definitely
The lone inconsiderate twunt on the bike preventing anyone travelling at speed due to not being able to safely overtake him. He should be on the cycle path. Its what its for! Its not difficult to understand.
(andythepieman Is surfing the waves of indifference on, Wed 28 Jul 2010, 12:08, 2 replies)

Fair enough
but cyclists don't *have* to use the cycle lanes, they are entitled to use the roads. Sometimes what looks like a good cycle lane from a motorist's POV is dangerous to a cyclist (e.g. full of potholes and street furniture)

This one does sound like a twunt though, if he/she is deliberately holding up traffic. Surprised they haven't been road-raged.
(Dr Skagra glorious glargzhem, Wed 28 Jul 2010, 20:43, closed)

Maybe
Although this cyclist does sound pretty inconsiderate (or possibly just massively unaware) motorists need to be reminded that it is not their inalienable right to drive everywhere at (or above) the speed limit. I know it's really frustrating and I get annoyed about it when I'm in a car but you just have to deal with it.

The British road network is designed very heavily in favour of cars and the token efforts made to cater for the growing number of cyclists are generally woeful. As Dr Skagra says cycle lanes are sometimes more of a danger than a benefit and should be ignored if using the road is safer.

I also reckon that in almost all cases the cyclist is at more risk than anyone else on the road and it's often a good idea for them to cycle defensively, even if it does slow up some other road users. These could be offered as a partial defense for gibbleh's RLJ, but on balance I still think he shouldn't do it.
(flimflam_machine, Thu 29 Jul 2010, 13:14, closed)

Clarification
The cycle path in question and indeed the road run through an area which is effect a large industrial estate in Sheffield. (The one that passes the airport for those in the know) It is relatively new very wide and is a combined cyclepath and footpath that sees next to no foot traffic. It is completely unobstructed and a clear run straight to the parkway. This gentleman IS just a complete ass hat
(andythepieman Is surfing the waves of indifference on, Thu 29 Jul 2010, 13:45, closed)

Fair enough.
I can easily believe that a cyclist is an asshat as much as anyone else.

My experience of cycling among traffic is mainly in London. On those roads, if you cycle in the middle of the lane to avoid potholes, pedestrians, parked car doors etc. motorists will speed past you with their foot to the floor only to have to slam on their brakes at the red light 100m down the road (where you invariable cycle past them to wait in the cycle area). A lot of motorists seem to be absolutely determined to reach the maximum speed possible in each short stretch of road and to treat every other road user as a challenge to be overtaken. This is asshattery of the highest order because it puts other road users at risk and, at best, shaves a few seconds off their journey time because they are invariably held back by red lights. On more open roads I understand that a desire to overtake is more justified.
(flimflam_machine, Thu 29 Jul 2010, 17:01, closed)