Forum Topic

Share the roads

Gladly

Paul Campbell ● 1853d35 Comments

....but not the pavements!

James Stott ● 1853d

I bet hundreds if not thousands of photos were sifted through to find the most perfect picture showing no traffic and cyclists waiting patiently at traffic lights

Paul Fisher ● 1853d

Motorists are mostly happy to share the roads, I know I am. It’s the cycle lobby that want cars removed so they have the roads and the parks all to themselves. As I understand it. This is an odd post from someone who favours LTNs and cycle lanes quite aggressively

Maggie Dodge ● 1853d

While stuck on a bus in traffic I did see three cyclists.

Basil Finnis ● 1853d

Last one to the Hampshire Hog buys the drinks!

Adrian Irving ● 1853d

Waiting to cross the High Road from Devonshire Road on Sunday I was not altogether surprised to see a car driving west in the cycle lane, and a cyclist travelling east in the cycling lane having to swerve into the westbound traffic lane to save herself. I knew then that I was right to give up driving four years ago.

Roger Talbot ● 1853d

We’ve tried to advise that the cycle lane is dangerous. Even if it’s a motorist at fault, probably due to poor signage. The cycle lobby just will not give it up despite the many obvious faults. They’re a bit worried about egg on their faces I think 👍

Maggie Dodge ● 1853d

The dual cycle lane is ludicrous. Driving off CHR into the Hogarth Road or whatever else is quite scary / unintuitive. I'm surprised not more riders are knocked off.

Simon Temple ● 1853d

Does sharing the roads include the idiot cyclist who decided that using the south bound lane of SCR at the junction of the A4 to cycle north into oncoming traffic is so much better than getting off the bike and using the pedestrian crossing actually designed for that purpose?After all that must be so much safer than cycling over the junction in the northbound lane!

Justin Stephenson ● 1853d

I genuinely think a lot of cyclists don’t like stopping,  and definitely don’t like dismounting,  unless absolutely necessary, hence riding across pedestrian crossings, on station platforms and up on pavements to skip a red light. All perfectly ok apparently

Maggie Dodge ● 1852d

I think cyclist who use cleats are less inclined to stop / dismount as it is a bit of a kerfuffle to take your feet off the pedals.  I do wonder given the cited health and fitness benefits of cycling, why some (not all, or the majority) have an issue with stopping and starting, as surely that would be better for their fitness.  I do realise commuting cyclists are as much about getting to their destination on time, but that is the same motivation for other road users too.  Maybe a consultation and 6 month trial banning cycling cleats/shoes would be beneficial. 

Rob Reynolds ● 1851d

A particular feature of many UK cyclists seems to be that they see cycling as some kind of competitive exercise routine, with its own specialised clothing and equipment, rather than a simple and practical way of getting about. Hence the apparent need to travel at speed and not to brook any delay in pursuit of some 'personal best', rather than just trundling along in normal clothes - and shoes - without breaking sweat or needing a shower at their destination. Another factor is that a bicycle is a remarkably simple and flexible means of transport.  It can speed along roads and traverse rough ground, negotiate narrow spaces and mix with pedestrians and motor traffic, and can easily be pushed or carried.  I suspect attempts to constrain this flexibility will never be wholly successful.

Peter Evans ● 1851d

I feel the need.....the need for speed!

Ed Saper ● 1851d

Nice photo Ed.No lycra in sight. Everyone obeying the rules.Typical day on CHR.

Simon Pedley ● 1851d

Thanks Simon, but I'm afraid Maggie et al are about to point out that this is a staged photo using actors. A handy checklist to tell if a cycling photo is staged includes: Not wearing lycra?  Staged. Stopped at a red light? Staged. Not on the pavement? Staged. Not trying to maim elderly person or small dog? Staged. Cycling through Fisher's Lane? Staged (no-one cycles through there). Cycling with children? Both staged and putting kids at risk (don't they know roads and cycle lanes are too dangerous for kids?) OneChiswick detectives also cross reference photos to spot actors — they've even caught Boris out:

Ed Saper ● 1851d

Maybe it’s the call on Twitter fior cyclists/models for paid photo shoots.🤷‍♀️

Maggie Dodge ● 1851d

I’ve googled cleats. Never knew the name but knew there were special cycle shoes. So they’re intended to help with speed? Make it less desirable to stop? Possibly should be reserved for racing?

Maggie Dodge ● 1851d

As many cyclists learn from experience, you can easily fall over if you don't disconnect your cleated shoe from the pedal quickly enough to put your foot down when you stop. It's also easy to ruin a wooden floor if you forget you've got your cleats on when you walk across it.

Peter Evans ● 1851d

"Maybe it’s the call on Twitter fior cyclists/models for paid photo shoots." I think that's what gives it away.  That, and the fact they're models.
Not models.

Ed Saper ● 1851d

I've found the answer! https://youtu.be/yr4M4KkksEU

Bruce Hammal ● 1851d

I doubt you're being entirely serious with your suggestion to ban certain types of footwear - although would be fun to see the police manning daily checkpoints on C9 to inspect everyone's shoes!However, cycling does indeed have a reputation for the lycra clad speed demons.  Yes, partly because "Ban Cycling" Maggie spends all day on Twitter saying this, but it is part of the narrative you see in the Daily Mail and elsewhere.There is a good reason though - pre pandemic, most cyclists were men and their behaviour can be aggressive.  Which of course they have to be, because the roads are dangerous and drivers often act aggressively towards cyclists.The best way to change that isn't to ban shoes or lycra.  It is to provide safe roads and cycle ways for people to cycle.  Then you get a lot more people doing it - of all ages, gender and ethnicity.  I realise that this is the exact opposite of what many people want. Even as they complain that no-one uses C9, their worst nightmare is that it fills up because it will inevitably lead to demands for more cycling infrastructure at the expense of drivers.It is rather handy to be able to demonise all cyclists by the actions of a few (or a lot, depending on your perspective!) and use that to justify the removal of infrastructure before it gets too popular.

Ed Saper ● 1851d

Cleats make pedalling more efficient.  Some of that is down to the very rigid soles of proper cycling shoes as much as the cleats.  You aren't wasting energy flexing or compressing the soles of something like trainers. If you are commuting a good distance, then they can save you a good amount of energy.If they are set up right they also make it a lot easier on your knees as your pedalling action is a lot smoother.  That was the big benefit for me, along with not getting sore feet where the edge of the pedal used to dig into a pair of trainers.  When I used to commute into Central London every day, it did make a big difference when I switched to cleats.You can adjust the tension on the clips, which affects how easy it is to clip in and clip out.  I used to keep mine quite loose so it wasn't too hard to get my feet out.  It's just a matter of thinking a bit ahead when you come to a junction and unclipping one foot.While you do have to be careful clipping out ahead of time, they also have some safety benefits.  For example, you won't find your foot slipping off of a wet pedal if you are clipped in.Here is ROSPA's take on cleats:https://www.rospa.com/media/documents/road-safety/factsheets/cycling-cleats-factsheet.pdfThey don't seem to have a problem with them.

Al Webber ● 1851d

Yes nice photo of Chiswick High Road, with those hundreds of cyclists, I had to stop counting after 3, it was too much for my simple little brain.

PATRICK MULHALL ● 1851d

And again I say.Nice photo of Chiswick High Road, with all those hundreds of cyclists, I had to stop counting after 3, as my simple little brain couldn't count no further.And if you have cleats, shouldn't you see a doctor, they must have some cream you can rub on it. We don't want to spread that around Chiswick

PATRICK MULHALL ● 1851d

Besides suggesting banning cycling, which is very clearly a joke, but cycle zealots often seem to lack a sense of humour. You will im sure, as you follow me so closely, see that I say far MORE OFTEN  that I have no problem with cyclists. Law abiding polite cyclists but you choose too omiti that fact. It was explained and I also read that cleats are a reason that cyclists don’t always like to stop. They can also cause cyclists to fall over. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to question the overall safety of them for every day cycling.

Maggie Dodge ● 1851d

And as for high heels.....

Rob Reynolds ● 1851d

Now now Ed. We all know that Chiswick's most vocal and committed opponents of safe cycling do support cycling. Just not on the pavement, or the road, or not wearing a helmet, or wearing Lycra, or with cleats, or stealing road space. or with kids on busy roads or in cycle lanes, or removing parking, or making drivers wait longer at lights, or not in parks, or in parks.We all know that something needs to be done about road safety, pollution and climate change but cyclists need to compromise.

Paul Campbell ● 1851d

Maggie it's not the cleats that makes some cyclists fall over, it's the demon, drink.

PATRICK MULHALL ● 1851d

Great picture Paul. And there’ll be as many people on bikes/scooter (taking up that tiny space) as there are in those cars queued behind the bus.

Michael Pollitt ● 1851d

Well Maggie, while you do sometimes say you have no problem with cyclists, that does have be balanced with you spending every waking hour slagging them off and actually using the term "cyclist" as an insult!"I love that Ed is dictating how we shop. Completely inappropriate, but it’s what cyclists do."There really seems to be quite an overlap in your mind between cyclists, the cycle lobby and cycle zealots:"Hopefully the stranglehold the cycling lobby have will be exposed and done with. I won't vote for anyone in any election who admits to being a cyclist. It's becoming a dirty word.""The cycle lobby’s have taken over everything and we have important information being hidden and people gagged !""Ed Saper, do you think It’s acceptable for us to be ruled by cycle zealots?"They wouldn’t know the truth if it came up and but their Lycra clad bottoms""Can’t trust the dirty zealot brigade"I don't believe you when you say that you have no problem with cyclists*.  I think you just throw that in occasionally to justify your invective.  *Which is just the sort of thing a dirty zealot cyclist would say! That's a joke Maggie - and I'm sure everything I've quoted you on above was also meant in good humour :-)

Ed Saper ● 1851d

When you say something is clearly a joke but follow it up by using the term "cycling zealots" which clearly demonstrates you are in the "car lobby" and "anti cycling" camps.

Nora Watkins ● 1851d

I like to distinguish between cyclists, who I have no problem with, and cycle zealots and the cycle lobby who seek to get rid of cars and parking spaces from as many roads as they can, regardless of need or disability..  That never changes . I’m not sure I recognise all the quotes but what a sad lot you zealots are being able to quote me like that.  I refer to dirty tricks a lot which I think is fair when using flawed data and influencing consultations in an unacceptable manner which are your kind of tactics. Many OneChiswick supporters are cyclists and lovely people so I can confirm I don’t have a problem with cyclists. I know me better than you do I just don’t stalk me like you do and think you’re an expert in me. It’s not heathy to be so interested in what I say.

Maggie Dodge ● 1851d

Nora, before I take a break from here. Do you understand that I deliberately try to distinguish between everyday cyclists, many of whom don’t like the cycle lane and LTNs,-I use zealots in relation to anti car cyclists, who think you can have a three piece suite delivered on a cargo bike. Therefore my use of the z word is for a very specific reason. I’m sorry you struggle to get the point. If you’re can’t also get the point “ban cycling” was an off the cuff joke, I apologise for upsetting you. I do not have a problem with cyclists. Many anti car people like Paul are drivers. I think that’s much less honest.

Maggie Dodge ● 1850d

I have posted our cycling experience separately before I saw this thread.

Alina Dansord ● 1850d

Maggie, you called me a "Cycling zealot". I don't own a bike or a car for that matter.

Carl Wynne ● 1850d