Is cycling becoming acceptable in Britain?

[knbarter]

It seems that more and more people commute by bike: http://iitm.be/ccyclists . Is cycling becoming socially accepted or even a mark of distinction?

[bibblebub]

There have been lots of pushbikes in Cambridge for many years so those pictures don't indicate anything at a national level.

And while cyclists persist in using the pavements the fewer the better as far as I am concerned.

[commoner]

Didn't think it was ever socially UNacceptable.....but what do I know?

[TheOtherHalf]

Me and OH have always cycled since schooldays. We still both cycle to work everyday and he has to go 4 miles each way on a country road. Lots of colleagues are only fair weather cyclists. But we go in hail, rain, etc as of this morning.
In summer we can cycle and 50 mile round trip and its heaven when you are out in the quiet countryside and the lovely fresh air and birdsong. And once youve got your bike, its FREE, no petrol queues etc. What more can you ask for ?

[emmie]

it might be but i wish the dingbats kept off the damn pavements, and stopped crossing red lights. Many don't seem to have a clue how to ride safely, they put everyone's life at risk. Boris johnsons bike scheme has been a hit, sadly some of those who use one don't seem to have the sense they were born with

[joggerjayne]

I bike most places around town, unless it's peeing down.

[emmie]

sounds good, those here who cycle on pavements should be prosecuted and fined. They are an effin menace.

[RATTER15]

Hasn't it always been socially acceptable?

[Booldawg]

There are if and buts against this case but I can't see why most people who live within a 5 mile radius of work can't cycle in.

[joggerjayne]

I agree with em.

Cyclists moan about being harrassed by lorries and taxis, and yet fail to behave like respectable road users.

If cyclists behave like bandits, they will be treated like bandits.

Cyclists must obey the rules of the road, just like motorists.

Except in London, obviously, where anything goes.

nb. Who has Cycling Insurance? (I do). If you are riding a bike, and you cause an accident (say you accidentally swerve in front of a motorbike, and the biker brakes hard and falls off) ... who is going to pay his medical bills???????

My Cycle Insurance policy, luckily.

[Booldawg]

from personal experience I have had alot of very near misses due to inconsiderate motorists than put myself or anyone else at risk due to my riding style.

And if that fateful day ever does arrive whereby I am knocked off by a car I expect the driver will adopt the usual policy of leaving me for dead to protect his/her no claims discount.

[joggerjayne]

Booldawg ... that's very cynical.

Probably accurate, though, LOL.

Lots of aggressive motorists in Hampshire, then?

=0)

[sandyRoe]

I'm not sure it's acceptable to dress like this though.
http://www.metro.co.u...world-naked-bike-ride

[emmie]

cycling as always been dangerous, i know because i had a cycle for over 11 years, and loved cycling around town and outside when got the chance. But there should never be a reason to cycle on the pavement, that is pedestrian space, as to going over the traffic lights, which many do they have no idea of the risk they run. I have been tentatively involved with the british transport police and their bike road safety campaign, and even their most senior officer remarked he was shocked how many cyclists rode over red lights. Those caught were fined, or had the choice to sit through a bike safety talk, which was a good thing. I have been sworn and spat at, called any number of rude name, rode into, almost knocked to the ground endless times, and that wasn't always by the usual bike courier types but the city wallys who think they can get away with it.

[daftgrandad]

Cyclists will always have a bad time from motorists,as long as they:-
A. Ride on pavements.Also returning to road when pavements finish,regardless
of traffic around them.
B.Ride through red lights.
C.Ride the wrong way up one-way-streets.
D.When riding on roads,ride at three a breast.This is very common amongst
club riders who think they own the roads,because they wear fancy Lycra.

[Booldawg]

lol jj, even in rural Hampshire I notice alot of cyclist who commute have adopted the very 'London' policy of wearing those gucci little GoPro HD Helmet Cams. Video evidence.

My last experience of an impatient motorist squeezing by was, er let me think. Thats right THIS MORNING! On a wet road, loose chippings with 10mph speed limit.
TBH the cyclist/motorist debate is endless - there are incosiderate fools on both sides of the fence, straying away from the OP.

[Catapa]

For decades we have been building conflict between motorists and cyclists and between pedestrians and cyclists into our urban layout. Britain has now fatally low rates of cycling and a costly obesity epidemic.

Nice pictures: http://iitm.be/ccyclists - it looks almost like the Netherlands, where cycling is encouraged.

[hedgebeater]

The last time I was in London, October last year my wife and I stopped at a busy road junction with dozens of other pedestrians and waited until the red lights stopped the traffic and the "green man" appeared for us. As the crowd of pedestrians were making their way across, a bl**dy cyclist came straight across the red lights and barged his way through the walkers and rode off. They are a law unto themselves and until something is done they will continue to in this way.

[chaptazbru]

The only thing I have against cyclists is their continous riding on pavements and they act as if you are the one in the way as they try to get past ! I'm sure this is illegal, but the police seem to turn a blind eye to it. I know an elderly lady who was hit by a cyclist on the pavement and hurt her head badly when she fell.

[craft1948]

York is full of the buggers and I'm sure half of them are mad................I've been knocked down by a cyclist and it's extremely painful.

[Old_Geezer]

They are a blessed nuisance. Even saw one on one of those lie-down bikes today. Flag or no flag, cyclists are difficult enough to see without them being about 2 foot tall ! Folk should not indulge in perilous activity on public roads, they are dangerous enough places as they are.