Cycle Path Rage

[VectraMan]

There's a cycle path through the park that's just near where I live, and despite it all being clearly marked with a solid white line down the middle, physical signs as well as a bike painted on the tarmac every couple of hundred yards, it always turns into a bit of a slalom event. I can understand dogs and small children not getting it, but surely adults are capable of realising that if they walk down the cycle part, or even in the middle, they're right in the path of the bikes whizzing past.

What really gets me are the people with pushchairs. Shouldn't being a parent of a small child imply some kind of responsibility for the welfare of said child, and so not put them in harms way? I'd have thought so. But apparently not.

[fullyautomatix]

I ******* hate cyclists who cannot stick to cycle path or footpath and instead choose to trundle around on the road just to piss off the motorists. In London its even worse with majority of cyclists ignoring traffic laws and causing mayhem.

[dmo]

+1.

Had this discussion with a cyclist at work before. Turns out our road tax, viewed as an emissions tax to the average cyclist, means the road is for all... So cyclists get a cycle lane and a road. I ageee to disagree. If a cycle lane is to keep cyclists safe then they should be used, no excuses.

[Doggy Styles]

Went for a bike ride today along the Kennet and Avon canal; a route that is an official cycle path.

It all augered well as I set off from Devizes - I issued a good morning to a crowd of ramblers resting up on a verge and in unison they all replied with a hearty, rosey cheeked rejoinder.

But I met some real miserable sods after that and even had abuse hurled on a couple of occasions.

Now, when I come up behind walkers going in the same direction I just slow up and say "excuse me please" so that they can move over and let me through. I prefer this to using a bell - I know from past experience how irritating it is to be strolling along lost in one's own thoughts to suddenly be startled by a "ding! ding!" and to turn round to have some lycra attired twot breathing down your neck.

I'm not an unconsiderate cyclist but I really do feel there are some intolerant people out there.

Think I might give this cycle path thing a miss & stick to the open road.

Ted, I think this is a most considerate approach.

Except perhaps the bit about surprising them by donning lycra and breathing down their necks. That might upset some people, though not all I'll warrant.

[Fishface]

I push my kids on a 100m section of bicycle lane in a park, I go with the arrow - I have no choice and yes, they could go around quite easily, its not that busy.

I am amazed how angry cyclists get at me, come to a speeding stop, yell, shout, etc etc.

It is absurd behaviour, would I, on a pavement rush up to them, intimidate, shout and yell 'PAVEMENT' and start shaking my head and 'tutting' - whilst they take to the pavement *wrong way* down a one-way street.

[Moscow Mule]

I ******* hate cyclists who cannot stick to cycle path or footpath and instead choose to trundle around on the road just to piss off the motorists. In London its even worse with majority of cyclists ignoring traffic laws and causing mayhem.

You're not allowed to cycle on the footpath you bellend.

Comment about London cyclists is bulltulip too.

[Ted Goat]

I Think the important twing to remember is that most of us are cyclists some of the time and drivers some of the time so should understand the frustrations from both points of view.

That said I HAVE NEVER HOVERED IN A WHITE VAN 2 INCHES BEHIND SOME POOR SOD FLOGGING HIS GUTS OUT TRYING TO GET UP A 30% GRADIENT WHILE REVVING MY ENGINE AT 20000 RPM

[jmo21]

Another thread that can be summed up as "people are arseholes"

[doodab]

That said I HAVE NEVER HOVERED IN A WHITE VAN 2 INCHES BEHIND SOME POOR SOD FLOGGING HIS GUTS OUT TRYING TO GET UP A 30% GRADIENT WHILE REVVING MY ENGINE AT 20000 RPM

If you had ever tried to drive up a 1 in 3 in a well laden van you would understand that you need to use a low gear to get up it, which is why the engine is revving a bit. They are probably behind you because it's not safe to overtake you, as you are probably weaving from side to side because you don't have low enough gears / strong enough legs.

[xoggoth]

Since we are on the topic of cycle tracks, any solutions to the problem of getting a great muddy stripe up your back? I usually come home looking like a badger.