Time to give us cyclists a bit more respect

[John the Monkey]

...they can also encourage less confident cyclists to take to the roads and thus increase the number of cyclists.

I wouldn't disagree - the problem is that they become hugely impractical once you get beyond the stage of wobbling along at 14 mph, because the vast majority are not designed to facilitate your journey, they're designed to keep you out of the way of the traffic (or, in the case of some in Stockport, designed to use you to "calm" traffic by narrowing the road - great idea ).

A few drivers (including the one who hit me the other week) have made it fairly clear that they considered bikes outside of bike lanes to be taking their chances in the traffic, and thus worthy of less consideration.

 

[Bollo]

A few drivers (including the one who hit me the other week) have made it fairly clear that they considered bikes outside of bike lanes to be taking their chances in the traffic, and thus worthy of less consideration.

Police included I'm afraid.

 

[LLB]

I wouldn't disagree - the problem is that they become hugely impractical once you get beyond the stage of wobbling along at 14 mph, because the vast majority are not designed to facilitate your journey, they're designed to keep you out of the way of the traffic (or, in the case of some in Stockport, designed to use you to "calm" traffic by narrowing the road - great idea ).

A few drivers (including the one who hit me the other week) have made it fairly clear that they considered bikes outside of bike lanes to be taking their chances in the traffic, and thus worthy of less consideration.

Agree with the last bit 100%

Segregation breeds resentment. I favour more education for drivers regarding cyclists so they better understand what their obligations as safe and responsible road users should be.

I feel the same way about ASLs as well. Drivers should better learn the art of safe negotiation when interacting with cycles on open roads and at junctions.

Cycle lanes and ASLs are just lip service to the cycling lobby by the town planners, and do little in the way of any real favours for cycling as an intetgrated transport mode

 

[spindrift]

Police included I'm afraid.

Indeed.

 

[LLB]

My post was aimed at all cars. My fault if that was not made crystal clear.

It was aimed at putting the sporting success of the Cycling Olympians and it's potential positive impact on "everyday" cyclists on UK Roads into the wider context of Motoring policy, ethos and social culture.

I stand by the general sentiment of my Post.

The thread is back on course now so water under the bridge IMO

 

[Origamist]

Interesting article. One of the things the Commonwealth games left for Manchester was a superb facility in the shape of the Aquatics Centre (I'm not a swimmer myself, but friends who are love it).

I'd disagree that cycle lanes would lead to a change in attitude - as said in posts passim, they just reinforce the idea that we shouldn't be in the drivers' way, rather than the idea that we have a right to be there, and are only stopping them from reaching the next red light 2 seconds or so quicker. I'm not sure what is needed to change the attitudes of British drivers (better enforcement of road law for all would be a start), but it's a lot more than green paint and sporting success (imo).

It's worth reading the Portland Blue Bike Lanes study - it flags up how drivers' and cyclists' behaviour changes with a coating of blue paint on the roads.

http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=58842

For those that don't know, Portland's cycling modal share is one of the highest in the US.

 

[Arch]

I noticed in a couple of recent trips abroad that cyclists are given a wider berth, and that the vast majority seemed to look like hobbyists, not mentalists on the continent (IE look like they are out for a good time, and not to try and set an example to others)

I've not been abroad much - couple of trips to France, and one to Copenhagen, but I wonder if the respect continental drivers give cyclists is partly down to the fact that more drivers are also regular cyclists. I bet all those of us who also drive would say we take care around cyclists.

Of course that theory falls down when you get cut up by someone with a couple of bikes on a rack on the back of their car...

I personally don't think we'll get more respect because of olympic success. If the tide turns, it'll be because gradually, eventually, enough people have decided driving is too expensive or frustrating for the little trips. It'll be a slow process though, I'm afraid. Although once one person does it, and tells their mates and they get the idea, it might start to snowball...

 

[spindrift]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/aug/21/olympicscycling.cycling

 

[LLB]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/aug/21/olympicscycling.cycling

Bloody hell, if spinners was Clarkson, I'd vote him for PM

Seriously, if you are advocating this suggestion I think it is one of the best I've seen for a long time

 

[John the Monkey]

I noticed in a couple of recent trips abroad that cyclists are given a wider berth, and that the vast majority seemed to look like hobbyists, not mentalists on the continent (IE look like they are out for a good time, and not to try and set an example to others)

I'm not sure quite what image a "mentalist" would have

On my trips to France, I've seen everything from the sterotypical old fella with baguettes in his panniers, through to full on roadies en peloton - there's no difference in the way they're treated by French drivers, that I could see. Coming back to the UK, and seeing the sometimes grudging (at best) acceptance of my presence on the road always evokes a profound melancholy.

 

[John the Monkey]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/aug/21/olympicscycling.cycling

IMO, a part of the solution - no good if the enforcement of traffic law and education of drivers is lacking though, as the little darlings won't be allowed to use their new found skills.

 

[Twiggy]

I think if it did end up on the curriculum motorists might eventually get wise (as the little dears grow into adults and start driving that is, so maybe a long wait)

Wonder how many parents would jump up and say "noooo, it's too dangerous, I refuse to let my child do this!!"

 

[Riding in Circles]

I'm not sure quite what image a "mentalist" would have

On my trips to France, I've seen everything from the sterotypical old fella with baguettes in his panniers, through to full on roadies en peloton - there's no difference in the way they're treated by French drivers, that I could see.

They seem to acknowledge each other as well in France, not the small minded clique based system so often employed by British riders.

 

[magnatom]

Actually, that is a very good article. Very honest and open. Yes she certainly does have problems with drivers etc. It would be nice if she could take part in some form of road safety campaign, but in her position, I don't think she has much time for such things, and she will have and army of people guiding her every move in the public domain.

 

[John the Monkey]

I think British Cycling really missed an opportunity here, tbh, as Keith Bingham pointed out in the Cycling Weekly article Origamist linked in the last thread on the subject.