Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Gaffers]

Not me this time, poor health has kept me off my bike recently although I do still occasionally cycle.  On the odd occasion I do cycle drivers have been pretty good to me recently, less one soldier who had to change his pants one day when I explained I was taking his name rank and number to his adjutant 

This chap is as fed up as I am over how cyclists are treated on the roads, and I understand it is 10 times worse for those in cities as it is for me.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12330181

He seems to use the same Positive Space Technique that I do which discourages drivers tempted to overtake in spaces that are too narrow and thus dangerous for the cyclist.  In the incident in question he shouts to let the driver know he is there, I do the same but I am interested in your views on this.

Now you may feel that this is an isolated case but I have had similar incidents to this many many times, admittedly many think twice when they realise how big I am but I feel that many drivers see cyclists as fair game for abuse.

This is a small clip and it does not show his entire commute so I cannot comment on whether he sticks to the rules of the road like cyclist should but what I see here he seems responsible.

.....and discuss

[Gaffers]

He was being overtaken by the white van, not undertaking it.

[Martin_1962]

I would also say I think it is more a case of not taking note rather than actually anti cycle.

Difficult to tell what happened in that instance.

[Gaffers]

Interestingly there is a link to a debate on driver vs cyclist and I found myself agreeing with both sides of the argument  :-/

[Chris_H]

The most difficult cyclists to safely navigate past are the fast ones.  This guy did contribute to the confrontation IMHO although the van should not have passed him that close to a junction when turning left.
Matey-boy rode un-necessarily far out into the road after turning left but then again the van was not allowed to pass on the zig-zags!

Unfortunately there are far too many cyclists who disregard the Highway Code and it's not surprising that they get contempt from other road users.

More enforcement needed of cyclists sadly.  I believe the van driver got done so hopefully that worked.

[Dishevelled Den]

On a wider point it seems a shame that many in our society (particularly road users) feel it necessary to have their movements and behaviour monitored (for protection) by using video equipment.

I suppose it's the natural consequence of people competing for space - especially on the crowded roads.

A bit more tolerance from drivers - and cyclists - would go a long way to make the experience more palatable.

Of course depending on video evidence can sometimes have unintended consequences for that person choosing to use it in that it's difficult to be  correct in every aspect of behaviour in the pastime being monitored at the time.

[Gaffers]

A bit more tolerance from drivers - and cyclists - would go a long way to make the experience more palatable.

Agreed, and this is what I am trying to do.

Of course depending on video evidence can sometimes have unintended consequences for that person choosing to use it in that it's difficult to be  correct in every aspect of behaviour in the pastime being monitored at the time.

I agree absolutely wholeheartedly, that is why I have no problems using a cam when I cycle.  It even shows my disgust when I see other cyclists flaunting the rules, they give us all a bad name.

As for having to do it, I wish I didn't but.  I fear it is only a matter of time before I get into another serious incident and I will have nothing to back me up.  Having the helmet cam is worth more than the testimony of your buddy in the passenger seat

[Banjax]

On a wider point it seems a shame that many in our society (particularly road users) feel it necessary to have their movements and behaviour monitored (for protection) by using video equipment.

I suppose it's the natural consequence of people competing for space - especially on the crowded roads.

A bit more tolerance from drivers - and cyclists - would go a long way to make the experience more palatable.

Of course depending on video evidence can sometimes have unintended consequences for that person choosing to use it in that it's difficult to be  correct in every aspect of behaviour in the pastime being monitored at the time.

car manufacturers could easily and cheaply fit cameras to every new car made to record everything that the driver was doing on the road....of course the reason they dont is that no one would buy a car that grassed you up - altho some mercs have a "black box" that records steering/throttle/brake input in event of a crash dont they?  :-?

[Dishevelled Den]

car manufacturers could easily and cheaply fit cameras to every new car made to record everything that the driver was doing on the road....of course the reason they dont is that no one would buy a car that grassed you up - altho some mercs have a "black box" that records steering/throttle/brake input in event of a crash dont they?  :-?

I think a lot of modern cars have systems capable of being interrogated in those circumstances.

And yes, the idea of a lump of metal dropping a dime on you is concerning, to say the least.

Of course this may be a moot point in the event of the widespread introduction of road pricing.

[Kevin Wood]

IMHO, there are two sides to the argument. Most motorists haven't been on a cycle for so long they no longer have a feel for what's reasonable, and get frustrated with cyclists (quite justifiably) taking enough road to guarantee their safety.

On the other hand, I followed a group of cyclists for a mile or so on Sunday morning along a rural A road and they seemed incapable of riding in any other configuration than 3 abreast when it would have been much safer for me to pass had they had the sense to ride in single file.

I'm sure they feel really self-righteous getting exercise at that time on a Sunday morning but it's not reasonable to expect traffic to sit behind you at 15 MPH, especially when the sight of all that sweaty lycra was about to make me heave up my breakfast.

A helmet cam is a good idea in case anything does happen, though. I'm starting to think the same about using one in a car, TBH.

Kevin

[cem_devecioglu]

 

white van..  even if he was 100% right , he is still wrong..  

I know what road terror/mess they create here.. and everyday I deal/struggle with one.. road belongs to them.. and every driver need to respect.. and they can drive whatever speed they desire..


reason is simple , car dont belong to them.. they dont pay the fuel, service.. 

[feeutfo]

You can bet your arse the van driver would not have behaved the way he did if he knew he was being recorded.

Thing is the cyclist has every right to be there, or where ever he chooses on the road regards the traffic behind him. He is not obliged to keep left at every point.

But it is expected to keep left by car drivers, and it is polite to do so, hence the under taking as well.

There is an inherent desire amongst some car drivers to pass a cyclist, even when there is only a cars length of space in front of the cyclist. Only for the cyclist to be forced to undertake when the traffic stops  at the next set of lights 5 seconds later.

Just sit back. Poor driving mostly. ......    "mostly"  .....   I do take the pees a bit with traffic lights on me treader.

[Hannah Judes Dad]

IMHO, there are two sides to the argument. Most motorists haven't been on a cycle for so long they no longer have a feel for what's reasonable, and get frustrated with cyclists (quite justifiably) taking enough road to guarantee their safety.

On the other hand, I followed a group of cyclists for a mile or so on Sunday morning along a rural A road and they seemed incapable of riding in any other configuration than 3 abreast when it would have been much safer for me to pass had they had the sense to ride in single file.

I'm sure they feel really self-righteous getting exercise at that time on a Sunday morning but it's not reasonable to expect traffic to sit behind you at 15 MPH, especially when the sight of all that sweaty lycra was about to make me heave up my breakfast.

A helmet cam is a good idea in case anything does happen, though. I'm starting to think the same about using one in a car, TBH.

Kevin

Does the Highway Code still state that cyclists should not be more than 2 abreast ? Or am I thinking of the cycling proficiency test I did as a wee kid over 30 years ago ?  :-?

[feeutfo]

A helmet cam is a good idea in case anything does happen, though. I'm starting to think the same about using one in a car, TBH.

Kevin

Indeed, something of a double edged sword though possibly...?

[Gaffers]

A helmet cam is a good idea in case anything does happen, though. I'm starting to think the same about using one in a car, TBH.

Kevin

Indeed, something of a double edged sword though possibly...?

Depends on how you drive.......