BBC Program: War on Britain's Roads

[TheAnimus]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...ritains_Roads/

Basically a collection of helmet cam footage.

Some of the behavior of road users is just awful. The difference for me, as always that an idiot cyclist, damages themselves. An idiot road user kills someone else.

But what it shocking is the attitude of so many drivers, including the taxi driver who defends himself. And the guy who is antagonising him. But the taxi driver, doesn't realise the effect slipstream has. If a cyclist is doing 25mph,

The reason I find it funny, is as someone who knows london from a cyclist point of view, the sterotypes fit. Central zone 1 / east london, idiot cyclists who cycle through lights endlessly in correctly. Expect slow moving traffic to see them and yeild right of way when they are say passing a yellow box.

One thing that is interesting, is there is lots of helmet cam footage. Yet unlike say Russia, no car cam. This suggests that plenty of cyclists are intimidated by other road users. Cars are not finding so many people who endanger them. Whatever your views on the matter, if your a driver just think you don't need a helmet camera to feel safe do you?

[pp05]

Outside where I work a cyclist fell on the road after negotiating his way in and out of the left lane and was quick with the camera to take pictures. Thankfully, it wasn't a high speed collision.

As a motorist I know whatever happens the blame will always fall on us because we are the easier to find.

The lack of a camera fitted car is surprising but I suspect no insurance company wants this.

[TheAnimus]

The lack of a camera fitted car is surprising but I suspect no insurance company wants this.

In Russia, it is the norm to have a camera. Endless people try and jump out in front, emergency stop so you rear end them.

I agree that very few cyclists get police punishment for cycling like a moron. I honestly can never comprehend the kind of moron who cycles with headphones on in London. A cycle path along the swiss alps, sure. Not a busy road in London. But ultimately a lot of these people are just really stupid, but they only risk their own lifes.

[SUMMONER]

I think all UK cyclists who ride their bikes within a city should have to complete a course on proper road etiquette. Anyone caught not having completed one should receive points on their (future) driving license.

When I am out an about on my bike I am quite often the only cyclist stopping at a crossing, with everyone else just wushing straight past me and the waiting cars.

As for motorists being ignorant and obnoxious towards cyclists, I think you will find that those who are that way will likely act the same way towards other motorists - it's just their way.

[pp05]

Driving is not as fun as before partly down to cyclists, congestion and the penalty regime implemented all over the capital.

Now if we say cyclists are here for good then is it driving culture in the UK that has to change? If so, how?

[TheAnimus]

As for motorists being ignorant and obnoxious towards cyclists, I think you will find that those who are that way will likely act the same way towards other motorists - it's just their way.

You see there are plenty of cyclists who are morons. I don't see how its legal to wear headphones, its not in Germany.

But, I have never nearly died due to a cyclist. A 30-40 year old man, about 6foot, black, driving a poor mans BMW nearly did once. I was in a bus lane, during bus only hours, he shouldn't have been able to get within a meter of me. He wanted to undertake someone turning left. He thought he had space to go between me and the car. I was doing 20+ mph. He didn't stop. Despite the damage to his wing mirror.

Now, no cyclist I've ever seen, is as dangerous to me as that guy.

I also would note, unlike many other cyclists have a £500 wardrobe of high vis. As a travel card for me is best part of £2k, I don't mind spending such sums. I have some of the best lights on the market, the best high vis. I have completed a cycle proficiency course. I have a drivers license (and drive regularly). I have a pilots license which I got in 6 minutes above minimum (ie I'm ****ing good at concepts such as speed). Explain to me what I can do better?

[santa claus]

I'm not sold on the 'us and them' theme of the programme. As Animus says, there are idiot cyclists and idiot car drivers but thankfully, the majority of both groups are normal people.

The fact is though that roads were and are not designed with cyclists in mind. The result so far this year is 111 cycle deaths. This can't go on. Proper segregation has to take place and I think it would be possible to close off some inner-city routes for use by cyclists only. This couldn't be justified years ago but cycling now is huge. Paint up the gutter is just not an acceptable solution.

Separate routes would mean safer facilities that don't have to be maintained to the same standard as vehicular routes (therefore saving Council tax funds), would benefit health (therefore saving NHS funds), minimise the possibly growing conflict between cars drivers and cyclists (therefore saving on police funds) and generally have a beneficial affect on our living environment.

Pigs might fly.

[TeePee]

You see there are plenty of cyclists who are morons. I don't see how its legal to wear headphones, its not in Germany.

But, I have never nearly died due to a cyclist. A 30-40 year old man, about 6foot, black, driving a poor mans BMW nearly did once. I was in a bus lane, during bus only hours, he shouldn't have been able to get within a meter of me. He wanted to undertake someone turning left. He thought he had space to go between me and the car. I was doing 20+ mph. He didn't stop. Despite the damage to his wing mirror.

Now, no cyclist I've ever seen, is as dangerous to me as that guy.

I also would note, unlike many other cyclists have a £500 wardrobe of high vis. As a travel card for me is best part of £2k, I don't mind spending such sums. I have some of the best lights on the market, the best high vis. I have completed a cycle proficiency course. I have a drivers license (and drive regularly). I have a pilots license which I got in 6 minutes above minimum (ie I'm ****ing good at concepts such as speed). Explain to me what I can do better?

Motorbike and HGV. Both will teach you lots! Actually I think the HGV is most like an airplane!

[Smudger]

That taxi driver was a dick, but the cyclist was also being an arse. For a start, he wasn't even in the cycle lane, he was straddling the line. He was looking for someone to get close so he could be self-righteous about it. The rest of the cyclists seemed to be pretty decent and sticking to the rules. The one that got punched certainly didn't deserve it, and to be fair, all the drivers they interviewed said that it was nowt but thuggery.

[deejayburnout]

this might be an interesting watch. will do when i get home.

[Dreaming]

Nearly killed a cyclist today who decided to jump a red through a crossroads. Luckily I had slowed to 20 to navigate the junction so was able to e stop. He just looked at me as if to say 'oh, a car'.

Similar story every week. I can predict the idiot car drivers where they're going to undertake me and take action to let them by / make myself safe. I can't predict the idiot cyclists who don't have any roadsense / road licencing.

Disclaimer: I'm a motorcyclist, cyclist and cage driver. I'm petrified one day I'm going to kill a cyclist because of some of the risks they take.

[Andeh13]

No tax, no insurance, no identification plates, and no need to understand any of the traffic laws or sign-age. They weave in and out of cars, use paths, treat lights as optional, and are happy to put themselves in the blind spot of vehicles 100 times their size all because its more convenient for them to get ahead.

No time for them at all.

edit; and that 'Web Developer' is such a self ritious pilloc as well.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

There are enough cyclists who blunder down pavements and streets,without a care in the world for pedestrians.

[TeePee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Xf3wXRfbc

I've posted this video from New York before. It shows a fairly typical New York junction and driving styles. Lot's of people getting it wrong and doing things which are illegal. But the real thing which amazes me is that there is not a single law-abiding cyclist in this video. While most of the car drivers faults are mistakes (remember the driving standard in this country is non-existent), the cyclists rarely make any attempt to follow the laws. This was the same attitude I perceived from cyclists when I lived in London.

[santa claus]

No tax, no insurance, no identification plates, and no need to understand any of the traffic laws or sign-age. They weave in and out of cars, use paths, treat lights as optional, and are happy to put themselves in the blind spot of vehicles 100 times their size all because its more convenient for them to get ahead.

You've listed some of the reasons why I love cycling! Freedom from rules and regulations - aaah, sheer bliss

[peterb]

You've listed some of the reasons why I love cycling! Freedom from rules and regulations - aaah, sheer bliss

Delighted to see you have become a supporter of de-regulation and small government.