Are these multiplying in London (and elsewhere) ?

I've been almost knocked over several times in West London by 'boy racers' - but neither the police nor the ubiquitous traffic wardens seem to be vaguely interested in this dangerous phenomenon.

One-way thoroughfares are no deterrent - just a new challenge for these mindless morons.

With all the CCTV, these people should be targetted; they are as dangerous as muggers and some provide the transportation for goods - stolen by accomplices - from individuals and shops.

Yes, this is an increasing problem up here in Liverpool as well. Morons usually in hoods or caps weaving all over the place - including indoor shopping centres - and the police just plod on or stand there doing absolutely nothing. When such a moron whizzes past me missing me usually by a mere inch or two, I do shout obscenities after them. I'm ok, but if an elderly person made a sudden swerve at that moment, they could end up in hospital.

CCTV? When has that been used for "public safety" and "protection"? Look at the Rhys Jones case - his shooting was observed and captured by CCTV but that didn't save him. Likewise a great many other crimes. The police also have their mobile units and several times I have seen fights and assaults going on and the police just sit there in the safety of their van filming and watching it... to hell if some unfortunate victim is being smashed to a bloody pulp... the police will sit there watching it but won't intervene or help until it's usually too late. So much for the police protecting members of the public or preventing crimes.

The police are also turning a big blind eye to motorists using mobile phones whilst driving. I see drivers daily yapping away as they drive... do they get caught or pulled over? No. There will be CCTV footage of all of them license plate numbers and all, but no arrests or fines which beggars the question - just WTF is all this CCTV for? We get told that crime is falling and you'd have to be an absolute idiot to believe that.

Another example then of how we have been lied to and manipulated into the Big Brother state. Next time you are in Tesco, take a look at how many security cameras there actually are. Many of them have a camera above EVERY till. Sure makes for a nice trusting working environment I'm sure...

I cycle every day. I even cycle on the pavement sometimes. Let me explain.

At a recent councillors meeting (where the police were present) the question of cycling on the pavement was raised by a lady with a loud voice. She was (rightfully) upset with the cyclists tearing past pedestrians and not using the road. She asked the police what they intended to do. The police explained that they were no longer stopping people who cycle on the pavements unless they are seen posing a danger (reckless) and likely to cause an accident. The lady was upset and started getting angry with the police indifference. I then decided to comment.

Many roads are exceedingly dangerous for cycling along. Parked cars, dangerous turns and narrow main roads all conspire to cause the cyclist grief. When I started to commute to work I made it my mission to be the perfect cyclist and follow the rules of the road to the letter. It took under two weeks before I was knocked off at a junction. The car struck me from behind and sent me flying. Shaken, I sat on the pavement and the woman driver got out and said "sorry about that - I was tuning the radio". After this incident I was knocked off several more times - usually from behind. I wore the reflective jacket and used good lights but it is STILL NOT ENOUGH. So, when the pavement is clear I use it to cycle, but slowly - and I dismount if a pedestrian is using it.

So, until we get a proper cycle network, driver education and cycle training the cyclists, pedestrians and drivers will have problems travelling harmoniously unfortunately.

To conclude, whilst I cannot condone dangerous cycling on the pavement, it must be remembered that cyclists usually don't want to ride on them - it is the roads that are too dangerous for the cyclists.

TH

ReadyTeddy - I agree, largely, with your view. But I am really talking about the hooded morons, described by Elliott in his first paragraph.

Shopping Centres and pedestrian areas - as well as footpaths - are where they want to show off. And the police do nothing.

Park a minute or two over time and you're fined; these louts are ignored although they threaten life and limb. One-way systems are ignored as its easier to mount the pavement and go against the traffic flow.

A deterrent would be 'bike confiscation' - temporarily at least. And the shame of it !

I agree that the police turn a blind eye to the young 'Hoody' show offs. I cycle a lot, but never along a footpath, and I'm very roadwise and have never had an accident. One Saturday I was biking into town. A policeman was on the footpath, casually chatting to someone. Three teens on bikes were doing wheelies among pedestrians, and he ignored them. I pulled off the road onto a garage driveway so that I could get off my bike without bothering traffic. He saw me and shouted, "Get off that bike. GET OFF!"

It was obvious that I was already getting off, and that it was garage driveway which motorists also use.

Meanwhile the teens continued to do wheelies among the pedestrians.

I had a similar experience Al.

I always cycled on the road and on small parts of paths leading to where I could lock up my bike. So, there I was gently pushing the bike with my feet on the ground towards the cycle park and a cop shouted at me to get off and then lectured me that I was a menace and a danger. And as you can guess, whilst all this was going on, hooded morons were having a field day wreaking havoc on their bikes... but they never got any attention.

I pointed out the morons to the police officer and he got very stroppy with me saying "I'm talking to YOU... NOT THEM!"

Of course I was the easiest target.. on my own and obviously not intent on causing trouble, whereas the hoodies are given free rein.

Unbelievable!

ReadyTeddy wrote:
I cycle every day. I even cycle on the pavement sometimes. Let me explain.

At a recent councillors meeting (where the police were present) the question of cycling on the pavement was raised by a lady with a loud voice. She was (rightfully) upset with the cyclists tearing past pedestrians and not using the road. She asked the police what they intended to do. The police explained that they were no longer stopping people who cycle on the pavements unless they are seen posing a danger (reckless) and likely to cause an accident. The lady was upset and started getting angry with the police indifference. I then decided to comment.

Many roads are exceedingly dangerous for cycling along. Parked cars, dangerous turns and narrow main roads all conspire to cause the cyclist grief. When I started to commute to work I made it my mission to be the perfect cyclist and follow the rules of the road to the letter. It took under two weeks before I was knocked off at a junction. The car struck me from behind and sent me flying. Shaken, I sat on the pavement and the woman driver got out and said "sorry about that - I was tuning the radio". After this incident I was knocked off several more times - usually from behind. I wore the reflective jacket and used good lights but it is STILL NOT ENOUGH. So, when the pavement is clear I use it to cycle, but slowly - and I dismount if a pedestrian is using it.

So, until we get a proper cycle network, driver education and cycle training the cyclists, pedestrians and drivers will have problems travelling harmoniously unfortunately.

To conclude, whilst I cannot condone dangerous cycling on the pavement, it must be remembered that cyclists usually don't want to ride on them - it is the roads that are too dangerous for the cyclists.

TH
Making the pavement dangerous/hazardous for pedestrians cannot be justified by claiming the rightful place for cyclists is dangerous/hazardous.

Not specifically aimed at you; all cyclists seem to believe they are paragons of virtue when they are on the pavement. Fair to say all motorists believe they are better drivers than the average and also think they are paragons as cyclists do.