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A little bit of space is all we cyclists ask for...
9:25am Friday 15th June 2007
Comments (16)AFTER more than 50 years of cycling on Southampton's roads, Mary Field knows exactly what is needed to improve road safety - a little more space from drivers.
Mary, who lives near Southampton Common, spoke out after the Daily Echo highlighted how calls are being made for the city to follow Edinburgh's lead by banning cyclists from busy routes.
The piano teacher believes that on roads without cycle lanes, motorists should leave more space between their vehicles and the kerb.
Mary, 69, said: "It is not so much of a problem on roads where there are cycle lanes marked. However, most roads without cycle lanes are wide enough for drivers to leave more room.
"On the whole, though, drivers are always very kind to me and beckon me through."
The family of Jordan Wickington, 19, who died after his bicycle was hit by a car at the junction of Mountbatten Way and West Quay Road earlier this year, has supported a ban on cyclists using the route.
However, Miss Field said she did not believe cyclists should be banned from roads, and that improving cycle paths should be made a top priority instead.
"Some cycle paths, like the ones on Hill Lane in Southampton, seem to stop and start so quickly it's as if whoever painted them ran out of paint."
Despite a near accident ten years ago, Mary is in no hurry to stop pedalling.
She cycles an average of eight miles every day, and some days cycles as far as 15 miles.
"Thanks to cycling, I think I'm in very good health. I used to have more aches and pains as a teenager than I do now.
"My main reason for cycling, apart from keeping healthy and fit, is the views you get.
"I've been painting for years and I love looking at the scenery. Sometimes I don't want to go home. I could just go on cycling."
It is not just cyclists motorists have to keep an eye out for.
Retired sheltered housing manager Margaret Gilbert, 67, of Southampton, spotted one woman on rollerblades during the morning rush hour in Castle Street, Southampton.
She said: "I was flabbergasted. The buses in the road were having real difficulty moving on."
Do you know who the mystery rollerskater is? Ring Clare Kennedy at the Daily Echo on 023 8042 4500.
Your Say YourThis is Hampshire
Karen, The Avenue says...
10:43am Fri 15 Jun 07
Mark Parker, London says...
10:51am Fri 15 Jun 07
C C, New Forest says...
11:10am Fri 15 Jun 07
anon, bitterne says...
11:15am Fri 15 Jun 07
we as car drivers pay the right to use our roads in tax ect what do they pay nothing. they dont get fined going through red lights but we all see them do it. so what if there is not enough room between a car and a carb when tafic is slow. they will just have to wait untill we move. like we do for them when over taking
Small Fry, Southampton says...
11:52am Fri 15 Jun 07
anon, southampton says...
12:16pm Fri 15 Jun 07
There is another side to this argument; I cycle to be more environmentally friendly. If the cycle lanes were removed then that would result in more people getting into their cars, not caring about their own carbon footprint. In this day and age we need to be aware of our actions and how is effects everyone around us. If only more people where to walk/ cycle to work, instead of sitting in their cars complaining about the people that are actually doing something to help the environment, then we all may benefit.
Bruce, Southampton says...
12:47pm Fri 15 Jun 07
Also I can understand where people need to commute a significant distance but would like to know how many people drive to work rather than walk or cycle 25 minutes. Isn't it amazing how clear the roads are in the school holidays?!
Back on topic as a keen cyclist myself and driver I would prefer for dual carriageways to ban cyclists. A good example is along the Millbrook bypass, the lanes are adequate but you still see cyclists risking it on the main road.
For every cyclist you see jumping a red light or riding on a pavement youll see twice as many drivers doing something illegal with far greater consequences. Personally when I ride I keep to the Highway Code, are you sure you do the same driving?
Before you judge try to cycle to work in rush hour and see how tricky it can be.
Btw the argument against cyclists using the road and not paying is invalid and quite frankly done to death.
CC, says...
12:54pm Fri 15 Jun 07
Bruce, Southampton says...
1:12pm Fri 15 Jun 07
A 'free ride? Like it, don't forget when you ride on the road youre trying not just to get to a to b but also to get there alive. My appreciation stems as far as not being knocked off or stuck to somebody's bumper. No offence meant.
Drivers pay for the upkeep of the road because youre doing most of the wear and tear.
Heidi Clare, It's not says...
1:33pm Fri 15 Jun 07
So go ahead, ban cycling on my route to work, I'll join you all by travelling by car and add to the pollution and congestion, and have a community of fat kids!
Rose Bush, what shall I ride says...
1:41pm Fri 15 Jun 07
You just know neither is ever likely to happen!
Adrian Smith, Southampton says...
2:00pm Fri 15 Jun 07
Karen wrote:The thing that would annoy me if I were a cyclist using pedestrian only pavements is the drivers who park their cars on pavements. Now that is selfish. When I take photographs of these vehicles and email them to the Police, Council (regular perps) and companies they seldom act.
Cyclists have all the space they want anyway - they cycle where the want pavements (cycle path or not)they drive up wrong side of the road, don't stop at red lights etc etc
Adrian Smith, Southampton says...
2:03pm Fri 15 Jun 07
Small Fry wrote:If I can be alloud to comment I help pay for these cycle paths. I drive a car, pay national, local and sales taxes and ride a bike.
I'm with 'anon, of Bitterne' Who actually pays for these 'cycle lanes' it certainly isn't the cyclists, they pay nothing ! so why should they have any more room, they ignore most traffic lights including crossings, they don't even seem to bother with lights at night !!!!! There is no licence needed, no 'tests' etc., yet they are allowed on the roads with apparently no rules or regulations..... how is that right ??
Robert, says...
2:37pm Fri 15 Jun 07
You deserve a medal for bravery!
But please note that it's not "everyday" in this context but "every day". The former is an adjective; the latter is an adverbial phrase.
Steady as you go!
hmm, says...
11:06pm Fri 15 Jun 07
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Soupy Twist, says...
9:55am Fri 15 Jun 07