Sustrans volunteer ranger - complete lack of road/cycle craft!!

[Sheffield_Tiger]

What exactly are these "volunteer rangers" anyway?

Driving into town this morning (as I was heading straight out for a gentle stroll over Bleaklow Head to keep my legs moving in preperation for tomorrow's run but needed to pop into a few shops first) I am following a cyclist with a "Sustrans Volunteer Ranger" hi-vis on.

Now, along London Road there are long sections with parked cars and I wait, as anyone should, as the ranger pootles down the utside lane. Pootling is the operative word but no matter...we'll all end up stopped in a queu at the bottom no matter how fast of slow we get there.

I notice this ranger is only a few inches into the lane though, leaving a dangerously inviting door open to squeeze through.

As we pass (long) gaps between occupied parking space areas the sustrans guy keeps the same line. Now, that's better than weaving in and out but these gaps are quite large, I stay in the outside (middle of the) lane myself when cycling down this road in normal traffic but I do tend to be going a tad quicker than this guy...I know if I'm doing those slow speeds I tend to move in to allow others to pass at gaps of that length but that's not a real issue. Thing is he DOES move in....to ride almost ON the white dividing lines.

I wait..no point rushing, as said, there'll be traffic light queue at the bottom anyway, always is. However cars behind are now revving at me to take the not-safe gap that is being left (OK, if they want to chuck a conrod that's their business)..apart from it being me behind him happy to wait, this guy's riding is now worse than pulling in then pulling out....there's a door open either side, any impatient idiot could cut up either side now...

However what did actuially annoy me was that on getting to the traffic lights where all traffic turns left except on the right there is a bus/ycle filter lane to go straight ahead..he keeps to his position along the white lane markings then decides that there are too many buses waiting at the lights for him to be bothered being behind, suddenly veers left across the inside lane up the dropped kerb of the pedestrian crossing and decides to take the pavement instead.

Now, come on, if you're going to ride like an eejit, then at least take the advertising off your back whilst you do so. You're doing us no favours breaking the traffic rules if people are going to identify as some kind of symbol of the "pro cycling lobby"

 

[marinyork]

However what did actuially annoy me was that on getting to the traffic lights where all traffic turns left except on the right there is a bus/ycle filter lane to go straight ahead..he keeps to his position along the white lane markings then decides that there are too many buses waiting at the lights for him to be bothered being behind, suddenly veers left across the inside lane up the dropped kerb of the pedestrian crossing and decides to take the pavement instead.

I don't know why people don't like the bus lane/gate at the bottom of London Road but for some reason a lot of cyclists don't like it. To a certain extent I can understand it as further up the ring road you have all sorts of fancy toucan crossings (not enough or extensive enough).

Now, come on, if you're going to ride like an eejit, then at least take the advertising off your back whilst you do so. You're doing us no favours breaking the traffic rules if people are going to identify as some kind of symbol of the "pro cycling lobby"

I doubt many motorists have a clue who Sustrans is, let alone many every day cyclists. If one removes the idea that Sustrans are important or that being a ranger would somehow instil some magic property about them being particularly knowledgeable or good riders, there's no longer a problem . Of course if they then go round saying because they are sustrans we should listen to them or have some kind of status over all of cycledom then they should behave themselves.

 

[Alien8]

What exactly are these "volunteer rangers" anyway?

I guess that's a rhetorical question, but anyway: Volunteer Ranger

Maybe you'd like to become one?

 

[marinyork]

I guess that's a rhetorical question, but anyway: Volunteer Ranger

Maybe you'd like to become one?

Please don't make provocative posts.

 

[Debian]

Please don't make provocative posts.

I'm an SVR.

I ride how I see fit and feel safe no matter whether I'm wearing the vest or not, my opinions and views are well known on here I think.

On SUSTRANS itself, I'm abivalent. I volunteered out of altruism and a desire to "put something back" (I think that's the buzz-phrase) into the cycling fraternity. However, I've become more and more of the opinion that the rangers see themselves as some sort of elite cycling club and I'm becoming less and less enamoured of them.

There's no training or selection involved and no discussion about "rules of the road" or anything, one just volunteers and gets given a route to "look after". Any Tom, Dick or Harry can become a VR so it's no surprise to me that their cycling attitudes reflect a cross-section of that of the general cycling community.

 

[Alien8]

However, I've become more and more of the opinion that the rangers see themselves as some sort of elite cycling club and I'm becoming less and less enamoured of them.

Any Tom, Dick or Harry can become a VR so it's no surprise to me that their cycling attitudes reflect a cross-section of that of the general cycling community.

So first of all you say they are elite and then you say they let in any Tom, Dick and Harry and represent a cross section of the general cycling community - you don't make much sense do you?

There's no training or selection involved and no discussion about "rules of the road" or anything, one just volunteers and gets given a route to "look after".

Sustrans rangers are not there to teach people to ride bikes, safely or otherwise - their primary role is to maintain the NCN. What training would you like? What have you asked them to give you? If you want to teach people how to ride safely then maybe you should consider Bikeability or a similar scheme.

 

[Norm]

So first of all you say they are elite and then you say they let in any Tom, Dick and Harry and represent a cross section of the general cycling community - you don't make much sense do you?

I didn't see an issue with that.

Debs said that they see themselves as being elite, with no qualification, training, education or guidance to justify such a position.

I've seen many examples of someone who considers their hi viz as giving them some authority even if it comes without validation.

 

[Alien8]

I didn't see an issue with that.

Debs said that they see themselves as being elite, with no qualification, training, education or guidance to justify such a position.

Okay, let's get pedantic, Debs says: "I've become more and more of the opinion that the rangers see themselves...", ie this is his opinion, he doesn't say that they themselves have voiced the idea that they seem themselves as elite etc.

I've seen many examples of someone who considers their hi viz as giving them some authority even if it comes without validation.

Fine. As Debs says, if you take a cross section of Joe Public you're get your fair share of twats.

The reason Sustrans rangers get given a hi-viz is to reduce the chances of getting hit by someone whilst they are in the act of maintaining the NCN, eg cutting-back undergrowth, putting up route signage etc. You don't need qualification, training or education to be a Sustrans ranger - they give you guidance and will provide more if you ask for it.

The OP equated the annotated hi-viz with the wearer having some sort of specific cycling authority - that's a misapprehension. Perhaps they should tape out the wordage when not on Sustrans business.

Maybe cyclists should have to pass some sort of proficiency test before they can reach the loft heights of being a hi-viz wearer.

By the way, I don't wear hi-viz, but I am ever so 'umble.

 

[marinyork]

Alien8, I don't see any evidence that you know the local rangers in the area specified, can you please at least wind your neck in a bit.

 

[Debian]

So first of all you say they are elite and then you say they let in any Tom, Dick and Harry and represent a cross section of the general cycling community - you don't make much sense do you?


Sustrans rangers are not there to teach people to ride bikes, safely or otherwise - their primary role is to maintain the NCN. What training would you like? What have you asked them to give you? If you want to teach people how to ride safely then maybe you should consider Bikeability or a similar scheme.

Bit touchy aren't you?

I didn't say they were elite, I said they saw themselves as an elite.

Furthermore I said that no training or guidance as to how to behave is offered or given by SUSTRANS and there's no selection process, they accept pretty much anyone as a VR. Hence I merely commented that you will get a cross-section of cyclists.

Please do take the time and trouble to read posts properly before being offensive and mouthing off.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

The OP equated the annotated hi-viz with the wearer having some sort of specific cycling authority - that's a misapprehension.

Not authority - not one bit. Percieved representation.

 

[ufkacbln]

From the antics of the guy in the full racing strip the other day I could be equally critical of the "British Cycling" team............ Again no selection, nor training, no attempt to train in road safety , and unfortunately this strip is recognizable to every Couch Potato in the land!


Now, come on, if you're going to ride like an eejit, then at least take the advertising off your back whilst you do so. You're doing us no favours breaking the traffic rules if people are going to identify as some kind of symbol of the "pro cycling lobby"