Cyclists – the eco-friendly warriors who battle each day against the spreading of carbon emissions to save our planet.
But they often forget if they jump red lights and get knocked down they will not be able to reap the benefits.
The mindset of these lycra-clad people are: “I am doing right, I am right, and I will not change my ways for anyone.”
Of course we should praise those who cycle to work and school for doing their bit to help the environment, though they must be stopped from travelling on their wave of self-content and ignoring highway codes.
The worst example is at crossroads, which are controlled by traffic lights. For some unknown reason despite all of the cars, motorcycles, buses and white vans stopping at red, cyclists continue to ghost through the traffic coming from every other direction.
Not only does this put their own life at risk, but pedestrians are put in danger and the driver of a motorised vehicle – which will always prevail over the lowly cycle – may be left with a guilty conscience and a hefty repair bill.
Cyclists come in many different forms from Conservative leader David Cameron who travels to work on two wheels to promote his eco-policies, to those who swap traditional electricity-generating methods for the power of the pedal.
They may well be good people, but they need to check up on their obligations when on the road.
When confronted, the accused do not seem bothered and are in fact proud about dicing with death.
Their overconfidence as kings of the highways does not end there – cyclists also try to dominate the pavements.
Firstly it is illegal for them to take to the kerb. But, having ignored this, they ring their bells in outrage when pedestrians have the audacity to get in their way, causing walkers to jump out of the way like a set of skittles.
The problems continue: zebra crossings mean only cars should stop, one-way systems apply to those who can’t force themselves through and any post sticking out of the ground is a potential parking spot.
Why are these people not fined or punished for their misdemeanours – because when they do inevitably collide with a pedestrian both only suffer relatively minor injuries, and when an accident involves a car it is more often than not the driver who is criticised.
This assumption of road traffic accidents is unacceptable and something we must act on.
Stronger rules have to be implemented to stop cyclists from dictating which laws they abide by and which they don’t. If all who travel by other modes of transport followed a similar mindset there would be utter chaos on our streets.
Not all cyclists may be at fault, and certainly some may ride on the pavements safely where the roads are too dangerous for them – but frankly that isn’t the point.
Laws are in place for a reason, be them to aid traffic control, reduce fraud or increase national security and they must all be obeyed.
The sooner the authorities crack down on cyclists, the safer our streets will be.
