BBC Inside Out tomorrow - reminder

[martint235]

I've always considered myself a lycra lout (I do wear lycra) although not because of red light jumping (I don't do it) or cycling on the pavement (don't do that either) but because I'm quite aggressive in my cycling demeanour. As a road user, I'm allowed as much road space as any other road user so I won't allow myself to be forced into a gutter or to cower in terror on roundabouts. I use whatever means I have to get and keep my place on the road be it shouting, swearing or just being nice and clearly signalling my intentions. However, whenever an argument with another road user starts, once I've stated my case the driver's argument always comes back to "but cyclists always go through red lights". I agree that maybe there needs to be a change in the law but while the current law exists it should be adhered to.

I don't want this to turn into a rant against rlj's as it easily could do so I'll leave it there!

M

 

[GrumpyGregry]

When I'm cycling I try to think as part of the traffic, not like someone drifting through the urban landscape. So, I stop at lights, signal, remain aware of what's going on and acknowledge other road users. When I am a pedestrian, I am not part of road traffic, and don't behave as if I am.

Bit too self-referencing as a useful definition for others....

 

[Twanger]

Whatever....

 

[BentMikey]

It's a public highway anyway, Twanger. Pedestrians are often a part of road traffic, and have just as much right as anyone else to be there.

 

[Cab]

Get your leg over a bike, pedal, and you're a cyclist. Anything else is elitist and snobbish.

Depends on the intention of how you use the term really.

 

[on the road]

To me, a POB is pedestrian who has decided to jump on a bike, rides on the pavement maybe slightly more than walking pace and occasionally rides on the road, then rides back on the pavement again and thinks the highway code doesn't apply to them.

Once when I was waiting at a red traffic light, a pedestrian was walking across (on a green man) and as he was walking across, he said to me "you can go through you can go through, it's a bike innit".

 

[thomas]

To me, a POB is pedestrian who has decided to jump on a bike, rides on the pavement maybe slightly more than walking pace and occasionally rides on the road, then rides back on the pavement again and thinks the highway code doesn't apply to them.

I think POB can be a negative thing, but equally it can be used for people who don't hang out on cycling forums have that much of an interest in bikes. Someone who has a bike to make walking easier.

 

[Archie]

Just watched the prog on Ayeplayer. Freeze frame @6:52 :-

It's rush hour, and the Police set up a sting to catch cyclists who jump the lights on the way to work.

Can anyone tell me what's wrong with this picture?

There's also some other amusing clips just before this, where they're talking about the council's zero-tolerance policy for offending cyclists, where there isn't a cyclist in sight. Someone in the editing suite may have had issues with the agenda?

 

[hackbike 666]

There are three coppers there.....shouldn't there be four?

 

[Archie]

Nope, that's not it.

 

[hackbike 666]

Nope, that's not it.

I was joshing.

 

[Tynan]

It's a public highway anyway, Twanger. Pedestrians are often a part of road traffic, and have just as much right as anyone else to be there.

and are supposed to use due care and attention and consideration just like everyome else

so them stepping off the curb without looking or from behind a bus is the same as someone pulling out onto a main road without checking to see what's coming

the only problem with peds in the road is that they don't use it safely etc etc

 

[stowie]

Just watched the prog on Ayeplayer. Freeze frame @6:52 :-

Can anyone tell me what's wrong with this picture?

There's also some other amusing clips just before this, where they're talking about the council's zero-tolerance policy for offending cyclists, where there isn't a cyclist in sight. Someone in the editing suite may have had issues with the agenda?

Do you mean the clip of a cyclist jumping a red light at exactly the same time as a Palletline lorry is jumping the lights, and overtaking the cyclist?

I think we need to be reasonable though. A cycle and cyclist weighing over 100kg doing 15mph is clearly presenting a much greater danger when it jumps the lights than a lorry weighing over 5 tonnes doing the same at 30mph. Completely understandable, the police have to focus on the real dangers. Or something.

 

[stowie]

and are supposed to use due care and attention and consideration just like everyome else

so them stepping off the curb without looking or from behind a bus is the same as someone pulling out onto a main road without checking to see what's coming

the only problem with peds in the road is that they don't use it safely etc etc

In my ideal world, the hierachy of provision would see pedestrians have priority in high pedestrian areas, with all other vehicles including cycles slowed down to accomodate.

Of course there is a responsibility for pedestrians to take care, but it also cyclists responsibility to take reasonable precautions to try to minimise the risks, in the same way I expect car drivers to do the same when I cycle. Around buses I take huge care - not least because I am very much likely to come off worst in an accident, especially if there is also traffic around.

 

[Archie]

I was joshing.

Sorry. Nope, that's not it.