FAO Cyclists!

red_devil

Its like some cyclists have a deathwish out on themselves. I have seen or just about seen so many at night with no lights and dark clothing on? Dont they want to live? Their lives are in danger they cant be easily seen?

tinkle

neneromanova wrote: »

Turn off those bloody flashing lights, after dark, THEY'RE ILLEGAL!! Plus it just hurts my eyes!

No, they are not illegal. Read the highway code.

VestanPance

Person_one wrote: »

He said he doesn't blame them if they do run red lights...

Does it really need saying that people should look before they cross the road? That's pretty basic stuff.

No I didn't. Please quote exactly where I said that. I said I know why some do it even though I disagree with it.

Looking before stepping off the pavement or shoving your child out does sound simple, but people do it as they didn't hear the cyclist coming. Now seeing as a decent roadie will easily average 20 mph or more on a flat road I'd suggest looking even if you don't hear a car engine. Also see opening car doors on the road side. Please have a quick look in the mirror before you open it after having your smoke in the car so I don't have to visit a friend in hospital again recovering from injuries sustained after idiots throw open their door and giving him the option hit door at 20mph or swerve in front of traffic.

Also drivers please note I may be faster than you think so don't try and race me to your turnoff at the roundabout. Neds please beware that you can shout abuse at me in hope of scaring me, but when your car windows down I'm armed with a water bottle and have a great aim!

Suzanne_Louise

I could become quite a nervous driver at this time of year. The other night, I spotted 3 cyclists, who, granted, had lights on their bikes, but only 1 had a helmet on and all 3 were wearing dark clothing.

On my way to work, there's always cyclists on the road, when right next to them, the pavement is a cycle and pedestrian area and clearly marked as this - there's never any pedestrians on them, so why don't the cyclists use them?

Also, I've noticed an increasing number of scooters/motorbikes using cycle lanes on the road - are they supposed to use them?

VestanPance

Suzanne_Louise wrote: »

I could become quite a nervous driver at this time of year. The other night, I spotted 3 cyclists, who, granted, had lights on their bikes, but only 1 had a helmet on and all 3 were wearing dark clothing.

On my way to work, there's always cyclists on the road, when right next to them, the pavement is a cycle and pedestrian area and clearly marked as this - there's never any pedestrians on them, so why don't the cyclists use them?

Also, I've noticed an increasing number of scooters/motorbikes using cycle lanes on the road - are they supposed to use them?

I think legally motorbikes can use cycle lanes, but in the area I use it's very uncommon. Only tends to be the odd kid on a trail bike.

Also helmets are not legally required and also depending on the type of impact their usefulness isn't that great. That said I ride with mine on these days just out of habit if nothing else.

No idea why cyclists wouldn't use an unused cycle path, unless it's in a bad state of repair (worse than the road). You'll find many road bike (racer) riders avoid many cycle paths as they are in bad condition and would ruin the wheels of their bikes. It's also the reason why they tend not to cycle down the gutter of the road like many drivers wish we would. Well that and doing so is a sure fire way to puncture city.

Idiophreak

Suzanne_Louise wrote: »

On my way to work, there's always cyclists on the road, when right next to them, the pavement is a cycle and pedestrian area and clearly marked as this - there's never any pedestrians on them, so why don't the cyclists use them?

If it's the same as round here:

The pavement/cycle track stops every time there's s side road. On the pavement/cycle track, there will be give way signs. If you cycle a yard to the right, on the road, side roads have to give way to you. Using the road saves a lot of stopping and starting and therefore a lot of time and energy.

magenta22

What this country needs - like in some other countries is to have half the pavement for cyclists and half for pedestrians and if someone is walking on the cycle side or for some reason there isn't one - they use the bell. Some places have this and it works well. Most pavements are wide enough to have this.

I had one time walking along the pavement and a cyclist came by the side and we did not know they were there and my friend stopped to point something out at that moment so he went a*** over t** over her arm in front of us. At the time we were so embarrassed but the pavements are for people and there was a cycle path that he could have used just across the verge.

@ Curlywurly - There are a lot of cyclists who seem to think that it's just roadusers that have to look out for them but they also have to take some responsibilty for themselves. I have seen many cyclists do some very stupid things and ones who cycle in the dark with no lights infuriate me as driver because they also insist on wearing dark clothing. Use a bit of common sense.

or...... when they think that it's a good idea to cycle side by side so that they can have a chat on a narrow road. Cyclists also have to think about the pedestrians on the pavement if they 'have' to cycle on it.

And then, there are those parents who let their small children ride their bike quite a distance ahead of them - if that child made a sudden move towards the road they have no chance of catching up with them to stop them.

And don't get me started on those parents who push the pram/pushchair into the road while waiting to cross, - that is a whole other topic!

VestanPance

magenta22 wrote: »

or...... when they think that it's a good idea to cycle side by side so that they can have a chat on a narrow road.

There is actually common sense in this. One bike length of cyclist is annoying to many motorists that they often cut them up when passing. Think how many dangerous overtaking attempts happen when you string out into a long thin line of cyclists.

Riding side by side may annoy motorists, but you're a wider obstacle and in doing so you force the motorist to consider when is safe to pass, rather than "I can make that". Doing so on a narrow road even more so. I can speak from experience of side swiped by a car that tried to pass four of us strung out drafting each other when she suddenly realised that she wasn't going to make it. Of course hitting the cyclists was preferable to hitting the van coming from the other direction.

I'll refrain from posting what the van driver said, but he wasn't complementary on her driving!

Idiophreak

VestanPance wrote: »

There is actually common sense in this. One bike length of cyclist is annoying to many motorists that they often cut them up when passing.

Yes, this exactly. Sorry to say it (and sure I'll be flamed on here), but I've taken to riding a good yard or so into the road these days, even when by myself. This
a) Makes it harder to overtake me, so motorists think about slowing down and actually overtaking me safely rather than just squeezing past
b) Gives me some space to move into *when* someone tries to make the gap that isn't there....

Enterprise_1701C

I am actually a qualified cycle trainer (albeit lapsed!) and you are meant to ride between 2-3 feet out from the kerb specifically to give you room to move if someone cuts you up.

I had a very near miss some years ago, a big truck was steamrollering down the A30, I heard it and looked behind to see the driver was on his mobile trying to pull out to the right so was not going to see me. Before I knew it I was off my bike on the path, my reactions had taken over and I had literally jumped from my bike onto the path and pulled my bike on after me (a pedestrian was watching!). I didn't get chance to take the details of the truck, spent about 10 minutes shaking and then decided to get back on my bike. I wobbled like hell going up the road, but then realised everyone gave me a very wide berth, so now on narrow busy roads I wobble like a novice. I have come to the conclusion drivers would rather I did not scratch their paintwork with part of my body!