Is he right?

[bonj2]

I think op's colleague's point is somewhat right, albeit if a little crassly made, as it sounds like what a lot of cyclist-haters think which is that cyclists shouldn't be on the road anyway.

Thing is... not everyone has an alternative mode of transport readily available. Folk cycle for all sorts of reasons - they like it, they have no car for whatever reason, there is no bus service available... If you live and work in the same urban area, you may well have a choice of transport options open to you, especially if you're 9-5 working hours. But as soon as you start adding in stuff such as non-standard working hours, more rural areas, edge of town, commuting distances, then the transport options rapidly become more limited, and cycling may well be the only reasonable transport option for many a journey - whatever the weather.

Edit to add in a general rant...

One of the things that, to use a phrase, gets right up my goat, is when on the weather forecasts and news, we get the phrase "avoid unnecessary journeys" or "essential journeys only" as if for the vast majority of folk going to work/school and the like is something that's done for the sheer frivolity of it... No, let's not attempt to get to work, after all, in these times of the credit crunch we can all afford to have X days' pay docked for not showing up...

Sorry. Normal service will now be resumed.

Part of the problem with this is that every employer considers it absolutely essential that their employees get to work, consequently the knock on effect is that every employee feels that it is essential that they get to work.
I blame the rise in individualism.
Nice to see the phrase 'gets up my goat' is taking off.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I think it's too dangerous (here in Oxfordshire at least) to cycle at the moment. I've fallen off twice and that was enough to keep me away. The nearest I've got to one of my bikes lately is to lift it out of the way of something in the garage and then put it back......without getting on it - breaks yer heart!

Still, looks like warmer weather on the way - yay!
It's said you never forget how to ride a bike, hope that's true - not sure I can remember how.

 

[Arch]

Part of the problem with this is that every employer considers it absolutely essential that their employees get to work, consequently the knock on effect is that every employee feels that it is essential that they get to work.
I blame the rise in individualism.
Nice to see the phrase 'gets up my goat' is taking off.

I'm hoping my "not the sharpest brick in the picnic" will catch on too...

I think it's true that there is more pressure to get to work etc, but I think it's also the case that some people have become so cocooned that they have to be told the weather is dangerous, when before they might have figured it out for themselves.

 

[bonj2]

I'm hoping my "not the sharpest brick in the picnic" will catch on too...

I think it's true that there is more pressure to get to work etc, but I think it's also the case that some people have become so cocooned that they have to be told the weather is dangerous, when before they might have figured it out for themselves.

I think some journalism for example doesnt' help, e.g. Snow chaos: your rights
the one thatreally angered me was

"I battled in to work - even though it was difficult. Many of my colleagues didn't bother and I feel a bit aggrieved. Should I be entitled to get a day's leave in lieu?"

NO! , you idiot!

anything with the title 'Snow chaos: your rights' isn't going to be good.

 

[snapper_37]

I'm hoping my "not the sharpest brick in the picnic" will catch on too...

I tried that earlier today, but it came out something like "not the sharpest sandwich of the brick". Strange looks all round.

 

[Arch]

I tried that earlier today, but it came out something like "not the sharpest sandwich of the brick". Strange looks all round.

You know what's sad? I spent some minutes working out the best sounding phrase, in order to post it the next day...

 

[magnatom]

You could always try and keep it topical, i.e.

Two wheels short of a bike
Three wheels short of a bike
One pedal short of a crank
Two teeth short of a cog
One spoke short of a saddle
One nipple short of a tube
Not the fastest crank in the bottom bracket
.
.
.


The less sense it makes the better!

 

[snapper_37]

You know what's sad? I spent some minutes working out the best sounding phrase, in order to post it the next day...

That is well sad....

 

[snapper_37]

I've had to add to this thread.

Just been talking to the old dear and she asked if I cycled today. I explained that I was ok and rode in primary position.

Loads of tutting and stuff and then she said 'I don't care that you were in pole position, I don't like it'. Bless.

 

[magnatom]

Just point them to my videos to put their minds at ease....

 

[BADGER.BRAD]

We have had snow and ice on the ground for two weeks here in Dudley and I have managed to cycle into work each day (I also work outside on the roads anyway).
It has been a bit hairy especially the last couple of days with the thick ice on the roads. Generally I have found drivers of motorised vehicles (of all types) have been very good and patient when they have needed to be .It has been a worry that one of them may slide into me or a simple fall may result in broken bones, I've only had one off in 20 years of commuting but must admit to also wondering if I was stupid to have taken the risk. Still I have enjoyed the extra challenge and beyond all doubt convinced my fellow work mates that I am fully insane especially as they know I have a car (hush hush!)

 

[beanzontoast]

We have had snow and ice on the ground for two weeks here in Dudley and I have managed to cycle into work each day (I also work outside on the roads anyway).
It has been a bit hairy especially the last couple of days with the thick ice on the roads. Generally I have found drivers of motorised vehicles (of all types) have been very good and patient when they have needed to be .It has been a worry that one of them may slide into me or a simple fall may result in broken bones, I've only had one off in 20 years of commuting but must admit to also wondering if I was stupid to have taken the risk. Still I have enjoyed the extra challenge and beyond all doubt convinced my fellow work mates that I am fully insane especially as they know I have a car (hush hush!)

One off in 20 years is good going - you must be doing something right!

The cynic in me, seeing the cautious way drivers were behaving last week, thinks a lot of the motivation behind that is them not wanting to prang their cars (with the insurance hassles, investigation, out-of-pocket costs etc involved). I'm sure some do think more about cyclists safety when driving conditions are bad - equally, I suspect many do not.

 

[ontheroadtofrance]

I had a problem riding home yesterday from work, i work nights. I decided to stick to main roads i left at 8am the roads were still frozen where i normally cycle so i was riding further from the curb i decided not to go round the roundabout due to car drivers getting inpatient and on my nerves. so i got off it and walked half a mile down the road

 

[HJ]

Why not cycle? It is the morons in cars that make the roads dangerous, not the weather, and there are around everyday...