Cyclist: ‘Surrey is worst place in world to ride your bike’
A cyclist from Guildford with more than four decades of riding experience called the county the worst place in the world to ride. Video clips taken by Jon Sharpe while out on his bike show a series of vehicles passing closely by him, including a single-decker bus and truck. Jon said: “I’ve cycled on-road and off-road and raced all over the world as well.
There are good and bad drivers everywhere – but certainly in the south-east the standard of driving falls below a level that any sane person would want to see on the roads. “If I’m honest, I think Surrey is the worst place in the world I’ve ever ridden. That all comes down to the quality of driver and I’ve ridden in a lot of places you’d think cycling would be a worse experience, but Surrey is by far the worse place to be on the road.”
READ MORE: ‘Impenetrable’ Guildford has no ‘simple solution’ for its ongoing congestion problems Jon said he has been run over and injured by cars before. He added: “Cycling itself is extremely safe but, at points, I have felt unsafe.
A lot of the time your mind thinks back to the occasion and you’re lucky to get back home alive. “But you shouldn’t be scared and feel your life is in danger when doing an everyday activity [like cycling] and to have those thoughts and feelings isn’t good.” The 45-year-old said there are two types of drivers who close-pass cyclists: those who do it unintentionally and those who do it deliberately.
He added: “I would definitely refer the first type back to the Highway Code and to have more lessons and understand how they can improve their driving. “For the second lot, they need to hand their driving licences back. I’ve yet to come across a dangerous close-pass that is acceptable.”
Earlier this year, the Highway Code introduced new guidance for drivers to leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph. While more space between vehicles and bikes should be given when travelling at higher speeds. John said: “There are no excuses for putting people’s lives in harm’s way and you shouldn’t be on the road if you’re driving like this.
We have a duty of care to protect those that are vulnerable, on the road or in wider society, and that message really needs to get out there. “We often behave in a different way behind the wheel and if it’s a dangerous way then we shouldn’t be on the road.” Get the latest Surrey traffic and travel updates direct to your inbox for free here .
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