Another interesting video, thank you. I must say though that I'm always on the edge of my seat when you do your bike rides. There seems to be a total lack of cycle paths wherever you go. Are cars generally careful of cyclists and are pedestrians fairly laid back if you have to use the pavement?
Firstly, thanks very much for your kind comment! It's a complex question about the cycling - there aren't really enough bike paths in the places I've been so far, although it is gradually improving. If more people cycled frequently, I believe that situation would be improved more quickly. Cycling is legal on towpaths, and so pedestrians have to tolerate cyclists, at least legally. I always slow down to fast walking speed when passing pedestrians, so that I can stop if there's a sudden movement or an obstacle. But some cyclists race past people at 20 mph or more, and that does attract negative comment and publicity. I think pedestrians are generally tolerant of cyclists using the pavement if treated respectfully, but there are a few rude exceptions who want to raise their voices in protest. One elderly gentleman in Northwich stepped in front of me to block my way past him along the pavement, even though I was at walking pace, and the nearby road was super busy with car traffic, which I would have obstructed on my bike. In town centres and pedestrian areas I will ride, but very slowly and with great care. Unless its really busy with people, in which case I just get off and push. But all that said, I do wish more people would make short journeys on bikes instead of cars.
@@the_boating_godYes respect and consideration for each other, whichever mode of getting about you choose, is the key. I agree with you about less cars and more cycles for short journeys. The Netherlands seems to have got the balance right. Space for all so that nobody inconveniences anyone else and everyone gets to their destination safely. I wish the UK would catch up a bit.
In my experience. The larger the dog the more likely it is to be friendly. ie.. Do you know of a friendlier dog than a St. Bernard or a more demonic one than a Chihuahua?
This is a related but very controversial viewpoint of mine- I really don't like the way some dog breeds are 'perfected' to develop characteristics that humans want to see in them. Pugs are an example- they are bred for that cute face, but simply having that face structure means they often suffer from breathing issues and airway obstructions. Rottweilers (which I love) have terrible susceptibility to hind leg joint trouble, partly because of the breeding practices. But I do agree with you Mr C- I absolutely love bigger dogs, and in general they are very friendly and make great companions. There is something almost alien about the bulbous eyes and skulls of chihuahaus, I'm not a fan at all. One smaller dog that I do like is the Jack Russell (partly because it actually looks like a dog)- although almost every one I've met seems to have spent time at the Hannibal Lecter school of social behaviour.
Another interesting video, thank you. I must say though that I'm always on the edge of my seat when you do your bike rides. There seems to be a total lack of cycle paths wherever you go. Are cars generally careful of cyclists and are pedestrians fairly laid back if you have to use the pavement?
Firstly, thanks very much for your kind comment! It's a complex question about the cycling - there aren't really enough bike paths in the places I've been so far, although it is gradually improving. If more people cycled frequently, I believe that situation would be improved more quickly.
Cycling is legal on towpaths, and so pedestrians have to tolerate cyclists, at least legally. I always slow down to fast walking speed when passing pedestrians, so that I can stop if there's a sudden movement or an obstacle.
But some cyclists race past people at 20 mph or more, and that does attract negative comment and publicity.
I think pedestrians are generally tolerant of cyclists using the pavement if treated respectfully, but there are a few rude exceptions who want to raise their voices in protest. One elderly gentleman in Northwich stepped in front of me to block my way past him along the pavement, even though I was at walking pace, and the nearby road was super busy with car traffic, which I would have obstructed on my bike.
In town centres and pedestrian areas I will ride, but very slowly and with great care. Unless its really busy with people, in which case I just get off and push.
But all that said, I do wish more people would make short journeys on bikes instead of cars.
@@the_boating_godYes respect and consideration for each other, whichever mode of getting about you choose, is the key. I agree with you about less cars and more cycles for short journeys. The Netherlands seems to have got the balance right. Space for all so that nobody inconveniences anyone else and everyone gets to their destination safely. I wish the UK would catch up a bit.
In my experience. The larger the dog the more likely it is to be friendly. ie.. Do you know of a friendlier dog than a St. Bernard or a more demonic one than a Chihuahua?
This is a related but very controversial viewpoint of mine- I really don't like the way some dog breeds are 'perfected' to develop characteristics that humans want to see in them.
Pugs are an example- they are bred for that cute face, but simply having that face structure means they often suffer from breathing issues and airway obstructions.
Rottweilers (which I love) have terrible susceptibility to hind leg joint trouble, partly because of the breeding practices.
But I do agree with you Mr C- I absolutely love bigger dogs, and in general they are very friendly and make great companions.
There is something almost alien about the bulbous eyes and skulls of chihuahaus, I'm not a fan at all.
One smaller dog that I do like is the Jack Russell (partly because it actually looks like a dog)- although almost every one I've met seems to have spent time at the Hannibal Lecter school of social behaviour.