Oh dear, once again a fellow cyclist has effectively asked me to reply to Rover’s letter. Why me, is it because practically all cyclists know that Society in general ignores cyclists’ needs, resulting in many modern bicycle riders ignoring Society’s demands, and I am one of the few who is foolish enough to hope things will eventually change?
First let me say I, and many cyclists do not condone the behaviour of some bicycle riders. It is a pity we cannot differentiate between the two. Rover suggests that all bicycle riders should take a test etc. but we all know that the Driving Test etc does not turn someone behind the wheel into a law abiding courteous, competent driver, even if they have insurance etc. which many don’t.
He says a rider was riding down the middle of his side of the road ignoring an Ambulance that wanted to get past. Could there be a reason for this? First let’s take the middle of the road bit. The Highway Code says “Leave plenty of room when passing parked vehicles and watch out for doors being opened or pedestrians stepping into your path”. Is it possible the cyclist was simply following the Highway Code? At other times it is often necessary for your own safety to take up a commanding position on the road so that incompetent or inconsiderate motorists are not tempted to squeeze past in a dangerous fashion. Next, is it not possible that the cyclist was deaf? As cyclists we frequently have to consider this when pedestrians, particularly dog walkers using long leads stray across our path. I find it difficult to believe the cyclist was just being inconsiderate, but some motorists behave the same and we are all human beings.
Rover complains about cyclists ignoring Red Lights, I wonder why some crossings have cameras to catch motorists doing exactly the same thing, but I guess Rover isn’t aware of that. Cyclists shouldn’t run Red Lights but it is not unusual for the traffic light sequence to be such that a cyclist setting off when the lights are green for him that the opposing lights have changed to green before he has had time to clear the crossing.
“Cyclists should look behind them” Cyclists have to look forward to judge likely changes to traffic conditions, sideways to see what the motorist who is too close alongside them is likely to do, behind them to see what the following motorist is likely to do, and down to try to avoid the innumerable pot-holes etc that are a hazard on our roads. I suggest Rover tries it. Get one wrong and you get hurt. The motorist encased in a crumple designed vehicle and secured by seat belt has nowhere near the same self preservation rules to follow. Furthermore Rover says the cyclists should stop and wait until there is a gap before they pull out. What an absolutely selfish attitude. Why should cyclists have to wait for motorists, are they so more important? And don’t let’s start the “I pay my road tax” nonsense. How about giving the cyclists a bit of space?
Finally, because I too could go on for ages. Rover says “Yes I hate cyclists”. Change the word cyclists to -say Pakistanis - and Rover might find himself up against the Race Relations Board. Regrettably Cyclists do not have such a champion. I am sure he doesn’t really mean it. Is it just possible that he is jealous that commuting cyclists can frequently be quicker over their journey than congestion enraged motorists?
