Comment: Time to reconsider cycling row
Cyclists are becoming like Marmite – you either love them or you hate them.
Any issue involving cyclists is almost guaranteed to spark a furious debate, with some motorists and pedestrians saying they are a menace and the cyclists themselves saying they are law-abiding and helping the environment.
Frankly this level of debate does not help but today's story about youngsters showing their skills in the city centre does raise an interesting point.
On the one hand we have visitors Mr and Mrs Drummond saying their safety was put at risk by the young cyclists.
No one would argue that pedestrians should be safe from cyclists.
But on the other hand, these are youngsters who love their bikes and who want to show off their skills – something we would expect from normal teenagers.
Frankly, the most reasoned comment comes from the trick cyclists who accept that a minority of their peers are irresponsible but who plead for understanding when they perform their stunts with consideration.
Surely there must be a compromise which could be thrashed out. The sight of young people taking part in a healthy pastime which also adds to the vibrancy of the city must be applauded.
But at the same time, they must realise they have a responsibility to both themselves and others to ensure no one is put in danger.
If that means more facilities for the cyclists, then this is something which the authorities must consider.
IT is not a good sign that the St Peter's Hospice charity shop in Clifton's Triangle has closed down.
And what is bemusing is that with several other businesses in the area closing in recent times, the landlord of the charity shop thought it sensible to raise rents by 70 per cent.
Clearly this is a difficult time for all businesspeople – landlords included – but to impose such massive rent increases makes no sense.
The danger now is that the area could fall into a spiral of decline with businesses closing, leading to lower numbers of shoppers and this causing problems for the shops which remain.
It seems that landlords in the area still think it is prime land but in the current climate – and with Cabot Circus providing alternatives to the fashion-conscious – this could backfire on them.
10 Comments
by Alex, Bristol
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 9:44AM
“More hate from the Evening Post - right-wing trash.”
by gerry, bristol
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 9:33AM
“What no comments Alex ??”
by Grahame, Central Bristol
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 9:31AM
“Having been a keen cyclist myself for many years, I have a shared perspective. But also an observation. Many cyclists do indeed obey the laws sensibly, it's true. It's also fair to say the provision for cyclists in the city centre is awful. Millions in grants seem to evaporate in the councils hands - doubtless in large part on 'consultancy' fees. I'm amazed cycling Bristolians put up with a few painted lines for all the dosh being thrown at Bristol!
I think the council pays lip service to cycling paths, as much as the police pay lip service to enforcing sensible observance of the rules of the road when it applies to cyclists.
But far too cyclists these days are positively dangerous to themselves and others. It's not just pavement cyclists. On any car journey I'll be guaranteed to see cyclists coming the wrong way out of one way streets, ignoring red lights and skipping from road to pavement to road as it suits.
The problem exists because the council hasn't made reasonable provision despite the millions it's had in grants, and the police don't appear enforce the rules. And if you don't sanction bad road use, there's no disincentive to correct inconsiderate and even dangerous cycling habits.
In the meantime, drivers will continue to get fed up with having to watch out for cyclists coming at them like kamikaze pilots from all angles.”
by ferg, Bristol
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 9:28AM
“Cubist, have seen the speed of the cyclists on the centre? No regard at all for pedestrians/pensioners, I'm sure when they decided on shared the areas they didn't consider how reckless and selfish cyclists are...”
by Princess Tiiamii, Bristol
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 9:27AM
“Cubist, have seen the speed of the cyclists on the centre? No regard at all for pedestrians/pensioners, I'm sure when they decided on shared the areas they didn't consider how reckless and selfish cyclists are...”
by Katie, Bristol
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 9:10AM
“I don't hate cyclists as much as I hate "tractor" drivers who park across the cycle lane, in the bus lane and on double yellows. I gave up cycling when I moved here as this is a very dangerous city for cyclists. Tow away the illegally parked cars - regularly! - join up the bike lanes, educate people about shared surfaces and don't worry about the shallow end of the gene pool who can't get used to bikes after 150 years. Darwinism will take care of them;-)”
by cubist, Bristol
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 1:21AM
“I cycle everywhere and like Martin I obey the Highway code. I don't understand pavement cyclists.
But I do understand pavement cyclists in the centre of Bristol. Because most of the Centre, Harbourside, Corn Street, Broadmead etc. IS SHARED SURFACE.
Maybe BEP could make this clear in one of their cyclists v everyone else pieces at some point.
BCC have a map. It shows where 'pavement' cycling is allowed. It includes virtually all of the pedestrian areas in central Bristol. Including the pedestrianised areas around the Harbourside... I'll stick a bit of this on another thread”
by Martin, Clifton
Wednesday, October 29 2008, 12:19AM
“I am a cyclist who does obey the highway code.
I do get fed up with two things.
Firstly whenever we get a story in this paper about anything transport related, the cyclist haters turn up and claim that all evil in the world is caused by cyclists. Even the first comment in the rat story was about cyclists.
Secondly I dislike cyclists who do cycle anti-socially, they give the law abiding majority like me a bad name.”
by Spartacus, Bristol
Tuesday, October 28 2008, 11:29PM
“You cannot group people into a viewpoint of either loving or hating cyclists. It's like saying you either love or hate the French. People are people.
I don't hate cyclists. I do however object to the actions of pavement cyclists.
To voice a complaint against them seems about as futile as facing into a stiff breeze and passing water.
Will the Police enforce the law? I have seen a policeman stand aside to let an oncoming pavement cyclist pass. I appreciate the police have orders on which issues to focus on.
Unfortunately, I feel it will take a pedestrian or pavement cyclist fatality to prompt any shift in attitude.”
by Paul, Kingsway
Tuesday, October 28 2008, 10:51PM
“This article backs up some people's theory that BEP have been trying to fuel the cyclist vs others heated debates by misleading articles over the last few weeks.
I don't feel they are like marmite (love or hate). Most are alright but the law breakers do annoy people.
And whilst I may not agree with everything he says, Alex has a great sense of humour.”