@ Charterhall "So let me get this right Dalmeny01. You are occupying substantially more road space than a cyclist and almost the entire width of the road, you are emitting toxic and global warming pollution, you are creating noise pollution, you are creating massively more wear and tear of the road surface than any cyclist, and you are consuming a non renewable fuel source. And yet you expect cyclists to doff their cap to you when you meet ? "
Too priceless not to respond to!
It is precisely that attitude that needs to be stamped out amongst cyclists. Being a former cyclist (can't anymore - trapped nerve in spine prevents cycling and running) I would defend a cyclists right to responsible road use to the very last. However, and this is a big one for me:
Are there lots of car journeys that could be made by bike? Yes.
Is the bike a replacement for vehicles powered by internal combustion engines? Not by a country mile.
How do you suggest that I transport around chainsaws/tools/my dog/sawn timber (I own and run a hardwood sawmill) on a bike?
You assume a lot with your accusations of be unsustainable - we've done extensive amounts of hardwood thinning on the estate, which has been done to an extremely high standard and very sensitively. Silviculture is a very sustainable profession, and the work we do directly benefits you. The tidy, well maintained woodlands along every drive on Dalmeny are primarily due to our work (the whole of the shore walk too, from Cramond to South Queensferry). Additionally, the sawmilling side of the business produces hardwood for furniture making, using almost exclusively local timber (Edinburgh's Elm for instance) supplying Scottish and English makers. How would you suggest towing a 2 tonne sawmill to site with a bike, or indeed powering it when operating it miles from the nearest power point.
Finally, to come to the age old argument of the motorist, how much tax does your cycle usage contribute towards the upkeep of the road? By my reckoning, I paid just a hair shy of £5000 in tax on the running of my two work vehicles, chainsaws, sawmill etc last year!
I say this all in the most amused tone imaginable, and would like to point out that such posts as Charterhall's are laughable.
Anyway, as regards everyone else, I think it can be agreed upon that a little friendliness on the road, no matter how unnecessary, can only be a good thing!
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