Cycling UK Forum

It was socialist policies that created car dependence communities in America. It was the government that took taxpayer money and paid for the big freeways. They was probably lobbied by oil companies and car companies, who knows. If government did not pay for the freeways, communities would probably be more tightly nit and shops, farms and other services would be more local. There would be less big out of town supermarkets and shopping malls. And without government hyper regulations it would be easy to start a local business or find employment. Your folks probably have stories of how easy it was to find jobs.

tykeboy2003 wrote:

Elizabethsdad wrote:Wouldn't surprise if Trump make cycling and walking illegal in the US before long and decrees that everyone must travel in gas guzzlers.

Walking doesn't need to be made illegal in the States, in some places it's almost impossible. I read Bill Bryson's "A walk in the woods" where he describes trying to walk to a restaurant on the edge of a town; there was no walkway on the road (jay-walking is illegal) and all the businesses along the road only had access from the road. He ended up walking across car parks and climbing over fences.

Donald trump may give greater property rights to land owner or local states, who might forbid cycling and walking throughs but I don't think he is going to be the world first right-wing dictator.

jatindersangha wrote:I use the Cycliq Fly6 (rear) and Fly12 (front).

They function as bike lights as well as cameras so you may end up with less clutter on the bike. They automatically overwrite the memory card when it becomes full.

I always use two rear lights and given it's winter, I have a very bright front light - meaning I can use the Fly6 in camera/dim-flashing mode and the Fly12 in camera-only mode for my week's worth of commuting without having to charge them.

--Jatinder

The fly Fly12 and 6 are very good. I use them myself and they work every time. Just use it as a light and forget about it.
I am looking for a fake helmet cam better looking then a gopro.

The guys are probably looking for a woman that would respond positively to that behaviour . The I wouldn't be surprised if they become best of friend if the met up again.

Vorpal wrote:Any prosecutions (including FPNs and equivalents) that result in profit for someone is a system created for abuse.

In the US, many local governments began using traffic tickets as a mean to pay for policing (and sometimes other things). This has resulted in:
-no incentive to improve the roads environment (they need bad driving to meet targets, make money for the city, etc.)
-a cycle of repeated and minor offences that disproportionately affects poor and minority citizens
-a effective 'tax' that doesn't require approval by anyone democratically elected

A part of the problem is that road are public. They are paid though taxes. A private road would have an incentive to attract cars and make it
a pleasant experience. Too many fines, too many accidents, or too much traffic and they will take another route. Another problem with our roads is we simply travel too far. So much regulation means finding a job is hard so you have to travel longer distances.

If

arnsider wrote:I hate to appear superior, but anyone who cycles in and around London must be very brave and very long suffering.

If I was to guess, about 50% of central London have a pleasant commute. On commuting times, its like a party happening. Cyclists everywhere. On many routes it feels very safe. Where I live, Croydon, there are less cyclists but there is a considerable increase this year though, by next year there will be more cyclists then BMW cars..

It looked like an electric bike.

Wouldn't cycle in the other country. I would motorbike it though. In London, I would find a cycle path or a road heavily used by cyclists and go around the long way.

Nothing new to report in this year. The pedestrians are the new BMWDriver though.

I wasn't happy cycling until I understood and trust some statistics. The problem is there are probably millions of cyclists. I cannot visualize how many there are.

But I can visualize how many Boris bikes their are in London. I see loads of Boris Bikes docking stations in London.
However, there has only been one Boris Bike fatality so far. This is considering that many Boris bikers
are newbies and parts of London is hectic( been there myself). To many new Boris Bikers going down too many
unfamiliar roads. This all tells me that the fatality risks are extremely low. However, I cannot comfort you about
the risk of serious injury.

Manc33 wrote:Alcohol pah... the bigger problem is the Government thinking it can tell people what to do and there being guidelines for something like this at all. We should fine them for even trying it... and I am someone that doesn't even drink saying that.

Govern = Control
Mente = Mind

Offering guidelines is on of the less forceful ways the governments controls its subjects. One of the benefits of having private health insurance is that they would have a vested interest in assessing real health risks( Seeing reality). They would give discounts for non drinkers or cyclists. The insurance companies would even be able asses the true risk cycling vs health risks due to inactivity.

Bicycler wrote:

Vantage wrote:I'm at a loss as to how posting his partners fb profile page here for all to see in any way adds positively to the issue of bus drivers being happy to take out cyclists. Is she a bus driver too?

Quite.

In any case, I think it is a very bad idea to go digging into and broadcasting every aspect of these drivers' lives. Their private lives are none of our concern and it does us no good to appear to be vigilantes trying to ruin people's lives. Let's focus on the issue at hand and our quite legitimate concerns, not shoot ourselves in the foot confirming the angry cyclist stereotype.

I think so. I remember have a conversation with a hot headed member of staff and my line manager about cycling through lights. He aid If sees a cycling go though traffic lights he would knock them of his bike. We know he was joking about that.

I would like to know the incident rate for Roadies opposed to others cyclists. That might bring some light on the subject.
Generally I do feel safer on some roads if I keep up with traffic or cars behind don't get a chance to catch up and overtake.

hubgearfreak wrote:

toomsie wrote:It is competition that drives down costs and improves quality.

we can see that all around. just look at the railways /electricity companies

Privatised railroads did work very well before being nationalised at war time.
I am sure even now, they are highly regulated compare to busses like nation
express. http://www.libertarian.co.uk/lapubs/econn/econn091.pdf

Another question. If UK Rail is truly privatized how comes Japanese rail companies don't get involve. Japanese rail companies
know how to run a train service.

Personally I am not a fan of railroad. I think they are outdated an limited. I believe tole roads can achieve the same thing but better.
Railroads are basically tole roads with a lot of limitations. Trains can't overtake conveniently, change direction. Railroads cant take emergency services or military vehicles.

Mike Sales wrote:

Mike Sales wrote:You will find that quite a few Tory MPs have interests in thses companies.

A quick google found this.

http://socialinvestigations.blogspot.co.uk/p/key-facts-of-lords-and-mps-connections.html

These companies have been buying Labour politicians too it seems, but more Conservatives.

Thnks for link. Public money into private companies is not free market, its still a monopoly. It is competition that drives down costs and improves quality. Apparently, the French healthcare system is the best in the world. If it is why am I stuck with the NHS. Its a good thing UK government don't monopolise cars or we would be stuck with Rovers and Land Rovers. They would brake down often and everyone would assume this is the norm for car reliability.