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And if so what shoud we all be doing.
Given the coverage cycling is getting and the way people are buying bikes how do we keep to momentum going?
just a natural cycle
i really couldn't care less, i'll be riding regardless, in fact that's not quite correct,i'd like less people cluttering the trails so hold the revolution until i've hung up my wheels please
first question, what are we trying to achieve? get people cycling or get people racing? The first we need to educate drivers that they don't own the road, the second we need places where races can happen.
I am not in favour of dedicated cycle lanes as a general rule, there is a place, but it is only part of the solution.
Racing, actions like those of Surrey Police don't help. We desperately need alot more small scale, jumpers for goalposts mtb races.
Going forward the obsession with the british Time trial scene and fast fixed distance courses, rather than a more continental sporting course approach can't help?
Line up all those Critical Mass muppets and tazer them; they're not doing the image of cycling any good at all.
I think we might be, there seems to be a general change in attitudes towards cycling, there's even lots of changes recently (Times safety campaign, discussion in parliament, urban plans encouraging cycling, more commuters, increased awareness of competitive cycling, etc.), and the TDF result and the Olympics won't hurt in the short-term. I've just accepted a PhD in encouraging cycling and walking in urban environments using persuasive computing- its well suited to me and I'm really looking forward to getting started!
Yep, more people on bikes, for whatever reason, can only be a good thing!
I still got told to go and pay some road tax by a driver who'd nearly taken me out the other day, so I'm not so sure myself.
i really couldn't care less, i'll be riding regardless, in fact that's not quite correct,i'd like less people cluttering the trails so hold the revolution until i've hung up my wheels please
This
first question, what are we trying to achieve?
Get people to buy top end or mid range bikes, who are on this crest of a wave regarding bikes, then sell them in a month or two when they realise they havn't ridden more than 30 miles since getting the thing, EBay it at a bargain tactic price because the market is flooded with bikes.
My objective is to not be regarded as a freak by simply getting more folks riding so that it becomes a norm. A bit like being a non smoker a few decades back when everyone smoked.
There are roadies absolutley everywhere. Been out day tripping with the family the past couple of Sundays and we've been stunned by the amount of road cyclists out and about. Never known anything like it.
More bikes on the roads, less on the trails is good for me.
London in particular has *almost* got to the point of critical mass in terms of numbers of people on bikes (helped of course by the cycle hire scheme).
I think the "Wiggins Effect" and hopefully a post-Olympics effect will help as well.
In terms of cycling - I'd just like to see more people using cycling as a means of commuting, fewer drivers thinking they own the roads. Not bothered about cycle lanes - I have an inherent distrust of them cos I've seen what a total hash most councils make of putting them in and anyway, the more people on bikes, the more normal the activity seems and the less you need segregation in the first place.
In terms of competition, I think road riding in particular will become much more popular, hopefully more people joining organisations like British Cycling and CTC and so more weight behind political campaigns. Herne Hill has been rammed recently since it was publicised as being where Bradley started his cycling career. After the Beijing Olympics yu couldn't book time on Manchester Velodrome for love or money so hopefully those venues will be in a place to capitalise on the extra interest.
I'd like to see more people on bikes and cycling becoming a more 'normal' thing for people to do in the UK.
But primarily I'd like idiot/lazy or psychotic drivers to either give me some space or be caught and punished when they don't. As a regular commuter and road rider it feels like a matter of time before I'm taken out.
Sadly I don't think the former will lead to the latter. I think part of the issue is more cyclists = change of the balance of power on the roads and too many drivers can't handle that...
I really really hope we are.
But the other day I was told"your not wiggins, so get off the f....in road"
But i've got sideburns and everything 😀
I'd love not to be regarded 'quirky' by jag/ prius driving management so they provide enough room to change, without draping my shirt in the urinal.
More folks on bikes and been seen as an acceptable mode of transport
have found my daily commute a bit busier with bikes which is fantastic
considering the weather aint been great,I think the tour win and the Olympic
effect will spark peoples enthusiasm but i think the rising fuel costs will keep the
momentum going I certainly hope so ....lets get FAT BRITAIN saddled up
I just hope the potential hordes just know how to take their own gel wrappers and assorted crap home and off the trails, out of the forest and off the hill.
Can't see anything changing in the long term TBH. Riding home from watching the road race yesterday was just the same old nonsense with drivers who seemed to resent cyclists being on 'their' roads; perhaps even more so as 'we' had caused the roads to be closed and, therefore, their journeys disrupted.
More cyclists hopefully means better provision (e.g. bike parking, spaces on trains, road space).It would also be nice to think that other road users would be more used to bikes on the road and learn how to accommodate them better.
More cyclists hopefully means better provision (e.g. bike parking, spaces on trains, road space).It would also be nice to think that other road users would be more used to bikes on the road and learn how to accommodate them better.
Sadly, I think more bikes on the road is part of the problem. It's giving us more presence as a group. Which means for any given journey a car driver is more likely to have to ease up to give space to a cyclist.
Because we're so often seen as 'smug lycra louts' and there's a generalised culture of entitlement in the UK, this is leading to more negativity towards us rather than less...
I think the 'more cyclists = safer' argument probably holds true but only once you've hit a certain critical mass, and we're not there yet.
But maybe some good weather and more success over the next few weeks will provide that tipping point?
More coverage on telly, would be good.
More kids involved big tick
More parts designed and made in UK, nice dream.
More people joining clubs and various organisations, better voice to change policy.
Except that many of those "new" cyclists are currently car drivers too, which means fewer cars at any time AND many who are driving will also ride a bike sometimes.brooess - Member
Sadly, I think more bikes on the road is part of the problem. It's giving us more presence as a group. Which means for any given journey a car driver is more likely to have to ease up to give space to a cyclist.
True - but more always helps.I think the 'more cyclists = safer' argument probably holds true but only once you've hit a certain critical mass, and we're not there yet.