Forums Forums Wirral Information Ask - Wiki Wirral Cyclists surely they are not all rude and ignorant

We have noticed lately that a fair few cyclists in the Birkenhead area pay scant or no regard to the Highway Code .......jumping red lights,cutting through traffic as though they have some sort of a charmed life and even gesturing and screaming abuse when challenged.Drivers are the easy target as a rule to point the being inconsiderate finger at but some cyclists really need to get their act together.Perhaps all you considerate cyclists,of which you are in the majority could challenge your inconsiderate counter parts when you are confronted by their dangerous stupid antics.

Pickle, I understand what you are saying and I agree about cyclist jumping red lights but motorists aren't free from blame either. I've almost been knocked over several times by a passing car because some driver has opened their car door without looking or drivers have reversed while only looking for vehicles and not cyclists. It's also not very nice when someone walks out across the road in your path and as you wobble to swerve out of their way, you hear the sound on a car behind you skidding to an emergency stop to avoid hitting you and the pedestrian doesn't even apologise for almost killing you.
Perhaps a post urging everyone to be more considerate rather than just pointing the finger at cyclists would have been more appropriate.

I agree everyone should be urged to be more considerate,also as I took pains to point out it a very small minority of inconsiderate cyclists who are giving the majority of cyclists a bad name.I am also a cyclist but have read the Highway Code and try to abide to it.The next time you see a cyclist blatantly jump lights and you won't have to wait long please take the time to point out the error of their ways.Thanks in anticipation that we all can be more considerate.I wish each bike had some sort of registration number so that we could track them down,as happens to vehicle drivers if we break the law.Car drivers already have a bad name in general,sadly,it is such a shame that since the Olympic Games when our cyclists performed so magnificently you see people on expensive bikes wearing expensive gear blatantly ride across red lights and then if they have an accident blame a car driver or worse still if they die the car driver spends the rest of his or her life blaming themselves when it was the cyclist who rode through a red light! All road users have to abide by the Highway Code so please urge them to read it.

To be honest if one person reads this rant and thinks twice before doing something stupid on the road then the posting has been worth it. Safe driving or cycling to you all.x

I am almost surprised to read that some cyclists actually ride on the road rather than the pavement these days.Walking along the pavement is a constant dodging exercise between avoiding dog mess and watching out for cyclists.

I ride perfectly safe, not once have I hit anyone whilst wheelying through red lights whilst listening to Juice FM. (joke)

Best is dodging people walking on the cycle path in Seacombe, then you get the blame for scaring them?

Any hoo am off out for a pedal on my expensive bike with really expensive lights so car drivers know they are going to hit me

Ahhhh we rest our case !!

Yes I agree with all comments, we should all take care of each other, but one cyclist who jumped a red light in front of my car told me it was ok as he was riding on the yellow lines, I've looked in highway code but have found no such law, must get new book.

I hope not.

As much as cyclists break rules cars are just as bad.

Many a time on my 7 mile commute to work I have been passed at 60mph with the car inches away as they were to impatient to wait a few seconds.

Walkers in New Brighton are just as bad, go to the prom and park up then walk down. However they walk straight out when your riding towards them and give a snotty look because you do not stop to let them pass?

I have spent in excess of £1500 on my bike alone (hardtail mtb) and over £500 on lights to not only be seen but to see on the dark lanes I ride on.

So in other words don't tar all cyclists the same way.

What you seem to be forgetting that as car drivers, you are driving on THEIR roads. Remember all that car tax you pay? It's for THEM remember!

With reference to cyclists, i found the majority DONT have any lights!!!!

As a pedestrian I find that Cyclists

ride on the pavement and put you in risk, you having to step into the road to avoid them

on the promenade cycle everywhere except the cycle path and when you point out the cycle path you are threatened or given the V.

the good cyclists are few and very far between but I congratulate them for showing their ignorant and abusive fellow cyclists up, although I fear they are fighting a long lost cause.

I have ridden a bicycle to and from various jobs in Ellesmere Port and Birkenhead for almost 50 years and have learned two things about the majority of car drivers when they see a cyclist in front of them- 1.They see nothing (i.e.the cyclist is invisible to them) 2. They see a hindrance to their progress,an annoyance to be passed as quickly and as dangerously as they see fit,because in their eyes cyclists have no rights and shouldn't even be on THEIR roads.Unfortunately I can't see this changing,because cyclists are in a higher state of awareness trying to stay alive,whereas motorists are safe and cosy in their own little world,distracted by music,mobile 'phones,heater controls and crying children not to mention having one finger firmly rammed up their nasal passage.All that cyclists want is a little consideration,life is a compromise so let's all just try and get along and arrive at our destination safely.I apologise to all you people who have had a bad experience with cyclists,but there are idiots using all forms of transport.Stay safe.

Have you got a bell and if you have do you use it? It's compulsory in Germany and they have to warn pedestrians that they are there, especially when coming up behind them. It's a system that works and cyclists and pedestrians acknowledge each other as they pass, very civilised.

Yawn!!!! Here we go again!

There is no such things as road tax, its known a vehicle excise duty and is now based upon the emissions of the vehicle. Bikes = zero emissions = zero "road tax".

RLJ - car drivers do this quite regularly and are more likely to insure someone else when doing it, cyclists will more than like only injure/kill them selves. I don't RLJ unless the lights have not picked me up, then obviously go with extreme caution.

What else.....walkers on the prom, at the weekend at least 5 separate groups of people walking in the painted cycle lane. There are signs, its even got nice pictures of bikes in case they can't read.

Rant over from a cyclist and "road tax" paying car driver, who is not causing pollution and helping the green house gasses when not using the car.