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B**y Borris Bikes and other Cyclists in London
Today is Saturday and I have have been walking the streets of London
doing Xmas shopping along with thousands of others. But I live here; most of the others are tourists. However London is very bad this year - there are too many cyclists without lights, riding on the pavements, and jumping the red lights. I used to be a keen cyclist having been brought up with National Cycling Proficiency at school, and at least reading the Highway Code. I WAS a keen cyclist - but now no more. And now-a-days I am gob-smacked at the selfishness of modern cyclists. This afternoon alone I have nearly been knocked over 5 times by cyclists without lights jumping the red traffic lights - when they have been green for me as a pedestrian. If I shout out after they just miss knocking me over all I get told is "fcuk off!" Nice, This reduces my sympathy for cyclists to zero. But the latest outrage are the tourists on Borris Bikes. They don't give a damn. They haven't a clue how to ride a bike properly, and frequently ride the wrong way down a one way road if they are not also on the pavement. Almost everyday I start to cross a one-way street only to nearly collide with a Borris Bike being ridden the wrong way along it - the direction from which I DO NOT expect anything to be coming. Just recently there have been two unfortunate deaths of cyclists in London (there are probably many more every month), but it is very hard to have any sympathy for them when it seems that the majority of cyclists haven't any concern about mowing pedestrians down, going the wrong way along one-way streets, cycling on pavements, cycling without lights and wearing dark clothes (how stupid is that), and telling me to "fcuk off" for being in their way. SB.. |
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B**y Borris Bikes and other Cyclists in London
On Nov 19, 7:33*pm, SB wrote:
Just recently there have been two unfortunate deaths of cyclists in London (there are probably many more every month), Not really - there is about 1 cyclist killed every three days in the entire country. but it is very hard to have any sympathy for them when it seems that the majority of cyclists haven't any concern about mowing pedestrians down, going the wrong way along one-way streets, cycling on pavements, cycling without lights and wearing dark clothes (how stupid is that), and telling me to "fcuk off" for being in their way. SB It must be a London thing. Everyone is in a rush and sod everyone else. This includes red faced cabbies shouting at pedestrians for being in their way, pedestrians on smart phones walking into the road without looking and punch ups over parking places. The selfish people you see on bikes would be just as selfish if they were in cars or on motorbikes, but unlike drivers, cyclists on average kill zero people year after year. -- Simon Mason |
#3
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B**y Borris Bikes and other Cyclists in London
SB wrote:
Today is Saturday and I have have been walking the streets of London doing Xmas shopping along with thousands of others. But I live here; most of the others are tourists. However London is very bad this year - there are too many cyclists without lights, riding on the pavements, and jumping the red lights. I used to be a keen cyclist having been brought up with National Cycling Proficiency at school, and at least reading the Highway Code. I WAS a keen cyclist - but now no more. And now-a-days I am gob-smacked at the selfishness of modern cyclists. This afternoon alone I have nearly been knocked over 5 times by cyclists without lights jumping the red traffic lights - when they have been green for me as a pedestrian. If I shout out after they just miss knocking me over all I get told is "fcuk off!" Nice, This reduces my sympathy for cyclists to zero. But the latest outrage are the tourists on Borris Bikes. They don't give a damn. They haven't a clue how to ride a bike properly, and frequently ride the wrong way down a one way road if they are not also on the pavement. Almost everyday I start to cross a one-way street only to nearly collide with a Borris Bike being ridden the wrong way along it - the direction from which I DO NOT expect anything to be coming. Just recently there have been two unfortunate deaths of cyclists in London (there are probably many more every month), but it is very hard to have any sympathy for them when it seems that the majority of cyclists haven't any concern about mowing pedestrians down, going the wrong way along one-way streets, cycling on pavements, cycling without lights and wearing dark clothes (how stupid is that), and telling me to "fcuk off" for being in their way. SB.. They maim, disable and kill people on a regular basis, but it is nothing to do with them, ever. It is all down to whoever they hit, never the cyclist. On the tiny number of occasions they are caught the fines are derisory even for deliberate running down of pedestrians, they don't even get a momentary ban. Campaign to your MP to get them registered, trained, licenced, insured, use legal machines and face prosecution and even banning for breaking the laws. All wheeled road users should face the same laws and penalties. If they were registered then the camera systems could catch transgressors and pedestrians could report them. |
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B**y Borris Bikes and other Cyclists in London
On 19/11/2011 21:55, Mrcheerful wrote:
SB wrote: Today is Saturday and I have have been walking the streets of London doing Xmas shopping along with thousands of others. But I live here; most of the others are tourists. However London is very bad this year - there are too many cyclists without lights, riding on the pavements, and jumping the red lights. I used to be a keen cyclist having been brought up with National Cycling Proficiency at school, and at least reading the Highway Code. I WAS a keen cyclist - but now no more. And now-a-days I am gob-smacked at the selfishness of modern cyclists. This afternoon alone I have nearly been knocked over 5 times by cyclists without lights jumping the red traffic lights - when they have been green for me as a pedestrian. If I shout out after they just miss knocking me over all I get told is "fcuk off!" Nice, This reduces my sympathy for cyclists to zero. But the latest outrage are the tourists on Borris Bikes. They don't give a damn. They haven't a clue how to ride a bike properly, and frequently ride the wrong way down a one way road if they are not also on the pavement. Almost everyday I start to cross a one-way street only to nearly collide with a Borris Bike being ridden the wrong way along it - the direction from which I DO NOT expect anything to be coming. Just recently there have been two unfortunate deaths of cyclists in London (there are probably many more every month), but it is very hard to have any sympathy for them when it seems that the majority of cyclists haven't any concern about mowing pedestrians down, going the wrong way along one-way streets, cycling on pavements, cycling without lights and wearing dark clothes (how stupid is that), and telling me to "fcuk off" for being in their way. SB.. They maim, disable and kill people on a regular basis, but it is nothing to do with them, ever. It is all down to whoever they hit, never the cyclist. On the tiny number of occasions they are caught the fines are derisory even for deliberate running down of pedestrians, they don't even get a momentary ban. Campaign to your MP to get them registered, trained, licenced, insured, use legal machines and face prosecution and even banning for breaking the laws. All wheeled road users should face the same laws and penalties. If they were registered then the camera systems could catch transgressors and pedestrians could report them. APPLAUSE -- Dave - Cyclists VOR. "Many people barely recognise the bicycle as a legitimate mode of transport; it is either a toy for children or a vehicle fit only for the poor and/or strange," Dave Horton - Lancaster University |
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B**y Borris Bikes and other Cyclists in London
"SB" wrote in message
... Today is Saturday and I have have been walking the streets of London doing Xmas shopping along with thousands of others. But I live here; most of the others are tourists. However London is very bad this year - there are too many cyclists without lights, riding on the pavements, and jumping the red lights. I used to be a keen cyclist having been brought up with National Cycling Proficiency at school, and at least reading the Highway Code. I WAS a keen cyclist - but now no more. And now-a-days I am gob-smacked at the selfishness of modern cyclists. This afternoon alone I have nearly been knocked over 5 times by cyclists without lights jumping the red traffic lights - when they have been green for me as a pedestrian. If I shout out after they just miss knocking me over all I get told is "fcuk off!" Nice, This reduces my sympathy for cyclists to zero. As a responsible cyclist, who stops at traffic lights, carries lights and fluorescent clothing and reflectors and respects other users of the road (and pavements) I share your irritation with the morons who give us all a bad name. May I recommend that you carry a sturdy walking stick when out as a pedestrian. When one of these selfish scum ignores the rules of the road simply insert it between the spokes. It will focus the mind as the cranium makes contact with the road surface. ;-) |
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B**y Borris Bikes and other Cyclists in London
On Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:25:48 -0000, "Jack Taylor"
wrote: "SB" wrote in message ... Today is Saturday and I have have been walking the streets of London doing Xmas shopping along with thousands of others. But I live here; most of the others are tourists. However London is very bad this year - there are too many cyclists without lights, riding on the pavements, and jumping the red lights. I used to be a keen cyclist having been brought up with National Cycling Proficiency at school, and at least reading the Highway Code. I WAS a keen cyclist - but now no more. And now-a-days I am gob-smacked at the selfishness of modern cyclists. This afternoon alone I have nearly been knocked over 5 times by cyclists without lights jumping the red traffic lights - when they have been green for me as a pedestrian. If I shout out after they just miss knocking me over all I get told is "fcuk off!" Nice, This reduces my sympathy for cyclists to zero. As a responsible cyclist, who stops at traffic lights, carries lights and fluorescent clothing and reflectors and respects other users of the road (and pavements) I share your irritation with the morons who give us all a bad name. May I recommend that you carry a sturdy walking stick when out as a pedestrian. When one of these selfish scum ignores the rules of the road simply insert it between the spokes. It will focus the mind as the cranium makes contact with the road surface. ;-) You should also ensure that your insurance covers you for assault causing actual bodily harm. If it doesn't then it's probably best not to try this as it could be very expensive indeed. Guy -- Guy Chapman, http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk The usenet price promise: all opinions are guaranteed to be worth at least what you paid for them. |
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B**y Borris Bikes and other Cyclists in London
You should also ensure that your insurance covers you for assault
causing actual bodily harm. If it doesn't then it's probably best not to try this as it could be very expensive indeed. Most people would know that (as a matter of public policy) you cannot insure against a criminal act carried out intentionally. I do hope the Lycra is not restricting the blood supply. But I do agree it is an action best taken by people with little or nothing to lose. I have, for example, a little list of crossings I intend to visit with my stout walking stick if I ever have the "best put your affairs in order a.s.a.p." talk with the doctor. -- Robin reply to address is (meant to be) valid |
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B**y Borris Bikes and other Cyclists in London
On Sun, 20 Nov 2011 13:27:45 -0000, "Robin" wrote:
You should also ensure that your insurance covers you for assault causing actual bodily harm. If it doesn't then it's probably best not to try this as it could be very expensive indeed. Most people would know that (as a matter of public policy) you cannot insure against a criminal act carried out intentionally. That was very much the point I was making. It is the moral equivalent of using a baseball bat on shoplifters. It might be superficially satisfying but it is disproportionate and illegal. Guy -- Guy Chapman, http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk The usenet price promise: all opinions are guaranteed to be worth at least what you paid for them. |
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B**y Borris Bikes and other Cyclists in London
Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:
On Sun, 20 Nov 2011 13:27:45 -0000, "Robin" wrote: You should also ensure that your insurance covers you for assault causing actual bodily harm. If it doesn't then it's probably best not to try this as it could be very expensive indeed. Most people would know that (as a matter of public policy) you cannot insure against a criminal act carried out intentionally. That was very much the point I was making. It is the moral equivalent of using a baseball bat on shoplifters. It might be superficially satisfying but it is disproportionate and illegal. Guy the cyclist won't lose, their own household insurance will cover any losses they suffer. |
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B**y Borris Bikes and other Cyclists in London
That was very much the point I was making. It is the moral equivalent
of using a baseball bat on shoplifters. It might be superficially satisfying but it is disproportionate and illegal. You are not allowing for the possibilty that a walking stick might be inserted in the spokes by accident. I would hope a jury might bear in mind that an elderly chap crossing the road with a walking stick cannot be expected to ensure it does not go through the wheel of a cyclist ignoring the pedestrian crossing, red lights, one-way road etc. And given the averaae age of jurors these days I would also hope that some would understand the difficulties. They might also share the view that a cyclist riding at speed through red lights at a pedestrian is morally more akin to an armed robber than a shoplifter. -- Robin reply to address is (meant to be) valid |
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