Rogue cyclists set to face on-the-spot fines MOD WARNING in first post

Jawgap · 09-01-2015 11:17AM

tomasrojo wrote: »

Also thinking about the "blind as a bat" driver above. There are certainly drivers with uncorrectable vision defects on the road who are allowed to continue out of compassion. This is misplaced compassion.

Indeed, we had to practically beg the GP to stop signing my father-in-law off as fit to drive, because of his vision and a couple of other health problems.

The GP (a son of a mate of my father-in-law who he had known since he was a garsun) was concerned the impact losing this degree of independence would have on his psychological state. I think the concern was genuinely held, as he lives way out in the sticks, but we had to really push to get him to do a proper medical evaluation, not just spend 20 minutes listening to him telling stories about his oul' fellah.

And after he said he couldn't sign him off as fit to drive, my father-in-law's reaction was - "I was surprised I managed to hang on to the licence for this long!"

Buchaill_Mor · 09-01-2015 11:34AM

ROK ON wrote: »

I am wondering aloud here - but maybe there is an advocacy role for CI to play. Affirming the positive reasons for cycling, that it is reasonably safe, convenient and effective way of commuting. Trying to get some positive PR that the more of us on the road then the less likely that car drivers are likely to be held up by other bulky traffic.
Maybe have a hug a cyclist day.

I completely agree with ROK ON here. There should be more PR! I also would like to see Sean Kelly and Stephen and Nicolas Roche taking a more active role in awareness to cycling campaigns, and road safety.

I know that things and attitudes were different when Sean and Stephen were out and about, and HTFU was the mind set, but traffic volumes were a lot less, and the capability of cars has increased dramatically with a limited increase (some examples of decrease) of driver skill.

I would feel that celebrities that cycle regularly such as Ray D'arcy should be asked to get involved (but please leave the politicians out of it and the celeb who cycles the odd day.) on the positivity, and road safety aspect of it.

07Lapierre · 09-01-2015 11:37AM

tomasrojo wrote: »

Same goes for red light discipline, once one car stops.

And the opposite is also true..if one car doesn't stop. When I'm driving I've often gone thru a junction when the light was amber and then turned red as I was right at the light(yes I know I shouldn't but we all do it, even if we won't admit it). Then when I look in my rear view mirror i'm always amazed to see one or two more cars following me!

Jawgap · 09-01-2015 11:41AM

Buchaill_Mor wrote: »

I completely agree with ROK ON here. There should be more PR! I also would like to see Sean Kelly and Stephen and Nicolas Roche taking a more active role in awareness to cycling campaigns, and road safety.

I know that things and attitudes were different when Sean and Stephen were out and about, and HTFU was the mind set, but traffic volumes were a lot less, and the capability of cars has increased dramatically with a limited increase (some examples of decrease) of driver skill.

I would feel that celebrities that cycle regularly such as Ray D'arcy should be asked to get involved (but please leave the politicians out of it and the celeb who cycles the odd day.) on the positivity, and road safety aspect of it.

To be honest, I think Roche and Kelly are the last thing cycling needs to promote it - because it reinforces the idea that cycling is about racing, lycra, expensive drop bar bikes etc.

I reckon if you could get people like Miriam O'Callaghan, Katie Taylor, etc (people who are not cyclists, but who are influential and may cycle) to promote the activity as something everyday, rather than something that is a sport or is for fitness freaks.

Deffo, leave the politicians out, unless they are genuine habitual cyclists.

tomasrojo · 09-01-2015 11:43AM

Buchaill_Mor wrote: »

I would feel that celebrities that cycle regularly such as Ray D'arcy should be asked to get involved (but please leave the politicians out of it and the celeb who cycles the odd day.) on the positivity, and road safety aspect of it.

I think Ray D'arcy fails on positivity. Whenever I've heard him talking about cycling on the radio, he's made it sound purgatorial. He's a bit scolding in tone too.

Pinch Flat · 09-01-2015 11:47AM

07Lapierre wrote: »

And the opposite is also true..if one car doesn't stop. When I'm driving I've often gone thru a junction when the light was amber and then turned red as I was right at the light(yes I know I shouldn't but we all do it, even if we won't admit it). Then when I look in my rear view mirror i'm always amazed to see one or two more cars following me!

Witnessed a pretty ugly road rage incident Wednesday evening where a driver coming out of a shop near me was berated by the driver behind for not going through an amber.

He completely lost it - to the extent I thought his horn was broken. He basically held it down for around 300 metres while tailgating the 'errant' driver who dared stop on an amber. People like that really need to chill out (or take up cycling

)

07Lapierre · 09-01-2015 11:49AM

tomasrojo wrote: »

I think Ray D'arcy fails on positivity. Whenever I've heard him talking about cycling on the radio, he's made it sound purgatorial. He's a bit scolding in tone too.

He's better than George Hook!

Danjamin1 · 09-01-2015 11:51AM

07Lapierre wrote: »

He's better than George Hook!

George Hook is just pig ignorant

Buchaill_Mor · 09-01-2015 11:51AM

07Lapierre wrote: »

He's better than George Hook!

NOW THERE is someone who needs to get on a bike!! In the literal and figurative sense!!

Though he would probably have to be given the bike for free before he used it. Sky+, Peugeot have found that out. It is not liable, because it's true!

Jawgap · 09-01-2015 11:52AM

Danjamin1 wrote: »

George Hook is just pig ignorant

On behalf of pigs everywhere I demand Mod action in respect of this scurrilous post

CramCycle · 09-01-2015 12:07PM

There are a few presenters on Newstalk who seem reasonable enough about it and seem to have enough common sense when talking about cycling in general Chris O'Donohue, I think Tom Dunne possibly as well. Vogue Williams (from googling Irish cycling celebreties) has taken part in a Sligo Sportive.

lennymc · 09-01-2015 12:20PM

don't forget Matt Cooper.

Macy0161 · 09-01-2015 12:26PM

lennymc wrote: »

don't forget Matt Cooper.

Only caught a bit of the Last Word earlier this week when they had a cycling issue (might have been a report about how safe it actually was), but pretty sure at the time he was arguing how commuting in the city centre wasn't safe!

CramCycle · 09-01-2015 12:37PM

lennymc wrote: »

don't forget Matt Cooper.

I could have mixed up Matt Cooper with Tom Dunne (I know they are not even close in terms of shows or styles).

Macy0161 · 09-01-2015 12:39PM

No Matt Cooper does do a bit of cycling. Must look up the podcast - I think he started the bit I heard with "I do a bit of cycling, but..."

Jawgap · 09-01-2015 12:39PM

Macy0161 wrote: »

Only caught a bit of the Last Word earlier this week when they had a cycling issue (might have been a report about how safe it actually was), but pretty sure at the time he was arguing how commuting in the city centre wasn't safe!

In defence of Matt, he does seem to do the whole 'devil's advocate' thing both well and frequently, adopting a deliberately contrary stance to the line being offered by the interviewee. If you tuned in a few minutes earlier he'd probably have been lauding the benefits of cycling in contrast to someone suggesting it was unsafe or obstructive.

I think the item you might have heard was about the proposal for a minimum passing distance.

07Lapierre · 09-01-2015 12:42PM

Macy0161 wrote: »

Only caught a bit of the Last Word earlier this week when they had a cycling issue (might have been a report about how safe it actually was), but pretty sure at the time he was arguing how commuting in the city centre wasn't safe!

Hes right..its not safe.But..Walking on a wet marble floor in your bare feet is not safe!, climbing a staircase with out holing onto the handrail is not safe!
If your an inexperienced motorist, driving is not safe! etc. etc.

its all relative.

Chips Lovell · 09-01-2015 12:49PM

I'd agree that just because someone is a cyclist, it doesn't automatically make them a great advocate for cycling.

Some of the biggest scaremongers about cycling are often cyclists themselves, who portray any journey that doesn't involve death or serious injury as a minor miracle.

You need someone who's positive about cycling and capable of conveying how safe and convenient it is, whilst acknowledging that that there are areas for improvement.

In the UK, for example, I think Chris Boardman plays this role perfectly.

CramCycle · 09-01-2015 01:19PM

Jep Gambardella wrote: »

In the UK, for example, I think Chris Boardman plays this role perfectly.

Have to say he is the epitome of what I would look for in a spokesperson for this sort of thing, no pandering to those with an opinion but no experience and views that are strongly upheld by both research and his peers.

The last time I heard Matt Cooper he was lambasting the AA mouth piece for his complete and utter lack of not only common sense but rational thinking in regards to his suggestions for cycling in the city. Don't listen to his show much but as Jawgap says, maybe he does or does not cycle much, but he does do the devils advocate thing quite well if that is the case.

bazermc · 09-01-2015 01:24PM

Geroge Hook and Ivan Yates would be the two anti cyclists on Newstalk.

Ironic given they both could do with doing a bit of cycle and shedding the pounds

RainyDay · 09-01-2015 01:41PM

The new face for positive cycling PR

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/i-prefer-the-bike-to-my-car-any-day-says-the-public-face-of-aa-30884859.html

Pinch Flat · 09-01-2015 01:45PM

RainyDay wrote: »

The new face for positive cycling PR

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/i-prefer-the-bike-to-my-car-any-day-says-the-public-face-of-aa-30884859.html

"Motoring czar admits Dublins streets to clogged with traffic to drive in"

CramCycle · 09-01-2015 01:46PM

RainyDay wrote: »

The new face for positive cycling PR

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/i-prefer-the-bike-to-my-car-any-day-says-the-public-face-of-aa-30884859.html

Oddly enough the man who did not come across as positive for cycling on The Last Word.

NBar · 09-01-2015 01:46PM

He used to drive as far as Terenure park the car and then cycle into work, not sure if he still does that

Jawgap · 09-01-2015 02:02PM

RainyDay wrote: »

The new face for positive cycling PR

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/i-prefer-the-bike-to-my-car-any-day-says-the-public-face-of-aa-30884859.html

Tut...tut....tut.....no helmet, no hi-viz, cycling on the wrong side of the road, it's a wonder he wasn't killed stone dead:)

Pinch Flat · 09-01-2015 02:03PM

Jawgap wrote: »

Tut...tut....tut.....no helmet, no hi-viz, cycling on the wrong side of the road, it's a wonder he wasn't killed stone dead:)

.....no insurance, nct on that bike or chip on his neck to id him either. Rabble rabble

MayoAreMagic · 09-01-2015 02:17PM

Jawgap wrote: »

Aren't trucks, HGVs and buses governed? Meaning they can't travel at car speeds, especially on motorways.

Is that difference in speed the same as the one between a car and a cyclist? A car could travel along quite comfortably at the speed a lorry does, and Im sure Im not the only one who has seen a lorry overtake a car on a motorway. Clearly the comparison is very different.

Also, someone mentioned motorbikes travelling two-abreast. So? They had no part in either point and nobody said they had any issue with them. Grasping at straws comes to mind.

Jawgap · 09-01-2015 02:33PM

MayoAreMagic wrote: »

Is that difference in speed the same as the one between a car and a cyclist? A car could travel along quite comfortably at the speed a lorry does, and Im sure Im not the only one who has seen a lorry overtake a car on a motorway. Clearly the comparison is very different.

Also, someone mentioned motorbikes travelling two-abreast. So? They had no part in either point and nobody said they had any issue with them. Grasping at straws comes to mind.

Are HGVs allowed in the outer lane? Are they not break the law if they go into the outside lane (if there is no obstruction in lane 1)?

MayoAreMagic · 09-01-2015 02:59PM

Jawgap wrote: »

Are HGVs allowed in the outer lane? Are they not break the law if they go into the outside lane (if there is no obstruction in lane 1)?

What relevance does this have to the point? I just see it as deflecting to be honest with you. The relationship between cars and bikes is very different to the one between cars and lorrys; that is the bottom line.

Danjamin1 · 09-01-2015 03:06PM

MayoAreMagic wrote: »

What relevance does this have to the point? I just see it as deflecting to be honest with you. The relationship between cars and bikes is very different to the one between cars and lorrys; that is the bottom line.

To be fair the whole subject of separating different modes of transport doesn't have much relevance to the point of the thread either, no one's acting illegally by cycling amongst other traffic.

Rogue cyclists set to face on-the-spot fines MOD WARNING in first post

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