The Velotard Thread.

[sycophantia]

course they won't - a tory govt ain't going to bring in "red tape"
plus a lot of e-scooters are for hire (here at least), so who'd take an e-scooter proficiency in case they may hire one?
cycling proficiency used to be a thing but disappeared in 2007. who got rid of it?

Was still going about 2 years ago, might still be, in the Telford & Wrekin area. It was called Bike Ability. Couple of mates of mine were instructors for a few years after they retired.

 

[EpsomWolf]

The devil is going to be in the detail on this one.

I think they’re brilliant things but should only be legalised as per any other mode of road going motorised transport, i.e. you require a driving licence, registered, insured etc etc, with appropriate penalties for improper use.

If we want to avoid the “hate” then we have to ensure all road users are subject to the same controls. I think it’s quite reasonable car drivers get angry when they’ve only got to wander into a bus lane and get an £80 fine and morons on bikes and scooters seemingly do want they want with impunity. Defaulting to the argument that cars kill more people than bicycles isn’t going do anything to help that one.

 

[Johnny75]

The devil is going to be in the detail on this one.

I think they’re brilliant things but should only be legalised as per any other mode of road going motorised transport, i.e. you require a driving licence, registered, insured etc etc, with appropriate penalties for improper use.

If we want to avoid the “hate” then we have to ensure all road users are subject to the same controls. I think it’s quite reasonable car drivers get angry when they’ve only got to wander into a bus lane and get an £80 fine and morons on bikes and scooters seemingly do want they want with impunity. Defaulting to the argument that cars kill more people than bicycles isn’t going do anything to help that one.

This is laughable nonsense.

As a cyclist I thought you'd be more than aware of the differences.

If you genuinely can't see the difference you have my pity and I suggest stop reading the Daily Heil.

 

[Mel Evo]

Was still going about 2 years ago, might still be, in the Telford & Wrekin area. It was called Bike Ability. Couple of mates of mine were instructors for a few years after they retired.

Bikeability still going strong nationwide, overseen by the excellent Bikeability Trust. What would be a real win would be cycle training on the school curriculum just as swimming is. A life skill that protects the individual AND helps the country move on its strategic travel objectives as part of the commitment to net zero.

 

[Mel Evo]

The devil is going to be in the detail on this one.

I think they’re brilliant things but should only be legalised as per any other mode of road going motorised transport, i.e. you require a driving licence, registered, insured etc etc, with appropriate penalties for improper use.

If we want to avoid the “hate” then we have to ensure all road users are subject to the same controls. I think it’s quite reasonable car drivers get angry when they’ve only got to wander into a bus lane and get an £80 fine and morons on bikes and scooters seemingly do want they want with impunity. Defaulting to the argument that cars kill more people than bicycles isn’t going do anything to help that one.

I do agree that those requirements would resolve any tension between cyclists and motorists. Unfortunately it would, rather obviously, be resolved as there would be next to no cyclists on the road. The readers of the Heil would indeed be delighted.

 

[Johnny75]

Bikeability still going strong nationwide, overseen by the excellent Bikeability Trust. What would be a real win would be cycle training on the school curriculum just as swimming is. A life skill that protects the individual AND helps the country move on its strategic travel objectives as part of the commitment to net zero.

There is both bike and scooter training at Primary schools where we are.

 

[EpsomWolf]

This is laughable nonsense.

As a cyclist I thought you'd be more than aware of the differences.

If you genuinely can't see the difference you have my pity and I suggest stop reading the Daily Heil.

I’d lived three decades in a cycling dominated city and saw the manifestation of pro-bike, anti-car strategies. It’s not a great outcome when different road-users become haters of each other. The same thing is happening in London and will inevitably come anywhere similar strategies are introduced. E-scooters are going to add a lot more fuel to that fire.

Finding ways of getting all road-users all working together harmoniously is something that shouldn’t be ignored. Evidently registration/insurance for cyclists isn’t going to work, but current policies don‘t work either.

And for what it’s worth, haven’t even seen a Daily Mail for 20 years or so never mind read one.

 

[Johnny75]

I’d lived three decades in a cycling dominated city and saw the manifestation of pro-bike, anti-car strategies. It’s not a great outcome when different road-users become haters of each other. The same thing is happening in London and will inevitably come anywhere similar strategies are introduced. E-scooters are going to add a lot more fuel to that fire.

Finding ways of getting all road-users all working together harmoniously is something that shouldn’t be ignored. Evidently registration/insurance for cyclists isn’t going to work, but current policies don‘t work either.

And for what it’s worth, haven’t even seen a Daily Mail for 20 years or so never mind read one.

You have the same posting style as a Heil reader.

I don't think anybody has said all road users shouldn't find a way of getting along but your post reads anti-bike and they always have

Maybe not using the car as much might benefit all of us as wfh has.

 

[EpsomWolf]

You have the same posting style as a Heil reader.

I don't think anybody has said all road users shouldn't find a way of getting along but your post reads anti-bike and they always have

Maybe not using the car as much might benefit all of us as wfh has.

That’s fair enough. My wife always says I think like a righty but care like a lefty, so whatever that means, I’ll take it.

Funnily enough, I use my bike even more now than I did back in Cambridge. It’s a much more pleasant experience here and the road experience just feels much less ‘angry’.

My main worry is the divisions that exist and wouldn’t want to continue to along the current path with new legislation driving that further. What the answers are I don’t know, but that worry is a general one that stretches way beyond the subject of bikes and cars, but that division and anger is playing out on the roads and it’s not good for anyone.

 

[Mel Evo]

There is both bike and scooter training at Primary schools where we are.

That’s great, and my kids have Bikeability at their primary school too. The problem is that this is luck rather than policy. Also issues remain in that some knowledge of cycling is already needed to access the training, and availability of a suitable bike is down to the child / family so significant accessibility hurdles remain (though some local projects exist to source bikes). Getting it on the curriculum, just like swimming, would really make a step change.

 

[Tredman]

For anyone interested in bikepacking, Tim here is currently at the start of a trip around the Baltics - he's a good guy and describes his travels well:

https://twitter.com/TimMcKenna01

 

[Tredman]

Any one got any experience of Cube bikes? Seem to be good value for a tourer / city type bikes.

 

[Mel Evo]

Great bikes, always good value (due to their business model rather than materials or components). If you’re happy with the aesthetics you won’t regret it. Top brand in Germany so they have a big range of urban bikes and tourers, many that are never imported to the UK.

 

[machin05]

Any one got any experience of Cube bikes? Seem to be good value for a tourer / city type bikes.

My commuter is a Cube. Great bike.
As with any other bike, keep it well maintained and regularly serviced and it will last a lifetime.

 

[Tredman]

Fantastic both. Never heard of them until doing some looking around yesterday.

I do like the look of them, particularly the more upright ridding position for when I’m pootling.

 

[machin05]

Mine is a road bike and the sizing is a bit generous. My measurements said I needed a 58cm frame, but I think a 56cm would have been a better fit. Had to tweak a fair bit to get it right. Ended up shortening the stem to get it right.

 

[machin05]

Fantastic both. Never heard of them until doing some looking around yesterday.

I do like the look of them, particularly the more upright ridding position for when I’m pootling.

Fwiw, I bought the missus a second hand Cannondale Quick 4 off Facebook marketplace before Christmas for about £130. Changed the triple changering for a cheap 1x from Amazon and some cheap cross tyres from Merlin Cycles. I use it more than she does now as a little runaround. Great bike.

 

[Tredman]

Fwiw, I bought the missus a second hand Cannondale Quick 4 off Facebook marketplace before Christmas for about £130. Changed the triple changering for a cheap 1x from Amazon and some cheap cross tyres from Merlin Cycles. I use it more than she does now as a little runaround. Great bike.

I’ve been keeping my eye out for ages as I fancy a bit of a project, in the meantime being using the road bike to get around but i can never find anything big / good enough.

Can get a cube tourning on cycle to work so tempted..

 

[Keef]

I bought a carrera crossfire 3 before I quit Halfords, 2x9 gearing, hydraulic discs, sus forks, great bike, I’m well pleased with it ( especially at the trade price +25% discount) good do it all bike, now ruined by having rack and mudguards fitted to it

 

[Tredman]

I want a bike with a rack and mudguards! Want a workhorse, I can use to get a bit of shopping. Would love to load up a tent an go off for a night or two, but I reckon the family might moan about that.