Search found 10 matches

by PLodon
25 Jul 2020, 3:14pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Canal towpath petition
Replies: 78
Views: 5200

Re: Canal towpath petition

Signed with pleasure, if you don't ask, you don't get. :)
by PLodon
25 Jul 2020, 3:10pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Getting fed up with pedestrians and dogs on "shared" paths
Replies: 56
Views: 2576

Getting fed up with pedestrians and dogs on "shared" paths

Last Thursday I cycled 13 miles home along part of cycle route 15 in Kent. It runs around the coast, and is a paved and mostly off road, appx 8 feet wide "shared" path. In reality you often have pedestrians, sometimes walking four abreast, usually ignoring any warning bells. Then there are all of the dogs, some off the lead and some on those awful extending leads, running all over the place. I've decided that, certainly in the summer, I'd rather take my chances on the road. When I came to one part of the route two women with pushchairs were completely blocking the path whilst having a chat, they didn't react at all to my polite, warning bell so I slowed right down and passed and shook my head. A chap, who I presume was related to them, said "Excuse me, why the shake of the head ?", I replied "It's a shared path", he stated "that's right and they're pedestrians, what do you expect", I replied "A little awareness", and cycled on. The whole trip was exhausting, not the cycling but the concentration required to negotiate unpredictable dogs and even more unpredictable people. :(
by PLodon
25 Jul 2020, 2:55pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Fed up with aggressive and dangerous drivers
Replies: 11
Views: 1065

Re: Fed up with aggressive and dangerous drivers

Oldjohnw wrote:I'm more interested in getting home safely that winning an argument or gaining a point. Make me a wimp? Possibly. But it keeps my blood pressure down.

Bad/dangerous is annoying, but I do agree with you John.
by PLodon
24 Jul 2020, 4:15pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Fed up with aggressive and dangerous drivers
Replies: 11
Views: 1065

Re: Fed up with aggressive and dangerous drivers

I sympathise, I commute five days a week, certainly down here in the south east there seems to be quite a lot of aggression/bullying on the roads and a lack of patience and courtesy. I was close passed, at low speed, by a lorry who then got stuck in traffic so I overtook him again. On the whole, when I think back to when I drove to work, I'd still much rather be on my bike. :D
by PLodon
6 Jun 2020, 8:48pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Lockdown Nostalgia
Replies: 23
Views: 2070

Re: Lockdown Nostalgia

Traffic seems to be back to normal down here in kent, but there does seem to be an increase in the speed of some motor vehicles. :(
by PLodon
24 May 2020, 10:35am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Bike sales
Replies: 37
Views: 2016

Re: Bike sales

Cyril Haearn wrote:There are enough bikes already, no need for more, but certain persons have more than they need :wink:

Excellent ! :D Someone once asked me what was the best bike to ride and I said that personally I thought it was whatever bike you happened to own.
by PLodon
24 May 2020, 10:29am
Forum: On the road
Topic: Getting fed up with abuse etc from some motorists.
Replies: 65
Views: 3938

Re: Getting fed up with abuse etc from some motorists.

After much reflection I've decided I'm not going to get another car, I'm going to carry on doing what I want to do and that involves riding a bicycle as part of my daily transport. I will also endeavour to remain calm and considerate of others whilst doing so, as that is also important to me. I do believe that this issue is not just about being able to cycle safely, it's about being a member of a "civilised" society and that's important to me too. :)
by PLodon
16 May 2020, 3:17pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Getting fed up with abuse etc from some motorists.
Replies: 65
Views: 3938

Re: Getting fed up with abuse etc from some motorists.

Thank you all for the understanding and support, awful to say I suppose as in an ideal world none of this sort of thing would happen, but it's good to know I'm not alone. :)
by PLodon
16 May 2020, 12:18pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Anyone found the roads less busy and/or motorists driving better?
Replies: 269
Views: 16154

Re: Anyone found the roads less busy and/or motorists driving better?

Down here in SE Kent the roads were quieter but seem to be getting a little busier in the past few days, unfortunately, there seemed to be an increase in speeding amongst quite a few cars/vans etc on the road. Absolutely no sign of better driving I'm afraid :(
by PLodon
16 May 2020, 12:07pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Getting fed up with abuse etc from some motorists.
Replies: 65
Views: 3938

Getting fed up with abuse etc from some motorists.

De Sisti wrote:
PLodon wrote:I've cycled most of my adult life, not as a club cyclist or with a road bike, I've just always had a bike and ridden it, in ordinary, everyday clothes to run errands or just go for rides for the sheer joy of it. I also run regularly, 3 or 4 times a week, never been a member of a club or anything, just to keep fit and again because I enjoy it.

I January of this year, as I was approaching 55 (and wanting to maintain my general fitness) after much consideration and research I decided to sell my car (my wife also has a car so not too much of a hardship) and cycle 2 miles to my local station, get a train (10 miles) and cycle 2 miles to the hospital where I work. I bought a folding bike from Decathlon, again after a lot of research, which I have been really happy with and the, pre-lockdown, journey ny train was fine.

The only problem with the whole experience was some motorists who not only often didn't give way at juctions or leave enough space when overtaking but the level of verbal abuse I sometimes recieved, just for being on a bike, on a road and in front of them. Last week I needed a repeat prescription from my doctors surgery, approximately 5 miles from where I live, my wife was at work so I thought nothing of cycling there.

Part of my route is along an urban road which for some reason has a speed limit of 60 mph, there is an 18 inch marked area near the kerb full of broken glass and debris, which I presume may be someones idea of a "bike lane" but certainly not fit to cycle in. The roads were very quiet and I happily cycled along until a care slowed, swerved towards me and two young man delivered a torrent of abuse because I should move over and get out of their way.

I'm really getting fed up of the abuse, threatening ,in some cases life threatening, behaviour that we are expected to endure when we ride a bike. It's become acceptable in the media and it seems that if you want to kill someone and get away with it just crash into them when they are riding a bike and simply say the sun was in your eyes. What is it with the UK that this sort of hatred towards other human beings who just happen to ride a bike is not only permissable but seems acceptable as a norm? I'm seriously thinking about buying another car. :(

Easier to read now.

EDIT : Thanks for that : Graham