Cycling: issues/noticeboard

[Ladymuck]

Given that we have a plethora of cycling/cylist/bike threads scattered all over the place, I thought I would create a little space here specifically for bike issues. Feel free to comment, advise, rant, rave on anything bike related.

Personally, I'd like to start with the proposition that there should be a Cycling Act. As far as I am aware there isn't one. Instead, legislation and rules governing cycling/cyclists are found in other Statutes, Statutory Orders, Bye-laws, Regulations, The Highway Code - you name it. Moreover, any rules/laws are very fragmented and piecemeal which makes accessing them difficult.

As clause 1 of this Act I would insist that all pedal cycles are registered on a National Database (which would have to be set up).

[womanofdulwich]

All cyclists should have to drive a car for 20 mins and visa versa.( Don't get me started on white vans)

[HonaloochieB]

Perhaps the abolition of bicycles as a mode of work-related tranport and then licenced as sport-only vehicles.

Tricycles with weatherproof carts attached would be supplied free of charge by local authorities to those who wished to 'trike' it.

Done so on the basis that they would have to pick up people and deliver them to an agreed destination.

Thereupon the passenger would be at liberty to give the 'triker' what he thought the trip was worth.

I think it might work.

Anyone got any good anagrams for 'rickshaw'?

[Ladymuck]

I agree that all drivers should spend some time on a bicycle if only to make them appreciate just how vulnerable cyclists are on our busy London roads. As for getting cyclists to drive a car, that would of course only be possible where the cyclist is of driving age.

White vans? Hmmmm...not nearly as bad as black cab/bus drivers though, in my experience.

[Ladymuck]

So HB, you are advocating either:

No Wheels to Ride

or

The Wheel of the Quivering Meat Conception.

Right?

[HonaloochieB]

Ladymuck Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> So HB, you are advocating either:

>

> No Wheels to Ride

>

> or

>

> The Wheel of the Quivering Meat Conception.

>

> Right?

I was pondering for a moment as to what Mott related reply I could come up with to your great response.

I looked at the time and then of course it had to be

Midnight LadyMuck.

[Ladymuck]

Ah yes, HB...just ensure you behave After Lights.

[Mick Mac]

You love that Bold button LM.

[Ladymuck]

You noticed MM...ahhhh

[Mick Mac]

Bold

[Ladymuck]

I'd say that was pretty audacious

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Whack sir?

[ImpetuousVrouw]

Fixed penalty fine for cars and vans for sitting or parking in the cycle box at lights or cycle lanes.

[citizenED]

I've been cycling to work for ten years in London; On balance, drivers are generally polite and patient. They largely give me time and space. Some cock beeped me yesterday when I had the audacity to keep my place in a queue of traffic and he took exception to it. It had a little bit of "afters" in it, you got in my way mate so I'm letting you know. Storm in a tea cup. It was the first time anyone tooted me in a long time.

[ImpetuousVrouw]

Cyclists are not blocking traffic, they are traffic. I get pissed off with selfish car drivers.

[Ladymuck]

I have to agree wth CitizenED, drivers are generally OK. Some cyclists can be pretty idiotic too - it has to be said. And don't get me started on cyclists who jump the red lights - no wonder we don't command a great deal of respect on the roads!

[ImpetuousVrouw]

Pedestrians who step into the road in front of you when you are cycling are a big hazard.

[wazmataz]

I've been cycling to work for a couple of years and completely agree with IV and LM. If you cycle on the road, abide by the rules of the road!

[Ladymuck]

Problem is, many cyclists aren't aware of some of the rules/laws; not going over the white line when stationary at traffic lights (assuming they have bothered to stop in the first place) is a classic example.

[ImpetuousVrouw]

I would like there to be equal emphasis on other road users sticking to the rules, such as not using mobile phones whilst driving, not sitting in the junction box if there is no clear exit and getting ready to stop when the lights are turning red not speeding up. Also no stopping on red routes or parking far from the kerb. No u-turns at junctions with no u-turn signs etc.

I have had near misses because of all of the above and the consequences to me for cars/buses/vans/trucks failing to comply would be far worse than a cyclist could possibly cause for any infringements of the rules they might make.

[woofmarkthedog]

Cycling ART..?

Here's one ( on loan ) from my groundbreaking RubbishTM "collection" of StreetArt?

I just want to be "Frame-ous"? 2010

Artist: UN_known

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4624062994_2bfc5af9f8_m.jpg

It's a marvelous piece, filled with both anticipation and doubt

Note it's blue frame & rusted orange parts, a reference to a Tory & LibDem coalition ( surely that bit is obvious )

But with no front wheel, how is this "vehicle" going to roll out anything new ?

It is in this monstrous "urbane" proposition that we have pinned our hopes

Is it fear or the machine which haunts us

Indeed...

W**F

* elastic bands & scotch draughting tape fall to the floor *

[DaveR]

Going back to the very first post, what would be the purpose of the National Database, and how do you justify making it compulsory?

More generally, there have been stacks of threads on here about bikes and cars which have pretty much always descended into "bloody cyclists, jumping red lights and riding on the pavements" vs "bloody car drivers, think they own the road" - not v. productive.

I cycle and drive, and I suspect there are very few cyclists who don't also drive, whereas suspect the majority of drivers don't also cycle. I have some dificulty getting outraged about the behaviour of cyclists because the actual risk of serious harm to anybody other than the individual cyclist is tiny (there are anecdotal examples, obviously, but the stats don't lie). Drivers, on the other hand, need to be aware that relatively minor bits of bad driving can have serious or fatal consequences for cyclists, and the risk is substantial. In my experience of commuting by bike for the last couple of years, most drivers understand this and drive accordingly, but there remains a minority who appear to resent the presence of cyclists on the road and drive like idiots.

[wazmataz]

And don't get me started on shoulder checks...

ImpetuousVrouw Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I would like there to be equal emphasis on other

> road users sticking to the rules, such as not

> using mobile phones whilst driving, not sitting in

> the junction box if there is no clear exit and

> getting ready to stop when the lights are turning

> red not speeding up. Also no stopping on red

> routes or parking far from the kerb. No u-turns

> at junctions with no u-turn signs etc.

>

> I have had near misses because of all of the above

> and the consequences to me for

> cars/buses/vans/trucks failing to comply would be

> far worse than a cyclist could possibly cause for

> any infringements of the rules they might make.

[Ladymuck]

DaveR Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Going back to the very first post, what would be

> the purpose of the National Database

The maintenance of a register of bikes and their owners.

>...and how do

> you justify making it compulsory?

On the grounds of traceability, the identification of cyclists/bikes, simplification of insurance claims/police reports, the ability to reunite owners with lost/stolen bikes - just a few ideas.

My suggestion was merely hypothetical, but I am flattered that you have chosen to take it as seriously as you have :)).

[Horsebox]

I'm pretty much in agreement with DaveR. Threads about cycling have a tendency to become repetitive slanging matches and I notice this one has already been filled up with a decent amount of unreadable crap and only 3 posts in - well done!

Not sure there's much to say that hasn't been said before on previous threads - cyclist gripes vs motorist gripes - but I am interested to know how LM proposes such a scheme should be funded and including ALL bikes - even kids bikes as well?

Also, how would it be enforced and what penalties for non-compliance, refusal to register?