Forum Topic

Older cyclists have no respect for the law

Today I was waiting at the zebra crossing outside the University of West London.A van stopped to let me cross but I could see a man in his 60's clearly was not going to stop. I did think of tripping him over and letting him fall but resisted the temptation. As he rode off, he did say 'sorry sir'.So much for teaching the younger generation. It is the older ones who need teaching and perhaps a fine.

Rhys Smith ● 4408d28 Comments

A bit of information never goes amiss.Whilst I wouldn't want to be struck at 20mph by a cyclist or a car, I'd choose the cyclist every time.At 1,000kg the car has a lot more kinetic energy to impart, a lot lot lot more.I think it is a similar question, would yo prefer to you want to jump off a one story building or a five story building? I thin the orders of energy you'd experience when you hit the ground compared to being hit by a cyclist or a car are probably similar.

Paul James ● 4400d

Well said Charlotte

Tracey Mehdizadeh ● 4401d

Argumentative banter and bickering are essential for good debate, as long as its constructive and of good report. So is the freedom to express what one feels imo.

Gerry Tan ● 4401d

Neither should you tell people what they think or want.

Keith Iddon ● 4401d

Is not bickering, you can't argue with the laws of physics!

Paul James ● 4401d

I don t care what age they are or what gender or which race but I am fed up with seeing and in a few cases nearly hitting , cyclists who are almost completely invisible at night. I went to from Boston Manor to Twyford School last night and 9/10 of the cyclists wore black,had either no lights or one tiny one on the back and were basically very difficult to see. They seem to think that because they can see your car you can see them. They need to start taking responsibility for themselves and have consideration for drivers.

Charlotte Carotenuto ● 4402d

We'll agree to disagree Paul if you don't mind, better than bickering

Tracey Mehdizadeh ● 4402d

People have already stated which they would prefer Paul.You seem to doubt that they know their own mind.Just accept it why don't you?

Keith Iddon ● 4402d

I can tell you now, you would not prefer the car.The equation for kinetic energy is 0.5 * m * v squared. m is mass, v is velocity.At 1000kg a car has a lot more energy to impart into you than a 88kg rider on a cycle. At 25kph just a glance from the wing mirror has enough energy to crack skulls and smash bones.

Paul James ● 4402d

The grab-a-grant way that Councils seem to operate means that there doesn't always appear to be enough thought put into exactly how some of these cycle lanes were placed on the road.  Whenever and wherever there is a problem (eg most memorably there used to be a road sign that straddled a cycle lane that was too low for cyclists to ride under - one of Ben's complaints) it needs to be pointed out.  Don't just accept it.  Too often these things are just designed and modelled on a computer in an office and they just aren't quite the same in real life.Money allocated for something often has to be spent within a certain amount of time or it is lost.

Philippa Bond ● 4403d

As a driver it infuriates me to see cyclists flouting the Highway Code, I don't agree with cyclists on pavements but do have an understanding of why some do it, having had both my son and his gf hospitalised within a 6 month period by inconsiderate drivers (would prefer to call them something else but I'm sure it's against forum rules) both whilst in cycle lanes, I'm not saying that any of my offspring cycle on pavements, but I do wish we had a system like the Germans have where raised rubber strips separate the cycle paths from the road, and you see whole families happily cycling along safely, without flouting rules of the road

Tracey Mehdizadeh ● 4403d

Exactly, Tracey. It's like the difference between being hit with a blunt instrument and stabbed with a knife.

Susan Kelly ● 4404d

To be honest I would prefer the car, as the force would be spread out over a larger area, I would have more chance of seeing your approach therefore have a bit more time to take evasive action.

Tracey Mehdizadeh ● 4404d

And sometimes they approach rapidly from behind on a footpath.

Keith Iddon ● 4404d

Bikes are a lot sharper.

Susan Kelly ● 4404d

>You can cause as much injury with a bicycle to a frail person.You can certainly cause a great deal of injury to a frail person if you ride a bike into them (well, anybody really), but nowhere near as much if you driver a car into them.As a thought experiment not to be taken literately, would you rather I drove into you at 15 mph in my car or rode into you at 15mph on my bicycle?

Paul James ● 4404d

If he'd been driving a car would a sorry have sufficed ? You can cause as much injury with a bicycle to a frail person.

Tracey Mehdizadeh ● 4404d

No it isn't Paul and if you can get past your own pre-conceived ideas about what I say you would see that but I don't suppose there's miucjh chance of that anytime soon.

Keith Iddon ● 4406d

Interesting this is the first time you've held up the lazy generalisations surrounding cyclists there Keith. Do you only do it when you personally identify with the generlisation?

Paul James ● 4406d

Mine is much ruder.

Susan Kelly ● 4407d

Well in football crowd chants aimed at a referee such aspersions are not typically aimed at the mother but the father - or lack of.

Philip Coe ● 4407d

I think you were very restrained, Rhys. I would have cast aspersions on his relationship with his mother.

Susan Kelly ● 4407d

Well He did say sorry he might have had a lot on his mind at the time

Jack Ryan ● 4407d

Why is there a plural in the thread title? Surely it should read 'Older cyclist has no respect for the law'.

Keith Iddon ● 4408d

Well its true. What kind if scumbag assaults an old duffer for not stopping.  Shame on you.

Christine Daniels ● 4408d

Well spoken Christine.

Gerry Tan ● 4408d

We should be nice to old people.

Christine Daniels ● 4408d

A common problem.All I can say (assume)in the gentleman's defence is that at his age, it takes a while to get off and moving on the bike and to stop is not a favourable option.

Bud Richards ● 4408d