Cycling UK Forum

Oldjohnw wrote:I am looking to buy a small utility trailer for large shops and trips to the tip etc.

gaz wrote:

Oldjohnw wrote:I am looking to buy a small utility trailer for large shops and trips to the tip etc.

I find that trailer based quaxing trips attract a lot of friendly chat and enquiry. Must try a trip to the tip one day.

gazza_d wrote:Cycling is like any other aspect of life, and try and treat others as you would like to be received yourself.

When on the bike, certainly for shorter hops, I wear normal clothes other than SPDs and mitts. I don't have any belief that helmets and hiviz provide any benefit anyway, but dressing up in PPE and hard hat doesn't project an image that cycling is safe and relaxing.

I started leading a series of fortnightly rides a few years ago which highlight and use traffic free routes in and around my town as much as I can. Once you get to know the place there is quite a decent hidden network that can be stitched together, and I want to pass that info on

Bonefishblues wrote:I understand that these Motons as you so amusingly term them are driven (see what I did there) into a frenzy by the mere sight of a bicycle, so you may experience a Pavolvian response to your displaying that sticker.

Cyril Haearn wrote:@philsknees
Best not to get out of your vehicle

philsknees wrote:

Bonefishblues wrote:I understand that these Motons as you so amusingly term them are driven (see what I did there) into a frenzy by the mere sight of a bicycle, so you may experience a Pavolvian response to your displaying that sticker.

Point taken but I'd like to think its Lycra, not the cycle, that attracts the Pavlovian response. That's why I often look like a tramp on a bike!
(Incidentally can't claim credit for Moton, which features elsewhere in the forum. And here: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Moton)

Bonefishblues wrote:

philsknees wrote:+1 for gazza_d's comments:
"Cycling is like any other aspect of life, and try and treat others as you would like to be received yourself.
When on the bike, certainly for shorter hops, I wear normal clothes other than SPDs and mitts. I don't have any belief that helmets and hiviz provide any benefit anyway, but dressing up in PPE and hard hat doesn't project an image that cycling is safe and relaxing."

And when driving I try to be extra-considerate to the cyclists I encounter on my local busy urban roads but often suffer the ire of impatient following motons who I may unintentionally discommode as a result (maybe if they're that busy and consider their progress to be so important that endangering the life of a cyclist isn't an issue we should supply them with blue lights & sirens......).
In frustration I've just ordered a couple of these: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4641563 ... -car-decal to put in the back window of the cars I drive. Hopefully they'll then know what I'm about, or if they catch me on a bad day, why I'm getting out of my vehicle to have a word!
Whatever, it's no bad thing to let other drivers know you're a cyclist too. It may even influence their attitude and follow my example - those that even care!

I understand that these Motons as you so amusingly term them are driven (see what I did there) into a frenzy by the mere sight of a bicycle, so you may experience a Pavolvian response to your displaying that sticker.

Cyril Haearn wrote:Only a policeperson in uniform may direct traffic, you cannot 'know' it is safe, I would not trust you or anyone to decide for me

If you are in the practice of trying to wave others out, trying to direct traffic, I earnestly hope the cops see you and give you a good talking to

Vorpal wrote:Actually anyone may stop and direct traffic. It is not an offence to ignore them unless it is a police officer, or someone given the authority through the Community Safety Accreditation scheme, such as a lollipop person, accredited marshall, etc.

There may be situations where it is appropriate for anyone with the skills and understanding to stop and direct traffic in an emergency, at least until emergency service arrive.

Those observing such direction must, of course use their own judgement about whether it is safe to obey.

Carlton green wrote:
I hadn’t thought of it before but organising rides for others to take part in really does make a difference, it certainly allows ‘you’ to present a good and empowering example (to the less experienced) of what can be done on a bike and how to do it. But for taking part in CTC club rides and reading the CTC magazine I would never have understood that you really can tour through France on your bike (I met and cycled with ordinary people who had and did) or do a trip deeeedep into the countryside and back in a day. Discovering that doing 120 miles on a bike in one day was possible, and by old guys too, was a real ‘eye opener’.

The mentoring of less experienced riders is so important, it does pass on skills and newer riders are also an advertisement to other potential cyclists too.