When cyclists are a topic on social media there are always those shouting their condemnation because all cyclists are law breakers, according to them. But does this stack up?
Anecdotally, on my commute to work I see no cyclists breaking the law but I see plenty of drivers breaking the law, either contravening the double white lines or speeding.
If you look online there are plenty of studies showing drivers break the law, in their respective countries, far more often than cyclists, so why is there this apparently unwarranted demonisation of cyclists? Probably because when cyclists break the law, usually by running a red light, they are visible.
Speeding drivers are less obvious and there appears to an acceptance among a large minority that this is ok, to an extent that many complain about speed cameras, “it’s a money earner”. It’s actually easy to avoid being caught by a speed camera, don’t speed.
Drivers of vehicles cause far more damage when they have a collision than a cyclist, they are far heavier and far faster. Non compliance with the law by drivers is far more consequential.
When I have cycled through London, I have wondered why cyclists jump lights 🚦, a bad idea as this could end in death. Cycling between Euston and Padding, I add 25% time wise to the journey waiting at traffic lights. However I am still faster than the motorised vehicles.
It appears that both cyclists and motorists have impatience in common.
Cyclists are an easy target. Mostly harmless, mostly law abiding, but a minority. This is what is known as prejudice.
Car drivers moaning about cyclists feel free to keep complaining if you have never contravened the law while driving, otherwise be quiet.
The sound of silence!
It is Bike Week 2025. https://www.cyclinguk.org/bikeweek.
There are a lot of misconceptions out there. This bike week I thought that I would address a few of them.
Insight 