What are the odd's?

[Cab]

I also meet about 100 cyclist each day (3,600 over 12 weeks) and witness about 30 of them performing really stupid antics (jumping lights, pavement surfing, Pedestrian "bothering") and about another 20 or so that are just a bit…er…"wobbly"

So, over the same period I have met:
3,600 cyclists
1,080 of which were a bit "crap"
720 that are a bit on the "wobbly" side

That’s

Ahh, but being a bit wobbly isn't a problem. You're allowed to wobble, and in fact many cyclists would struggle not to do so, especially as they're constantly being re-educated by motorists to ride in the gutter (which has more hazards and a worse surface). So we'll ignore those; its not a fair criticism.

Pavement hopping, RLJ, etc... Well, yes, its not the way you should ride. But really, is it a bigger deal than speeding (which seems a near universal crime)? A bigger deal than rushing through amber lights in a big metal box (a VERY common phenomenon among motorists?). A bigger deal than pavement parking (again, almost universal in some streets!).

Cyclists do things wrong, different things to motorists very often. But I don't believe that from the perspective either of a cyclist or a motorist you get a good count of either.

 

[swee'pea99]

I think I'd basically agree that the vast majority of drivers I encounter are fine: decent, careful and considerate. I would, however, say that your assessment of cyclists seems a bit negative compared with mine - again, I see the odd peanut, but the vast majority seem to me to be basically fine. (I have a more 'forgiving' take on RLJing than you, which obviously makes a big difference - I have no problem with it, per se; only with it done stupidly/inconsiderately.)

Of course the one major factor left out of your calculations is the relative harm actually inflicted by the two groups. Cyclists may irritate people, but they very seldom inflict any significant injury, much less kill. (I believe the average number of people killed in the UK each year by cyclists (as opposed to cyclists who are killed) runs at a little under one. Those 0.000083%, or whatever it was, by contrast, kill around 3000 people a year.

 

[jonny jeez]

Ahh, but being a bit wobbly isn't a problem. You're allowed to wobble, and in fact many cyclists would struggle not to do so, especially as they're constantly being re-educated by motorists to ride in the gutter (which has more hazards and a worse surface). So we'll ignore those; its not a fair criticism.

Pavement hopping, RLJ, etc... Well, yes, its not the way you should ride. But really, is it a bigger deal than speeding (which seems a near universal crime)? A bigger deal than rushing through amber lights in a big metal box (a VERY common phenomenon among motorists?). A bigger deal than pavement parking (again, almost universal in some streets!).

Cyclists do things wrong, different things to motorists very often. But I don't believe that from the perspective either of a cyclist or a motorist you get a good count of either.

_____________

Good point's.


Although I was using the word "Wobbly" more as an adjective and less as a verb.

So I didnt literally mean Wobbling, rather that their skill-set was on the wobbly side, I can see how it must have read though.

 

[Grendel]

Were I to take the time I'm sure I could lower the "good" driver figure.
If I had a pound for every one on a mobile I could retire.

 

[John the Monkey]

They spoke about this on the last series of Top Gear...how, if you don't have an interest in something, you won't be any good at it.

That's the sort of half smart twaddle that Clarkson et al often come out with, and its tosh (although very lucrative tosh, given the success of Top Gear, and Clarkson's columns). It's pub philosophy, of the sort usually followed by some statement about common sense, or things standing to reason.

IMO, you don't have to have an interest in things to be concerned about doing them well, or to do them well.

I dislike driving (it's a chore I could do without, as mentioned previously) but I'm aware that it's something worth doing well, given the risks inherent in propelling that amount of metal along at speed.

 

[Cab]

If I ride in a secondary or sub-secondary position in traffic, the number of motorists overtaking too close is very near to 100%. The number of cyclists doing any one specific thing wrong, anywhere in the country, does not get close to that figure.

 

[arallsopp]

Do you sometimes go along Tooting Bec road on your bent, arallsopp?

Oops. Missed this post. Sorry. Yes. Twice a day. Mornings and Evenings, Monday to Wednesday.

 

[Origamist]

Oops. Missed this post. Sorry. Yes. Twice a day. Mornings and Evenings, Monday to Wednesday.

I thought I'd seen you a few times when I was running late. I'll say "hi" next time!

Sadly my bent purchase fell through...

 

[arallsopp]

Sorry to hear that Origamist, but looking forward to meeting you.

Andy.

 

[Lizban]

That's the sort of half smart twaddle that Clarkson et al often come out with, and its tosh (although very lucrative tosh, given the success of Top Gear, and Clarkson's columns). It's pub philosophy, of the sort usually followed by some statement about common sense, or things standing to reason.

IMO, you don't have to have an interest in things to be concerned about doing them well, or to do them well.

I dislike driving (it's a chore I could do without, as mentioned previously) but I'm aware that it's something worth doing well, given the risks inherent in propelling that amount of metal along at speed.

Agree but the point is you are more likely to be good at something that you enjoy. It isn't a perfect link but I'd suggest it's a strong one.

 

[Twenty Inch]

Agree but the point is you are more likely to be good at something that you enjoy. It isn't a perfect link but I'd suggest it's a strong one.

Nope. Ask my first girlfriend. I loved it, but I was rubbish at it.