Within the world of cycling, it’s possible to get involved in endless debates. Sometimes you can’t go out on a ride without feeling part of a philosophical and existential discussion.
- Should I wear a helmet? If I don’t, wear a helmet will I be liable if I get knocked over?
- Where in the road should I cycle? The D o T may one metre from edge, but if cycle there, perhaps I will be run off the road by an impatient van driver?
- What to wear? – should it be like the aficionados of cool / cycle chic or should I dress up like a fluorescent Christmas tree so motorists might be more inclined to see me?
- If a motorist cuts me up should I seek to educate him or take it on the chin?
- Is it really the end of the world to cycle on a pavement or should we have more advocates for shared pavement use?
- Should we have segregated lanes? or should we just learn to love all other road users (and hope they love us back)
- And you wouldn’t believe the debates time trialists have on the best place to race (i.e dual carriageways vs sporting courses)
On the other hand, you could forget all these questions and remain oblivious to what others may think. Just get on your bike and pedal for the sheer enjoyment of it. It’s really quite simple cycling. It’s like anything, if you want you can get into an argument you can always find them (you can even pay to have an argument a la Monty Python) But, sometimes it’s best just to concentrate on enjoying cycling and leave all the endless debates to other people.
If you read some cycling forums you might be put off cycling for life, but once you get on the bike and u apply a bit of common sense, it can be really good fun. There are going to be the inevitable incidents where cars don’t give you enough room e.t.c. But, you don’t have to spend all your ride thinking about it. Sometimes it’s best not to get hung up on perceived injustices, but just be determined to enjoy it.
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I don’t know if this is a british thing or universal among cyclists – but it doesn’t help either the sporting or utility side of cycling – we are always arguing amongst ourselves about what is best and therefore we don’t get anywhere!