A fairly balanced and sensible piece about the cycle wars.
We are all road users. Some, like me, for example, use a range of modes of transport – I am a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist and motorist, so belong to no one tribe. I am scathing about motorcyclists who take stupid risks and then blame the motorist who was unable to avoid their folly, just as I am about the cyclist who assumes arrogantly that motorists are all homicidal maniacs intent upon breaking the law while themselves riding in a fashion that makes no allowance for other road users:
I saw one guy sail blithely out into the intersection and then raise his hand indignantly towards a blameless motorist who happened to be in his way.
I’ve seen a few of those in my time – from all road user groups.
The thing is; the Highway Code is a manual intended for all road users and we all have a responsibility to use the road in a safe manner with due consideration for other road users. It’s a simple enough concept.
That much of our road infrastructure has been designed by cretins is another matter. Shared space and a bonfire of the road signs and traffic lights would go some way to alleviating those problems…
A wise man explained the Rules of the Sea to me years ago. The Rules of the Sea is a text of the responsibilities of a ship captain, with endless lists of rules: starboard tack has right of way, except when entering a port, but power vessels should yield to those under sail, except those over 200 feet in beam . . . on and on. Hundreds of pages.
At the head of all the rules it says: Avoid collision.
When it comes to the state, I say stand on your rights and don’t ever budge. Ever. Getting along on the roads (or seaways) means: don’t stand on your rights – avoid collision.
The article was balanced and sensible but the comments below it were a bit of a mixed bag.