How Utrecht Became a Paradise for Cyclists
I cycle commuted in London in the late 90s and 2000's and we pushed then for two items - to be seen by other road users as real road users (ie not something just to be brushed aside) and for dedicated cycle lanes that would improve safety.<p>I started cycle commuting again about a year ago (Boris Bikes) and guess what we have dedicated "cycle superhighways"<p>And the problem it turns out is <i>us</i> cyclists<p>There is always a traffic jam on the dedicated pathway - the blue cycle lane.  And so some (usually but not always male) cyclists jump on and off the lane and engage in dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.<p>Worst, is that the blue lane runs along normal roads and so has traffic lights at the same positions - and that I guess 25% of cyclists ignore completely a red light and plough through - and twice I have seen these idiots hit pedestrians and two weeks ago came across the fire brigade washing the blood away<p>We campaigned and rode to be taken as real roads users - and when we got real roads with real traffic light we ignore the real
rules of the road<p>Cyclists need to have number plates and fines for breaching traffic laws.<p>sorry.