Cycle ride throughout UK

Yes Melinda, that is the trend nowadays I understand. But my interest in that sense is long gone i am afraid.

 

Unfortunately I must agree. The frustrating thing is it doesn't have to be that way. If everyone obeyed the rules (including the one about paying full attention at all times, and the one about always driving/riding at a speed so that you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear), then it would be safe for all.

Now here's the bit where the drivers and the cyclists usually start pointing fingers at each other. The truth is, while there are good drivers, and good cyclists, there is also bad in both groups (and lets not forget that many cyclists are themselves also drivers).

Drivers should be constantly aware that cyclists have equal right to use the roads and should be treat with courtesy. Cyclists should also be aware that cars are allowed on the roads and can usually go much faster, so when you come up behind two cyclists riding side by side at 10 mph, and they know you're behind them but don't drop into single file, they should know that all they are doing is alienating people and increasing the risk of an accident because sooner or later the car driver is going to overtake on a blind bend to get past them.

 

cyclists should also pay road tax , be licensed and have insurance,i hate hate hate cycle pests:gaagh:

 

I once very nearly wiped out a whole group of cyclists. I'm one of those drivers that doesn't like to take unnecessary risks, which was lucky for the cyclists who were on the wrong side of the road on the same blind bend as I was negotiating, so that we met each other head on. They were really going for it, taking the blind bend on the wrong side of the road as though it was a race track. Good job I was only doing about 30mph (probably less, as it was a very tight blind bend). I hoofed the break pedal and chucked the car to the left, nearly throwing it into some trees. The cyclists jammed on their breaks and swerved to their left (where they should have been in the first place as we are in the UK). Two or three of them missed my bonnet by no more than a couple of feet, and one of them swerved so hard he actually fell off.

Luckily nobody was hurt, but only because I'd been taking it easy and treating the blind bend for the potential hazard it was. Had I have been going a little bit too quick, or if my reactions had been a bit slower, or my brakes or tyres had been a tad more worn, or any number of other very plausible factors had applied, then it would have made the news.

 

disgusting and all to common ,ive yet to meet a considerate cyclist ,they take up all the road refuse to ride in single file,:gaagh::gaagh::gaagh:they make my blood boil and im gonna stop there or i`ll end up flipping out and ranting on forever

 

Some cyclists actually use the mirror on their bike to monitor whether there's traffic being held up behind them and divert into lay-bys, bus tops, wherever to let it past (which is in every one's interest), unlike some slow moving vehicles (like, but not limited to, tractors) that seem blissfully unaware of the tailback of vehicles that's been behind them for miles.