• Question: Is cycling on roads an eco-friendly efficient method of transport or a nuisance to drivers and dangerous?

    Asked by anon-129382 to Megan, Mzamo, Ola, Olivia, Weiyi on 14 Nov 2016.
    • Photo: Megan Seymour

      Megan Seymour answered on 14 Nov 2016:

      This is a really topical question for me!

      I cycle to work and back every day (about 4 miles each way through the centre of Edinburgh). I think its a great way to keep fit, it’s environmentally friendly, it reduces congestion, and for me it is much much faster than getting the bus.

      I do find that there is a lot of bad feelings towards cyclists though, especially by car drivers. In the last three weeks I have had 2 very very near misses, one with a car turning right across a cycle lane without looking and one with a van who ran a red light and came over a junction nearly hitting me. So, I can’t really argue that it’s not dangerous, because clearly it is.

      Cyclists have a responsibility to make sure they are well lit, especially in the winter and when it is dark, and to ride safely. I see cyclists do silly things like cut each other up and go over red lights all the time, and they need to realise that this is putting everyone in danger.

      I think cities are realising that overall, cycling is quite a positive thing, but they need to provide safer cycle routes to keep everyone out of harm- and both drivers, and cyclists need to be more considerate of each other.

    • Photo: Ola Michalec

      Ola Michalec answered on 14 Nov 2016:

      Hello!

      cycling is a great mode of transport – good in terms of carbon emissions, pollution, traffic. You can improve your stamina and cardio by cycling regularly. It’s an inclusive activity – e.g. there are bicycles which you can ride with hands for people with disabilities.

      We are all road users and we all have the right to be there -do not let tell you that you’d be a nuisance. Also, as road users, we have the responsibility to look out and slow down for those slower and more vulnerable than us. E.g. cyclist need to slow down near pedestrians on shared paths and drivers need to slow down near cyclists on roads.

      Cycling involves risks but it’s not a dangerous activity. We can also work towards making it safer for everyone – it depends on the culture and mutual effort of the whole society. e.g. look at Netherlands- everyone cycles there, regardless of the age! People cycle with normal clothes (not always lycra) and respect each other:) Obviously, separated cycle lanes help a lot, but so do speed limits inside cites and most importantly – teaching drivers about safe overtaking distance and cyclists about wearing lights

    • Photo: Olivia Ashton

      Olivia Ashton answered on 15 Nov 2016:

      I think cycling is an eco friendly and efficient method of transport.

      Sometimes it can be dangerous but that is down to the individual driver and/or cyclist. If drivers are observant of cyclists, and cyclists stick to the road laws as well as the cars then there is no reason why they can’t get along nicely.

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