The Decline Of Civilisation

[Flosshilde]

I imagine that, in this particular instance, mercia is referring to motorcyclists rather than unmotorised bicyclists - a thought that had presumably not occurred to you...

Well, no. When I read 'cyclists' I interpret that as people on pedal bicycles (which is what is normally meant). I assume that if someone wants to refer to some other type of cycle they will specify it - motorcycle, tandem, unicycle, economic cycle, washing cycle, etc.

[Flosshilde]

The worst of it is that cyclists do not have to have insurance

But they do when they are motorcyclists. Perhaps you should be more precise in your terminology if you mean pedal bicyclists.

[Flosshilde]

full drivers' licence can be held if they became compulsory for cyclists,

But they already are for motorcyclists.

[MrGongGong]

But you did pull someone else up for a typo (or an Americanism).
So I think that makes you fair game.

Anyway, this is a bit like letter writing...

Ok you win

but

i don't think its like luttr riting

[Serial_Apologist]

motorcycle, tandem, unicycle, economic cycle, washing cycle, etc.

song cycle
cyclone
cycle clone
cycle clips
recycle
cyclops

[Flosshilde]

Ring Cycle

[Flosshilde]

The ghastly BBC website homepage, which I've only just come across (there you are - an innuendo and a grump for the price of one) - one wants a guide to the BBC, not all the guff about football. AND it assumes thet you are interested in what's going on in London

[amateur51]

That's all very well, but just think of the additional costs involved! Mightn't it be better to make the standard driving test at least as challenging as the IAM test? - or even a scaled-down version of the police class 1 test? - again, up would certainly go the costs involved, but not by anything like what you propose here!

Additional costs = staff who pay tax and come off benefits; plus there's a nominal charge for the re-test. Plus perhaps there are fewer accidents?

[Stillhomewardbound]

Today my in-town cycling took me from the Queen's Gallery up to Marylebone, then across Oxford Street then down via Bond Street, Saville Row and onto Soho.

At every junction and in between I was tsk'd and abused, time and time again, particularly at the pedestrians crossing on a green light.

As a man, woman and child they seemed to cry, universally, 'bloody cyclist!'

Except that the green light was always mine. I made sure of it. The people that tsk'd or remonstrated were those those that had stepped off the pavement into my path with so much as a glance - immensely irritated at my clinging my bell at them.

And as for the lady that felt she had nature's own qualification to walk across Haymarket with three three lanes of cycles, taxis and buse bearing down on here, nor with any requirement that she might aspire towards a life-saving spring in her step.

Let's even the debate a little.

The average London pedestrian prefers to cross the highway where it suits them, no matter how close the safest crossing point.

The average London pedestrian apparently reserves the right to step into street without checking the on-coming traffic.

The average London pedestrian, furthermore, seems to have only resentment and disdain for the cyclist that shouts at them in an attempt to save them from seriously bodily harm.

And as for the cabbie who tooted me on the Strand to get out of his way (which I duly did) because I was apparently holding him up, well we had plenty of time 30yrds down the road to discuss the point, being as we were both stopped at the same set of lights.

You think cycling is fun in this environment? You think its what we get up in the morning for?

Stop demonising the cyclist when the Black Cab drivers, the White Van Drivers, the Refuse Van collescors ... and the pedestrians are so regularly blurring the lines.

[Nick Armstrong]

Today my in-town cycling took me from the Queen's Gallery up to Marylebone, then across Oxford Street then down via Bond Street, Saville Row and onto Soho.

At every junction and in between I was tsk'd and abused, time and time again, particularly at the pedestrians crossing on a green light.

As a man, woman and child they seemed to cry, universally, 'bloody cyclist!'

Except that the green light was always mine. I made sure of it. The people that tsk'd or remonstrated were those those that had stepped off the pavement into my path with so much as a glance - immensely irritated at my clinging my bell at them.

And as for the lady that felt she had nature's own qualification to walk across Haymarket with three three lanes of cycles, taxis and buse bearing down on here, nor with any requirement that she might aspire towards a life-saving spring in her step.

Let's even the debate a little.

The average London pedestrian prefers to cross the highway where it suits them, no matter how close the safest crossing point.

The average London pedestrian apparently reserves the right to step into street without checking the on-coming traffic.

The average London pedestrian, furthermore, seems to have only resentment and disdain for the cyclist that shouts at them in an attempt to save them from seriously bodily harm.

And as for the cabbie who tooted me on the Strand to get out of his way (which I duly did) because I was apparently holding him up, well we had plenty of time 30yrds down the road to discuss the point, being as we were both stopped at the same set of lights.

You think cycling is fun in this environment? You think its what we get up in the morning for?

Stop demonising the cyclist when the Black Cab drivers, the White Van Drivers, the Refuse Van collescors ... and the pedestrians are so regularly blurring the lines.

The only thing I would add is to your sentence:

The average London pedestrian apparently reserves the right to step into street without checking the on-coming traffic... probably 50% of them while typing head down, busy with writing emails or texts as they cross a busy London street, or at least speaking on the phone.

[MrGongGong]

You think cycling is fun in this environment? You think its what we get up in the morning for?

Stop demonising the cyclist when the Black Cab drivers, the White Van Drivers, the Refuse Van collescors ... and the pedestrians are so regularly blurring the lines.

Surely its the certainty of moral superiority that makes you cycle in London ?

[Panjandrum]

You think cycling is fun in this environment? You think its what we get up in the morning for?

Stop demonising the cyclist when the Black Cab drivers, the White Van Drivers, the Refuse Van collescors ... and the pedestrians are so regularly blurring the lines.

SHB, I'm more and more convinced that the persecution mania other road users have towards cyclists is due to the feeling of inadequacy it engenders. One only has to look at the red-faced tubbies who hurl abuse from their chocolate wrapper infested cabs; or from pedestrians as they waddle in front of one to appreciate this. If anything, it just adds to my sense of moral superiority.

[amateur51]

Taking shb's points as read, and well-made, let's remember that pedestrians have right of way, except on motorways and dual carriage ways, no matter how irritating and attitude-strewn they may be

[Nick Armstrong]

Surely its the certainty of moral superiority that makes you cycle in London ?

What an odd thing to say. I'm assuming sledge-hammer irony.

Speaking personally, it's because it's still preferable to the other means available for the journeys I have to do

[scottycelt]

Gum-chewing football 'managers' who appear in Savile Row suits, collars and ties and scream at referees to ****-off from the touch line ...

Whatever happened to those soft-hatted gentlemen of old who knew their place (the directors box), and who were mostly observed quietly smoking their tobacco pipes, without making any sort of comment on the proceedings and officials whatsoever?