Cyclists - lowlife criminals of the worst kind..

thecatspjs · 08-02-2014 05:57PM

goose2005 wrote: »

you portage, like a canoe at a weir

Could you imagine! I'd say that would cause more distress amongst pedestrians than anything else mentioned in this thread!

micar · 08-02-2014 05:59PM

woodoo wrote: »

I don't know about cities but on rural roads you can come round a corner and be faced with a few cyclists 2 or 3 a breast. All dressed up in their yellow cycling gear. Its extremely dangerous.

Cyclists are allowed to cycle 2 a breast!!!!!

It;s safer and actually easier for cars to pass. Think about it.

Which is easier
1) passing 10 cyclists cycling 2 a breast or
2) passing 10 cyclists cycling in single file.

As a driver, you have to deal with what's in front of you.

Do you take corners at speed? No!!!!! You slow down and have your foot on the brake!!!! Not all that difficult to reduce your speed should you per chance come across a cyclist(s).

kylith · 08-02-2014 06:01PM

woodoo wrote: »

Interesting that you don't mention the 2 and 3 abreast. Which i think is illegal. I stay well within the speed limits.

It's not illegal, as evidenced by the recent RSA cycling awareness ads.

micar · 08-02-2014 06:09PM

menapian wrote: »

A real nugget from the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis

http://www.98fm.com/Dublin-Councillor-Speaks-Out-Against-Plans-To-Increase-Cycling-Investment

I looked for 'creamed' in the Non-fatal offences against the Person Act but alas it was no where to be found. A serious legislative gap that should concern us all..

I heard some of this earlier on the radio. Some of it is true!!!!!

I cycle up and down the N11 on my way to work. Part of the lane isn;'t on the road but is on the footpath and as such does pass in front of the Bus Stops. This occurs particularly around stillorgan.

That's not my fault, that's the fault of the planners.

I have to be very wary of

1) people at the bus stop waiting who are not looking out for a cyclists but for the bus. There have been times where they are looking in my direction but it does not register that I am coming. I gotta deal with that and reduce my spreed. The occurs everyday on the way home at a bus stop just past the stillorgan hotel and on a down hill section.

2) passengers alighting from the bus not realising that are getting off onto a bus lane.

thecatspjs · 08-02-2014 06:16PM

micar wrote: »

I heard some of this earlier on the radio. Some of it is true!!!!!

I cycle up and down the N11 on my way to work. Part of the lane isn;'t on the road but is on the footpath and as such does pass in front of the Bus Stops. This occurs particularly around stillorgan.

That's not my fault, that's the fault of the planners.

I have to be very wary of

1) people at the bus stop waiting who are not looking out for a cyclists but for the bus. There have been times where they are looking in my direction but it does not register that I am coming. I gotta deal with that and reduce my spreed. The occurs everyday on the way home at a bus stop just past the stillorgan hotel and on a down hill section.

2) passengers alighting from the bus not realising that are getting off onto a bus lane.

I know what you mean. In cases of bad planning you really do just have to cycle defensively for your own benefit as well as others. Once you get to know your route and focus on what's ahead of you, everybody can have a good time.
It drives me nuts sometimes when people will get involved in incidents to prove a point about how they have the right of way, a bit of common sense is all it takes.

seamus · 08-02-2014 06:26PM

woodoo wrote: »

Interesting that you don't mention the 2 and 3 abreast. Which i think is illegal. I stay well within the speed limits.

its not illegal but either way it's not dangerous. Driving around bends at speeds where you would be unable to react in time is dangerous. And illegal. You must drive around every corner under the assumption that the road beyond your vision is completely blocked. That's the law; you must drive at a speed which enables to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

wil · 08-02-2014 06:28PM

thecatspjs wrote: »

I know what you mean. In cases of bad planning you really do just have to cycle defensively for your own benefit as well as others. Once you get to know your route and focus on what's ahead of you, everybody can have a good time.
It drives me nuts sometimes when people will get involved in incidents to prove a point about how they have the right of way, a bit of common sense is all it takes.

Unfortunately that's exactly what is lacking, on both sides.
And that seems to excuse even worse behaviour.
Once enough people use, ignore, allow, and eventually condone dangerous behaviour, then many sheepishly or selfishly follow suit.
There's nothing like good driving or cycling to encourage others to do same.

As for cycling 2 abreast, not illegal, but not always sensible to do so, as often as not to avoid colliding with the other cyclist.

Cycle lanes are rarely wide enough to accommodate 2 abreast and potholes etc mitigate against it.

irishgeo · 08-02-2014 06:30PM

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

What about pedestrians? Or drivers?

This thread is about cycling.

Stark · 08-02-2014 06:38PM

woodoo wrote: »

Interesting that you don't mention the 2 and 3 abreast. Which i think is illegal. I stay well within the speed limits.

No it's not. Cycling 2 abreast is legal and it's also legal for another cyclist to overtake cyclists cycling 2 abreast.

Also, staying "within the speed limit" is irrelevant when driving on country roads. You drive either at the speed limit, or at whatever speed allows you to safely stop within the distance you can see to be clear, whichever is lower.

Think about it: it's not just cyclists you encounter on country roads, it's pedestrians, animals, traffic tailbacks etc. You need to be able to react to all kinds of things.

The "being able to stop in the distance you can see to be clear" rule is one I'd follow religiously, and believe me, I am not a dawdler on the roads.

EmptyTree · 08-02-2014 06:42PM

menapian wrote: »

A real nugget from the Sinn Fein Ard Fheis

http://www.98fm.com/Dublin-Councillor-Speaks-Out-Against-Plans-To-Increase-Cycling-Investment

Am I right in thinking then that Micheál Ó Flanagáin is against investment that could mean cyclists would have thier own lanes and wouldn't have to use the footpath??

thecatspjs · 08-02-2014 06:45PM

EmptyTree wrote: »

Am I right in thinking then that Micheál Ó Flanagáin is against investment that could mean cyclists would have thier own lanes and wouldn't have to use the footpath??

Yes you are. If everyone drove their own cars it would solve all of our problems,

EmptyTree · 08-02-2014 07:05PM

thecatspjs wrote: »

Yes you are. If everyone drove their own cars it would solve all of our problems,

Wonder has Micheál Ó Flanagáin ever heard of irony??

Femme_Fatale · 08-02-2014 07:59PM

I don't cycle and I can't stand the self entitlement schtick some cyclists go on with, but I rarely see all the crap road behaviour of cyclists that gets spoken about here. It's probably more prevalent in Dublin; it's not in Cork that I can see.

Stupid hyperbole by him, but silly misinterpretations of it for salaciousness too (see thread title): he did not say "Cyclists", he said "Cyclists who cycle on the footpath". They're idiots but they're not among "the worst criminals".

downonthefarm wrote: »

Fair play to him for speaking out .

"Speaking out" - this isn't the Ukraine.

kneemos wrote: »

Trying to appeal to a middle class audience these days by the looks of it .

Yeh because middle-class people aren't into cycling in their droves at all at all.

diomed · 08-02-2014 08:37PM

Sinn Fein shoot themselves in the foot.
That sounds like a change in policy. :rolleyes:

chopper6 · 08-02-2014 08:37PM

Every morning without fail i witness cyclists running the red light at Pearse St. I've nearly been hit by them several times as i've crossed at a green man.

I'm absolutelyy sick of them and thier complete contempt for the rules of the road.

Added to thier tendency to get preachy and judgemental about other road users.

wolfpawnat · 08-02-2014 08:38PM

diomed wrote: »

Sinn Fein shoot themselves in the foot.
That sounds like a change in policy. :rolleyes:

At all parties Ard Fheis's there is motions put forward and the vast majority of them are shot down. The purpose of them is to allow anyone to put forward a proposal. It doesn't mean it will go through.

wolfpawnat · 08-02-2014 08:39PM

chopper6 wrote: »

Every morning without fail i witness cyclists running the red light at Pearse St. I've nearly been hit by them several times as i've crossed at a green man.

I'm absolutelyy sick of them and thier complete contempt for the rules of the road.

Added to thier tendency to get preachy and judgemental about other road users.

Same can be said about a good few people in every aspect of road use. Taxis, Trucks, Cars, Bikes, Motorbikes, Pedestrians, everyone.

chopper6 · 08-02-2014 08:41PM

wolfpawnat wrote: »

Same can be said about a good few people in every aspect of road use. Taxis, Trucks, Cars, Bikes, Motorbikes, Pedestrians, everyone.

Thats exactly what i'm talking about...always shift the blame.

bumper234 · 08-02-2014 08:46PM

chopper6 wrote: »

Every morning without fail i witness cyclists running the red light at Pearse St. I've nearly been hit by them several times as i've crossed at a green man.

I'm absolutelyy sick of them and thier complete contempt for the rules of the road.

Added to thier tendency to get preachy and judgemental about other road users.

Would this be the lights next to the fire station on the corner because in the last 5 weeks I have been hit on average twice a week by cars going through red lights there. they must think it's ok to run down pedestrians seeing as there is a fire/ambulance station right there.

wolfpawnat · 08-02-2014 08:55PM

chopper6 wrote: »

Thats exactly what i'm talking about...always shift the blame.

I don't cycle and have nearly been hit by cyclists many a time, but I have nearly been killed by a few other road users too.

Everyone has to accept their part in this. No one group is to blame.

shruikan2553 · 08-02-2014 09:11PM

Cyclists can be dicks on the road and Ive seen a few break red lights but I have also been nearly hit multiple times by people in cars that dont know how to use a mini roundabout or have decided that they will be quick enough to get through a red light and then get pissed because Im crossing the road when its green for me. Then theres the pedestrians who just walk onto the road without looking. Pretty much everyone is a dick on the road and theres no point complaining on 1 group when the others arent much better.

Amirani · 08-02-2014 09:16PM

chopper6 wrote: »

Every morning without fail i witness cyclists running the red light at Pearse St. I've nearly been hit by them several times as i've crossed at a green man.

I'm absolutelyy sick of them and thier complete contempt for the rules of the road.

Added to thier tendency to get preachy and judgemental about other road users.

Definition of hypocrisy.

thecatspjs · 08-02-2014 10:29PM

Banned! wrote: »

To be fair, even if they did invest the money and gave cyclists 2-meter wide-cycle lanes with a perfectly smooth runway-style surface they'd still cycle on the main roads or in bus lanes to cause maximum inconvenience to every other normal person.

As it is, cyclists are not obliged to cycle in a cycle lane. It used to be a case where they did, regardless of the surface or state of that lane. But that law has since (unfortunately) been repealed. Now, if a cycle lane is present, a cyclist doesn't have to use it.

Just because the cycle lane is not mandatory to use, doesn't mean they don't have to. I mean why be a dick and block up the roads??

In Drumcondra there is a raised cycle lane on the path, and a bus lane, yet they still insist on cycling in the bus lane.

Where you can see the people walking, is a cycle lane and fotpath side-by-side and the bus lane is on the picture. Why do cyclists choose to (even though they are entitled to) block up the bus lane ?? Why not just cycle in the cycle lane? I know you're entitle to, but why be a dick.

There's no legal obligation for me to help up an old lady who falls on the road (but there is a moral one). Same story for cyclists blocking up normal people.

http://goo.gl/maps/JADKV

We do it to piss everyone off. We are actually trying to be dicks by holding up traffic and mowing down pedestrians. If an old lady falls, I'll swing a boot at her while I cycle by on the footpath.

animaal · 08-02-2014 10:37PM

As it is, cyclists are not obliged to cycle in a cycle lane. It used to be a case where they did, regardless of the surface or state of that lane. But that law has since (unfortunately) been repealed. Now, if a cycle lane is present, a cyclist doesn't have to use it.

Is this true? What legal weight do the Rules of the Road have?

The Current Version has a table of "particular road traffic rules on cycling which you must obey". It includes "Do
cycle on cycle tracks where they are provided".

Pwindedd · 08-02-2014 11:27PM

I have at one stage or another been a pram-pusher, pedestrian, cyclist and currently car driver. Had to give up the bike in the end. Mainly because of the infrastructure. In the main I found motorists to be grand, a few assholes but they're inevitable. The cycle lanes that I used were in shocking state. Full of sticks glass and other debris. I can understand why motorists get piised off with cyclists though. Had a cyclist shake his fist at me for overtaking him, god knows why I gave him at least a cars width, he then proceeded to mount the pavement at the next red light and cut the corner on a road that is oft used by schoolchildren at that time of the morning. The irony was obviously lost in him.

We just all need to give each other a bit of consideration on the roads and stop rushing to get everywhere. Give yourself a few extra minutes in your journey to just slow down and chill out. Nowhere is that important that you have to risk your life to get there.

Beasty · 09-02-2014 12:03AM

animaal wrote: »

Is this true? What legal weight do the Rules of the Road have?

The Current Version has a table of "particular road traffic rules on cycling which you must obey". It includes "Do
cycle on cycle tracks where they are provided".

The law requiring cyclists to use cycle lanes (and to be clear many sections of road that appear designed for cyclists were never "mandatory" cycle lanes as they did not have the required signage/markings or were not wide enough) was repealed with effect from 1 October 2012. The Rules of the Road have no legal standing

I would add that many cycle lanes are unfit for purpose - either full of crap, badly maintained, riddled with dangerous, often sunken, "ironwork" that when wet have very little grip, or hazardous for other reasons - have a look at this one in Galway to give you an idea of the lack of thought that goes into some of them:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/4163168739_4a3fb88b75_m.jpg

pickarooney · 09-02-2014 07:33AM

bumper234 wrote: »

Would this be the lights next to the fire station on the corner because in the last 5 weeks I have been hit on average twice a week by cars going through red lights there.

What the hell? Unless you're actually driving a bumper car hire can you get hit by cars twice a week and survive?

DEFTLEFTHAND · 09-02-2014 08:27AM

Dublin is an ancient city of narrow streets. Space is an issue, the motor car comes first. I've no problem with most cyclists apart from those who don't obey certain rules. There was a vid here not so long ago of an arrogant prick abusing a woman in a car who'd made a mistake through a lapse of concentration, it happens at times when you're driving, tight city streets, you don't expect to meet some jumped up jerk on a two wheeler. Motor comes first, bikeman should hop the footpath.

This prisspuss guy uses vulgar language and behaves in a threatening manner towards the female driver. He just looks an angry arsehole in a helmet.

dub_skav · 09-02-2014 08:54AM

DEFTLEFTHAND wrote: »

Dublin is an ancient city of narrow streets. Space is an issue, the motor car comes first. I've no problem with most cyclists apart from those who don't obey certain rules. There was a vid here not so long ago of an arrogant prick abusing a woman in a car who'd made a mistake through a lapse of concentration, it happens at times when you're driving, tight city streets, you don't expect to meet some jumped up jerk on a two wheeler. Motor comes first, bikeman should hop the footpath.

This prisspuss guy uses vulgar language and behaves in a threatening manner towards the female driver. He just looks an angry arsehole in a helmet.

While i don't agree that angry tirades are helpful, i would not be so flippant about a potentially lethal "lapse of concentration"in a 1 tonne metal weapon.
Hopefully that experience will remove such lapses from that woman's driving

bumper234 · 09-02-2014 09:18AM

pickarooney wrote: »

What the hell? Unless you're actually driving a bumper car hire can you get hit by cars twice a week and survive?

Lol stupid phone, my post was supposed to read ALMOST hit twice a week

Cyclists - lowlife criminals of the worst kind..

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