Driving Standards

[hash tag]

As a (sometimes Lycra-clad) commuter cyclist of 35 years, I would love it if the UK culture was changed so that ‘ordinary’ people cycled.

For that to happen requires a positive commitment to change from political leaders including a commitment to incorporate safe cycling infrastructure into every new road scheme.

Instead what we have in the UK is a massive road building programme with no thought for cycling; indeed we are going backwards with cycle infrastructure being removed in some places. Even in London look at the kick back there has been to the few integrated cycle highways. Look at the row about closing off the Outer Circle in Regent’s Park to cars. Look at what is happening in the Olympic Park.

For anyone who wants ordinary people to feel safe to cycle, please support cycle infrastructure generally. Please recognise that it means that motor vehicles need to take a lower priority. And please hold back from the easy attacks on Lycra warriors - we are ordinary people too who just want to be able to cycle safely.

You clearly haven't been to London. Outside my door ten's of millions have been spent on a single cycle route. The majority of people that now ride bikes are not "cyclists" but people who ride bikes.
i used to commute 50 + miles a day a got my average speed up to 20+ mph. I used to wear baggy cycling shorts which were lined with seam free padding, though I often wore full Lycra...its the seams that can get you.

 

[Proper Tidy]

You clearly haven't been to London. Outside my door ten's of millions have been spent on a single cycle route. The majority of people that now ride bikes are not "cyclists" but people who ride bikes.
i used to commute 50 + miles a day a got my average speed up to 20+ mph. I used to wear baggy cycling shorts which were lined with seam free padding, though I often wore full Lycra...its the seams that can get you.

I tried the baggy cycling shorts, found them worse than no padding, reverted to tight lycra with baggy shorts over top

 

[Winot]

You clearly haven't been to London. Outside my door ten's of millions have been spent on a single cycle route. The majority of people that now ride bikes are not "cyclists" but people who ride bikes.
i used to commute 50 + miles a day a got my average speed up to 20+ mph. I used to wear baggy cycling shorts which were lined with seam free padding, though I often wore full Lycra...its the seams that can get you.

Erm... I live there...

What’s been done in London is a good start but protected cycle routes are about 2% of the capital’s roads iirc.

 

[hash tag]

Perhaps the greatest thing that would help is a change in mentality amongst all road users with more respect for each other. If that did happen, and I doubt it will, there wouldn't be a need for cycle facilities

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Try cycling without a padded arse, impossible. Absolute arse pain. Unless you are riding a sit up and beg but that's the cycle equivalent of a nissan micra. So then it's just a case of do you wear lycra cycling shorts with normal shorts over top, or just the lycra. I never got past the lycra shorts with normal shorts over top but really there is no point so

What’s the issue with Nissan Micras?

And buy a decent saddle, or change your diet to sort out your Chalfonts.

 

[hash tag]

Saddle sores can be an issue even for hardened pro riders. Good chamois will help prevent this How to Diagnose, Treat, and Avoid Saddle Sores

 

[sleaterkinney]

If the roads/traffic were more cyclist friendly then we would see more variety of cyclists, but many people don't fancy dealing with frustrated middle managers trying to shore up their egos.

 

[Proper Tidy]

What’s the issue with Nissan Micras?

Dunno, don't you drive an audi

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Dunno, don't you drive an audi

Yeah, and when we see the Micras in the far left lane they look nice enough...

 

[Saul Goodman]

frustrated middle managers trying to shore up their egos.

Do you reckon that's why they spend thousands on silly looking bikes? I always assumed it was a mid-life crisis thing but you may well be right.

 

[hash tag]

Yeah, and when we see the Micras in the far left lane they look nice enough...

You can't knock a Micra. Mrs ts was nearly 20 when she gave her away. No repairs ever necessary, his servicing and she never missed a beat. The Micra is still going strong.

"silly bikes".. Motorbikes or pedal bikes?

 

[Saul Goodman]

"silly bikes".. Motorbikes or pedal bikes?

Those carbon ones that make it look like you're always riding downhill.

 

[sleaterkinney]

Do you reckon that's why they spend thousands on silly looking bikes? I always assumed it was a mid-life crisis thing but you may well be right.

No, that's motorists I'm talking about.

 

[sleaterkinney]

This thread is about shit drivers, there are another couple of threads in the forum for Clarksons to have their bantz.

 

[Saul Goodman]

This thread is about shit drivers, there are another couple of threads in the forum for Clarksons to have their bantz.

It's about driving standards for all road users. Good and bad, including cyclists.

 

[Spymaster]

This vid pretty much sums up London cyclists. Check out the dickhead at 0.35 secs. Absolutely typical though:

 

[Saul Goodman]

This vid pretty much sums up London cyclists. Check out the dickhead at 0.35 secs. Absolutely typical though:

He could easily have killed that guy crossing the road. Cunts like him should have their bike confiscated and crushed, but then 90% of London cyclists would be in tears.

 

[sleaterkinney]

It's about driving standards for all road users. Good and bad, including cyclists.

You don't drive a bicycle ffs.

 

[Saul Goodman]

You don't drive a bicycle ffs.

You're right, I don't. But I do ride a motorbike and I drive a car occasionally.

 

[Spymaster]

He could easily have killed that guy crossing the road. Cunts like him should have their bike confiscated and crushed ...

Half the time when you see that they shout abuse at the ped too.

 

[nick]

Yep there is some atrocious riding in that video - and some not so dangerous. Also a few people on bikes waiting at the lights - which seems strange is a video concentrating on Red Light Jumpers.
Agree the one almost taking out a pedestrian should feel the full force of the law. I don't think he is typical of all cyclists though

I still think that these days (in London commutes, in my anecdotal experience) the vast majority, say 80-90% of people on bikes stop at lights . The ones that don't give us all a bad image and encourage the same kind of bell- end attitude from car users that seems to have infected this thread.

It actually feels to have got a bit more law abiding these days - perhaps all of the stupider miscreants have now become entrants for the Darwin awards?

 

[Saul Goodman]

Half the time when you see that they shout abuse at the ped too.

Yeah, I've seen it. Cunts like that are never in the wrong. If that cunt was posting on here, he'd be telling everyone what a great rider he is, and that he rarely sees people jumping red lights

 

[Spymaster]

It actually feels to have got a bit more law abiding these days -

You think? I haven't noticed any difference. I certainly think the number driving with no, or crap, lights has increased.

 

[Artaxerxes]

Are headlights getting brighter or are there just more people putting fog lights on full whack for no reason?

 

[T & P]

Are headlights getting brighter or are there just more people putting fog lights on full whack for no reason?

They are getting brighter, sometimes far too much so. There have been various stories and reports about the issue.

The worst offending headlamps are most invariably always fitted as standard on wanker high end cars nowadays.

 

[Saul Goodman]

Are headlights getting brighter or are there just more people putting fog lights on full whack for no reason?

Headlights are getting brighter. Gone are the days of the 7" Lucas sealed beam. It's all HID and LED now.

 

[IC3D]

Are headlights getting brighter or are there just more people putting fog lights on full whack for no reason?

They are and its annoying esp on Rangerovers.
I regulary drive through Norfolk and shout this at people. Must get some driving gloves.

 

[Proper Tidy]

I've got those auto lights on my car now and they seem to be on pretty much all the time, in light where I would never have stuck lights on when it was manual in my old cars. I know I can turn them off but find the auto thing handy cos I used to be terrible for forgetting for a few minutes pulling out of car parks and that.

 

[IC3D]

This vid pretty much sums up London cyclists. Check out the dickhead at 0.35 secs. Absolutely typical though:

Id rather ride a bike with two flat tires home than step into that cheery fuckers cab.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

I've got those auto lights on my car now and they seem to be on pretty much all the time, in light where I would never have stuck lights on when it was manual in my old cars. I know I can turn them off but find the auto thing handy cos I used to be terrible for forgetting for a few minutes pulling out of car parks and that.

Don't be like me, hire a car without them and come out the next day to find the battery flat...