Actually, am assuming this is because you're saying they slow you down

especially the wider they get.

I guess there must be an element of truth in this. To the extent that one of these is approaching the width of a car, and therefore as hard to overtake as a car, but is slower than a car, then they will slow you down relative to the family being in a car.

But there are things you're not factoring in here. Including:
- they still take up less space than a car. eg in queues, at traffic lights etc. So them moving into a car instead might slow you down more at different times - you just don't see that because the car isn't there;
- they're not competing for a parking space with you. So you're getting a benefit from them that you're not realising you're getting when you subsequently find somewhere to park
- they're not producing air pollution you and your kids are breathing in
- the parents pedalling are getting healthier and so not burdening you with higher taxes from being overweight etc

So the point is you see the 'cost' of having one in front of you, but not any of the benefits in terms of not having a car in front of you instead. Not simple to balance, but you're definitely only seeing one side of it.

Posted By: Tricky Hawes on October 9th 2019 at 13:43:13

Message Thread

Now I like cycling, I am a parent,I’m not violent person. Why is it then that I want to (General Chat) - Augustus Pablo, Oct 9, 09:25:52
- Cambridge is terrible, loads of the bloody things and they seem to be (General Chat) - BSE Canary, Oct 9, 10:17:41
  - Why terrible? (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, Oct 9, 10:30:59
    - The infrastructure is not in place, you would have thought if anywhere Cambridge would (General Chat) - BSE Canary, Oct 9, 11:26:17
      - So in the absence of infrastructure, you'd rather the people on the bikes were in cars? (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, Oct 9, 11:36:19
        
        Not at all I'm all for bikes, I ride myself, more bike lanes needed. (General Chat) - BSE Canary, Oct 9, 11:55:11
        
        and still less likely to kill other people than when a car or van driver does the same (General Chat) - Ralf Scrampton, Oct 9, 12:04:39
        
        Cool. Though I still don't understand why (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, Oct 9, 12:02:26
        
        Actually, am assuming this is because you're saying they slow you down (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, Oct 9, 13:43:13
        
        All very good points, I hadn't thought about the slowing traffic down plus side, now (General Chat) - BSE Canary, Oct 9, 14:06:25
  - they are terrific (General Chat) - Ralf Scrampton, Oct 9, 10:26:02
    - I bet you support the extinction rebellion Ralf. (n/m) (General Chat) - Men without hats, Oct 9, 10:52:55
      - Good example of polarisation, this (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, Oct 9, 10:54:32
        
        Unconscious bias training anyone? (n/m) (General Chat) - BSE Canary, Oct 9, 11:28:04
    - Should still wear helmets surely (General Chat) - duke of york, Oct 9, 10:39:49
      - dealing with the lack of decent infrastructure ought to be the priority though (General Chat) - Ralf Scrampton, Oct 9, 10:54:18
        
        Zorb bubbles for all (n/m) (General Chat) - duke of york, Oct 9, 11:17:14
        
        So anyone who runs should wear a helmet? (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, Oct 9, 10:55:29
        
        Sorry, just read again. I was. Ignore me. (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, Oct 9, 10:56:15
      - Given the speeds people ride those things, not sure how possible it would be (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, Oct 9, 10:49:30
        
        As in, getting hit by a car and thrown (n/m) (General Chat) - duke of york, Oct 9, 10:54:01
- My similar irrational hatred is of people on electric scooters (General Chat) - paulg, Oct 9, 09:47:45
  - Jafski and Archroy would’ve restored your faith (n/m) (General Chat) - Augustus Pablo, Oct 9, 10:04:21
- Genuinely don’t know. I Approve of them. (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, Oct 9, 09:43:15
  - I agree TH, it’s one of those situations where one approves of something but also finds it (General Chat) - Augustus Pablo, Oct 9, 10:00:00
  - Likewise Tricky. Wish they'd been around when my kids were young (n/m) (General Chat) - Chopper, Oct 9, 09:48:10

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