It is still unbearably hot. An army of cooling fans are whirring away around my house in the hope of bringing relief from the punishing heat. If things continue as they are much longer I shall have to think about getting my portable air-conditioning unit out.

The summery weather also changes people’s habits. Short sleeved shirts, sunglasses, hats, patio sets, deck chairs and other summer paraphernalia are starting to appear as the people react to the weather. Some people are also changing their transportation habits too. The other day I passed bicycle rack that was full with cycles as the summer weather entices some people to convert to greener forms of transport.

My attention was drawn to the news article on this site yesterday about road users being urged to look out for cyclists and motorcyclists. From my experience of motoring on the roads of Wycombe those who use two wheels seem to think they own the road cutting up other roads users and dicing with death with every mad manoeuvre they make. It’s no wonder there are so many accidents involving cyclists.

The worst accident I ever saw involving a motorcycle took place at a set of traffic lights on a cold winter’s day. While waiting at the lights the motorcyclist started revving his engine up to draw attention to himself. When the lights went green he shot off like a rocket but unfortunately he came a cropper on a patch of black ice. The bike slipped out from under him leaving man and machine lying unceremoniously in the middle of the road.

The number of times I have seen cyclists overtaking on the inside, going the wrong way down one-way streets and jumping traffic lights is unbelievable. Considering the lack of protection a bike offers it amazes me that bike riders take so many risks. In order to prevent accidents I think it’s time that cyclists were banned from the roads. What do you think?