bit of a cycling rant

[cir3ngirl]

Andy my mum never gave it a thought either until I pointed out what a bad example she was to her grandchildren plus the fact she always wore one when she had a moped.

Davina

[albert onglebod]

This has made me come over all nervous, I'm (hopefully soon) going to get my first bike since I was 13 and I've never ridden on the road or done the cycling test (can't remember why - I was meant too, although my parents didn't want me on the roads anyway!)

Help! I think I'm going to annoy everybody! Unless I do what I did as a kid and only cycle in the park and by the canal!

Clare

Just keep to the left on the road. Use hand signals. When turning right,its easier when you are new to it, to stop, get off and push it across. Once you build your confidence its easy. Careful by canals as they are lonely places if you are by yourself. I always say to my teens that if there is a place they could sneak along in the nude without being seen, its not a safe place to be by yourself. We have a river near us and I only ever cycle by it when with my son or OH.
Buy a good bell for shared paths .

[Ranter]

I've also acquired a bike - my first one! I learnt to ride on a friend's bike when I was 11, but haven't ridden since then. I'm having to learn to ride all over again, much to the BFs amusement.

Think it'll be a while before I venture out on the roads - Leicester is safe (oh, and the bike came with a bell).

[Mancblue]

I cycle to work on my old and trusty bike, it can be harsh during the winter months but the summer is just bliss. Passing people in cars with their windows down, yet still sweltering in the heat. Although red lights do apply and I do abide by them, pureley for safety's sake I usually pop on to the pavement and use the crossing whilst the lights are on red, this also winds motorists up even though i'm doing nothing wrong?

I also have been riding since a child and do not wear a helmet, I will however be getting and making my daughter wear a one now she can ride without stabilisers.

Oh! and don't get me wrong, I do have a car, I just choose only to use it when I need to. Like shopping, visiting family, etc...

[den_the_cat]

..... I usually pop on to the pavement and use the crossing whilst the lights are on red, this also winds motorists up even though i'm doing nothing wrong?

well you are really 'cos if you're over 12 you're not allowed to ride on the pavement. Plus surely you end up going in the wrong direction then?

[Mancblue]

Well can't really argue with that, it is illegal to ride on the pavement. So i'll revise.

I pop on to the pavements, by doing this I'm breaking the law and this is what winds motorist up because I and many other cyclist's use the pavements with absolutely no punishment.

[Shirley]

[den_the_cat]

fsir assessment

[Andy Hamilton]

I pop on to the pavements, by doing this I'm breaking the law and this is what winds motorist up because I and many other cyclist's use the pavements with absolutely no punishment.

Well looks like things might be changing, well in London at least thanks to red ken.

I wonder what happens if you cycle into London from an unlicensed area?

[albert onglebod]

It'd be like the congestion charge rule.If you enter the city,you pay except if you enter the city,you must have a plate.
Course it's much easier to just remove the plate if caught on camera and replace it as you dont register your bike and they are much cheaper to 'lose'.
Next they will be charging bikes road tax and that will be the end of cycling.
Some cyclists ride on the pavement to avoid the gaping holes,cracks,lumps of tarmac and horizontal drain slots at the kerbside.
Some to avoid being pushed off by the car which draws up alongside instead of waiting behind at the lights or crossing .