This is not a wind up!

[iAmiAdam]

Please may i start this post by saying it not a wind up and would love to hear all views, good, bad or whatever.
Firstly i will say i don't ride a bike and don't want to ride a bike, i have a car and i'm happy with it.
Whilst out with a group of friends last night a discussion was started that became quite heated and was all one sided.
The topic was 'flippin (or a word like that) cyclists!!
Although it was quite a large group nobody came out on the side of the cyclist which is why i would love to hear a cyclists view.
So here goes, please feel free to be blunt i can take it -
I am based in Oxfordshire where we have a lot of cycle paths, the one in questions is on a run to a large place of employment on a 60mph road, it is a good cycle path as in flat and well tarmaced so why don't cyclists use it and would rather hold up fast moving traffic?

Because tyres cost a lot, would you like to replace your tyres because all the road crap gets swept into where you're driving?

And what is it with this lycra thing?
Most women i know wouldn't dare wear it so why do cyclists? Sorry but men in lycra with shaved legs is wrong but feel free to correct me.

Because we want you to see the fine figure we've gained through cycling, instead of complaining about other people while down the pub. The shaved legs helps if we crash and need to apply bandages etc. They stick far better without hairs.

And why can't cyclists wear fluorescent gear? You wear lycra, you shave your legs so don't tell me florescent isn't cool.

I choose not to, you should be able to see me, you seem to get adequately annoyed that you're seeing us.

I could bring up lack of indication, dark glasses on when no sun, riding in groups on fast roads etc etc but i have probably annoyed you all enough.

I only indicate when I need/it's safe to do so.


Glasses are expensive, I'm not spending more money on clear glasses, I've got to replace my tyres. (see point 1) I ride in groups on 'fast' roads because we're entitled to do so and I'm normally out early in the morning so it doesn't cause a problem to anyone.

Answers in bold. Hope I helped.

 

[JonnyBlade]

I like my 'gay' disco dancing all in one

 

[david1701]

also its best to stay off pedestrian areas (like shared paths) if you are going fast

 

[al78]

Please may i start this post by saying it not a wind up and would love to hear all views, good, bad or whatever.
Firstly i will say i don't ride a bike and don't want to ride a bike, i have a car and i'm happy with it.
Whilst out with a group of friends last night a discussion was started that became quite heated and was all one sided.
The topic was 'flippin (or a word like that) cyclists!!
Although it was quite a large group nobody came out on the side of the cyclist which is why i would love to hear a cyclists view.
So here goes, please feel free to be blunt i can take it -
I am based in Oxfordshire where we have a lot of cycle paths, the one in questions is on a run to a large place of employment on a 60mph road, it is a good cycle path as in flat and well tarmaced so why don't cyclists use it and would rather hold up fast moving traffic?

Can't say for sure without seeing said cycle lane for myself but my guess would be one or more of these:

1. Slower/more dangerous than using the road (e.g. presence of pedestrians/broken glass/street furniture)
2. Dangerous entry/exit points where the cycle lane starts and later re-merges with the road.
3. Puts cyclist in sub-optimal place for visibility, both for vehicles approaching from behind, and vehicles entering main road from side roads.
4. Cars stopped/parked on the side of the road will block the lane.

I'm sure there are other reasons I have missed.

For a video demonstration, see here.

I am forever getting stuck behind cyclists who seem oblivious to using the cycle paths or think they are above them.

Yes, and I as a cyclist get held up as well. The roads are a shared public resource, you just have to accept that other people will be using them when you want too and they might occasionally cause you a small delay. Having said that everybody needs to show consideration for others and I don't condone people being bloody minded and refusing to let traffic past if they are causing a significant hold up just because they have a right to be there.

And what is it with this lycra thing?

Comfort. Lycra does not chaf the skin, allows sweat to evaporate and dries quickly when wet. Personally I rarely wear it as I can manage fine in standard clothing.

Most women i know wouldn't dare wear it so why do cyclists? Sorry but men in lycra with shaved legs is wrong but feel free to correct me.
And why can't cyclists wear fluorescent gear? You wear lycra, you shave your legs so don't tell me florescent isn't cool.

For the most part it is not necessary. In my experience drivers are quite capable of seeing me whether I am wearing my cycling jacket or a black leather coat, thus it comes down to personal choice of what clothing to wear, same as anyone else.

I could bring up lack of indication, dark glasses on when no sun,

Indicating requires removing a hand from the bars, which can compromise control and braking ability. Bicycles are narrow enough that road positioning gives an indication of intent whilst maintaining optimal control.

Can't comment on the dark glasses, I don't wear them and don't know anyone who regularly does outside of sunny weather.

riding in groups on fast roads etc etc

The roads are a shared public resource etc etc. See above.

 

[TVC]

I'm thinking of going on mumsnet and posting "I'm not a mother, but childbirth and raising an infant seems pretty easy to me, I don't know what the fuss is about. What do you all think?"

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Any thread that starts 'this is not a wind up' has to be very dubious surely?
Like Crackle I will reserve judgement until they post a few responses.

Yes, it's like that ''Don't take this personally but....'' gambit which is invariably followed by a personal criticism. As a person, I fecking hate that one.

Did anybody mention that once you're riding along in puncture gulley, you lose right of way at every side road as well?

 

[Amheirchion]

Here's my rant. Why do cars always have to overtake me, just before a row of parked cars on the side I'm travelling, where the car nearly always has to stop to let oncoming traffic past. So not only do they save no time, they also hold me up as instead of just having a nice ride down the lane, I'm forced to wait behind a car as to get past them I would have to ride into the oncoming traffic!

Why, car drivers, why?

 

[HonestMan1910]

The OP is a lady, so why is she driving anyway, shouldn't she be at home coooking her mans dinner ??

TROLL

 

[david1701]

Here's my rant. Why do cars always have to overtake me, just before a row of parked cars on the side I'm travelling, where the car nearly always has to stop to let oncoming traffic past. So not only do they save no time, they also hold me up as instead of just having a nice ride down the lane, I'm forced to wait behind a car as to get past them I would have to ride into the oncoming traffic!

Why, car drivers, why?

because they don't appreciate your pain, maybe she's not a troll and this could be a learning experience?

 

[buggi]

Please may i start this post by saying it not a wind up and would love to hear all views, good, bad or whatever.
Firstly i will say i don't ride a bike and don't want to ride a bike, i have a car and i'm happy with it.
Whilst out with a group of friends last night a discussion was started that became quite heated and was all one sided.
The topic was 'flippin (or a word like that) cyclists!!
Although it was quite a large group nobody came out on the side of the cyclist which is why i would love to hear a cyclists view.
So here goes, please feel free to be blunt i can take it -
I am based in Oxfordshire where we have a lot of cycle paths, the one in questions is on a run to a large place of employment on a 60mph road, it is a good cycle path as in flat and well tarmaced so why don't cyclists use it and would rather hold up fast moving traffic? because we are allowed by law to ride on the road. We are a vehicle, the same as a car, truck, lorry or bus, we have a right to be there. Cycle paths often have glass and thorns on them and so we get more punctures. also we don't have a right of way on those paths (i knew a cyclist that got ran over on one when a car crossed it!), or the path will suddenly end and we find we are coming back into fast moving traffic when they least expect us. Cycle "lanes" (where they is a line painted rather than a segrated path) are even worse, they often lead us right into danger, pinch points in the road, or up the inside of left turning traffic (and this is particularly dangerous with left turning lorries or drivers who have forgotten to indicate). It is far SAFER for us to cycle with the traffic, which is why so many of us do it, we don't do it to annoy drivers (many of us are drivers too)
Also, it is recommended by the Government that if you are cycling more than 12mph you should be on the road. Many cyclists cycle at way above this speed. But if we come across a GOOD path with no debris, we will use it, we're not idiots! If a cyclist is not on the path, there's a very good reason for it!
I am forever getting stuck behind cyclists who seem oblivious to using the cycle paths or think they are above them.
And what is it with this lycra thing? very simple, it's more comfortable, has sweat wicking properties and dries quickly.
Most women i know wouldn't dare wear it so why do cyclists? Sorry but men in lycra with shaved legs is wrong but feel free to correct me. it's got nothing to do with going faster. it's so that if you come off, you don't get hairs in your cuts/scabs. Believe me, it's bad enough when the hospital is scraping grit out of wounds as it is, without adding hair into the situation (i am actually a woman but i have had grit scaped out of my knees so i understand totally why men would shave their legs). Besides, would the site of HAIRY legs in lycra be better?
And why can't cyclists wear fluorescent gear? You wear lycra, you shave your legs so don't tell me florescent isn't cool. a lot of us do, and when we do we realise it makes sod all difference! we can have all our lights flashing and be in hi vis gear and still car drivers will say they didn't see us! More annoyingly, they then sit in the pub talking about the cyclist they DID see who wasn't wearing any hi vis or lights!
I could bring up lack of indication, dark glasses on when no sun, riding in groups on fast roads etc etc but i have probably annoyed you all enough. Personally for me, i don't indicate left. This isn't to annoy drivers, it's to stop drivers hooking a left around me. Road bikes have a wide turning circle and if you come off your line and a driver has chosen to turn left at the same time, you are in big trouble. Far better if you delay him by a couple of seconds, as the consequences of not doing so could delay you for a lot longer. Also sometimes turns are on an adverse camber which may mean it would be dangerous to take your hands off the handlebars. In such circumstances we may choose our road position to do the speaking for us. If a cyclist is in the right hand lane, he is turning right. Again, we occupy the middle of the lane for our own safety so that numpty drivers are forced to wait behind, rather than taking a risk with a close overtake. This is done for our safety, not your inconvenience, and will only delay you by a couple of seconds at the most. Many riders (particularly males) are capable of reaching 25mph or more so you are not really being delayed, it is just your perception.
So come on give me the other side of the argument, esp about cycle paths, i have found nobody in favour of cyclists so i have joined your forum to find out.

Next you will be asking why we don't pay road tax. First, you don't either, you pay "car tax" which many of us also pay. Secondly, car tax has not been directly related to road maintainance since 1937. road maintenance comes from central funds, so even pedestrians pay for it from their income tax. please tell your friends about this also. Tell them if they have a problem with paying "car tax" they can either get a bike (or a small car) or take it up with the Government, but don't take it out on cyclists. ta.

Please inform your friends that everything we do is for our own safety, not their inconvenience. If we inconvenience them it will (a) only be for a few seconds, (b) most possibly save our life (if they hit us we will come off far worse! or even die) and (c) you will be delayed for a lot longer (perhaps for a few years at Her Majesty's Pleasure) if you risk a close overtake and clip us, so we cycle assertively to avoid this.

 

[Gerry Attrick]

Ah, Ladycardriver has gone offline. I doubt that we'll see her again!

It's all the fault of you lot. She asks sensible questions, you lot give her (mostly) sensible answers which unfortunately don't fit in with the responses she hoped to get.

C'est la vie

 

[buggi]

Also, you say we get in the way of cars. What makes you think the cars are not in our way??? like i said, we have a right to use the road as well.

 

[buggi]

Ah, Ladycardriver has gone offline. I doubt that we'll see her again!

It's all the fault of you lot. She asks sensible questions, you lot give her (mostly) sensible answers which unfortunately don't fit in with the responses she hoped to get.

C'est la vie

Damn, i was just getting warmed up

 

[GrasB]

Often off-road cycle paths while looking nice from the road are littered with small debris; glass, stones, sticks, etc. These cause danger to the cyclist. Further more if you're like me traveling at high speed, above 18mph iirc, the DfT advice is that I should be cycling on the road. In the grand scheme of things I have far more problems on cycle paths than on the road despite the fact I use very few cycle paths & have far fewer interactions. As for junction layouts, they're often ill thought out & force the cyclist to cross the road just where the traffic is slowing down & bunching or spreading out & accelerating, it makes it difficult for the cyclist to make a proper judgment when to go & so they are more likely to make a miss-judgment which causes dangerous conflicts with motorists.

Well when people swim do they wear jeans & t-shirt or do they wear a swimming costume/trunks? Do people who jog & run wear a suit & tie or jogging/running clothes? In both cases people use sport specific clothing, so why are cyclists different to swimmers & runners? Cycling lycra is designed specifically for cycling in, those who are travelling quickly for distances tend to wear the clothing designed for the task.

Because the reality is if you actually look you can see cyclists & pedestrians a long way off in low light conditions, seriously. I did a practice commented drive today I deliberately went out during the twilight hours with a video camera going. During the drive on several occasions I commented on cyclist who were so far up the road the road I has to still frame the footage to see them even though they were in dark colours & didn't have lights,well after light levels had dropped to cause the majority of motorist to turn on their lights.

Lack of indication is a tough one, there are complicating factors when signalling on a bike. I can think of several places where it's down right dangerous to signal due to the road surface & personally I've given up signalling left in most circumstances (this is a reaction to systematic left-hooking by motorists, not signalling left had reduced the number of left-hooks to almost zero).

Why dark glasses when it's not sunny? It may sound odd but they allow me to see more than I would without the glasses on. You see most of my my sunglasses have vision enhancing tints to them, it makes things easier to see & I find it means I feel that I need to turn my lights on earlier & solves the problem when twits in cars drive around with main beams on or badly adjusted HID/Xeon headlights.

I often see groups of walkers, runners & horse riders when riding down backroads. So why aren't cyclists allowed to turn their chosen hobby from a solitary one to a social one? Also if you're training a group of riders can push help drive each other on & train harder than they otherwise would.

 

[darkstar]

I'm surprised so many responded to this thread.