A large number are appalling
THERE has been a spate of letters in the Post with reference to cyclists and the potential dangers that they cause. I am a keen cyclist myself and, sadly, I have to agree with most of the letters as the behaviour of a large percentage of cyclists is appalling.
Recently however, I have noticed another potential hazard caused by some cyclists.
I was out riding later than normal and was amazed by the brightness of some cyclists' front lights. They were unbelievably bright, in fact I would say far too bright by a long, long way. I had to keep looking away from the road in front of me as I was being dazzled and could not look straight ahead.
I can only guess that the riders of these bikes haven't any concern for other people. It would be so very easy to adjust the angle of the beam so it doesn't dazzle other road users so why don't they do it?
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George Jones
South Glos
THE real problem with transport in Bristol is drivers who speed, who run red lights, who hold their mobiles while driving, and who endanger others – not a few young silly cyclists who go on the pavement because they need to get away from traffic.
And there is an issue about the price of public transport on First's buses.
Today I saw on one short trip a young male driver holding his mobile with one hand and driving with the other – this breaks the law. I saw drivers run red lights rather than stop – this breaks the law. I saw a van polluting the air all of us breathe with black smelly fumes from an exhaust that would fail a basic MoT – this breaks the law.
We need to enforce measures against all forms of anti-social behaviour, and the most common form of anti-social behaviour in Bristol comes from the minority of idiot drivers who selfishly break basic rules of the road and make life hard for others. Let's have proper on-the-spot tough fines and get the courts to punish these dangerous people by taking away licences for a long time. Bad drivers, behave.
Sarah Riddle
Bedminster
THE publication of the photos of the pavement cyclists highlight the danger to pedestrians. I speak for myself and many of my friends that we support Mrs Bailey and the Older People's Forum campaign, against cycling on pavements.
It was great to see a local newspaper supporting it as well, especially when the police and politicians seem to be so ineffective.
Mr James
Stoke Gifford
Comments
by gentlegreen
Saturday, September 15 2012, 1:05PM
“@Sarah Riddle
I was thinking the other day about where I would place selfish and thereby dangerous driving amongst other forms of bad behaviour - but it's so alien to me as a cyclist (and very occasional driver). I put it way up the scale from littering and nearer to football violence and sexual assault.
It is no trivial matter to seal yourself into a tonne and a half of steel box and drive carelessly even at 20MPH in the vicinity of other human beings - but for many, it's simply a means to an end. They are barely engaged in the process and are thinking more about what's for tea when they get home.
Perhaps all this obsession with pavement cycling is because the motorist is seemingly untouchable - like smokers used to be - even drink driving was once tolerated.
And everyone knows a car driver. Perhaps some day soon, cycling will hit a critical mass where most people will see a cyclist and not see a tabloid cliché, but will instead think of a family member or friend who cycles.”
by gentlegreen
Saturday, September 15 2012, 12:53PM
“@George Jones I fully concur.
In Germany you can get fined 10 Euro for not having a proper dipped front beam and are even limited in how bright it can be - in practice only a single 1 watt LED.
In the UK we get idiots with no lights at all and wealthy idiots who fit lights intended for riding through woodland.
I recently remonstrated with a prime example who was probably using a new generation of lamp that uses three 10 watt LEDs - even in dappled shade it was like a lighthouse.
And strobing lights have no place on shared paths - unless they're so dim they couldn't be seen otherwise.
I'm not looking forward to Monday 29th October. I suspect I will get even more cross than I did last year - more cyclists, more clueless/selfish idiots.”