This Rant is going to get me flamed to hell and back, I just know it...

I live in a city that has made attempts to accommodate cyclists. Cycle paths, cycle refuges at traffic lights, Toucan crossings, you know the sort of thing. I'm not saying it's perfect, but it's a start, and anything that helps reduce congestion and pollution is a Good Thing as far as I'm concerned.

Unfortunately, all these good works do nothing to improve the intellect of the two-wheeled nitwits who think that traffic laws only apply to other people.

I'm not talking about the majority of folks who ride their bikes sensibly - I'm talking about the idiots who think they can ride on the pavements at break-neck speeds and expect pedestrians to fling themselves out of the way. I've been injured a couple of times having to take such evasive action - other people I've known haven't been so fortunate...

I once had to help a blind man who had been hit by a cyclist who didn't even bother to stop - thankfully, neither the man or his guide dog were injured, but he needed a new white stick to replace the one that got smashed. To be honest, I think the cyclist was in greater need of it !

Another moron who deserves to be celebrated in this "hall of shame" is the individual who decided to ignore the CYCLISTS DISMOUNT notices in a pedestrian precinct. He continued to ride along at speed, "controlling" the bike with one hand whilst typing out a text message on his mobile - and his attention was totally focused on the phone. He didn't hit anyone, but at the speed he was travelling, a collision would have resulted in some serious injuries.

Then there are the cyclists who jump red lights and complain when someone with right-of-way nearly slices them in two - that light was red for a reason, Skippy, get your eyes checked !

Staying on the subject of lights - if you want to be seen at night, GET SOME !!!

Oh, and people recommend helmets for a good reason - they may look silly, but they can mean the difference between mild concussion and having your unprotected brains scraped off the tarmac should you come a cropper.

(I nearly put that pearl of wisdom to the test as a kid, when I took a flight over the handlebars - fortunately my wrist hit the tarmac first, and I broke that instead of my non-helmeted skull)

Please folks, remember that when you ride a bike, you're in charge of a VEHICLE, and treat it as such. It may not be as fast or as heavy as a car, but it can still cause a lot of damage to a pedestrian - not to mention yourself...