Re: Cyclist says it was victims fault

Or that others pose to them I suppose. I'm not sure that training courses would do any good. A bad cyclist might pass a training course or test but once done, go out cycle any old way.

The same happens with drivers who do take lessons and have to pass a test. It doesn't make them good or safe drivers once that's done.

Being a good law-abiding cyclist and/or motorist is in the personality, not in the ability to pass a test.

Re: Cyclist says it was victims fault

They are often very important people at work and act the same way on the roads. You see all the politicos cycling and going through reds and they are running the country.

Re: Cyclist says it was victims fault

Not if they were licensed and insured. At the moment there are no consequences of poor cycling etiquette. We have financial and legal consequences for poor drivers. That does keep people in line, otherwise we would be like one of those countries where people are all driving into each other and running into pedestrians. Having said that I do think that people coming from countries with less stringent regulations should have to pass a test before driving here.

Re: Cyclist says it was victims fault

I don't think I'd feel very safe riding a bike on the roads . We have some cycle lanes here but riding on the road would be very scarey . I'll walk and catch the bus . I'm a driver and am cautious when behind or overtaking cyclists , I try to anticipate their moves . Some don't signal and some just about raise a hand when turning right .

Re: Cyclist says it was victims fault

It seems to me that the responsible cyclists also drive cars and therefore understand the rules of the road whereas bad drivers don't cycle.

Would you agree?

Re: Cyclist says it was victims fault

Here in NL everyone cycles , children are born with wheels and pedals...
But the idiots make it a daily struggle for everyone they ride without lights, signals, brakes, they are busy using mobiles, while reading books, chatting to whoever is next to them and at night there are the drunks on bikes who make everything 10 times worse.

Cycle lanes help prevent too many accidents but even then pile ups do happen.
The problem is not motorists or cyclists or pedestrians its arrogant thoughtless Im alright jack types who just assume that the whole world is theirs to do as they wish and spare no thought for anyone else.

Re: Cyclist says it was victims fault

Not really my husbands a great driver, very courteous, and cycles again very courteous.

It's more about personalities IMO if you are a self entitled fool you won't become a courteous driver or cyclist just by getting in a car or on a bike.

Re: Cyclist says it was victims fault

Yes, I think that helps. It works the other way round too. I ride a bike when possible but when driving the car, I am more considerate to cyclists because I know how it feels to be overtaken too closely. Also about the discomfort of having to use more or less the gutter where there are potholes, crumbling road surfaces and drain holes.

However, I try to be considerate to other road users no matter what means of transport either of us are using. I think this might come naturally. No training necessary.

I dunno, all this talk about cyclist hate and I never seem to come across it or even witness it around here. I expect we're all hoping that we don't ever come across each other out on the roads.

Re: Cyclist says it was victims fault

Whatever the rights and wrongs of cyclists in general, this particular very young man comes across as a nasty piece of shit.
His arrogance is breathtaking, I hope it's a disguise for real fear and shame.

Re: Cyclist says it was victims fault

Yes, I think that's just impracticable advice. It's just not possible in many places. I'm happy with about half of that distance. Just so long as it's not close enough to knock my handlebar mirror.