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.raging bike

.to what extent do bad cyclists create bad motorists? and equally, do bad motorists create bad cyclists?

I don't think they do. I dislike bad cyclists and I dislike bad motorists. The difference is the former is less likely to kill you and is at least not contributing to global warming. I think motorists will always use 'the red light jumper' as a means of dismissing all cyclists as 'bad'. But these are motorists who would complain about cyclists regardless of how they behaved. All motorists are guilty of similar or worse offences. Moving into the cycle box past an advanced stop line at a red traffic light is an offence, it is the same as jumping a red light. Even the most benign motorists have done this. Every motorist I know has broken the speed limit. Complaining motorists reek of hypocrisy.

In the UK I think the problem with car drivers starts with an alienation from 2 wheel culture. In Europe most kids move from cycle to moped to car. As 18 is still the minimum driving age in most western European countries, this gives them a full 2 years on 2 motorised wheels and offers them in general a better understanding and perception of 2 wheelers place on the road when they do get behind the wheel of a car. This undoubtedly benefits cyclists. Britain should raise the driving age to 18 and lower the moped age to 16. It doesn’t help the environment or encourage cycling but it would make for better car drivers.

As an aside I also believe that the UK should grow up over speed limits. We should get rid of speed bumps and traffic calming measures that are a nightmare for cyclists. We should lower the speed limit from 30 mph to 25mph in cities with camera enforcement and increase limits to 80 or set no maximum on the motorways.

.the ability to see how much money and CO2 (amongst other things) you're saving is a cracking idea - do you find letting people know the good they are doing works better than hitting them with a big stick?

I don't think big sticks work, (although a D lock on an errant BMW is incredibly therapeutic......allegedly) I think if people feel they are making a contribution and you can quantify that for them then why not.

.cyclists don't pay road tax, what right do they have to be on the road?

Pedestrians, cyclists and horses have the right to be on the road. Cars are only there under licence. So the question should be what right do cars have to be on the road? If they were to really pay their way, I would hazard a guess there would be fewer of them

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