Well as you know the site featured on the Daily Mails website, and if you are a cyclist, you realise just how much the Daily Mail commentators hate cyclists. My wife summed it up perfectly with this line:

“the astonishingly high proportion of dense, blinkered, bitter and twisted people in this country”

Fortunately for all of us, the story has been read by alot of people, but commented on by the minority! Thanks for all the supporters who managed to get their comments published. Thanks to the non supporters who raised valid points without being silly. Thanks also to those who commented on Road Tax (visit: ipayroadtax) which then just strengthens our argument.

Thanks also to all these “so called drivers” who where quick to jump down the cyclists throats but aren’t willing to comment on the video posted on the site showing the red light jumping of cars. I can’t wait to post the doozys I’ve got from this morning.

Anway, there are 89 comments on the Daily Mails website as of writing this – I’ve replied individually:

- John, London, England
Never going to happen but good idea.

- Claire, Oxfordshire
I agree. Cycling issues are also posted on the website.

- Peter, W-S-M
Perfect comment. There’s bad and good of everything. Hows Weston Super Mare? Not been since I was a Kid.

- Rigger, Western Australia
Its the media blowing it out of proportion – of course I’m not the only one doing it. Perhaps if people realised how many clips there are on youtube and one of them could be them – the roads would be a safer place for all?

- Barbra Lownds, Hanworth
You seem to be grouping all cyclists in the same category? And glad to see that you are saying you are considerate to cyclists – the cyclists you are considerate too will appreciate it.

- Cyclist AND driver, Lancs
There’s a myth about Road Tax?

- Flippin Heck, Redcar
Yup – you’ve summed everything up perfectly.

- DP, Doncaster
Thank you. We are all guilty of things. Me too – there are clips of me on the site. A nice positive post from a postie.

- Billy H, Manchester
Damn Road Tax dodgers…

Not illegal to ride no handed or use a mobile phone on a pedal bike. Electric bike – maybe. But a silly person all the same.

Second one – not illegal to ride non handed although silly if on a road and in traffic.

Third one – pair of pillocks. How old where they out of interest?

- Sue, London
Interesting comment. The article doesn’t highlight the fact that as I was crossing Denton Roundabout on foot with my bike a car hit me from the side and drove off. He was jumping a red light. Incidentally, I am also a driver and have to drive across this roundabout, sometimes with my daughter in the car. Oh, and I cycle round the roundabout as I am entitled to do, so yes, again, it does concern me, but thanks for viewing the clip – some people quite clearly haven’t.

On the opposite side of the roundabout there is a cycle path bridge that leads you out onto the main road into a row of parked cars – very considerate. Unfortunately, its only one way, and if you use it to go towards Denton, you end up cycling down a pavement the wrong way into oncoming traffic.

Had I been doing this, I would not have been able to bring this awful awful roundabout to the forefront and be able to engage in things like this.

- Anonymous, Manchester
There’s much more to bad cycling that what you suggest but you are right – and situations like this should not be occurring. As for Pavement to Road – I agree. Although I did this at the beginning of my cycling journey, I jumped off my bike to get onto the pavement or road, and I never jumped back on the road into traffic – I do enjoy my family life

- Pascale PHillips, Netherlands
Thanks for actually reading the article – obviously some of them haven’t.. Strange how these drivers haven’t commented on the 5 car red light jump video at the bottom of the article. Have they just seen the word “cyclist” and have an inbuilt defense mechanism?

- Boil
Its a shame you feel like that. 99.99% of road users are great. Patient, willing and understanding.

- Jim, Wirral
Read the article you idiot. Visit the website. Look at the clips. Unfortunately for me, the most cyclists I’ve ever seen on one trip into twon is 16. I pass around 1,400 cars in a morning, probably much more… The car clips are bound to outweigh the cyclist clips. Feel free to submit cyclist clips if you have any.

- Mr D, Oxford
Brilliant! Typical Cyclist Attitude? I drive a car too thanks. And everything isn’t always somebody elses fault. Two clips on the site from yesterday are things that I did incorrectly (missing someone crossing a zebra crossing and missing a lollipop person).

And for your information -  I look where I am going. I signal where I am going. I don’t wear an ipod whilst cycling (but I bet you listen to your car radio?), I understand the highway code having a driving licence and am very traffic savvy. I’m still alive aren’t I?

Reg plates – Im all for it if it stops this incessant bullshit from people. As I’ve said on the Daily Mails website – I’ll get one printed with my car reg on it and stick it under my seat.

And if cyclists are that much of a nuisance to you, film them and report them to the police.

- RB, Soon To Be Returning To The Uk
Firstly, 1 out of 10 cars on Britains roads have no form of insurance. Secondlay, I have insurance. Thirdly, if I ever collided with a car, I would stop and pass on all my details as I would with my car. If it was my fault, I would pay up – simples. Therefore, does that mean I have your permission to bemoan other road users – I hope so

- Sadie, London
I’d love to agree with you, but not being from London I don’t know. I did go down there on business not so long ago and was apalled at how many cyclists jumped red lights though.

- Romi May, Handsworth
You would think so, but if people don’t report it, they don’t know it exists. Do yourself and your council a favour – point out the dangerous blackspots, much like what I have done with the site – then at least they know they are there.

- Nick, Chatham
Your right.

- Geo, Coventry
Glad you think I’m an Eco Warrior though far from the truth. Nor do I want the road to myself as I need to use my car too. Nice threat to cyclists there (tongue in cheek)… If you actually hit a cyclist this morning and the cyclists lawyers got hold of this…

- Vicky, Bristol
Do it. Make sure you stick it at eye level though – preferably in the middle of your head so that when your “not breaking the speed limit” and you look to the right and capture all those cars overtaking you above the speed limit… Need I carry on?

Also, Have you read all the Blogs about Bristol Traffic?

Cyclist also don’t need to use cycle lanes – you may want to brush up on your Highway Code. I have also passed a driving test – 16 or so years ago.

- Jason, Coventry
Brilliant! Thanks for some support. Doesn’t seem to be much with the Daily Mail readers.

- Geo, Coventry
Haven’t you already commented? There is no law against cycling with an ipod unfortunately. As I’ve said previously – do you enjoy listening to your car radio? As for him kicking your car – where you close enough to allow him to kick your car? If so – you where too close and should have been behind him. Give a cyclist the same amount of distance as you would a car, horse or any other vehicle.

Alternatively – if you think your in the right – report him to the police – they’ll log it and may catch him doing it further down the line. As for the pavement – did he feel threatened by you – you’ve already talked of knocking cyclists of bikes in another comment?

As for displeasure… One more bike = 1 less car.

- Andrew Tonkin, Corby
Good points well raised – cyclist or driver?

- Jason, Coventry
20mph would slow me down on some of my route into Manchester, but a safer journey for all far outweights anything else.

- Geo, Coventry
Yes I can click a mouse and type, and I also work for the same company that owns the paper your reading.

- Happy to be ex-pat
Swerve to avoid a cyclist? Sounds to me like your driving on the wrong side of the road.

- Mutal Bilah, UK
Moron? Brilliant! You haven’t read the article MORON. Fit a camera to your car.

Also, cars don’t have road fund licence to pay for roads… VED… Emissions… The “road tax” you speak of is funded by Council Tax, VAT on Fuel and many other things – all of which I pay for – therefore I do pay someone.

Learn your facts MORON.

- Pier Roselle, Portsmouth
Thankyou Pier – please do. Help stop MORONS like the above.

- Tom Ferguson, Manchester
You can’t quote bad driving figures to drivers – its only cyclists that break the rules. But good facts – thankyou for the support.

- The Joker, Gotham
Figures would be good – why not go and do some research. There’s an article about it on the Daily Mail.

- Mike H, A once Great Britain
How should I take this comment – are you calling me a bag of meat?

- Will Tin, Skipton
Not read the article have you?

- kiwigirl, London
Thanks for pointing that out to Will Tin

- Geo, Conventry
Cycling stories tend to get read by cyclists and drivers who break the law… Maybe thats the 4 arrow reason (although its up to 12 now so some drivers are supporting you)

- Zadranna, Dorset
Thankyou! I also probably pay much more tax that most of the readers of this article – therefore, by their flawed logic I have more rights to be on the road than them. GET OUT OF MY ROAD DRIVERS!!! Of course, I jest.

Signalling is a great one. By my estimation, if everyone signalled at a roundabout, each person would shave 60 seconds off their journey. Anyone care to disprove me?

- Geo, Coventry
Perhaps the Mail should ban you from posting?

- Geo, Coventry
Bloody hell pal.. Really?

- AKKA, Poole
Well done for slowing down, because, despite them not signaling turning left, you’d have caused an accident if both of you turned left. I signal all the time. Ask the people I meet on my journeys. Also, count how many cars DONT SIGNAL when they turn in front of you – far outweights cyclists for sure?

- Ian, Cantebury
I mentioned further up how shocked I was by the cyclists ploughing through red lights – I didn’t have my camera on me at the time though as it was a business trip. I do sympathise with you.

As for the mobile phone comment – I do believe its not illegal (although stupid) to use a mobile phone when on a bicycle.

- Georgina, York
Thankyou. I pay for all the cycle signs and pot hole repairs with my Council Tax. I also pay VED for my vehicle – I have no clue what this Road Tax is.

And I have a life thanks.

- HJ, Pontypridd
Excellent response

- PTolemy, Dwyer
Thank you. As a driver too, I totally agree.

- Cllr Chris Cooke
Really? A counciller? You should re-read the article, check out the website and post again ‘Councillor’

- Geo, Coventry
I thought you where sticking up for me then… As I’ve said – do it. I do.

- MB, Midlands
I have a life thanks.

- Graham, Coventry
I’m careful thanks.

- Mike, Whiston
I’m up for that. End this bollocks once and for all.

- Marky, Berkshire
And riding on the pavement gives way to people like Geo…

- Helen M White, Aylesbury
Perhaps you should have stayed behind the cyclist until safe to do so? You’ve just admitted on a national newspapers website to dangerous driving.

- beansontoast, woolacoombe
Your probably right – still no-one has commented on the 5x RLJing cars in the clip at the top.

- John McNally
Thankyou

- Lilly, Dundee
Thankyou. The use of the horn is not allowed by the highway code – why not report them?

- Toto Kubwa
I’m a driver too – and I pay for the roads with my Council Tax and other various taxes.

- Toto Kubwa
Glad your experienced on the roads in the UK. I’m all for tax. go for it. I don’t mind having a tax disc on my Band A (zero emission) vehicle

- Dennis
I know you.. Am sure you’ve posted on my youtube clips

- Peter, London
Ha ha. Pathetic Comment Posting Tosspot

- Eammon, CA
Jesus – an American can understand it – why can’t the UK?

- Sam, Bath
I’ve had a similar experience with a car not indicating and pulling into the side of me. I was 5ft away from her vehicle at the time…

- Derek Knights
So do I, but its hard to pick them up on camera when I’m concentrating on the road in front. Safe cycling is a two way problem. You’ll be surpised to know that the cyclists without lights are the ones involved in less accidents.

- Jim Diamond
Of course! Of course! Get a grip. Its on my helmet – it follows my head movements. I don’t look for this shit. It happens. Get over it.

- Geo, Coventry
Christ! A half positive comment I do own a car though and know how to drive. Its just a shame that everybody tarrs cyclists with the same brush.

- Super Sceptic, Denierville
What are you on about?

- David Kendall, St Helens
Lycra Clas louts… LOL! Go for it. Get your clips. I’ll put them on the website for you so you don’t have to do any work. Have you seen the video’s on the site? Care to mention the suit clad assholes jumping red lights in their cars? No? Oh, thats a damn shame.

- FightBadDriving
Thats Me

- Antony, Surrey
You claim in your statement that all drivers adhere to the highway code? Surely there wouldn’t be an article if this was the case?

- Nigel, London
LOL – your right – I have Lycra under the pants – you caught me out Also, thanks for the positive!

- davecook
I like the idea. A simpler, cheaper one would be to issue everyone with a bike a Band A tax disk? Carlton Reid of ipayroadtax has the right idea

- Tom Ferguson
Fancy a ride sometime?

- missc86
Magnatom – I’m well aware of him. He’s very good. As are CityCycling.

- Garry
Go for it, I do.

- Ian, Cardiff
You answered your own question

- Justin Clements
Its Micro SD these days – get with the times.

- Dave, Chelmsford
is the Highway code stuck to by ALL drivers?

- Kimberley
Me.

- Geoff, Hitchin
I haven’t blurred any numberplates yet – but its not an issue of grassing people up – its an issue of road awareness by ALL road users (cyclists included). And a shame you haven’t got any footage of the mini.

- PM, Chester
Read the bloody article.

- Jan, surrey
Your husband is a good man. Tell him to keep it up, and keep strong. Thanks for the support.

- Fed Up Of Idiot Drivers, Leicestershire
You see – Driver / Cyclists understand the issue, Cyclists understand the issue. Drivers… Haven’t a clue…

- Heather, Canada
Thankyou very much!

- Derek, Durham
I am warned and am doing nothing illegal

- Dave B
Read the article or visit the website

- Chas Warner, Taunton
Read the article or visit the website

- Dave, Farnborough
I ain’t religious, so I ain’t holier than anybody. A couple of things in your comment don’t make sense:

Most cyclist seem to think the law doesn’t apply to them… Prove it. Most drivers maybe. How often do you stick to 30 on a 30?
Going through red lights – why not comment on the clip on the website?
Cycling and ipods – not illegal – much like listening to a car radio. I don’t listen to an ipod.

- Current Pedestrian / Part Time Driver / One Time Cyclist
Unfortunately, I work up north but feel free to send me the clips which would then appear on the website. Please READ THE ARTICLE.

- Peter North, Sutton
Not really. But please take the time and READ THE ARTICLE.

Apologies for the lack of updates recently – as you are all aware as you look out of the windows – snow has put paid to most journeys, and also it was Christmas so things come to a halt. Whilst taking a much deserved break, the site recieved a response from Area-10 regarding Denton Roundabout.

Unfortunately, it seems that I will be venturing round this roundabout in circles because the pattern has been as follows:

Tameside Council: Contact Area-10 – they are responsible for it.
Area-10: Nothing to do with us, you need to speak to GMP / GMCRP.

Below is the information from Area-10:

Further to my previous email I can confirm the following which we have received from our Watchman Team which I hope you will find helpful.

Our team have reviewed the video footage on the website fightbaddriving and it is clear from that that motorists are taking it upon themselves to jump through red lights. This is an enforcement issue that needs to be considered either by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and/or the Greater Manchester Casualty Reduction Partnership (GMCRP) as a site for red light cameras etc.

In addition, Greater Manchester Urban Traffic Control manage and maintain the traffic signals at this junction on behalf of the Highways Agency and they are able to monitor the traffic signal timings and make adjustments where necessary. That said, it is not as simple as giving more green time to one approach and then increase the inter-green time to provide more time for traffic to clear as both of these actions result in lost time somewhere in the traffic signal cycle.

We are currently developing a scheme to improve the traffic signals on this junction where the M67 joins from the east. The purpose of this improvement scheme is to reduce congestion and therefore when implemented consideration could be given to reallocating some time to other arms of the junction. At this stage we are developing the design with a view to implementing the works during 2010-11 subject to funding.

I have passed your comments onto GMP and GMCRP and also Greater Manchester Urban Traffic Control for their comments.

They have indeed passed this information on to someone regarding the alteration of traffic signal timings, but unfortunately, this will just give drivers more time to go through the red lights, but mean less danger to the other car drivers legally stopped at a red.

At least they have had the courtesy to contact me back, and have passed the information on to the relevant person at the Highways Agency.

I will now persue the issue with Greater Manchester Police (who seem to not want to respond to my twitters) and the Greater Manchester Reduction Partnership, because although the comments by myself have been passed on, I have not been included in any of the mails, whereas I have with the Highways Agency.

In the meantime, thanks for supporting the site, and here’s to a safe 2010 for all.