100 car pile up

Yes, It’s all far too much P.C. these days, bring back the days when a good belt around the ear solved the problem, indeed, many expected that sort of “”Instant” punishment rather then end up before the local Beak.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Linc – baz’s example is good, but on on dedicated mixed use pathways then fine and they are likely to be used by relatively responsible people, on foot or on bikes. But that is very different from a normal pavement in a town.

I agree with you about the lack of faith in the police largely brought on themselves by their attitude towards the public, whom they are paid by us to serve.

Whilst on the subject, what about Motorcyclists?? many the time I have looked in my rear view mirror, and nothing would be in sight, then WHoooosh, a motorcyclist zooms past me well over any speed limit, many also display a rear number plate that is not legal, inasmuch that it’s too small, s’pose the speed cameras can’t “See” their plate. Whilst we frequently see adverts on the road, stating, “Think Bike”, the motorcyclists should also bear some responsibility.

Jim.
Lincoln .7

@ Trumper

Prior to working in Cambridge I was in Bristol, in Bristol I was a cyclist I was clipped on 2 occasions (negotiating roundabouts) on one occasion the car pulled out the side road and stopped across the bus / cycle lane less than 6ft in front of me, I swerved but hit his car side ways no damage to me or the bike but the driver didn’t even look at me despite the almighty thud on his window. I also had a woman shout abuse at me because she pulled out behind a lorry and I cycled across her front – she seems to have been oblivious to my presence behind said lorry and assumed I had jumped off the pavement. (andof course a few Smidsy moments).

My point being I hated car drivers because they had no appreciation of me, I was in the right on each of the above occasions ie legal position on the road, not jumping lights well lit etc* when I got to Cambridge I encountered the Lycra louts etc (oh and foreign students but to be fair in their case its lack of understanding rather than will full ignorance) from there I developed a dislike of cyclists despite being one myself. I was in Cambridge a few years before learning to drive.

* I will confess to the incident where I failed to appreciate that on a wet road combined with a long steep hill braking at the 1/2 way point was too late. I crossed a busy roundabout and was at the 2nd before I stopped. No Arguments from me If id been hit it was my fault.

Cambridge area does appear to have more than its share of loons on the road though.

Regards

Baz, It’s nice to know that a compromise can be reached between the cyclists and pedestrians.I think riding as you have described the way you do is ideal.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

No doubt the Home Secretary would say,that they stay in, because of cutbacks, ie, savings on fuel, servicing etc, so if that were possibly the case, it don’t stop them getting off their ars** and walking the beat. The times I would park my Patrol car up in Town and walk around, were the times that members of the public would stop me, and pass to me info on many different things, however, I think the general public has lost all faith in the Police these days, and I don’t think the Police will ever regain that.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

Sorry Linc the pavement is for pedestrians and nothing else. All wheeled vehicles will have to live with shared road space.
.

I ride on the pavement when safe(er) to do so but always go slow and defer to pedestrians if any present !!
Interestingly on the south coast cycle path between shoreham and worthing – cyclists and walkers share the same route and in places the footpath is actually marked as mixed for both,in other places the path is delineated for cycle/pedest but quite often either/both category are in the wrong ‘lane’ and one just adjusts lane to keep clear LOL

Too true, Linc. For whatever reason, and we can think of several, the days of the bobby on the beat, on foot, on a bike, or in a car even, are long gone. Laws are pointless if they are not enforced.

Which brings us nicely back, as to where are the Police, when the Road Traffic Act, has to be enforced. I live next door to the nick, and only ever see them walk past my house, going on or off duty. and don’t even think about telling me the old Horse Chestnut, “It’s the paperwork” that keeps them tied up in the nick.

Jim.
Lincoln .7

It’ s about time the Highway Code was re-written as it irrelevant to most road users and ignored by the majority and rarely enforced.
Sorry Linc the pavement is for pedestrians and nothing else. All wheeled vehicles will have to live with shared road space.
We all desired the car so have to live with the consequences.

I agree Alan, there is far too much traffic on the roads these days, and I would sooner see kids on pavements, than in the mortuary, lying on a slab. Seen more than my fair share in my time. Instead of spending stupid money on the new Rail Link, it should be spent on cycle lanes on the roads.
Now, if you realy want to have a good RANT, and God knows I could start one, it’s these bl***y electric Mobility scooters, they bomb along the pavements, AND on the road, and due to other traffic noise, you can’t hear the damned things coming up behind you, until it’s too late.
Jim.
Lincoln .

#and especially the pillock all in black with no lights at night going the wrong way around the poorly lit roundabout in Cambridge, you know who you are.

Being local and driving to work in Cambridge i feel your frustration.Having said that there was a pillock on the M11 at 06-15 in the rain and dark with his car lights off – they don’t learn do they.

In some cases I wish more cyclists would ride on the pavement. Where the road is narrow and there is a constant stream of
traffic in the opposite direction. As long as there are no pedestrians.
I cycle myself on the odd occasion, often on a path through a local park. I always get out of the way of pedestrians, but there are the lycra clad brigade on their expensive bikes who don’t have a minute to spare, and give all cyclists a bad name.
“Head down and get out of my way”

Half the cyclists around here ride on the pavement, not the road!!:mad:

Car drivers should be forced to ride motorbikes.They will then soon get an understanding of road conditions,watching out for those who don’t look into mirrors or know where the indicators are.
Cars are now so quick accelerating that people become impatient.Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule.
Most of it will come down to people leaving it too fine timewise for their journey and have to speed to keep to time.

I have a similar view I say car drivers should spend time on a cycle to gain awareness. However I also think cyclists especially the militant Lycra clad louts# so they become aware of the risks they run and the danger they pose.

I agree with the sentiment that as cars get safer, people seem to be encouraged to take more risks.

#and especially the pillock all in black with no lights at night going the wrong way around the poorly lit roundabout in Cambridge, you know who you are.

If you sense bitterness its because the subsequent incident is deemed my fault as a car driver, annoyingl had the other person been in a car or on a motorbike and ironically easier to spot it would clearly have been their fault.

Baz, For the last 2 months, I AM the best driver on the Forum.( Only because I am NOT permitted to drive, and my car is locked in the garage). only a few more weeks though, then let the fun begin. :eagerness:

Jim.
Lincoln .7

Great to see we have so many perfect drivers on here LOL (pathetic cartoon wink smiley not inserted ; ))

I wait with joy to see my insurance go up next time then,even if i was hundred miles away.

Too true and with luck sling the claims out.

I bet the Insurance Companies will see a lot of the now ill favoured “Whiplash” claims, most of which will according to Insurance Companies will be bogus claims.
Jim.
Lincoln .7