OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

We've had complaints about pedestrians and complaints about drivers. Let's get to the worst of all worlds - the cyclist.

On the road, on the pavement, you never know where they'll come from next. We have lots of cycle lanes (many double ones) in London. Do they use them? Only if it suits them at the time. They ignore red lights - I would have been hit by one not long ago if the man at the crossing hadn't pulled me back in time - and I had a green man. A woman was killed in Oxford Street a year or so ago, by a cyclist who mounted the pavement at speed and hit her mid on. There's also the idiotic EU directive that cyclists are never at fault when involved in an accident - even if they come round a blind bend on the wrong side of the road, doing a wheelie, talking on their mobile, and blind drunk.

So - who agrees that cyclists should be licensed, should carry insurance and an identifying number? - and they should be liable to a cycling ban for causing an accident, just as drivers are.

I know there are sensible, responsible cyclists out there - if they are responsible, they wouldn't mind being accountable.

What do Accywebbers think?

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

tax them,make them have insurance, a cycling profisioncey test, and tell them to keep off the roads.


and a spell check on here lol.

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

[QUOTE=staggeringman]tax them,make them have insurance, a cycling profisioncey test, and tell them to keep off the roads.

I hope you mean on the roads. Pavements are for pedestrians not bikes. I also agree that cyclists should have to undertake some form of test

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

Its the really old men that are the worst offenders and you darnt over-take them in case they shake off !

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

I remember when I got my first bike as a child. My dad wouldn't let me ride it on the road until I'd passed my cycling proficiency test. I do believe that cyclists should be accountable for their actions especially regarding causing accidents.

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

ah some common sense,cyclists should definatly be accountable for their actions, saying that i think that many of them ARE safe on the roads,but that still doe'snt detract from the fact that all ROAD USERS should be. a proficiency test would not be a problem to those who are responsible cyclists.

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

I was on my motorbike and the lights had just turned green when a cyclist went straight through a red light across my path.

He was lucky that I was not as quick off the mark that time, otherwise I would have had him off.

I tooted at him, but all I got in response was a finger.

Maybe one day he'll learn the hard way

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

Shouldn't be allowed on the roads, they should have to stay on cycle lanes, if it means building more fair enough but get them to pay for it dont take it out of my tax, they dont contribute to the roads I use so why should I pay for anything for them. same for horses they should stay on the fields were they belong not on the tarmac.

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.

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

They need TAX, INSURANCE and DEFINATELY a TEST!!!

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

i hope they bring in road tax tomorrow- that might bring a smile to busmans face.

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

[QUOTE=K.S.H]Shouldn't be allowed on the roads, they should have to stay on cycle lanes, if it means building more fair enough but get them to pay for it dont take it out of my tax, they dont contribute to the roads I use so why should I pay for anything for them/QUOTE]
I contribute to the roads through my council tax, which is divved up to LCC who maintain the local roads ( Allegedly!) Motorways are maintained by the Highways Authority which is funded from central goverment from taxation.... which I pay as well. Where road tax goes to God only knows!

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

to abolish poverty and dissease

unfortunatly not in the uk :rolleyes:

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

I think there should def be tests but also I think it should be law to wear a helmet.

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

when you are driving through the countryside and you get at the back of these bikers its so frusterating you could rip your hair out if you had any,they are a pain inb the aSS.

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

these here cyclists should have a id licence of some sort in case of accident.also i am all for road taxing the little sods,espescially the proffessionals who think the are in the tour de france who cycle three or four a breast up the ribble valley back roads and will NOTmove over for you i come across them all the time and i wish that they would be a bit courtious.when i over take them i give them ample room so come on bike buffs move over:mad: :s_fmad:

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

There are a lot of different issues here. Cyclists should obey the same rules of the road as any other road user. As a pedestrian I am sick and tired of dodging cyclists who don't believe the red light at a pelican crossing apples to them.

If a cyclist is involved in an accident with a car it is far more likely to be their fault than the motorist's because often the bike is where it shouldn't be.

Cycle tracks/paths are a joke. What is the point of those 25yard long bits which suddenly appear in the road and just as suddenly disappear? Is the cyclist supposed to take off like a Harrier? (the jump jet, not the country runner)

Down near the Globe Centre area there are cycle paths on the pavements which are asking for trouble because pedestrians don't expect cycle paths on the pavement. There are also cycle paths next to walls with the pedestrian part of the footpath between them and the road. That seems like the height of madness. Surely the pedestrian should be separated from the cars by the cycle track not vice versa?

Yes they should be insured and take responsibility for accidents just as any other road user. Yes there should be lessons and tests for proficiency before going out on the roads. They shouldn't cycle two abreast. They shouldn't try to outrun cars.

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

When I am on my bike my main objective is to get from A to B as quickly as possible, but not to the detriment of other road users and pedestrians. And that includes obeying all the traffic laws (like stopping at a red light!).

A lot of cycle lanes are designed badly, in that when you come to an adjoining road, you have to stop and give way (or at least check) to other traffic. On the road you have the same rights of way as the cars, so don't have to stop.

My usual cruising speed is around 17-20mph, which is easy to maintain, but not so easy if you are having to slow down or stop every 100 yards or so

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

yeah a bit like men who design maternity and baby gear!!!

cyclists
 

I totally agree that cyclists should be licenced and STRCTLY adhere to the rules of the road and highway code. They should get the same fines as other road users. When I was a kid (long time ago) we used to be terrified if we rode on the pavement or only had one brake working etc and saw a policeman. In fact we would be stopped and given a good lecturing to if caught.

Charlie B.

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

I agree that cyclists should have to wear a helmet by law like you have to wear a seat belt, i agree that they should make more and improve on the cycling paths and i agree there should be a test to be taken for the proficiency of cyclists.

But i dont agree they should be taxed on cycling!

1) It's a lot healthier to cycle, Theres a lot of hoo har about obesity these days.

2) Push bikes dont really damage the roads as cars do.

3) It is some peoples only way of getting about they cant afford a car, so wont be able to afford a tax system.

4) Bikes dont damage the ozone layer with wild gases.

If people are taught how to use their bike properly and the road system as well there should be less problems with cyclists their is no need to start taxing the cyclist the big thing at the moment is to try to get people to start taking their bike to work and leave their car at home.

If you got a bike instead of a car then you would'nt pay road tax either.

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

At least there is someone here who is not dead against cyclists - I was beginning to feel a bit outnumbered...

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

I am not against cyclists. I do believe that they should have to be tested, be accountable, wear helmets and have some form of insurance. This is for their own safety and the safety of others. I wouldn't agree with them paying road tax.

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

I agree with mummiboo and lettie 100% :) And I'm not against cyclists, just bad cyclists as I am bad drivers!

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

i'm not really against anybody exept dipsticks and wallys.

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

Just for the record, I'm not against cyclists as a species either. I'm against the cycling twerp, not his opposite number, the responsible cyclist. ;)

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

From the Road Users Alliance Annual handbook 2004

Fuel Tax Paid £22.1bn
VED Paid £ 4.6bn
Vat on vehicles £ 6.8bn
Vat on fuel £ 5.6bn
Company Car Tax £ 3.1bn

Total £ 42.2bn

Road Spending £ 6.7bn

Government Waste £ 35.5bn

Not really any point in taxing cyclists if motorists are being that generous!

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

looking at those figures uncle mick if correct,to me its more a case of the government being mean,and ripping us off,but whats new?

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

well the guy who desighned accringtons one way system didnt have a driving licence so i guess it is possible

i forget his name but from what ive heard he got pushed out onto blackburn and look whats happening to their traffic setup now lol

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

After we have finished with cyclists, can we have a go at horse riders please, they really get up my nose.

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

Same here. One went past me the order day, what an awful stink. Why anyone would want to sit on such a foul smelling thing is beyond me. I think the rider should be fined for not removing its very large manure from the road.

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

Once of a day there would have been someone waiting to remove the manure, to place it on his/her garden, good for the roses :)
Are the horse riders still using rhyddings park?

Re: OK, now let's get the cyclists
 

If you are a member of the cycle club who wear red and white and were riding in Langho a couple of weeks ago. Next time I am not stopping!

I was turning up York Lane in Langho on the second on 2 mini roundabouts next to each other. Coming up the road was about 30 or more bikes, two wide. I was indicating that I was turning right and I had right of way. Did they stop? Did they bol****s. I left it to the last minute to stop on purpose. I was round the roundabout and about midway into the group. About 4 at the back stopped quickly, a few in the middle almost fell of sideways in shock that there were actually cars on the road. The front few stopped just a little further on. Unfortunately I had the children in the car so I could not shout the apropriate abuse at them. I just suggested they read the highway code.

Looking back I wish someone had a video camera at the time.

Having a few cyclist pictures stuck on the side of the car is better than hedgehogs anyday. ( Bring back repeats of Not The Nine O'Clock News please. )