What's made you grumpy today?

[Cheest]

There's definitely a small but noticeable increase in people using bikes around here. Which I'm pleased to see considering the astronomical amount of money that's been wasted on making bike lanes and other little used facilities. However with this increase in presence there badly needs to be an educational and legal process taking place to upskill and make riders liable for the frequent infringements of road law which I'm seeing more and more. Every time I go out in the car I can guarantee you I'll see a cyclist either running a red light (pretty much a standard sight all the time now) or riding on pavements or dangerously speeding up the inside of slow moving traffic - I could go on and on - People are going to be seriously injured and killed and the motorist is going to be the one held responsible and have to pay both financially and emotionally. Bikes need to carry insurance just like any other volume road going machinery.

A common argument here, too. God forbid, though, that a motorist gets called out for doing the same thing that cyclists are accused of. Fists can fly. As far as car/bike crashes, unless they are drunk or it is intentional, motorists rarely see more than a slap on the wrist here. I'm living proof of that. The kid that rear-ended me got charged with improper lane usage. Max fine is about $1000 and he never showed up for his court date. I spent several years recovering.

Education and licensing? The League of American Bicyclists, formerly The League of American Wheelmen, similar to the CTC(Cyclist Touring Club) on your side of the pond have been pushing for formal education and licensing of cyclists for over a 150 years. It's like pissing in the wind. It adds another layer of bureaucracy that no one wants.

Insurance and Licensing on bikes? I'm all for it. Most of us who've outgrown the Lycra clad boy racer days want it. Their new plastic bikes cost several thousand dollars. But, if I need to carry insurance and licence on each of my bicycles, the Minor penalties for a motorist hitting a cyclist need to change and become criminal penalties. Tit for tat. The "Sorry, bye" crap has to end.

Road violations? Enforce the laws already on the books. I don't see that happening anytime soon as many highway laws for motorists are rarely being enforced since the pandemic. Passing in 'No Passing' zones, passing on the shoulder, speeding, tailgating, blowing stop signs and lights, not stopping for school buses with the sign out and lights flashing (one of the worst) have all gotten worse.

Bike paths? Great idea. But unless it's in an urban area or an abandoned rail line in the boonies, there is limited accessibility. Most of what is here should be avoided on the weekends, anyway. Very busy.

And my favorite, 'You Don't Pay Road Tax So You Cannot Use The Road'. Road Tax is both Fuel Tax and Vehicle License Fees. I pay License Fees for six motor vehicles and two trailers. All six vehicles use fuel. So I am paying the Fuel Tax, too. I think I've paid my fair share. EVs pay no Fuel Tax and the Federal Government gives a cash incentive to buy one. I don't hear much complaining about that, though.

It's a two way street. I'll get off my soapbox now.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Sounds like its lit your fuse LOL

 

[Cheest]

Sounds like its lit your fuse LOL

A bit. Been riding for 64 years.

I was a Life Member and an Effective Cycling Instructor(ECI) with the old League of American Wheelman(LAW). I taught others how to ride a bike safely in traffic. It can be done.
When the LAW became the League of American Bicyclists(LAB), the Effective Cycling program was tossed out for an abomination called Life Cycling. The reason given by the board was that the Effective Cycling Course was too hard for the average cyclist(BS). Myself and about 85% of the ECI's said "See ya" and stopped teaching. I have no clue what goes on with the LAB anymore.

Because I am a glutton for punishment, I now teach Motorcycle Safety to Drivers Education classes in many area high schools through ABATE, A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education. The aim here is not to teach them about riding a motorcycle but how to react safely when encountering a motorcycle on the road while driving. I also talk about what is required to obtain an MC license if they are interested.
We usually have a booth at car shows, races, and public safety events. We are usually well received but occasionally will encounter a crabby old fart who'll complain that all bikers are law breakers because he once saw an idiot pull a wheelie on the highway. We say that you should have reported the offender to the authorities. We don't approve of the idiots either.

 

[bugsymike]

A bit. Been riding for 64 years.

I was a Life Member and an Effective Cycling Instructor(ECI) with the old League of American Wheelman(LAW). I taught others how to ride a bike safely in traffic. It can be done.
When the LAW became the League of American Bicyclists(LAB), the Effective Cycling program was tossed out for an abomination called Life Cycling. The reason given by the board was that the Effective Cycling Course was too hard for the average cyclist(BS). Myself and about 85% of the ECI's said "See ya" and stopped teaching. I have no clue what goes on with the LAB anymore.

Because I am a glutton for punishment, I now teach Motorcycle Safety to Drivers Education classes in many area high schools through ABATE, A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education. The aim here is not to teach them about riding a motorcycle but how to react safely when encountering a motorcycle on the road while driving. I also talk about what is required to obtain an MC license if they are interested.
We usually have a booth at car shows, races, and public safety events. We are usually well received but occasionally will encounter a crabby old fart who'll complain that all bikers are law breakers because he once saw an idiot pull a wheelie on the highway. We say that you should have reported the offender to the authorities. We don't approve of the idiots either.

We were taught basic Cycling Proficiency at Primary School and given a little triangular badge, somewhere I still have the certificate and only rode on the roads, whilst aware of other road users and gave the correct signals etc..
Nowadays they ride on the pavements at speed and ignore the "signals" from others. The police do nothing about them, probably as the realise the chance of a successful prosecution are zero. I read recently a takeaway delivery cyclist had his modified E bike capable of 70mph crushed, but that they let him go, even though at that speed he could easily kill a pedestrian on the pavement!
Unless a motorist has ridden both pedal and motorbikes they have little thought or consideration for them.
I haven't ridden motorbikes for some years for two reasons, one my Motor Trade Insurance provider stopped covering motorbikes and two I got fed up having to avoid idiot motorists pulling out of side roads into my path, even though I have always positioned myself on the road where easily visible, unlike some moped riders who ride close to the pavement at a danger to themselves and others. Maybe to make it easy for their pillion riders to steal mobile phones from unsuspecting pedestrians which I understand is common in the cities.

 

[vexorg]

In Glasgow the worst of the riders are the deliveroo/just eat ones. And not being racist, every one I've seen that ignores every rule of the road is asian/pakistani.

Outside of Glasgow, a lot of towns and main roads have cycle lanes, which infuriates me as they cycle on the road beside the cycle path. Why spend a fortune of reducing the road space for them not to use it!

 

[Cheest]

Outside of Glasgow, a lot of towns and main roads have cycle lanes, which infuriates me as they cycle on the road beside the cycle path. Why spend a fortune of reducing the road space for them not to use it!

In my neck of the woods there are few reasons for this.
There is no mandatory sidepath law where a cyclist must take the path. That is left up to the local jurisdiction in these parts.
The path doesn't go where the cyclist needs to go.
The path is poorly maintained or poorly designed.
The cyclist is a smug prick and probably drives a Tesla. (apologies to Tesla drivers who aren't pricks. I know you're out there)

As to my opinion on e-bikes, I will grudgingly accept pedal assist bikes that use a torque sensing system in the cranks. Speed sensing systems that spin the cranks faster can kiss my behind. The e-bikes that have the motor in the wheel and operate like a motorcycle should be taxed, licensed, insured; the operator needs to have an MC license, and banned from the bike path. Most of the paths here have a speed limit of 15 mph, which the e-bikes greatly exceed.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

In my neck of the woods there are few reasons for this.
There is no mandatory sidepath law where a cyclist must take the path. That is left up to the local jurisdiction in these parts.
The path doesn't go where the cyclist needs to go.
The path is poorly maintained or poorly designed.
The cyclist is a smug prick and probably drives a Tesla. (apologies to Tesla drivers who aren't pricks. I know you're out there)

As to my opinion on e-bikes, I will grudgingly accept pedal assist bikes that use a torque sensing system in the cranks. Speed sensing systems that spin the cranks faster can kiss my behind. The e-bikes that have the motor in the wheel and operate like a motorcycle should be taxed, licensed, insured; the operator needs to have an MC license, and banned from the bike path. Most of the paths here have a speed limit of 15 mph, which the e-bikes greatly exceed.

Exactly because there are so many irresponsible law breaking cyclists around, probably less in total than the law abiding ones but there are many who don't comply and because any cyclist has the potential to cause/end up in a whole lot of trouble, they need to be easily identifiable and subject to reasonable laws of conduct. Here in Edinburgh there are the "all in black with hoody tops and face masks" aggressive youngsters who seem to be getting away with quite serious misconduct/crime with impunity. However you see all the time just ordinary cyclists riding on pavements and running red lights amongst other silly stuff. It's not unusual to see cyclists treating the "green man" as go to proceed and riding through a junction when the pedestrians have right of way to the endangerment of said pedestrians

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

As some may know I've been giving consideration to what we might replace Becky with when the time comes and one of the front runners, alongside another Panda, is the Suzuki Ignis. All my investigations have been going well and I really though I might have found a car I could like as much as the Panda. However I just discovered something about it I don't like. It has radio sender TPI sensors. I much prefer ABS sensing. Around £60 per wheel for a new one if needed?

 

[irc]

Panda with starter problems turned up late yesterday. Checked out usual suspects, all tested OK, so decided to swap the starter motor out.
Put on a known-good secondhand one as I didn't have a new one available. (Also changed the plastic bit, as spring washer was a bit crusty)
Started tightening the electrics up and....
The terminal snapped off right at the base.
Swore loudly, and took it all apart again.
Ordered a new one.
It turned up, and the terminal was about 12mm too short. Right part number, but not enough thread to fit nut on.
Found another secondhand starter motor and put it on, only to find...
Its as bad as the first one. My fault, I always label electrics with details when I take them off, and this one didn't have a label.
20 minute job wasted most of the day and still not finished.
Supplied part still needs exchanging and fitting.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

In my neck of the woods there are few reasons for this.
There is no mandatory sidepath law where a cyclist must take the path. That is left up to the local jurisdiction in these parts.
The path doesn't go where the cyclist needs to go.
The path is poorly maintained or poorly designed.
The cyclist is a smug prick and probably drives a Tesla. (apologies to Tesla drivers who aren't pricks. I know you're out there)

just to pick you up on this. ,there aren't any. even those that think they aren't still drive teslas. its kinda' a lose, lose deal.

In my neck of the woods there are few reasons for this.
There is no mandatory sidepath law where a cyclist must take the path. That is left up to the local jurisdiction in these parts.
The path doesn't go where the cyclist needs to go.
The path is poorly maintained or poorly designed.

Having been in this position as a cyclist, I am not going to use a cycle path that bumps up and down kerbs or is too close to driveway openings, many a cyclist has gone over the bonnet/hood of a car because the car pulled out without being able to see down the cycle path but could see the road.

bumping up and down constantly for dropped kerbs is also not pleasant, especially if you are moving at speed and have no suspension like most road bikes.
Then there is the street furniture that is out to kill you, signs that are low enough to walk under but will take your head off if you are riding higher on a bike, cables holding down telegraph poles kamakazi pedestrians and random boxes and other such equipment plonked in the path with no thought or consideration, not joking but recently my local city council literally put trees down the middle of a cycle path see here ----- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-49809139

As to my opinion on e-bikes, I will grudgingly accept pedal assist bikes that use a torque sensing system in the cranks. Speed sensing systems that spin the cranks faster can kiss my behind. The e-bikes that have the motor in the wheel and operate like a motorcycle should be taxed, licensed, insured; the operator needs to have an MC license, and banned from the bike path. Most of the paths here have a speed limit of 15 mph, which the e-bikes greatly exceed.

in the UK I am pretty sure that anything that is electrically powered is not allowed or required proper regulation the only Ebikes that are legal have to be the pedal assist type, however when someone is belting a long pedaling like fury, are they doing that or is it the bike? it can be a difficult thing to police, I would much rather an Ebike be on the road than on a shared path/cycle path if I am walking a long it, as they tend to move much faster and you can't hear them coming usually. As with pedal bikes you only tend to go as fast as your skills and senses allow, but with a powered bike you can hammer a long at speed and put minimal thought into it so dippy Doris on her way back from her shift on her Ebike going at 25 - 30 mph while half a sleep becomes a frightening prospect for any person on foot.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

just to pick you up on this. ,there aren't any. even those that think they aren't still drive teslas. its kinda' a lose, lose deal.

Having been in this position as a cyclist, I am not going to use a cycle path that bumps up and down kerbs or is too close to driveway openings, many a cyclist has gone over the bonnet/hood of a car because the car pulled out without being able to see down the cycle path but could see the road.

bumping up and down constantly for dropped kerbs is also not pleasant, especially if you are moving at speed and have no suspension like most road bikes.
Then there is the street furniture that is out to kill you, signs that are low enough to walk under but will take your head off if you are riding higher on a bike, cables holding down telegraph poles kamakazi pedestrians and random boxes and other such equipment plonked in the path with no thought or consideration, not joking but recently my local city council literally put trees down the middle of a cycle path see here ----- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-49809139

in the UK I am pretty sure that anything that is electrically powered is not allowed or required proper regulation the only Ebikes that are legal have to be the pedal assist type, however when someone is belting a long pedaling like fury, are they doing that or is it the bike? it can be a difficult thing to police, I would much rather an Ebike be on the road than on a shared path/cycle path if I am walking a long it, as they tend to move much faster and you can't hear them coming usually. As with pedal bikes you only tend to go as fast as your skills and senses allow, but with a powered bike you can hammer a long at speed and put minimal thought into it so dippy Doris on her way back from her shift on her Ebike going at 25 - 30 mph while half a sleep becomes a frightening prospect for any person on foot.

It's always been the same - it's the differential speed that's the problem. Pedestrians mixing with other pedestrians are unlikely to have serious injuries caused by knocking into each other. Likewise an all bikes situation (although some irresponsible idiots still manage it!) Motor vehicles with other motor vehicles? Unfortunately there are still idiots, nothing is safe from the idiots of this world. Then you can escalate to aircraft and there's a good reason why they fly at separation heights. Aircraft are a bit of a different kettle of fish but for the rest, if you mix them up together it's inevitable there are going to be accidents and people are going to get hurt.

 

[Cheest]

Nothing to do with bike, cars, motorcycles or the problem in or on the seat. Mrs.Cheest has been losing it over another mouse in the house.

I grew up farming. We had cats, so we had very few mice. The little murder machines earned their keep. What few mice that did get in the house either got out or got ate. Mrs.Cheest is allergic to cats and Buster, who is a champion killer of chipmunks and field mice, figures if a mouse is in the house and not outside, it's supposed to be inside.

Every mouse poop found, is a headache for me. Every noise she hears, I have to inspect. I have baited traps all over the house and we are having a pro over on Monday. I was up in the groj* attic today when Mrs.Cheest heard another noise and came up into the attic to tell me about it. Basically,"Iheardanoiseanditmightbeamouseinatrapwillyoucheck." Down the ladder and into the house. The last trap I checked has a tail hanging out of it. One point for me. I held the trap up to show her and she went "Ahhhhh!" then ran and hid. This is a woman who would not back down to an army sergeant in uniform during an argument.**

*Midwestern dialect for 'Garage'. We prefer using the least number of syllables.

**Her father when she'd finally had enough of his bullsh!t.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Then you can escalate to aircraft and there's a good reason why they fly at separation heights. Aircraft are a bit of a different kettle of fish but for the rest, if you mix them up together it's inevitable there are going to be accidents and people are going to get hurt.

When you fly little aircraft in uncontrolled airspace and the vast majority of airspace is uncontrolled, you learn to realise a lot of the time pilots are looking out for one another, listening to radio traffic to see who is near by for the most part you keep yourself from crashing in to one another and there are rules on how you pass other aircraft, the last thing you want is one turns to their left, the other to their right and they basically turn toward one another as a result.

The people in the places have a much better appreciation for keeping themselves safe but a 16 year old on an e bike maybe not so much.

 

[vexorg]

With the rise in crime using modified e-bikes, I can see them being banned soon.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

When you fly little aircraft in uncontrolled airspace and the vast majority of airspace is uncontrolled, you learn to realise a lot of the time pilots are looking out for one another, listening to radio traffic to see who is near by for the most part you keep yourself from crashing in to one another and there are rules on how you pass other aircraft, the last thing you want is one turns to their left, the other to their right and they basically turn toward one another as a result.

The people in the places have a much better appreciation for keeping themselves safe but a 16 year old on an e bike maybe not so much.

So my ex RAF/BEA/Cyprus Airways pilot brother in law was right. "never go up in small planes Jock, they're bloody dangerous"

 

[portland_bill]

Nothing to do with bike, cars, motorcycles or the problem in or on the seat. Mrs.Cheest has been losing it over another mouse in the house.

I've lived with cats, most of my life. An early cat would kill everything that moved, regardless of size, and was fearless, even against very large dogs and even people. She'd stand ahead of us when confronted by an unwelcome visitor (door salesmen), ready to defend, just like a dog will. During her time, we never had live creatures in the house, although often dead ones. She'd kill spiders, usually with a single blow, then leave them for us to clean up. Presumably they're not tasty, or perhaps poisonous.
Later cats would bring in all sorts of creatures. Had to rescue a bat once, luckily unharmed, sweet little creature. Lizards smell awful once 'broken open', and leave a bit of a mess.
My experience is that male cats bring in dead prey, as their job is to feed the family. Female cats bring prey in alive, to teach kittens to hunt. We have humane traps dotted around the house, which get checked daily for 'contents'. Cardboard tubes are good, the sort maps get posted in. Leave one end open, lie it in an appropriate place. Mouse enters, feeling safe, cat guards the entrance. Pick up tube and carry outside to release. Can also be used to catch mice, just place over the creature, and slide something under as a cover.
Had one inside the VHS player once. It got in through the tape door, then is trapped. Took the top off, released the tiny thing. No apparent damage, or soiling. Machine still works, 25 years later.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

So my ex RAF/BEA/Cyprus Airways pilot brother in law was right. "never go up in small planes Jock, they're bloody dangerous"

When you think most are based on 1950s and 60s technology, with the built quality and engineering of that era and the structural rigidity of a crisp packet, your brother inlaw probably has a point.

The Cessna 150/152 which I have flown and is a very common trainer are best described as a flying VW beetle the interior materials build quality, the smell and even the sound of the flat 4 engine is all very beetle-esq Then if you want to take it further there are small planes that literally use a customized version of the beetle engine.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

When you think most are based on 1950s and 60s technology, with the built quality and engineering of that era and the structural rigidity of a crisp packet, your brother inlaw probably has a point.

The Cessna 150/152 which I have flown and is a very common trainer are best described as a flying VW beetle the interior materials build quality, the smell and even the sound of the flat 4 engine is all very beetle-esq Then if you want to take it further there are small planes that literally use a customized version of the beetle engine.

Son in law - Daughter's husband - has part share in a single engine low wing 2 seater French made thing but I can't remember what it's called. I've been up in it a few times and even taken control. He was teaching me to do 30 degree banks last time. It has a large bubble canopy which leaves you very much feeling as if you are sitting, or balancing, "on" it rather than "in" it which I find rather unnerving. Getting more used to it now. You'll gather I haven't heeded my, now deceased, brother on law's advice.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I notice the headlines this morning telling us that the water companies have to give back £158 million due to poor performance. I've seen fines/penalties like these imposed on other organisations/utilities for similar reasons and I find myself asking, is that not rather like asking someone to beat, say the 100 yards record, but with one leg tied to the other (you get the idea I'm sure). If you take away some of their financial resource when they are crying out that they are short of money then surely that's illogical and only means we'll have to pay more in the future to make the shortfall up? That's not to say that I condone them paying out large bonuses and dividends which are not entitled.

 

[bugsymike]

So my ex RAF/BEA/Cyprus Airways pilot brother in law was right. "never go up in small planes Jock, they're bloody dangerous"

It's not the going up, it is the going down.