Why not a cycle-free day?

On Mar 6, 2:13*pm, "Mr Benn" > wrote:
> A letter in a Bristol newspaper:
>
> I HAVE just read an opinion in this section relating to having a car-free
> day in Bristol. I personally think a Cyclist free week would be far more
> beneficial! All too often Bristol boasts how cycle friendly it is. Is this
> really a good thing? Myself, and many colleagues and friends disagree
> strongly.
>
> Now before I go any further, I must point out that I am a part-time cyclist,
> and when cycling I aim to stay out of the way of proper road users by
> sticking to cycle paths and lanes wherever possible. I wish this was the
> case with all cyclists.
>
> I commute by car daily from outside Bristol to Temple Meads station. I would
> catch the train, but lovely First Great Western do not run a train early
> enough, but that's a whole other issue! Everyday I experience horrendous
> behaviour from cyclists. Considering they are vulnerable, they often risk
> their lives jumping red lights, undertaking at junctions, hopping on and off
> of pavements at their convenience and generally getting in the way of the
> legitimate road user. I realise not all cyclists behave like this, just the
> vast majority, especially the Lycra ones who think they are as wide as cars!
> I also appreciate not all us car drivers are saints as the odd couple let us
> down.
>
> I lay part of the blame with Bristol City Council for trying too hard to
> please cyclists and look trendy. All these advanced starting grids at
> traffic lights is the dumbest idea yet. Encouraging the roads slowest users
> to blatantly sit right in the way of the cars before the lights change, then
> get in the way of our desire to get somewhere quick. That is, when the
> cyclist obeys the lights!!! Another gripe is the fact that despite all the
> cycle lanes on pavements, cyclists still use our road. Coronation Road is a
> prime example. A few months back I was following a lorry along there, who
> was struggling to get past a dad and two young boys cycling along the road.
> The lorry eventually passed, narrowly missing the boys. I tried to tell the
> father this fact, but was met with typical cyclist arrogance. It should be
> law to stick to a cycle lane where provided, to protect the cyclist, and
> more importantly, improve the car drivers progress. I feel there needs to be
> more legislation to protect the proper road user from the menace cyclist. To
> start with, cyclists should have insurance. Can you imagine the damage they
> could do to a cars paintwork if they were to get in the way? Bodywork repair
> costs a lot these days. I find it harder by the day to avoid cyclists who
> flout the highway code. They should also be made to pay a small tax, and
> have a registration plate of some description. This would help to hold them
> accountable for the accidents they cause. The tax could pay for cycle
> wardens to fine them every time they break the law.
>
> I would also like to add, cyclists are also a menace on the pavement. I'm
> sure many readers would agree. Trying to walk near Temple Meads station is a
> gamble. If you think I am anti-cyclist you would be right. Years of trying
> to avoid their antics have made me this way. I am all for saving the
> environment, but please do it in a lawful, polite manner, and stay off the
> road where possible. Do not undertake where its dangerous, obey road signs
> and traffic lights and respect the car driver who funds the cycle lanes you
> fail to use!!! Do all this and we can all be friends!
>
> http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/cycle...rivers/story-1...

A couple of points from your post...
1. "proper road user" Whether I'm in my car or on my bike, or on
foot, I am a "proper road user".
2. "... despite all the cycle lanes on pavements, cyclists still use
our road".
Two for the price of one there. Cycle lanes on pavements is part of
the problem, not the solution; the planners transfer the inconvenience
away from the motorist to the cyclist (who is placed in more danger)
and pedestrians (who have their space reduced). And "**our**" roads?
That nicely sums up the problem; get your nasty bikes off our clean
and orderly roads. If the roads are *yours*, then they're also
*ours*; we all need to share them with everyone else - pedestrians,
cyclists, learners, buses and other car drivers who have an ownership
claim.

On Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:58:13 +0000, Bertie Wooster
> wrote:

>On Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:14:40 +0000, "Just zis Guy, you know?"
> wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:36:54 +0000, Bertie Wooster
> wrote:
>>
>>>On Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:42:08 +0000, JNugent >
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>>On 06/03/2012 19:31, Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On Tue, 6 Mar 2012 19:13:05 -0000, "Mr. > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>> I can't work out why Tom complains about not being able to cycle through the
>>>>>> Blackwall tunnel when London has one of the best integrated transport
>>>>>> systems in the country. Maybe he's too tight to pay for an Oyster card.
>>>>
>>>>> Spoken like a man who has never used TfL at peak hours.
>>>>
>>>>So why would anyone want to sentence more car-drivers to use TfL (or British
>>>>Rail) at rush hour?
>>>
>>>To demonstrate that 15 minutes of pure hell on the Grove Park to
>>>London Bridge train is slightly more tolerable than the 60 minutes of
>>>even purer hell on the South Circular, A21 and Lower Road during the
>>>morning rush hour?
>>
>>Precisely.
>>
>>Door to door times to the City by train & bike 1:00; by train & tube:
>>1:15; by car: 2:00.
>
>Hmmmm. I wonder if you could confirm that by issuing a car v bike
>challenge to the Medwit? Or do you think that he'd bottle it - even if
>given a choice of transport mode?

I predict that it would result in a Medway Swerve.

Guy
--
Guy Chapman, http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk
The usenet price promise: all opinions are guaranteed
to be worth at least what you paid for them.

On Mar 7, 9:52*am, "Just zis Guy, you know?"
> wrote:
> On Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:58:13 +0000, Bertie Wooster
>
>
>
>
>
> > wrote:
> >On Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:14:40 +0000, "Just zis Guy, you know?"
> > wrote:
>
> >>On Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:36:54 +0000, Bertie Wooster
> > wrote:
>
> >>>On Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:42:08 +0000, JNugent >
> >>>wrote:
>
> >>>>On 06/03/2012 19:31, Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:
>
> >>>>> On Tue, 6 Mar 2012 19:13:05 -0000, "Mr. > *wrote:
>
> >>>>>> I can't work out why Tom complains about not being able to cycle through the
> >>>>>> Blackwall tunnel when London has one of the best integrated transport
> >>>>>> systems in the country. *Maybe he's too tight to pay for an Oyster card.
>
> >>>>> Spoken like a man who has never used TfL at peak hours.
>
> >>>>So why would anyone want to sentence more car-drivers to use TfL (or British
> >>>>Rail) at rush hour?
>
> >>>To demonstrate that 15 minutes of pure hell on the Grove Park to
> >>>London Bridge train is slightly more tolerable than the 60 minutes of
> >>>even purer hell on the South Circular, A21 and Lower Road during the
> >>>morning rush hour?
>
> >>Precisely.
>
> >>Door to door times to the City by train & bike 1:00; by train & tube:
> >>1:15; by car: 2:00.
>
> >Hmmmm. I wonder if you could confirm that by issuing a car v bike
> >challenge to the Medwit? Or do you think that he'd bottle it - even if
> >given a choice of transport mode?
>
> I predict that it would result in a Medway Swerve.
>
> Guy
> --
> Guy Chapman,http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk
> The usenet price promise: all opinions are guaranteed
> to be worth at least what you paid for them.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I prefer "Rochester Wriggle", myself.

Simon Mason

"Bertie Wooster" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 6 Mar 2012 14:13:08 -0000, "Mr Benn"
> > wrote:
>
>>I HAVE just read an opinion in this section relating to having a car-free
>>day in Bristol. I personally think a Cyclist free week would be far more
>>beneficial!
>
> Lol! Can you imagine the traffic chaos in London if every cyclist took
> their car to work every day for a week!?

They wouldn't. They should use public transport in London, especially
central London.

>
> What a great idea - a bicycle free week - to show motorists what a
> favour we are doing them by taking our cars off the road.

It is a great idea.

"Bertie Wooster" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 6 Mar 2012 19:13:05 -0000, "Mr. Benn" > wrote:
>
>>"JNugent" wrote in message ...
>>
>>On 06/03/2012 18:34, Mrcheerful wrote:
>>> "Bertie > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> On Tue, 6 Mar 2012 14:13:08 -0000, "Mr Benn"
>>>> > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I HAVE just read an opinion in this section relating to having a
>>>>> car-free
>>>>> day in Bristol. I personally think a Cyclist free week would be far
>>>>> more
>>>>> beneficial!
>>>>
>>>> Lol! Can you imagine the traffic chaos in London if every cyclist took
>>>> their car to work every day for a week!?
>>>>
>>>> What a great idea - a bicycle free week - to show motorists what a
>>>> favour we are doing them by taking our cars off the road.
>>>>
>>>
>>> why wouldn't most of them use the public transport systems?
>>
>>After all, it's not as thrugh they all have access to cars anyway, or that
>>the few who do would be able to park in Central or Inner London.
>>================================================ =======
>>
>>I can't work out why Tom complains about not being able to cycle through
>>the
>>Blackwall tunnel when London has one of the best integrated transport
>>systems in the country. Maybe he's too tight to pay for an Oyster card.
>
> My complaint is not that I can't cycle through the Blackwall Tunnel so
> much as the proposed alternative for cyclists and pedestrians will be
> charged.

Tough. Not everything is free.

On Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:14:40 +0000, "Just zis Guy, you know?"
> wrote:

>On Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:36:54 +0000, Bertie Wooster
> wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:42:08 +0000, JNugent >
>>wrote:
>>
>>>On 06/03/2012 19:31, Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Tue, 6 Mar 2012 19:13:05 -0000, "Mr. > wrote:
>>>
>>>>> I can't work out why Tom complains about not being able to cycle through the
>>>>> Blackwall tunnel when London has one of the best integrated transport
>>>>> systems in the country. Maybe he's too tight to pay for an Oyster card.
>>>
>>>> Spoken like a man who has never used TfL at peak hours.
>>>
>>>So why would anyone want to sentence more car-drivers to use TfL (or British
>>>Rail) at rush hour?
>>
>>To demonstrate that 15 minutes of pure hell on the Grove Park to
>>London Bridge train is slightly more tolerable than the 60 minutes of
>>even purer hell on the South Circular, A21 and Lower Road during the
>>morning rush hour?
>
>Precisely.
>
>Door to door times to the City by train & bike 1:00; by train & tube:
>1:15; by car: 2:00.
>
>Guy


By train and tube, or by car : nice and relaxed.

By push-bike: sweating and smelling like a pig

(I suppose in your case that is quite appropriate)

On Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:52:55 +0000, "Just zis Guy, you know?"
> wrote:

<snip>


>I predict that it would result in a Medway Swerve.
>
>Guy



Talking of swerves - what is this about *you* pulling out of your court case
because you couldn't take the risk of cross-examination and perjury?

--
Porky Chapman bragged about the fact that he was taking someone he
had accused of harassing him through the court system.
All of a sudden his court case is off. Was it because Porky was scared of
being cross-examined and having to answer questions under oath?
Or did the CPS sling the case out because of Porky's "evidence"?
Why won't he tell us?

"Judith" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:52:55 +0000, "Just zis Guy, you know?"
> > wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
>
>>I predict that it would result in a Medway Swerve.
>>
>>Guy
>
>
>
> Talking of swerves - what is this about *you* pulling out of your court
> case
> because you couldn't take the risk of cross-examination and perjury?

What was the court case about again? I remember Chapman boasting a few
months ago that he was going to take someone to court for something. He
sounded quite chuffed at the time.

On Mar 7, 8:19*am, al Mossah > wrote:
If the roads are *yours*, then they're also
> *ours*; we all need to share them with everyone else - pedestrians,
> cyclists, learners, buses and other car drivers who have an ownership
> claim.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

How do these roads not belong to me when I am cycling to work, but
then magically become "mine" when I am in my car?
It makes no sense at all.

--
Simon Mason

On 07/03/2012 06:58, Bertie Wooster wrote:
> On Tue, 06 Mar 2012 23:14:40 +0000, "Just zis Guy, you know?"
> > wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:36:54 +0000, Bertie Wooster
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> On Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:42:08 +0000, >
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 06/03/2012 19:31, Just zis Guy, you know? wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On Tue, 6 Mar 2012 19:13:05 -0000, "Mr. > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>> I can't work out why Tom complains about not being able to cycle through the
>>>>>> Blackwall tunnel when London has one of the best integrated transport
>>>>>> systems in the country. Maybe he's too tight to pay for an Oyster card.
>>>>
>>>>> Spoken like a man who has never used TfL at peak hours.
>>>>
>>>> So why would anyone want to sentence more car-drivers to use TfL (or British
>>>> Rail) at rush hour?
>>>
>>> To demonstrate that 15 minutes of pure hell on the Grove Park to
>>> London Bridge train is slightly more tolerable than the 60 minutes of
>>> even purer hell on the South Circular, A21 and Lower Road during the
>>> morning rush hour?
>>
>> Precisely.
>>
>> Door to door times to the City by train& bike 1:00; by train& tube:
>> 1:15; by car: 2:00.
>
> Hmmmm. I wonder if you could confirm that by issuing a car v bike
> challenge to the Medwit? Or do you think that he'd bottle it - even if
> given a choice of transport mode?

Posted by the Olympic Wriggling Gold Medal Holder.

--
Dave - Cyclists VOR. "Many people barely recognise the bicycle as a
legitimate mode of transport; it is either a toy for children or a
vehicle fit only for the poor and/or strange," Dave Horton - Lancaster
University