Must get to the front...

[benborp]

It's good that there are far more cyclists on the roads, even as the weather deteriorates. But the more of us there are the more obvious it's got to be that we can't all get to the front of the queue. Isn't it?


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2781tzlpVVc

 

[theboytaylor]

Fcuk's sake! Did he push to the front or come across the pedestrian crossing? Either way, complete twat.

It's not uncommon on my route either. Was going to have a rant about this sort of crap before, particularly given most people pushing to the front then have to heave their way up to speed from completely the wrong gear (you don't pull away in fourth in your car, do you? ), holding everyone up.

AND, in this weather, certainly don't push to the front unless you've got some zarking mudguards!

 

[Cab]

Cyclists coming past me while I'm at a red light is a daily event. Usually they simply want to wait ahead of me.

Cyclists dangerously passing while I'm at red or starting to pull away from red is probably a weekly event.

You guys in places other than Cambridge don't know how lucky you are

 

[BentMikey]

That's just annoying, but nothing like that arse of a taxi driver in your other recent video.

 

[magnatom]

Oops!

I saw a cyclist today just a short distance in front of me come off the pavement and straight into the road without looking. No problem as I was about 40m back, but had I been a little further along the road it could have been nasty.

I really think if the government was keen to promote cycling/reduce carbon emissions etc then free or subsidised cycle training should be at the top of the priority list. I'm even starting to lean towards it being compulsory, i.e. cyclist carrying some form of licence to prove that they had taken the course. Of course there are practical issues etc.....oh and the fact that the government aren't that keen....

 

[BentMikey]

I really think if the government was keen to promote cycling/reduce carbon emissions etc then free or subsidised cycle training should be at the top of the priority list. I'm even starting to lean towards it being compulsory, i.e. cyclist carrying some form of licence to prove that they had taken the course. Of course there are practical issues etc.....oh and the fact that the government aren't that keen....

The first part, very much so. The second, IMO, couldn't be a worse idea or more wrong. Cycling isn't dangerous to other people, and it isn't dangerous to yourself either. Compulsory training isn't therefore necessary, and it would reduce the number of people cycling tremendously. That will have a far greater negative effect on safety than the training would.

 

[magnatom]

The first part, very much so. The second, IMO, couldn't be a worse idea or more wrong. Cycling isn't dangerous to other people, and it isn't dangerous to yourself either. Compulsory training isn't therefore necessary, and it would reduce the number of people cycling tremendously. That will have a far greater negative effect on safety than the training would.

I agree that it isn't particularly dangerous, but we need some form of stick or carrot to get those who really need the training to actually take it.

The lady I saw this morning is dangerous to herself. How do we get someone like that to go on a course if not with a stick? What is an appropriate carrot?

 

[Origamist]

I agree that it isn't particularly dangerous, but we need some form of stick or carrot to get those who really need the training to actually take it.

The lady I saw this morning is dangerous to herself. How do we get someone like that to go on a course if not with a stick? What is an appropriate carrot?

No, to compulsory licences and training.

A carrot: how about Bikeability marques set up on popular commuter routes offering advice and free taster training (ideally free training, full-stop)?

 

[Archie_tect]

Magnatom,
Having been on a course doesn't mean you apply what you are taught. A self absorbed person will remain selfish no matter how much you time you spend trying to make them more aware of others...

You and I and everyone on CC would see the point but that's because we are responsible.

 

[magnatom]

Ok, how about this (remembering I am just floating ideas).

We have PCSO type people out on bikes, (out of uniform?) looking for examples of poor cycling. Where they see it, they stop the cyclist (if they can catch them) and provide details of a course that they are expected to go on. If they refuse then they are fined. PCSO's would have helmet cameras on to prove the cyclist was in fact being naughty and that the PCSO wasn't just keeping their numbers up.

 

[magnatom]

Magnatom,
Having been on a course doesn't mean you apply what you are taught. A self absorbed person will remain selfish no matter how much you time you spend trying to make them more aware of others...

You and I and everyone on CC would see the point but that's because we are responsible.

Oh I agree with that. However, the lady I saw today didn't look the selfish type. She probably just didn't realise how dangerous her cycling was. If the selfish are knocked off their bikes then that is their fault, however, others put themselves at risk just through ignorance rather than malice.

I too started off just like that lady cyclist, I did a lot of things wrong. I'm not perfect now, but I have a better understanding of good practice and where the risks are.

 

[Origamist]

Ok, how about this (remembering I am just floating ideas).

We have PCSO type people out on bikes, (out of uniform?) looking for examples of poor cycling. Where they see it, they stop the cyclist (if they can catch them) and provide details of a course that they are expected to go on. If they refuse then they are fined. PCSO's would have helmet cameras on to prove the cyclist was in fact being naughty and that the PCSO wasn't just keeping their numbers up.

The PCSOs I have seen on bikes would spend more time stopping each other as their riding is often dire. I doubt they receive Bikeability training or another accredited training course and their opinions on what constitutes best practice should be taken with a pinch of salt.

 

[Archie_tect]

The idiots that run red lights and cause havoc by weaving through traffic/ changing direction/ jumping on and off pavements to maintain their progress need a short sharp shock to make them realise that what they do everyday is dangerous...

How about having people placed strategically on routes known to cause problems each equipped with a very, very loud air horn.... waiting for the idiots to ride out into traffic? After a morning's commute hit by 10 or so blasts the penny might drop...?

No, you're right, probably not a good idea!

 

[magnatom]

The PCSOs I have seen on bikes would spend more time stopping each other as their riding is often dire. I doubt they receive Bikeability training or another accredited training course and their opinions on what constitutes best practice should be taken with a pinch of salt.

I don't think we have PCSO's up here, so I will have to take your word for that. OK. How about Bikeability Officer Support Specialists (BOSS)

 

[garrilla]

Why don't we just assign some cars electriccattle prods and allow them to use them on errant cyclists. Its harsh but corrective, I'm sure.