reohn2 wrote:One of my pet hates is snobbishness,our society is riddled with it,and non more than those who categorise cyclists into 'real' cyclists and not proper cyclists or only 'people riding bikes' or POBs,etc.
There are many types of cyclists and anyone riding a uni/bi/tri or quad cycle are cyclists,when they get off it and walk they become pedestrians,likwise anyone driving a car are motorists until they get out of it,get on a bike then they become cyclists.
There are idiots about in any walk or ride of life,unfortunately there's not enough police enforcing the law to make people think twice about their actions or responsibility toward the rest of society.
Regarding the OP's opinion that anyone riding on a pavement is an idiot,if he hadn't taken his ball home I would like to have asked him to clarify his statement.IMO in certain circumstances riding on the pavement is an idiotic thing to do,OTOH in another situation it's the safest .
To clarify,city/town centre with lots of pedestrians walking about riding on the pavement is stupid antisocial and dangerous.Fast busy 60mph unused pavement, it can be the safest option.
There's a stretch of very fast very busy dual carriageway not far from where I live (google earth A580 from j23 m6 east toward Manchester),which has a perfectly well surfaced cyclepath completely seperate from the road,yet I still on occasion see cyclists exercising their right to ride the carriageway
As for riding two abreast in some circumstances it's ludicrous ie; two cyclist on a fast A road,but at other times it's the best and safest way to ride ie;six or eight riders are no worse to over take than a slow moving tractor/traction engine/horse and or cart,etc,but invite close and dangerous overtaking by motors if they file out.
The key thing is context,when and where to or not,unfortunately there are a lot of very selfish and ignorant people using our roads,some are pedestrians some are cyclists and some are motorists but that said the ones who are likely to cause the most injury and disruption are those driving motors of any kind.
There is also a very unhealthy class system operating in UK society which is a blight on our country and we are all the worse for it.
Just my 2d's worth.
Hello,
On reflection I shall add comment. There are it appears a number of genuine enthusiastic 'cyclists' making points.
If Si and others feels that I am a snob, then fair enough, maybe I am! If anyone else thinks the same, fine I am not concerned.
There are it appears people who I assume to be CTC members (a Club of what I have assumed to be grown up people?) who actually see no wrong in pavement riding!
My response is that my opening post was trying to show that idiots on pavements cause untold damage to Cycling and its cause. Cycling via CTC generally are supposed to stand up for cyclists. Cyclists are in my mind people of all ages and one must assume creed and religion also, who behave because they want to be seen as genuine people and not idiots.
Riding on the pavement caused the dispute in my opening post. The poor man who was in the right was assaulted and is now in Hospital with a broken body. NOT real cyclists but yobbos.
If genuine cyclists ride on pavements they are lawless as riding on pavements is against the law no matter where when or how!
Please remember that the more the motorist (and I am one) sees cycles on pavements the more they believe cycles should be on pavements.
I know the roads of todays World are pretty busy, in fact where I live is very busy (even more so during all School Holidays as I live at the seaside) but if all cycles rode on the rode it would give motorists and the bunch of idiots supposed to be Government a better view. Volume equals visibility?
The CTC representatives that I have seen on TV or read about online in Newspapers do not give our cause much sense. I read that one CTC representative advocates running red lights because it is safer? It is breaking road law. How idiotic can that be?
Sustrans is doing a great job for family cycling and commuting I guess but again if motorists are aware of off road lanes they will believe cycles belong off road.
I hope that I have made my point now? I am sorry if some people feel upset in any way, maybe I am a little more to the point than most.
I rest here. But please the only reason I write is because the subject is close to my heart and mind and one which affects me in a great way. I have my reasons to feel the way I do. I pay Members fees every year to CTC but feel very let down. The ONLY reason I remain a member is because one day I may require a little help from the 'valued' insurance I am 'given'.
Best regards,
John