Why are French cyclists more well-behaved than British cyclists?
I've returned from two weeks' driving around the South of France. The area was busy with cyclists. I noticed that French cyclists only ride in pairs when the road width allows traffic to pass freely, otherwise they ride singularly and leave gaps so that vehicles can overtake. Some even stopped on narrow, twisting roads to allow vehicles to pass. Not surprisingly, vehicles respect the safety of cyclists and pass them with care.
Last week, in England, I came across cyclists three-abreast in a group holding up the traffic on a 50mph two-lane road, and two-abreast on a 60mph dual carriageway. Both roads have cycle tracks. A cyclist friend explained that "it's not the done thing to use cycle tracks". Why can't British cyclists behave like French cyclists and engender the same courtesy of motorists?
Last week, in England, I came across cyclists three-abreast in a group holding up the traffic on a 50mph two-lane road, and two-abreast on a 60mph dual carriageway. Both roads have cycle tracks. A cyclist friend explained that "it's not the done thing to use cycle tracks". Why can't British cyclists behave like French cyclists and engender the same courtesy of motorists?
Asked on 10 October 2012 by AT, Formby
Answered by
Honest John
The French are much keener than the Brits on cycling, especially in the south, and have been for many years. That has given them the experience to apply the common sense you witnessed. Here, anybody seems to think they can stick on a pair of sideburns and they're suddenly Bradley Wiggins.
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cyclists
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