Suicidal Cyclists

What do you reckon: who would win - a cyclist, or a bus?

This morning I hopped onto the 15 into town and was happily listening to Men at Work on my MP3 player when a cyclist shot out in front of the bus from a side road. The bus managed to brake and didn't hit him.

In My Reality there are 3 types of road users: pedestrians, cyclists and drivers (of various sizes and persuasions). It is possible to belong to all 3 groups: but generally speaking, when belonging to one group, the other groups have to be loathed and detested.

Pedestrians live in a world of their own. They are completely oblivious to the world around them (unless an attractive member of the lusted after sex is on the other side of the road). They are plugged into their headphones and suffer from a Superman complex. They think they are invincible. They walk out in front of oncoming traffic without a worry or frown. I have seen a few stop and eat chips in the middle of a busy road in a sea-side town. I kid you not.

Cyclists are the righteous. They aren't polluting the planet and therefore red lights and the highway code do not apply to them. Pavements are another word for cycle lane. Pedestrians and drivers beware. It won't be long before my boy starts telling me off for embarrassing him in public. I have been known to shout after cyclists who don't stop at red lights when I'm trying to cross.

Drivers believe might is right; and lets face it, who wants to get into an argument with an articulated lorry. Chances are you will lose. They are selfish (how many cars do you see on a daily commute with 1 passenger), they are using up valuable fossil fuels and they have compensation issues. How else do you explain souped up Vauxhall Novas, painted bright purple, with a massive spoiler and gold-painted fake alloy wheels?

This cyclist (male) didn't even pause when joining the main road, he actually undertook a waiting car to do so (they don't recommend that in the highway code). Not only that, he gave the bus driver a mouthful. Apparently as he was joining a cycle lane (actually it's both a bus and cycle lane), he had right of way. The fact that users of said side road have to 'give way' did not apply to him.

The bus driver didn't say it. So I'll say it for him:

Pillock.