Comments on: Poll: Should cyclists be given harsher fines?

By: mick heapy

mick heapy — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 21:43:07 +0000

Hi Dave, sorry if I caused any offence to any body but if you read my entry dated 16th August you will see it all started out as a bit of fun.Actually I am in favour of very stiff penalties for all road traffic offenders including pedestrians.We all have a duty to contribute to road safety however we choose to travel.Believe me as a lifelong motrcyclist I have seen plenty of reckless and outrageous behaviour on the roads and unfortunately it is an almost daily occurence.I honestly wish there were more people like you and I who realise the responsibility that falls upon us when using the roads.All the best Mate and be safe.

By: David Beaumont

David Beaumont — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 06:55:19 +0000

I recently started cycling from Chelsea to Soho in the morning for work and was amazed at the numbers of cyclists who just sailed through EVERY red light. Not just the odd cyclist or occasional red light jumping but simple wholesale ignoring of red lights by dozens of cyclists at a time. All the way along the Kings Road, Eaton Square and down the Mall. The culprits looked a mixed bag – over eager lycra boys, grey haired suits, chelsea girlies etc. They clearly do this every day and see no wrong in it at all. It strikes me as symptomatic of a ridiculous sense of self entitlement at the expense of others that so many people barrel around this city with – and certainly not not just on bicycles. It is absolutely anti-social, anti-society and gives cycling an absolutely terrible image. I agree with some of Mr. Heapy’s points if not the silly way he feels he has to put them across – calling cyclist’ leftie lentil munchers’ says a lot more about Mr. Heapy than it does about real world cyclists and looks like an almost touchingly naive belief in the word of Jeremy Clarkson. I didn’t fully realise that people actually went about expressing themselves in this way outside of the tabloids and Top Gear. If only the world were so simple…
The fine should be the same as for cars and should be enforced the same. I also retain a sense of idealism about cycling and believe that cyclists should be the last people to join the ranks of the other selfish idiots who daily undermine the efforts of the rest of us to maintain and to actually improve the civilisation of our society. So if you are one of those cyclists who simply sails through red lights all the way to work in the morning – just who do you think you are?

By: mick heapy

mick heapy — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 17:21:30 +0000

Good to know that the old c.p. is still going,is it free? I don’t know.What Sarina said sounds great and can only be a great help for cyclists to survive.I would gladly offer some of my time f.o.c. to help newcomers to motorcycling but due to red tape and bullshit I can’t do that unless I spend fortunes on govt. approved training to say that I’m competent.Don’t know if the same applies to cyclists but the way I see it there is no substitute for experience and anyone who is not genuinely interested and capable wouldn’t bother on a voluntary basis anyway .My Dad offered me some very sound advice when I started out,”TREAT ALL OTHER ROAD USERS LIKE COMPLETE IDIOTS BECAUSE THEY MOST PROBABLY ARE” I will continue to enjoy my motorcycling and occasional driving and do my best to treat all road users with respect and courtesy,including cyclists.I would like to think that all others will share this objective but they probably won’t so take care everyone and if you are ever in the Wembley area and see a blue bobber ridden at a leisurley pace by an old geezer chances are it’ll be me,so give us a wave and be safe in the knowledge that I won’t be the one to try and knock you off.

By: Judd

Judd — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:05:38 +0000

I would like to know just what is taught in these classes. Is it stuff that can/will be realistically followed when class is over and you have your certificate?

By: Phil Russell

Phil Russell — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:37:41 +0000

Heapy—-obviously not happy, therefore a sad person. Cyclists DO pay for the upkeep of the roads, through our Council tax, and the local councils have to repair the roads that people like Heapy damage with their vehicles. Oy! Heapy! Don’t you know anything? Get a bike, son. I promise you, you’ll enjoy yourself, and you might find life less of a pain……

By: Sarina

Sarina — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:31:56 +0000

It’s available in Lewisham borough too – I had a trainer follow me on my commute to work which was a great idea. Really practical advice and I could ask her opinion on the real life situations I face daily e.g. should I filter at this junction?

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:45:36 +0000

Yes Mick Cycling Profiency is still around although it appears to more aimed at children.

http://www.roadsafetyni.gov.uk/index/education/teacherzone/teacherzone-cyclingproficiency.htm

I think most London Boroughs do provide free cycle training

By: Murray

Murray — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:55:59 +0000

I don’t know about other boroughs, but where I live cycle training is available.

http://www.hackney.gov.uk/es-cycle-training-faq-547.htm

By: Chuck

Chuck — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 06:51:36 +0000

You mean pay for it through the taxation system?

Like income tax, national insurance, council tax, VAT, duties, levies and so on, all of which see someone like myself handing around £9,000 of their income to government at one level or another, to waste as they see fit?

So if I pay the same as a zero or low emission emission vehicle would pay (the bicycle is generating no CO2 emissions) then that would be £0 then. Let me know where I can send my cheque….

Which will go a long way to paying for things like motorways which are paid for by central government out of my tax and which I am not allowed to cycle on, and go a long way to pay for all those roads which aren’t motorways but which by desgn are so dangerous to cycle on you would need you head examined to do so.

And then of course, if I am paying “Road Tax” so I’m not a “freeloader” any more, we’ll also have to do things equally to other transport choices. Mobility scooters for one, who do these disabled think they are? And pedestrians, thinking they have the right to walk everywhere they want….and how may tourists have paid their fair share of tax to walk on our footpaths?

By: mick heapy

mick heapy — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 22:41:47 +0000

Nobody is expendable Charles and you have misunderstood what I wrote.I am against legislation which is why I used the word VOLUNTARY.And you call me Thicko,HUH!!! Anyway,all differences aside,I wish you well and safe in your travels.
Perhaps you or some other contributor can tell me if the old cycling proficiency scheme is still available? It was always heavily promoted years ago and this is the type of thing I am suggesting.I know you can’t do much to stop the aggressive,bullying style of driving to which you refer but at least you can teach people about defensive riding which is vital if anyone on two wheels is to stand some chance of survival.
Just for the record,I can’t stand the Daily Mail.I’m afraid it’s the Sun.