Motorists are evil. They mow down cyclists. They think that bicycles have no right to be on the road. A few of the comments that I have heard other fellow cyclists make. I am a fair weather cyclist and don't use the roads as much as people who cycle to work daily but have seldom felt in danger while on the road. This may partly be due to the weather conditions I choose to cycle in as these do have an impact on riders and drivers; in short I admit I am in a vulnerable position while I am on my bike and I will not cycle if I don't feel up to the challenge. Being safe on the road on two wheels requires the cyclist to be sensible about the dangers they will face. Its no good saying its the driver's fault; it may well be the driver's fault but the cyclist will probably come off worse for the driver's mistake(s) so it pays to be more attentive to your own as well as other people's potential faults.
Mostly drivers just don't know how to deal with cyclists- they either have no idea what cycling involves or have problems judging the space and speed of a very small, man-powered vehicle. Motorists need to be trained to be aware of other more vulnerable road users. As cyclists we need to be aware of that and not push them to make difficult decisions. In short, all road users should take responsiblity for their own safety as well as that of others.
I have been annoyed by cyclists as a pedestrian so feel that cyclists have little right to adopt a holier-than-thou attitude in relation to motorists; they are just as bad at ignoring the safety of more vulnerable road users. I am wary at pedestrian crossings if I see a bike approaching because cyclists often don't stop for crossings. Cyclists also often don't stop for lights with the same discipline expected of motorists. I have seen cyclists using the pavements and crossings on their bikes when they should get off their bikes and push their bikes along; under these circumstances they are pedestrians, not cyclists, and what they are doing may be dangerous to people walking on the pavement. Some cyclists argue that they will obey the rules when they have more dedicated cycle lanes to make travelling on bikes safer. Is it O.K. to terrorise more vulnerable road users to get your way? Do you think people will be sympathetic to your plight if you adopt that attitude?
We can make things safe for everyone with a bit of common sense. Its not always about asserting your rights and asking what other people can do for you, but rather what you can do for others.
Mostly drivers just don't know how to deal with cyclists- they either have no idea what cycling involves or have problems judging the space and speed of a very small, man-powered vehicle. Motorists need to be trained to be aware of other more vulnerable road users. As cyclists we need to be aware of that and not push them to make difficult decisions. In short, all road users should take responsiblity for their own safety as well as that of others.
I have been annoyed by cyclists as a pedestrian so feel that cyclists have little right to adopt a holier-than-thou attitude in relation to motorists; they are just as bad at ignoring the safety of more vulnerable road users. I am wary at pedestrian crossings if I see a bike approaching because cyclists often don't stop for crossings. Cyclists also often don't stop for lights with the same discipline expected of motorists. I have seen cyclists using the pavements and crossings on their bikes when they should get off their bikes and push their bikes along; under these circumstances they are pedestrians, not cyclists, and what they are doing may be dangerous to people walking on the pavement. Some cyclists argue that they will obey the rules when they have more dedicated cycle lanes to make travelling on bikes safer. Is it O.K. to terrorise more vulnerable road users to get your way? Do you think people will be sympathetic to your plight if you adopt that attitude?
We can make things safe for everyone with a bit of common sense. Its not always about asserting your rights and asking what other people can do for you, but rather what you can do for others.
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