From: dmarsh@cs.strath.ac.uk (David R Marsh CS91)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Re: A quick survey
Date: 26 Jan 93 17:20:14 GMT
Distribution: uk
Organization: Comp. Sci. Dept., Strathclyde Univ., Glasgow, Scotland.

In article <11441@baird.cs.strath.ac.uk> dmarsh@cs.strath.ac.uk (David R Marsh CS91) writes:
>conclusions. Interestingly, I've only had one reply from the UK so far, despite
>that being where the survey was aimed at. (OK, who's going to confess to having
>a leak out there? :-)
>

oops, in retrospect, perhaps that wasn't quite how I should have worded it, but
I hope everybody knows what I mean ;^)

I've had a reasonable number of responses now, and will maybe post a summary
within 2 or 3 weeks if I've got time. Thanks to everybody who has responded so
far, but could I ask non-UK readers not to respond (unless they really want 
to) as otherwise I suspect I'll end up with a lot of mail which I can't handle.

Incidentally, in case anybody was wondering, my response is as follows:


Do you cycle on roads at all? 		yes

Do you cycle on major roads at all?	
yes, sometimes. It depends whether there is a more pleasant alternative or
whether I'm in a hurry.

Do you cycle on major roads (especially dual carriageways) outwith towns?
If I can avoid it, I stay well clear. I don't like to cycle on dual 
carriagways with split-level intersections at all.

What do you think of the attitude of car (bus etc) drivers?
Some are OK, but some deliberately try to make life difficult for you. I find
that if you treat people with respect, you tend to get it in return. However,
some taxi drivers are very nasty, although others probably are quite skilled
drivers and know that they can pass safely with only 20cm to spare: it's just
that it's quite worrying when they do so!

Do you think cyclists get enough respect?
Definitely not.  Although, as I said, some drivers can be quite decent.

Do you feel safe cycling on roads? 
Yes. I cycle quite aggressively: if I don't think that there is sufficent room
for somebody to pass, then I will prevent them from doing so by cycling in the
centre of the lane.

Do you think enough is done to improve conditions for cyclists?
No

...and how do you think this should be done (cycleways, cycle lanes, or what)?
A mixture of all things. Although there are good arguments against cycleways
(separate from roads) I think these are useful for leisure cycling in the 
countryside (eg most Sustrans routes) and if they help to encourage people to
cycle, then so much the better.
In cities, cycle lanes are useful, and if they exist as part of bus lanes, then
they still make people see cyclists as part of the traffic, rather than as
people out using some toy.
I also think that traffic calming and driver education are necessary to
encourage drivers to treat cyclists with more respect.
I think that all cyclists should have passed the Cycling Proficiency Test. 
Although it does not bear much relevence to present traffic conditions, I think
it is important that cyclists should know how to behave on the road as well.

What is your normal mode of transport?
Bike for short distances (up to 15km, say), train the rest of the time

How do you transport your bike (when not actually cycling!)?
By train, very occasionally by car if I'm using one anyway.

Are you a member of a cycle club or campaign group?
Yes, I have an active role in Glasgow Cycling Campaign but I am not speaking
for them here. I am also a CTC member.

What do you think of current transport policy?
*What* transport policy? :-(

Do you think that bike carriage on trains is important?
Yes, very. 

What are the main uses of your bike?
Commuting, shopping, mucking about (ie leisure rides)

What sort of bike(s) do you have (mountain bike, recumbent, racer etc)?
Mountain bike, but I'm getting to the stage where I wouldn't mind a really
cheapo "town bike" as well, to save having to carry several locks around.

What do you think of law-breaking cyclists?
(Confession time) I don't like cyclists who don't use lights (plain stupid) or
who cycle on pavements (plain annoying). However, I'm not averse to sneaking 
through the odd red light myself, provided that no traffic is coming.

(And I suppose I have to ask) do you wear a helmet?
No way. (Well I would, if/when I get round to doing some serious off-road   
cycling)

Well, there you are, that's my thoughts!

Dave.
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.soc