Comments on: Perspective of A Motorist

By: david

david — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 06:31:51 +0000

yes clive, I always wait at lights and was at these lights:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&safe=on&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Canterbury,+Kent+CT3+2BB,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.378809,1.383285&spn=0,0.005472&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=51.378965,1.383129&panoid=z2Bj6WRxKkr9VGTQhBR8LA&cbp=12,105.26,,0,-0.12

and waiting in the right hand lane to get to my work at the hospital (my lane on red) I always wait on my bicycle in the queue of traffic slap bang in the middle of the lane.

some idiot on a bicycle filtered past me and totally jumped the lights in my lane with the intention (as it turned out of going straight on not turning right at all.

Im afraid I gave him a mouthful and a dose of my air zound. he gave me a mouthful back …..idiot.

By: Clive

Clive — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 09:10:33 +0000

Interesting article. I have recently started cycling home from work. Only a couple of days a week. I cycle from the City (St. Pauls) to Virginia Water in Surrey. I’m still getting used to city cycling, but I have observed that taxi and bus drivers in particular seem very aware of me as a cyclist which is great. Closer to home you need to be a little more cautious about overtaking a stationary bus as they don’t seem to be as aware of cyclists. And every now and again, I get the “lad” who thinks he is really funny by giving me very little room, hitting his horn and swerving in just as he passes!

I do personally have a gripe with cyclists though. I have lost count of the number of times I have stopped for a red light only to see a cyclist ride straight through. It really annoys me both as a driver and cyclist. Some people really do believe they are not subject to the rules because they are cyclists – however, I stress this is a very small minority. I don’t know why they assume they can just ride through the light? Maybe the thrill of jumping a light or fighting with traffic that’s turning in their path is a thrill for them…Who knows?!

But, from that perspective, I can see why drivers can have a low opinion of cyclists.

By: jol

jol — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:34:11 +0000

Pretty close agreement to all you say! But some extra stuff. I seem to be regarded as an eccentric because I ride a bike. Never mind the 3000 miles of “free” (6 inner tubes and 3 tyres, Thanks Puncture fairy!) commuter cyling that I have done this year. A colleague of mine was disappointed to learn that I had lost my driving licence and I had not had the nerve to tell any one! News to me too. There seems to be a difference between those who ride a bike thoughtfully and carefully as opposed to those who just cause terror and belive they have a right to go anywhere at any time. Locally a pedestrian has been killed by a cyclist on a footpath, and there now at last seems to be a little sense prevailing. However there is a couple (alternate days) who pull a trailer along a 3 mile commute to school on a busy footpath. Pedestrians have to walk in the road to avoid them, something wrong there? Personally I can’t stand being linked with the “stealth” cyclists who seem to think they have ninja like abilities on the public highway. Yes good article

By: Road Tax in UK | Cycling UK

Road Tax in UK | Cycling UK — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:35:11 +0000

[...] I am a motorist, but, would welcome higher taxes on [...]

By: Min

Min — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:42:48 +0000

I have been caught out without lights or with fading batteries before so I always feel I can’t really criticize other people for cycling without lights. Having said that I did once nearly run over a kid on a bike once. It was night and raining, I pulled up to a junction and looked right through my rain soaked window. Nothing. I looked forward and began to pull out when a child on a bike wearing dark clothing and with no lights or reflectors shot across in front of me. I did not see him at all, the combination of rain and dark made him invisible.

By: jolly

jolly — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:37:09 +0000

I cycle 20 to 30 miles every day what ever the weather, in the dark in the rain sun ect. I try not to use a car and cycle for the shopping and my work. I have big panniers with reflective strips, good lights, reflective jacket. From my experience when it is tipping it down cars will pass within inches at speed, with no attempt to slow, and no regard for oncoming motorists, but on a bright sunny day are quite prepared to patiently wait behind.

By: Reflective Clothing | Cycling UK

Reflective Clothing | Cycling UK — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:36:45 +0000

[...] my previous post – perspective of a motorist, I mentioned my biggest grievance about cyclists was that they were often difficult to see. The [...]