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[Closed] Police correspondence re formal complaints and comments against cycling

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Just received this from my club secretary;
Hi everyone,

** police have received a formal complaint about cyclists pedalling through * village in “peloton style, at both great speed, volume and with a degree of arrogance”. They have also had informal complaints and comments from motorists about the difficulty of trying to pass large volumes of cyclists between and the A via **** and ***, many riding two or three abreast.

Sadly, we can't do anything about non-** *** Club riders or those passing through * following the Walney to Wear and LEJOG routes, but can we please ensure that * *** riders always consider other road users, including overtaking motorists (just single out), and are courteous to pedestrians, horse-riders and drivers alike.

Thank you,

Secretary

First thoughts are to go back asking why the police haven't been told to go and poke it.

Wrote a response but deleted it because I have enough hassle in my life with out this nonsense. FYI Strava tells me that one 1 rider out 1,800+ riders has averaged over 30mph through the village (30.9mph).

What do you reckon? Let it go? Tell them to jog on?


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 6:48 pm
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As you live in the village find out who complained and eliminate them.

Coppers got whinged at, coppers approached local club secs, club secs send email, coppers tell whingebag. Job done. Carry on with your life


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 6:51 pm
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Ask the club secretary to tell the police when you'll next be cycling through said village.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 6:53 pm
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The entitled generation will be along shortly to tell you carry on as before and don't give a toss about what other road users think. The more grown up will suggest that perhaps pulling into single file in heavy traffic is probably a good idea.
YMMV


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 6:54 pm
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Include that village in the club run for the next six months?

Three abreast strictly speaking isn't so good, even though two abreast is fine.

Depends on the size of the group, I guess. A competent driver shouldn't have any trouble passing a well-organised and compact group. It's much harder to pass a much longer line of singled-out riders.

If the police find you have actually committed any offences, they can take it up with you on the roadside, I guess.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 6:54 pm
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IMO the lane in question is too narrow for the majority of the time to make idly safe for a car to overtake a cyclist. Whilst I always try and ride in a responsible manner it's not always safer to let the motorist try and over take.

Also it seems to be a bit off to complain the bikes are going to fast and that it's difficult to overtake?? Which is it? Too fast or too slow?!


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 6:59 pm
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So, some cyclists have been reported to be riding in an inconsiderate way, the Police have been notified, the Police have contacted local clubs about it and the club appear to be asking their members to make sure it isn't them [s]when wearing club kit

[/s].

That seems utterly reasonable to me. I would go so far as to suggest that anyone who feels that this is in any way out of order needs to go and get over themselves, frankly.

Though I'm very pissed off that suddenly went into a quote function and I can't edit to get it right again!


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:04 pm
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Stop riding like cocks?


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:07 pm
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FYI Strava tells me that one 1 rider out 1,800+ riders has averaged over 30mph through the village (30.9mph).

Maybe the speeding cyclists don't use Strava.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:13 pm
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Riding two abreast is perfectly good cycling.

"In an arrogant way" is just a standard complaint that means "I have an entitlement to drive as fast as I like and these lycra-clad perverts refuse to get out of my way."

"At great speed" is another subjective and dubious allegation.

I would raise with the secretary the unreasonable "single out" request.

Amazing how one crank complaining to the police can have such an effect.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:15 pm
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write to local police and ask if aa and rac have ben cointacted about their members speeding, and not obeying road laws.Theyre aclub for motorists arent they..............


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:20 pm
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Cyclists riding too fast to be overtaken in 30 zone? Gutted.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:20 pm
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suggest that the police send a speed camera van to the village in question on a couple of Sundays and report their findings both to the [s]village busybodies[/s] parish council and the cycling club


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:25 pm
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[quote=project ]write to local police and ask if aa and rac have ben cointacted about their members speeding, and not obeying road laws.Theyre aclub for motorists arent they..............

THIS
x 10000

Then agree to meet the police to explain why you do it and then get the highway code a out about save passing ansd then ask them if they think it's safe to pass etc

Its always hard to tell as some cyclists are not considerate but nor are some car drivers

When they two meet we are always the ones to be blamed and that is what I object to the most.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:25 pm
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out of interest, is it actually possible to make a formal complaint about this sort of thing ? (trivial matter, anonymous "perpetrators")


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:27 pm
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out of interest, is it actually possible to make a formal complaint about this sort of thing ? (trivial matter, anonymous "perpetrators")

Of course it is. I've done it about cars when I've not had a full registration.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:31 pm
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I'm sure you're in my neck of the woods. Which village is it?

Personally, I've given up caring about motorists. They can just ****ing wait their turn. Nearly got killed tonight by some **** in a Peugeot doing a five car over take near Askam.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:35 pm
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MoreCashThanDash - Member
Of course it is. I've done it about cars when I've not had a full registration
a "formal" complaint ?
What's the meaning of the term then ? Are the police obliged to follow it up, even when there's no actual evidence of wrongdoing and zero chance of a convivtion of any sort ?
If so I'll be making loads in the future. Presumably you just tell them that you want to make a formal complaint and the process magically starts ?


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:39 pm
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It'll be a councillor, or someone has moaned loudly at a councillor


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:41 pm
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I was out walking with the sig other on Saturday. On a section of rural road, we waited at a corner to let a peleton pass. The last rider bellowed 'Walkers!' when she saw us. Must admit I burst out laughing - she was at the back of the line, who did she think she was warning? But more seriously, there were definite connotations of superiority/arrogance/whatever you want to call it.

Roadie peleton = mob mentality cocks. Makes me embarrassed to call myself a cyclist sometimes.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:43 pm
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Interesting. Last time I reported a lorry driver who would have wiped me out with his trailer had I not hopped onto the grass verge, I was told that if there was no accident, there's nothing they can do.

Surely that also applies here. Slightly worry that the police service appears to be cherry picking which complaints they listen to and which they shrug off.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:45 pm
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I think that often the police try to "keep the peace" rather than worry too much about upholding the law.

The problem with this is that people (in this case cyclists) will be considered unreasonable even if they are riding lawfully.

If I was Club Secretary, I would assure the police that the riding on the club runs is legal and reasonable, and that if they have evidence of a crime then the club will be happy to support the police in the prosecution of such crime.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:45 pm
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Just been pointed out to me by a club mate that another local clubs club run goes through this village twice every Saturday.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:46 pm
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Roadie peleton = mob mentality cocks.

Oh, bore off. Honestly.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:46 pm
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Just been pointed out to me by a club mate that another local clubs club run goes through this village twice every Saturday.

So? Cyclists have an inalienable right to pedal their cycles on the queens highway, mororists are merely licensed and this privilege can be revoked by the state at any time.

So pedal on I say, not even the queen can deny you that right.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:53 pm
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Cartmel? Grange?


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:55 pm
 beej
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But more seriously, there were definite connotations of superiority/arrogance/whatever you want to call it

What led you to think this? They were almost certainly people just like you riding bikes with their mates.

Unless they were shouting "we are superior to you!" as they went past then it's your interpretation that's been shaped by your experiences.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 7:58 pm
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Sedgwick

And the ref to the other club was to try and draw attention that the accusation is against all cyclists rather than one club in specific


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 8:04 pm
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Sedgwick

😀 near enough the same thing.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 8:09 pm
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Same demographic 😀


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 8:10 pm
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+1 to the speed camera request above, and/or a blitz on dangerous driving in general. plus, tell the pigs to **** off.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 8:12 pm
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plus, tell the pigs to **** off.

Oh the ironing!


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 8:21 pm
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http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/8203-Stop-hogging-lanes-cyclists-Cambridge-area/story-28986775-detail/story.html

also bottom of page, drug dealing, 2 major crashes one dead and a chap killed by a nweighbour, and the police waste time and effort making themselves look foolish writing to cycling clubs. While ignoring real life things.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 8:24 pm
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Do you think the police officers that had to tell the dead peoples families were ignoring it? Get a grip.


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 9:49 pm
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...informal complaints and comments from motorists...

Should the police be wasting their time following up "informal complaints"?

Also

...with a degree of arrogance...

I am not sure how one cycles with "[i]a degree of arrogance[/i]" which particular road traffic law it breaches or how it's actually measured (do they have special handheld unit for this, is there a whole dedicated van?), but really the police shouldn't be dealing with such "[i]complaints[/i]" unless they're actually reporting some law having been broken, or public safety put at risk...

Ultimately WGAF, the complainant(s) (be they old Biddies or entitled, road hogging Mondeo men) will be dead soon enough, either due to just being old, or crashing into something inanimate... Allow nature to run its course...


 
Posted : 19/05/2016 11:13 pm
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Time to **** up their village! Do this, skip to 1.54 but on bikes obvs


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 12:04 am
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Loads of arrogant drivers about who think the roads are solely for their use, unfortunately this attitude does seem to have led to packs of arrogant cyclists who also act selfish on the road

Sharing's caring :0)


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 6:44 am
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Loads of arrogant drivers about who think the roads are solely for their use, unfortunately this attitude does seem to have led to packs of arrogant [s]cyclists[/s] keyboard warriors who also act selfish on the [s]road[/s] internet, and seem to think that riding bikes makes it ok


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 7:08 am
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a degree of arrogance

Faster than me, not even panting and then giving a cheery hello as you leave me in your wake...arrogant bastards the lot of them 😉

These threads are aload of bollocks

Every road user group has poor road users.Locally, simply due to the fact 99% of road users are in vehicles, going faster, weight more and kill more, the real issue is motor vehicles.

Where cyclists are a problem it tends to be folk on BSO on the footpath rather a "lycra clad warrior" IME

No group is universally brilliant but the real problem, on our roads, is not gangs of feral roadies endangering everyones lives

Everyone knows this even internet trolls.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 7:24 am
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We had this one recently...

[i]"I won't currently name names, or locations until I've researched this a little more, but I was recently contacted by a Parish Councillor who has received a complaint from one of their residents
The complaint is because a resident has to drive onto the road from her home between parked cars.
Groups of cyclists regularly use the road at the specific time she leaves, and she's checked with her insurers and if she was to drive onto the road and cause cyclists to hit her because she can't see them approaching, it would be deemed as her fault....
Thus she feels the need to complain.
I kid you not."[/i]

Fantastic innit?!


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 7:48 am
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Just received this from my club secretary;
Hi everyone,

** police have received a formal complaint about cyclists pedalling through * village in “peloton style, at both great speed, volume and with a degree of arrogance”. They have also had informal complaints and comments from motorists about the difficulty of trying to pass large volumes of cyclists between and the A via **** and ***, many riding two or three abreast.

Sadly, we can't do anything about non-** *** Club riders or those passing through * following the Walney to Wear and LEJOG routes, but can we please ensure that * *** riders always consider other road users, including overtaking motorists (just single out), and are courteous to pedestrians, horse-riders and drivers alike.

Who's your club secretary, Gordon Ramsay?


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 8:22 am
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tbh my personal view is as cyclists you need to be whiter than white on the roads. riding 2 a Brest is ok if needed but theres nothing wrong with going single file. We all know that half of the folks driving cars couldn't pass a test now and that's not going to change.

riding 2 or 3 abreast and saying I have a right to be here is akin to an audi slip streaming you on the motorway or someone doing slow speeds in the car.

Now I agree if we were to replace the cyclist with a classic car that's knackered going slowly no one would have an issue and people would pass just fine but I do think people have a hatred towards us.

On the flip side some people really don't help themselves. recently while waiting at some lights they had turned to green and I was setting off. A few guys from condor road cycling club overtook the line of traffic on both sides (while it was moving) and cut into the roadwork section infront of moving traffic. Now im all for filtering but it was a joke. its things like that that give everyone on a bike a bad name.

not sure how to improve things tbh. im all ears.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 9:11 am
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Every road user group has poor road users.Locally, simply due to the fact 99% of road users are in vehicles, going faster, weight more and kill more, the real issue is motor vehicles.

+1 and everything else is just noise to me.

We had this one recently...

Someone contacted your club with that line?

Who's your club secretary, Gordon Ramsay?

Actual LOL.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 9:18 am
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I'd have thought that when someone makes an informal complaint to the police about something that's safe and legal, they're supposed to respond "thanks for your concern but just to let you know, that behaviour is safe and legal and no cause for concern." or similiar. And as a brucey bonus, possibly work with them a bit to find out what [i]their[/i] problem is.

andybrad - Member

tbh my personal view is as cyclists you need to be whiter than white on the roads. riding 2 a Brest is ok if needed but theres nothing wrong with going single file.

The implication being that riding 2 abreast is somehow not whiter than white? In many situations, pairing is safer and beneficial for all road users. It stops marginal overtakes and it also makes you easier to pass. The only people who're "inconvenienced", if you're doing it right, are people who wanted to overtake you dangerously but now can't. And **** them.

lerk - Member

she's checked with her insurers and if she was to drive onto the road and cause cyclists to hit her because she can't see them approaching, it would be deemed as her fault....

You've got to love that she phoned her insurers and asked the question "Am I allowed to run down cyclists"


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 9:24 am
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Why are motorists complaining about difficulty trying to overtake if you are going too fast?


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 9:28 am
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theres nothing wrong with going single file.

Yes there is in some circumstances. It can be more dangerous for the riders and more awkward and frustrating for the car drivers.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 9:30 am
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tbh my personal view is as cyclists you need to be whiter than white on the roads

Well I think that's a bit blinkered. I think we should all obey the rules, but especially when piloting a big metal box at speed. Lets not beat around the bush here, even a terrible cyclist is unlikely to be much of a danger to anyone, if anything you could argue (I wouldn't, but you could) they have [i]less[/i] responsibility to be whiter than white as they are not posing a danger, the level or requirement to be 'whiter than white' should [i]logically [/i]escalate with the danger/threat you pose shouldn't it? 😉

If you mean we need to act as ambassadors for 'cycling' in general then I get where you're coming from but riding a bike is jsut another transport choice, I'm just a guy riding a bike, I'm no more a representative of 'cyclist's than I am a representative of drivers when in my car and I have no more responsibility for what other riders do than I have for other drivers when I drive my car.

riding 2 a Brest is ok if needed but theres nothing wrong with going single file

Riding 2 abreast is not just 'OK' it is often the safest and most appropriate way to travel when in a group, and there certainly can be something wrong with going single file if it doubles the length of your group and at the same time encourages people to pass when not safe as they think they can squeeze through.

If it is safe to overtake properly (with enough room and crossing the wite line) then 2 abreast makes the overtake safer. If you can only overtake the group when singled out then it is likely [i]not [/i]safe to overtake properly at all.

Sure you should pull over if your group is travelling too slowly and causing an obstruction for an extended period of time, but that's likely to apply to national limited but narrow lanes and not 20-30mph town roads where it's safer for everyone to just remain in a group, 9 times out of 10 any overtaking cars will jsut get held up at the next set of lights anyway.

I do think people have a hatred towards us.

and [b]THAT [/b]is the problem, but why is there that hatred, [i]really[/i] think about it, it's not because a few cyclists jumped a red light once (as drivers also do BTW) or some ride a bit poorly is it, it's deeper than that...

On the flip side some people really don't help themselves. recently while waiting at some lights they had turned to green and I was setting off. A few guys from condor road cycling club overtook the line of traffic on both sides (while it was moving) and cut into the roadwork section infront of moving traffic. Now im all for filtering but it was a joke. its things like that that give everyone on a bike a bad name.

And this reinforces my first point and really winds me up when you hear anecdotes like that, what you saw was an example of poor and inconsiderate cycling, yet somehow that gives all other cyclists a bad name, you are tarring me (and yourself) with that brush despite me never having met or associated with those people in any way, the only thing we share is a mode of transport and a hobby. But do you tar yourself and all your family and friends with the brush you use on drunk drivers or people speeding, or people who drive inconsiderately? bet you don't... why does a bad cyclist 'give us all a bad name' when a bad driver does not?

Bez!!!! help!!!


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 9:30 am
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tbh my personal view is as cyclists you need to be whiter than white on the roads.
Yes. Best not upset the Proper People in their cars. If we're all perfect all the time, them maybe they won't hate us, shout at us or try to kill us any more.

riding 2 or 3 abreast and saying I have a right to be here is akin to an audi slip streaming you on the motorway

You are confused. Riding two abreast is good cycling. Riding three abreast is not. But neither are aggressive and dangerous, whereas tailgating on the motorway is.

There is nothing wrong with asserting your rights. Everyone does it all the time. There is a large part of the public who would rather cyclists just didn't exist. The law protects our right to be there. In an ideal world, we shouldn't have to assert our rights, but as a marginalised group of road users, we do.

We have a right to travel on the road by bicycle. We have a right to ride two abreast, and drivers are expected to be patient.

Whilst it is sometimes prudent and polite (ie on a narrow road) for a group of cyclists to "single out", remember that this usually only makes safe overtaking more difficult. Someone else has already posted the Chris Boardman video on "why cyclists ride two abreast". Please watch it.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 9:34 am
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It is also polite and considerate to pull over and allow faster moving traffic through :0)

I do it all the time, in me VAN!

Considerate road users is what's needed, leave the bullish attitudes at home.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 9:42 am
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Well I think that's a bit blinkered. I think we should all obey the rules, but especially when piloting a big metal box at speed. Lets not beat around the bush here, even a terrible cyclist is unlikely to be much of a danger to anyone

people on bikes (i’ll not use the term cyclist) kill about half to 2/3 of a person a year.
dogs kill 2-3 people and cows kill 6-7 people a year.
as for cars lorries etc? well in one year 16 cyclists were killed by lorries in London alone.

it’s all about duty of care. if you are piloting a metal box that weighs 3/4 of a tonne upwards and can travel at speeds which make those metal boxes lethal killing machines then you should take steps to control that vehicle properly by paying attention, obeying the laws and not using your mobile phone.
it’s not rocket science but years of conditioning and this countries love affair with the motor car mean it’s beyond most peoples cognitive ability.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 9:55 am
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Why are motorists complaining about difficulty trying to overtake if you are going too fast?

Beaten to it, but this. You can't simultaneously be riding too fast and also holding me up.

I love the "degree of arrogance" comment. How dare they use MY roads and get in MY way and slow ME down?! They're so arrogant!


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 10:11 am
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firstly thanks for those replies to my bit, really enlightening. cheers.

I agree with what your saying. Im aware of the need to cycle 2 abreast. what I feel is the issue is that someone in a car is more than likely going to try and overtake a group of cyclists. If they are traveling at 35 in a 30 then you can still bet that a car will want to overtake. If they are 2 abreast (or single fine) then you can bet that the car will try and overtake and squeeze between the riders and a bollard or something. It just seems to be a given really.

yes we have a right to be there. Yes we are not a danger. unfortunately everything else is and I think that cyclists are seen as fair game? thanks to the media.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 10:25 am
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If they are 2 abreast (or single fine) then you can bet that the car will try and overtake and squeeze between the riders and a bollard or something. It just seems to be a given really.

yes we have a right to be there. Yes we are not a danger. unfortunately everything else is and I think that cyclists are seen as fair game? thanks to the media.

Well if this is the case (in my experience it isn't) then we should be calling for the driver in question to adjust their behaviour, not the cyclists.

Two-abreast riding, and taking a primary position in a lane, is done precisely to discourage the sort of risky overtaking manoeuvre you describe.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 10:33 am
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I think big road clubs should consider is buying a few cameras and recording their club rides (front and rear-facing). Same for organisers of sportives IMO - would capture footage of good and bad behaviour by anyone on or beside the road and might help dispel unfair suggestions

I definitely think OPs club should take this opportunity to engage actively with the local police


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 10:47 am
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I think big road clubs should consider is buying a few cameras and recording their club rides

I was just thinking this. It shouldn't be necessary, should it? But...yeah.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 10:50 am
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Considerate road users is what's needed, leave the bullish attitudes at home.

And this is what needs to be driven home to all road users. No one's saying cyclists should be subservient. It doesn't matter how few people we kill, it only takes a few inconsiderate idiots to get all cyclists a bad name.

Not all car drivers are cyclist hating murderous psychopaths, but you'd think they were if you read some posts on here. Blinkered stereotyping works both ways.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 10:58 am
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my personal view is as cyclists you need to be whiter than white on the roads

Racist!

Although it's American, I read this and immediately thought of this thread (and it's hundreds of predecessors):

[url= https://medium.com/@kellycatchpole/i-am-a-cyclist-and-i-am-here-to-****-you-up-a2fb97b1ea16#.oyb36dkp5 ]https://medium.com/@kellycatchpole/i-am-a-cyclist-and-i-am-here-to-****-you-up-a2fb97b1ea16#.oyb36dkp5[/url]


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 11:02 am
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@MCTD - my Q yesterday was genuine: What distinguishes a "formal" complaint about an unidentified road user from "a moan", and what action would police take if one was made that differes from them just receiving a moan ?


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 11:06 am
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, but you'd think they were if you read some posts on here

Which ones? Can't agree with this myself.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 11:18 am
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Late EDIT: Link appears to not work in my post above - I found it via twitter of @sallyhinch posted yesterday (18th May) called "Cylists: The Truth"

Sorry 'bout that.

EDIT EDIT: Originally posted here, dunno if this will work with the URL having a naughty word in it..

[url= http://thoughtcatalog.com/kelly-catchpole/2015/07/i-am-a-cyclist-and-i-am-here-to-****-you-up/ ]Let's try that again...[/url]

EDIT EDIT EDIT: The swear filter changes the URL - if you follow the above link, but replace the four ****s in the URL it directs you to with a rude word starting with "f" and ending with "k", it should work. Probably not worth the hassle tbh and I'm now wishing I'd not bothered, but here we are anyway.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 11:24 am
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Roadie peleton = mob mentality cocks.

I'm not saying I agree with this, but I did have a recent incident where a similar opinion came to mind. Riding on Underhill Lane at the bottom of Ditching Beacon, a large roadie club ride came in the opposite direction taking up the entire width of the single lane road. Meaning I practically ended up in the bushes at the side of the road.

They did apologise to be fair and I made it clear that I wasn't best pleased. But I still don't know what they thought they were up to. Never seen it before and undoubtedly an isolated incident. And I'm not for one second saying it's only roadies that do this kind of thing. You don't have to be in lycra to be an inconsiderate muppet.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 11:57 am
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I wonder whether the people moaning about riding 2 up have ever been on a club / group ride?

It would be a very different, boring ride in single file.

The group I ride with are very disciplined in their road form, tight 2 up grid singling out where necessary. We still regularly get 'punishment passes' and people beeping their horns as they pass even when there is no impact on their ability to overtake.

You can't win an argument with a stupid person as they're not clever enough to realise they're wrong.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 11:58 am
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what you saw was an example of poor and inconsiderate cycling, yet somehow that gives all other cyclists a bad name, you are tarring me (and yourself) with that brush despite me never having met or associated with those people in any way, the only thing we share is a mode of transport and a hobby. But do you tar yourself and all your family and friends with the brush you use on drunk drivers or people speeding, or people who drive inconsiderately? bet you don't... why does a bad cyclist 'give us all a bad name' when a bad driver does not?

Agreed, or to put it another way as I often do when for example a taxi driver comments to me on other riders who have just jumped the set of lights we are waiting at "just cos we both ride bikes doesn't mean we are friends."


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 12:04 pm
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we limit the numbers in our groups to avoid strung out difficult to pass groups.

just saying.

How ever i am also surprised the club secretary has sent this out id have had a similar response to those stated above - thats possibly why im not a club secretary 😀


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 12:06 pm
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taking up the entire width of the single lane road.

While no doubt they should have been thinking about what they were doing and what would happen if there was anyone coming the other way, I have to wonder, what would you have done (or them for that matter) if there had been a car coming the other way?

Single lane presumably means 'wide enough for a single vehicle only' so were they actually taking up more room that a car/van/lorry/bus/tractor would have done?

I don't wish to single out your example as it sounds like they were not being considerate on that occasion, but it highlights a related point in that a lot of people fail to realise that a cyclist is a vehicle, and for all intents and purposes, due to need to avoid debris potholes etc. that the 'virtual footprint' of a cyclist on the open road should be viewed as similar to that of a car, especially when attempting to pass them.

we limit the numbers in our groups to avoid strung out difficult to pass groups.

as do we, and most decent and long standing clubs do, but I have noticed an increase in more social/casual clubs (as opposed to old road/racing clubs) who are more a collection of mates on a group ride, who don't have such tight control, or awareness, and I wonder if a lot of that is because they have jsut never been in a club and taught about group riding.

On a lot of the club/group riding threads you see popel pop up saying things like 'all those rules are why I'd never be in a club' and similar sentiments, but the point is that a lot of those rules and the essance of good group riding is as much about safety as it is efficiency, and those people who shun clubs for being overly rule-bound will often quite happily go out for a ride with 5 or 6 mates and be the ones with no awareness of what they're doing.

hey ho, idle pondering from me thats all 🙂


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 12:31 pm
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@scaredypants - I honestly don't know. I have quite a good relationship with our local beat bobby after he cautioned a driver who assaulted me after an exchange of words. They'd had reports of a car driving dangerously but no full registration, so I think I gave him the piece of the jigsaw to finally get the driver for something.

He said that reporting incidents helped build up a picture or pattern of behaviour, two separate incidents might give them a full registration number, so to let him know if I had any problems. I've done it a few times, not always from cycling, usually youngsters tearing round the village on unregistered mopeds and trials bikes. It stops after I contact the police. Job done.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 12:33 pm
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hey'd had reports of a car driving dangerously but no full registration, so I think I gave him the piece of the jigsaw to finally get the driver for something.
I see. In what way was your complaint "formal" ? Was it filed and given a number, or what ?


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 12:43 pm
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Club secretary sends out missive reminding members to show "consideration to other road users". What exactly is the problem with that ? Pretty sure no one here actually saw the riding that generated the complaints, so how can you say it wasn't in some way inconsiderate.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 12:53 pm
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Club secretary sends out missive reminding members to show "consideration to other road users". What exactly is the problem with that ? Pretty sure no one here actually saw the riding that generated the complaints, so how can you say it wasn't in some way inconsiderate.

Because if you're complaining to the police that cyclists were riding too fast and it was also hard to overtake them and they had a "degree of arrogance" the problem might actually be with the person making the complaint.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 12:57 pm
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Because if you're complaining to the police that cyclists were riding too fast and it was also hard to overtake them and they had a "degree of arrogance" the problem might actually be with the person making the complaint.

This.

And also, "showing consideration", to many, means "getting out of the ****ing way so I can get past in my car". Which isn't reasonable.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 1:02 pm
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^^^
But you don't know that do you, only that you want to believe thats how it was. I don't either, but if concerns are raised (real or imagined) any responsible club secretary would pass them on. It's called being a grown up. Some of you should try it.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 2:06 pm
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scaredypants - the incident with the assault was formal - the driver got a caution

The other incidents - I don't know - or care really - if it was formal. I told the copper about a problems, the problems stopped occurring. I don't care if he filled in paper work for 3 days or just had a quiet word.


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 3:32 pm
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out of interest, is it actually possible to make a formal complaint about this sort of thing ? (trivial matter, anonymous "perpetrators")
Of course it is. I've done it about cars when I've not had a full registration.
So "no, unless you count assault as trivial" ?


 
Posted : 20/05/2016 3:58 pm

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