Cyclist's. Do You Wish They Would Get Off The Roads Or Not???

It must have changed a bit in the UK in the last while. I came over to Toronto 25 years ago, and I was shocked at how bad cyclists were over here compared with London. In England then, most people took cycling seriously as a mode of transport, whereas in North America it was (and mainly still is) treated purely as a fun, recreational thing where normal rules of the road don't apply...... From what you say, seems to have gone that way over there now - that's a pity, because cycling is a great way to get around, but it is a vehicle the same as anything else on the roads, and the rules should be followed.... cheers.

Have things changed? I admit I haven't driven in England for the last 10 years. When I was driving in England while staying at my brother's there, I was SO impressed by English cyclists! I thought they were wonderful! I admired the way they cycled along such a straight line and cars passed them so close on the narrow streets. Here in Australia, cyclists swerve all over the road. I doubt if many of them could ride a straight line. Just as well for them, most of the main streets, and streets leading to schools, have bikeways so they don't need to ride on the roads. This wouldn't be possible in many places in England with your narrow streets. I would have to agree with you about child seats on bikes, and even more so with children sitting on the bar in front of the rider. Wouldn't it be a good idea if cyclists had to obtain a licence, with theory and practical tests?

I totally agree with you and they always seem to appear out of nowhere. I know many a time I went to turn of and on the wrong Side of the Road a cyclist just crossed over I had to slam on my Brakes so that I would not knock him. They are all over the Place on Roundabouts and never care. I know when I was a Kid on my Bike I had to obey the Rules, but now they just do not care anymore.

I don't mind cyclists as long as they respect the rules of the road. There is nothing worse than getting stuck behind 2 cyclists riding side by side and holding up all the traffic behind them...go single file, or better yet stick to the cycle paths that most major cities have.

I think it's pretty dangerous to be a cyclist in this day and age. Where I live there are lots of cycle lanes so I guess it's safer for the cyclists to use these. It's a good form of transport and environmentally friendly and fun to do in the summer, but without being able to cycle on the roads, some people wouldn't be able to get to work. I will agree there are some arrogant ones but where I am on the whole they seem to be pretty decent.

I love cycling but I absolutely hate riding on the road. Have never liked it, don't expect I ever will. No matter how close I am to the gutter I never feel particularly safe or happy on the road and how close and fast the cars are driving by me. At the same time as a motorist I also hate cyclists on the road. If there is one on the road up ahead of me and I'm in the same lane as them on a multi-lane road, I can guarantee that I'll be changing lanes until I pass them. Yesterday I actually had a cyclist riding in the middle of the lane. Now that was completely insane. Very Dangerous for absolutely everyone on the road including them. Both lanes had a steady stream of traffic and here this cyclist was holding up absolutely everybody in the left lane. At the end of the day I think it needs to be a bit of give and take for both parties. Seeing how a lot of cyclists ride on the roads it doesn't surprise me how many get injured or killed from doing so. It annoys me to no end when I read all the cyclists writing in to a particular paper here complaining about how bad motorists are. I think both parties need to learn to be a bit more tolerant and to watch out for the other. Some Cyclists need to learn to follow the same laws are cars and not do what they want when they want. They need to learn to be clearly visible and realise that they are a lot smaller than a car and need to take that into consideration before doing something. On the other hand I think drivers need to realise that while they may be the biggest thing on the road, they definetly aren't the only thing using it. They need to learn to watch the road and their surronds a little bit more careful. To think and look before they change lanes, turn a corner or open their car door. For as long as people exist there will be cars and cyclists on the road so we all should learn to be careful and respectful of life and other peoples lives and their right to be able to get from point a to point b safely in whatever form they choose.

well I'm not a fan of them either.. but if they're on a match/championship that's fine with me, but not the one you describe..

We need to make the roads save for travel for everyone. There should be lanes specifically designated for bike use. There are rules that need to be followed for the safety of everyone. I can't tell you how many times I have come upon a group of people on bikes while I am driving along a road. These people often take up the entire road rather than pull into single file to allow the safe passage of motorists. ON the note of having children on the bikes, that is one I never considered before seeing it here in your discussion. A child strapped to a bicycle going 40 mph is unsafe even if the child is wearing a helmet. If the cyclist should lose control that child is going to go down hard. No helmet will protect their bodies from injury.

I agree. A lot of cyclers use the road, even though there is a sidewalk. They impede traffic. They go less than the speed limit and take up a lane, even if they hug the curb we cant get around them. Its stupid. Just use the sidewalk and be careful of pedestrians, whats the worst that can happen there? And they don't obey the rules! Why is that ok?

I dont wish cyclist would get off the road because they have every right of being there like me! just because their mode of transportation is different than mine i cant wish them off the road! however i would agree that cyclist tend to be careless when it comes to following rules, they sometimes become totally oblivious of their own and others safety when the break traffic signals. I just wish that they would observe the traffic laws more stirctly! afterall traffic laws exist for everybody's safety.

Well I think it's ok as long as the cyclist is following road safety rules However, I think they should be allowed to ride their bikes on the sidewalk. I'm pretty sure it's a by-law however that they not ride on the sidewalk, but instead on the roads. I think this is the cause of a lot of accidents and think it would be much safer if they were off to the side where people can actually see them.

In most places it's illegal for bicyclists to use sidewalks. They really annoy me. They get mad at car drivers for not paying attention and then they are frequently riding recklessly. I've seen bicyclists commit hit and runs on cars. Maybe not much damage but still a crime. It's funny, bicyclists get mad at car drivers. Yet, pedestrians have the right of way. So one day I stepped off a sidewalk to cross a road and noticed an approaching bicycle. I didn't realize how quick he was approaching. I ended up being right in his path and he yelled to me that even his dog looks both ways before crossing the street. I yelled back that I was the one with the right of way and he should slow down.

I don't like them on main roads in peak hour. It is so frustrating to have a cycle hold up a whole lane in peak hour. If a car were doing that, the driver would be booked.

I believe they should be able to do their thang but with limits! There are many times I cannot see them and they dart around in traffic and make me nervous as hell! I cannot stand it! Also when they are on the side of a narrow road and I can't pass I am afraid to hit them and I am gooing like 5 miles an hour It makes me crazy they make me merge into oncoming traffic to get around them it's ridiculous!I hate that!

We even appease them by making cycle lanes for them too! That always puzzles me, they use the road but they don't pay road tax! However having said that I hate it when I am a pedestrian and cyclists use the pavements! It is illegal to do this, but it's like drivers using mobiles, you've got to catch them! It is extremely dangerous and whilst I will not move out of the way if a cyclist comes towards me, I'm stubborn like that and they have to dismount but for old ladies or other people not so stubborn or strong willed it can be very dangerous. You can't win with cycling on pavements or in the road! But thankfully they are in the minority the misdemeanors and most will cycle safely and with respect of other road users. The cities are the worst however and they do have a law unto themselves.

if they come in my way, all i can do is to apply breaks as hard as i can, are generally a menace if they drive in mid of roads

One Sunday when I was going to worship, I got caught in a heavy traffic jam because cyclists were coming. We were there stocked for about an hour. Then came the cyclists. There was a contest going on then. That's just once in a while anyway. But bikes really pose dangers on the streets. Not so many are as yet using bikes but because of high fares on transportation, they are planning to have a lane for bicycles.

I completely agree. I feel that way with pedestrians in general. There is so much pressure on drivers to see everything and watch to see if cars are coming while still watching people to see if they are going to cross the street in front of you. Lots of pressure. That's why I hate driving downtown. Way too much going on.

Well I was shocked to learn bicycles are not allowed on the side walk in my town! To me this is crazy, especially for kids. I do think laws should change and if you are going to ride on main roads, you should have to carry insurance. Here the laws, with that exception are the same for bikes as for cars, however few follow those laws. It kills me to see someone on a bike go through lights and the police don't go after them.

Personally i don't think it safe for cyclist's to ride on the roads because people drive to fast these days and with a small thing like a bike you can easly be put off. I wouldn't ride a bike if they didn't allow me to choose how i wanted to ride because at the end of the day my safty is important to my family. It does annoy me when i see 'em using the pavement and they take all the space up. it really does when we're pushing my son and they except us to go onto the road. (which we don't) Really i think it's fine aslong as you respect it. we have cycle lines which aren't used but i would so. ~Kudos! ~Joey