Pavement cycling - On the spot fines.

[goldenecitrone]

Let's hope nobody suddenly steps out from behind a corner or behind a gate eh?

Just make sure you ring your bell when cycling past corners and gates.

 

[Donna Ferentes]

Have you noticed how, when some pavement cyclist rings their bell as they zoom past, people don't all say, "ah, look at them, really concerned about safety they are"?

 

[goldenecitrone]

Have you noticed how, when some pavement cyclist rings their bell as they zoom past, people don't all say, "ah, look at them, really concerned about safety they are"?

Nah, I'm usually going far too fast to notice small details like that.

 

[northernhord]

Let's hope nobody suddenly steps out from behind a corner or behind a gate eh?

I cycle with my eyes open.

 

[Donna Ferentes]

That's so reassuring. Watch them wave happily as you swerve!

 

[nino_savatte]

This is the wrong answer to the problem. The real solution would be for councils to spend some money, time and effort into creating proper cycle lanes, instead of the "it's the end of the financial year, let's spend some money on a pointless cycle path" attitude that seems to prevail. There isn't enough (if any) consultation with cyclists to explore our needs. Instead, they presume to know and so we get crap cycle paths/lanes and few facilities.

 

[likesfish]

cycling on an empty pavement not a huge problem weaving between peds a wanker
weaving past me cause I'm pushing a bike and a mum with a push chair going over a crossing with the light red and then going down the wrong way down a one way stret against the flow of traffic
I really hate it when I stop at a red light and a fellow cyclist zooms past

 

[nino_savatte]

cycling on an empty pavement not a huge problem weaving between peds a wanker
weaving past me cause I'm pushing a bike and a mum with a push chair going over a crossing with the light red and then going down the wrong way down a one way stret against the flow of traffic
I really hate it when I stop at a red light and a fellow cyclist zooms past

Same here! I also hate cyclists who talk on their mobile phones while cycling. If drivers have to pay attention to the road, so should cyclists.

 

[Major Tom]

This is the wrong answer to the problem. The real solution would be for councils to spend some money, time and effort into creating proper cycle lanes, instead of the "it's the end of the financial year, let's spend some money on a pointless cycle path" attitude that seems to prevail. There isn't enough (if any) consultation with cyclists to explore our needs. Instead, they presume to know and so we get crap cycle paths/lanes and few facilities.

After sitting on such a consultative body, being involved with the LCC etc. I now take the view that the whole approach that spending money on cycle lane schemes, putting in LCN signs etc. will help cyclists is actually deeply flawed.

I find that experienced cyclists don;t want to use cycle lanes and LCN routes are often next to useless because they don;t go where people want to go, or take an inconvenient roundabout route.

Maybe our energies will be better put into other things such as lobbying government and parliament for changes of legislation to protect cyclists (and peds) from lunatic drivers. For me the whole probelm is not getting people to cycle but its getting people to contiune cycling and not be put off when something bad heppens to them - such as being car doored or dangerouslyu cut up at a junction.

It's why I do support the LCC - it supports cyclists right across the spectrum.

There are things I'd like to be done - when I complain to a bus company or taxi regulator I'd like to be taken seriously - same when I've made complaints to the police - I've usually ended up being threatened with arrest myself for some ludricous and spurious charge.

I've been run over twice in my life- once as a ped, and once as a cyclists. In both cases I had credible witnesses - including an off-duty police officer who gave me his details and said he'd make a statement. In one case it was a hit and run, in the other the driver had to be forcibly prevented from driving away. In both cases the police said they weren't going to prosecute. Lack of witnesses they said in the case where a police officer had given me his details.

lighterthief - the reason i'm not going to call the council is that I'm not sure that cycle path is much use to anyone except as a car-park and a dump.

 

[Major Tom]

Same here! I also hate cyclists who talk on their mobile phones while cycling. If drivers have to pay attention to the road, so should cyclists.

While I agree and never do such a thing myself - it is actually possible to cycle perfectly safely using only one hand. Not so if you're driving a car with one hand.

Every time I see a car swerving wildly around corners or driving ludicrously slowly in normal traffic - I look to see of they are on the phone. They usually are.

 

[Crispy]

it is actually possible to cycle perfectly safely using only one hand.

Pull the other one! Christ!

 

[nino_savatte]

While I agree and never do such a thing myself - it is actually possible to cycle perfectly safely using only one hand. Not so if you're driving a car with one hand.

Every time I see a car swerving wildly around corners or driving ludicrously slowly in normal traffic - I look to see of they are on the phone. They usually are.

I never do it because I like to be completely alert. I find talking on the phone distracting at the best of times. I don't want to give idiot motorists any excuse.

 

[osterberg]

Same here! I also hate cyclists who talk on their mobile phones while cycling. If drivers have to pay attention to the road, so should cyclists.

Yep.Drives me insane.

Originally Posted by likesfish
cycling on an empty pavement not a huge problem weaving between peds a wanker
weaving past me cause I'm pushing a bike and a mum with a push chair going over a crossing with the light red and then going down the wrong way down a one way stret against the flow of traffic
I really hate it when I stop at a red light and a fellow cyclist zooms past

Also drives me loopy.Especially the red light thing.If I can stop why can't anyone else.

However if a cyclist does behave you get no thanks.We are completely hated in this country.

Once cycling on the road in town minding my own bussiness and doing nothing wrong, a car overtook me and slowed down so the red-faced angry driver could tell me to "Get off the fucking road!!!"

Another time going through a park I was going downhill on a path where cycling was allowed,I saw a guy walking his dog and I slowed right down and went very slowly round him.Didn't stop him from saying he'll "fucking kill me" for "coming down that hill like a rocket".A pointless argument ensued.

So there's no pleasing some people.

And of course there's the countless times I've been cut up by cars and the times pedestrians have stepped out in front of me even when they see me coming.

As for pavements I'll use them if the road is busy and there aren't many pedestrians around.

It's not as if it's possible for them to like me less is it?

 

[nino_savatte]

Another thing that I see are cyclists listening to music on their headphones...I mean wtf?????!!!!!!

Do these folk have a death wish or summat?

 

[Crispy]

Another thing that I see are cyclists listening to music on their headphones...I mean wtf?????!!!!!!

Do these folk have a death wish or summat?

Oooh, we haven't done that one before

 

[goldenecitrone]

Another thing that I see are cyclists listening to music on their headphones...I mean wtf?????!!!!!!

Do these folk have a death wish or summat?

Natural selection, innit?

 

[nino_savatte]

Natural selection, innit?

I guess so...what does that say about readers of the The Daily Sport? Pond life.

 

[goldenecitrone]

I guess so...what does that say about readers of the The Daily Sport? Pond life.

I wouldn't call them readers as such.

 

[nino_savatte]

I wouldn't call them readers as such.

 

[Major Tom]

Pull the other one! Christ!

Are you a cyclist?

 

[Crispy]

Are you a cyclist?

Yes I am. And if I hit a pothole with both my hands on the handlebars, I carry on going straight. If I only have one hand on, then I will wobble all over.

Yes, of course I take a hand off to signal, but only once I've slowed down and made sure the road is pretty smooth. But just blatting along with one hand off? That's plain bonkers. Seriously, I don't see how one arm is strong enough to maintain a straight path in all circumstances. I also quite like having both brake levers in hair-trigger proximity to my fingers, thanks.

 

[Major Tom]

Yes I am. And if I hit a pothole with both my hands on the handlebars, I carry on going straight. If I only have one hand on, then I will wobble all over.

For sure - its not something I do a lot - but in the right conditions i have been known to do it. I agree wyou will need both hands on the handlebar for potholes.

Yes, of course I take a hand off to signal, but only once I've slowed down and made sure the road is pretty smooth. But just blatting along with one hand off? That's plain bonkers.

and so would I be if I did that - its not what I said.

Seriously, I don't see how one arm is strong enough to maintain a straight path in all circumstances.

it probably isn't - i didn't say that.

I also quite like having both brake levers in hair-trigger proximity to my fingers, thanks.

so do i normally - but it is possible to ride one handed and stop and change gear etc. I used to do this as a kid while riding round the park with no mishaps. I wouldn't do it now - not in traffic and that.

I was merely making the point that what is not possible in a car - ie, driving, steering and changing gear - is possible on a bike. Allbeit with more risk to the rider.

 

[Crispy]

All good I knew you were a sensible guy so hence the beforehand. Excuse the self-righteous rant!

 

[Major Tom]

This is shocking

HIT-AND-RUN DRIVER WHO KILLED NEWLY-ENGAGED MAN JAILED
By Nick Foley, PA

A hit-and-run driver who knocked over a cyclist and left him dying in the road was jailed for four months today.

Trainee nurse Mark Gerrish, 33, had been on his way to buy his girlfriend an engagement ring when a Vauxhall Vectra, driven by Darren Sexton, careered into the back of his bike.

Mr Gerrish, from Weymouth, Dorset, was thrown 15ft into the air and smashed into a road sign. Sexton, 31, drove off from the scene of the accident in Combe Park, Bath on February 25.

Mr Gerrish, who had only got engaged three days earlier, was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath where he died from the extensive injuries suffered in the crash. Sexton, of High Street, Bath, pleaded guilty last month to driving without due care and attention, failing to stop and failure to report an accident.

The tattooed drug addict was today jailed for four months by Bath Magistrates' Court - the maximum term available to them.

The defendant, who the court heard had a "considerable" number of previous convictions, showed no emotion as the sentence was passed down. Mr Gerrish had been on his way to meet his Italian-born girlfriend Catarina, a nurse, to go shopping for an engagement ring when the accident happened.

The court heard that he had been cycling close to the kerb when Sexton crashed into the back of his bike, outside the entrance of the Royal United Hospital, where he worked. He hit the car's windscreen before being flung into the air and landed on the road.

Sexton drove off but returned minutes later to check how badly injured the cyclist was and was told he was "unconscious and bleeding" by a van driver who stopped to help him.

Sexton then fled for the second time, but was arrested later that day after a quick-thinking nurse jotted down his number plate and passed it on to the police. Sue Thomas, prosecuting, read out a statement on behalf of Mr Gerrish's brother, Simon, who said the family had been devastated by his death. "He was planning a wedding.

He had become engaged three days earlier and I never had the chance to even congratulate him or speak to him on what must have been one of the happiest days of his life," he said. "Mark was killed as his whole life was coming together."

Andrew Banks, defending, said Sexton had taken full responsibility for the accident, but claimed he had not realised how badly injured the cyclist was.

He said his client had been depressed and had needed counselling following the crash. "He did not realise the terrible consequences of the accident. He's extremely sorry for what has happened."

In passing sentence, chair of the bench Jenny Reid, said:
"You failed to stop after a serious accident and for selfish reasons left the victim in the road even after you returned later and finding the situation was serious. "We find that only a custodial sentence is justified." He was sentenced to four months for failing to stop. No separate punishment was imposed for the other offences.

The magistrates had earlier been told the maximum sentence they could pass would be six months - but they were legally obliged to reduce this by a third after Sexton pleaded guilty.

He was also banned from driving for 18 months. Mr Gerrish's family refused to comment on the sentence following today's hearing.

This is when I realise just how cheap our lives are. You'd get more for criminal damage.

The bloke left the cyclist to die - surely that's crime enough to stick the bloke away for 20 years.

 

[nino_savatte]

This is when I realise just how cheap our lives are. You'd get more for criminal damage.

The bloke left the cyclist to die - surely that's crime enough to stick the bloke away for 20 years.

You're right: motorists who kill other motorists through negligence are given stiffer sentences. This is a travesty.

 

[Orang Utan]

I sometimes cycle on the pavement but dead slow - on the way home from work I come into Brixton from Stockwell and rather than turn right into Brixton, only to turn right again 50 yards later to go into my street, I ride along the pavement past M&S and Body Shop to get home - I dismount if it's busy though.
I also rode on the pavement all the way coming back from Balham once but it was 1am on Saturday and I was very very stoned, so I didn't want to go on the road.

 

[osterberg]

This is when I realise just how cheap our lives are. You'd get more for criminal damage.

The bloke left the cyclist to die - surely that's crime enough to stick the bloke away for 20 years.

That's horrible
Four poxy months.

 

[goldenecitrone]

That's horrible
Four poxy months.

When he gets released I'm going to ride past the prison gates really quickly without ringing my bell.

 

[Cobbles]

While I agree and never do such a thing myself - it is actually possible to cycle perfectly safely using only one hand. Not so if you're driving a car with one hand.

So how do you change gear and use both brakes with one hand?

As for not being possible to drive a car with one hand - that's nonsense - especially with an automatic. In general terms, both hands should be used but there are occasions (e.g. paying at a toll booth) where one handed driving is necessary.

Anyone not in full control of their vehicle (whatever it is) deserves to take the consequences.

 

[sherriff rosco]

If they want to make money round Hackney they should introduce an on the spot fine for lorries and buses jumping red lights.

Pah....Mini cab drivers in MPV`s with blacked out windows....I`m sure that the tint makes all colours look green.

As to cycling on the pavement , I got stopped loads when I was a pushbike courier. I only got fined once, mainly because I was cycling the wrong way up a one way street on the pavement, straight towards the plod who`d watch me come all the way up the street....doh! I don`t condone it, but in instances like trying to get past a bendy bus stuck out in the middle of the road then yeah I`d still use it BUT with consideration to pedestrians. I have been a father wielding a pushchair down the pavement only to be faced with an idiot belting at me on a bike ....fatherly instinct is very strong and I`ve caused a few scenes in my time!

I have more beef with the fucking idiot cyclists who jump red lights when there`s traffic flowing cross the junction . Watched a geezer the other day just force his way out into Farringdon rd at rush hour causing two cars to swerve and force two cyclists crossing the intersection to stop for him.......
Was he a courier ...nope , some random in a suit on a bickerton....wtf !

.p.