Page 25 - PBCOctober2018

Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine Volume 15 No.2 October 2018 @25

Letters to the Editor

Remember, your contributions are always welcome. Write to the Editor at:
‘Taverners’ Warninglid Lane, Plummers Plain, W.Sussex RH13 6NY or email: pickwick2610@hotmail.com

Dear Mr Editor

Can I ask What is happening to Cycling in the UK?

It seems that at a time when there are more cyclists on the road than ever before, we
are becoming targets for criticism and demands for us to be more regulated. The very sad,
and unfortunate death of a pedestrian caused by a maverick bike rider has put the media
spotlight on all of us. Complaints about ‘hooligans in lycra’ etc., etc., are becoming all too
frequent. A senior motoring lawyer is calling for cyclists to take a road test ( cycling
proficiency test I hear many of you recall); have an MOT on their bikes, and for all bikes to
have number plates. To balance his view he does think that motorists should be required
teaching on how to pass cyclists.That hardly sounds like a balanced view, but let’s leave
that.

As both a cyclist and motorist, like many of you, I see faults on both sides and trying not
to be biased, more so on the part of the latter! However, I do question ‘where has our
cycling etiquette gone?’ Whilst there was significantly less motor traffic back in the 50’s &
60’s, cycling groups had an unwritten rule about behaviour on the road, separating into
smaller groups and single file when necessary. These days I see many groups riding two even
three abreast, and ignoring tailbacks of frustrated motorists.

Events such as the Tour de Yorkshire and Ride London-Surrey have popularised a number
of roads in both areas to the point where cyclists are becoming a problem to other road
users and police alike. Already the police have intimated they may stop cyclists using some
of the Tour de Yorkshire roads to ease traffic problems. In the south, local residents are
becoming increasingly angry over the number of events that require lengthy road closures
thus trapping them in their homes. The same must apply countrywide, and whilst these
events are great for us cyclists we do have to consider the wider picture.