Why does asking drivers to not close pass cyclists cause so much anger?; Storm Eunice: KOM hunting or indoor training?; Pidcock’s in demand; RideLondon route details; Virtual gravel; New kit; Bizarre bike racing + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Storm Eunice: KOM hunting or indoor training?
Good luck to everyone biking to work tomorrow 🤣 #StormEunice pic.twitter.com/4nXzRPjlnJ
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) February 17, 2022
It’s a bit blustery out there…
> Cycling in the wind? Get these 11 secrets to beating the gusts
Secret number one? Stay at home and hit the indoor trainer…
Unless you’re training for the Dutch Headwind Champs, of course…
Tom Pidcock's in demand as contract talks continue
I mean is this really a surprise to anyone? One of the best cyclists in the world is wanted by some of the best cycling teams in the world, hardly a plot twist, is it? Anyway, Tom Pidcock’s contract with Ineos Grenadiers is slowly ticking down. It doesn’t expire until the end of 2023, but when you’re as big a talent as Pidcock, talks start early…
VeloNews is reporting Pidcock confirmed to them that there are other teams interested in his signature, and claim at least two other WorldTour teams have their sights set on the 22-year-old. It is believed the number €3-4 million per season is being talked about as some of the bike industry’s biggest names fight to have the multi-disciplinarian representing their brands.
“Of course, I’m going to stay in the sport longer than this year, so there are contract negotiations going on. There is interest but that’s all I’ll say,” he told VeloNews.
Pro cycling's back...
Well that was a hectic finish at #Valgarve2022!
Voss and Higuita somehow came together and David Gaudu emerged unscathed to take the win from Samuel Battistella! pic.twitter.com/Pa5rSn0670
— Mathew Mitchell (@MatMitchell30) February 17, 2022
Good to see some downright bizarre bike racing back on our TV screens after the long winter away…
Plenty of British interest too…Ethan Hayter was third on the stage and will be taking his GC challenge to Remco Evenepoel in the TT stage, Classics man Connor Swift was an impressive 14th on the big mountain stage, while Tom Pidcock was 17th. G and Ineos Grenadiers’ new signing Ben Tullett did their work early doors, setting the pace on the lower slopes.
Virtually explore gravel trails across the world in FulGaz’s free six-stage event
Gravel Epic has launched an Off-Road series on the FulGaz virtual training platform, featuring six stages which cover a total distance of 143.67km with 3276m of elevation gain.
The free virtual gravel event starts tomorrow and runs until 6 March, and allows riders to virtually explore gravel trails across the world through the FulGaz app, from the mountainous Austrian Alpenvereinshütte to the Gloucester Spring ride in Maine countryside.
Open to riders of all levels, you can complete the stages at your own pace and at any time – it’s a personal challenge and so there’s no prize for coming first.
In one stage riders can join World Champion mountain biker Paul van der Ploeg on a ride through some of the remote Australian gravel roads hidden out the back of Falls Creek.
Participants also have the chance to win a one-year subscription to FulGaz, as well as entry to Gravel Epic Switzerland, a three-day staged race among the giant snowy peaks of Valais.
You can sign up for free here and also find out more information about each of the stages.
No Mall finish: RideLondon reveals full details of new-look format for 2022
With 100 days to go until the 2022 RideLondon on Sunday 29 May, full details of the event have been announced, including three mass-participation challenges and an eight-mile closed road FreeCycle.
As part of the new partnership with Essex County Council, RideLondon 2022 will include three mass-participation routes starting on Victoria Embankment. The 100-mile option enters Essex via Epping Forest where it will follow a section of stage three of the 2014 Tour de France before returning to the capital for a finish at Tower Bridge.
The 60-mile option follows the 100 for the first 32 miles before heading back to Tower Bridge. Entries cost £50 and will open this afternoon. The 30-mile option costs £25 and also opens this afternoon.
FreeCycle is the other part of the day, and will allow cyclists eight miles of traffic-free roads in central London. It is billed as the “perfect way for a family to see some of London’s most famous landmarks on two wheels. FreeCycle registration will open in March, when the event start times will be revealed.
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of RideLondon, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be bringing RideLondon back in 2022 after the last two editions were cancelled due to the pandemic. We return with exciting new routes into Essex thanks to a new partnership with Essex County Council and an increased ambition for RideLondon to be genuinely for all.”
Pas Normal Studio expands Essentials collection to include women's offerings
Pas Normal Studio (PNS) has expanded its spring/summer Essentials collection to include women’s offerings for the first time as part of its bigger drive to provide more female-specific styles across the whole PNS range.
“We don’t want to just shrink the sizes and change the colours,” says PNS. “We’ve always been driven by constructing and offering fit and functionality that goes above and beyond what you would normally expect from your cycling kit.”
An all-day relaxed fit is provided in the Essential line and the fabrics used are said to be easy to care for, with durability and quick-drying properties in mind. “Essential is our encouragement to get out there and ride,” PNS sums up.
The Essentials line consists of a short sleeve jersey (£155), bib shorts (£220), shield gilet (£200) and shield jacket (£310).
You can find the women’s range here, and the men’s over here.
KOM hunting...
The Needles on the Isle of Wight recorded a wind gust of 122 mph this morning
This is provisionally the highest gust ever recorded in England#StormEunice ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/aNYMnFbMvT
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 18, 2022
Don’t try this at home, and all that…but if ever there was a day to strip James Pett of his Needles KOM, it’s today…if you don’t end up in hospital first…
Alternatively, you could stay indoors and watch the Heathrow planespotter’s live stream on YouTube like us…terrific entertainment.
Michael Mørkøv really is the best leadout man in the peloton
How to make a nice pic? 😅
Ask to @MichaelMorkov and @MarkCavendish 😎@qst_alphavinyl 🐺 pic.twitter.com/8oXaoh0WIi— Fausto Masnada (@masnada_fausto) February 18, 2022
Even when it comes to Instagram, Michael Mørkøv helps Mark Cavendish…
The duo are in the UAE for the start of the WorldTour calendar this Sunday as the UAE Tour kicks off proceedings. Seven stages: four sprints, two summit finishes and one pan-flat TT.
The sprints should be pretty interesting, though, Cav, Sam Bennett, Elia Viviani, Arnaud Démare, Cees Bol, Pascal Ackermann, Dylan Groenewegen, Jasper Philipsen, David Dekker and Mads Pedersen are all down to start Sunday’s opener…
On the GC front, all eyes will be on defending champion and ‘home’ rider Tadej Pogačar.
Founder of MyWindsock in hospital after training incident
All the fair-weather wind enthusiasts (strange phrase) have come out the woodwork today, but for us cycling wind nerds (another strange phrase), how blustery it is, and more importantly where we’re going to get a tailwind, is an everyday obsession.
MyWindsock is always my go-to weather tool for working out where I need to save my legs and where I can expect to fly…it’s a fantastic online tool for taking your ride analysis to the next level.
> Cycling App of the Week: MyWindsock
Unfortunately, today we learned the news that the app’s founder Ben Norbury has suffered a serious incident while training, sustaining injuries including a broken back, neck and facial injuries.
Ben is stable, but hopefully we’ll have better news to report soon…
Egan Bernal "making great progress" but no definitive timeline yet for return to training
Ineos Grenadiers have updated the cycling world on the condition of their star rider Egan Bernal, three weeks on from his training horror crash which left the 25-year-old in intensive care facing multiple rounds of surgery.
> Egan Bernal in intensive care following successful surgery on training crash injuries
The team reported Bernal is “making great progress at home and working with a local rehab clinic where his recovery is going well.”
“At present our medical staff have not set a definitive timeline for when we should expect to see him back on his bike,” read a new medical update from Ineos Grenadiers.
“For the time being he will remain in Colombia until his progression has reached a satisfactory level for him to return to his European base.”
Meme of the day...
Stay safe everyone! pic.twitter.com/9EVYY3RFAm
— Cycling Memes (@Cycling_Memes1) February 18, 2022
A11 reopens after bikes blown off roof rack during Storm Eunice
#A11 Southbound between #Elveden and #Mildenhall fiveways lane 1 closure due to bicycles falling off a roof rack. Lane 2 open caution on approach #1815 pic.twitter.com/LE5InwAuRq
— Norfolk & Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team (@NSRAPT) February 18, 2022
The East Anglian Daily Times is reporting that all lanes of the A11 have now reopened after this morning’s excitement. Two bikes were blown off a vehicle’s roof rack, causing a southbound lane between Elveden and Mildenhall Fiveways to be closed.
The Norfolk & Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team urged people to be cautious if travelling during the 90mph storm.
Right, time to reload that Heathrow live stream…
Unexpected item in the bike lane...Storm Eunice edition
See, protected cyclepaths have all kinds of different user. https://t.co/uh8VSMIjLc
— Rad Wagon (@RadWagon) February 18, 2022
Today's live blog summed up...
UK Twitter right now pic.twitter.com/RMS3HHkfKw
— Peter Campbell (@Petercampbell1) February 18, 2022
At this point I’m just chucking memes at you…right, focus, shut the live stream and get on with some ‘journalism’…
Why does asking drivers to not close pass cyclists cause so much anger?
We have launched our #HighwayCode campaign to raise awareness of the new rules to help protect people walking, cycling and horse riding.
Check the changes, let’s keep each other safe #HighwayCodehttps://t.co/hXWxdJTmX6 pic.twitter.com/r8jQ2Wn0yX
— THINK! Road Safety (@THINKgovuk) February 17, 2022
If you’ve followed our live blog for a while you’ll know all too well about this sort of situation: a police force/road safety body uploads a post to social media asking for a fairly simple action. What usually follows is a whole cesspit of whataboutery and anger, ignoring the fact that the fairly basic request could save someone’s life or, more simply, show basic respect to another human being just trying to get around. Apologies, rant over…
THINK!’s Highway Code campaign aims to address one of the main criticisms of the recent Highway Code changes — that they haven’t been properly communicated to the public. THINK1! hopes to “raise awareness of the new rules to help protect people walking, cycling and horse riding” by sharing a link to a Gov.UK site highlighting eight of the main changes, including the ‘Hierarchy of Road Users’, road positioning and overtaking.
You’d think a basic request to keep others safe on the road would be fairly uncontroversial? Erm, that’s not how the replies to THINK!’s campaign show it…
Cue the whataboutery…
Whilst we are at it can we show cyclists the explanation of the traffic light system, as in red light means stop!
— chris trepte (@thewingateone) February 17, 2022
When approaching a traffic light that is red, you must stop. pic.twitter.com/gwpyu4IsyK
— Feefifofum (@Feefifofum_is_i) February 18, 2022
And the critics…
If the 1.5m is basically driving completly in the opposite lane on a 30mph road, and you’re saying leave more at higher speed where are we ment to drive?? The pavement looks inviting, oh wait can’t do that either. Roads need addressing so cyclists can stay over as far as poss
— Mark Bush (@mjb8028) February 17, 2022
It’s not stupid to the thousand’s of cyclists who are close passed everyday or worse clipped. It’s not impractical if you leave 5 extra minutes for every journey and wait patiently for a safe space to pass.
— Secret Squirrel (@Secret_Squidgle) February 17, 2022
Sack your new brainchild who created such a bullshit idiotic piece of crap 🤣🤣👍
— Leaf (@RickyPa98142625) February 17, 2022
The one positive is that, more than we usually see, there were many comments thanking THINK!, supporting the message and trying to address what the changes actually mean for road users…
The previous rules actually requires that whnovertakîg a bike or a horse or a car, you must be 100q% in the opposing lane . So not much has change s except the comprehension of drivers who haven’t for decades kept up with rule changes
— Peter Johnston🏴🇫🇷🏴🇵🇱🚵🏻🏄🏻🎸 (@kerstratPete) February 17, 2022
Nice. This is very easy to do for a compitent driver. Most drivers do this already but a few lack the skills required.
— venture by bike (@venturebybike) February 17, 2022
We can’t say we’re massive TikTokers here at road.cc, we’ll leave the dancing and avocado cooking to the younger generation, but this one did catch our eye…(mainly because it wasn’t actually on TikTok when we saw it…)
These bus drivers were asked to experience what if feels like as a cyclist, when their buses drive so close to cyclists and startle them by hooting at them. Let’s learn to share our roads fairly, cyclists too have an equal right to use the road as other vehicles. pic.twitter.com/KkYbokzzVa
— Shauri Mûriû (@thangwa_) February 16, 2022
"I think some people just get violently irrational whenever they encounter 'unconventional' behaviour, even when it doesn't negatively affect them at all": A LOT of reader reaction to our question of the day...
It’s supposed to be common sense.. But NO, some motorists feel it violates their rights or something, or they think all cyclists are a menace.
I’ve had cars brush past me at a distance of more or less 1 foot. And I was even on the bike lane. https://t.co/bkI15Iz0NN
— The Wasted Wanderer (@_wastedwanderer) February 18, 2022
Let’s take a timeout from the memes to look at some of the tidal wave of reaction, responses and comments to our main live blog topic of the day (no, not tailwind KOM hunting)…why some seem to become uncontrolably triggered by being asked to not close pass cyclists…
On Facebook, Lis Parsons reckons: “Considering most cyclists also drive, or ride in cars, it makes no sense. I think some people just get violently irrational whenever they encounter ‘unconventional’ behaviour, even when it doesn’t negatively affect them at all.”
Chris Hill got 40 likes for his thought about the role of the media…”Media representation of cyclists is not helping matters. Most ‘cyclists’ do follow the rules of the road, but there some idiots out there that do jump lights etc… and need to be held to account. But to that end there are way more drivers out there that do the same. The car driver (in my experience driving a German manufacture vehicle) can cause a lot of damage to the more vulnerable road user and they need to accept it. The Highway Code changes are not much in the way of change but clarification of what what already there.”
Ben Peach simplified the point…”Simple rule that a lot don’t understand, ‘don’t be a git’.”
Graham Black commented: “Cyclists have an equal right to use the road? Many drivers either don’t know this, or worse, disagree with it. This is where the problem lies.”
I think the reason is the fact there is an entire half a car between them and us (passenger seat) I think in their minds that is actually included in the recommendation?🤷♂️ So even when they close pass there is still space between us and them so why the big deal yanno?
— CillDara Cyclist 🇮🇪 (@swrdz) February 18, 2022
Here on the blog, Mungecrundle commented: “I’m pretty sure that no-one likes being told by a stranger that they are rubbish at a task that they think they are actually quite good at. 90 per cent of drivers rate themselves above average or some such statistic?
“Trying to explain intricacies of road traffic law or quoting HC rules isn’t going to get you anywhere, especially when your protagonist is blind certain that the made up rule they have in their head is incontrovertibly correct.”
brooksby agreed: “I suspect it is because many motorists really don’t like anyone telling them what they can or can’t do: ‘How DARE you advise me on my driving techniques!? I have been driving for years, and have never killed anyone yet’.
“And of course another reason is that so many think that because they saw a cyclist run a red light, this one time, eighteen months ago (while being blind to all the motorists who did the same during that period) then clearly all tax-dodging cyclists riding their toys on the road are Evil Rogues with no respect for the law and who deserve no respect from good law-abiding citizens. Or something like that…”
Crimes against Italy and pasta
It’s @AmalieDiderikse. Amalie puts ketchup on pasta. https://t.co/DucPSl9erk
— Chloe Hosking (@chloe_hosking) February 18, 2022
The UCI must surely open disciplinary proceedings and get to the bottom of this egregious stain on our sport…
18 February 2022, 09:01
18 February 2022, 09:01
18 February 2022, 09:01
18 February 2022, 09:01
18 February 2022, 09:01
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Latest Comments
@Type17 thanks for that
@Didsbury Yes, almost identical - bikes with throttles, >250w motors, assistance past 25km/h / 15.5mph are illegal electric motorbikes, not EAPCs/Pedelecs. I think that the only difference here is that private e-scooters, limited to 20km/h (and other limitations like weight, power, etc), are legal in the RoI for 16+ year-old riders, but enforcement is almost non-existent and illegal e-bikes and scooters are as common as legal versions. I asked a guy with an e-scooter which had full suspension and looked very fast/heavy what its actual maximum speed was, and he admitted that it could do 75km/h / 46mph.
@Type17 Is the Irish legislation on electric motor bikes and scooters etc. actually the same as in the UK?
The problem with capel street is food delivery people on electric motorbikes flying down it. I work near it and walk there frequently and it's a big problem. As for Wiggins, how was his jiffy bag? Still waiting for him to have his say. Also wondering how his charity that paid for his event went tits up.
What's also evident, but somehow hardly ever mentioned, is how much more boring road bikes have become. Black, matte frames, black rims, black parts and components. Give me a nicely colored bike with silver parts any day.
We buy more and more stuff these days; bigger items are becoming cheaper, bikes have more features, are more desirable, it's easier to get around it's easier to sell stuff and the inevitable result is that there's more theft. I've been wrestling with this situation for somewhile and I've come to the conclusion that the answer to the question - should police be protecting the increasing amount of private property that people have - and I'm not sure that the answer is yes. I think we would be better off as a cycling community with our own independent cycling recovery team. it might work in conjunction with the police but you know it doesn't have to take away from police time too much. You might object to the fact that it's not a level playing field with other road vehicles which maybe do have police resources thrown at them. But equally, a stolen car is a lot more dangerous than a stolen bicycle, and it's a lot easier to sell the latter than it is the former.
@mdavidford - bring back the edit function, at last something upon which we can all agree!
@mdavidford "laxtivist" Hmm... slacktivist? "I disapprove of what you say but I will sometimes defend 'till the next coffee and cake opportunity your right to say it"?
@IanGlasgow They can make a pass look faster, but they never make things look closer than they are If it was as simple as that, some would say you could be right, but it isn't and you're not. I have the advantage that I noticed the effect that 'wide angle makes passes look closer' and performed the experiments. It does. The fallacy in your argument arises from equating 'closeness of a pass' to 'making things look closer', when they are clearly not the same thing. The relevant thought experiment is to imagine a balloon inflated between the cyclist and the vehicle of the close passing b*****d at the moment of peak closeness. To a first approximation, the whole of that balloon is at the same distance from the lens. Then ask yourself 'does the reduced field of view image make the balloon look bigger than on the increased field of view image (which we're calling 'wide-angle')?' The answer is yes. Bigger balloon = less-close pass. QED. Conclusion: Wide-angle makes passes look closer!
There are reply chains on the main road.cc site - they haven't worked on the offroad.cc and ebiketips subsites or the forum since the same ill-fated migration that killed the edit functionality.
32 thoughts on “Why does asking drivers to not close pass cyclists cause so much anger?; Storm Eunice: KOM hunting or indoor training?; Pidcock’s in demand; RideLondon route details; Virtual gravel; New kit; Bizarre bike racing + more on the live blog”
Ashley Neal has several
Ashley Neal has several YouTube videos which explain the new HC rules clearly and without any unnecessary drama or frustration. As he says , any problem isn’t with the rules it’s with people’s attitudes.
squidgy wrote:
Absolutely. To my mind, it’s not about who you are, what you are or where you are.
It’s all about HOW you are.
I’d recommend people follow
I’d recommend people follow his channel, very imformative. His video yesterday from regular contributor, Jon the van driver was particularly good; how to drive behind a cyclist through a town.
He’s put up a good one where
He’s put up a good one where a cyclist gets cut up by an emerging black car, but it is quite critical of the cyclist too. You can hear the cyclist working hard past oncoming cars parked cars and other stuff.
Reminded me a lot of several well-known London video bloggers who hit 30mph and then moan about motorists failing to account for them in high traffic situations.
HubNut did quite a good video
HubNut did quite a good video on them too.
of course, the clearest explanation of the problem comes from Bikeyface (as she often does).
Some motorists are outing
Some motorists are outing themsleves as ignorant & entitled.
They’ve long forgotten the Highway Code for their MyWay Code and being reminded of how they should drive is an affront to what they see as their right on the roads ignoring that for them to drive on the roads is a privilege.
You’re familiar with the
You’re familiar with the average Twitter user right ?
Whilst such outpourings are amusing to read, I wouldnt worry too much about them as a collective.
Awavey wrote:
Exactly why I’m not on
Exactly why I’m not on Twitter.
“If the 1.5m is basically driving completly in the opposite lane on a 30mph road, and you’re saying leave more at higher speed where are we ment to drive?”
Is genuinely funny and my default would be to take the piss. I note that somebody has correctly (and politely) advised that he should, of course, slow down I also note that it was NOT Think! The simple fact that Think! would put this on Twitter and then not challenge the ensuing buffoonery tells you all you need to know about their opinion of Twitter users. Tbf, they don’t get involved on other social media platforms either.
^^^^^. Looks like my job here
^^^^^. Looks like my job here is done today.
Secret_squirrel wrote:
Their later comments are interesting…. and said without a hint of Irony…. That consideration is a two way thing???? It’s almost like they think that a motorist who close passes a cyclist is being….. considerate!?
Re bus drivers experiencing
Re bus drivers experiencing close pass video. The driver in NMOTD 717 needs the same but a bit closer and faster.
Bungle_52 wrote:
I think those drivers have got it easy as they’re in a static position and not really having to balance too much. It’d be more realistic if they had to negotiate drain covers, broken bottles and potholes whilst trying to maintain balance.
I generally felt bus drivers
I generally felt bus drivers were among the best overtaking, with the exception of the dedicated school buses – they were not always so great
hawkinspeter wrote:
Maybe they should be riding rollers? I remember there being a gag ‘gravel’ roller with various lumps and bumps that would be perfect for this.
vthejk wrote:
Doesn’t need to be rollers, just a static trainer on a wobble board so that they have to balance, maybe with an industrial fan and a rain machine…. also where are their helmets…. I’m sure that would have made them feel safe.
And there wouldnt be a
And there wouldnt be a shortage of cyclists volunteering to be the driver of the bus in the close pass experience
for bus drivers either.
Pro cycling’s back…and no
Pro cycling’s back…and no mention that Elisa Balsamo won the first stage of the Setmana Valenciana, in her first race at her new team Trek Segafredo and as World champion wearing the rainbow bands,breaking the curse of the rainbow jersey at the first attempt.
Pro cycling hasn’t been away.
Pro cycling hasn’t been away…..it’s just been taking place off road during the winter.
Quote:
I suspect it is because many motorists really don’t like anyone telling them what they can or can’t do: “How DARE you advise me on my driving techniques!? I have been driving for years, and have never killed anyone yet”
And of course another reason is that so many think that because they saw a cyclist run a red light, this one time, eighteen months ago (while being blind to all the motorists who did the same during that period) then clearly all tax-dodging cyclists riding their toys on the road are Evil Rogues with no respect for the law and who deserve no respect from good law-abiding citizens.
Or something like that…
As I was yet again overtaken
As I was yet again overtaken through some traffic calming where the road narrows down to single lane I shouted no loudly.
The lovely man stopped and asked me what the problem was. I explained that he had come very close to me. Hae asked how much space I wanted and I said a metre and a half as in the highway code. He said he had given me that, but as I gestured at the road to point out that this was physically impossible he changed tack to “I’m I cyclist myself and I would be very happy with a car going that close as I don’t wobble”. I mentioned that this wasn’t really the point at which he sped off. I was heartened to see a pedestrian tick him off as he sped past her, resulting in him hooting and giving her the bird. What a lovely person!
I’ve had this a couple of
I’ve had this a couple of times now, both times in traffic calming zones. You assume that they they’ve stopped to find out what they did wrong. You quote highway code rule 153 at them and they get all huffy and drive off. It’s almost like they didn’t want to be educated. If that was the case why did they stop?
Seventyone wrote:
One possible answer could have been “I don’t want you to overtake”.
HWC Rule 153
Traffic-calming measures. On some roads there are features such as road humps, chicanes and narrowings which are intended to slow you down. When you approach these features reduce your speed. Allow cyclists and motorcyclists room to pass through them. Maintain a reduced speed along the whole of the stretch of road within the calming measures. Give way to oncoming road users if directed to do so by signs. You should not overtake other moving road users while in these areas.
Very useful to know, thanks.
Very useful to know, thanks. I don’t think adding yet more information about why he wasn’t a very good driver would have helped however
Seventyone wrote:
Nah, proabaly not
things not to being on a day
things not to be doing on a day like today
https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/traffic/bicycles-blown-off-roof-rack-on-the-a11-8699810
I’m pretty sure that no-one
I’m pretty sure that no-one likes being told by a stranger that they are rubbish at a task that they think they are actually quite good at. 90% of drivers rate themselves above average or some such statistic?
Maybe telling someone that they drive like a buggered frog in a too tight gimp costume might make you feel better, but isn’t going to get them to change their ways.
Trying to explain intricacies of road traffic law or quoting HC rules isn’t going to get you anywhere, especially when your protagonist is blind certain that the made up rule they have in their head is incontrovertibly correct.
Probably best to not respond, let them get it out of their system say “good day” and go on your way. Then post the video of them making a fool of themselves on social media with all those pithy put downs that you wish came to mind at the time.
Graham Black commented:
Graham Black commented: “Cyclists have an equal right to use the road? Many drivers either don’t know this, or worse, disagree with it. This is where the problem lies.”
So wrong
Cyclists have a right in law to use the road. Drivers, on the other hand, have to prove they can safely drive a vehicle (for about an hour) and are then issued with a licence which allows them to drive on the roads. This can be revoked at any time (but seldom is)
grumpyoldcyclist wrote:
It’s a useful shorthand, but it is more accurate to say that everybody has a right to use the road;
and they may bring with them a dog, a sheep, a horse, a turnip, or a cycle, among many things. But if they wish to bring a motor vehicle, they may only do so with the appropriate licence or equivalent authority, insurance, excise duty and in a condition (usually certified) of roadworthiness.
if they wish to bring a motor
if they wish to bring a motor vehicle, they may only do so with the appropriate licence or equivalent authority, insurance, excise duty and in a condition (usually certified) of roadworthiness
Ho! Ho! Not in the Wild North West they don’t. This is Forton Glass of Galgate, near Lancaster, in their close-passing Renault Master YA67 HMU on 4.2.22- last MOT pass on the palindromic memorable day 12.1.21
Most ‘cyclists’ do follow the
Most ‘cyclists’ do follow the rules of the road, but there some idiots out there that do jump lights etc… and need to be held to account
Yes, just as long as the police hold the motorists to account as well! In Lancashire, they don’t so I can assure cyclists that they can do what they like at traffic lights as long as it’s safe (such as in the recent case where the police (Derbyshire iirc) were proud of coming down like a ton of bricks on a cyclist going through a pedestrian crossing red light where you can clearly see if there’s anyone about to cross), and then contact me for numerous videos of really atrocious red light crashing by motorists about which the police did nothing at all.
Thankfully its just a type of
Thankfully its just a type of person (certain incredulous drivers in this instance) who will not accept the changing times involve being more mindful of others and their safety.
I feel most of the time it boils down to their feeling of losing grip of the good old days, where more things aligned with their ideals. Alas for them those days are behind us and we have a chance of a bit more equality in most parts of life.