Bicycles and Cyclists...

[ROBB]

Since i was a youff - i have never ridden close to the kerb on roads, simply because if you do - car drivers will always try to squeeze by: there is only ever going to be one person losing out.
Gererally 1m out is about right (as is 2 abreast) because it forces cars to execute a proper overtaking manouvre, as would be the case if overtaking a car.
Personally speaking i have not had any problems with this either driving or cycling and would stand my ground to the end if there was.
rob

 

[jamesmc]

............... because it forces cars to execute a proper overtaking manouvre, as would be the case if overtaking a car.

Which is why you will see a correctly positioned motorbike holding 2/3rds of the lane.. again forcing a following vehicle, wishing to pass, to complete a proper overtaking manoeuvre rather than squeezing past with oncoming traffic to contend with.

That said I find it safer to ride at such speeds that following vehicles do not overtake me on my motorbike... that includes MB's

 

[Carrotchomper]

drive to holland and see what i mean .almost every house has 1 car and four bikes and every shopping mall/office has thousands of biycle parking spaces.

.

'Cos it's flat!

 

[grober]

Mystery cyclist flouts the law.

Have you seen this man? Can you identify him? He was spotted flouting the law by cycling the wrong way in a one-way street, through red lights and the wrong side of a bollard on his 30-minute trip to work.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topsto...ron-flouting-laws-of-the-road-89520-20357854/

 

[SilverSaloon]

cyclists in edinburgh just fly down past standing/slow traffic, weaving in/out. if you hit one or they hit you, do they have insurance? no.

motorist is screwed once again

 

[gina2201]

Right! Let's start on the horse riders next!!

Please don't

 

[Sp!ke]

Since i was a youff - i have never ridden close to the kerb on roads, simply because if you do - car drivers will always try to squeeze by: there is only ever going to be one person losing out.
Gererally 1m out is about right (as is 2 abreast) because it forces cars to execute a proper overtaking manouvre, as would be the case if overtaking a car.

Round my way, riding 1 meter out or two abreast is creating a rolling blockade It really angers me this sort of behavior and in extreme cases warrants carefully timed usage of my air horns.

I do actually ride a bicycle but I try and keep off the roads, preferring to use footpaths and pavements. Better to have shared pavement & footpaths like in other countries as motor vehicles and bicycles simple aren't compatible.

 

[ROBB]

Round my way, riding 1 meter out or two abreast is creating a rolling blockade It really angers me this sort of behavior and in extreme cases warrants carefully timed usage of my air horns.

I do actually ride a bicycle but I try and keep off the roads, preferring to use footpaths and pavements. Better to have shared pavement & footpaths like in other countries as motor vehicles and bicycles simple aren't compatible.

Rolling blockade ?? Really ???
It is entirely safer to execute the correct overtaking manouvre: if that means you wait a little: so be it. I find it sad that you have to be somewere so soon that you can disregard the safety of other road users.

Do you get angry if electric wheelchairs hold you up as well??

Have you ever been hit by a cyclist on the pavement - no didn't think so, but rest assured that it is equally dangerous.
I do however concur with your last statement.

rob

PS: Use you air horns at me at your peril

 

[tambyrne]

What some cyclists have to endure.

www.youtube.com/user/magnatom

 

[Carrotchomper]

What some cyclists have to endure.

www.youtube.com/user/magnatomhttp://www.youtube.com/user/magnatom

That man is clearly a weapons-grade muppet who goes out and purposely creates fodder for YouTube!!

 

[Spinal]

What some cyclists have to endure.

www.youtube.com/user/magnatom

I'm out of breath just watching his (fairl boring) Clyde Tunnel movie... I wonder how his clients/bosses/peers/etc feel when he turns up to work panting and all sweating...

Nothing beats a car... except maybe a motorbike on a sunny summer day

I really wonder though; why doesn't he use the cycle lanes if he's so concerned with safety?

 

[AndyD]

Ok, I've read a good number of the comments in this thread.

Being a frequent cycling commuter I have a few points to make for the cycle haters on this forum.

1. I have nearly been knocked off my bike in town a good number of times and on almost every occasion the driver has been talking on his mobile phone. This makes me very angry (my life being threatened and all) and I have a tendency to note the number plate and report them to the police for dangerous driving.

2. I do jump red lights (only on my bike!) Why - because it's much safer. I'm sure that some of you competitive types find that the frustration of watching a cyclist leave you behind in traffic too much to bear, but for the cyclist, jumping a light means he is clear of the junction and less likely to get knocked off. If you don't believe me then read this:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1695668.ece

3. If a cyclist gets run over by you he probably dies - he knows this. If he runs into your car it gets a dent. Get a sense of perspective.

4. As a cyclist you have to put up with arrogant drivers on an almost daily basis. But one fellow (sadly in a Mercedes) topped it for me. He pulled a U turn in the entrance to the road I was I exiting, cutting across in front of me and forcing me to make an emergency manoeuvre to avoid an accident. Then he had the arrogance to suggest I was an idiot for not paying attention – so that presumably I would have stopped and waved him through. Incredibly the guy just didn’t see why he was out of order.

So, when you are in your car, I ask you to remember that cyclists are far more vulnerable than you and that although they may irritate you as they weave through traffic jam that holds you up – it is their bonus for putting up with dangerous driving, car exhausts fumes and rain.

Andy

 

[Spinal]

2. I do jump red lights (only on my bike!) Why - because it's much safer. I'm sure that some of you competitive types find that the frustration of watching a cyclist leave you behind in traffic too much to bear, but for the cyclist, jumping a light means he is clear of the junction and less likely to get knocked off. If you don't believe me then read this:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1695668.ece

3. If a cyclist gets run over by you he probably dies - he knows this. If he runs into your car it gets a dent. Get a sense of perspective.

2- I can't see the difference between a cyclist and a biker here... why can't biker's jump red lights "in the interest of safety"? Surely they are prone to being knocked over as well?

3- Problem is, from what I've seen so far, cyclists tend to bump into, scrape and otherwise damage cars only to zip away without even stopping (nor dying...)

I'm not saying cyclists shouldn't be using the road, but I do believe they should have some form of recognition (if not licence plates on the bike, a big glow in the dark sticker/sign on their backs)

My second problem with cyclists is that they tend to believe that they are always right, because their life is more at risk than other road users. I ride a motorbike, and used to ride a bicycle. I do/did so out of my own free will and accept the risks involved. I don't try to damage people's property when the inevitable happens; I stop, take a breath and calm down (or try to).

I've noticed cyclists who refuse to use cycle lanes, weave in and out of traffic and generally act like morons. Can I do so on my motorbike and use the excuse that I'm vulnerable too?

This isn't meant to target anyone in particular, just a general rant - car driver's aren't without blame either... but in general, a car driver can be identified, has an insurance and has some form of training/qualification... (though this might not be apparent for many drivers...)

Michele

 

[Sp!ke]

Rolling blockade ?? Really ???
It is entirely safer to execute the correct overtaking manouvre: if that means you wait a little: so be it. I find it sad that you have to be somewere so soon that you can disregard the safety of other road users.

Do you get angry if electric wheelchairs hold you up as well??

You are assuming that its possible to find said moment to perform a proper overtaking procedure with a bicycle wobbling around the road in front whilst in a busy city. I shouldn't need to do this, theres plenty of room for my car to pass with ample buffer space, should the cyclist choose to keep a steady line reasonably close to the kerb.

So what your saying to the hundreds of people being delayed by your rolling roadblock is "if I'm holding you up, so what"

Other road users travelling at that speed such as road sweepers and milk floats look for opportunities to pull in aware of the traffic build up behind them and let them past. So often I see cyclists doing the opposite, making deliberate steps moving out further into the road to prevent other vehicles passing. (thats if they have any awareness of their surroundings at all and haven't got their ipod running).

Angry at electric wheelchairs? Honestly... yes, sometimes the odd one has been known to get up my nose. Just because someone might have a physical disability, it doesnt excuse or justify ignorant behaviour, same as if you happen to be wearing lycra.

I think cyclists are probably the most hated road users, simply because on the whole (there are exceptions) they are very poor road users. They disregard laws, are inconsifderate to other road users and generally present themselves as hazards, forcing their way in front of others and with little observation or anticipation. Then they have the cheek to suggest others are endangering their safety.

Those that deliberately ride two abreast in a bid to prevent other road users passing are causing an obstruction. They should be taken aside and given a good old fashioned birching to prevent them doing it ever again.

 

[ROBB]

You are assuming that its possible to find said moment to perform a proper overtaking procedure with a bicycle wobbling around the road in front whilst in a busy city.

Yes, that is the assumption but there is no defence for 'wobbling around in the road' anywhere.

I shouldn't need to do this, theres plenty of room for my car to pass with ample buffer space, should the cyclist choose to keep a steady line reasonably close to the kerb.

Agreed

So what your saying to the hundreds of people being delayed by your rolling roadblock is "if I'm holding you up, so what"

No. Hundreds of people held up - dont think so. What i am saying is that MY safety comes before everything else.

Other road users travelling at that speed such as road sweepers and milk floats look for opportunities to pull in aware of the traffic build up behind them and let them past.

Which, as a responsible road user - i also do when appropriate

So often I see cyclists doing the opposite, making deliberate steps moving out further into the road to prevent other vehicles passing. (thats if they have any awareness of their surroundings at all and haven't got their ipod running).

Nobody is disputing that you get tw@'s everywhere, but many of them drive cars

Angry at electric wheelchairs? Honestly... yes, sometimes the odd one has been known to get up my nose. Just because someone might have a physical disability, it doesnt excuse or justify ignorant behaviour, same as if you happen to be wearing lycra.

Agreed

I think cyclists are probably the most hated road users, simply because on the whole (there are exceptions) they are very poor road users. They disregard laws, are inconsiderate to other road users and generally present themselves as hazards, forcing their way in front of others and with little observation or anticipation. Then they have the cheek to suggest others are endangering their safety.

Statistically - I think you will find that motorists are the most hated road users due to the numbers involved, and indeed hated by their own kind. How many times have you been on the recieving end of stupid,dangerous driving (as in birmingham/london etc)??????

Those that deliberately ride two abreast in a bid to prevent other road users passing are causing an obstruction.

If it is done deliberately to prevent passing - then Yes. This is however entirely dependant upon road conditions, and subjective to users involved.

They should be taken aside and given a good old fashioned birching to prevent them doing it ever again.

I never went to public school, so shall bow to your greater knowledge of such matters

Rob

 

[Howard]

If a cyclist gets run over by you he probably dies - he knows this. If he runs into your car it gets a dent. Get a sense of perspective.

Andy

Got nothing against cyclists personally , I like to get out on my bike myself , but your above comment just about sums it up ...

If you run into my car , and it's your fault , because beleive it or not , sometimes cyclists are at fault , would you stop ? and give me your name and address ( not a BS one either ) , and would you be offering to pay for the damage to my car ?

Could prove expensive , couldn't it , being that you don't have any insurance ?

Or would you do what i suspect 99.99 % of cyclists would do , swear at me , safe in the knowledge that you can cycle off into the traffic while giving me the bird ( regardless of whose fault it was ) and i would never be able to catch you , and have to foot the bill for the damage to my car myself .....

I think i know ....

 

[Spinal]

I think cyclists are probably the most hated road users, simply because on the whole (there are exceptions) they are very poor road users.

Sounds like a poll to me

 

[robert.saunders]

Do tractors driving at peak times go under other? I guess it's a regional thing anyway

 

[Sp!ke]

This thread has just made my morning

 

[TonyVianoAmbiente]

I was surprised not to see "Caravans" as a category in the poll.