Frightened off the road

Ever wondered why there are so few cyclists on the road when the Government is pushing green transport?
Bruised pedestrians will say they are all on the pavements, but I can tell you what the real answer is: Cyclists are too afraid to ride on the road.
Our traffic is so heavy and so careless of the safety of cyclists that most people do not want to risk it on two wheels.
On one side we have the armoured might of the motorist: on the other the vulnerable, plucky, cyclist.
Now, lest anyone say what right have I to comment on this, let me tell you that I have been a motorist for 26 years, and a cyclist for longer

It’s an unfair conflict - when it comes to car versus bike, the car always wins.

Drivers of cars, vans, lorries and buses tear along knowing that crumple zones, anti-lock brakes and airbags will save their bacon.

They are kings of the road, indestructible and nothing had better get in their way.

Cyclists, with nothing more than their skill, awareness and a plastic skid lid, are at their mercy.

All we want is room, for motorists to slow down and pass us when it is safe to do so, not skim past at 50pmh.

Now I know that the armoured brigade will hit back and say that cyclists are bad riders and ignore the rules of the road, and I would agree with that to a point – I will not defend the Lycra-nutters and cycling chavs who flout every law of the road.

But very, very few motorists have been killed or maimed by cyclists, while the toll of injured cyclists continues to mount.

And anyway how can you justify bad driving on the grounds of someone else’s bad riding – a skilled driver anticipates and allows for other people’s mistakes.

Next time out, I’ll tell you why motorists should love cyclists.