This Week's Issue: Are Mole Valley's roads safe for cyclists?

“Some fair points there JimOfSurrey but at the same time you have to recognise the serious drop off in this modern dumbed-down (a pejorative term) mentality when - let's just use as an example, biker's and motorist's behaviour on a roundabout?

They have little or no understanding that if they are positioned in the left slip, they're going straight over NOT TURNING RIGHT across those who have signaled right and who are exiting the second exit. If they're in the right slip they're turning to go around the roundabout or taking the second exit NOT GOING STRAIGHT ON.

One enters a roundabout in the normal lane which might be slowed due to traffic on the roundabout and the traffic stacks up on the right lane only for the 'whizzers' and Neanderthals to force themselves into the traffic going straight on, causing mayhem, holdups and preventing those who are turning right from doing so.

Are the roads in Mole Valley safe for cyclists? – NO would be my answer when in reality it's the drivers and bikers lack of grey matter that is patently unsafe.”

“There probably is an arrogance amongst the 'cycling community' as there probably is at any sports/enthusiasts level from bicycles to motor bikes to motor cars.

However, we are all potential bicycle riders just as we are motorists. I don't particuarly care about climbing Box Hill every day. I do however care about just getting to a local shop or cycling with my son to school without fear, intimidation and being treated like a second class citizen. I passed my cycling proficiency in 1979 and did so well I got a free copy of the highway code :) I'd like to think it also made me a better driver. It's a shame how children nowadays often don't get the chance to take up this life skill.

To go back to your point some reasons why people 'don't think the Highway Code applies to them' is because they are often trying to mitigate against very hostile situations, often favouring the pavement on very dangerous stretches (doing cyclists or pedestrians no favours). They just aren't made to feel welcome on the roads any more with high speeds, mobile phone use and a general 'ME FIRST' attitude from motorists. This is no excuse for bad behaviour whether you are behind handlebars or a steering wheel - indeed when I'm stopped at a red light on my bicycle, my blood boils when a cyclist weaves past me. There does however need to be more safe and direct routes so people of all ages and ability can get out on a bicycle and get to work, school, the shops or just enjoy Mole Valley, Surrey and beyond.”

“What I am trying to say, JimOfSurrey, is that it seems it is *never the cyclists fault*.

I see cyclists do stupid things on a daily basis. I could include motor-cyclists in this too. I live very near Rykas Cafe, and I can say with one hundred percent confidence that at least three quarters of motor-cyclists do not ride the Burford Bridge roundabout safely, yet the moment one is knock off their bike by a car the first reaction is, "What can we do to stop car drivers hitting bikes?", rather than, "How can we stop bikers riding dangerously?"

But, going back to ordinary cyclists, you cannot deny that there is a certain amount of arrogance within the cycling community. I see it all the time. I was once asked to move out of the way of three cyclists (Mum, Dad & young son), in a completely pedestrian area but when I politely pointed this out, guess who got the torrent of expletive abuse? Great example for the father to set his son.

All I am saying is that sometime problems are tackled completely from the wrong end.”

“It's weird. A runaway lory causes damage to someone's house and no-one comments (http://tinyurl.com/7fb9fmn), yet when a story crops up that could encourage sensible, constructive discourse about the humble bicycle and the stupid comments start. Is it cyclists that kill and maim on a daily basis? I don't think so and is probably a reason why many people on bicycles use the pavement in the first place. This is a county where many children are denied the simple right of cycling to school because the roads are deemed too dangerous and where facilties are provided, they are usually a waste of money because no cycling group was consulted and look as though they were designed with a blindfold after drinking a bottle of vodka.”

“Personally I don't care if the roads are safe for cyclists or not because most of the time they are on the pavements anyway, or flying around corners into subways that are quite clearly sign posted "Cyclists Dismount" - I have lost count of the number of times I have almost been hit by a cyclist walking in or out of the Westhumble Street subway under the A24.

Why do cyclists think that the highway code does not apply to them. If they spent more time obeying the rules of the road and less time doing things like creeping through red lights because they "don't really apply to cyclists", then maybe the roads would be safer for them.”

“Personally I don't if the roads are safe for cyclists or not because most of the time they are on the pavements anyway, or flying around corners into subways that are quite clearly sign posted "Cyclists Dismount" - I have lost count of the number of times I have almost been hit by a cyclist walking in or out of the Westhumble Street subway under the A24.

Why do cyclists think that the highway code does not apply to them. If they spent more time obeying the rules of the road and less time doing things like creeping through red lights because they "don't really apply to cyclists", then maybe the roads would be safer for them.”