FAO UCC Cyclists

invinciblePRSTV

And in particular to the crusty looking bird who nearly knocked me down yesterday on the Western Road - Traffic Signals apply to you also, not just drivers.

This means a Red Light means STOP, it's not an invitation to continue at speed when pedestrians like myself are crossing the road when the green man allows us to.

The ROTR, a great read, swot up on it cyclists.

That is all.

DonnieScribbles

Sorry you had a bad experience. Try not to tar all us cyclists with the one brush though! I cycle to and from UCC daily and am fully aware of the rules of the road.

If cyclists sometimes appear reckless, it is because we are the underdogs of road users in this country. Pedestrians and motorists are far more accommodated. I know this is no excuse for endangering people crossing the road, as in your case, but if some cyclists bend the rules then this is mainly the root cause.

pbowenroe

m2wua0ox56iz93

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Eliot Rosewater

Lyric Red Yo-yo wrote: »

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So let me get this straight, you break red lights and then expect drivers to have respect for you?


I cycle to college most days, and I always follow the ROTR. (Goody goody two shoes that I am ) Generally I keep to the margin of the road, but in busy spots, like roundabouts or traffic light junctions, I move out into the road and act like a "normal" road user. It doesn't help to be timid on the road as a cyclist; if you assert yourself drivers will give you space (not out of respect, of course, out of fear of knocking you down!)

m2wua0ox56iz93

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Cian92

invinciblePRSTV wrote: »

And in particular to the crusty looking bird who nearly knocked me down yesterday on the Western Road - Traffic Signals apply to you also, not just drivers.

This means a Red Light means STOP, it's not an invitation to continue at speed when pedestrians like myself are crossing the road when the green man allows us to.

The ROTR, a great read, swot up on it cyclists.

That is all.

Hear, hear! Today alone I counted 4 cyclists break the pedestrian crossings while the lights were red today. From now on I will actually stop these cyclists and explain to them... The cyclists in this country are unbelievable!

m2wua0ox56iz93

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TanG411

Out of curiosity, and I know I got it off an episode of Mr. Bean, but is it legal to get off your bike at a red light and push it along? Then when you've passed the crossing you can hop back on the bike and cycle away?

I haven't read through the cyclist's rules in ages, and will be getting a bike soon for the 2nd term.

m2wua0ox56iz93

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Max001

Lyric Red Yo-yo wrote: »

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If you end up under a bus or thrown over the bonnet of a car after ingnoring a stop signal, try not to be a hypocrite and cry about it afterwards

gubbie

The day that I cycle down Washington Street and a pedestrian doesn't walk in my path is the day that I obey the ROTR.

"people in this thread are confusing safe cycling with law abiding cycling"

Win. You get a lot of abuse being a cyclist. Wet too. The drivers think they own the road and the pedestrians the foot path so you're in no mans land - except that 3m of road by Jurys thats a cycle lane

DonnieScribbles

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

So let me get this straight, you break red lights and then expect drivers to have respect for you?

I have mixed views on this. On one hand, it is difficult to be respectful to those who often don't respect you in turn. I had the unfortunate experience of being hit by a taxi back in Galway. I didn't fall from the bike which I'm assuming is the reason the driver saw fit to drive on and not stop to at least apologise. I wasn't hurt but my bike didn't fare so well. I had to get the back wheel replaced at my own expense because the car was gone before I got a license plate. In this situation I was obeying the rules of the road, I had right of way, they drove out anyway.

On the other side of things, I consider myself a responsible cyclist now but a few years ago I really wasn't. Disrespect from motorists gave me a rather passive-aggressive stance with the drivers I shared the road with. I was reckless but felt somewhat justified in that. I guess I came to realise that if there was a mutual respect amongst all road users there wouldn't be this kind of animosity. Not too idealistic, hopefully :P

gubbie wrote: »

The day that I cycle down Washington Street and a pedestrian doesn't walk in my path is the day that I obey the ROTR.

Yeah, pedestrians walk out in front of me all the time as well, happened to me on the way home this evening. I do wonder about it. It may be less dangerous than walking in front of a car but being hit by a bike could still injure you pretty badly.

Ha, just seems everyone's at fault really! We all suck :pac:

Manach

Whilst I sympathise with the general run of cyclists, and might sound a bit trite but the rules of the road are not a voluntary cafeteria menu: they are for the benefit of all.

x in the city

women cant drive for $hit, on the junction off western road at the main gates last year in the storms, some blint decided it was good to slam on the brakes just AFTER she turned the bend and come to a standstill, just about 2cm from smacking her rear ass, and of course more cars behind me

mini5476

I agree with everything FigMurphy has said, I cycle safely while not always obeying the rules.

invinciblePRSTV

I'm hearing in this thread a lot of selfish cyclists glorifying the reasons why they don't follow the ROTR.

Newsflash for ye guys. All road users, be they drivers, cyclists or pedestrians are obliged to follow the ROTR & the TSM, no ifs, no buts. Picking and choosing what rules you wish to follow, or which junctions you choose not to obey the lights puts you and all other road users such as myself into immediate danger.

Bad habits picked up by road users who think they know better is the no.1 cause of RTAs, i don't give a **** about the complex some cyclists appear to have about other road users, there are bad apples in every barrel. It still doesn't give anyone carte blanche to choose when to follow the ROTR, this equally applies to pedestrians & motorists btw.

At least this thread has given me a greater insight into UCC cyclists worldview. I can now understand better the mentality as to why the crusty bird mentioned in the OP thought it fair to break a red light/green man and very nearly mow me down.

One wonders whether the tone of thread would have been so tactfully supportive of the crusty bird and her right to break a Red light if she had been driving a car rather then riding a bike, i sincerely doubt it somehow.

gubbie

Selfish? Is it selfish to not want to have to sit in the cold and rain just because the Irish ROTR are more backwards then the American? If cars are coming, I will of course give them right of way. If none are coming and the way is clear to turn left, I will do so on a red light. Likewise if pedestrians are crossing I'll let them go but if there's no one on it (or one person) I'll keep going and of course cycle no where near them.

As was mentioned there's a difference between idiot cyclists and cycling with sense.

Have a cop and pick up a bike and go for a cycle. Then talk about how incredible bad everyone treats you. I'm sure every cyclist here will agree that they've gotten abuse for doing absolutely nothing wrong and had there fair share of incompetent drivers almost knocking them off the bike because people don't know the width of their own car.

invinciblePRSTV

gubbie wrote: »

Selfish? Is it selfish to not want to have to sit in the cold and rain just because the Irish ROTR are more backwards then the American? If cars are coming, I will of course give them right of way. If none are coming and the way is clear to turn left, I will do so on a red light. Likewise if pedestrians are crossing I'll let them go but if there's no one on it (or one person) I'll keep going and of course cycle no where near them.

Yes selfish, and stupid, and very dangerous.

You don't want to obey the ROTR because it's cold and wet? that's stupid & selfish.

You break red lights/green men at your own discretion? That's dangerous & stupid.

Using your insight it seems clear that the crusty cyclist in question decided not to 'let me go' when the green man was showing. When people such as yourself and the crusty cyclist decide they know better then it endangers everyone else such as myself. As mentioned, the 'i know best' attitude which a lot of road users appear to succumb to, is actually an excuse for bad habits which in turn lead to RTAs.

Want to follow the US ROTR? then **** off to yankland then and cycle there instead.

gubbie wrote: »

As was mentioned there's a difference between idiot cyclists and cycling with sense.

This thread appears to show a mentality amongst some cyclists that they know better, and that the ROTR don't apply to them. These are the idiot cyclists you mention. Any road user who abides by the ROTR are acting in a sensible manner, those who don't aren't.

gubbie wrote: »

Have a cop and pick up a bike and go for a cycle. Then talk about how incredible bad everyone treats you. I'm sure every cyclist here will agree that they've gotten abuse for doing absolutely nothing wrong and had there fair share of incompetent drivers almost knocking them off the bike because people don't know the width of their own car.

I don't give a toss about the abuse you receive (which, seeing as you admit you break the ROTR willy nilly, can hardly be undeserved i suspect), i care about not being knocked down by people who choose, like yourself, to obey the ROTR when they feel like it.

Having a Moan about car drivers doesn't entitle you to break the ROTR at your own discretion, nor negate your responsibilities as a road user. As mentioned all road users are obliged to follow the same rulebook, no exceptions.

ANarcho-Munk

invinciblePRSTV wrote: »

Yes selfish, and stupid, and very dangerous.

You don't want to obey the ROTR because it's cold and wet? that's stupid & selfish.

You break red lights/green men at your own discretion? That's dangerous & stupid.

Using your insight it seems clear that the crusty cyclist in question decided not to 'let me go' when the green man was showing. When people such as yourself and the crusty cyclist decide they know better then it endangers everyone else such as myself. As mentioned, the 'i know best' attitude which a lot of road users appear to succumb to, is actually an excuse for bad habits which in turn lead to RTAs.

Want to follow the US ROTR? then **** off to yankland then and cycle there instead.



This thread appears to show a mentality amongst some cyclists that they know better, and that the ROTR don't apply to them. These are the idiot cyclists you mention. Any road user who abides by the ROTR are acting in a sensible manner, those who don't aren't.



I don't give a toss about the abuse you receive (which, seeing as you admit you break the ROTR willy nilly, can hardly be undeserved i suspect), i care about not being knocked down by people who choose, like yourself, to obey the ROTR when they feel like it.

Having a Moan about car drivers doesn't entitle you to break the ROTR at your own discretion, nor negate your responsibilities as a road user. As mentioned all road users are obliged to follow the same rulebook, no exceptions.

My advice: build a ****ing bridge and get over it you moaning biddy.

panda100

I really dislike cycling in Cork.Theres no cycle lanes around the university which is crazy. Pedestrians and motorists come right out in front of you all the time!
Its pretty poor for a major Irish city.

invinciblePRSTV

ANarcho-Munk wrote: »

My advice: build a ****ing bridge and get over it you moaning biddy.

My advice: **** off back to the bog you came from if you've nothing to contribute, no girlish emo heads needed in this thread.

pbowenroe

rules of the road are for moaning biddies

DonnieScribbles

invinciblePRSTV wrote: »

My advice: **** off back to the bog you came from if you've nothing to contribute, no girlish emo heads needed in this thread.

If I was an emo crusty cyclist from 'the bog' reading this thread I'd be pretty offended by now :P Who exactly do you think is 'needed in this thread'? I have a feeling it is only those who will join in on your rant.

The barrage of insults are just weakening your argument by the way. You had a valid complaint at the start but now it's just silly.

Eliot Rosewater

I've a good anecdote for those who claim that you can break the ROTR and still stay safe.

I was cycling in the bus lane near college when I came to the pedestrian lights, which were red. I stopped. Then, I realized, I actually needed to cross the road. So, from the middle of the bus lane, I turned my bike right and went to cycle across the pedestrian crossing.

At that point a cyclist who knew he was breaking the ROTR but probably felt it was safe to do so, crashed into me. He was cyling along the bus lane, but didn't stop for the red pedestrian lights, so when I "turned into" a pedestrian and crossed it, he struck me. Thankfully it wasn't too severe.

invinciblePRSTV

DonnieScribbles wrote: »

If I was an emo crusty cyclist from 'the bog' reading this thread I'd be pretty offended by now :P

You're not from Kerry so it doesn't apply to you .

DonnieScribbles wrote: »

Who exactly do you think is 'needed in this thread'? I have a feeling it is only those who will join in on your rant.

All viewpoints are welcome, I got differing insights into UCC cyclists mentality and why they choose to ignore the ROTR, i'm quite surprised at the disregard shown by some posters here. Some are idiotic in their reasoning (See Gubbies input), some are insightful (yours & Eliots) others are just pointless contributions (see Anarcho munks).

All in all if a cyclist does get knocked down round UCC then i'm ultimately going to think they had it coming to them if the reckless attitudes displayed on this thread are anything to go by.

DonnieScribbles wrote: »

The barrage of insults are just weakening your argument by the way. You had a valid complaint at the start but now it's just silly.

No the insults aren't weakening my argument as there is no argument to make. If you think the ROTR don't apply to you then you are a silly ****, it's not a point up for debate or discussion.

gubbie

invinciblePRSTV wrote: »

Having a Moan about car drivers doesn't entitle you to break the ROTR at your own discretion, nor negate your responsibilities as a road user. As mentioned all road users are obliged to follow the same rulebook, no exceptions.

Fine let's have a moan about how many more pedestrians are almost knocked down from their inability to cross at a decent area on Patricks street, Washington Street and you know almost all streets in Cork where pedestrians believe that the ROTR don't apply to them.

You're right. Of course you're right oh high and mighty poster on the internet. You have changed my mind. I have learned the errors of my ways. My going through a red light on an empty pedestrian crossing with no one on the paths is completely reckless for Usain Bolt could run across my path and if I ran into him then crap then I'd feel really guilty. Sad face. Thank you, you truly are a beacon of hope in this dreary world. I'll look out for you holding your bible and preaching at people on Patricks Street to repent.

lindtee

I have to agree about pedestrians not following the ROTR around Cork, one of the main reasons I do not like driving in the city. Never really have had any problem with cyclists while driving I must say (besides trying to overtake them safely) but I wish some would get a bicycle bell to ring so that they can let people know when they are cycling behind them on public walkways (like from Main Campus to Enterprise centre and other similar such paths) Would make life easier for both pedestrian and cyclist alike.

KnifeWRENCH

ANarcho-Munk wrote: »

My advice: build a ****ing bridge and get over it you moaning biddy.

invinciblePRSTV wrote: »

My advice: **** off back to the bog you came from if you've nothing to contribute, no girlish emo heads needed in this thread.

Tone down the attitude, please.

If you wish to contribute to this thread, be civil to your fellow posters whether you agree or diagree with them.

Padraig Mor

lindtee wrote: »

I have to agree about pedestrians not following the ROTR around Cork, one of the main reasons I do not like driving in the city. .

I once saw the jaywalking in Cork described as being like "a summers day in Calcutta". They weren't wrong either....

invinciblePRSTV

gubbie wrote: »

Fine let's have a moan about how many more pedestrians are almost knocked down from their inability to cross at a decent area on Patricks street, Washington Street and you know almost all streets in Cork where pedestrians believe that the ROTR don't apply to them.

Maybe those pedestrians jaywalk because they don't like being stuck at the lights in the wind and rain? according to yourself that's good enough reason not to abide by the ROTR.

gubbie wrote: »

You're right.....blah blah blah

It's not about being right (though of course i am ), it's about every road user being obliged to follow the same set of rules. Your whining about pedestrians rings hollow when you admit you only follow the ROTR when it suits you, then you moan about the abuse car drivers give to you? Can you see the foolishness of your position?.

If you'd said to me a week ago that cyclists should be required to sit a basic test in order to cycle on public highways, i would have thought that's nonsense. Now having seeing some frankly frightening, deluded and pig headed opinions from some cyclists on this thread, it's not such a bad idea methinks.

gubbie

.

m2wua0ox56iz93

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invinciblePRSTV

gubbie wrote: »

.

Your best attempt at a logical post in this thread Gubs, keep it up.

Lyric Red Yo-yo wrote: »

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You appear to have difficulty comprehending the idea that abiding by the ROTR isn't up for discussion, to follow only when it suits, if every road user had your naive attitude to the ROTR then god help us all i say.

Lyric Red Yo-yo wrote: »

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In this thread we've had 2 anecdotes relating to cyclists choosing to break the ROTR and causing or nearly causing accidents. On top of that we've had a poster saying they'll break the ROTR when it's cold and wet. Can you not comprehend that when individual road users start making the call themselves on whether they should or should not obey the ROTR then it'll inevitably lead to RTAs. As i say bad habits cause accidents.

Lyric Red Yo-yo wrote: »

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All laws are bollocks, doesn't mean we can just choose to ignore them when we feel like it (sadly).

Lyric Red Yo-yo wrote: »

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I'd classify both that old lady you mention and cyclists like yourself who refuse to abide by the ROTR in the same category: a danger to other road users and should be off the road.

Lyric Red Yo-yo wrote: »

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I think the majority of cyclists would play ball and accept acting the bollocks on the road deserves censure. Only the stupid minority would continue to act in such a cavalier manner.

Lyric Red Yo-yo wrote: »

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No it's not just your problem if you get knocked down. It's a problem to the guy who has to wash your brains off the road, a problem to the traumatised motorist who squished you and a problem to your family and friends who i'm sure are quite fond of you. And of course a problem to everyone stuck in traffic as the law & fire brigade clear the scene up. No doubt you'll say you know better and it'll never happen to you, coz your such a great cyclist 'n all, but it's the same mentality as the idiots who act the maggot in the car and end up in a ditch.

Faith

You know what would be lovely? If motorists followed the rules of the road. If motorists weren't so ignorant as to think that cyclists are second class citizens on the road. If motorists afforded cyclists the proper level of respect and basic awareness on the road.

Do you know that studies have shown that wearing a helmet when cycling actually causes accidents? Motorists overtake more dangerously, affording less space to the cyclist, when they see them wearing a helmet.

I regularly cycle to college. I follow the rules of the road. I stop at traffic lights as if I'm driving, I stay in the correct part of the road, I act as if I'm in a car. But that doesn't stop drivers pulling out in front of me without even seeing me. It doesn't stop ignorant fúckers pulling in at the curb outside a school to drop their little darlings off without looking to see if there's a cyclist coming up on the inside. It doesn't stop drivers overtaking me in areas where there is very clearly no space to get past me. It doesn't stop drivers driving too far towards the left hand side of the lane so I can't get past. It doesn't stop drivers beeping at me to get out of their way, as if I have no right to be on the road.

And most of all, it doesn't stop pedestrians walking out in front of me when I'm travelling at speed, causing me to swerve out to avoid hitting them, putting my own life at extreme risk because of the ignorant drivers who haven't given me enough space as they speed past.

So unless you've experienced the perils of cycling around Cork city and understand both how stressful and dangerous it is, then you haven't a leg to stand on here.

Just to add, I've been cycling all over the city since I learned how to cycle, and I've been driving for 6 years, so I'm pretty accomplished at both and can safely comment on both.

invinciblePRSTV

Faith wrote: »

You know what would be lovely? If motorists followed the rules of the road. If motorists weren't so ignorant as to think that cyclists are second class citizens on the road. If motorists afforded cyclists the proper level of respect and basic awareness on the road.

This thread is concerned with some cyclists cavalier attitude to obeying the ROTR, not motorists. This point seems to have gone over the heads of those quick to condemn other road users and their inability to obey the ROTR, a hypocritical stance when you consider how many of these same cyclists boast on this thread about how they don't obey the ROTR.

Faith wrote: »

I regularly cycle to college. I follow the rules of the road. I stop at traffic lights as if I'm driving, I stay in the correct part of the road, I act as if I'm in a car. But that doesn't stop drivers pulling out in front of me without even seeing me. It doesn't stop ignorant fúckers pulling in at the curb outside a school to drop their little darlings off without looking to see if there's a cyclist coming up on the inside. It doesn't stop drivers overtaking me in areas where there is very clearly no space to get past me. It doesn't stop drivers driving too far towards the left hand side of the lane so I can't get past. It doesn't stop drivers beeping at me to get out of their way, as if I have no right to be on the road.

Indeed, i would argue that there is a strong case for improved cycling infrastructure in Cork and Ireland in general, as the roads around UCC are designed for the motor vehicle. However this wasn't a political priority in the bubble era, and it ain't a priority now. Still doesn't excuse cyclists acting the bollocks mind.

Faith wrote: »

And most of all, it doesn't stop pedestrians walking out in front of me when I'm travelling at speed, causing me to swerve out to avoid hitting them, putting my own life at extreme risk because of the ignorant drivers who haven't given me enough space as they speed past.

Bad driver & pedestrian behaviour still doesn't excuse cyclists, like the eejits who have posted on this thread, ignoring the ROTR. It must be tough for you Faith to follow the ROTR when many of your cycling cohorts think they know better.

Faith wrote: »

So unless you've experienced the perils of cycling around Cork city and understand both how stressful and dangerous it is, then you haven't a leg to stand on here.

This point doesn't have a leg to stand on Faith, as you will have seen in the OP, i was very nearly knocked down by an idiot cyclist who decided to ignore traffic signals, i'm sure this cyclist has had plenty of the kind of experience you talk about. This incident led to this thread which has exposed a delinquent mentality amongst many UCC cyclists. I don't need to have cycling experience in Cork in order to call cyclists on their stupid behaviour.

blow69

invinciblePRSTV wrote: »

Maybe those pedestrians jaywalk because they don't like being stuck at the lights in the wind and rain? according to yourself that's good enough reason not to abide by the ROTR.

There you go again pretending as if you are not 'one of those people'. Everybody jaywalks. Don't even dispute that. Stop making yourself exempt from it.


Also, are you assuming that the 'crusty' you described in your original post was such because she was riding a bike instead of driving a car. Not everybody who has a bike instead of a car is doing so because they want to save the planet. They do so because it's cheap and it's good exercise.

P.S. Nothing like coming across a long tailback on the roads that will be stuck there forever and getting to cycle right past them to the very top.

invinciblePRSTV

blow69 wrote: »

There you go again pretending as if you are not 'one of those people'. Everybody jaywalks. Don't even dispute that. Stop making yourself exempt from it.

Thepoint you replied to was a critique of a silly cyclist who posted that they break the ROTR when it was cold, wet & windy. Do keep up. And if you had read my op, you would have seen i, a pedestrian, was waiting for the Green Man to appear before i crossed the road, no jaywalking involved.

blow69 wrote: »

Also, are you assuming that the 'crusty' you described in your original post was such because she was riding a bike instead of driving a car. Not everybody who has a bike instead of a car is doing so because they want to save the planet. They do so because it's cheap and it's good exercise.

Get off your high horse, the girl was crusty in attire & appearance, hence the term i used to describe her.

blow69 wrote: »

P.S. Nothing like coming across a long tailback on the roads that will be stuck there forever and getting to cycle right past them to the very top.

Do it in a safe manner then that's fine. The problem is when idiot cyclist x decides traffic lights are optional to obey, like silly Gubby up above.

KnifeWRENCH

KnifeWRENCH wrote: »

Tone down the attitude, please.

If you wish to contribute to this thread, be civil to your fellow posters whether you agree or diagree with them.

invinciblePRSTV wrote: »

like the eejits who have posted on this thread

invinciblePRSTV wrote: »

like silly Gubby up above.

*sigh* Seems like that warning just went over your head.

Thread locked.