Forum Topic

Cyclists - need your opinion please

Dear All,As some of you know, my husband has been under the threat of redundancy for a few months and the axe fell on Monday. He's out and on the dole. He's been trying to think of a way of working which might bring in some cash. I think he'll have to try several approaches in this economic climate. One thought he's had is to offer a mobile pushbike service. He would offer a basic 10 point check either at people's houses or at their offices. This would cost £10-15 and if any further work is needed he would either quote for it or refer people on to somewhere else. He'd target local companies and rail/tube stations (with their agreement of course). What do you all think? Any chance of success?Would be grateful for your thoughts

Penny Crocker ● 5887d51 Comments

GavinYou mention in earlier posts that you have competed at International level (which is very impressive) - have you ever won?

J Smith ● 5818d

And I had another bunch of peds launch themselves across the road against a red man, when I clearly had right of way.Except that until this moment I didn't feel the need to write about it on a web forum.GET A LIFE YOU TEDIOUS TROLL! G xx

Gavin Gilbert ● 5818d

Last night whilst crossing the road at the crossroads near West Ealing Station - the pedestrian crossing in my favour - guess what a cyclist comes racing along the road without a care in the world ignoring the red light and nearly knocked me over. This is what I have been talking about - some cyclists blatant disregard for the hightway code and other road users.

J Smith ● 5818d

GavinI have not in any of my posts blamed you for existing. I have merely pointed out that there are several cyclists today (I assume from what you have told the forum, you are not to be included in this group) who do not follow the highway code, are colour blind when it comes to red lights and treat pavements, (those which aren't designated as part pedestrian, part cyclist) as their own private road and ignore those people who are using the pavement as a pavement.

J Smith ● 5829d

As long as your conscience is clear & you have acted  appropriately and within the law, then they are in the wrong and not you.

Faith Wardle ● 5829d

then try reading other poeples posts before sounding off.you do come across as having a need for the last word.

Gavin Gilbert ● 5830d

Re  During the course of this topic I have been told to get onto the pavement and to stay off the pavement.          xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx    No-one as far as I am aware has TOLD you anything, made comments and suggestions maybe and your entire post does rather tend to prove how dangerous cycling can be, even for " old hands " like you, so why you get so agitated re cycle lanes on pavements escapes me. And to answer a question you posed in another post, an example of a good useful cycle lane is on the Nth Circ. from Ealing Common to Chiswick.

Tony Price ● 5830d

I agree totally. I rode from Ealing to the Hillingdon Cycle Circuit along the Uxbridge Road last night, raced and then rode home.During the course of that journey:1. I was almost sideswiped by a white van at the Uxbridge Road & Gunnersbury Lane junction.2. then had a bendy bus pull out on me (without signaling) from the stop opposite the town hall.3. had a clown run out in the road in front of me approaching the clock junction in Hanwell.4. Was very nearly left hooked by a non-signaling car in Southall. The driver was on her mobile.post race5. another near sideswipe by a bhangramobile driving in the bus lane coming into Southall.6. a youngster deciding to run across the road in front of me as I was coming out of Southall. This was clearly a deliberate act.7. a car failing to give way whilst joining the Uxbridge Road from outside of the Jarvis Hotel. I had to brake so hard I locked the rear wheel. Note I was on the cyclelane at this point.Now keep in mind I am a racing cyclist with 30 years road experience. I have competed in National Championship events, and have raced at an international level. I know how to handle a bike. I was in very visible club racing colours, and on the return journey was using BS Standard lights front and rear. The machine I was riding was well maintained.Yet in a journey of 8 miles I experienced 7 incidents that cause me reasonable fear for my safety. Whilst that frequency is on the extreme end of the norm, it's not untypical. Sometimes I do wonder how any of the less skilled cyclists we see manage to survive.But what really sticks in my craw - what really makes me angry - is prigs like F Stone that blame us for existing. During the course of this topic I have been told to get onto the pavement and to stay off the pavement. Wonderful, so I'm an easily persecuted minority.

Gavin Gilbert ● 5830d

Last week I watched two school girl on bikes almost knock over an old lady on the pavement and they didn't even stop to see if she was alright. This was on Windmill Rd which was quite quiet at the time so I could see no reason why they weren't cycling on the road. I sympathise with bike users, and I don't mind if they go up onto the pavement when the road is busy, but if they do this, they should try to have some respect for pedestrians who have no choice but to walk on the pavement and get off their bikes if necessary. It's all about mutual respect and working together. Unfortunately this doesn't seem to be something that is abundant in our society these days.

Faith Wardle ● 5830d

Great. So either we upset you and cycle on the road, or upset 'F Stone' by cycling on the cyclepath (which he/she/it is blind to)So as it's better to be hung for a sheep than a lamb I'll personally stick to the road. I spend as much time on foot as I do on 2 wheels around Ealing and Acton and have seen no examples at all of intelligent planning of shared paths. Nor does pavement cycling register on my radar as being that much of a problem. When it does occur it's mostly with youths on BMX's.Well done on your comment that roads are no longer safe for cycling because of disrepair and traffic. Classic victim blaming.

Gavin Gilbert ● 5830d

Re  Something call 'a road'. And all users of 'a road' knowing how to use it.      xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx      With the increase in traffic many parts of many roads are no longer safe for cyclists, and sides of roads badly pot-holed and otherwise damaged, dangerous to cycles. Hence  intelligent planners have and are making cycle lanes on pavements, clearly marked. And your contention that road users know how to use them is wide of the mark, apart from the added substantial danger these days when many drivers in London do not have insurance, even if they have a licence, which is also highly unlikely.

Tony Price ● 5831d

Thinking more about your post - what did I write that could possibly lead you to think that I DIDN'T obey the highway code?------------The bit where you said you were a cyclist.All powered vehicles must give way to unpowered vehicles, this is why horse riders have priority over cars and why pedestrians have the right to walk safely, even if they are in the wrong, in a powered (albeit human powered) vehicle you must give way to them or else there will be an accident and someone will get hurt.--------------------------------------------------As I said, a bigot. I'm a cyclist so ergo I don't obey the highway code. Not that you know what the highway code says. Obviously.To be honest I'm a bit worried you're allowed out on pavements. Are you sure you know how to use them properly?Oh - and there's no evidence that helmets are of any use. The certificated standard is only to protect at 12mph anyway. A badly fitted helmet will has a higher chance of killing than no helmet at all. Plenty of research into the subject - try to Google the facts before spouting off on the web.

Gavin Gilbert ● 5831d

Something call 'a road'. And all users of 'a road' knowing how to use it.

Gavin Gilbert ● 5831d

Oh my goodness Faith, what timing !Yes, contracting is a bit precarious and we are both contractors so no security for either of us but it seems to be the way of the world now. Just keep hoping that the economy will stabilise and we can get back some semblance of normality and confidence again.

Penny Crocker ● 5832d

I was made redundant one week before Christmas so I have every sympathy with your situation. I was on the dole for a month (having worked full time for over 20 years). I'm now contracting for the BBC, but it's not very secure. Good luck and I hope he finds something soon.

Faith Wardle ● 5832d

Hi there,I had mine done at cycle store at 101 uxbridge road and they were £35, so £50 seems a bit steep?

Stewart Galbraith ● 5832d

He's a Business Analyst in Workflow Design ! Currently working as a contractor in the Utilities Industry (water) but has worked for Banks, Solicitors, Insurance etc)

Penny Crocker ● 5832d

what is his background?

Elaine McElgunn ● 5832d

Hi, thanks for that Faith. I think we looked long and hard at it and came to the conclusion that as a one man band, he couldn't make a living out of it. David Eales (Ealing cycling)  advised as much. There is obviously a growing market out there though.(For anyone interested, he has got some consultancy work for 8 weks in Edinburgh. Not ideal but keeping the wolf from the door. We have also taken a lodger.)

Penny Crocker ● 5832d

I work at the BBC in White City and they've got a company coming in to do bikes services for staff and it will cost £50

Faith Wardle ● 5832d

Re  muppets in the Town Hall who stick cyclepaths on them who are the problem.              xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx        what's wrong with part pavements being made into cycle lanes. Very well used in Europe, especially Holland, where they know more than we do re use of cycles. What is your safe alternative.

Tony Price ● 5834d

Wrong - I stick religously to the highway code and I'm one of the cyclists lobbying Bozza to start enforcement of Red Lights. As well as campaigning for proper cycle training to reduce the number of self-inflicted injuries on our roads.--------Good for you.I agree that pavements are for people to walk on. It's the muppets in the Town Hall who stick cyclepaths on them who are the problem----------------------Er no, its the cyclists who don't obey the highway code and ride on the pavements who are the problem.-------------------------Thinking more about your post - what did I write that could possibly lead you to think that I DIDN'T obey the highway code?------------The bit where you said you were a cyclist.All powered vehicles must give way to unpowered vehicles, this is why horse riders have priority over cars and why pedestrians have the right to walk safely, even if they are in the wrong, in a powered (albeit human powered) vehicle you must give way to them or else there will be an accident and someone will get hurt.Bigot, n'est pas?------------------Not at all, just offering my opinion and sharing my experiences of trying to cross the road and walk on the pavement, as was FS.I have also seen, first hand, how easily a human head can be damaged when it impacts with the road at speed and whatever our different opinions on cyclists are, PLEASE WEAR A HELMET.G

G Lord ● 5834d

Thinking more about your post - what did I write that could possibly lead you to think that I DIDN'T obey the highway code?Bigot, n'est pas?

Gavin Gilbert ● 5834d

Wrong - I stick religously to the highway code and I'm one of the cyclists lobbying Bozza to start enforcement of Red Lights. As well as campaigning for proper cycle training to reduce the number of self-inflicted injuries on our roads.I agree that pavements are for people to walk on. It's the muppets in the Town Hall who stick cyclepaths on them who are the problem.

Gavin Gilbert ● 5834d

GI couldn't have said it any better! You are right!

J Smith ● 5834d

Actually Gavin, you sound like the kind of idiot who gives cyclists a really bad name.  There you are doing your little bit for the environment, helping to save the planet, reclaiming the streets by using pedal power and bending whatever rules or laws you see fit when it suits you.The highway code is there for a reason, cyclists DO jump red lights, cyclists DO ride on the pavement.You expect other road users to show you some consideration, why don't you show some consideration to others?Pavements are for people to walk safely on.G

G Lord ● 5834d

Nicely spotted Gavin.Some things don't change, Iron Bridge, cycle parking at stations, cycle access to Ealing Broadway. It's a shame that we as Ealing Cycling Campaign have to exist.

David Eales ● 5834d

In reply to your question my head was firmly on its shoulders and no there isn't a shared cycle and pedestrian path where I was crossing - the crossing by the post office in Uxbridge Road and the furniture shop. If these 3 cyclists were cycling on the pavement single file it wouldn't have been much of a problem but as they were cycling 3 abreast so they could talk to each other, then yes it was a problem.Perhaps all cyclists should be made to sit a highway code exam so that they know that a red light actually means stop and not as in several cases, go.

J Smith ● 5834d

10 years later, almost nothing has been done to improve the situation:http://www.ealingcycling.org.uk/SubjectPages/Reports/UxbrRdRoute.html

Gavin Gilbert ● 5835d

Re  If they don't like the road then why don't they just walk or take the bus?        xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx      I think you know the answer to that F S. The roads now are so dangerous for cyclists that some, incl. myself at times and in certain places do resort to the pavement, a matter of self protection. But I do say when that happens, the cyclist must go at a very slow pace so as not to be a potential danger to those  legally on the pavement. Actually, the number of times pedestrians apologise to me when I stop to let them have preference on the pavement is staggering and I always say, no I am at fault , not you, you are rightfully here and I am not. Most pedestrians are most understanding and must realise why cyclists these days do use the pavements in certain circs.

Tony Price ● 5835d

yawn....actually this cyclist has a lot to say about the behaviour of pedestrians crossing the the road. Particulary at the junction of the Broadway and the Uxbridge Road opposite the North Star. Nearly got taken out this morning by a gaggle of gormless peds sauntering across against a red man. Maybe they hadn't twigged that a cyclist moving at 25mph would hurt them as much as a car moving at 25mph?As for cycling on the pavement... would it be the section that's actually a shared path and cyclelane? Or did you have your head rammed so far up your **** you didn't notice?

Gavin Gilbert ● 5835d

Has any one else found that not only are some cyclists arrogant but they are colour blind as well. Today I was trying to cross Uxbridge Road via a pelican crossing which was in the pedestrian's favour when a cyclist just comes bowling through without any consideration for those trying to cross the road. Yesterday I cam across 3 cyclists that were using the pelican crossing top cross the road and ended up riding their bikes along the pavement - surely somethign has got to be done about it. Children under a certain age I can accept not wanting to use the road but grown men and women? If they don't like the road then why don't they just walk or take the bus? It is shear arrogance and lack of consideration for pedestrians.

J Smith ● 5835d

No, sadly not ! An exit interview where he collects his P45 !

Penny Crocker ● 5882d

Final interview for what Penny? A new job? I do hope so.

Sara Nathan ● 5882d

..he's attending his final interview today and will be on the Forum tomorrow

Penny Crocker ● 5882d

What about something like this but smaller, on a more local scale.            http://www.screwdriver-flatpack.co.uk/guide-pricing.htmlAnother string to your bow.

Peter Wright ● 5883d

Re  My last service which was all simple stuff cost me 110.00.             xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx      they must have seen you coming!, an annual service on a car can cost less than that. When Halfords have the time, they charge, or used to, £3.50 to repair a puncture.

Tony Price ● 5884d

Just sent you a message.

David Eales ● 5884d

I'll fix your puncture :-)

Al Stuart ● 5886d

Advertising on the local sites would be a start - I don't think they are very expensive. What would his radius be?

Sara Nathan ● 5886d

I would love this have often thought it would be great to have somone. My last service which was all simple stuff cost me 110.00. yesterday got a puncture which cost £20 to fix as was on chiswick high road and had no other choice. Your biggest thing would be finding a way to advertise it so people could put his number straight in thier phone. Just think, pitch it right and this time next year Rodney, you could be millionaires.

Elaine McElgunn ● 5886d

I'll ask him !

Penny Crocker ● 5886d

Would he deal with a puncture as well? Does he travel to Acton?Oh yes please!Can he come now?

Sara Nathan ● 5886d

Al wrote: >Its run by possibly the rudest bike shop owner I've ever met.

David Fox ● 5886d

Thanks to you and to Diane. Kevin is looking at all the posts and on here and on the Chiswick Forum there have been some really good ideas. He's still in a bit of shock about the redundancy and his mood has been very variable this week as I'm sure you can all imagine but he needs a new project to get involved in.

Penny Crocker ● 5886d

why not speak to David Ealeshttp://www.ealingcycling.org.uk/

Stewart Galbraith ● 5886d

I agree...........but we've found WiZZbike in Brentford to be great

Penny Crocker ● 5886d

As a cyclist myself it sounds like a good idea. Ealing doen't have a decent bike shop.I wouln't recommend the one in Bond Street. Its run by possibly the rudest bike shop owner I've ever met.

Al Stuart ● 5886d

Good idea, possibly a bit expensive if £15. Do bike shops do this (Ealing Cycles) and if so what do they charge? If not he could affiliate with them and any other local bike shops.

Diane Gill ● 5887d