Cyclists' "Bill of Responsibilities".

[gagagiste]

I'm all for a Bill of Rights. However, all "rights" carry "responsibilities" and unfortunately there are a number of anti social acts carried out by bicycle riders that get cyclists a bad name. Any suggestions as to what the responsibilities should be? Once these are enacted we can push for a Bill of Rights.

[Edwards]

I certainly agree cyclists have responsibilities. I do not think that you will get a lot of people here admitting that though.
Unfortunately some of the cyclists who make the most noise about rights do not want to give those same rights them to others.
Then they wonder why cyclists as a group are hated.

The above is my opinion and feelings about the present situation of cycling. No I will not be giving any stats or quoting sources thank you.

[horizon]

Here are the ten responsibilities of a cyclist:

Every cyclist should:

1. Assert their right to be on the road.
2. Speak up for cycling at all times.
3. Confront motorists in their family and raise safety issues with them.
4. Ignore bad cycle lanes and paths.
5. Set an example to their children by cycling whenever possible.
6. Write to their MP about lack of cycle space on trains.
7. Not be intimidated by aggressive motorists.
8. Complain about any lack of cycle facilities at work.
9. Get a good bike.
10. Buy a rack and go on a cycle tour.

[[XAP]Bob]

@ horizon

And act with care on the roads, demonstrate the consideration we would like to be shown.

[Si]

I certainly agree cyclists have responsibilities. I do not think that you will get a lot of people here admitting that though.

I think that that is a bit harsh on the majority of forum users. Although in comparisons between badly ridden bikes and badly driven cars, it's often pointed out that the car will normally do more damage, I don't think that people are actually excusing bad cycling - just suggesting that in sorting out poor road use it is the most dangerous that need addressing first. I'm sure that many on here get annoyed with thoughtless pavement riding, RLJing, etc, however it gets a lesser press because, despite their bad cycling, we routinely experience less terror at the hands of these poor cyclists than we do from poor drivers.

However, I note that one of our most recent threads concerning poor road use (viewtopic.php?f=7&t=48916) is about poor cycling.

[snibgo]

Of course cyclists have responsibilities.

I regard responsibilities as more important than rights. A responsibility on one person is the concrete expression of the right of another. Without responsibilities, rights are fruitless.

For example: a pedestrian has the right to walk without fear of being ridden or driven into. But this is legislated by putting responsibility on cyclists and drivers not to knock them over.

Rights give rise to arguments over whose rights trumps other's rights. Responsibilities are easier to resolve.

[Cunobelin]

There is already a document that outlines these responsibilities

[Edwards]

Si while I may seem harsh to the majority. The topic was posted on Saturday, I was the first reply today. Not a big response I feel. I do feel you have missed part of the problem in thinking about the "Poor Motorist". Why just car drivers?
I am more concerned about other road and footpath users. I feel that cyclists do have a duty of care towards these groups. Interestingly Horizon did not mention these people but seemed to concentrate on things that are generally a benefit to cyclists.
The Highway Code does set out some responsibilities but a lot of cyclists seem to behave as though it does not apply to them. Then the same people want others to comply with the code completely especially when things go wrong.

Xap Bob seems to have summed up how I would like things to be. I do not however hold much hope of this being the future.

[Si]

I do feel you have missed part of the problem in thinking about the "Poor Motorist". Why just car drivers?

Nope, I gave only an example (most popular example?) of how cyclists on here may be perceived to be living by double standards and why such a perception may be wrong. I did not say that they do not have a duty of care to all other road users, whether motorised or not.

My own view is that if _all_ road users stick to the laws that are already in place, and think of others, then the world will be a better place. However, as previously said, it is only natural to emphasise the threat encountered to oneself - this does not mean that one is careless in one's dealing with others. For instance, I'm sure that most of us will stop at a zebra crossing or red light to let pedestrians cross in safety; however, I don't think that any of us would feel the need to remark on having done this on the forum on a daily basis, unlike when we our safety has been threatened by the carelessness of another.

[Edwards]

Si thank you for the explanation. I do agree about not feeling the need to explain about showing due care to others.
I do feel sad that some seem to have difficulty in saying that some of the antics of some cyclists are wrong.
My intention was not to get into a long debate or say any one person is wrong. I do feel sad that as a group cyclists are now all tared with the same brush, with the reasonable and considerate cyclists are looked upon as the same.
Maybe the silent majority need to speak up.

[snibgo]

I haven't noticed many posts defending irresponsible cycling. When cycling comes up in newspaper forums, some motorists quickly deride rule-breaking cyclists, and your "silent majority" quickly respond.

Being a minority group, naturally we are tarred with the same brush: "cyclists never use lights at night" etc. If you have ideas on solving this, I'd love to hear them.

[Si]

If you have ideas on solving this, I'd love to hear them.

Proper enforcement of the rules for cyclists, drivers and any other road user?

[kwackers]

Responsibility is a function of power. Cyclists have very little and yet a vocal minority of car drivers expect them to demonstrate somewhat greater responsibility than they do. Laughable really, the old "do as I say and not as I do" mentality.

At the base level responsibility comes down to just one thing regardless of what you're doing. Take into account others, primarily that's all that's required.

[kwackers]

If you have ideas on solving this, I'd love to hear them.

Proper enforcement of the rules for cyclists, drivers and any other road user?

Very funny!

Seriously, once you've removed the unlikely scenario, what's the solution?

[Edwards]

At the base level responsibility comes down to just one thing regardless of what you're doing. Take into account others, primarily that's all that's required.

Maybe cyclists groups could advertise this a bit more.

And act with care on the roads, demonstrate the consideration we would like to be shown.

How about using this as some sort of advertising slogan.

I wonder if the OP has any ideas?