Modern roads crushing your enthusiasm?

Ermm, I am a cyclist and a driver, so see both sides here.
Cyclists have just as many rights to be on public roads as drivers. No, they should never be on the wrong side of the road, but there is actually no law that states cyclists should cycle in single file. I also can't see how anyone can be criticised for travelling under their own power, on what is still the most efficient method of land transport.
I have far more problems with car drivers as a cyclist than cyclists as a car driver. If more drivers got on their bike to experience what it feels like when a car travels past you with less than a 3 foot gap then I think sharing the road would be a lot more harmonious. I walk quite a lot, on crowded London pavements. I don't complain when I have to move around slower walkers, and I don't risk brushing against them as I walk past. I'd imagine most people act the same way as a pedestrian, but why do so many then act so differently when they get in their car?
They are public roads, bikes, cars, horses - all allowed. A bit of mutual respect would help.
Anyway, sorry for thread diversion, but a narrow minded attitude is very disappointing on here....

The GTI is cracking fun on the right road, engine note is brilliant too. Nice 80s m series growl.

However, the Saab is so modern and capable that unless you're hitting twisty roads at three figures, its just dull.

As a lifelong cyclist, and petrolhead I have conflicting interests. But, weirdly makes me aware of the opposit of whichever I'm doing.

alolympic It's not a narrow minded attitude. I would have exactly the same attitude towards any car drivers who show the same lack of respect to other road users, use the public highway as their personal race track, don't follow the road rules and who think it's completely within there rights to give abuse to other road users.

I used to cycle into and through Birmingham city centre daily so I'm quite aware what riding a push bike is like

Edit - on reflection I've removed a section here as it's too personal to me and out of keeping to the forum. If alolympic wants to PM me I can give them the full story.

I'm also a driver / pedestrian /cyclist and fully aware of the the need for all road users to get along, and share your thoughts on the minority of car and other road users (my pet hate is drivers overtaking over blind crests/ around unsighted corners follwing an incident i witnesesed at very close quarters several years ago). Therefore coming from that mind set, the cyclists i have an issue with are those small minority who think its fair to ride like they are on closed roads in a race, all we can ask for is a bit of common sense, where its safe to do so by all means spread out across the road, but where you can't see whats coming stay on the correct side of the road. Unfortunatle as it is this has become more of a problem around the local roads with the growth in club runs and shop based outings with the (not unwanted) resurgance in cycling over the past decade, with the main culprits being those who should know better...

So its unfortunate that you may of thought my comments were narrow minded but in the context of this topic, the posts i was replying to and my recent experiences it is an unfortunate fact.

Some modern roads are great. It's the traffic that is a problem. This is highlighted now I ride a motorbike. Can easily zip by stuff safely, I go out in my reasonably quick car and have to sit behind stuff.

The only downside with being a biker is every road is this at the moment...

Absolutely FUBAR.

There seems to be no logic to the order in which they're repairing the roads. Dad suffered a shattered spring which shredded a tyre, wrote to the council, who patched 1 pot hole (not even the one he hit) and wrote back to him saying they had inspected the road and found nothing wrong. 

Ironically the parkway is quoted as the only road Sheffield city council inspect on a monthly basis.

If you could see the road outside my mates house you would cry. It's literally cobbled.

I sincerely hope it was strong!

Love the mentality of this forum. The roads are bad so I bought a Forester... on coil overs haha.

I'm personally swapping to some much shorter, much stiffer springs to solve my lowered car on bad roads problems. 
Should work a treat.

Been to the Cotswolds lately? £5 a pint standard.


As for the roads, don't have a Saab 9-3 derv on sports package and 17" wheels. Horrible. Hunts out every pot hole.

Surely an mx5 on 15" wheels, chubby tyres and standard height is the answer.