cyclist's in fuerte

[wavell ave]

sorry to bring this subject up but being a regular driver on most of the main roads on the island i have just nearly run into a group of cyclists who didn't have any regard for anyone but themselves when i made a point of their safety all the response was 2 fingers to me, i am very worried that there will be a tragic accident because of their total disregard of the safety of anyone including themselves. has anyone else come across this problem or am i being too sensitive.

[beachlife]

As a driver/cyclist/pedestrian I agree that there are bad car drivers and bad cyclists. In fact I have been knocked over on the path by a cyclist who had no brakes or tyre tread and was speeding (if he was a car driver he would have been in court).

The problem seems that the Spanish attitude whether its on a bike or in a car that the road belongs to them and others need to get out of the way. Don`t think you are going to change this attitude you just need to drive defensive be aware that they have no regard for other road users whether they are on a bike or in a car.

I see daily incidents where both types of road users shoot out of junctions without stopping/slowing/looking whether they have right of way or not. I approach junctions with the assumptions someone is going to dash out in front of me even when I am suppose to have right of way.

Problem is the police do not seem to police the behaviour of road users. The police often stop drivers to check if you do not have the correct document or for a  breath test, these are both worthwhile. However never seen police booking cars double parked, parking on zebra crossing  or cyclists riding dangerously on paths or roads.

I agree with your feelings about the number of cyclists who disregard common rules on the road which are often for their safety. Fortunately the roads are not too busy compared to the northern countries otherwise there would be carnage on the roads here. Its something you have to live with here for the other benefits it brings. You are not alone!

[yorkiecouple]

You will start to see more and more cyclists over the next few weeks as the different teams arrive for their winter training, but what you have to remember is that we're in Spain and like most other european countries (not UK) cyclists take preference over cars and you need to allow extra caution when overtaking them. You will also notice that cyclists have their own crossing areas at pedestrains crossing and cars must give way, the police give a dim view to cars striking cyclists even though I agree sometimes they do act as if they own the road.

[zedzedeleven]

Quote Wavell < when i made a point of their safety >
Exactly how did you do this? did you all stop at the next layby and then did you get them all to sit in neat rows while you admonished them, winning them over with your ice cold logic and reasoned argument? or did you yell abuse at them from the safety of your little tin box, bristling with self righteous indignation as you made your cowardly escape, basking in the afterglow of your little "moment" made your day did it, just had to come on here and tell everyone all about your little triumph eh? get a life.

[woe10]

We had this same debate last year. I´ve seen 30 - 40 cyclists 3 abreast on the road from Antigua to Triqui, and a line of traffic behind them. They don´t give a damn, they don´t pay taxes like motorists do, the Guardia  do nothing. There´s a lot of motorists driving about with road rage.

[zedzedeleven]

I bet most, if not all of those cyclists pay road tax, and in my case I pay road tax for a car a van and a motorcycle. Have you read Yorkiecouple`s post? If it`s true that cyclists take precedence on Spain`s roads well, that is how it is and you have to accord them the right of way. I guess it`s much the same as India and sacred cows. I deliberately choose to commute by bicycle and take the view that if more people did then there would be a bit less road rage and more understanding. Too many motorists behave like utter morons towards other road users simply because they think they can get away with it, catch them out of their protective shell and they are just pathetic little creeps.

[falkirkdan]

Cyclist who put themselves in danger deserve to end up in the graveyard.   They will not need to be more careful the next time round, as there will not be one.   

Big chunk of metal, small flimsy thing and rider.   No contest.

[glenys]

There were lots of cyclists on the road when we were over last week.Most were ok though there were a few riding 2 or more abreast. What does annoy me though is when they ride on the road when there are really good cycle roads been built at considerable cost,why not use these and keep safe.

[duncolm]

The trouble with cycle paths is that they're mostly narrow and twisty. They're ok for folks like me, who's nobody's idea of an athlete, but any sort of serious cyclist has to get out on the road to achieve enough speed and distance to make the exercise worthwhile.

[whyme]

I bet you would've given way to these people if they were on horses, purely for the horses sake not the humans.

[Brightspark]

Run them over, they're all on drugs, look at Armstrong....

[Paddster]

LOL Barry,how u doing fella ? Hope the young un's ok ? U still go in The Entertainer ?

[Magoo]

I did see quite a few lycra louts on the West Coast road North of Costa Calma on our last visit. All riding pelaton style, making it hard to get by without creaming one or two off

[wavell ave]

Quote Wavell < when i made a point of their safety >
Exactly how did you do this? did you all stop at the next layby and then did you get them all to sit in neat rows while you admonished them, winning them over with your ice cold logic and reasoned argument? or did you yell abuse at them from the safety of your little tin box, bristling with self righteous indignation as you made your cowardly escape, basking in the afterglow of your little "moment" made your day did it, just had to come here and tell everyone all about your little triumph eh? get a life.

sorry if i have upset you i didn't mean to do this, i did stop and speak to the people not in a nasty way, i just thought they needed to realise that some drivers on the island are not so safe in their driving skills, by the way they were french luckily i speak the language but i'm sorry to say this didn't go down to well, once again i'm sorry if i have upset you but i still have the interest of these people at heart. bye the way I have lived on the island for 25 years & have seen many changes, especially in drivers.

[tarkacreek]

Lance Armstrong should be applauded for being able to ride a bike so well while on drugs.

I tried it once, hit a dog and fell into the canal.

[wavell ave]

Lance Armstrong should be applauded for being able to ride a bike so well while on drugs.

I tried it once, hit a dog and fell into the canal.

ha ha ha,,,

[zedzedeleven]

Cyclist who put themselves in danger deserve to end up in the graveyard.   They will not need to be more careful the next time round, as there will not be one.   

Big chunk of metal, small flimsy thing and rider.   No contest.

Not the sort of response that I expected from you Dan, then I noticed the post time. Good night was it?

[Ivemovedon]

You want to see him go on winter fuel payments

[falkirkdan]

Cyclist who put themselves in danger deserve to end up in the graveyard.   They will not need to be more careful the next time round, as there will not be one.   

Big chunk of metal, small flimsy thing and rider.   No contest.

Not the sort of response that I expected from you Dan, then I noticed the post time. Good night was it?

ZZ every night is a good night.   I am a night owl.   I have been waiting for years for a political party that will ban mornings.   They will get my vote, well otherwise their policies are all the same once they get in power.   Where are the expenses forms

ZZ I do get peed off with the self rightous cyclist who think they are saving the planet.   Hate to think of the money spent on providing them red cycle lanes the front of traffic lights etc and then then just bump up onto the pavement and fly past pedestrian and drop back down onto road in front of cars.   As say "Big chunk of metal, small flimsy thing and rider.   No contest".

[falkirkdan]

You want to see him go on winter fuel payments

Now Steve do not get me going!!!!

[Blueboy7]

Falkirdan, brilliant, go into politics, you will get my vote.

[Ivemovedon]

You're joking we've got enough jocks running England 

[Charliegirl]

I can understand the various points of view from both the pro-cyclist posts and those who get annoyed with them.....but at least due to our roads and weather conditions, they are coming to the island in droves for training for the big european events.
This island needs promoting to all groups and types of visitor, and its ideally suited for sporting groups, its a niche market for the island as where else better can they go, during the winter that offers such good grounding to train as elite sports people, our roads are ideal as are our weather conditions.

Las Playitas must have had a fortune spent on it and is a sporting place of excellence, which needs to be used..and promoted in UK/Europe....yes I know all these cyclists are not trotting into Caleta etc and spending in the bars and restaurants every night, on beer etc, but you only have to visit places they stop off (e.g. Ajuy, Pozo Negro etc ) and the bars are often packed with them drinking soft drinks and coffee´s so they do in their own way spend and put something in the economy of local places even the bars in Antigua are often packed with them during the day.

This island can cater for everyone......if everyone lives and lets live, just drive your cars with a little care and attention to these  people, who have as much right to be here as anyone else, and who may just go back to their respective countries and say what a marvelous place it is, and promote the island by word of mouth.

All kinds of sporting groups should be encouraged to use the fabulous place we live in for the same purpose, plus other groups such as football schools of excellence, running clubs, sailing clubs etc etc etc.

They have to train somewhere...why not here ?

[falkirkdan]

Well other than the cyclists the other sports folk are welcome to come and train in the Falkirk area.   We have some great facilities.

[Charliegirl]

But not the weather in Falkirk Dan lol

[Phaedra]

I'm not sure what the problem is.

If there are cyclists on the road I wait till it's safe to pass then pass giving them a wide berth.

It's not difficult.

[Ivemovedon]

trouble is with some of them it never is safe to pass. What with them weaving about all over the place you could be waiting for that safe moment all day and with a queue of tailgaters building up impatiently behind you. So eventually you take a chance and because most of the roads are so narrow you almost end up embedded in a dry stone wall.

Got no problem with cyclists who are traffic aware but theres a lot out there who are a menace to themselves and every other road user.

[falkirkdan]

Here Here Steve.
The only island that cyclists should be allowed is Sark

[falkirkdan]

ZZ as I have already said Big chunk of metal, small flimsy metal thing and rider.   No contest!  Much safer on Sark

[Ivemovedon]

Hmmmmm i might have elaborated on the subject for effect i'll admit.  But ZZ for over exaggerated postal content you got me beat every time.

Ps  they don't have to go all the way to Sark. Theres always the safe option of the bikes in the gym for those with a consuming desire for physical activity.