Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7308400.stm

So can we start blaming our speeding offences on poor regulation?:rolleyes:

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

I know what would have happened if it was you or me on a motorbike, they would have thrown away the key. :smt075

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

Yes, I think they should make an example out of him. I favour the removal of all braking systems on bikes caught going through a red light, that way they either peddle slower or don't chose which red lights to break, now that would be a nice shock for them for a change!:D

Cameron is so blaze about 'obviously I have made a mistake on this occassion'. Iw owuld have been refrshing if he'd said somethinh like 'yeah, I new what I was doing but couldn't care less. I'll use the green card on that one Bob'

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

It's hardly the same though... Pushbikes are slower and lighter, if you put one somewhere you shouldn't you can just pick it up and carry it away, if you hit someone at low speeds it barely matters... If you ride up a one way street on a motorbike and there's something coming the other way you're physically larger, heavier, and also you can't just get out the way as you can on a pushbike.

Obviously he shouldn't have done it from a legal position but when I cycle I use the exact same road traffic laws I do when I ride the SV- If it's safe, and the rules aren't going to achieve anything worthwhile, and if I'm not going to get in trouble, I ignore them. Or does nobody here ever speed, or pass white lines at traffic lights when filtering? It doesn't look like he put anyone at risk with the one-way ride, the bollard thing is a joke, and you don't get to see how far through that red light he went.

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

He is a pratt, its retards like him that give the rest of cycling a bad name. Its a minority of cyclists that do it, not the majority, but we all get tarred by the same brush.

The cyclists that defended him, are just as retarded as he is.

Makes me cross, gives those of us that do cycle on the road and obey the laws of the road ( like me ) a bad name.

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

Glass houses....................stones.................. ..???

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

Our next Prime Minister...

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

I disagree. Cyclists kill more pedestrian than motorcyclists. FACT. ;)



There should be a CBT type test every year or so to make sure people are safe to use the roads. At the moment you dont need any road knowledge, need no form of licence insurance or tax. Its pretty terrable tbh.

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

With regards to that, people would'nt bothere taking a "CBT" because of cost and end up on public transport/Car?motorbikes etc and cause more pollution/traffic etc, you know where i'm going with this.

Can't believe someone of his stature would even consider doing such a thing like this, i've done a few red lights but only when its a constant straight road i.e not blazing through a junction.

Cameron has proved before that he is a total :toss: and no change there.

Thing is, people (not just cyclists) need education more on Cycle Safety but this would cost money which makes it a no win situation :(

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

Its called a cycling proficency test, did mine when I was a kid, and why should I have to have a license.

I have a car and a motorbike license, I know the rules of the road etc etc why have to sit another test at more expense just to cycle on the road.

As for insurance thats a good idea, but I'm sure I'm covered in some way by my household insurance. If I get knocked off, be sure I'll be claiming off the third party though.

Trouble is all the press recently about RLJ etc etc has given cycling a bad name and now cyclists are seen a viable target minority by the great unwashed.

Its a shame its got like this, cycling if promoted properly would go along way to ease congestion in towns etc etc. Its just nobody wants to, because its so damn difficult to get people out of their cars. Also the cycle path infrastructure needs investing in as TBH some of the cycle paths are down right dangerous and poorly maintained.

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

Totally agree with you there, The amount of punctures i've has due to crap in cycle lanes and general road surfaces is stupid.

Motorist need educating that the cycle lane is for BIKES. The amount of times car block them is insane. Once had a argy bargy with a guy in a big 4x4 as he was accusing me of undertaking him while he was in traffic and i went passed on my push bike in the cycle lane he was partially blocking on a nice wide road, no argument there, i did undertake him, thats what the cycle lane is there for. Just because he was sat in traffic stopped, blocking the cycle lane, didnt mean i had to sit there behind him until he saw me and deceided to move his fat ass!

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

Have you actually watched the video? He rides at below walking pace through a red light, after stopping, and then the video cuts off. It just looked to me like standard issue red-light creeping, getting going in the safe area before the lights change.

Likewise the "wrong side of bollard" thing, when you watch that it's nothing. It's not legal but it's not dangerous, or reckless, or stupid. It's just taking a sensible route round an obstacle.

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

If its a CBT type thing then it wouldn't a test. Might be a couple of hours going through basic stuff. I guess you havnt had to do a CBT?

I wasnt saying you in particular.

IMO its wrong that people with no experiance can go on the road on a bike, a vehicle on which if they make a mistake the outcome can be very unpleasant for all involved. Also there can then be a punishment if they do jump red lights ban then, if they get cought riding with a ban take them to the cleaners. Punishment is using public transport :smt043.

You see this is something else that doesnt do the cylist any favours. If a cyclist rode into me and knocked me off my bike then im screwed. i cant claim off of his insurance... he has none. Situation revered and you can bet any amount they'll be wanting a claim off of mine. Bit one sided, which is wrong imo. :rolleyes:

Dont take this as a hit agains cycling, I like it. Its just that there are idiots spoiling it for the people with a clue. There are easy ways around this but the Government cant be arsed.

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

Completely agree, trouble is part of our economy is based around taxing petrol and car tax, so its never going to change.

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

They say CBT's not a test, you can't pass or fail. But you can not get a certificate, which makes it a pass or fail, which makes it a test as far as I'm concerned.

You can still claim against the cyclist, just not against their insurance, btw.

The problems with the idea of cyclist training and insurance are huge... I'm not even going to attempt a full list, but you've got-

Cost, since cycling's main attraction for many is that it's so cheap- and for some people cheap is the only option.
Enforcement- how do you tell if a cyclist is insured or trained?
Kids- a lot of cyclists are under 16, how do you make them take out insurance?
Tracability- no number plates. Just not practical for most bikes, so how do you catch people for breaking your new rules?
The basic desirability of having people on bikes- it cuts pollution, congestion and parking space use, and encourages personal fitness. We don't want to discourage that...

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

I agree that there are many advantages to a cycle. Its just it seems mental that they can go on the road with all the bad drivers with no training. Thats the main gripe I have. One other little thing, they dont contribute to the roads... directly I mean, a lot probably do have a car or bike or whatever but some just get a free road system. :S

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

Pedestrians also need to be tested, and insured, more bureaucracy and paper work, yes that will sort everything out.

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

Thinking about it lets centralise insurance back to the government in the form of tax, then the more claims that are due to you the more tax you pay. Sorted.

Anybody willing to put up my electoral deposit so I can stand as an MP and go for PM?

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

Actually, can we do that in london, at least the testing bit, the number of pedestrians I've nearly squished as they've wandered out into the road and then stopped like a rabbit in my headlights, or have walked into my bike (and it's not as if it's a tiny bike, or I'm not wearing lairy clothing) is staggering. Seriously, if you have never ridden in london, the depths of stupidity cannot be believed.

MT

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

And skateboarders, they should be made to do handle signals to indicate their next manoeuvre.

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

If the cyclist causes an accident then you can sue him directly: All the insurance does is give him financial back up once he's found guilty. Not having insurance is not a licence for a cyclist to do what they want. (However, I admit getting details of a cyclist might be a bit difficult in some circumstances, but this is what the police are for.)

I cycle to work every day. No traffic light junctions anymore but, in the past (into Manchester), I used to routinely pass the stop line at red traffic lights. Technically illegal but it was to get out of the danger zone and get ahead of the inevitable traffic light grand prix that shows no mercy for the little cyclist. (Who doesn't poke their m/bike ahead of the front cars when they've filtered to the front of a queue? Exactly the same principle, I suggest.) However, I never went across a junction when the light was red, as that is stupid, unsafe and very definitely illegal. Let's not confuse the two behaviours - I assure you they are very different and should be treated so.

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

Thought I'd add that I'm with Northwind on this one: it's not clear exactly what is going on here with the red light jumping.

In my experience, many cyclists adopt behaviours that are designed to compensate for the lack of consideration shown by other road users (usually car drivers), probably borne out of lack of understanding. This is shown most acutely in congestion, where everyone's selfish traits appear because no-one wants to be delayed.

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

Well from the video shown on the news tonight. I dont think he technically did jump it.

Yes it shows him cycling past the stop line, but if you look a few metres ahead, theres already a cyclist stopped on the extreme edge of the junction.

That cyclist has positioned himself further ahead of the cars and also to give himself a better view of whats actually coming across his path. So he has a better chance of

1. Getting across the junction before the cars behind him get onto the junction.

2. Seeing what might be crossing his path, i.e if somebody jumps the lights coming the other way he'll be in a better position to see the approaching vehicles.

I wander if Mr Cameron was cycling forward to get himself into that position and then was going to stop there. Yes I know he passed a red light but he actually hasnt ridden across the junction against a red light...

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

We need to cut Cameron some slack here.It would be so embarassing for him to be run down by his own ministerial limo which follows him everywhere,so creeping over the stop line is ok in his case.;)

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

I must put my hands up to doing something "similar".
I often weave in and out of slow(er) movng vehicles, passing them on both the offside and the nearside. I regularly make my way to the front of stationary traffic and when I get to the front I may actually cross the stop line so that I am in clear view of the surrounding vehicles. When the lights change I like to make sure that I am one of (if not "the") first away. I think that there may even be the odd case of actually crossing the stop sign before the lights were green.
Thankfully, I was on a motorcycle and not a bicycle. If I had been on a bicycle I would be acting illegally and in a dangerous manner. As I was on a motorcycle I can get away with most of the manouvres due to them being neccessary to make "progress" through the traffic.
I have actually been known to go slightly over the legal speed limit on the odd occasion but please don't regard me as a retard because I really didn't mean to and I will promise to try and keep within the law in future.:smt022

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

That's all ok as long as you didn't pull a wheelie, the collective .org will forgive ;)

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

Not speeding is unforgivable. Sorry. :smt075

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

Given the man cant be trusted in charge of a push bike, even when he's in the public eye, why would anyone trust him in charge of Trident.

There are no regulations about the use of Nuclear weapons.

Re: Cyclists - they're all the bloody same...
 

He crossed the line.

End of

The line is there to mark where you stop.

If this is not a problem, then why did Daimo get hassled a month or two ago for crossing the line into the cyclost box and be threatedned with being done for jumping 3 red lights?

He (Cameron) should get at least 3 points on his car license publically for this.

And before anyone asks, yes I have been known to go into the cycle stop area when I have felt it necessary - such as when the vehicle to my left is a bus or a van.

Must get that video and maybe use it if I ever get hassled for it - well if the Leader of the Opposition can do it, why cant I ?????