Do you do anything to improve UK cycling generally?

Alain Quay

Just read about a lot of people getting stuck into Critical Mass. But what about other groups that lobby for cycleways, road improvments, etc. I am a road bike and commuter, and am sometimes annoyed at road bikers who only think about their
performance, or mountain bikers whose bikes mainly are seen on the roofs of cars.

CM is probably o.t.t., but it stems from frustration at such a ridiculous set of circumstances we have to deal with on a daily basis. If they aren't for you, we shoukd find some pro cycling group that we can and do support. What groups do you support?

slowfen

Yes like a lot of others I'm out there riding within the law being respectful, couteous and assertive.

Not massivly active I know, but it is what everything else should be built on

ChrisLS

...hello Alain, I am not ,as you suggest, in your reply to my Critical Mass thread "part of the apathetic majority"...my bike is my main mode of transport and I cycle at the weekend for pleasure. I have been cycling for 25 years. I try to ride responsibly. I am a fully paid up member of the CTC who, I think, do a lot of work for cyclists and the promotion of cycling, plus lobbying goverment. Recently they were instrumental in getting the cycle lanes rule in the Highway Code changed. I think there are other ways to support cycling than standing in the road with my bike held over my head yelling at traffic...

tatanab

As Slowfen says, being a good example is the best thing you can do.

For example - this morning I was in a lane and could see about 1/4mile away an articulated lorry was coming towards me approaching some of the bends. There was a field entrance where I was so I pulled in and waited for the lorry to clear the bends and pass me. The decent thing to do and one I hope the lorry driver will remember when he thinks about cyclists. Cost to me - a few seconds on my ride.

Matchstick Man

another vote for actually being courteous and doing what you're supposed to whilst riding a bike. If you make arm signals in traffic, you'd be surprised how many cars let you out or slow down for you. Then turn the arm signal into a wave of thanks.
Seriously, it's not hard and it garners respect for the rest of us.
Don't jump red lights, it just makes drivers think you're a winker.

Don't ride 3 abreast, single out in heavy traffic, don't ride on pavements etc.

If everyone who rode a bike properly obeyed the rules that apply to us, we'd be in a stronger position collectively....

Ste_S

Alain, in what way do you feel CM benefit cycling ?

geoff_ss

Not very much, really, apart from trying to ride considerately. I usually pull over in narrow lanes to let following traffic, particularly agricultural traffic get past. I've never habitually run red lights nor ridden on the pavement and think both are wrong. I once did the initial survey for Sustrans on the old railway from Bakewell north.

Currently, I stand up for cyclists on the Off-topic section of the model aircraft forum I've haunted for a few years. I've met a lot of the forum members in RL so they know I'm not an ogre - I think I've been a member of the CTC for a long time.

Geoff

Crapaud

Ste_S wrote:

Alain, in what way do you feel CM benefit cycling ?

Please reply on the other thread.

Until recently I've been a member of the local cycle campaign (my membership's lapsed due to a change of circumstances) that lobbies the local authorities on various cycle related issues: provision for bikes on public transport, secure cycle parking, cycle infrastructure etc.

I was never as active as I would have liked, but by being a member added a little more weight to the campaign when it was in talks with the powers that be.

Should this not be in 'Campaign'?

iainment

tatanab wrote:

As Slowfen says, being a good example is the best thing you can do.

For example - this morning I was in a lane and could see about 1/4mile away an articulated lorry was coming towards me approaching some of the bends. There was a field entrance where I was so I pulled in and waited for the lorry to clear the bends and pass me. The decent thing to do and one I hope the lorry driver will remember when he thinks about cyclists. Cost to me - a few seconds on my ride.

Talk about self congratulatory smugness, here have the keys to heaven you are a saint.
Was there any real choice for you? You had to get out of the way as you would come off a poor second best if you had not.

:twisted:

tatanab

iainment wrote:

tatanab wrote:

As Slowfen says, being a good example is the best thing you can do.

For example - this morning I was in a lane and could see about 1/4mile away an articulated lorry was coming towards me approaching some of the bends. There was a field entrance where I was so I pulled in and waited for the lorry to clear the bends and pass me. The decent thing to do and one I hope the lorry driver will remember when he thinks about cyclists. Cost to me - a few seconds on my ride.

Talk about self congratulatory smugness, here have the keys to heaven you are a saint.
Was there any real choice for you? You had to get out of the way as you would come off a poor second best if you had not.

:twisted:

Yes there would have been space but the driver would probably have had to slow even more. As for smug, I spoiled the whole thing half hour later by shaking my head at a motorist who pulled out in front of me and stopped. So I am very far from perfect.

vermooten

I don't go through red lights, I don't make wanker signs at drivers who cut me up etc. We're all ambassadors of cycling so we need to act accordingly.

grayo59

Subscribe to sustrans (who put in a really useful half mile section along the River Avon - Bristol) and ride my bikes! So hang on their coat-tails really!

MattBlackBigBoysBMX

I wheelie up and down the high street.
Kids see this and think it's cool, hence I am encouraging them to take up cycling.

meagain

CTC Member, for no real personal benefit/reason, simply to give "support" to what seems to be a useful lobby group - however weak it may be compared with the caged opposition.

Jakes Dad

iainment wrote:

tatanab wrote:

For example - this morning I was in a lane and could see about 1/4mile away an articulated lorry was coming towards me approaching some of the bends. There was a field entrance where I was so I pulled in and waited for the lorry to clear the bends and pass me. The decent thing to do and one I hope the lorry driver will remember when he thinks about cyclists. Cost to me - a few seconds on my ride.

Talk about self congratulatory smugness, here have the keys to heaven you are a saint.
Was there any real choice for you? You had to get out of the way as you would come off a poor second best if you had not.

:twisted:

It's funny how different people see things in different ways ? I've been a professional driver for over 20 years and most of that has been spent behind the wheel of trucks, for truck drivers cyclist's are the most unpredictable of all road users not because of the way they ride (most of the time) but because it is so easy to suck a cylist into the side of a truck as you pass them ... so i can assure you that the truck driver that Tatanab pulled in for would of been very gratefull

Simon