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Post by johnc60 on Oct 25, 2014 21:39:33 GMT
Am in Bournemouth for the weekend and just come back from a half hour walk to our favourite Indian restaurant and back. It was really nice to see so many people out and about on their bikes but from our observations we deduce that the following rules apply to cyclists here: 1) Thou shalt not wear a helmet. 2) Thou shalt not ride on the road, that's what pavements are for. 3) Thou shalt wear dark clothing, black or navy blue, especially at night. 4) Reflective or hi viz clothing is expressly forbidden. 5) Lights, thou shalt use one of the following combinations: a) One light at the front only b) One light at back only c) No lights at all d) If you dare to use 2 lights the rear must be mounted in such a way that it is obscured by the luggage rack. It amazes me that people on bikes (can't call them cyclists) place such a low value on their (and other people's) lives. Coming from out in the sticks where most cyclists are lit up like Christmas trees I find this behaviour very strange. What are your thoughts and experiences on this?
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Post by ChrisD on Oct 25, 2014 21:58:38 GMT
They're all grockels on hired bikes. No, seriously though, I don't get out much at night but the few time I've been out I know what you mean. What was the age profile would you say? I do wonder if quite a few are students at the uni who feel that taking back streets or cruising the pavements are the safe routes for getting round town.
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Post by taffytim on Oct 25, 2014 23:16:47 GMT
i drive home past the Uni here , its the mecca of the suicidal cyclists. Every now and again i do see a bike with a rear light attached, dont think ive seen 1 switched on yet though!!
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Post by johnc60 on Oct 26, 2014 7:52:33 GMT
You're right the majority were probably students but we did see a few who probably in their 40's/50/s. We did see a couple with rear lights on but they had no front lights! One had a rear light on but it was 90% obscured by the luggage rack. The ones with front lights didn't have a rear. The vast majority were riding on the pavement though. Not giving cyclists a very good image.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2014 8:43:16 GMT
I am a student at bournemouth uni and I cycle everyday. I do have to agree, it's probably like 1/20 bikes I see have lights on them. Almost every time I use the bike sheds I'm the only one with a helmet too. I guess they just think it's not a far cycle so what's the point... Plus it's still uncool to wear a helmet and it might mess up their hair! Haha
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Post by taffytim on Oct 26, 2014 23:27:12 GMT
I was out for a spin tonight for over an hour and the number of dark riders was comical. Of all the people I passed there was only 1 group (looked like a club) that had lights on. I think people use bikes as free transport so they see that buying lights is counter productive to their aim. I hope they are all lucky enough to avoid any incident but i wish they would light up, even smoking a ciggie on the bike would be better than nowt
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2014 8:36:53 GMT
I was at Bournemouth Uni from 91 to 95 (the Institute - Poly - Uni crossover days). Definitely never wore a helmet and did a fair bit of pavement riding. Probably had lights but don't really remember. Happy innocent days, until some local scrote stole my bike.
I do remember vividly that no matter where you rode in that town it was always uphill. Leven Road by the golf course used to kill me daily.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2014 9:17:20 GMT
They're all grockels on hired bikes. Not heard that term in yonks . I lived in Weymouth from ~4 yrs old to my early 20's. Parently still live there now. Had to suffer the influx of grockles every summer. Made me grow to love going to the beach in the winter.....good times
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Post by ChrisD on Oct 27, 2014 23:05:18 GMT
Was out on the bike this evening and also in the car last night across Poole - saw a few cyclists pavement surfing, and no helmets or lights in view at all (except mine tonight .
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Post by william39 on Oct 27, 2014 23:17:18 GMT
After reading this thread I was strangely tempted to head out today in my cycling cap, stupid I know and glad I didn't as I was nearly totlalled by a car door. Karma suggests I will never set out now without helmet and spare tube and pump etc. as something will probably happen if I do. Jury is still out though on the usefulness of helmets.
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Post by taffytim on Nov 2, 2014 14:30:09 GMT
I used to be a non helmet wearing member before i started road riding (rather then just pottering about to the shops).
I dont even question it now, i just put the thing on. The way i see it is that the roads and kerbs i ride on look pretty hard and im sure my helmet will protect my noggin in some way i fly head first at them.
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