Do we not deserve our bad rep?

[dondare]

It's the attitude to cycling, not the presence of green paint and raised kerbs, that determines how safe it is.

 

[dondare]

Are we really bothered about having a bad rep?? Why is it so bad to have a bad rep among ''cyclists'' and do we really care?

Do you accept that blatant illegal behaviour by cyclists infuriates non-cyclists? If you don't then it's in defiance of a lot of evidence that it does.

 

[Zorg]

Not to pick on you specifically, but why do you think cycle lanes would make life any better here in the UK? Cycling in the Netherlands is really good and safe in spite of the cycle lanes, not because of them.

Good point. As dondare says below, it's the attitude that's most important.

 

[BentMikey]

They're not that good if you want to go somewhere fast, and they still have priority confusion problems at junctions.

 

[dondare]

A Dutch friend of mine told me that these lanes are only good for pottering and cyclists who want to get somewhere in real time use the real roads.

 

[BentMikey]

p.s. I am Dutch, btw.

 

[dondare]

Do you use the cycle lanes or the roads?

 

[HF2300]

...the presence of green pain...

Sounds really bad

 

[ferret fur]

Show me

What you mean like every cycling related story in the newspapers, every phone-in about cycling, every time there is a non-cycling message board which mentions cycling, every time you have an incident with a non cycling road user & they use it as a defence to excuse their poor driving, the issue being mentioned in most casual conversations about cycling with non-cyclists? The DfT report into drivers attitudes to cyclists quoted elsewhere in this forum? Otherwise what sort of evidence would you like?

 

[mickle]

What ferret fur said.

 

[tdr1nka]

IMO, in London, the majority of motorists who have no respect for cyclists in general have come to this decision thru the actions of RLJ-ing, non light carrying pavement cyclists.

I don't do any of these things and never have yet I get abuse based on the assumption that I do. This is my general experience after 20 years cycling in London.

 

[summerdays]

Well I was walking this morning and in about less than half a mile I saw at least 16 cyclists, of which 2 were on the pavement (one of which was a kid), and none went through a red light, though that could just be down to the fact they weren't at the lights when they were red.

Having said that ... I'm working on the other side of town this week and there it is definately a different attitude where almost half were cycling on the pavements even though it wasn't even a busy road.

 

[tdr1nka]

Being shouted at for taking my place on the road, being overtaken deliberately close and then pulled in on, nothing I can't handle but unecessary and potentially dangerous none the less.

I also end up having to defend myself at parties etc. when people find out that I am a cycling instructor and then choose to berate me on the very subject of all cyclists being RLJ-ing, non light carrying pavement riders.

This is my personal experience Lee and not really open to your interpretations.

 

[mickle]

Being shouted at for taking my place on the road, being overtaken deliberately close and then pulled in on, nothing I can't handle but unecessary and potentially dangerous none the less.

I also end up having to defend myself at parties etc. when people find out that I am a cycling instructor and then choose to berate me on the very subject of all cyclists being RLJ-ing, non light carrying pavement riders.

This is my personal experience Lee and not really open to your interpretations.

I had the very same conversation with the Mayor and Mrs Mayor of Southampton during an event to promote cycling.


'Ooooh they are a danger etc'.

I put them right.

 

[tdr1nka]

I am sorry for expressing my opinion. Has a bit of irony that does it not...cyclechat

One opinion that holds very little sway over years of actual experience I might add.

Don't be sorry for expressing your opinion, I personally don't mind if you happen to be a tad misguided over certain issues.