Peter, I don't break any of the rules you mention, and I trust you don't break any either. But there are people who do. If I'm driving and I make a 'small mistake', as you put it, the consequences could be lethal. I don't think I've ever got into a car and thought 'I'd better drive carefully because otherwise a pedestrian or cyclist may kill or injure me'. Cars are designed to be comfortable, cocooning, and cut us off from what is happening outside, to the extent that we're so much less aware of the speed we're driving at and how heavy we are. My first car was an old banger which rattled around and had such a thin shell that I couldn't hear the radio (MW only!) That's now a thing of the past.Conversely, when I get on my bike each day, I think 'I hope no-one drives into me or yells at me'. I am super-vigilant, careful, and it's exhausting. I would not wish such a stressful journey on anyone, and I'm grateful for the stretches of my commute where there is less traffic or I'm on segregated cycle lanes. You mention you don't expect 'special measures', but if you only cycle occasionally then maybe it's bearable. A commute to work is almost every day, all year round.When you say 'special measures' do you mean cycle lanes? If so, I pay for them just as I pay for countless roads I don't use. In fact, I pay for repairing roads and pavements which I haven't even damaged! Do you know how much the council spends each year on repairing potholes? (Don't look it up - it'll ruin your evening)Anyway, it's been nice to having this reasonable conversation on the forum.
Dominik Klimowski ● 61d