General Discussion
Message to traffic police: get down to Exeter road and give all the cars that are parked on the cycle paths a fine please!
As both a cyclist and a pedestrian I believe that the combined cycle and pedestrian paths are simply unworkable. The only thing I can think is that the people who make these decisions have probably never walked or cycled in their entire life.
I am fed up with irate cyclists telling me to get out the way and keep my dog on a lead. Also, when crossing the bridge the other day a cyclist behind me asked me and my partner to excuse him (i.e. get out of his way) and there was clearly no room for him to pass as other people were walking towards us on the other side. I had to bite my lip to stop me exploding.
The idea of paths from Dawlish to Exeter is a great idea, but the cycle and pedestrian paths need to be separated. I know there is a white line that attempts to separate the 2 in places but this is not good enough. The 2 should be on other sides of the canal, for example.
How about turning this around and fining the stupid cyclists who dont use the paths provided and continue to dice with death on the road.
Until you pay road tax, have an annual safety check on your cycle, and have insurance to cover any third party damaged should you fall off your reched machines, Then you have no right on the roads anyway
Not long till the much needed supermarket opens so the parking problems by Marina shops wont be an issue any more, as its assumed by many that nobody will go there anymore as the prices will be to expensive by comparison.
The reason cyclists still use the roads is because of the problem of pedestrians on cycle paths. Most people do not cycle for leisure - they are either going to or from work, training or trying to get somewhere quickly.
There is nothing more annoying to a cyclist than having to keep breaking. Anyone who cycles understands this.
It won't be long before there is a serious accident because of this problem.
I say ditch the bike and start investing in teleportation technology. If that sounds far fetched, then I suggest you could always try walking or using the marvellous public transport system.
Anyone here wanting to propose to the council about a new Dawlish tramline, it could be done nice and cheaply and would also be a boon to the tourism trade.
As for breaking being an annoying inconvenience, I suggest you get in your car and see it from the other point of view. Cyclists seem to think they own the road, however, they pay no road tax, they do not need an MOT, they often ride in front of my large V8 4 by 4 thundertruck without looking, AND, If they should get hit, guess who gets the blame. Irresponsible riding should attract a heavy fine or TAX, that would sort out the real cyclists out their. Maybe you should all get a road license and have to take a test to make sure both the bike and the cyclist are road worthy.
Cyclists seem to always quote the green argument, but most of them also have a car, so this just validates my point of view that they are as guilty as the rest of us for poluting the environment.
So instead of moaning about the problem, why not make a constructive suggestion and do something about it. Sitting in your armchair lobbing moans at everyone who does agree with you is a waste of breath.
This may be handy info > http://www.devon.gov.uk/parking_on_pavements?nocache=7948
Seen cars parked on the pavement blocking the path all day and nightst!
@SteveJ, what's with all this swearing?
Are you against responsible cyclists, or do you just have a downer on Motorists? We already pay four fold for the roads you so clearly think you have an absolute right to ride on.
No one is saying that inappropriate parking is not a major problem, hell inconsiderate attitudes are not the exclusive domain of motorists either, but some cyclists sometimes act like they have a right to ride irresponsibly. You even bizarely mention that most people don't cycle for pleasure, they only seem to do it for work, training or going somewhere quickly. What planet do you live on, kids don't do it for any of those reasons you suggest, they ENJOY it and it is mainly their only means of wheeled transport. Further more if I want to get somewhere really quickly I get in my car and drive.
I also posed the question regarding cyclists having to take a license to use the public highways, but you seemed to take umbridge with that angle and shoot off into the weeds.
Think about answering the questions next time, before you fire off insults. If you don't think some of it is relevant, then ignore it.
some last questions for you, why is breaking such an annoyance? Do you ride at a constant speed from start to finish? do you not stop for pedestrains? What would you do in an ideal world? I guess traffic lights must be a real pig for you, along with road junctions, roundabouts, zebra crossings, train crossings, or anything else that gets in your way...
Chill out SteveJ and have a nice drink at your local cafe, whilst you wait for the traffic to ease.
Wtf are you on about MrAngry? First teleportation and tramlines, now something about planets and kids?
When I am not cycling or walking, I am driving my car so I already pay to use the roads not that that has any relevance to my original post in the same way that none of your posts seem to either, which was about the problem of combining pedestrians and cyclists into single pathways and the same goes with combining cyclists and cars.
My argument and point was that we need separate roads for these different methods of travel, but you seemed to have missed the point completely.
Nothing really to do with this argument but my main worry is how close cyclists are to each other at times. It only takes the one in front to brake suddenly and they'd be all over the road with cars struggling not to hit them.
I'm all for cycle paths shared with pedestrians/cyclists. Anyone not walking directly on the road has to be safer. With a bit of respect for each other (and, dare I suggest, a smile) it works well. Pedestrians need to be aware of cyclists and cyclists need to start using their bells rather than whizzing past and frightening people!
Looking forward to the cycle lane through Cockwood/Dawlish W being finished (September?) as a pedestrian and not a cyclist. Its looking great already.