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Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad  I just want to reinforce the fact that there are a lot more drivers on the roads than there are cyclists. That drivers are much better protected than cyclists. That cyclists are fully entitled to be on the roads. And that drivers could, with absolutely minimal effort, make the roads much safer - for cyclists and everyone else. (And perhaps they might even get some satisfaction of having consciously done something to increase someones safety, rather than getting all steamed up because they might have had to slow down for 10 seconds). |
I am extremely careful when passing cyclists, giving them as much room as possible, and never trying to squeeze between them and oncoming vehicles as I've seen a fair few drivers do, I wait until I've a clear road, and don't mind the wait, even though it can be a lot longer than 10 seconds. Perhaps it's a reflection on my good driving and observational skills that I've always managed to avoid hitting even those cyclists who shoot out of side roads in front of me without looking.
Cylists, like pedestrians and horse-riders, are the most vulnerable users of our roads, which is why I can't understand why there are a minority who seem to ride in such a way that completely disregards their own safety. Yes they have the right to be on the road, but they also have a responsibility to other road users.
Although I've no experience of riding a bike on roads, (I've got the balance skills of a one-legged Giraffe), I do know that there are a lot of car-drivers who show no consideration at all for slower road users. However, I am not one of those, I try to be as considerate towards
all other road users as I'd like them to be towards me.