What's the most unpopular benign opinion you hold?

[EvilPie]

It should be illegal to cycle on roads.

I agree, it makes no sense that bikes and cars share the same space rather than bikes and pedestrians - seems like a historical accident that it happened this way but nobody ever got around to fixing it.

So are you both saying it should be legal to cycle on pavements instead or should cars, cyclists and pedestrians each have their own space?

It's an interesting one. If cyclists and motorists both obey the highway code it's perfectly safe and causes little inconvenience to either party. If cyclists and pedestrians share the same space there's no 'pavement' code to protect either party.

The risk to pedestrians if cyclists are the pavement seems greater to me. possibly fewer deaths but surely more actual accidents?

What about cars and HGVs sharing roads? I know some countries keep them separate so should we?

I think we should separate cars and HGVs by the way and also agree that cyclists shouldn't be on the roads. Shame we haven't got a bit more space....

[Jon MW]

It should be illegal to cycle on roads.

I agree, it makes no sense that bikes and cars share the same space rather than bikes and pedestrians - seems like a historical accident that it happened this way but nobody ever got around to fixing it.

So are you both saying it should be legal to cycle on pavements instead or should cars, cyclists and pedestrians each have their own space?

It's an interesting one. If cyclists and motorists both obey the highway code it's perfectly safe and causes little inconvenience to either party. If cyclists and pedestrians share the same space there's no 'pavement' code to protect either party.

The risk to pedestrians if cyclists are the pavement seems greater to me. possibly fewer deaths but surely more actual accidents?

What about cars and HGVs sharing roads? I know some countries keep them separate so should we?

I think we should separate cars and HGVs by the way and also agree that cyclists shouldn't be on the roads. Shame we haven't got a bit more space....

Ideally there should be pavements, cycle paths and roads but obviously most places don't have space.

I had a quick google and most pedestrian accidents involve cars, even though pedestrian and cyclists share the same spaces a lot more frequently than pedestrians and cars. So it seems the perception of the risk of cyclists mixing with pedestrians is far higher than the actuality.

I also think that it's a lot more likely that you'll get the majority of cyclists behaving safely towards pedestrians than you would motor drivers behaving safely towards cyclists (or motorcyclists - but they're definitely staying on the road ).

And if a cyclist is guilty of dangerous cycling they're probably going to cause a few bruises in an accident and at worst a broken bone - on average the worst case scenario in a pedestrian/bicycle accident is going to be so much higher than a car/bicycle accident it seems odd that it's stayed as the status quo for so long as it is.

Having said that, it would be perfectly sensible to introduce some new laws about cyclist behaviour on pavements with a proportionate level of punishments for when they're caught.

[StuartHopkin]

It should be illegal to cycle on roads.

I agree, it makes no sense that bikes and cars share the same space rather than bikes and pedestrians - seems like a historical accident that it happened this way but nobody ever got around to fixing it.

So are you both saying it should be legal to cycle on pavements instead or should cars, cyclists and pedestrians each have their own space?

It's an interesting one. If cyclists and motorists both obey the highway code it's perfectly safe and causes little inconvenience to either party. If cyclists and pedestrians share the same space there's no 'pavement' code to protect either party.

The risk to pedestrians if cyclists are the pavement seems greater to me. possibly fewer deaths but surely more actual accidents?

What about cars and HGVs sharing roads? I know some countries keep them separate so should we?

I think we should separate cars and HGVs by the way and also agree that cyclists shouldn't be on the roads. Shame we haven't got a bit more space....

Ideally there should be pavements, cycle paths and roads but obviously most places don't have space.

I had a quick google and most pedestrian accidents involve cars, even though pedestrian and cyclists share the same spaces a lot more frequently than pedestrians and cars. So it seems the perception of the risk of cyclists mixing with pedestrians is far higher than the actuality.

I also think that it's a lot more likely that you'll get the majority of cyclists behaving safely towards pedestrians than you would motor drivers behaving safely towards cyclists (or motorcyclists - but they're definitely staying on the road ).

And if a cyclist is guilty of dangerous cycling they're probably going to cause a few bruises in an accident and at worst a broken bone - on average the worst case scenario in a pedestrian/bicycle accident is going to be so much higher than a car/bicycle accident it seems odd that it's stayed as the status quo for so long as it is.

Having said that, it would be perfectly sensible to introduce some new laws about cyclist behaviour on pavements with a proportionate level of punishments for when they're caught.

Far too sensible an approach Jon MW.

Cyclists should use cycle paths where available, if no cycle path is available they should carry their bicycle whilst using the pavement.

[SuuPRlim]

People who rely on benefits to feed themselves shouldn't be allowed to breed.

I agree however how would jeremy kyle find guests?

[SuuPRlim]

I think Cheryl Tweedy-Cole-Fernandez-whatever is a 5 AT BEST.

No idea why everyone thinks she's so hot.

[teddybloat]

Cheryl Cole, Kardashian, sherzinger : other women hold them as ideals, and id argue rate them more attractive than men rate them

[Marky147]

I don't mind the whole US tipping culture.

Cheryl Cole, Kardashian, sherzinger : other women hold them as ideals, and id argue rate them more attractive than men rate them

Kardashian was a lot better before her ass blew up, and Cole looks better when she doesn't seem to have an eating disorder.

I think Nicole is gorgeous, but her penchant for melodramatics isn't attractive.

I'm sure they all have me rated in the upper ranges of the 1/10 scale, too.

[kukushkin88]

I don't mind the whole US tipping culture.

Cheryl Cole, Kardashian, sherzinger : other women hold them as ideals, and id argue rate them more attractive than men rate them

Kardashian was a lot better before her ass blew up, and Cole looks better when she doesn't seem to have an eating disorder.

I think Nicole is gorgeous, but her penchant for melodramatics isn't attractive.

I'm sure they all have me rated in the upper ranges of the 1/10 scale, too.

Have you even looked at her elbows? Way too pointy! :-)

[Marky147]

I don't mind the whole US tipping culture.

Cheryl Cole, Kardashian, sherzinger : other women hold them as ideals, and id argue rate them more attractive than men rate them

Kardashian was a lot better before her ass blew up, and Cole looks better when she doesn't seem to have an eating disorder.

I think Nicole is gorgeous, but her penchant for melodramatics isn't attractive.

I'm sure they all have me rated in the upper ranges of the 1/10 scale, too.

Have you even looked at her elbows? Way too pointy! :-)

I'm a forgiving person...

[Steve Swift]

If you kill another human being your life is taken from you instantly.

If on benefits and offered a job which you refuse every benefit it taken from you, again instantly.

[The Camel]

Wow. Just wow.

[EvilPie]

Wow. Just wow.

What did you expect from the title of the thread?

Any unpopular opinion in particular that you're 'wowing'....?

[kukushkin88]

Wow. Just wow.

What did you expect from the title of the thread?

Any unpopular opinion in particular that you're 'wowing'....?

Not trying to speak for Keith, although we tend to agree about tons of stuff. I'm thinking Hector, Steve S, people on benefits not breeding and 'on the spot' death penalties are the shockers (monkeys beetles (sic) is very subjective :-). Happy to list what I perceive to be the flaws in those if you'd like?

[RickBFA]

I'm with Adz on women's sport - particularly on national TV.

The BBC trying to promote minority sports (like women's football and cricket which overall is typically watched live by 2 men, a dog and a couple of hundred school kids with free tickets) as a mainstream popular nationally important headline worthy news sport.

I did try watching the Women's England cricket and football but it was awful.

[Doobs]

I prefer The Monkees over The Beatles.

I think that the Paralympics should not take place.

Women tennis players should not get the same prize money as the men.

Women in sport generally. If they want equality on pay etc, play with men(until there are none left!)

Mmmm.  Women playing with men.