SPAM random annoying things

[Scouse]

What you describe would not bother me. It is when the cyclist comes up to the crossroads at a red and turns left without stopping. Meaning the car that was going straight over on a green then has to slow right down to fall in behind the bike as there is not room for him to over take. I am not saying that is every bike rider it is not even the majority but it is annoying when it happens.

Basically, what you're describing is a cunt who isn't riding to the circumstances. If there's oncoming traffic then you're taking a massive risk with your own life just to save a few seconds.

However, people are very quick to jump on cyclists. I see motorists both on my bike and in my car doing disgraceful stuff all the time but I don't even blink any more...

 

[soze]

I agree you have to drive with the attitude that everyone else is an utter liability. I prefer slow moving cyclists to Power Rangers on Super Bikes or Tattooed idiots riding Quads like they are Super Bikes. On the road I like cars they are big and if I hit one hopefully no one dies.

 

[Billargh]

Lamp makes a comment slating Marmite and not a single response. But mention two wheeled transport ...

Because Marmite is the food of kings..?

Oh and zzzzzzyclists discussion again.

 

[Raven]

Marmite should be compulsory.

 

[rynnor]

Frankly I am appalled by a large scale event taking place on active roads. Were police involved to regulate traffic?

At the one I passed yesterday I saw no Police along the 10 miles of it that I passed - just a few race officials to point people in the right direction at junctions.

There was no signage for the event on narrow winding country roads. At many points I found bunches of cyclists using both sides of the road on bends with no vision of oncoming traffic (this is on a road with a 60mph limit).

 

[rynnor]

It's just not that big a deal on a bike.

The problem with this is it makes it extremely dangerous for pedestrians who cross when the traffic is in theory at stop. In london I see cyclists weaving between pedestrians as they cross or shouting for them to get out of the way.

The point where the ring road around regents park meets the euston road is particularly bad for this - practicaly no cyclist stops at the red there.

 

[DaGaffer]

It's just not that big a deal on a bike.


Am I acting correctly, and safely? Hell yes. And I'm far out of the way when the lights go green - and motorists can pull away from the lights without even having to think about me.

Disagree, it IS a big deal if you're a pedestrian. I've lost count of the number of times I've had to jump back for cyclists when I have a green light.

 

[old.Tohtori]

Well. Two day hangover here. Symptoms so far;

Legs don't co-operate when i get up from any long stting, hurt like f'ck. Muscles all hurty etc.
Tummy was mixed up all night.
12-18 hour headache.
Trying to play any game makes my eyes hurt.
I can barely keep any solids down.

Kissed a redhead saturday so all worth it. Next weekend thank you

 

[sayward]

Either you all can type really really fast OR you have too much time on your hands.

 

[Raven]

Being basically deaf in one ear due to a chest/throat/ear infection. Back to the docs tomorrow.

 

[Edmond]

Put my back out today, don't know how. Only comfortable in the fetal position....great

 

[dysfunction]

The problem with this is it makes it extremely dangerous for pedestrians who cross when the traffic is in theory at stop. In london I see cyclists weaving between pedestrians as they cross or shouting for them to get out of the way.

The point where the ring road around regents park meets the euston road is particularly bad for this - practicaly no cyclist stops at the red there.

I drove home today from the south bank in London after work (had to collect the car). Loads of cyclists around going all over the place. Some riding down the middle of the road on painted islands, some riding side by side, swerving around busses etc without looking what's coming up beside them.

I think most of them have a death wish.
It was mayhem. I felt I needed 6 extra eyes to avoid hitting any these crazy one eyed loons.

 

[DaGaffer]

Marmite should be compulsory.

I agree, but only for category 1 prisoners, otherwise its just cruel and unusual punishment.

 

[TdC]

Either you all can type really really fast OR you have too much time on your hands.

Sayward took 37 minutes to bring you this post

 

[TdC]

At the one I passed yesterday I saw no Police along the 10 miles of it that I passed - just a few race officials to point people in the right direction at junctions.

There was no signage for the event on narrow winding country roads. At many points I found bunches of cyclists using both sides of the road on bends with no vision of oncoming traffic (this is on a road with a 60mph limit).

wow, just...wow. if that was done here in the NL there would be blood everywhere and most likely the ride organisers arrested and fined.

The problem with this is it makes it extremely dangerous for pedestrians who cross when the traffic is in theory at stop. In london I see cyclists weaving between pedestrians as they cross or shouting for them to get out of the way.

The point where the ring road around regents park meets the euston road is particularly bad for this - practicaly no cyclist stops at the red there.

to quote Scouse: cunts who aren't riding to the circumstances. I run red lights often, but only if there is NOBODY on/near the intersection. if the light is switching and I see a car/ped/other cyclist I *will* stop. often at that time I get overtaken by a bunch or fuckwit roadies as they sprint to beat the lights.

I've lost count of the number of times I've had to jump back for cyclists when I have a green light.

to quote Scouse again: cunts who aren't riding to the circumstances. if you have the green, someone running the red (on any mode of transport) should be treated as a fuckwit and fined. (I'd prolly get very very angry if that happened to me, and I've nearly been killed several times in the NL crossing roads deep in thought at zebra crossings and not having cars stop for me) actually...here's a thought: someone deliberately breaking the road rules in that manner should have their license marked, regardless of being in a car, on a bike or in a rubber boat for all I care.

 

[DaGaffer]

to quote Scouse again: cunts who aren't riding to the circumstances. if you have the green, someone running the red (on any mode of transport) should be treated as a fuckwit and fined. (I'd prolly get very very angry if that happened to me, and I've nearly been killed several times in the NL crossing roads deep in thought at zebra crossings and not having cars stop for me) actually...here's a thought: someone deliberately breaking the road rules in that manner should have their license marked, regardless of being in a car, on a bike or in a rubber boat for all I care.

And there's your problem; what licence? In the UK if a car runs a red light, chances are they're going to get 3 points and a fine because most traffic lights (although not pelican crossings) have enforcement cameras; if a cyclist flys through, no comeback. I have seen the Garda over here pull errant cyclists over on a couple of occasions, but its really rare, certainly in proportion to the number of times I see cyclists run red lights here, which is literally every day.

 

[TdC]

well if I was a cunt (I am actually) I'd say if the red light runner has a CAR license then credit his points there and fuck any protesting. imo it's about ROAD rules and there is no difference between a car, motorbike, bicycle or anything else on the road. if no license is available then fine the shit out of the asshole. imo ofc.

I have also seen NL police stop/fine people biking in public places / running lights / not having a properly working bike (eg lights, bell, brakes, reflectors in working order) but not often. I suppose it's effort vs reward, which is a bit of a shame really.

 

[DaGaffer]

well if I was a cunt (I am actually) I'd say if the red light runner has a CAR license then credit his points there and fuck any protesting. imo it's about ROAD rules and there is no difference between a car, motorbike, bicycle or anything else on the road. if no license is available then fine the shit out of the asshole. imo ofc.

I have also seen NL police stop/fine people biking in public places / running lights / not having a properly working bike (eg lights, bell, brakes, reflectors in working order) but not often. I suppose it's effort vs reward, which is a bit of a shame really.

That's all well and good if you catch the cyclist in the act; but short of having a cop on every corner, that's not going to happen, hence, cameras, which penalise cars but not cyclists. To me it's really simple, if cyclists want the same rights as other road users, then they're going to have take on some of the same responsibilities as other road users, and that probably means some kind of visible ID. Of course I expect the next objection will be "ah what about pedestrians?" To which I will respond, "don't be a twat".

 

[TdC]

ah so visible ID will be a problem I guess: a zillion bikes are stolen every day in this country. the administration alone will ensure that is most likely a no-no. Old plod will have to catch me in the act. He has, in fact: most "serious" catching was me biking home quickly as it was dark and I had no lights. A policeman on a motorcycle crushed me up against the sidewalk and then causally leaned over and squeezed my front break so I kind of insta-stopped. I freaked out and accused him of trying to kill me.

that aside there are spot checks in town here reasonably often: policemen will be ensuring that you aren't biking in ped-only areas, have lights, bells, etc.

 

[old.Tohtori]

Running a red light should get you a fine(if caught) and you have 0 complaint about it if someone runs you over.

It's like jaywalking, if you get hit by a car it's your own damn fault. Bikes have evolved a "bit" from the 5mph things we used to have, so should the rules for them. License for a bike isn't uncalled for.

It could be as simple as "pay a fiver for a license, if you f*ck up you might lose it".

 

[Moriath]

Cyclists should have to have insurance to use the roads the same as cars .. if they damage your car theres no come back at the moment which is why they are sometimes so reckless on the roads especially in big cities.

 

[TdC]

It was mayhem. I felt I needed 6 extra eyes to avoid hitting any these crazy one eyed loons.

why? were you driving abnormally?

It could be as simple as "pay a fiver for a license, if you f*ck up you might lose it".

could work. eg not having a license is grounds for a heavy fine, whereas the license itself could be quite cheap.
that said, here in the NL adults are required to carry ID or be able to present ID at the policeman's leisure. it could be possible to attach a bike license to such a thing, but with all the privacy law mayhem it might not be allowed.

Cyclists should have to have insurance to use the roads the same as cars .. if they damage your car theres no come back at the moment which is why they are sometimes so reckless on the roads especially in big cities.

wait what? I don't have *biking* insurance, I just have insurance. I have *car* insurance in case I damage my car, someone in my car or if someone else damages my car and then fucks off. so...if I hit someone while biking and it's my fault, my insurance will (hopefully) cover me. Are you saying that you don't have insurance coverage while riding your bike?

 

[Vae]

wait what? I don't have *biking* insurance, I just have insurance. I have *car* insurance in case I damage my car, someone in my car or if someone else damages my car and then fucks off. so...if I hit someone while biking and it's my fault, my insurance will (hopefully) cover me. Are you saying that you don't have insurance coverage while riding your bike?

There's no requirement to have public liability insurance when cycling in the UK whereas there is a requirement to have it for driving a car (so called Third Party insurance rather than Comprehensive which also covers the car itself). It is available but I'd say the (vast) majority of cyclists don't have it. Maybe one of the cyclists on here can clarify from their experience.

 

[TdC]

so you're saying there is no requirement so the (vast) majority aka "nobody" will have it. so what happens if a cyclist hits something and the cyclist is in the wrong?

 

[Raven]

so you're saying there is no requirement so the (vast) majority aka "nobody" will have it. so what happens if a cyclist hits something and the cyclist is in the wrong?

They moan a bit and blame the car driver then cycle off.

There is no requirement for them to have a safe bike either, brakes, tyres etc. Half don't even bother with lights when its dark.

 

[DaGaffer]

wait what? I don't have *biking* insurance, I just have insurance. I have *car* insurance in case I damage my car, someone in my car or if someone else damages my car and then fucks off. so...if I hit someone while biking and it's my fault, my insurance will (hopefully) cover me. Are you saying that you don't have insurance coverage while riding your bike?

Almost no-one in the UK has insurance whilst riding a bike. Are you saying you have some kind of general liability insurance? That doesn't exist in the UK (or Ireland). The only insurance policies a person in the UK is every likely to have are:
Car insurance (either third party, fire and theft or "fully comprehensive")
Life insurance
Travel insurance (which is usually health and theft cover)
Health Insurance (if you're wealthy or on a good company scheme).
Home insurance (buildings and contents)

My bike would be covered on a home policy if it was nicked from the shed, but that would be literally the only bike coverage I (or most people) have.

 

[Vae]

I drove home today from the south bank in London after work (had to collect the car). Loads of cyclists around going all over the place. Some riding down the middle of the road on painted islands, some riding side by side, swerving around busses etc without looking what's coming up beside them.

I think most of them have a death wish.
It was mayhem. I felt I needed 6 extra eyes to avoid hitting any these crazy one eyed loons.

I had the same experience as Dysfunction last Friday. This was the only time in the last year I've driven to work because I had something I needed to be sent off by courier and didn't want to carry the heavy weight.

I ended up having to drive from Battersea to Westfield at 5:30pm to investigate a card fraud rather than my westward south of the river less busy journey. I was driving (slowly) along a 4 lane (2 each direction) road and there were Bikes and Motorbikes nipping along the kerb, between the two lines of vehicles and along the centre of the road weaving between the traffic and cutting in where-ever there was a gap regardless of other traffic. I certainly felt like it was mayhem as well and am very glad I don't have to drive in Central London regularly.

 

[TdC]

They moan a bit and blame the car driver then cycle off.

There is no requirement for them to have a safe bike either, brakes, tyres etc. Half don't even bother with lights when its dark.

Almost no-one in the UK has insurance whilst riding a bike. Are you saying you have some kind of general liability insurance? That doesn't exist in the UK (or Ireland). The only insurance policies a person in the UK is every likely to have are:
Car insurance (either third party, fire and theft or "fully comprehensive")
Life insurance
Travel insurance (which is usually health and theft cover)
Health Insurance (if you're wealthy or on a good company scheme).
Home insurance (buildings and contents)

My bike would be covered on a home policy if it was nicked from the shed, but that would be literally the only bike coverage I (or most people) have.

sorry guys my conclusion is that your country is not ready for bikes and the 21st century. go back to horses.

 

[caLLous]

Mainland yurop is much more loving of the cycler-types than that thar island to the north-west.

 

[DaGaffer]

sorry guys my conclusion is that your country is not ready for bikes and the 21st century. go back to horses.

Very helpful (don't know if horse riders are insured either, probably are I suppose; nags are expensive). So, is general liability insurance compulsory in Dutchie land? How much does it cost, and at what age do you have to get it?