Cyclists angry over 'ignorant' drivers after spate of incidents
A CYCLING couple has called for more help for bikers as they suffer at the hands of 'ignorant' drivers.
Annika Longthorpe, 33, from Torquay says she has repeatedly suffered at the hands of bad motorists when riding her bike.
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Her and her partner Martin Burrows, who is a cycling instructor, say more needs to be done to help cyclists in Torbay.
She said there have been a number of incidents that make her nervous when out using the roads. She said recently she has been verbally abused by a driver when she pulled in to let him pass on a back lane.
She added: "I was out riding my bike two weeks ago with my partner, along the back road from Newton Abbot to Torquay. The road was straight and clear and both of us were in fluorescent clothing so we were highly visible. A van drove past us very close and sounded the horn as loud as possible, clearly with the intention of scaring us.
"There was no reason for this irresponsible anti-social behaviour."
She continued: "On the same day we were cycling merrily along a cycle path beside The Avenue in Newton Abbot and a car was parked on the off-road cycle path with the driver on his mobile. He was oblivious that we were on the path."
Annika said she is now so concerned for her safety when riding on the road she will not go out unless accompanied by her partner.
"With the Government and British Cycling promoting cycling with Bikeability — cycling proficiency — and other health initiatives, how are people meant ride safely on the roads when drivers aren't helping the situation?
"It's bad enough trying to avoid all the pot holes in the roads without having to dodge irresponsible anti-social drivers.
"These ignorant drivers seem to think they have more right to be on the road than anyone else," she said.
Annika said there isn't enough being done to make the roads safe for cyclists.
"It is a big contradiction with the government telling us to ride bikes more, but we can't do it because motorists are not helping."
9 Comments
by ShakesHeadinDisbelief, Paignton
Monday, February 22 2010, 8:32AM
“Oh dear.................................
I think it is best now to leave readers to judge you, and your grasp of reality, on your last comment.”
by PR not PC, Paignton
Sunday, February 21 2010, 9:55PM
“No you misunderstood, i'm saying motorists tell cyclists they don't belong on the road and to get on the pavement. Showing the motorists involved haven't got a clue what they are talking about.
Yes i do not classify all cycle users as cyclists in the same way i don't classify certain drivers as motorists. Or are we not allowed to think for ourselves any more.
I suppose you classify children in the sea on rubber rings as sailors!”
by ShakesHeadinDisbelief, Paignton
Sunday, February 21 2010, 11:26AM
“60 ¿Of course only an idiot wouldn't have lights at night¿ ¿ There seem to be a lot of idiots on bikes at night (mainly younger ones, admittedly, but not exclusively)
64 ¿Tell certain motorists that they love shouting get on the pavement to cyclists¿ - and if you were told to jump off Berry Head, are you saying you would? Do cyclists not have free thought?
66 ¿Works both ways¿ ¿ I agree entirely
71 ¿Again works both ways¿ ¿ very, very small percentage of car drivers against a significantly higher percentage of cyclists
¿If you classify anyone on a bicycle as a cyclist, then i presume you classify drunken drivers, boy racers and joyriders as motorists¿? ¿ How can someone on a bike not be a cyclist, in the same way as how can someone in a car not be a motorist?
You seem to be creating different classes of cyclist ¿ and saying that BMX riding teenagers who have no lights on at night, ride on the pavements and show no regard for pedestrians or other road users are not true cyclists and therefore should not be included in this debate.
Using the same system for classifying motorists, then it could be argued that inconsiderate, selfish and dangerous car drivers need not be classified as motorists.
If that is the case, we end up with ¿proper cyclists¿ (by your classification) criticising ¿proper motorists¿ (applying the same filtering) for doing nothing wrong, as the implication is that they are both whiter than white!
The points made in my first comment were in response to your biased first comment to provide a balance ¿ generalising and criticising cyclists in the same way you generalised and criticised car drivers. Both Gary and Sarah (Car Drivers) were happy to acknowledge a balanced viewpoint that there are good and bad in both camps, while yourself, Sharon and Annika seem to have a blinkered view of only seeing motorists as inconsiderate monsters!”
by PR not PC, Paignton
Sunday, February 21 2010, 8:49AM
“60 Of course only an idiot wouldn't have lights at night
64 Tell certain motorists that they love shouting get on the pavement to cyclists
66 Works both ways
71 Again works both ways
If you classify anyone on a bicycle as a cyclist, then i presume you classify drunken drivers, boy racers and joyriders as motorists?”
by ShakesHeadinDisbelief, Paignton
Saturday, February 20 2010, 11:36AM
“PR not PC, Paignton - in the interests of balance (further extracts from the Highway Code):
60 - At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector
64 - You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
66 - You should be considerate of other road users
71 - You MUST NOT cross the stop line when the traffic lights are red.
Wouldn't it be nice to see the above actually obeyed in the UK”
by PR not PC, Paignton
Saturday, February 20 2010, 12:43AM
“Garry, not a contravention inconsiderate maybe. The problem is drivers don't own the road and a little more consideration is needed to other road users.
163
Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so. You should
not get too close to the vehicle you intend to overtake
212
When passing motorcyclists and cyclists, give them plenty of room (see Rules 162-167). If they look over their shoulder it could mean that they intend to pull out, turn right or change direction. Give them time and space to do so.
213
Motorcyclists and cyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven road surfaces and obstacles such as drain covers or oily, wet or icy patches on the road. Give them plenty of room and pay particular attention to any sudden change of direction they may have to make.
Wouldn't it be nice to see the above actually obeyed in the UK”
by Garry, Brixham
Friday, February 19 2010, 6:02PM
“Sarah is absolutely right regarding there being both bad drivers and cyclists, just as there are good. I too regularly see people riding cycles with no reflective wear or lighting. As a motorist, I am fully minded of cyclists and their inherent vulnerability. However, the article detail points to thepossibility that the rider and her partner were riding abreast of each other (a highway code contravention, and dangerous) which would certainly explain the van driver's gesture when passing (possibly having been held up on a rarrow road). That being so, I probably would have done exactly the same........”
by Sarah, Paignton
Friday, February 19 2010, 4:34PM
“I agree that a lot of drivers are rude but at the same time there are many cyclists on the roads with NO lights NO safety jackets etc I drive around Torbay during day for my work its a nightmare. I understand how the more responsible cyclists feel as I rode a moped tillI was knocked of by a complete muppet who could not see me despite my bright yellow jacket and my lights on. Cyclists need to have to be able to pass a test before they are let on a road. And as for drivers yes we all need to update our skills. But as everything goes there are good and bad on both sides and as usual some silly cyclists give the good ones a bad name as do drivers.”
by sharon, Torquay
Friday, February 19 2010, 11:15AM
“I totally agree, I used to ride my bike 2-3 times to work (fair enough, nothing to do with going green, more with keeping fit) but the motorists are rude and ignorant and don't even see you no matter what you are wearing. I have been nearly knocked off so many times, I have put my bike away for the winter as these months are more treacherous. My route was from Torquay to Paignton and although there are painted cycle lanes in places, this does not stop the cars going over the lines and nearly knocking me off. You then have the ones that pass you, knowing that they have done so and then turn left also nearly knocking you for six, then others that just pull out because they didn't see you, others that pull in too soon because they cannot estimate your speed. I think all motorists, when they take their driving test, should also have an hour on a bike just to see what it is like. Perhaps then they will "learn" to be more careful. I drive too and I always look for bikes. But then, I did learn to drive in Holland, a land full of bikes....... oh and before anyone comments. The driving tests there are tougher, you have to have a minimum of 20 lessons before you can put in for your test. You have to drive on the motorway and they had the theory test long before we did in England. I learned to drive 23 years ago and although born in TQ am so glad I did because they taught me more than I would have been taught here. I have no points and have never had points on my licence, which has been a British one since moving back 10 years ago. I think the Dutch could teach us a few things and not just driving. At least they put their cyclists first.”