Hands up, how many of you have heard this countless amount of times when on a bike?
Also who has replied with the fact it dosent exist and it’s a duty tax we pay on emissions, therefore our wee legs don’t pollute our environment so we are within out rights to not pay ‘road tax’. (okay you can’t fit that amount of speech in the time the motorist over takes you and speeds off!)
Another thing the arrogant motorist forgets is well over 50% of us hold a valid UK driving license or a valid CBT. Or category A license (motorbike) and fail to realise people actully cycle because they enjoy it. Not because they can’t afford to pay ‘road tax’ Or run a car.
As our days have now become shorter for the winter months, we find ourselves more vulnerable due to the lack of care taken by motorists. It seems no matter how well we light ourselves up we still get abuse for being on “their roads” and it leaves alot of people feeling unsafe when commuting especially on these winter nights.
Why can’t we just get along?
In other countries within Europe they seem to get along alot better! France have adapted most of their roads for cyclists. I can imagine though if you lived in Paris owning a car would be a complete nightmare. It’s such a busy city. The amount of motorbikes and cycles locked up made you realise how many people are actully crammed up in a small place. Whilst in England some households have up to 3 cars.
When we went Paris, there were barely any cars the first day we arrived. Shocked and stunned we couldn’t understand why. We didn’t realise that Paris had banned cars in parts of the city for one day! (September 27th 2015) I urge you find articles online about the impact it had on the city. You will find its a very interesting read and they’re considering making it a monthly thing!
It was weird and wonderful, plus with fantastic transport links thoughout the city and Basically cycle safe routes all over they’re really trying to tackle climate change. You don’t always need a car you know…. True story.
Amsterdam was even more fantasic! The moment I arrived I felt like I wanted to live here.
Everyone cycles! Well almost. With Dutch bikes, cargo bikes and a few road bikes it’s absolutely amazing how much people depend on their two wheels people powered machines!
If your a cyclist and you haven’t been Amsterdam you really should go. It makes you wonder how they got it right and yet countries like our own haven’t quite hit it yet!
Okay so what’s the point?
Here in England we seem to suffer more abuse than our neighboring European friends. However cyclists here can be worse than the motorists.
The very first time I stepped into my car all on my own after passing my test, I drove to work. I didn’t want to and haven’t done much since but I wanted to see how long it took, also get used to the route for when I have to drive there.
I got to a long stretch of road just before my place of work that I cycle along every day. So naturally I would be careful of other cyclists.
Well it was dark. My lights were on… not pitch black mind just enough to be careful as the sun was rising within the distance.
Suddenly I was cut up… by a cyclist.. I felt betrayed by my own people. What made things worse is if I didn’t suddenly brake and control the car I could have easily clipped him or worse. It was a 40 mile an hour road. He was on the pavement for starters and dressed in all black. Once he ran out of pavement he jumped on the road and didn’t bother to look.
No lights…
No helmet….
No hi vis….
Foolishly riding in the pavement in the first place….
This is were I feel sorry for motorists. No wonder cyclists have a bad name when most motorists will only remember the one or two cyclists who caused them grief.
Anyway, as I composed myself feeling a bit shaken I over took him. I didn’t give him any abuse but he didn’t show any remorse… infact he looked at me as if it was my own fault for not seeing him.
So it works both ways. There are terrible motorists and horrificly stupid cyclists!
What can be done?
Well the fact is both motorists and cyclists are poorly educated when it comes to the highway code. Or some have no common sense.
I only passed my driving test this year. I did my theory in January and practical in July. Not once in my theory did I get question regarding a cyclist…. nor how to overtake a horse. I felt cheated by reading the highway code as most of it was wasn’t mentioned on my theory but just a collection of repeated questions and also first aid, towing a caravan! Of which my license will not let me do?? Is the UK theory too easy?
My driving instructor was brilliant at mentioning the dangers of over taking cyclists. However I have friends who have recently passed and have never had a mention of how to approach cyclists.
I have even received abuse of friends and colleagues for being a cyclist. So sad really being told such things as
“Some people deserve to be knocked off”
This is a horrible thing to say.. no life should be risked even if they’re riding a bit foolishly.
“Your okay as a cyclist but most of them ride two abreast and there breaking the law”
I hear this weekly near enough. Read the high way code please and don’t say I am okay because you know me… you hate overtaking me as much as any other cyclist.
“They should ride on the pavements were they belong”
Again highway code… how to these people have driving licenses? Bikes can hit a speed of 20 plus mph. You want us on he pavements were we can injure pedestrians?
Sadly though there’s a collection of cyclists who are so unsafe it’s unbelievable. Also I think motorists fail to realise that we are not all that bad… Do not allow the small percentage of us that are unsafe to spoil your opinion on all cyclists, as we don’t belive that the drunk drivers and careless drivers represent all motorists.
After all… We put our life in motorists hands, once we pedal on roads were heavily at risk and that shouldn’t be the case. Everyone should be careful.. respectful and caring of each other.
Here’s a short video of a gent from my local cycling club were half way though the video he has a close shave with a large vehicle. However you can see most motorists overtaking safely!
Is it lack of patience or education that causes this? It’s not a nice feeling and I face it daily along side other cyclists. Maybe one day it will change. However for now I pray that motorists take more care in dealing with cyclists on the road.
Also I hope the small amount of cyclists get pulled and punished for not having correct lights and breaking the law.
Is it all doom and gloom?
No its not. Cycling is fantastic. Some people may not take to it as much as the hard core fanatics out there, however how many people can say I have never ridden a bike? Even the top 10 absolute idiots of motorists have eighter ridden a bike or bought one for there children. So why can’t we just get along?
There are a number of cycle friendly roads and cycleways out there. You just need to find them. Cycling is such a fantastic way to get fit, commute, strengthen the immune system and reduce pollution.
When I cycle I belive being positive is a big deal. I personally make sure I acknowledge every motorist that gives way to me. If someone does overtake me or shout abuse I refuse to go off on a rant and shout abuse back. Why??
Because I am a bigger person. Also if I record myself giving as much as I get on a Gopro surely I look like the small percentage of cyclists who those motorists hate?
This is a long winded post and I am continuing with blogging about how much safety on the road effects cyclists. Over the winter months I am going to ask my cycling club with their experiences. Along with videos of close encounters for both motorists and cyclists.
I am hoping that the government will one day realise that we need more public campaigns for cyclists safety. Any one who follows this blog I accept any input and stories you have to share.
Be seen! Be safe! Be polite and keep peddling!
obsessionsofafemalecyclist 