New cycle proficiency test

verybigchris

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

You're a !!!!ing idiot if you don't at least partially cross the white line on an average road, while overtaking a cyclist.

Harry_Flashman wrote: »

How do you work that one out?

The average width of a lane in the UK is (very roughly) about 3m. You said the road was "reasonably narrow" so let's call it 2.8m. Average car width is about 1.8m.

So if you don't cross the white line, that leaves less than one metre between the kerb and your car, which is nowhere near enough for a safe overtake.

Harry_Flashman

Plenty of space if the cycle keeps well into the side

If they insist on riding out into the middle ................. well, that's their lookout ain't it?

BillScarab

The whole point of riding 1m or so from the kerb is to prevent idiots from trying to squeeze past when traffic is coming the other way.

If there isn't room to safely overtake, don't.

I'm sure the courts will look favourably upon you when you use the "that's their lookout" defence in court on a charge of "death by dangerous driving".

Harry_Flashman

Hey, that's good to know

I say again, if the cyclist stays well in to the side, they're perfectly safe.

Some of them are simply stubborn and don't have the sense to realise that they're holding up traffic, I guess they do put themselves into some danger by doing this. However, any reasonably skilled driver is aware of the width of their motor and can hold a line so it doesn't really matter.

The cyclists don't seem to like this much, but it wouldn't happen if they stayed well in to the side. I guess some of 'em are just too selfish to worry about holding other people's journeys up?

sequence

Ignore Harry, he just likes to wind cyclists up.

Harry_Flashman

Indeed, and so many cyclists are so pompous about their 'rights' that it's a really easy thing to do

I do dislike the way they blithely hold traffic up though.

FatherAbraham

Redman30 wrote: »

There's a country road near me (60mph limit) which is fairly twisty/turney but not sharp bends, I've had to practically emergency stop when coming round a bend and being faced by a cyclist wobbling along at 5mph in the middle of the road.

You're driving too fast around bends. Continue doing that, and one day you'll hit a broken-down van, a horse, a cyclist or a tractor.

It sounds like you're not in control of your motor vehicle.

Redman30 wrote: »

Saying that, as a cyclist who averages about 20/25mph on the flat if not faster, I take up the aggressive position 1m from the curb - I find it makes certain drivers consider the fact that I'm actually there.

It's an "assertive" position, not an "aggressive" one. Aggressive is driving too fast around bends into situations which you can't see.

Redman30 wrote: »

Of course, the wobbly folk who pootle along at speeds I can walk faster than, well they don't count as cyclists to me really - these are the ones who shouldn't be on the road

Why not just bully everyone who's a "weaker" cyclist than you off the road? Then don't be surprised if the same is done to you by "stronger" motor vehicles.

Warmest regards,
FA

Norman_Castle

Indeed, and so many cyclists are so pompous about their 'rights' that it's a really easy thing to do

Replace, pompous about their 'rights' with, concerned for their safety.

custardy

nothing original on this thread I see

Marco_Panettone

For more info on the training of cyclists please look at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/bikeability/

Personally pretty much I ride as I drive. In London that means about 1.5m from the kerb or parked cars (at least a car door's width away!), or in the centre of the lane if safe to do so.

I agree that cycling should be part of the driving test - if you see it from both sides you understand what other road users are likely to do and can behave accordingly.