You haven’t seen many meek cyclists for that very reason. They are too meek to have their presence known. I cannot condone the actions of ‘lycra guys’ who do not respect other road users, but in the same breath there are just as many drivers who do not respect cyclists. Again, the same could be said for your third point. I think we all agree that the particular cycle lane in question across Putney Bridge is not ideal; however, if cyclists are to use it safely then cars must stay out of it. Pot holes, not quite the same in a car as on a bike, as you well know having previously cycled. Even at snail pace the size of some of the potholes we are currently experience can cause damage to the bike and throw the rider off into a potentially dangerous situation. Going round them is indeed and option, again I cannot deny this, but unfortunately this is such a case where no one pot hole is the same and thus each situation must be taken at the discretion of the rider/driver. It is unfortunate that the rise in cyclists has not been met with the same rise in the implementation of suitable accommodation for the riders, but alas we find ourselves in this situation. I think, from what you have posted, and I may be wrong here, we can agree that with riders and motorists, at both ends of the extreme there is a grave sense of disrespect. And to be honest I’m not sure if there is a ‘quick fix’ (for want of a better phrase) that can be had. Ideally there should be far greater investment into proper cycle lanes and overall road conditions in areas such as Putney Bridge, but we all know that the money is not there (that’s another debate). I believe the most favourable step forward would be to relook at the Highway Code and how that is implemented in real life situations, and then possibly look to change it to provide a fairer use of the roads for all In addition I personally would like to see cyclist have to register and insure themselves through a national scheme. If a rider were to pay £5-£10 maximum a year this would cover registration of the rider and insurance for the bike. This would also cover any motorist that is affected by poor riding. Coupled by the introduction of compulsory helmet wearing for road riders (if one is riding off road and falls, then that is one’s own fault) which could display a compulsory registration number, then many more cyclist would be held accountable for their blatant rule breaking, the same as motorists. Anyways, I diverge. Not to be too meek, but “meek enough to enough to know that half a ton of moving metal can seriously f@#k-up 11st of unprotected flesh”, I think is wrong – to have a healthy respect for other road users – yes – but do not bow to the presence of another vehicle if you have properly positioned yourself and are moving at the correct speed.  I suppose it amounts to the ability to judge each situation correctly – something that many drivers and riders seem not to be able to do if the situation is not of the standard variety.

Entire Thread

Topic	Date Posted	Posted By
Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	14/04/10 17:08:00	Alex Lamont
Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	14/04/10 17:13:00	Ian Todd
Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	14/04/10 17:27:00	Alex Lamont
Re:Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	14/04/10 17:49:00	Bryony Evens
Re:Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	14/04/10 18:07:00	Ian Todd
Re:Re:Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	14/04/10 19:31:00	Roland Gilmore
Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	15/04/10 08:46:00	Barry Barker
Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	15/04/10 17:51:00	Ian Scott
Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	16/04/10 15:19:00	David Love
Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	07/06/10 17:11:00	David Moors
Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	16/04/10 11:27:00	Irena Hoare
Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	16/04/10 12:16:00	Barry Donald
Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	16/04/10 14:24:00	Richard Hodges
Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	16/04/10 13:19:00	Lucy Warner
Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	16/04/10 13:50:00	Simon Knight
Re:Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	16/04/10 14:49:00	Barry Donald
Re:Re:Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	16/04/10 15:31:00	Simon Knight
Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	16/04/10 16:36:00	Barry Donald
Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	16/04/10 19:56:00	Bunny Payne
Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	18/04/10 23:23:00	Fiona Mehta
Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	02/05/10 20:09:00	Margo Campbell
Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	04/05/10 14:05:00	Bryony Evens
Re:Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	05/05/10 14:37:00	Fiona Mehta
Re:Re:Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	27/05/10 12:24:00	Alex Lamont
Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	27/05/10 14:20:00	Paul Smith
Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Putney Bridge Cycle Lane	27/05/10 17:25:00	Bryony Evens

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