Cyclists need to be told about law
A SPOKESPERSON from the city council said "People should not cycle through Broadmead as that is not a shared space because of the shoppers wandering around."
Did not Lib Dem councillor Dr Jon Rogers not admit in your paper that he cycles through Broadmead?
Does this mean councillors are not classed as people or is it more likely that the council is controlled by people who have not got a clue how to run this great city and county?
Left hand not knowing what the right hand is saying. Yes speak to the hand because that beats talking to this council. Does the Pedestrian Society/Association still exist? I remember in the late 1960s it was based in Redland/Cotham.
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If they do, what do they have to say about cycling on the pavement and putting pedestrians at risk?
Let's face it. With a council run by people who can't make their minds up, what hope is there? And Dr Rogers is running for Mayor. Heaven help us all if he gets elected.
I see the council have put up cycle signs at the junction of the NatWest bank in Fishponds.
This must mean cyclists can legally run people over who are using the cash machine or coming out of the bank. Despite the law not being changed with regard to cycling on the pavement.
Someone should be putting up warning signs to cyclists advising them that it is illegal to ride on the pavement.
Martyn Hancock
Bristol
Comments
by mark1864
Sunday, September 16 2012, 5:55PM
“I have seen the part of Fishponds that gets Martyn so wound up and there are blue signs up with a bicycle in them. So it's OK to cycle there now, but I think it only means the section which has the new cycle stands in it, at the end of New Station Road.”
by I_Cycle
Sunday, September 16 2012, 12:51PM
“Martyn Hancock is mistaken. twice.
Broadmead is NOT pedestrianised - the road signs are no MOTOR vehicles; and so cyclists per entitled to cycle that road if they wish to.
Look at the map here: http://tinyurl.com/cnpkklg
If there are shared used signs on the 'pavement' in Fishponds Road, then again, cyclists are entitled to cycle there.
All too often people accuse peope of cycling where they shouldn't when in fact there is often an entitlement to do so. Look out for 'no motor vehicles' signs, shared use signs, cycle markers on the pavement, toucan crossings etc etc”
by gentlegreen
Saturday, September 15 2012, 11:52AM
“@rocketbob
I took to cycling after 10 years as a motorcyclist so my instinct is always to move in the traffic stream or overtake on the outside as appropriate - having driven a van with limited visibility, I have always understood the perils of filtering on the inside.
In the cycling community we're somewhat wary of the term "middle of the road", because it is an accusation thrown at us when we are (often just temporarily) travelling slower than the traffic stream, but still need to assert our right not to be inappropriately overtaken - especially when approaching "pinch points" where no one should be doing any overtaking - except perhaps a faster 2 wheeler.
"Primary position" is the more usual term.
Cyclists should never be riding less than a metre from the kerb or parked vehicles - unless the road is gridlocked - a lot of "cycle lanes" are a hindrance rather than a help.
I don't know what we do about the pavement riders - you would have thought they could be rounded up on a regular basis and sent off for training where they would get their saddles correctly adjusted for a start.
As has been said so often, there are plenty of people driving cars just as carelessly and they pose a far greater risk to others.”
by rocketbob
Saturday, September 15 2012, 11:02AM
“please will someone explain to me a non cyclist.When traffic is stopped or travelling slowly downhill, should cyclist be on the kerb side of cars, in the middle of the road or on the pavement?.This of course only concerns the commuter cyclist who are generally equipped for the road.
As far as the yobs who have no cycling equipment, and do not consider themselves as cyclists. or pedestrians, what chance has any road or pavement user got?”
by gentlegreen
Friday, September 14 2012, 12:01PM
“Does anyone have the stats on actual incidents involving cyclists and pedestrians in Bristol's shared spaces ?
I was once ordered to dismount by someone in hi-viz on a crowded harbour bridge, but I ignored him because not only was I merging faultlessly at walking pace, my pedals have sharp bits on that are best covered by my feet - otherwise I might have to make bootees for them.
As it happens, I generally push my bike in Broadmead as there's more space to walk safely with the bike - actually I've usually locked it up and am walking.
Never mind the "Pedestrian Society", what happened to people's ability to simply tell people when they aren't showing due consideration to others ?
Speaking as a cyclist, I will tell other cyclists off - but then I'm also prepared to argue with those who've sealed themselves inside protective (for them) steel cans and believe that they have paid for an entitlement to drive at the speed limit at all times.”
by mark1864
Friday, September 14 2012, 8:26AM
“Martyn:
The cycling maps of central Broadmead show it to be a space that cyclist can use with caution. It is clearly marked, including the areas of Cabot circus where one cannot cycle. I understand that the area you now refere to in Fishponds is a shared space. I haven't had chance to see it today, but I suspect it's a blue circular sign with a bicycle and pedestrian. Therefore, it's legal to cycle there.
Somebody should really put up signs around this city stating that it's also illegal to drive and park on pavements.
Message to Abigail, digital editor: Why do you never publish my letters but as soon as Martyn scrawls something on the back of a fag packet, it's in the paper and on this site. Bias??”