No wonder many dislike cyclists

[nogoodnamesleft]

The inflammatory article about the cyclists is a PERFECT example of outgroup homogeneity effect: basically it's saying that all cyclists are bad just because a few do dumb things.

Also, when they record bad cycling on a dedicated cycle path it's bound to be "Bad Cyclists = <n>, bad drivers = 0" because cycle path is isolated from the cars and too narrow for even the worst drivers. It's a self fulfilling experiment.

 

[presta]

So you're just guessing, ok fine.

No, actually it's those who argue that the zebra crossings on cycle tracks aren't valid without beacons etc who are guessing. The requirement for beacons and zig-zags has been waived for cycle tracks:

https://www.cyclinguk.org/blog/new-style-zebra-crossings-helping-people-navigate-urban-jungle

https://assets.publishing.service.g.../file/916837/TSRGD_2016_circular_document.pdf

www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/362/schedule/14

Turns out that Twitter is useful sometimes after all. You learn something new every day.

 

[presta]

Turns out that Twitter is useful sometimes after all.

So is AI, it would have taken a month of Sundays to unearth that lot with an ordinary search engine.

 

[matticus]

No, actually it's those who argue that the zebra crossings on cycle tracks aren't valid without beacons etc who are guessing.

I didn't say they aren't valid, so you're just making up your own argument now!

The requirement for beacons and zig-zags has been waived for cycle tracks:

... great! but did anyone think of making cyclists aware? Seem like a good idea, right? (and is it even a good idea to just reduce the signage requirements, and not expect a reduction in awareness/compliance??)

 

[wafter]

A floating bus stop says to cyclists "Hey! You're less important than cars, so you can stop for pedestrians".

I'd use the car lane. Cycle paths almost always suck.

I think this perfectly encapsulated what drives a lot of us towards "selective adherence" to laws on the road - when the "provisions" made "for" us are often inconvenient at best, outright dangerous at worse; what incentive do these constant reminders of our second-class status give us to toe the line?

Worse, the fact this unfit-for-purpose crap exists gives knobhead drivers another (illegitimate) stick to beat us with when they see us not using it.

Who is going to bow their heads to a systems that so often treats them with such dismissal and contempt?

 

[KuroSan]

The one I (rarely) use in Lewisham has no zigzags or SLOW markings, but does have very sharp raised/dropped parts (at the arrows)
As it's on a bus only lane it's often far better, safer and quicker to use that lane rather then the cycle bit.

View attachment 819858

I know this one well, I've seen people just standing in the middle of that lane waiting for the bus! Still not entirely sure why they didn't just ran the bike lane around the back of the bus shelters like they've done in a majority of other places!

 

[matticus]

Agreed. I wasn't excusing it, just saying I can see why some cyclists do ignore it - I don't.

Yes, and to me this is the most sensible viewpoint; I'd rather people DID mostly stop for pedestrians, but any sane road-planner (or safety officer, or wotever) will consider WHY do people not stop there; despite all the hand-wringing here about the alleged general standard/attitude of "those other cyclists" or "those LONDON cyclists" I'd bet they mainly do stop at normal zebra crossings away from floating bus-stops.

Two things can be true at once!

I know that bus stop outside the castle [Cardiff??]. There are not that many of them and at worst they will add a few seconds to the commute.

My son is partially sighted and has to use that crossing and he is very nervous about it, having had a couple of close calls

This is a good reason to respect the intention of all Zebras.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

WHY do people not stop there; despite all the hand-wringing here about the alleged general standard/attitude of "those other cyclists" or "those LONDON cyclists"

Although I rarely cycle in cities I can envisage scenarios where I stopping should a pedestrian look at risk of stepping out might be seen as a risk eg busy cycle lane with fast moving cargo bikes and couriers (time is money) and you brake (no brake lights) will those following note and brake as well?

Etc.

 

[SteveH80]

The phrase 'self entitled pr***s' yet again springs to mind, but from my experience of urban abominations that covers 90% of drivers and pedestrian as well as cyclists.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Although I rarely cycle in cities I can envisage scenarios where I stopping should a pedestrian look at risk of stepping out might be seen as a risk eg busy cycle lane with fast moving cargo bikes and couriers (time is money) and you brake (no brake lights) will those following note and brake as well?

Etc.

I am not saying that pedestrians should not use a bit of common sense on a busy crossing to make up for the bad riding of some cyclists, so we just have to accept that the most vulnerable should just bear the risk...as they have to with idiot car drivers?

When I passed my driving test I was taught to look not just at, but beyond the tail/brake lights of the car in front to anticipate possibly slowing down or stopping.

When cycling, as I don't ride in a peleton, I adopt the same approach.

It's good practice and actually very easy.

Amazon and delivery van drivers are not excused bad driving by cyclists, pedestrians or other motorists because "time is money", nor should drivers in front of them be excused bad driving because of who's behind them.

 

[matticus]

Can we have a big argument between two groups holding polarised positions please? No nuance allowed, empathy an automatic red card.
I haven't seen one of those on the internet for ages!

 

[Rusty Nails]

My empathy is very nuanced.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Can we have a big argument between two groups holding polarised positions please? No nuance allowed, empathy an automatic red card.
I haven't seen one of those on the internet for ages!

You want a fight?


View: https://youtu.be/QHuqeIP3_HQ?is=RKSgL3-sDyi9YpwC

 

[Punkawallah]

Can we have a big argument between two groups holding polarised positions please? No nuance allowed, empathy an automatic red card.
I haven't seen one of those on the internet for ages!

Would that be a five minute argument, or a ten minute argument?

 

[Punkawallah]

My empathy is very nuanced.

I understand empathy to be a two-way street? If you display such the expectation is that it is returned?
I could be wrong, (as I don’t do it myself) but mimicking someone else’s feelings as a way to bond seems conger-productive in the long term.