On my way to Polhill garden centre earlier today I was amazed to see and incredible number of cyclists pumping the pedals.
Whether there was something special going on I don't know but all of these cyclists were riding road bikes appearing to think they were in the tour de France.
I had the misfortune to get snarled up in one particular 'peloton' of riders who cycled with an attitude of "If we want to sit in the middle of the road, sway from side to side, and screw up the traffic then we shall do so".
I met them at the junction of Westerham Road and Downe road, and followed them into Shire lane until they forked right into North End Lane.
I had a large number of them behind me and a smaller group about 2 cars ahead.
During that time both ahead of me and via the rear view mirror, I watched them cycle two, three and four abreast, sit on the rear bumper of cars ahead of them such that they'd not have had a hope in hell if the car braked and swing about all over the road with no concern for any other road user.
One cyclist in particular was plainly and deliberately making sure that no cars could over take him on the straight stretches by veering to the middle of the road every time there was a possibility that the car following him would overtake.
He rode like a moron!
And then when they did reach North end lane and turned right, not a single one of them bothered with even the most rudimentary attempt at a hand signal.
I assume that perhaps all we drivers are expected to be psychic.
Since it has been mooted that the government was considering changing the law to make any cycle accident the fault of the driver of whatever hit the bike then perhaps that explains why it seems consideration for others is no longer a requirement to ride a bicycle.
Not one of the two wheeled idiots was fit to be in charge of their vehicle and if that was how they always rode then I'm amazed they'd all lived that long.
Relighting an old argument I feel it's long past the time where cyclists should be FORCED to have a minimum of 3rd party insurance, be forced to obey the rules of the road and be fined or even banned from cycling for jumping through or completely ignoring traffic lights as if they don't apply to cyclists, merely to the rest of us.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel