(When commenting on social media.)

When when the topic of  cycling appears in social media, whether discussing closes passes or the change in the Highway Code, there are always comments from people who appear to wholeheartedly hate cyclists, for no good reason, other than they seem to dislike the existence of cyclists. The same comments always appear.

Let’s deconstruct the comments:

“Cyclists do not pay road tax”. 

Actually no one pays road tax. Car owners pay vehicle excise duty. All tax payers pay for the roads whether they have a car or not. So maybe non car owners should pay less tax?

“Cyclists are not obliged to have insurance”.

True, but the amount of damage caused by cyclist in an accident is tiny compared with a car or lorry. Cycle U.K. membership includes third party insurance.

 “Cyclists are always breaking the rules – running red lights, cycling on pavements etc”

This is often cited in the discussion of close passes. But how does rule breaking by a minority of cyclists justify treating all cyclists badly. This is victim blaming. Ironically a greater proportion of drivers break rules than cyclists, just look at the routine breaking of speed limits. Have a look at https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2019/05/10/cyclists-break-far-fewer-road-rules-than-motorists-finds-new-video-study/?sh=d5e36564bfaa.

There is further irony in the discussion of close passes, to avoid close passes ride on the pavement, one of the things cycle haters complain about. Treat cyclists with respect and they will ride on the road.

The vulnerability of cyclists means it is in their interest to follow the road rules, jumping red lights will speed up an untimely end.

“Cyclists get in way / don’t move out of the way on single track roads / hold up traffic”

Cyclists have as much right to be on the road as other vehicles, motorists don’t feel so entitled. The amount of time a car is held up is seconds and certainly does not justify an angry shake of the fist. Ideally we are all polite and nice to each other and most cyclists are polite and nice, and will move out of the way when they can. Don’t forget the cyclists can’t always hear you with wind in their ears. Be patient, wait until it is safe and pass.

“Cyclists wear dark clothing / cycle in the dark with no lights  and are difficult to see”

Yes this does happen, but not a good idea for the cyclists. This is a bit of victim blaming. Strangely even when wearing a bright yellow jacket and having flashing lights I still get close passes.

“Cyclists don’t use the cycle paths provided and block up the roads”

There is no legal obligation for cyclists to use cycle paths. Unfortunately many cycle paths in U.K. are poorly designed, not kept clean and are dangerous. The cyclists has to give way at every side road. Sometimes the route is shared with pedestrians and is too narrow. Some routes require frequent re-entries to the road, which both produces delays and is dangerous.

“Cyclists produce congestion increasing pollution”

The best way to totally remove the pollution is to remove the motorised vehicles. This would also remove the congestion as cycles take up far less space than cars. Ok, although this is totally sound in its logic, it will be seen as extreme. But even when retaining the presence of motorised vehicles, each time a large vehicle is replaced by a cycle space is freed up. And this is true both with shared road space and putting in cycle lanes. More cycles, better flow of traffic, less pollution.

In the specific incidence of complaints about ambulances being held up by congestion “due to cycle lanes”, this rather misses the point. It is the motorised vehicles causing the issue not the cyclists. Again a bit of blaming the minority. Remove the cars and lorries and the roads will instantly clear.

So drivers stop being a jerk, with your knee jerk reaction and get on a bike, be nice.