I've been a keen cyclist since the late 70s and I agree with you 100%. BTW, I do stop at red pedestrian lights, and at zebra crossings, but, sadly, I am in a tiny minority add you rightly say. I find many cyclist's holier-than-thou, entitled attitude thoroughly repulsive and selfish and it infuriates me, because I get tarred with the sam…
I've been a keen cyclist since the late 70s and I agree with you 100%. BTW, I do stop at red pedestrian lights, and at zebra crossings, but, sadly, I am in a tiny minority add you rightly say. I find many cyclist's holier-than-thou, entitled attitude thoroughly repulsive and selfish and it infuriates me, because I get tarred with the same brush. It's the sheer arrogance. Cyclists expect drivers to stick to the rules, but how can they when they ignore the rules themselves? It's pure hypocrisy. And don't get me started on signalling. It's just common courtesy and decency to let other road users know what your intentions are. How many times have I waited to cross a junction only for the cyclist to turn left? If they'd signalled I needn't have waited. If I were that rude, I wouldn't wait for them to pass, they can slow down and let me go first. Where did it all begin? It's not just the Lycra clad zealots either, it's pretty much 90% of all cyclists. I really wish the police would start enforcing the rules. They'd make a fortune. One hour spent at Dalston Junction, for example (it happens to be close to where I live), with spot fines of £40 (I believe that's the current rate) would easily net them £2,000 (the cycle – sorry, no pun intended – lights is about 1'40"-1'55" and at least half a dozen cyclists run the light just going north!). Sooner or later, someone is going get killed. I've had arguments with cycling friends when another cyclist gets killed by a lorry turning left. Tragic as it is, it's the cyclist's fault. It's very difficult for lorry drivers to spot a cyclist that's close to their left hand side, and it's just common sense that you never assume a lorry driver has seen you unless you've made positive, distinct eye contact. If the vehicle has indicated that it's turning left, you should really be on its right anyway. If they don't indicate, well, alas that happens too often, but you should consider who's going to be worse off in a collision. Anyway, two wrongs do not make a right. I have to say that I find the vast majority of drivers patient, courteous and given most cyclists' bad behaviour, surprisingly respectful. Perhaps, while they're making a fortune ticketing cyclists running red lights they could also fine the drivers who ignore the cycle boxes at busy junctions.
I've been a keen cyclist since the late 70s and I agree with you 100%. BTW, I do stop at red pedestrian lights, and at zebra crossings, but, sadly, I am in a tiny minority add you rightly say. I find many cyclist's holier-than-thou, entitled attitude thoroughly repulsive and selfish and it infuriates me, because I get tarred with the same brush. It's the sheer arrogance. Cyclists expect drivers to stick to the rules, but how can they when they ignore the rules themselves? It's pure hypocrisy. And don't get me started on signalling. It's just common courtesy and decency to let other road users know what your intentions are. How many times have I waited to cross a junction only for the cyclist to turn left? If they'd signalled I needn't have waited. If I were that rude, I wouldn't wait for them to pass, they can slow down and let me go first. Where did it all begin? It's not just the Lycra clad zealots either, it's pretty much 90% of all cyclists. I really wish the police would start enforcing the rules. They'd make a fortune. One hour spent at Dalston Junction, for example (it happens to be close to where I live), with spot fines of £40 (I believe that's the current rate) would easily net them £2,000 (the cycle – sorry, no pun intended – lights is about 1'40"-1'55" and at least half a dozen cyclists run the light just going north!). Sooner or later, someone is going get killed. I've had arguments with cycling friends when another cyclist gets killed by a lorry turning left. Tragic as it is, it's the cyclist's fault. It's very difficult for lorry drivers to spot a cyclist that's close to their left hand side, and it's just common sense that you never assume a lorry driver has seen you unless you've made positive, distinct eye contact. If the vehicle has indicated that it's turning left, you should really be on its right anyway. If they don't indicate, well, alas that happens too often, but you should consider who's going to be worse off in a collision. Anyway, two wrongs do not make a right. I have to say that I find the vast majority of drivers patient, courteous and given most cyclists' bad behaviour, surprisingly respectful. Perhaps, while they're making a fortune ticketing cyclists running red lights they could also fine the drivers who ignore the cycle boxes at busy junctions.