I Want to Ride my Bicycle

I want to ride it where I like

A story broke recently that Lord Winston shouted at a woman for cycling on a pavement in London.  The woman then shouted abuse back, then stopped, got off her bike, and attacked the 78-year-old peer, kicking her repeatedly while continuing to abuse him verbally.  Lord Winston is now calling for cyclists to carry license numbers, like cars, so that they can be identified.

It was indeed a disgusting and odious attack on an elderly man, but there are some other matters to consider here.

Firstly, when the woman got off her bike, she was no longer a cyclist but a pedestrian.  Had this individual been walking down the street and got into an argument with Lord Winston about anything else, then the likelihood is the outcome would have been exactly the same.  The woman is without a doubt a thuggish moron, and I do hope that police apprehended her soon.

Secondly, another cyclist who saw the incident stopped to ask Lord Winston if he was all right, and then gave a statement to police.  Whilst Lord Winston is busy castigating all cyclists – as many people do – he is playing down the fact that it is a cyclist who came to his aid, and helped the police.

Thirdly, and this may surprise many, contrary to popular belief it is not illegal to cycle on pavements.  It is certainly an antisocial practice, and one that I personally frown upon, but there is and never has been anything in law to stop cyclists from cycling on pavements.

When this story was being debated on LBC Radio, it attracted the usual uninformed motorists mouthing off, thinking they are sure of their facts, when they actually could not be more mistaken.

Chief among these was the old war cry that cyclists should pay Road Tax (actually irrelevant to the story, as the cyclist was on a pavement), with the usual “It’s my road.  I paid for it.”

Let’s put this one to bed once and for all.  You do not pay Road Tax.  You have never paid Road Tax, or if you have, then you are so old then your ability to drive should immediately be called into question.  Why?  Because Road Tax as abolished in 1937.

What motorists call “Road Tax” is actually Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), and it is not even ring fenced for road building and maintenance.  The UK government ran a Road Tax from 1888 to 1937, which was indeed hypothecated (ring fenced) to build up the road network, in the light of the advent of the motor car.  However, in 1937 hypothecation ended, and road building and maintenance was largely passed to local authorities, who maintain that responsibility to this day.  The “Road Tax” thereafter became part of consolidated tax; that is general taxation, which goes directly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, to spend on whatsoever he sees fit.

In the modern age, VED is based upon vehicle emissions; the more emissions making more environmental damage determining what level of duty the vehicle owner must pay.  Given the amount of emissions which cyclists emit which harm the environment, just exactly what percentage of fuck all would the government like us to pay?

Stirlingshire / Perthshire boundary

As I said above, road building and maintenance is largely the responsibility of local authorities, and is financed out of Council Tax, which we all pay.  This is why when you pass from one local authority area to another, you may notice a change in the road covering, due to differing councils having different road coverings, and times when they are resurfaced.  This also means of course that when a motorist passes out of their own local authority area, they are not on “their roads that they paid for”, but on someone else’s roads that they paid for.  It also means that within my local authority area they are also my roads, and as such I’ll do whatever I want with them – including cycling on them.

I did say that roads are mostly financed from Council Tax, and indeed there are a small number of roads which are funded from central government.  In England these are motorways, some major bypasses, and some road bridges.  And what else do all these have in common?  Cyclists are not allowed on them due to the high speeds and high volumes of road traffic; quite rightly in my opinion.  In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, motorways, major bypasses and some road bridges are funded by the Scottish Government, and the Wales and Northern Ireland assemblies, from the annual block grants which Westminster allots to each.  The City of Edinburgh Bypass and the Queensferry Crossing, for instance, are the responsibility of the Scottish Government, as are all motorways, other major bypasses, and some other road bridges in Scotland.  And again, cyclists cannot use these.

Amidst all the furore we have the complaint of cyclists running red lights.  Yes, some cyclists do.  But not nearly as many as the motorists who do so.   I am not at all making any excuses for cyclists who run through red lights, particularly at pedestrian crossings.  It’s an odious and downright dangerous practice.  However, a 9-10 stone cyclist on a bike of around 30lbs or less is going to do a lot less damage than a car weighing one tonne or more.  In 2016 careless cyclists killed three pedestrians – the only year there have ever been recorded deaths due to collisions with cyclists.  Compare that to the 1,793 people killed on UK roads in 2017, the highest annual total since 2011.  On average, around 1,500 people are killed on UK roads ever year, and nine times out of ten, a motorist is at fault.  Similarly, in over 90% of collisions between motor vehicles and cyclists, the motorist is at fault.

Allied to this was another complaint I heard that cyclists rarely give signals when they are turning.  Again, they should.  But again, like motorists are innocent in this.  There seems to be an increasing trend among motorists who think that their indicators are either an optional extra, or that they should only use them once they have started turning.  Not to mention the clots who change their mind, signal one way, and then turn the other.  I have lost count of the number of times I have almost come a cropper, both on my bike and on foot, due to these very instances.  And do some motorists actually know what some cyclist hand signals have.  I have on more than one occasion put out my right hand, pointing my finger, and made a circular motion, indicating a motorist behind me to overtake, only for them to stay behind me.  Likewise, at junctions I have held my right hand straight up, indicating I’m going straight ahead, only to be cut up by motorists who thought I was turning.  I know the Highway Code, guys.  I suggest you try reading it.

"Cyclists shouldn't be on the pavements,
they should stick to their own cycle lanes!"

Why don’t we use cycle paths when they are provided?  Well, if they are on-road cycle lanes, we will use them – if we can.  But often we cannot, because there are cars parked at the roadside right over them, which means we have to ride “high side” to get past them.  Similarly, in city centres we have to make allowances on on-road cycleways for delivery vehicles and taxis picking up or setting down parked across them.

As to off-road cycleways, they are not always convenient to get where you need to go, but even when they are, they can present their own problems.  Another story, which broke on the same day as the assault on Lord Winston, was that of three cyclists in Edinburgh being pushed into the Union Canal as they cycled along the towpath.  Some brain-dead thugs seem to think it’s a laugh to do this.  However, it is downright dangerous, and given that the canal is deep enough to allow boats to pass, it could end in someone’s death.  Similarly, there have been instances of cyclists being “bikejacked” on off-road paths; forced off their bikes and having them stolen from them.  This can be a particular problem on some disused railway paths with tunnels.  Some idiots also think it is funny to tie string across off-road paths, and this has caused more than a few injuries in one area of Edinburgh.   Then there is the problem of idiots driving motorbikes, and even cars, on off-road paths.  I have personally witnessed both of the latter.  Littering and fly-tipping can be a huge problem in some areas.  I have on more than one occasion had to repair punctures due to going over broken glass on the same path, and am always wary in that area.  And I’d like to know why fly-tippers think that old railway cuttings are a municipal dump.  Not only do I often have to perform a chicane around rubbish, one time I was almost hit by an old fridge some moron had just launched down a cutting.  And who’s doing the fly-tipping?  People in fucking cars and vans, that’s who.  We’ll start using the paths when you stop illegally dumping your shit on them.

The simple fact is that cyclists are vulnerable on some paths, and not all of them are lit, which makes them even more vulnerable.  But even when there are no such dangers, many paths are not properly maintained by the local authority responsible.  I have seen paths that have fallen away at one side, or which have deep ruts in them due to rill and gully erosion.  You motorists bemoan potholes?  You have no idea how lucky you are.  How do you fancy being on two wheels on a path that is falling away to one side?  Then there are some paths which are prone to flooding, which the local council does nothing to address, or the entire path is simply inadequate for cyclists.  A prime example of this is the stretch between Pencaitland and Saltoun on the Pencait Railway Path in East Lothian; a disused railway line which once went to Gifford.  On the particular stretch I mentioned, all that has been done is the track has been lifted and the railway ballast removed.  However, the path, now dirt and cinder, has never been smoothed to remove the indentations left by the railway sleepers, making for a somewhat bumpy ride.  Here’s the laugh – the Pencait Railway Path is advertised as suitable for wheelchair users.

As for shared pavement cycle lanes, they present their own particular problems.  Often they are too narrow, there is too much ‘street furniture’ on them, people put things out for refuse collection right on top of them, motorists half or even fully park on them, but the biggest problem is actually sharing them with pedestrians.  Even when a shared pavement cycle lane is clearly lined out, with cycle and pedestrian logos in those lanes, and with signs indicating the division, it is inevitable that you will still get pedestrians who meander over the line, into the cycle lane, and often right into the path of cyclists.  And it is not the first time I have encountered this, and got a mouthful of abuse from the pedestrian who is clearly in the wrong, including being told, “You shouldn’t be on the pavement.”

I will admit that there does appear to have been an increase in inconsiderate cyclists.  I put this down to a few factors.  Firstly we do not have cycling proficiency taught in many schools nowadays.  I well remember the police coming to my primary school to teach us how to cycle safely and courteously, as well as testing our bikes for roadworthiness, and teaching us basic cycle maintenance.  That there has been a downturn in such lessons has undoubtedly led to people with no idea of the Highway Code, or how to behave properly on a bike.  Secondly we have people who have maybe never cycled since they were a kid, getting on a bike, and having no idea about considerate cycling.  Thirdly, due to higher volumes of traffic, there are more and more cyclists feel safer on the pavements.  Fourthly, there are too many people nowadays who are just plain mean and rude.  This final point is not exclusive to the roads.  The world nowadays appear to be full of arrogant, ill-manned, abusive shithouses, who think that ‘freedom of speech’ means being as fucking rude to others as possible.  A scroll through Facebook or Twitter any day confirms this.  Oh, and motorists – and pedestrians – are no slouches at being such assholes either.

Therefore, I am in no way attempting to defend inconsiderate cyclists, nor would I ever do so.  Indeed, I am probably angrier than anyone with them, because it is careful, considerate cyclists like myself who bear the brunt for their misdeeds.  Just as it is good drivers who often take the blame for the actions of those you would not entrust behind the wheel of a pedal car.

Many people have to take the blame here, and keep a few things in mind when out and about.

Cyclists:  Be considerate to other road users at all times.  Be aware of traffic and pedestrians at all time, and that includes looking back every few minutes to see what’s coming behind you.  Do not run red – or even amber – lights.  Both mean stop, so you stop.  No ifs, buts, or maybes.  If you don’t have one already, fit a bell on your bike.  It’s a lot more considerate than shouting at people to get out of the way, and sounded a little distance off allows pedestrians time to move.  Oh, and say “Thank you.” as you go past.  Good manners cost nothing.  Likewise, make sure you have lights and a rear reflector on your bike, and keep them well maintained and clean.  There’s no law saying you have to wear a hi-viz vest and a helmet, but I would strongly recommend them, particularly when cycling on roads.

Most of all, unless they have a shared cycle lane, get off the bloody pavements.  It may not be illegal, but it really is inconsiderate, dangerous to pedestrians, and a downright bloody nuisance.  I have been cycling on roads since I was 12 years old, and now in my 50s, I still don’t have a problem doing so.  If you are wary about using the roads, check with local cycle shops, cycling groups, or your local council about cycling courses.  Many cities now offer such.

Motorists;  Give cyclists room.  The Highway Code expressly states that you should give a cyclist the same space as you would afford a saloon car.  Please abide by this, as there may be times cyclists have to swerve round cars, drain covers, potholes, etc.  Do not pen cyclists into the left of the road, and do not overtake them then suddenly perform a sharp left.  Please do not park in cycle lanes; they are not there for you, and while we’re about it, stay off the bloody pavements.  Give cyclists time as well.  You can maybe accelerate away quickly, we cannot.  See those little orange lights back and rear of your car?  Those are indicators.  Please use them well before you intend to turn, to give cyclists, pedestrians, and other road users advance notice of your intentions.  And please, acquaint yourself with the Highway Code, particularly the sections on cyclists, pedestrians – and someone else I have not yet mentioned here – horse riders.  You may be surprised to discover that you do not know it as well as you think you do.

Pedestrians;  Do not suddenly step out into the road.  Stop, look, and listen.  This should go without saying.  Be particularly aware of cyclists, and remember that we are silent, so if you step out without due care and attention, we can be on top of you before you know what is happening.  This is particularly important for people with babies or toddlers in push chairs.  I still recall the day a woman pushed a pushchair out off the kerb without looking, and it was only my quick reactions, swerving around at the last moment, which averted me potentially killing a child.   When there is a shared pavement cycle lane, please stay to your own half – which is usually on the inside (as it should be), and remember that we cyclists are there quite legally.  If you must cross the road, look both ways before crossing the cycle lane.

Cyclists, motorists, public transport drivers and users, pedestrians, we are all really doing the same thing; trying to get from one place to another.  If we all show each other respect and consideration, and exercise care and awareness, then we can all get there without incident, and a lot happier to boot.