Streetlife

I think cycling is great - really do.  What I don't think is great are the cyclists a) on the pavements and b) don't think the rules of the road apply to them.  I don't have a rear view mirror while I am walking along the road so I can't see the cyclists whizzing up behind me and getting more than a tad irate because I am in the %^YU*() way.  Yes - how rude - to walk on the pavement. 

Another thing is I tend to believe that red lights apply to road users .. green men ont he crossings apply to pedestrians.  Didn't think it was red for go for cyclists and green men crossings for get there quicker for cyclists.

No doubt in the minority but hopefully - I will be there.

The cyclists who wear the helmetcam should have it racing the rear so they can see the carnage they leave in their wake ... we have adopted similar - a video camera trained from the vehicle to the kerb.

Sorry - I am not bashing cyclists - think it is marvellous .. I am bashing the inconsiderate/rude/law breaking ones.

Morning Vivian,

It's a public meeting, all views are welcomed. Please do RSVP through the Eventbrite page. I'm really pleased with the line up, and hope there will be a good attendance.

Look forward to discussing how we can progress and improve street conditions for all at the meeting.

Have a good weekend,
Jon

Ian - thanks for organising this discussion and Ive booked my ticket. Vivian i agree with you about pedestrians vs cyclists. You'd be interested in an article in yesterday's Guardian 'like cyclists, pedestrians must find self-righteousness'.

Just came across this blog post, which I think shows how much both cyclists and pedestrians stand to benefit from a safer street environment:

http://thecyclingsilk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/joao-lopes-sentence.html

Jon l ... ALL would be sorted by cyclists by adhering to the rules of the road meant for all users of wheels!  Mechanical or foot powered.  Cyclists stay on the road, the bit meant for wheels - keep themselves safe by following sensible routes and obey the rules of the Highway Code.  Pedestrians can do their bit by carrying a rear view mirror?  Seriously I get so fed up being abused and sworn at by cyclists - Lombard Road - the River Path .. the language from these people is awful at times .. I do not have eyes in my rear end which would be an advantage I suppose lol.

I have doubt my views will be taken seriously - the cyclists I speak to think they have every entitlement to jump red lights - to cross when the green man is showing - to go the wrong way in single direction areas.  But - yes - fates permitting, I will be there.

Vivian,

I regularly cycle the river path and unfortunately your views are very one sided.  In general it is fine and most pedestrians and cyclists are very considerate.  There are however a minority of pedestrians who are rude, do not listen when bells are sounded and seem to feel they have a right to string themselves across the path etc.  The language I have had to put up with by some these pedestrians is outrageous but I accept it is a minority and I am grateful that the majority are well mannered.  
Twice in the last week ladies have stepped onto the road into my path - no apology - it seems its my fault because I am not creating noise polution on the road and that pedestrian have a right to cross the road without looking. Fortunately most cyclists are aware that pedestrians do this without warning and are able to take appropriate action. 
You need to realise that on the whole cycling etc is very positive for all society and it is increasing every year.  Perhaps its time to update your attitude and look at things from a different view occassionally.

Vivian,

I will endeavour to ensure that as many people who attend and would like to raise a point can do so.

As Andy has commented, a bit of mutual understanding of where other people are coming from I think can help us all. Unfortunately there are a minority of people who irrespective of how they travel are rude, and feel entitled to dominate the space they are using.

Too often people driving will pass comments to cyclists that they shouldn't be on the road, that they should pay road tax etc. This intimidation can result in people who cycle despite the conditions riding on the pavement even in areas which aren't designated cycle / pedestrian shared space.

Again, I do hope that you'll be able to attend, so that your views can be discussed, and that you'll also be able to hear from some other points of view which may match yours albeit perhaps from other people who cycle on the road and have to deal with a subset of motorists being abusive, speeding, jumping red lights and not adhering to the highway code.

Jon - you say some people are rude and Feel entitled to dominate the space they are using. I am a pedestrian and feel entitled to share the pavement with other people on foot but not with cyclists. Is this what you consider to be dominating the space I am using? If the pavement is to be shared by pedestrians and cyclists the highway code must include instructions for those walking - I suggest rear-view mirrors, indicators (either by hand or electronic) compulsary head and rear lights ( with fines for anyone not using them after lighting-up time ) and emergency alarm systems. Or just get the sodding cyclists to stay off the pavement.

I can't make the meeting but I would like to point to a lack of places to park a bicycle. For example I went to South side shopping centre the other day and had huge difficulty finding somewhere to chain up my bike . I eventually found railings down the side of the park but this is far from ideal. It's a similar story in most shopping areas.

Gwen - hear hear.

Andy - I have absolutely no objections to cyclists anywhere - unless they are up my rear end without warning in a pedestrian zone.  If there was a clear demarkation line for wheels or feet then someone straying into the other lane would be in the wrong .. I do (as a solo walker) not string myself out anywhere ... I don't always hear bells over the other sounds ... I do hear the rudeness tho.  You hear it as a cyclist, if you are behind someone who canot see you, you think it is they who are in the wrong? 

I got a proper mouthful from a cyclist last week because I stepped out of the way of a cyclist heading toward me into their lane / view - call it what you will.  Again - the eyes in my rear end might have assisted.  Unfortunately for the cyclist the remarks and foul language/name calling etc., was overheard by an off duty police officer. 

I don't think they should be taxed but I do think they should have insurance cover for themselves and others - the same as I used to have to have for my dog in case it caused an accident.

BUT paramount is obeying the rules of the road - not as they intepret it ... as it is stated.  Red lights adhered to etc., etc.  Pavements for feet / roads for wheels

Vivian - as I previously stated it works both ways.  I am sure every single pedestrian (I am of course one), has crossed a pedestrian crossing when the red man was on but no traffic was coming.
I think you need to understand that cycling is not going away and if you are going to walk in areas shared with cyclists (such as the Thames Path), you need to be aware and considerate to all other users. 
Cycling is here to stay and it is having a positive effect all our environment, general health etc.  Watch the olympics, the Tour de France etc - it is the area that we currently rule the world in. 
"Boris" Bikes are also coming to Wandsworth.

You can of course spend your time wingeing about cyclists, but as more and more take to 2 wheels you will be doing an awful lot of complaining.  Try a smile and an acceptance and learn to share with all.

Agree with previous remarks that more spaces to park bikes are needed.

As long as the cyclist adheres to the rule of the Highway Code and the road - stays off the pavement and is aware that folk on two feet who can't see them are just as entitled to be there and - sometimes move unexpectedly - all will be well. 

I keep stating I have no objections to bikes or their riders - so that remark was totally uncalled for - providing they stay within the rules - bleating on about the environment etc., makes absolutely no sense when the laws are being broken.

Being a bicycle nazi makes you more enemies than friends.

A pity that certain users need to resort to calling people "nazis" if they disagree with them.  Makes you wonder how they treat others when out on the Thames Path - respect and consideration unlikely.
We should all be more considerate and aware of other users of roads, shared paths and yes pavements etc and this applies to all users including pedestrians.

Andy - enlighten me here - I may be a bit thick but your last sentence suggests to me that you consider pavements  'shared ' between  pedestrians and others. Surely you don't mean this?

Gwen,

Pavements are shared between pedestrians, wheelchairs, motorised mobility scooters, kids on their scooters, parents with prams. All should be considerate to each other.
Enlightened?

Ah I see....... Trying to remember if I had ever seen or heard a complaint about any of those groups but can't think of one. That could be because they all move at roughly the same speed and treat other people with courtesy. Andy, they are not part of this argument.

Gwen E - some pavements have been unfortunately designated "shared space" with often far from clear signage. This too often can result in confusion about what is & isn't shared space. FWIW people on bikes should always give way to pedestrians. Some times, when ringing a bell on a clearly marked shared path to alert people on foot ahead of me that I'm approaching, the looks and comments I occasionally receive make it appear as if I've been very rude when I'm just trying to be considerate. Vivian C - think this also is relevant to a point you made.

David C - if you could let your local Councillors know, as well as the Cllr King and Cllr Locker who are the Cabinet members for Transport, and the Chair of the Transport committee. Then they will be able to let you know what plans are afoot with regards to more cycle parking racks.

Vivian C - a lot of people who cycle regularly are members of organisations such as http://www.lcc.org.uk which provides 3rd party insurance for all it's members.

Andy - If I may, being considerate and aware of others, I think also extends to understanding differing points of view. Fortunately people on foot "are here to stay" too, and I suspect and hope we will also see higher numbers of people walking in the years to come. This will also require a shift in how monies are invested in our streets, from facilitating travel by private motorised means, to active travel (walking & cycling).

Final general point, "cyclists" are too often lumped together (by people who don't cycle) as one homogeneous group, with the reality being that "cyclists" are all individuals who have just chosen to travel by bike. Unfortunately those that infringe the law, are rude, inconsiderate whilst travelling by bike, seems to justify tarring all those individuals with the same brush. Whereas, pilots, motorists, pedestrians, is just a term which describes that person at a point in time. Actions which are not acceptable by society, which those people do whilst driving / flying / walking don't then reflect on everyone else who travels in that way.

Have a good week folks. I do hope that you'll all be able to attend the meeting.

Jon I - believe me, I do know the difference between a regular pavement (such as we have on Saint John's Hill) and 'shared spaces'. Some time ago I had a bet with my daughter who is a keen cyclist because she refused to believe me that some cyclists ride on the pavement. If I could take photos of ten cyclists in one week as they rode on the pavement she would give me ten pounds. Of course I won - but the abuse I got from the cyclists for photographing them was a little surprising. I would like to suggest that all bicycles have a visible number plate.....I anticipate a pretty vigorous response from Andy about that idea.

Gwen, I don't doubt that you know the difference, however the poor quality of some cycle infrastructure and understandable fears that people have from legally cycling on the road is a big part of the problem. Here is a link with a list of common points, like red light jumping, as well as registration of cyclists/bikes and the reasons for / against :

http://radwagon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/common-misconceptions-on-road.html#Register

Thanks for the link, Jon, and I have read it (or most of it - it does go on a bit).I met a man today whose wife was in a collision with a car outside Debenhams in Clapham Junction last Friday. Her bike is a write-off and it'll be some time before she can walk properly again. Naturally I gave this chap the details of the meeting. It should be a very lively meeting - I think Vivian B and I should employ bodyguards if we want to get out alive if we dare to suggest that we don't like sharing the pavements with cyclists.