Cycling misconceptions

I'm thinking about making a video outlining common cycling misconceptions., whilst attempting to promote cycle lanes and cargo bikes.

We all know them, but so far I'm thinking; they're all RLJers, don't pay road tax, roads were built for cars, they should stay far left, cycling uphill is pretty much impossible unless you're 25 or under, the old can't cycle, cyclists ruin travel times etc.

I'll also argue against the notion that London streets are too narrow for bikes/ lanes, and that commutes are too long to be cycled.

Anyone got any to add?

Cycle lanes are often shit on toast.

Yep. Dutch ones are great though, in general.

http://www.cyclinguk.org/blog/victoria-hazael/drivers-need-know

http://www.cycletraining.co.uk/news-and-info/articles-and-reports/communications/top-10-tips-drivers.pdf

This is tricky, if you're promoting cycle lanes, why is it important to disavow people of notions like:

they're all RLJers, roads were built for cars, they should stay far left, cyclists ruin travel times etc.

If people hold these beliefs then they probably believe that cyclists should be off the road and on cycle paths.

I think campaigning for decent infrastructure and debunking myths at the same time is a good idea. I'm not promoting the use of shit lanes. Promoting safer junctions is probably the best way to make things actually safer, but I don't think it'll promote cycling in a meaningful way.

I think campaigning for decent infrastructure and debunking myths at the same time is a good idea.

Sure, but you were quite specific about what you wanted to promote and I can't see the relevance of some of the misconceptions to that.

"there's no point building cycle lanes because they never use them"

Use of cycle lanes is compulsory.

Anyone got any to add?

Cycling clothes look shit
You have to use cycling clothes
You have to wear hi-vis clothing and thus look like a goon

Basically, you can't cycle to an important meeting because you'll arrive sweating and draped in boil in the bag fluro. Or a skinsuit.

You can't carry large items on a bike
Cyclists have to ride single file
Cyclists are constantly causing accidents by forcing other vehicles to swerve
Cyclists can damage another vehicle and then just cycle off since they can't be identified (exactly like anyone on foot then)

You could also add that one reason that London roads are too narrow is that their effective width is reduced by having cars parked on both sides. This is a particular arseache if it reduces the road to being 1.5 lanes wide, so cars coming in opposite directions have to queue and wait to get past each other. This is one instance in which cars massively slow down bike journeys.

Some ideas here...
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/202583/

#utfs
#Wherethemerge?

Cyclists don't own (or drive) cars

Other "proper" cyclists mock your riding (nodding) style and your run-of-the-mill hybrid on Internet forums

Bikes get nicked all the time and everywhere

Helmets should be used for safety and they make your hair look bad

10-things-cyclists-wish-drivers-understood