Drivers, cyclists and little old me
Posted by Johnnie
Cambridge, my current humble abode, must be one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. First of all, it is resolutely, uncompromisingly flat. There are no hills in Cambridge. When it rains, the water just mills about in little puddles looking confused. There are also bicycle lanes everywhere, and bike stands on every street. There are a phenomenal number of cyclists, and the city is full of motorists who have been trained to be aware of bikes.
And yet, still, despite all of this … people still cycle on the pavements. Why? Why do they do this? That’s where I’m trying to walk. The little bit of road that’s specially dedicated to them – you know, the one with the little picture of a bike on it – is where they should really be. If I started walking down the street in the bike lane I’d soon get comments.
Also, why is it that so many motorists seem to have trouble understanding the phrase “only if your exit is clear”? Do the crosshatching boxes actually have the words “Free Parking” painted across them but only visible from behind the wheel of a BMW? Get out of my way! I’m trying to cross the road! The lights have changed for the first time in fifteen minutes, and I have about three and a half seconds to cross before they change back. Your penisreplacementmobile is blocking my path.
I don’t drive, and never have, but I swear I’d be a better driver than most of the tossers on the road.
Right. Rant over. Back to work.