Indo: 'outrage' over cyclists not using bike lane

Chuchote

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/britain/video-showing-cyclists-riding-next-to-bike-lane-causes-outrage-35061686.html

A driver’s video of cyclists riding in the road adjacent to an empty bike lane has sparked fury on social media.
The video was shared on Facebook and viewed more than 50,000 times before being deleted, the Evening Standard reported.

Bloggsie

I was of the opinion that cyclists are not compelled to use cycle lanes, (i may be incorrect), I dont tend to use them bar the cycle lane on chesterfield avenue on the way home from work as the traffic on it in the evenings is quite heavy. Mrs Bloggsie is of the opinion that all cyclists should use them " they are there for your safety & must be used" as posted here on many occasions some cycle lanes are so poorly laid out that incidents between cyclists & peds/motorists are inevitable, the quality of the surface of some is going to lead to punctures, IMHO 2 very valid reasons not to use them!

Miklos

Must...not......read....comments......

not yet

Cycle lanes are nearly always filled with glass and debris, plus you can have people doodling along in them. I very rarely use them. Asked a cop a while back was I legally obliged to use them and he said no.

Just on a side note, Taxis are not allowed use bus lanes unless they have a paying passenger...

uck51js9zml2yt

Miklos wrote: »

Must...not......read....comments......

I read them
They don't pay any road tax JOE!

Tenzor07

Ah the comments are pure comedy gold though!! :D:D:D:D:D

here is'nt a Sunday goes by but these idiots are holding up traffic all over the country , they pay no tax ,no insurance ..NOTHING , and yet they feel they have the right to take over our public roads ...well I for one have had enough its time these pests paid for their so called hobby .. go find a cycle track there are plenty of them in the country , indoor and outdoor , pay to use them and GET off our public roads.

Chuchote

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Ah the comments are pure comedy gold though!! :D:D:D:D:D

Comedy gold until some eejit decides to take them as permission to drive dangerously near cyclists.

Presumably the video was hastily taken down after it was pointed out that he'd admitted driving while filming on his mobile phone!

nak

The driver was the one breaking the law using his phone while driving.

Jawgap

Hailee Cold Backpacker wrote: »

I read them
They don't pay any road tax JOE!

yeah, you really have to read the comments in those articles in the style of someone calling into Joe Duffy......or read them with a George Hook voice - hours of endless amusement (actually it's more like minutes!)

robyntmorton

Good thing there's no drinking game around those comments. I'd be plastered already and it's not even 8:30.

magicbastarder

I like that the story is credited to 'independent news service' when it's clear it's a journalist who just read about it in the evening standard.

ThisRegard

I saw this story yesterday and the video was removed by then, I suspect because the moron couldn't handle the abuse he was getting because of his stupidity, backfiring spectacularly on it.

And the Indo, as we know, is bollox, I wonder if they even saw the video, because the take on the video I saw was that the driver filming the cyclist was outraged, but as I said, his own stupidity became the real story.

not yet wrote: »

Just on a side note, Taxis are not allowed use bus lanes unless they have a paying passenger...

They don't need a passenger, they can claim they're on the way to pick up a fare, drop off something etc and are allowed to use them.

Chuchote

The outraged driver is in England, so their laws may be different (about taxis, anyway, if not about mobile phone filming while driving).

The filmer seems to be a regular at cyclist-hating

cython

ThisRegard wrote: »

They don't need a passenger, they can claim they're on the way to pick up a fare, drop off something etc and are allowed to use them.

Or simply "plying for hire", i.e. looking to be flagged down. Though the bolded is not true, they are not allowed to use them when carrying goods only, i.e. basically acting as a courier.

nak

Chuchote wrote: »

The outraged driver is in England, so their laws may be different (about taxis, anyway, if not about mobile phone filming while driving).

It has been illegal to use a mobile phone while driving in the UK since 2003. Also illegal to use a phone while supervising a learner driver.

seamus

nak wrote: »

It has been illegal to use a mobile phone while driving in the UK since 2003. Also illegal to use a phone while supervising a learner driver.

In fact, the UK are looking at introducing a two-strikes law around mobiles - if you're caught twice using your phone while driving, you'll lose your licence.

We should be looking at the same here.

Chuchote

That Twitter account has Cudd's whole film. He's an angry man! And you can see the driving wheel as he apparently uses the phone to film :eek:

Macy0161

not yet wrote: »

Just on a side note, Taxis are not allowed use bus lanes unless they have a paying passenger...

Motorbikes and scooters aren't supposed to be in there either. Hasn't stopped me getting a punishment pass from a motorbike in the bus lane in the past!

Can't see the video now I'm in work, but if it's the one I saw last night, it looks like it's two cyclists out for training spin. Apart from the issues with the quality of the lanes, and where they spit you out, there are cycle lanes that I use if I'm commuting, or out for a spin with the children, that I wouldn't deem appropriate for when I'm training. There's no one size fits all, hence why we don't have to use them (tbc!).

greenspurs

the drivers name was Andrew Topacre on facebook. I paid a visit yesterday when the video first came to light before it was removed
Lots of his buddies congratulating him, one even saying 'we should knock em down' ! (I reported that to facebook, they didn't agree it was hateful/incited violence!!)
He was revelling in his notoriety !
We are becoming the pariahs of the roads due to stupid scumbags like him , we aren't getting sufficient backing from governments, and our fellow cyclists will continue being knocked off or killed, because there is no real deterrent to morons in motor vehicles !!!

Chuchote

Macy0161 wrote: »

Motorbikes and scooters aren't supposed to be in there either. Hasn't stopped me getting a punishment pass from a motorbike in the bus lane in the past!

Can't see the video now I'm in work, but if it's the one I saw last night, it looks like it's two cyclists out for training spin. Apart from the issues with the quality of the lanes, and where they spit you out, there are cycle lanes that I use if I'm commuting, or out for a spin with the children, that I wouldn't deem appropriate for when I'm training. There's no one size fits all, hence why we don't have to use them (tbc!).

Watch it on the Twitter feed quoted above, it's his full film, complete with sneers at cyclists' "lovely pants", obscene language, etc. He passes several cyclists and driversplains all the way. I'll be surprised if he isn't prosecuted for mobile phone use for filming while driving.

greenspurs

Chuchote wrote: »

I'll be surprised if he isn't prosecuted for mobile phone use for filming while driving.

One of his friends on FB said to him " youll be done for using your mobile to film them"
He said it was a gopro that he was using.... Is that a difference?

Chuchote

greenspurs wrote: »

One of his friends on FB said to him " youll be done for using your mobile to film them"
He said it was a gopro that he was using.... Is that a difference?

Does a gopro film in that upright way (not landscape but portrait)? And do you normally hold it in your hand (which he appears to be doing from the way the steering wheel appears intermittently in shot)?

2RockMountain

greenspurs wrote: »

One of his friends on FB said to him " youll be done for using your mobile to film them"
He said it was a gopro that he was using.... Is that a difference?

And yet, when the cyclist approached his car window at the end, he said "Don't touch my phone, don't touch my phone" - poor chap is easily confused it seems.

07Lapierre

greenspurs wrote: »

One of his friends on FB said to him " youll be done for using your mobile to film them"
He said it was a gopro that he was using.... Is that a difference?

yeah..you cant make phone calls with a gopro!

(its still dangerous driving)

Chuchote

Original piece from the Evening Standard

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/row-over-driver-using-his-phone-at-the-wheel-to-film-cyclists-on-road-next-to-empty-cycle-lane-a3348241.html

paddy no 11

There's a desperation in the media to project all sorts of british sh*t onto us, its sad. All this cycling hate comes from there originally, cycle in cork and mostly it couldnt be a more enjoyable experience. Everything is benefits these days, it used to be the dole, no one should indulge or contribute to this absolute cack.

Chuchote

paddy no 11 wrote: »

There's a desperation in the media to project all sorts of british sh*t onto us, its sad. All this cycling hate comes from there originally, cycle in cork and mostly it couldnt be a more enjoyable experience. Everything is benefits these days, it used to be the dole, no one should indulge or contribute to this absolute cack.

There's also a desperation in the media not to hire journalists, which is resulting in the few staff copying other journalists' work.

AlreadyHome

I don't understand - why are the media even bringing a viewpoint to the public's attention when the guy is using slurs like 'gay', 'retarded', making dangerously close passes at cyclists - all while driving using a phone? He's utterly discredited.

It's like printing an interview with a randomly selected inebriated thug outside a chippy at three in the morning...

robyntmorton

AlreadyHome wrote: »

It's like printing an interview with a randomly selected inebriated thug outside a chippy at three in the morning...

I thought this is what the regional papers are for?

biZrb

The road is on the way to/from Richmond Park, its quite narrow, so I understand why he's annoyed as cyclists can 'hold up' cars as its difficult to overtake them. But it doesn't give him an excuse to break the law just cause he wanted a rant. You can see the path and cycle path to the left, the path is covered with leaves and the cycle path is free of leaves, anyone walking along that path will have to use the cycle path, not exactly safe for pedestrians. Most of the cyclists coming to/from Richmond Park are serious cyclists so won't exactly be slow going along Priory Lane. I'm a cyclists and car driver so see if from both sides but side with the cyclists, of course

tomasrojo

I thought the cyclists' amused dismissal of him at the end was a fairly effective response, given that they weren't actually doing anything wrong, while he was breaking several rules or laws as he went along.

DirkVoodoo

Comments being hilarious and scary in equal measure, more education is needed from the likes of the RSA. No one's journey is that important.

Funny how any time I'm driving, what seems to hold me up more than anything is other drivers, I don't think I've ever lost more than a few seconds due to cyclists "clogging up the roads". But sure they are an easy target for the entitled and the irate.

This idea that the roads belong to the automobile is deeply entrenched in the public consciousness, it will take a long time to shift.

As cyclists, we all need to do our part: obey the law, don't give the idiots an excuse (not in this case as no law was being broken!). As winter approaches, I'm actually amazed at how few lights I see on bikes. One ninja the other night was only visible as his silhouette was highlighted by a car parked up facing against me.

Firedance

biZrb wrote: »

The road is on the way to/from Richmond Park, its quite narrow, so I understand why he's annoyed as cyclists can 'hold up' cars as its difficult to overtake them. But it doesn't give him an excuse to break the law just cause he wanted a rant. You can see the path and cycle path to the left, the path is covered with leaves and the cycle path is free of leaves, anyone walking along that path will have to use the cycle path, not exactly safe for pedestrians. Most of the cyclists coming to/from Richmond Park are serious cyclists so won't exactly be slow going along Priory Lane. I'm a cyclists and car driver so see if from both sides but side with the cyclists, of course

Just on this, I recently had a car pass me (too close) and then pulled in on the road leaving me no room to pass them back when they got stuck in traffic about 50m later :rolleyes: I got past them anyway and went onto the cycle lane once it started (it's one of the good ones!). Anyway, the road we are now on is very long and has about 4 sets of traffic lights. Between heavy traffic and being stopped at the lights I got to my destination faster than she did. Traffic in the city does not often leave cars in a position to get somewhere quickly. Drivers need to realise there are plenty of other things on the road to hold them up, such as other cars(!) and traffic lights and stop blaming cyclists. In that video they all ended up at a red light yes? So what, really, is his issue?

Chuchote

Funny thing is that the London police don't seem to be taking any action on this; one of the Standard commenters said she or he had reported the mobile phone use.

jive

Firedance wrote: »

So what, really, is his issue?

His brain or lack thereof.

biZrb

Firedance wrote: »

n that video they all ended up at a red light yes? So what, really, is his issue?

I totally agree, but he's an idiot so can't see that! Those lights can take quite awhile to change so its likely you'll get caught at them anyway.

Chuchote

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

As cyclists, we all need to do our part: obey the law, don't give the idiots an excuse

No. As humans, we need to do our part. Cyclists are not a group.

Tenzor07

More comedy Gold!

LINK

Carawaystick

Why are we commenting on an irish newspaper reporting about something happening in England?

equivariant

Carawaystick wrote: »

Why are we commenting on an irish newspaper reporting about something happening in England?

It was the Brits fault?! Back before Cromwell Ireland was a paradise for cyclists

Jawgap

Tenzor07 wrote: »

More comedy Gold!

LINK

ah sure the pedestrians use them anyway, we might as well do away with the fiction - and save the paint!

Tenzor07

Jawgap wrote: »

ah sure the pedestrians use them anyway, we might as well do away with the fiction - and save the paint!

The jogger/pedestrian/pram walker/glass and stone collection point/temporary parking spot/roadworks sign/lampost lane?

Chuchote

equivariant wrote: »

It was the Brits fault?! Back before Cromwell Ireland was a paradise for cyclists

It was a Scot who invented the pneumatic tyre, and a Dub who ripped him off on the profits. Patriotism!

newwan

That guy with the camera is a retard. He should be given his few penalty points for using a phone behind the wheel. ..

Such an idiot.

07Lapierre

Good example of bad cycle lanes being worse than no cycle lanes!

I know there not perfect but I think the cycle lanes that are simply painted on an existing road are best. At least cyclists are then seen as "legitimate traffic" and the cycle lanes are "seen" to be used by cyclists.

DirkVoodoo

07Lapierre wrote: »

Good example of bad cycle lanes being worse than no cycle lanes!

I know there not perfect but I think the cycle lanes that are simply painted on an existing road are best. At least cyclists are then seen as "legitimate traffic" and there "seen" to be used by cyclists.

I agree! The ones on the rock road make me feel pretty safe and if I need to turn right or avoid pedestrians, I can.

Contrast that with the N11 and the off-road lanes/paths. I just use the bus lane.

07Lapierre

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I agree! The ones on the rock road make me feel pretty safe and if I need to turn right or avoid pedestrians, I can.

Contrast that with the N11 and the off-road lanes/paths. I just use the bus lane.

I've come to the conclusion that most shared cycle lanes/paths only make sense if you get a puncture and have to walk home while pushing your bike!

Don't Chute!

There was a guy on George Hook today who said he was walking down by Sandymount this morning and decided to challenge cyclists on the footpath. He said he challenged nine of them on his journey with varying responses. Hook then told him "there is one thing you can do, if you have a walking stick you can hit them". To which yer man said well I was using one to stop them.
Now, while obviously a lot of cyclists behave very badly is it really acceptable for a national broadcaster to be saying things like this? I find Hook and his hate talking about cyclists gets a lot of idiots riled up and it's only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or worse.
I'm starting to get quite worried about all of this ignorant anti cyclist propaganda going around

Keep_Her_Lit

"Video showing cyclists riding next to bike lane causes outrage". Is this an incident of significant national importance? Does it warrant a prominent place on the Indo's home page?

While the Indo's circulation figures certainly support its claim to being a National newspaper, the increasing reliance on this kind of moronic, click-bait drivel really highlights the dire situation in which our print media now find themselves.

This kind of stuff used to pi$$ me off. But now I think it's almost better to race around their chavvy website clicking on as much of this crap as possible in order to accelerate their inevitable demise into a well deserved oblivion. Oh, and lest I give any impression to the contrary, the Righteous Times is every bit as bad, just in its own snooty, pretentious way.

Meanwhile, let's continue to enjoy our cycling!

Daroxtar

Every problem has a solution

ted1

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I agree! The ones on the rock road make me feel pretty safe and if I need to turn right or avoid pedestrians, I can.

Contrast that with the N11 and the off-road lanes/paths. I just use the bus lane.

I feel safer in the N11 then the rock road. Also cyclists travel much slower on the rock road.