F***ing cyclist should not be on the road

This morning I was reading a posting on social Media about Cheshire Police successfully prosecuting drivers for dangerous driving in relation to cycles.
Whilst I applauded such action I was extremely troubled by some of the reactive comments from motorists to it.

Some were apoplectic, expressing such bile and vitriol that hinted at temporary pshycosis and clearly warranted some serious intervention.
It was certainly clear that they never went to Sunday school.
I usually avoid such debates as most of the commentators are so polarised that you are only inviting personal abuse.
The lack of reaction on my part, despite being angered took patience and consideration, qualities that are at the crux of these type of debates

Driving your car is not dissimilar to being in your lounge at home watching Television.
You are comfortably sat in your own private world.
You are cocooned and detached.
You can control your temperature and internal environment at the touch of a button.
You can make and receive calls anywhere in the world.
You can eat and drink and if you're really daring update your social media status or apply your lipstick.
You are in control
I repeat - you are in control
The steering wheel is like your TV remote.

Suddenly a driver cuts you up, the lights turn red or god forbid you are slowed down by a group of cyclists.

Metaphorically somebody has just snatched the TV remote from you.
They have taken away your control, invaded your life...........how dare they!!!!!!

You slam the wheel with your hands, sound the horn, rev your engine shout and swear.

All the things that you might do in the privacy of your own home if something moves or angers you.
Why shouldn't you?

Would you act like in your local, supermarket or workplace?

Continuing your journey there might be a small child playing by the kerbside.
It's the equivalent of the baby monitor going off.

Even the most cynical and irresponsible drivers would react, especially those with children themselves.
The paternal DNA within all of us naturally triggers an alarm inside us.
Without a thought we might change our speed or course until we have passed.

Once that child grows up, buys a bike and rides on the road the danger may be similar - but attitude is different.

Using a different scenario - Your daughter and her friends have gone out for a cycle ride and you are meeting her at a country pub for lunch. As you wind down the country roads you come across a group of cyclist ahead of you.
Suspecting or believing that it might be your daughter or one of her friends you instinctively slow down become patient and use consideration.
As you pass you realise its not your daughter but the group smile at your consideration and you exchange the wave of a hand.

Although we are still in our cocoon we have opened our window to the outside world.

We rarely know who that cyclists is ahead of us and may never know unless we knock them over, kill or injure them.
When we find out that they are our colleagues mother or daughters friend.
 They are no longer a faceless object by the side of the road who are trying to snatch your TV remote.

They are just wanting to ride home to get cosy in front of the TV

Night Vision

After returning back from America I have started commuting again and intend to cycle as many days as I can during the winter.

However with dark mornings and nights, to accompany worsening weather conditions the risk through cycling increases dramatically.

During the summer drivers would expect to see cyclists on warm sunny days,but not around a bend in pitch black at six o clock in the morning in November !!!!!

It is a known fact that most accidents involving vehicles happen when the owner is within a mile of home. This is mainly because they know the area so well that they relax, subconsciously lowering their level of concentration.

For commuter drivers this is even worse.

Completing the same journey each day, drivers are often in auto pilot, knowing each bend, landmark and the exact times they arrive at certain points on their respective journeys.

If commuter drivers are delayed by natures forces ie: iced up windows and roads, condensation through damp weather it does not mean that their concentration level will increase.

It is often the opposite. They may become frustrated at the delay and often take risks to claw back time lost. They are even prepared to drive for a short time with limited visibility.

If a driver is trying to peer through a frosted porthole in the middle of his windscreen, whilst drinking coffee, sending messages on a blackberry and adjusting attire, the increased risk to cyclists tenfold.

As drivers become less aware of the presence of cyclists during the winter months, moaning about it does not keep you safe.

As I arrived at work the other morning I was greeted by chuckles at my illuminated arrival.

I currently have a fluorescent jacket, fluorescent rucksack, lights to front and read of helmet, lights to front of bike, rear lights on ruck sack and rear lights on back of bike.

The comments I received filled me with great satisfaction. 'You look like a Christmas Tree', 'They would certainly see you coming' ..........Its exactly what I wanted to hear.

A lot of truckers get very bad press from cyclists, not from me.

Generally they are professional drivers and without the ability to hold a Licence they can not earn a living. Although they may see cyclist as a hindrance to their urban progress, I genuinely believe that most are respectful and considerate.

The same can not always be said about cyclists in how they interact with such vehicles.

I think this is mainly due to ignorance and lack of perspective.

I have attached a film clip which may help.

Be safe out there

Be Careful out there