|   Riding on the Road | Chris Lopez
May 22, 2003 5:43 AM | | Here in the UK lately cyclists have been coming under attack for their Road etiquette.
Complaints by motorist range from things like "Cyclists always jump the lights" (an offence I am guilty of), "They use the pavement" (again me all over) and things like "You can't see them" (personally I always wear a yellow jacket when I'm on the road). I think though recently a trend of using a really loud Referee's Whistle to get pedestrians off the damn road when they are about to step into the path of your fast moving bike has been the one of the biggest gripes I've heard. Personally I can't see too much of a problem with this as in Heavy Traffic a poncy little bell is never going to be heard.
I also think that car drivers have a bit of a cheek moaning especially in the UK. I could sit here and recount horror story after horror story about near misses and nasty accidents caused by careless drivers. I also think that in the UK the facilities for using your bike safely on the road are appaling with a lack of well maintained (or even any) cycle lanes along the busy routes.
I have used a bike, car and a van at various different times on the roads and personally I've never had a problem with cyclists even before I started cycling.
I was just wondering if anyone had any opinions on this or could give me any ammunition for my arguments? |
| I hear ya..... | FreeRangeChicken
May 22, 2003 6:36 AM | | I grew up in Kansas..... the midwest part of the US. Farm country. For the most part, if people are going somewhere, they are driving. Don't see may bikes on the road there. I moved to the Boulder, Colorado area about 5.5 years ago where I got pretty heavy into cycling. There are tons of cyclists here.
Well, I went home to Kansas for a visit. I took my bike with me so I could cruise around town. So I was cruising down this four lane road.... pretty low traffic..... and some lady pulls up beside me wagging her finger at me and yelling at me to ride on the sidewalk.
Ride on the sidewalk? I haven't ridden my bike on the sidewalk since I was 5 years old!
I've had a few near misses myself. It amazes me how people have so little respect for human life. On the other hand, I've seen a lot of really stupid cyclists. I've seen a lot of cyclists do a lot of disrespectful(stupid) things. Bottom line, if we want respect on the roads as cyclists, we need to give respect. |
| I/ve all but... | The Cliffsta
May 22, 2003 1:55 PM | | ..given up on riding my mtb down the street. live Louisiana, where it is like suicide to ride on roads. Bubba in the f150 or Louise in the Moustang (everyone has the stupid things) are always gunnin for ya. |
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