Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Help Keep Boards Alive. Support us by going ad free today. See here: https://subscriptions.boards.ie/

Our own worst enemy

  • 07-10-2013 04:00PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 370 ✭✭


    We cyclists really are our own worst enemy when it comes to the perception of other road users about us. This may be a sweeping statement but I'll make it anyway, we display little road manners and courtesy towards other road users and more worryingly our fellow cyclists. Im not going to list every misdemeanor here but you all know what they are and find myself on a daily basis shaking my head in disbelief at the behaviour of fellow cyclists. With more and more people cycling the problems may get even worse. Does anyone think a 'cyclists charter' where a few basic guidelines are signed up to upon a bike purchase is a worthwhile initiative? Or is that a fanciful notion?

    PS To the guy in sky blue shorts who hurtled dangerously through the red lights at the crossroads at Ballyroan in Dublin this morning, you sir will meet your maker if you continue that sort of ****e


«134567

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,489 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    There is no fellowship of cyclists; I refuse to be associated with/held accountable for anyone else's mistakes/incompetence just because I happen to use a similar mode of transport.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,387 ✭✭✭youtheman


    My Father used to have a great saying. Don't know the exact words but the gist of it was :

    "It's good to have a backdrop full or ar5eholes so that it makes the rest of us look good".


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,604 ✭✭✭petethedrummer


    Lumen wrote: »
    There is no fellowship of cyclists; I refuse to be associated with/held accountable for anyone else's mistakes/incompetence just because I happen to use a similar mode of transport.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,204 ✭✭✭✭jimgoose


    Umm, hello! Motorist here, don't want to be bothering anyone, but please have a care for yourselves out there. The average cyclist terrifies me, with the lack of awareness they show for what's going on around them. And these here red light things - they apply to you too*, what do some cyclists think is protecting them as they pedal merrily through with wild abandon?? Ride safe, kids. :cool:

    * Goose acknowledges that "bcmf" below is hereby excluded from this Sweeping Statement, as he is a notorious upholder of red lights.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭bcmf


    please don't associate me with those cyclists so I am asking you to withdraw your general sweeping statement.
    On a journey to the South City this morn with detones we stopped at every light that we needed and put no body in danger.
    Yes there are those who seem to think the red traffic light doesn't apply to them but I am not one of them so don't include me in your sweeping statement.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,129 ✭✭✭daragh_


    jimgoose wrote: »
    pedal merrily through with wild abandon??

    Is it possible to do both at the same time? :)

    Also, is it Friday?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,110 ✭✭✭Skrynesaver


    jimgoose wrote: »
    Umm, hello! Motorist here, don't want to be bothering anyone, but please have a care for yourselves out there. The average cyclist terrifies me, with the lack of awareness they show for what's going on around them. And these here red light things - they apply to you too, what do some cyclists think is protecting them as they pedal merrily through with wild abandon?? Ride safe, kids. :cool:

    Cyclist here, Jim, I hold you personally responsible for all speeding, light jumping, lane skipping, indicator averse, mirror shy half-wits in under-maintained cars...

    Of course I don',t that would be a monstrous category error and someone who can use the beautiful language wouldn't do such a thing.

    print "Good ",qw(night morning afternoon evening)[(localtime)[2]/6]," Jim goose."


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,204 ✭✭✭✭jimgoose


    bcmf wrote: »
    please don't associate me with those cyclists so I am asking you to withdraw your general sweeping statement.
    On a journey to the South City this morn with detones we stopped at every light that we needed and put no body in danger.
    Yes there are those who seem to think the red traffic light doesn't apply to them but I am not one of them so don't include me in your sweeping statement.

    Done. ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,204 ✭✭✭✭jimgoose


    Cyclist here, Jim, I hold you personally responsible for all speeding, light jumping, lane skipping, indicator averse, mirror shy half-wits in under-maintained cars...

    Of course I don',t that would be a monstrous category error and someone who can use the beautiful language wouldn't do such a thing.

    print "Good ",qw(night morning afternoon evening)[(localtime)[2]/6]," Jim goose."

    I'm not holding anyone personally responsible for anything. I just like to see everyone using the road safely and productively. :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,004 ✭✭✭Hmmzis


    Cyclist here, Jim, I hold you personally responsible for all speeding, light jumping, lane skipping, indicator averse, mirror shy half-wits in under-maintained cars...

    ... people maiming, people killing, drunk driving... (the list could go on)

    Ain't it a tad early in the week for a Friday thread?


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,735 ✭✭✭bogmanfan


    I don't get why cyclists go all defensive as soon as somebody criticises one of us. The fact is, the general standard of cycling is terrible.

    I cycled home in the dark last week, and passed lots of cyclists with no lights, dark clothes and headphones in. I saw a girl go straight through the red light at Doyle's Corner, causing a car to brake hard. She probably never heard it though, she had a huge pair of Beats headphones on. There was another girl who decided to undertake a bus which was clearly indicating left. All this just last week.

    I'm not suggesting that all cyclists do this, or that anyone on here does these things. And of course there are terrible drivers, and terrible pedestrians out there. But speaking as a cyclist who commutes through the city centre, the worst road users by far are cyclists.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,854 ✭✭✭Rogue-Trooper


    Jabel wrote: »
    We cyclists really are our own worst enemy when it comes to the perception of other road users about us.

    I beg to differ. I think there are 'a number' of cyclists that consistently flout the law (and common sense) thereby becoming 'their (and our) own worst enemy', however I do not count myself amongst them.

    While I don't hold myself up as any paragon of virtue, I do abide by the ROTR. I stop at red lights, I don't cycle on the footpath, I observe correct lane discipline and acknowledge cars that let me in, etc, etc.

    I do my bit and that's all I can do. I join you in the silent head-shaking though. Most of these twats are shortlisted for a Darwin award.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,730 ✭✭✭Potatoeman


    I wouldnt hold my breath. People generally are terrible road users. Everyday I see some stupid thing. Cyclists going through red lights, motorists not indicating or pedestrians stepping onto the road. The indicating thing seems to have gotten way worse though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,204 ✭✭✭✭jimgoose


    Potatoeman wrote: »
    ...The indicating thing seems to have gotten way worse though.

    It certainly has. Every day I am gobsmacked anew. I'd also like to see more cyclists using hand-signals, and not the rude ones! ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,131 ✭✭✭Dermot Illogical


    We motorists really are our own worst enemy when it comes to the perception of other road users about us. This may be a sweeping statement but I'll make it anyway, we display little road manners and courtesy towards other road users and more worryingly our fellow motorists. Im not going to list every misdemeanor here but you all know what they are and find myself on a daily basis shaking my head in disbelief at the behaviour of fellow motorists. With more and more people driving the problems may get even worse. Does anyone think a 'motorists charter' where a few basic guidelines are signed up to upon a car purchase is a worthwhile initiative? Or is that a fanciful notion?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,204 ✭✭✭✭jimgoose


    ...Does anyone think a 'motorists charter' where a few basic guidelines are signed up to upon a car purchase is a worthwhile initiative? Or is that a fanciful notion?

    You mean like the Road Traffic Act? :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,704 ✭✭✭AstraMonti


    An idiot with a bike is still an idiot.
    An idiot with a car is still an idiot.
    An idiot with a skate is still an idiot.
    An idiot with a hot balloon is still an idiot.
    An idiot with a zeppelin is still an idiot.
    etc etc..

    So if you are an irresponsible idiot, it doesn't matter what you are on, you'll still be an idiot. The question here is, are most idiots on a bike, a car, a skate, a hot balloon or a zeppelin? Statistically speaking and just going by numbers, it has to be the idiot with cars.

    Edit: I am having deja vu's, I think we already had this conversation like 20 times before.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,969 ✭✭✭hardCopy


    I walked out in front of a car yesterday, I was lucky I wasn't hit.

    Based on this, I can apparently conclude that pedestrians are idiots.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,124 ✭✭✭Peterx


    pedestrians who step out in front of cars are idiots.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,056 ✭✭✭AltAccount


    Jabel wrote: »
    We cyclists really are our own worst enemy when it comes to the perception of other road users about us. This may be a sweeping statement but I'll make it anyway, we display little road manners and courtesy towards other road users and more worryingly our fellow cyclists. Im not going to list every misdemeanor here but you all know what they are and find myself on a daily basis shaking my head in disbelief at the behaviour of fellow cyclists.

    Very few, if any, of those accusations apply to me.

    The only conclusion I can draw is that, if I'm not my own worst enemy, someone else must be, and it seems they ride a bike with poor road manners.

    I'm looking for you, you jerk (and your ill-mannered bike). I'll get you before you get me!


  • Advertisement
  • Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,277 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    A staggering proportion of cyclists are ignorant f**kheads who can't ride their bikes in a competent or considerate fashion.

    Said ignorant f**kheads are unlikely to care enough about cycling to frequent this forum, so pleas to them to consider our collective reputation are likely to be in vain.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,503 ✭✭✭Paddigol


    Red-Light breaking cyclists. Wearing all their safety gear and luminous jackets. Who just breeze through busy junctions (think N11, various crossroads - Stillorgan, Foxrock etc.). Who don't even appear to be in a rush. My ABSOLUTE pet peeve.

    I encountered one guy recently who broke a red light in busy rush hour traffic around Donnybrook Church. Just sailed straight through it. And then when I met him again a few minutes later at Baggot Street Bridge, he bollicked some pedestrian out of it for trying to dash across just as the lights turned green. I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed.

    I don't know why, but they really get to me. It's probably my fault. They're not harming/ slighting me. It's nothing personal - they're not out to nark me off. Their business is not really my business. They're all grown adults. So what if they get a bit further down the road from me, or into town ahead of me? So what if I bust my balls against a headwind to make time, only for them to cruise by me as I wait at a set of lights?

    It must be the cycling equivalent of road rage for me. I think it's partly the fact that cyclists tend to get all defensive as soon as this topic is mentioned. As though we are somehow different from every other road user in how they treat others. When in reality, based on my own commuting experiences, I would say that red light breaking by cyclists is common place. A minority use hand signals. I'd welcome a common-sense crack down by Gardai. Forget about giving other cyclists a bad name - that's almost irrelevant, but it's a genuinely dangerous practice.

    There really are some prize clowns out there, but as someone above said, an idiot is an idiot no matter what mode of transport they are using. I do believe that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,131 ✭✭✭Dermot Illogical


    jimgoose wrote: »
    You mean like the Road Traffic Act? :D

    That applies to cyclists as well, or at least it's supposed to.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 486 ✭✭LaGlisse


    The amount of Cyclists out training at dusk on main regional roads with no reflective gear of flashing lights on their bike terrifies me. How can they not realise they are practically invisible? A good few of them must drive themselves too? Extra bonus points for the ones dressed head to toe in black


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,604 ✭✭✭petethedrummer


    I hate everyone equally.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 6,857 Mod ✭✭✭✭eeeee


    Potatoeman wrote: »
    I wouldnt hold my breath. People generally are terrible road users. Everyday I see some stupid thing. Cyclists going through red lights, motorists not indicating or pedestrians stepping onto the road. The indicating thing seems to have gotten way worse though.

    Absolutely.

    The indicating is definitely getting worse. It's like they're afraid to wear it out. :rolleyes: (I have an aunt that used to do just that! :eek: )


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,036 ✭✭✭Surveyor11


    I think we've established on this forum and others that the "cyclist - motorist" argument is circular and a waste of time - those at the extreme end of each camp can be equally entrenched - but the majority of each generally use the road in a responsible and law abiding fashion.

    What's at play here is a wider societal issue here with obeying rules - let's face it, we're Europeans but not in the Dutch / German law abiding sense (I lived in Germany and can remember my fellow pedestrians recoiling in horror when I crossed a road with a Tram track in the middle - yes, it was a red man, but it was Sunday - and I could see a clear 300m either way).

    Last Thursday I witnessed perhapss 12 - 15 cars breaking red lights on the Ballyowen Road in Lucan - one or two cyclists might have pulled the same stunt on the same stretch of road. I've seen cars driving in fog with their lights off, or driving in rain / at dusk unlit. I've seen cyclists do the same. I've seen cyclists almost milled out of it (me included) by careless and aggressive driving - and yes, cars as well almost being hit by idiots changing lanes without indicating.

    But one way in which we can be our own worst enemy is to cycle around with some sort of notion that you will always be safe from other road users - always expect the unexpected. Prams will appear out of nowhere in the cycle lane, joggers will come against you in the cycling lane, cars will gladly cut in in front of you turning left. It's all part of the fun.....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 523 ✭✭✭Mugser


    I remember when I was a young teenager my da giving my older brother a driving lesson round a nearby car-park with me in the back (cos I wanted a go too:p) One piece of advice my father gave to my brother which I'll never forget and will pass on to my own kids when they come to driving (or indeed cycling on the roads) age is as follows:

    "EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD IS AN FOOL!!!"

    You have absolutely no control over their actions no matter how you use the road be it motorist, cyclist or pedestrian so be constantly aware!


  • Administrators, Entertainment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 18,807 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭hullaballoo


    A staggering proportion of cyclists are ignorant f**kheads who can't ride their bikes in a competent or considerate fashion.

    Said ignorant f**kheads are unlikely to care enough about cycling to frequent this forum, so pleas to them to consider our collective reputation are likely to be in vain.
    The exact same can be said about motorists, in fairness.

    I drive to/from Dublin city centre to Blackrock every day, usually along the coast road. I've yet to make the trip without thinking, "I cannot believe that [insert road user] just did that."

    As for the proportion of idiots, it's hard to tell because you tend not to notice the people who aren't doing anything stupid/dangerous/suicidal.


  • Advertisement
  • Closed Accounts Posts: 157 ✭✭Lawr


    it's hard to tell because you tend not to notice the people who aren't doing anything stupid/dangerous/suicidal.

    Actually, it is the opposite that is true, I think. I find that I am more frequently impressed by the increasing number of people who understand what a safe pass is, the importance of signalling that pass so that vehicles behind them get plenty of notice that there is a cyclist ahead, that give plenty of notice to cyclists that they are about to make a turn. Some of those RSA commercials are having an effect, I think.

    Having said that, I recall a recent report in the papers that there was statistical evidence that there is an increase in speeding. I would have guessed that was the case, but I never perceived the speed had come down at all in the first place. People just seem to put their pedal to the metal no matter where they are, in neighbourhoods or on the motorways, it does seem to matter.

    To Peterx: pedestrians who step out in front of moving vehicles are not idiots, but they are behaving like idiots. Tragedy is when a pedestrian behaves like an idiot in close proximity to a driver who behaves in an equally idiotic manner.

    To Petethedrummer: There is something to be said for discrimination. People who hate everyone equally seem to presume some higher moral ground because they don't discriminate, which is taken to be a bad thing. Discrimination requires evaluation, our highest level of cognition. Creation would not be possible without attaining to this highest level of critical thinking. If you want a higher moral ground, try establishing a set of criteria that justifies your pervasive hatred and the equality of its distribution, one that supports the righteousness of your arrogance. At least, if we can't show the weakness of your defence, we have to assume that you must be onto something.


Advertisement