Today is Saturday and I have have been walking the streets of London
doing Xmas shopping along with thousands of others. But I live here;
most of the others are tourists. However London is very bad this year
- there are too many cyclists without lights, riding on the pavements,
and jumping the red lights. I used to be a keen cyclist having been
brought up with National Cycling Proficiency at school, and at least
reading the Highway Code. I WAS a keen cyclist - but now no more.

And now-a-days I am gob-smacked at the selfishness of modern cyclists.
This afternoon alone I have nearly been knocked over 5 times by
cyclists without lights jumping the red traffic lights - when they
have been green for me as a pedestrian. If I shout out after they just
miss knocking me over all I get told is "fcuk off!" Nice, This reduces
my sympathy for cyclists to zero.

But the latest outrage are the tourists on Borris Bikes. They don't
give a damn. They haven't a clue how to ride a bike properly, and
frequently ride the wrong way down a one way road if they are not also
on the pavement. Almost everyday I start to cross a one-way street
only to nearly collide with a Borris Bike being ridden the wrong way
along it - the direction from which I DO NOT expect anything to be
coming.

Just recently there have been two unfortunate deaths of cyclists in
London (there are probably many more every month), but it is very hard
to have any sympathy for them when it seems that the majority of
cyclists haven't any concern about mowing pedestrians down, going the
wrong way along one-way streets, cycling on pavements, cycling without
lights and wearing dark clothes (how stupid is that), and telling me
to "fcuk off" for being in their way.

SB..

On Nov 19, 7:33*pm, SB wrote:

Just recently there have been two unfortunate deaths of cyclists in
London (there are probably many more every month),

Not really - there is about 1 cyclist killed every three days in the
entire country.


but it is very hard
to have any sympathy for them when it seems that the majority of
cyclists haven't any concern about mowing pedestrians down, going the
wrong way along one-way streets, cycling on pavements, cycling without
lights and wearing dark clothes (how stupid is that), and telling me
to "fcuk off" for being in their way.

SB

It must be a London thing. Everyone is in a rush and sod everyone
else. This includes red faced cabbies shouting at pedestrians for
being in their way, pedestrians on smart phones walking into the road
without looking and punch ups over parking places. The selfish people
you see on bikes would be just as selfish if they were in cars or on
motorbikes, but unlike drivers, cyclists on average kill zero people
year after year.

--
Simon Mason

SB wrote:
Today is Saturday and I have have been walking the streets of London
doing Xmas shopping along with thousands of others. But I live here;
most of the others are tourists. However London is very bad this year
- there are too many cyclists without lights, riding on the pavements,
and jumping the red lights. I used to be a keen cyclist having been
brought up with National Cycling Proficiency at school, and at least
reading the Highway Code. I WAS a keen cyclist - but now no more.

And now-a-days I am gob-smacked at the selfishness of modern cyclists.
This afternoon alone I have nearly been knocked over 5 times by
cyclists without lights jumping the red traffic lights - when they
have been green for me as a pedestrian. If I shout out after they just
miss knocking me over all I get told is "fcuk off!" Nice, This reduces
my sympathy for cyclists to zero.

But the latest outrage are the tourists on Borris Bikes. They don't
give a damn. They haven't a clue how to ride a bike properly, and
frequently ride the wrong way down a one way road if they are not also
on the pavement. Almost everyday I start to cross a one-way street
only to nearly collide with a Borris Bike being ridden the wrong way
along it - the direction from which I DO NOT expect anything to be
coming.

Just recently there have been two unfortunate deaths of cyclists in
London (there are probably many more every month), but it is very hard
to have any sympathy for them when it seems that the majority of
cyclists haven't any concern about mowing pedestrians down, going the
wrong way along one-way streets, cycling on pavements, cycling without
lights and wearing dark clothes (how stupid is that), and telling me
to "fcuk off" for being in their way.

SB..

They maim, disable and kill people on a regular basis, but it is nothing to
do with them, ever. It is all down to whoever they hit, never the cyclist.
On the tiny number of occasions they are caught the fines are derisory even
for deliberate running down of pedestrians, they don't even get a momentary
ban. Campaign to your MP to get them registered, trained, licenced,
insured, use legal machines and face prosecution and even banning for
breaking the laws. All wheeled road users should face the same laws and
penalties.

If they were registered then the camera systems could catch transgressors
and pedestrians could report them.

Now you understand why cyclists are the most loathed minority group in London.

I gave up cycling when I was thirteen. If I were a cyclist in London, I would as much as possible avoid main roads and try to confine myself to quiet side streets, footpaths, graveyards, canal paths etc. In no circumstances would I try cycling around major roundabouts on Red Routes because that is so obviously suicidal. If I were on a main road and came to a roundabout, I would dismount and negotiate the roundabout as a pedestrian.

There is no justification for the bad manners and aggression you and innumerable other people have encountered. Fashion following politicians are partly to blame for the quite fantastic self-righteousness of many cyclists. I've yet to hear any politician tell the plain unvarnished truth about cyclists in London.

His point bears repetition. It is valid, relevant and important.

On 19/11/2011 21:55, Mrcheerful wrote:
SB wrote:
Today is Saturday and I have have been walking the streets of London
doing Xmas shopping along with thousands of others. But I live here;
most of the others are tourists. However London is very bad this year
- there are too many cyclists without lights, riding on the pavements,
and jumping the red lights. I used to be a keen cyclist having been
brought up with National Cycling Proficiency at school, and at least
reading the Highway Code. I WAS a keen cyclist - but now no more.

And now-a-days I am gob-smacked at the selfishness of modern cyclists.
This afternoon alone I have nearly been knocked over 5 times by
cyclists without lights jumping the red traffic lights - when they
have been green for me as a pedestrian. If I shout out after they just
miss knocking me over all I get told is "fcuk off!" Nice, This reduces
my sympathy for cyclists to zero.

But the latest outrage are the tourists on Borris Bikes. They don't
give a damn. They haven't a clue how to ride a bike properly, and
frequently ride the wrong way down a one way road if they are not also
on the pavement. Almost everyday I start to cross a one-way street
only to nearly collide with a Borris Bike being ridden the wrong way
along it - the direction from which I DO NOT expect anything to be
coming.

Just recently there have been two unfortunate deaths of cyclists in
London (there are probably many more every month), but it is very hard
to have any sympathy for them when it seems that the majority of
cyclists haven't any concern about mowing pedestrians down, going the
wrong way along one-way streets, cycling on pavements, cycling without
lights and wearing dark clothes (how stupid is that), and telling me
to "fcuk off" for being in their way.

SB..

They maim, disable and kill people on a regular basis, but it is nothing to
do with them, ever. It is all down to whoever they hit, never the cyclist.
On the tiny number of occasions they are caught the fines are derisory even
for deliberate running down of pedestrians, they don't even get a momentary
ban. Campaign to your MP to get them registered, trained, licenced,
insured, use legal machines and face prosecution and even banning for
breaking the laws. All wheeled road users should face the same laws and
penalties.

If they were registered then the camera systems could catch transgressors
and pedestrians could report them.


APPLAUSE


--
Dave - Cyclists VOR. "Many people barely recognise the bicycle as a
legitimate mode of transport; it is either a toy for children or a
vehicle fit only for the poor and/or strange," Dave Horton - Lancaster
University

"SB" wrote in message
...

Today is Saturday and I have have been walking the streets of London
doing Xmas shopping along with thousands of others. But I live here;
most of the others are tourists. However London is very bad this year
- there are too many cyclists without lights, riding on the pavements,
and jumping the red lights. I used to be a keen cyclist having been
brought up with National Cycling Proficiency at school, and at least
reading the Highway Code. I WAS a keen cyclist - but now no more.

And now-a-days I am gob-smacked at the selfishness of modern cyclists.
This afternoon alone I have nearly been knocked over 5 times by
cyclists without lights jumping the red traffic lights - when they
have been green for me as a pedestrian. If I shout out after they just
miss knocking me over all I get told is "fcuk off!" Nice, This reduces
my sympathy for cyclists to zero.

As a responsible cyclist, who stops at traffic lights, carries lights and
fluorescent clothing and reflectors and respects other users of the road
(and pavements) I share your irritation with the morons who give us all a
bad name.

May I recommend that you carry a sturdy walking stick when out as a
pedestrian. When one of these selfish scum ignores the rules of the road
simply insert it between the spokes. It will focus the mind as the cranium
makes contact with the road surface. ;-)

On Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:25:48 -0000, "Jack Taylor"
wrote:

"SB" wrote in message
...

Today is Saturday and I have have been walking the streets of London
doing Xmas shopping along with thousands of others. But I live here;
most of the others are tourists. However London is very bad this year
- there are too many cyclists without lights, riding on the pavements,
and jumping the red lights. I used to be a keen cyclist having been
brought up with National Cycling Proficiency at school, and at least
reading the Highway Code. I WAS a keen cyclist - but now no more.

And now-a-days I am gob-smacked at the selfishness of modern cyclists.
This afternoon alone I have nearly been knocked over 5 times by
cyclists without lights jumping the red traffic lights - when they
have been green for me as a pedestrian. If I shout out after they just
miss knocking me over all I get told is "fcuk off!" Nice, This reduces
my sympathy for cyclists to zero.

As a responsible cyclist, who stops at traffic lights, carries lights and
fluorescent clothing and reflectors and respects other users of the road
(and pavements) I share your irritation with the morons who give us all a
bad name.

May I recommend that you carry a sturdy walking stick when out as a
pedestrian. When one of these selfish scum ignores the rules of the road
simply insert it between the spokes. It will focus the mind as the cranium
makes contact with the road surface. ;-)

You should also ensure that your insurance covers you for assault
causing actual bodily harm. If it doesn't then it's probably best not
to try this as it could be very expensive indeed.

Guy
--
Guy Chapman, http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk
The usenet price promise: all opinions are guaranteed
to be worth at least what you paid for them.

You should also ensure that your insurance covers you for assault
causing actual bodily harm. If it doesn't then it's probably best not
to try this as it could be very expensive indeed.

Most people would know that (as a matter of public policy) you cannot
insure against a criminal act carried out intentionally. I do hope the
Lycra is not restricting the blood supply.

But I do agree it is an action best taken by people with little or
nothing to lose. I have, for example, a little list of crossings I
intend to visit with my stout walking stick if I ever have the "best put
your affairs in order a.s.a.p." talk with the doctor.

--
Robin
reply to address is (meant to be) valid

In article , (Jack
Taylor) wrote:

As a responsible cyclist, who stops at traffic lights, carries lights
and fluorescent clothing and reflectors and respects other users of
the road (and pavements) I share your irritation with the morons who
give us all a bad name.

I agree with that but I wonder why we get all this ire against cyclists when
it is the much larger number of moron motor vehicle drivers who kill
thousands of people every year.

--
Colin Rosenstiel