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West Ender · 29-06-2005, 20:31

I live near Warrington. The shopping centre is mainly pedestrianised.

To me a pedestrian is a person who progresses on 2 FEET (or 1 foot if he's very unlucky). A pedestrian does NOT progress on 2 WHEELS but, every day, the Jolly Cyclist weaves his merry way in and out and round about the shoppers, causing havoc and scattering pensioners in his wake (It's such FUN).

On the highways the Jolly Cyclist (if he has strayed off the pavement) assumes that road signs/markings and traffic lights apply to other road users, not to HIM. What is a One Way Street to the Jolly Cyclist? You will meet him, head-on, as you drive in the correct direction and he will give you the Finger and a stream of invective if you pass too close to him. A red light, to the Jolly Cyclist, means "Carry on regardless" - especially if it is on a pedestrian crossing. No Entry means "Come in".

In the dark, the Jolly Cyclist comes into his own. He dons his darkest clothing and makes sure that he is observing the war-time black-out, not a light to be seen. It is YOUR responsibility to see him and avoid him. Knock him off his bike and he will sue you for the great god Compensation. Kill him and his family will sue you and you will want to kill yourself.

If policing is the answer, and it should be, then there is little hope. In Warrington it can take the police 2 days to respond to a burglary so policing errant cyclists is merely a pipe dream. So yes, treat them as motorised road users. Tax them, licence them, make them take out insurance. As the police always have time to pursue the motorist this might make a difference.

N.B. Apologies to the Sensible Cyclist. You are capable, responsible and, sadly, a minority.

29-06-2005, 20:31	#9
West Ender Passed away 25-11-09 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lymm, Cheshire Posts: 2,674 Blog Entries: 147 Liked: 2 times Rep Power: 191	Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists I live near Warrington. The shopping centre is mainly pedestrianised. To me a pedestrian is a person who progresses on 2 FEET (or 1 foot if he's very unlucky). A pedestrian does NOT progress on 2 WHEELS but, every day, the Jolly Cyclist weaves his merry way in and out and round about the shoppers, causing havoc and scattering pensioners in his wake (It's such FUN). On the highways the Jolly Cyclist (if he has strayed off the pavement) assumes that road signs/markings and traffic lights apply to other road users, not to HIM. What is a One Way Street to the Jolly Cyclist? You will meet him, head-on, as you drive in the correct direction and he will give you the Finger and a stream of invective if you pass too close to him. A red light, to the Jolly Cyclist, means "Carry on regardless" - especially if it is on a pedestrian crossing. No Entry means "Come in". In the dark, the Jolly Cyclist comes into his own. He dons his darkest clothing and makes sure that he is observing the war-time black-out, not a light to be seen. It is YOUR responsibility to see him and avoid him. Knock him off his bike and he will sue you for the great god Compensation. Kill him and his family will sue you and you will want to kill yourself. If policing is the answer, and it should be, then there is little hope. In Warrington it can take the police 2 days to respond to a burglary so policing errant cyclists is merely a pipe dream. So yes, treat them as motorised road users. Tax them, licence them, make them take out insurance. As the police always have time to pursue the motorist this might make a difference. N.B. Apologies to the Sensible Cyclist. You are capable, responsible and, sadly, a minority. __________________ * Some cinemas let the flying monkeys in............and some don't.