggered crossing with a pedestrian crossing after it. I used that crossing for the 19 odd years since they put it in. It is one crossing that half or more of motorists ignore. Seriously they ignore it. Going straight on half ignore it unless blocked by right or left turning vehicles. I've seen Young children yanked by parents from virtually under car wheels. The council has changed the lights pattern about 6 times trying to stop this behaviour without success. Locals know about the risk and never cross until green has been on some time. Squeezing through Amber only means you hit red on the second lights which change first to red. Bad design and location for sure but that does not absolve drivers because the lights are clearly visible a way off and its a 30mph zone if it's not busy then it's up to 30mph if you can.
Indeed so. "Two wrongs don't make a right" At least drivers have to pass a driving test, pay for insurance and " road tax" and have their vehicles regularly checked. None of this applies to cyclists / horse riders / mobility scooter users.
But motorists are driving a heavy weapon that is capable of killing of not used safely. Like any machinery that is potentially very dangerous you often need training and proof of training to use.
Cycling is closer to walking in its potential harm. Perhaps we need pedestrians to pass a test, get their shoes checked and licenced too. Number plates for pedestrians?
Have you mentioned no road tax so not paying for the roads yet? I'm paying bingo with some people and that will win it for me. Oh forgot I need helmet and hi viz comment too!
Posts
"Two wrongs don't make a right"
At least drivers have to pass a driving test, pay for insurance and " road tax" and have their vehicles regularly checked.
None of this applies to cyclists / horse riders / mobility scooter users.
My proof is anecdotal like every one else's but let's start with a few of the most common ones I see every day.
About 1 in 10 motorists or even less overtake cyclists according to the Highway code.
Very few motorists follow many of the highway code such as reversing off the main road not into it say on driveways but can also apply to carparks.
Very few motorists stop at pedestrian crossings when there is no one still there despite being on red still
No motorists follow highway code at lights controlled roadworks. Namely they never wait for oncoming road users to clear the roadworks if they're cyclists or other more vulnerable road user.
Motorists rarely stop at the correct line at ASLs
They rarely obey traffic lights in many ways such as not stopping at Amber when safe to do so instead "squeezing through". Or not fully waiting for green to go. But there's more.
Then the speed limit doesn't apply to motorists. There's even an informal rule about this. You can go over the limit by plus 10 percent plus 3mph. Which equates to 80 mph on a 70mph road. I mean what does that say about drivers obeying the rules? They've even created a rule about breaking a rule!!!
So before drivers start criticising cyclists just bear in mind it really is a minority of cyclists but its a majority of motorists who break rules.
BTW I used to live near a supermarket. There was a double set of lights at a staggered crossing with a pedestrian crossing after it. I used that crossing for the 19 odd years since they put it in. It is one crossing that half or more of motorists ignore. Seriously they ignore it. Going straight on half ignore it unless blocked by right or left turning vehicles. I've seen Young children yanked by parents from virtually under car wheels. The council has changed the lights pattern about 6 times trying to stop this behaviour without success. Locals know about the risk and never cross until green has been on some time. Squeezing through Amber only means you hit red on the second lights which change first to red. Bad design and location for sure but that does not absolve drivers because the lights are clearly visible a way off and its a 30mph zone if it's not busy then it's up to 30mph if you can.
Cycling is closer to walking in its potential harm. Perhaps we need pedestrians to pass a test, get their shoes checked and licenced too. Number plates for pedestrians?
Have you mentioned no road tax so not paying for the roads yet? I'm paying bingo with some people and that will win it for me. Oh forgot I need helmet and hi viz comment too!