It's a century! This is blog number 100!! Actually that's not strictly accurate as I did sneak a 13 and a half in ages ago, but I'm going to ignore that. So it's telegram from the queen and blanket over the knees time for the blog, or is it...?

This week, I'm going to have a bit of a rant! This is after one particular cyclist last week who obviously thinks that he doesn't need to abide by the Highway Code.

As a cyclist I have a right to be on the road and I want to be treated with respect and as part of the traffic, which is how I am supposed to be treated. However, I believe that respect needs to be earnt and so I make sure that I stick to the rules and ride in an assertive but thoughtful way and treat other roads users in the way that I want to be treated.

I expect other road users to also stick to the rules, this means that when driving you overtake me in a safe and legal manner. I actually prefer safe to legal, but I like both when possible! It also means stopping at red traffic signals.

Here's an extract from the Highway Code that applies to motorists, motorcyclists and cyclists:

RED means Stop. Wait behind the stop line on the carriageway

RED AND AMBER also means Stop Do not pass through or start until GREEN shows

AMBER means Stop at the stop line. You may go on only if the AMBER appears after you have crossed the stop line or are so close to it that to pull up might cause an accident.

So that means you are only allowed to go on green and that includes the cyclist last Thursday who decided that it was ok to ride through the pedestrian crossing when the light was red. Whether you think it's ok or safe to do this is irrelevant, it's against the law so don't do it!

I really want cyclists to get more respect on the road than they do at the moment, but whilst behaviour like this continues it's just not going to happen. Worse than that is the fact that your behaviour means that lots of people treat all cyclists with the same level of disdain.

Despite the best efforts of most cyclists to abide by the law and ride conscientiously, our reputation is spoilt by the selfish few that act as though the rules don't apply to them.

On a much more positive note, even though the weather wasn't particularly good until later on in the evening, last Thursday's cycling celebration on Poole Quay was an excellent event.

It was fantastic to see so many children enthusiastically trying out all of the different bikes on offer and local shops, clubs and cycling organisations where there talking to people about cycling and generally promoting it as a sport, fitness activity and form of transport.

Let's hope this can become a regular part of Bike Week, I'm certainly looking forward to next year’s event!

Based on information supplied by David Brown.