No wonder many dislike cyclists

[All uphill]

Well I rode round London today, and went past quite a few of those floating bus stops in the super highways. It was chill, everyone in control, and nothing like the video.

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My infrequent experience of cycling in Central London, perhaps three times per year, has always been a hoot!

 

[Mike Ayling]

I literally had to look up what a floating bus stop is, certainly don't have any around my way.

From what I can gather all this new "cycling/pedestrian friendly" infrastructure in cities is trying to get more people onto bikes, similar to Holland and the likes.

If we're currently only in the infant stages of achieving this dream, and we're having problems now, then what's it going to be like when every woman, man and their dogs are riding bikes!

 

[Mike Ayling]

Speaking of draconian: the state of Queensland here in Australia has made this response to e-bike problems: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/electric-bicycle-rules#who-can-ride

This will only further marginalise cycling in an already cyclist-intolerant country.

No, I think that the legislation is sensible.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

Well I rode round London today, and went past quite a few of those floating bus stops in the super highways. It was chill, everyone in control, and nothing like the video.

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... and all the reporters along your route "recording" bad cyclists doing bad cycling would have written nothing and been looking for a more frenetic location in desperation for a story condemning cyclists. (maybe I'm too cynical but how often do mainstream press reporters observe orderly well behaved cycling and give it comparable coverage?)

 

[Alex321]

... and all the reporters along your route "recording" bad cyclists doing bad cycling would have written nothing and been looking for a more frenetic location in desperation for a story condemning cyclists. (maybe I'm too cynical but how often do mainstream press reporters observe orderly well behaved cycling and give it comparable coverage?)

No, you aren't being cynical. "Everything as it should be" isn't news. It only becomes news when it is unusual.

 

[Mike_P]

Pity reporters are not present watching right turners at a local left turn only junction but then thats motorists not cyclists so not a news item

 

[Mike_P]

Pity reporters are not present watching right turners at a local left turn only junction but then thats motorists not cyclists so not a news item

And again this evening someone trying to force there way through two rows of traffic in one direction with total blind visibility to traffic coming from the left.

 

[Riverman]

... and all the reporters along your route "recording" bad cyclists doing bad cycling would have written nothing and been looking for a more frenetic location in desperation for a story condemning cyclists. (maybe I'm too cynical but how often do mainstream press reporters observe orderly well behaved cycling and give it comparable coverage?)

In all my experiences of cycling in London, I would say at least half of cyclists jump red lights, particularly on pedestrian crossings. Maybe that's a bit harsh I dunno but there is definitely a problem. Although this is less so when there are more cyclists at a junction, especially major junctions like those around Westminster. So maybe it's less than half if you count those.

Don't get me wrong, there are situations where jumping red lights isn't that big a deal and some of this comes down to design flaws but that doesn't excuse how some people behave.

 

[Mike_P]

There was some comments read out on 5Live earlier in the week. One defended jumping red lights as it meant getting awat from chasing vehicles If chasing are so disturbing stop at the light and wait fot them to pass.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

In all my experiences of cycling in London, I would say at least half of cyclists jump red lights

If cyclists in cities are getting worse at complying with road laws (I don't cycle much in UK cities so not enough personal experience to assess), to what extent might this trend amplified by specific groups.

What I'm wondering is if eg delivery cyclists (for whom time is money and waiting at red lights means more time means less money) or maybe rental less experienced cyclists breaking the laws and when others see those groups eg streaming over red light, they just go along with established practice.

Back in the day I was cycling more in towns and cities it was before people needed their order delivered within hours, when if you want a takeaway you go to the store not sit at home not missing any time-filling TV, etc.

I must emphasise my UK city cycling experience isn't enough to see such worsening trends so my asking about why it's worsening is based on others saying it it a developing trend.

 

[Profpointy]

In all my experiences of cycling in London, I would say at least half of cyclists jump red lights, particularly on pedestrian crossings. Maybe that's a bit harsh I dunno but there is definitely a problem. Although this is less so when there are more cyclists at a junction, especially major junctions like those around Westminster. So maybe it's less than half if you count those.

Don't get me wrong, there are situations where jumping red lights isn't that big a deal and some of this comes down to design flaws but that doesn't excuse how some people behave.

Something I started noticing was how many cars jump red lights, or more specifically push on despite them having turned red. cars are physically unable to push through once the car in front has stopped so the % of likely miscreants is artificially reduced as it were