Okay it's offical Cyclists are bigger wankers than Car drivers

[GNEP]

Actually I used to cycle a lot - it just depends on the city. Oxford and York for example are very well laid out for cyclists, with lanes etc, and so cars and bikes coexist happily together. But in London I would never, ever ride a bike - any friends who have done have been badly hurt within 6 months of starting to ride around london. And so stopped again.

I agree some cyclists are wankers, but so are some drivers. Let's not tar all drivers and cyclists with the same brush.

If a town planner takes cyclists into account, then cycling can be safe & quick & cheap. And generally the cyclists in this situation won't annoy drivers.

[The PIT]

Yes many Cyclists do consider themselfs God and judging by there riding sometimes they think they're protected by God. Any other road user be it on legs or wheels will pass striaght through them and will be unharmed as will they.
Unfortunatley cycling is pc at the moment, therefore you can't condem it otherwise you'll be surrounded by strange coloured haired yobs who want to smash your face. Smash it for the good of the planet mind you.
Luckily since the foot and mouth outbreak the huge schools of ignorant cyclists has dimmished in the Derbyshire peak district. You still get the ignorant ones using tracks that they're not supposed to use turning it a mud bath. But what the heck they're been eco friendly aren't they.
I'm surprised theres so many cyclists in Sheffield it's hilly which should put them off but it doesn't.
The few good cyclists must get really pissed at the ignorantus that trundle around the country side.

[Wulfman]

hate me now, but I think I am one of the cyclists you mention here - sometimes.

I believe I am allowed to drive on a road if there is no extra lane for bikers. I'm also sure I am allowed to drive on every lane on a multi-lane street. usually that is not necessary, but drivers who shout at me if I cross lanes before I reach a crossing (to reach a left-turn-lane, for example) are stupid.
yes, I will use my right to pass waiting cars at the traffic lights. I will even do that with a motor-bike, if there is enough place. sorry guys, that's the law. I won't wait behind a lorry to inhale the fumes, no.
yeah, I will look out for opened doors & won't push it if there is not enough space, but trying to steer right to block me is no nice behaviour.
yup, I consider myself more healthy if I go by bike. holy? no. inmmortal. no.
but I expect drivers to treat my like a equal partner on the street - because they can, because it doesn't cost them anything, but could cost my life if they don't look out. I will signal if I want to turn or switch lanes, I will usually try to make myself visible - but I want them to look in their rear-view-mirror before turning or doing other stupid things. if you cannot pass me because the street is narrow and there are cars driving in the opposite direction - bad luck, sorry. I cannot drive closer to the right side or I will end up on the pavement or the ditch. yeah, maybe you lose a few seconds of your previous time. pity.

mfg
wulfman

[mutz]

Right Wulfman, I was mainly ranting about the cyclists in Swiss cities, and it has nothing to do with cycling or motoring, it has to do with an attitude and psychology. The Swiss are full of complexes, righteousness and inferiority complexes, which many take out on the road, as in many other places. Anything I say about a cyclist, I'll equally be able to say about a motorist expressing his frustration in perhaps a different way.

A few years ago, for about 8 months, I went to the office, shopping and almost everywhere else on a bike. From what I experienced, I would make it 50-50 between cyclists and motorists. But since motorists far outnumber cyclists, and motorists are more insane with each other than can be described, the problems between cyclists and motorists is minor annoyance.

And while I'm no angel either, I'm a very good and experienced driver which keeps me out of a lot of trouble. (Oooops, shouldn't say things like that, bad luck!) So while driving and cycling could be such a pleasure and a lot of fun, except for lonely country roads, if there are any left, it is mostly a frustration.

[The PIT]

Nope Wulfman it doesn't sound like your one of the cyclists I'm writing about. Unless of course you just swing across lanes without looking or indicating. Then you join the bunch of motorists that do the same and are complete dipsticks.

Theres a lot of dipsticks of two feet as well. Walking two abreast round blind corners on a narrow road isn't very sensible.

I think this country needs a safety campaign aimed at other users of the road rather than the normal slag the motorist off. I can't remember the last advertising showing youngsters the correct way to cross the road.

[Topha]

Originally posted by KvHagedorn
Topha, what happens when some 80yo night-blind driver from out-of-town tries to drive there? I would worry about being an invisible cyclist.

Since I am not 80 and night blind yet my bet is that I would notice him and stay at a safe distance

And there is not as much car traffic in Freiburg as there is in the American citys, plus we have extra bicycle ways etc. etc.

And the car drivers sometimes even apologize for not seeing you, even when you just ran a red light with your bike

[The PIT]

I think Topha is one that has a invisable shield.

[THE_Editor]

cyclists can pass columns of cars that just passed them, weave up to the red light, block everybody on green and take their time crossing the intersection

You think THATS bad... As a Truckie (I drive Semis) The same happens to me...... only...... the cyclists are INVISIBLE on our nearside..... Now do a legitimate left turn.. And crush to death a cyclist !!

Or .............. Drive down a slightly narrow two way road... round a bend to be confronted by .................

A Cyclist on your side and a truck coming towards you (No room to move over) Even well within legal speeds it is impossible to stop in time Hit him and he DIES.. move over and ......................................... One hell of a crash in which BOTH truckers probably will die including the cyclist and any other vehicles in the "out of control impact zone.

You have 1 second to make your choice !!

TOO late !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have nothing against Cyclists ...... But I do think some of them are slightly (deranged) unaware of the peril they put themselves and others in due to their (incredibly) legal actions.

Dad once gave me a bit of advice whilst using the roads....

Being in the right WONT bring you back from the dead !!

Think about it !!

[KvHagedorn]

Originally posted by impact
I am not 100% sure, but I was told that in the US, driving license never expires. Scary, huh?

It depends on the state. I remember a story (perhaps it was an urban legend) about some state where they passed a law that after age 80 you had to take a driver test every 2 years. Well, a 92yo man got in the car for his driver test, and the oldster drove to the exit of the parking lot. The examiner saw a car coming and warned the old man, but he was both too deaf to hear the warning and too blind to see the car himself, so he pulled out into the oncoming traffic, killing himself and injuring the examiner.

Sometimes I worry about older drivers. Here in Texas, and in many other western states, the distances are such that older people MUST drive to get to the store and wherever they are going. Amazingly enough, they seem to cause more accidents than they are involved in, not unlike some of the cyclists people talk about here.

[mutz]

Originally posted by KvHagedorn
Amazingly enough, they seem to cause more accidents than they are involved in, not unlike some of the cyclists people talk about here.

Nail on the head Kv. I've seen that numerous times in accidents, the car that caused the accident drives obliviously away. I've narrowly escaped a few times myself. One time I didn't and got forced off the road head on into a light mast, my car totalled and I luckily only had a bump on the head and sore joints for a week.

I would rather see experienced older drivers on the road than all the oblivious, absent, alone-in-the-world, lost soul, etc. drivers of any age combined. With aggressive, wild, even crazy drivers you can anticipate something, but the dreamers, forget it!

[Topha]

Originally posted by The PIT
I think Topha is one that has a invisable shield.

Would be nice, but I think the major problems are the cyclists that expect the car drivers to expect a cyclist at every turn and every corner. Most cyclists here and everywhere else, however, actually use their eyes, ears and common sense to avoid accidents and almost accidents.

As usual, its the exceptions that draw the attention and the accidents

[az]

You know what's scary? Biking between a double-decker bus and the curb, when there's only ~30cm space between them.

AZ

[The PIT]

Originally posted by Topha
Most cyclists here and everywhere else, however, actually use their eyes, ears and common sense to avoid accidents and almost accidents.

Can you send some of those cyclists over here.

[The PIT]

Originally posted by az
You know what's scary? Biking between a double-decker bus and the curb, when there's only ~30cm space between them.

AZ

Yeh I've noticed cyclists doing that yet they always complain about lack of room. Squeezing between a slow moving bus/lorry or car and the curb isn't a good idea.

[KvHagedorn]

Originally posted by mutz
Nail on the head Kv. I've seen that numerous times in accidents, the car that caused the accident drives obliviously away. I've narrowly escaped a few times myself. One time I didn't and got forced off the road head on into a light mast, my car totalled and I luckily only had a bump on the head and sore joints for a week.

I would rather see experienced older drivers on the road than all the oblivious, absent, alone-in-the-world, lost soul, etc. drivers of any age combined. With aggressive, wild, even crazy drivers you can anticipate something, but the dreamers, forget it!

Amen to that.. I was the victim of one of these bastards, and got in a major accident because of them. I was driving along, paying serious attention as I usually do, and saw this tan van drive up to the exit of a parking lot and stop, so I think he has seen me coming and stopped. Well, the anencephalic pulls out RIGHT in front of me.. my choices are either rear end him or change lanes. I change lanes and lose traction on the wet pavement, sliding sideways across the road into an oncoming truck. Tan van prick motors cooly off while I get blamed for the accident. Tan van prick, if some force of knowledge EVER reveals your identity to me, I'm coming for you.. and it won't be pretty.