On 15 Apr 2009 16:15:06 GMT, Adrian wrote:
Marz gurgled happily, sounding much like they
were saying:

Well I can't speak for other drivers but personally I don't want
bicycles to get off the road (unless there is a good alternative such
as a totally segregated cycle track that avoids conflict with both
motor vehicles and pedestrians). All I want is them to behave like
human-powered motor vehicles in that they obey all the rules of the
road such as stopping at all lights and zebra crossings, not overtaking
on the left and not being given any preferential treatment such as
their own lane or advance stop lines. Considerate cycling would be a
bonus - accepting that because they are slower than motor vehicles they
should keep over to the left to make it as easy as possible for faster
vehicles to overtake them safely.

In other words, I'd like them to behave as thoughtfully and courteously
to motor vehicles as I do when I'm cycling.

Aye 'n' there's the rub. Use the road, follow the rules, but stay out of
my way.

Which - specific - bit of that do you have a problem with?

Whilst I am in no way supporting Marz - I think he is a menace and
danger and will make things worse for all cyclists and deserves to
be caught and dissuaded from continuing in his blow through crossings
at 20+ mph - I have a problem with the "should keep over to the left
to make it as easy as possible for faster to overtake them safely".
Very often what is safest for the cyclist is not to be as far over
to the left as Mortimer wants, in fact the safest position is often
the primary position. Of course a cyclist should be considerate and
not unduly hold up a stream of traffic but it should be up to the
cyclist to decide when it is safe and appropriate to move to secondary
position.

--
Andy Leighton =
"The Lord is my shepherd, but we still lost the sheep dog trials"
- Robert Rankin, _They Came And Ate Us_