• There are threads on this forum where cyclists are basically feeling aggrieved when the law is enforced. Drivers aren't the only people to do this.

    When laws are enforced (speed cameras, traffic wardens) the driver feels aggrieved and victimized rather than feeling guilty for breaking the law.

    Yes because there is a feeling that speed cameras and traffic wardens are there to catch you out and raise money rather than actually catch dangerous drivers (like drunk drivers and those that drive at excessive speed). It not about flouting the law, it is people criticizing the validity of it because they don't believe it is fair. Whether that is true or not is besides the point and the accusatory stance you guys seem to take will reinforce their views.

    Realistically in most situation going slightly faster than the speed limit or a bit of dodgy parking on a high-street isn't dangerous and the penalties are reflected by how severely you are prosecuted.

  • If you break the rules of the road in a car you are being dangerous and could kill or seriously injure someone. That's why the rules were drawn up, that's why there is no requirement for a license to ride a bike. Parking in the street so that cyclists have to enter the stream of traffic is dangerous and selfish, turning or changing lane without looking or indicating probably makes up most of my near miss experiences.

    Phone use in cars is a classic example of something that is not being taken seriously by drivers. I've had people laugh at me when I've tried to explain they could kill or injure someone while on their phone and yet phones are implicated in more and more accidents. Most drivers (and this is backed up by a study that suggested that 80%) think they are better than average drivers which somehow permits them to go that bit faster than others without being dangerous, to look at their phone or to speed through on amber or do aggressive maneuvers without being dangerous and yet they are. Obviously the same applies to cyclists, however they are far less likely to kill or seriously injure others (although it happens). The fact is that cyclists are seen as people that don't respect the rules of the road and yet the truth is almost no one respects all the rules of the road at all times. The important thing to remember in this argument are the numbers, the numbers of people killed/injured by cars vs bikes and the rules should be enforced appropriately.

About

Avatar for mellion @mellion started