Most people at some time in their life have ridden a bike, so it is not surprising that there are inconsiderate cyclists, just as there are inconsiderate motorists and pedestrians. These are some bad habits that cyclists do.
Riding through Red Lights. If there is a pedestrian crossing, with no one there, I do not mind too much if a cyclist cycles through them. True it is wrong, but, it is also wrong for motorists to break the speed limit. The difference is that riding through a pedestrian crossing does not place anyone in danger. However, when bike riders casually go through ordinary traffic lights, often causing cars to have to slow down, it gets me annoyed. It is dangerous for the cyclist and also irritates drivers. This makes drivers much less sympathetic to cyclists, making it harder for all cyclists.
Riding On Pavements. Quite often I see a road with big 4*4′s thundering along very close to the curb, I then see a young child cycling on the pavement, quite slowly. Who can blame parents for wanting their young children to cycle on the pavement? Nevertheless we also see cyclists disdainfully charging across some pedestrian zones. If you do have to take a route on a pavement a cyclist should dismount, or at least go no faster than walking pace, giving way to pedestrians where necessary.
No Lights. Riding at dark with no lights (and often no reflective clothes) is dangerous and a very bad habit. I would be quite happy if the police started fining cyclists as a deterrent.
See also:
- Bad Cyclists and Bad Motorists – Who are Worse?
Cyclists and motorists are equally bad.
Militant cyclists who ride on the footpath, run red lights and ignore pedestrian crossings, plus riding in packs at 10mph and blocking the road, are a total pain and should be arrested. Drivers who use mobile phones, speed through villages etc. are no better and deserve to be banned.
I wish that both groups would JUST STOP PASSING THE BUCK AND ALL OBEY THE HIGHWAY CODE! It is that simple.