RLJ London

[bryce]

Notice the apostrophes around 'real' - by that I mean someone for whom cycling is a hobby. I think/ hope you know what I was getting at.

I commute by bike in London daily and I can tell a 'real' cyclist from a commuter (i.e. someone who doesn't use their bike in any other way) easily. Normally the 'real' cyclists will have better road sense and will be less likely to infuriate those around them (drivers/ peds/ cyclists) or be involved in accidents/ near-misses.

And on the point of education, sooner or later we will all may be licensed if we all continue to flout the law. Majority spoiling things for the minority.

Am not trying to preach here but I see a lot of near misses and idiotic manoeuvres performed by bike commuters. If I was the partner, father, son etc. of one of these people, I'd want them to change their ways fast before they're killed.

 

[goo_mason]

I see just as many 'real' cyclists jumping red lights and pulling some very stupid manoeuvres.

Just because I'm a commuter doesn't mean to say that I have poor road sense and am more likely to infuriate those around me or be involved in accidents/ near-misses.

You can't tar everyone with same big brush dipped in a pot of Dulux "Sweeping Generalisation"

 

[bryce]

You can't tar everyone with same big brush dipped in a pot of Dulux "Sweeping Generalisation"

I completely agree - it is crass stereotyping - and obviously a lot of commuter cyclists aren't bad cyclists but I have noticed a pattern. Could probably narrow it down further to type of bike/ clothing worn/ left-handedness etc

To illustrate, a couple of other people in my office commute by bike and regularly RLJ. They don't care about how cycling/ cyclists are perceived, and just treat their bike as a tool to get to work. Fair enough but the next time a taxi driver deliberately 'left-hooks' me or objects to me taking 'primary position' by cutting me up and knocking me off my bike, it may be due in part to the irresponsible/ illegal behaviour of other cycle commuters. I doubt whether some taxi drivers would be so aggressive towards cyclists if we were all to ride well and legally.

 

[Notsoblue]

I doubt whether some taxi drivers would be so aggressive towards cyclists if we were all to ride well and legally.

I disagree. In my opinion other road users dislike cyclists for two reasons; because we're seen as another obstacle on the road stopping them from getting to where they're going as fast as they can and because we can move faster than them when they're stuck in traffic.

 

[snorri]

Real cyclists

 

[hackbike 6]

I disagree. In my opinion other road users dislike cyclists for two reasons; because we're seen as another obstacle on the road stopping them from getting to where they're going as fast as they can and because we can move faster than them when they're stuck in traffic.

Yes,obstacle to slow them down.Not so sure about number 2.I'd say that we are seen as rljing lawbreakers in their bitter little world.I have come to this conclusion as the number one question when I am having this discussion with motorists is "do you RLJ?"

 

[snapper_37]

To illustrate, a couple of other people in my office commute by bike and regularly RLJ. They don't care about how cycling/ cyclists are perceived, and just treat their bike as a tool to get to work.

Surely they are *real* cyclists, as opposed to *pretend* ..... but also front bottoms who have no concern for anyone else?

Like other's, I fit into both your definitions.

BTW Bryce - I like your avvy but what it that thing to the left of the cow's head?

 

[bryce]

OK- to appease all those who aren't appreciating the descriptive effect of my apostrophes, substitute ''real' cyclists' with 'cyclists who consider cycling one of his/ her main hobbies.'

Snapper - it's a number tag that clips on the cow's ear. The cow's breed is Limousin, and if you ever get the chance to eat Limousin beef, try it - the meat tastes great and is very lean and healthy.

 

[hackbike 6]

Surely they are *real* cyclists, as opposed to *pretend* ..... but also front bottoms who have no concern for anyone else?

Like other's, I fit into both your definitions.

BTW Bryce - I like your avvy but what it that thing to the left of the cow's head?

Christ im terribly slow today.ffs.:-(

 

[snapper_37]

Snapper - it's a number tag that clips on the cow's ear. The cow's breed is Limousin, and if you ever get the chance to eat Limousin beef, try it - the meat tastes great and is very lean and healthy.

Thank eff for that. It looks like a 3" wide blade about to stick the poor bugger.

Looks like a lovely piece of meat

 

[snapper_37]

Christ im terribly slow today.ffs.:-(

???

 

[swee'pea99]

the number one question when I am having this discussion with motorists is "do you RLJ?"

The answer, of course, being 'do you always stay under 70 when you're on the motorway?'

The idea that motorists - let alone taxi drivers - who dislike us would like us any better if we were always Good Ickle Cyclists is ridiculous. As Blue says, those who dislike us dislike us 'cos they think we get in the way/don't pay tax and/or because we overtake them and leave them fuming in traffic jams. Anyone who thinks otherwise needs a reality check.

 

[User482]

Well, you're right of course, but that's no reason to sink to their level. RLJing says that you're more important than everyone else, and you have the perfect knowledge to be certain that you will not endange yourself or others. I don't think that's a great position to take.

 

[BentMikey]

I'm pretty much only a commuter cyclist, apart from a few rides. Mostly that's because I work when most of you are off, and I see just as many "proper" cyclists jumping the lights.

A recent topic springs to mind where I read about how some thought that riders from a certain fast blue club that rides around Richmond a lot being tagged as seemingly particularly poor road users, jumping lights, stupid filtering, and all sorts of stuffs. Can't say I disagreed with that opinion either.

 

[jasper]

Why is always them and us? Doesn't anyone drive on here as well as cycle? I disagree with RLJ and always stick to the rules of the road, be it on cycle or in the car. I've no option as I rely on the car too much for work (approx 1500 miles/week) and without it I'd have to give up a very well paid job. I get my motoring thrills by participating in amateur motor racing on tracks.

As a motorist, I always treat a cyclist as I'd like to be treated, giving a wide birth when overtaking, etc. I don't bat an eyelid if they overtake me or filter through traffic. I'm usually too busy checking out their bike...or their ass if they are female... But it does nark me when they RLJ, not because they don't pay tax, get in the way or any of the other reasons stated but because, they can endanger themselves and other road users (and pedestrians) by doing so.

I don't commute by cycle but I do approx 200 training miles/week. Therefore I rarely encounter traffic lights as most (all) my cycling is done on fast dual carriageways, A roads and country lanes that are local so plan my route accordingly to miss them.

We owe it to each other to show consideration to other users, whatever mode of transport they are using.