You Just Break The Law

[Dan B]

If all cyclists rode according to the letter ot the law at all times, cyclist-hating drivers would still give us crap for entirely legal behaviour such as riding two abreast, not using cycle paths, cycling on (shared use) pavements, not paying road tax, riding too slowly, riding too fast, riding in primary, filtering, not filtering, wearing lycra, not wearing lycra, and being smug.

Put another way, if law breaking cyclists give us all a bad name, how come law breaking drivers don't give all drivers a bad name?

(For the avoidance of doubt, none of this is justification for breaking the laws. But if your primary reason for not breaking them is in the hope that car drivers will like us all more, forget it ...)

 

[veloevol]

But if your primary reason for not breaking them is in the hope that car drivers will like us all more, forget it ...)

I think my reason for not breaking them is mostly from wanting to be treated as a vehicle. Afforded that same respect and space. A small part maybe some vague notion I have of a social contract.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Had a similar predicament the other day, an older gent ran a red light. I called out to which I got a funny look, had I not been in a rush to get home to see my fiance then I would have chased him down and had words.

Like others have said I think it perpetuates the notion that all cyclists are inconsiderate tools.

At least you didn't tell him that traffic lights, one way systems and gyratories, bollards on pavements and road tax were invented for his safety.

 

[User6179]

I think my reason for not breaking them is mostly from wanting to be treated as a vehicle. Afforded that same respect and space. A small part maybe some vague notion I have of a social contract.

I think you would get a better response if you dropped the condescending attitude though , just an observation .

 

[veloevol]

I think you would get a better response if you dropped the condescending attitude though , just an observation .

Duly noted.

 

[User6179]

Duly noted.

I could of put it better but your not going to convert someone with the way you spoke , your only going to antagonise them which some might say was your intention .

 

[skudupnorth]

To be honest where I commute I rarely see cyclists jump lights, it's normally the motorist carrying out the evil sin ! If a cyclists does jump them I just brand them as future road kill and get on with my ride, As already said, the motorist will no doubt see the one cyclist and miss the five motorists jumping lights and tarnish all cyclists as evil !

 

[theclaud]

I think it does affect you. It helps promote, amongst motorists, the image of cyclists as arrogant twats who will show them less consideration when driving.

End of rant.

Crap rant, SM!

 

[slowmotion]

Crap rant, SM!

Sorry TC. I'm all ranted-out what with that bloody 400ppm thread...

 

[veloevol]

I could of put it better but your not going to convert someone with the way you spoke , your only going to antagonise them which some might say was your intention .

My intention was to illicit an honest answer but I find it difficult to hide my disdain.

 

[theclaud]

My intention was to illicit an honest answer but I find it difficult to hide my disdain.

That much is clear. Do you chase motorists who jump lights as well? Your disdain must keep you very busy if so.

 

[Cuchilo]

Judging from the sign they ride some weird bikes in Belgium.

Its a TT commuter .

 

[User6179]

My intention was to illicit an honest answer but I find it difficult to hide my disdain.

Fair enough , sometimes hard to hide your feelings if you feel passionately about something .

 

[veloevol]

That much is clear. Do you chase motorists who jump lights as well? Your disdain must keep you very busy if so.

See comment #10

 

[theclaud]

See comment #10

Don't see what that has to do with it - sorry. Presumably you catch up with cars as well as bikes. All I see is a performance of good behaviour designed to ingratiate yourself with motorists and the harumphing tendency amongst commuting cyclists.