Road tests for cyclists?
Hello there, tumblers!
I'm breaking my blogging exodus to have a go at every driver's enemy: cyclists.
In case you were wondering, I have still been rambling over the last few months. Just in a more high-pitched and expressive voice, to my oblivious infant son, rather than online.
Back to my rage against the two-wheelers.
First things first. I am a cyclist myself. I enjoy it and I commute to work every day on my bike. I have occasional scary moments and encounter some poor drivers, sure, but my route isn't so long or too bad, and if I keep my wits about me, I have no concerns about riding twice a day in rush hour.
The problem I have is that many other cyclists are at best careless and, more often, dangerous and selfish. Laura Trott, Britain's current golden girl of cycling, since she won double Olympic gold in London, thinks the same: "I see cyclists jumping in and out of the buses and people wonder why they get hit."
When I'm behind the wheel, I curse bad drivers. But when I'm in the saddle, I have more issues with fellow cyclists than drivers.
The main issue is that a lot of cyclists see themselves as cars when it suits them, and pedestrians when it's convenient. They cycle in the middle of a lane of traffic, weave in and out, and then run red lights.
The way I see it, you can't have it both ways. If you're on the road, follow the rules of the road.
One particular incident illustrates my point. And the maddening thing is, the same crime has now been committed every day this week so far, with three different culprits.
On my way to work, right at the end of my journey, I get to a crossroads which is, as most are, governed by lights. The different directions are alternately shown green and red lights. Until, that is, a pedestrian wants to cross. At which point, between the next change over, both traffic directions are stopped while all four crossings are open. The cyclists' error is thus: they see the light is red in the direction they are traveling (on the road). They switch to cycling on the pavement (sidewalk) and stop at the light, press the pedestrian crossing button, and wait. Then when it is time (for pedestrians) to go, with all the traffic stood still, they have free reign of the road to cycle diagonally across the crossing and continue, on the road, on their way. But the thing is, if they hadn't been so selfish, their journey wouldn't have been any longer (timewise), because they would have been able to go with the cars anyway, since no other pedestrians had been waiting to cross. So they save no time. Indeed, they actually cycle further, by going on the pavement and taking a longer route across the road. And, of course, they up the angst among drivers.
Which brings me to my next point.
This driver/cyclist battle is just a vicious wait for it... cycle. Cyclist misbehave, which annoys drivers. Drivers are impatient with cyclists, so drive more erratically, which makes the cyclists even more determined to avoid cars, and hence run more lights and use more selfish tactics. In turn, erratic cycling gives all cyclists a bad reputation, leaving drivers unsure of what any given cyclist they see will do, and they, in turn, behave unpredictably. Cause and effect? The cause is cyclists.
Exhibit A: I was cycling home last night and stopped at a stop sign. A car traveling on the road onto which I was waiting to turn, slowed down to let me in, presumably because the driver expected my to butt in anyway and didn't want to hit me. Confused, I waited, and indirectly caused a hold up of five cars. Were they being kind? Would they have done that for another car? Was it because other cyclists' past discretions have made them more cautious with me?
Exhibit B: Cycling to work two days ago, I was on a road with three lanes: the right lane was for traffic going straight on, the middle lane for going straight or turning left, and the left lane for turning left only. I wanted to turn left. So, having been on the right of the right lane, I waited, signaled and turned into the middle lane. I stayed to the right of the lane, allowing the odd car to overtake me. Drivers in both lanes around me decided to overtake simultaneously, leaving me in a rather precarious position. Undeterred, I continued, checked behind me for a gap, signaled, and made my left turn, sticking to the outside of the turn, to allow cars to turn inside me. A nearby driver felt it necessary to wind down his window and exclaim, "You could get yourself killed!"
What? By cycling where and how I should do? Sure, I could get killed on the road, but surely I'm at a lower risk of injury if I cycle properly and safely.
The trouble is, drivers don't even expect that, making it more dangerous.
So why not make it mandatory for all cyclists to take a road test, just as drivers are required to? It might improve awareness and habits.
Your thoughts are, as ever, very welcome.