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Annoyed Andrew Simcock: “Cyclists ride on footpaths, go through red lights and cycle without lights.”
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War on the road
Nick Towle25/10/2007
WHO is the real menace of the road? That was the question being posed this week after a new report showed that one in two people want a crackdown on cyclists who flout the Highway Code.
Motorists have hit out at cyclists - who some have branded lycra louts - because of their tendency to jump red lights, ride on pavements and dodge in and out of traffic.
But cyclists have hit back at drivers claiming they have no consideration for vulnerable bicycle users and regularly put their lives at risk.
The first in-depth survey of cyclists’ behaviour on Britain’s roads found that almost nine out of ten (88 per cent) of pedestrians and motorists surveyed in Manchester have caught cyclists riding on a footpath.
Eighty per cent have seen cyclists riding dangerously through red lights and just under a third have seen them bawling at drivers and motorcyclists.
They said what really made their blood boil was cyclists’ ‘blatant disregard for the Highway Code’.
Motorist Andrew Simcock, who is also a keen cyclist, said that there was a percentage of irresponsible cyclists that give the rest a bad name.
Mr Simcock, who lives on Knight Street, Didsbury, said: “Many cyclists drive motorists and pedestrians up the wall and give the rest of us a bad name. They cycle on footpaths, go through red lights and cycle without lights – it’s a widespread problem.
“Being a cyclist and a driver I find it incredible that some cyclists think they are visible in dark clothing and with no lights on in poorly-lit areas.”
Driver Will Farnaby, 23, says the behaviour of some cyclists in the area of Fallowfield he lives in verges on the ‘suicidal’.
Will, a third-year Manchester University student, said his two main gripes were cyclists going through red lights, particularly at pedestrian crossings, and riding on the pavement.
He said: “You often see them dodging between lanes, which is just suicidal.
“Motorists have to stick to the Highway Code but cyclists have a general disregard for the cars around them. They make the general assumption that it has to be the drivers who see them rather than the other way round.”
But cyclists have launched a furious defence of themselves saying car drivers are the real menace.
Rob Loader, 32, of Albert Hill Street, Didsbury, claims it’s the motorists who are at fault for the growing ‘bike rage’.
“The most annoying thing is when you get into the little eight-yard area in front of cars at traffic lights, where we’re supposed to be allowed some space between ourselves and the cars behind us.
“This rule is always flagrantly ignored by motorists – they should get points on their licence for that.
“I’ve kicked the backs of buses before because the drivers just pretend you’re not there.
“Bus drivers are a nightmare – they don't show you any leniency even when you’ve got the baby on the back.”
Keen cyclist Tracey Pook, from Chorlton, said: “In my experience it’s the motorists who are at fault because of the lack of consideration they have towards cyclists on the roads.”
The mum of two added: “I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve nearly been knocked off my bike or nearly gone into cars because they're not aware of what’s around them. What’s more, they don't really give way and they pull out in front of you.”
The damning report follows a survey – commissioned by classified ads site Gumtree.com – of more than 2,000 road-users nationwide
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29/10/2007 at 12:48
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Apart from that, cyclists are helping to reduce CO2 emission. Contributing to global warming is actually the worst crime.
However, I have to say that there are some cyclists who should be more considerate otherwise all cyclists will get a bad name. Please dear drivers, get on a bike and cycle through Manchester and then you can complain about us again.
30/10/2007 at 15:52