Ding dong!

[Dave B]

I aways ring my bell! A work mate saw this whilst walking down his local canal towpath

[leftpoole]

Excellent! As someone who has and uses a bell on all cycles owned..............

[energyman]

Maybe there should be another notice politely requesting that runners/walkers with headphones/earbuds should be a little more aware of what's going on in their vicinity ?

[Matt2matt2002]

Maybe there should be another notice politely requesting that runners/walkers with headphones/earbuds should be a little more aware of what's going on in their vicinity ?

Absolutely. I have almost but not quite given up ringing my bell due to the high number of folks wearing ear phones.

[PH]

it annoys me how it's OK to be rude about cyclists and treat them as a homogenised group in a way which wouldn't be acceptable for any other group in society.
There was a piece in the Sunday times joking about putting piano wire across a country lane, this is from a supposed intelligent journalist.  Just a joke maybe, but it makes people think it's OK.
No one is putting up signs asking why don't dog owners pick up after their animals, there'd be outrage about how most of them do, even though it's obvious many don't.

[leftpoole]

it annoys me how it's OK to be rude about cyclists and treat them as a homogenised group in a way which wouldn't be acceptable for any other group in society.
There was a piece in the Sunday times joking about putting piano wire across a country lane, this is from a supposed intelligent journalist.  Just a joke maybe, but it makes people think it's OK.
No one is putting up signs asking why don't dog owners pick up after their animals, there'd be outrage about how most of them do, even though it's obvious many don't.

This problem as I see it both from the Town where I live and Dorset, (Bournemouth/Poole/Christchurch, is that 'Clubs' take over the road in large groups. I used to be (now retired) a ADI Driving Instructor for many years. I had to explain numerous times to learner drivers how to 'deal' with 'cyclists' all over the road.
If cyclist were in fact much better behaved this problem would not be so bad. Unfortunately the public in general despise cyclists for the behaviour of the 'few'. I do not think much is going to change because I am led to understand (rather than observed, because I do not use) that people riding bicycles on authorised cycle/walking paths type of routes including Canal Towpaths, are not too well behaved either.
Another misconception, is that cyclists should pay road taxes and have Insurance! Well I for one as a CTC Member of many years have Insurance and as a former Taxpayer my taxes contributed. Plus I do have a car which is unfortunately in rather a high Tax bracket for the road tax and insurance (but I drive around 2000 miles per annum and love the car and its performance!).
The Town I live has a cycling Club which behaves in the way I mentioned ealier. I am not a member nor am I likely to be. I am a solitary cyclist and have only ever once been on a group ride and that was in Dorset with Poole CTC. Not for me I am sad to say.
Anyhow, I hope as life tries to improve, that people will get used to the Bromptons all over London (I have one nowhere near London) and other people riding bikes.
After (?) Covid I wonder if things will be different?
Best regards to all and sorry for rambling on.
John

[PH]

If cyclist were in fact much better behaved this problem would not be so bad. Unfortunately the public in general despise cyclists for the behaviour of the 'few'. I do not think much is going to change because I am led to understand (rather than observed, because I do not use) that people riding bicycles on authorised cycle/walking paths type of routes including Canal Towpaths, are not too well behaved either.

You've articulated exactly the point that annoys me.  If cyclist(s) were... Who are you talking about?  That group includes yourself as well as me.
It's like saying "Why don't BMW drivers, drive sensibly"
It's always wrong to treat individuals on some generalised basis, it's prejudiced.  If you consider yourself a cyclist, then the sign is above asking why you don't have a bell, as you rush up behind pedestrians.  It is obviously aimed at those that don't take care, but it uses language that lumps all cyclists together, I object. 

[leftpoole]

PH  It's like saying "Why don't BMW drivers, drive sensibly"

I like that part particularly........ Although I do very few miles per annum, now around 2000 I drive and enjoy a very fast classic BMW..... 

John

[Pavel]

the term "cyclists" ipso facto is a homogenized term.  Best to get used to it, and human nature. 

Of course I hate the word stereotype, because it stereotypes in exactly the same way it purports to criticize. Making the singular applied to multiple events. Which of course, much of science depends on.