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No apology required , the thread originator was last seen on the site two days after starting the thread and hasn't been seen since.
We should. But they're both interesting questions.Ron wrote: ↑8 Apr 2024, 3:26pm ...
Rather than asking why many cyclists record speed and distances in metric, I think we should be asking why we are still lumbered with a dual measurement system on our roads 50 years after the intended metric conversion was to have been completed.
https://ukma.org.uk/road-signage/
Because 90% of Brits would refuse to use km. It's not a vote-winner.Ron wrote: ↑8 Apr 2024, 3:26pmNo apology required , the thread originator was last seen on the site two days after starting the thread and hasn't been seen since.
Rather than asking why many cyclists record speed and distances in metric, I think we should be asking why we are still lumbered with a dual measurement system on our roads 50 years after the intended metric conversion was to have been completed.
https://ukma.org.uk/road-signage/
Opinions vary with age:rogerzilla wrote: ↑8 Apr 2024, 5:57pmBecause 90% of Brits would refuse to use km. It's not a vote-winner.Ron wrote: ↑8 Apr 2024, 3:26pmNo apology required , the thread originator was last seen on the site two days after starting the thread and hasn't been seen since.
Rather than asking why many cyclists record speed and distances in metric, I think we should be asking why we are still lumbered with a dual measurement system on our roads 50 years after the intended metric conversion was to have been completed.
https://ukma.org.uk/road-signage/
That plus the vast expense of replacing all existing road signage, street markings etc with the equivalent in km / kph and so on.rogerzilla wrote: ↑8 Apr 2024, 5:57pm Because 90% of Brits would refuse to use km. It's not a vote-winner.
Australia changed. Ireland changed. Sweden even changed which side of the road.rareposter wrote: ↑8 Apr 2024, 6:06pmThat plus the vast expense of replacing all existing road signage, street markings etc with the equivalent in km / kph and so on.rogerzilla wrote: ↑8 Apr 2024, 5:57pm Because 90% of Brits would refuse to use km. It's not a vote-winner.
Also most cars sold in the UK prioritise the mph reading on the speedo display although with modern digital displays, the driver can choose settings.
It would be the ten years of research to reinvent the wheel that would cause failure! How many times have we been late to the party because we had to do our own research even after others have already succesfully done something? One of the most pertinent to this group is obviously cycle infrastructure.Jdsk wrote: ↑8 Apr 2024, 6:15pmAustralia changed. Ireland changed. Sweden even changed which side of the road.rareposter wrote: ↑8 Apr 2024, 6:06pmThat plus the vast expense of replacing all existing road signage, street markings etc with the equivalent in km / kph and so on.rogerzilla wrote: ↑8 Apr 2024, 5:57pm Because 90% of Brits would refuse to use km. It's not a vote-winner.
Also most cars sold in the UK prioritise the mph reading on the speedo display although with modern digital displays, the driver can choose settings.
I think that my country could probably handle it. The first step would probably be to elect a competent government.
Or is there something special about the UK which would cause us to fail where others have succeeded?
Jonathan
An extra large helping of gammons and screaming "newspapers" like the Daily Mail who'd be apoplectic at the very idea of going all forrin.
Living in the UK, I I can't visualise road speed or distance in km/h only mph and miles. Whenever I see speed in km/h or distance in km, have to do a conversion in my head.Nareloc wrote: ↑19 Nov 2023, 1:09pm I'm sure this must have been asked before but I can't find an answer. In the UK, where the standard unit of measurement on the roads is in miles, why do many cyclists record their distances and speed in kilometers. Every road sign indicating the distance to somewhere says miles, even yards for short stretchers i.e. roadworks. The speed signs on our roads are in MPH, not KPH. I have cycled extensively in Europe and set my Garmin to kilometers whilst there but I can't see the point in having it set to kilometers in Britain.The only advantage I can come up with is that the numbers go up faster in kilometers
Lots of countries have changed which side of the road they drive on but Sweden adopted the metric system between 1878 and 1889, so before there were speed limits and long before they switched sides of the road.Jdsk wrote: ↑8 Apr 2024, 6:15pmAustralia changed. Ireland changed. Sweden even changed which side of the road.rareposter wrote: ↑8 Apr 2024, 6:06pmThat plus the vast expense of replacing all existing road signage, street markings etc with the equivalent in km / kph and so on.rogerzilla wrote: ↑8 Apr 2024, 5:57pm Because 90% of Brits would refuse to use km. It's not a vote-winner.
Also most cars sold in the UK prioritise the mph reading on the speedo display although with modern digital displays, the driver can choose settings.
I think that my country could probably handle it. The first step would probably be to elect a competent government.
Or is there something special about the UK which would cause us to fail where others have succeeded?
Jonathan
I knew an older bloke who once had a job as a surveyor's assistant. He said part of his job was to carry the chain.It got pretty heavy by the end of the day!Mike Sales wrote: ↑5 Apr 2024, 9:02pm At school I was taught surveying. We mapped the rugby field using an actual chain, and its links were also a measure. We also learned to use a plane table.
I enjoyed it. I also found vectors pleasing, and took to navigation, in the hills and at sea, with enthusiasm.
100 links (4 poles, 22 yards or 66 feet) 1 chain
10 chains 1 furlong
80 chains 1 mile
chain.jpg
Samoa, 2009?rogerzilla wrote: ↑8 Apr 2024, 9:29pm One SE Asian country recently changed to drive on the left so they could get cheaper used cars from Japan and Australia, but I can't remember which.