If this is going to be a typical commute ..

[goo_mason]

A typical response from you.

And, I'm sad to say, from you too Col. You seem to have it in for people who have opposite views from your own, and couldn't wait to leap in there and have a pop at Bollo. Why ?

I thought Bollo's question was reasonable, as I couldn't make sense of it when I read that passage either. It was a bit contradictory. Not (I'd imagine) intentional from Jimbo, as his other posts show him to be pretty reasoned in his arguments; it's the kind of logical slip-up I'd usually make when rattling something out without thinking about or being distracted as I typed.

There's a really nippy attitude creeping across these forums that isn't nice.

 

[Bollo]

A typical response from you.

No its not - it doesn't contain any sarcasm, poems or long-winded gob-shitery.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

No its not - it doesn't contain any sarcasm, poems or long-winded gob-shitery.

...and is legible due to its shortness (i.e. no chance for Col to miss out spaces, apostrophes and/or other syntactical 'litter')

 

[Bollo]

I'm even going to hit a positive note. If cams are not the answer to changing driver attitudes (and I don't personally believe they are) what can?

Where I fall out with col, jimbolee etc is that I don't believe that hiding in the cracks in the road is the way. Polite, considerate - yes, definitely. But there are times when its necessary to be assertive and in control. These are not mutually exclusive.

Cyclists do have to try harder to be granted respect on the roads, partly because we're not in fast, armoured metal shells and partly because the popular perception of our rights on the road have been eroded for half a century at least. But I'd rather work to change that (in a positive way ) than give up and hide in the gutter.

 

[jimboalee]

What do Petrolheads think?

Cyclists with helmet cams are sad bastards who record their ride, just on the offchance some motorist does something to upset them.
When an incident happens, they post it on YouTube with details of the offensive / dangerous driver.

Self appointed road safety detective?
Captain Cyclist?
Sad bastard!


I work with a bunch of Petrolheads. Their ATTITUDE toward cyclists stinks.
They know the law, but they would rather all the cyclists go away and die somewhere.


My company polled its employees asking "Would you use a cycle lane if one was laid alongside the main road to and from the site".

There were 58 responses from 2500 employees.
The 'cycle group' appointed to run the poll weren't even cyclists; and they quickly disbanded after the poor result.

The reason for the 'cycle lane' question was simple. The Petrolheads here don't want cyclists getting in their way when they are late for a meeting on another site.

The result indicated two things.
1/ There is a low interest in cycling.
2/ There won't be many collisions involving cyclists.

Statistically, there is a greater chance of a car/car collision than a car/cyclist collision, so the cycle lane idea was shelved.


Nearly every evening at quitting time, a motorist squeezes past between me and the centre bollard exiting the site; which makes the 'close overtake' competition on this website look pretty feeble.
I NEVER react to these peanuts, because my bike is in the sheds all day and the tyres are open to a Stanley knife.

If I or one of the other six cyclists here was to use a helmet cam, we would be alienated and face indignity a lot more than we do now.

 

[tdr1nka]

The cyclists that feel they have just as much right to taking a position on the road, no matter what , will never see the sensible side, as they really believe they are right . I await reports of such cyclists accident and probable injury, but no doubt there will be very good reason and rights on their side, and they didnt do anything to help cause it.

And within reason we are absolutely right.
I ride so that I do not hinder traffic unnecessarily but I am sure as hell not going to be bullied or expected to play second best to any 'civilian' car unless my life depends on it.

As a lot of motorists don't accept cyclists as legal road users they are completely blind as to what our legal rights and positions are.

I'm sorry col but your sucking up to motorists only serves to further compound the belief that we shouldn't be on the road in the first place.

 

[jimboalee]

Sorry Bollo, I was typing when you posted.

My response to the Cycle lane question was:-

"If cyclists AND motorists respect and abide with the highway code, there is no need for ANY cycle lanes".

Was this too cryptic?

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

If I or one of the other six cyclists here was to use a helmet cam, we would be alienated and face indignity a lot more than we do now.

Oh. My. God. Clearly your colleagues are morons.

If you're happy to bow before them and their cars and subserviantly ride along so as to not get in their way, then good luck to you. I'd be claiming my road space to stop the idiots squeezing past, and gladly be reporting them for dangerous driving both to HR (for stuff on private property) and/or the Police if it's that serious. Wouldn't give a toss if they choose to alienate me at work - don't think I'd like their kind of company anyway by the sound of it. Muppets.

 

[col]

Handbags aside, it's still a fair question...

Baby sitters aside, its not a fair question, doing something to intimidate is nothing to do with the way it is out there.Threatening with a cam and showing on a public film is intimidating and causes bad responses.

 

[col]

I'm even going to hit a positive note. If cams are not the answer to changing driver attitudes (and I don't personally believe they are) what can?

Where I fall out with col, jimbolee etc is that I don't believe that hiding in the cracks in the road is the way. Polite, considerate - yes, definitely. But there are times when its necessary to be assertive and in control. These are not mutually exclusive.

Cyclists do have to try harder to be granted respect on the roads, partly because we're not in fast, armoured metal shells and partly because the popular perception of our rights on the road have been eroded for half a century at least. But I'd rather work to change that (in a positive way ) than give up and hide in the gutter.

No one has ever said we should hide in the cracks, but agitating people isnt the way to go.

 

[col]

And within reason we are absolutely right.I ride so that I do not hinder traffic unnecessarily but I am sure as hell not going to be bullied or expected to play second best to any 'civilian' car unless my life depends on it.

As a lot of motorists don't accept cyclists as legal road users they are completely blind as to what our legal rights and positions are.

I'm sorry col but your sucking up to motorists only serves to further compound the belief that we shouldn't be on the road in the first place.

This I agree with,within reason. Sucking up to motorists? you pluck that out of what? I see it from both sides, or is that too hard for you to comprehend?

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

You agitate some of these morons by not hiding in the cracks... how do you proceed then?

 

[col]

And, I'm sad to say, from you too Col. You seem to have it in for people who have opposite views from your own, and couldn't wait to leap in there and have a pop at Bollo. Why ?

I thought Bollo's question was reasonable, as I couldn't make sense of it when I read that passage either. It was a bit contradictory. Not (I'd imagine) intentional from Jimbo, as his other posts show him to be pretty reasoned in his arguments; it's the kind of logical slip-up I'd usually make when rattling something out without thinking about or being distracted as I typed.

There's a really nippy attitude creeping across these forums that isn't nice.

I responded to this because its not a fair question, in fact if thats the mentality of cyclists out there, no wonder we get a bad rep.
Im very surprised you accuse me of jumping on it just because its bollo, I jumped on it because it was not a fair question and seemed designed to bait.Very surpised you dont see that also?
He is very reasoned in his poetry designed to take the mick, or have i misunderstood that too?

Oh and wind your neck in, it doesnt suit you.

 

[col]

You agitate some of these morons by not hiding in the cracks... how do you proceed then?

Its something you might not be up to speed on, sensibly

 

[col]

No its not - it doesn't contain any sarcasm, poems or long-winded gob-shitery.

I thought I was blocked by you? Well you did say within one of your very good poems.