Cyclists - what irritates you most about other cyclists?

Naf

Throbbe wrote: »

I'm sort of with you, but the following article suggests that they may be a good idea.



http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/raf-pilot-teach-cyclists/

I agree that the flashing light is more eye-catching and makes it clearer that you're a vehicle (only a problem because bike lights are a single light, less bright and smaller than car headlamps). But I think it should be mandatory that some light be steady-on, use flashing ones too if you want. I like my rear light, it has a setting where it's steady on, with some twinkling.

Billy-no-Money

katejo wrote: »

Cyclists who do the following:

1. Go through red lights, particularly when this involves ignoring pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing. The red lights apply to you too. On the way to work I have to cross a 2 way cycle track to get over the pedestrian crossing. It is not unusual to miss the chance to cross the road because the cyclists don't stop.

2. Those who assume that they have right of way on a shared country footpath and ring their bell madly/expect you to jump out of the way. If the footpath is busy, push your bike or at least politely say "excuse me please".

3. Do a right or left turn without indicating and then swear at a pedestrian who thinks you are going straight ahead.

Point 1: agree 100%, but I regularly see car drivers jump red lights, eating into the pedestrian phase. Funny how bad driving seems to be tolerated; indeed there's often a long delay between a light going red and the green man showing, to give time for the selfish red-light-jumping gits (car, bike, horse, whatever).

Point 2: Pedestrians do have priority on a shared path but it's only polite to make room when a cyclist has made the effort to ring their bell; as far as I'm aware, ringing a bicycle bell 'madly' is not an offence!!!!

Point 3: Fair enough, but much of the time pedestrians rely on their ears and only look AFTER they've stepped into the road. They THINK they've looked, but often haven't. I do use my bell in that sort of situation if I think someone's going to step out, and for my own safety I often ring my bell 'madly'!!!

custardy

kerby_crawler wrote: »

I have never understood why breakdown trucks feel the need to continue to use revolving yellow lights even after they have removed the hazard from the scene, and are simply driving down the road like any other road user.

I think the same about emergency vehicles keeping their blue lights going whilst dealing with the emergency. It simply adds to the confusion, especially in dark and/or wet conditions, and encourages rubbernecking. There are better ways to illuminate the scene of an emergency.

I passed a 'scene' the other day
2 cars and 2 police cars
dont know if it was a bump,racing or whatever
the 2 cars were about 3 car lengths apart,with a police car at either end
The Police had put blue lights down on the road along the length of the scene
I've never seen that before. very effective though

Marco_Panettone

katejo wrote: »

Cyclists who do the following:

1. Go through red lights, particularly when this involves ignoring pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing. The red lights apply to you too. On the way to work I have to cross a 2 way cycle track to get over the pedestrian crossing. It is not unusual to miss the chance to cross the road because the cyclists don't stop.

2. Those who assume that they have right of way on a shared country footpath and ring their bell madly/expect you to jump out of the way. If the footpath is busy, push your bike or at least politely say "excuse me please".

3. Do a right or left turn without indicating and then swear at a pedestrian who thinks you are going straight ahead.

It's mighty difficuly to indicate, brake and steer all at once on a bike though.

Dave_C_2

Billy-no-Money wrote: »

Point 2: Pedestrians do have priority on a shared path but it's only polite to make room when a cyclist has made the effort to ring their bell; as far as I'm aware, ringing a bicycle bell 'madly' is not an offence!!!!

Strictly speaking, if it's a segregated shared use path pedestrians only have priority on the pedestrian side. On National Cycle Routes both Pedestrians and Cyclists have equal priority. Everyone moves aside for horses

My wife does a lot of walking with her mates along one of the cycle routes and makes the comment that the pingy bells are useless - they can't be heard and easily distinguished. Much more effective is "Excuse me".

My favourite is to say a loud "ding-a-ling, excuse me" much more friendly than strident and impersonal bell ringing.

Dave

rev_henry

Dave_C wrote: »

Strictly speaking, if it's a segregated shared use path pedestrians only have priority on the pedestrian side. On National Cycle Routes both Pedestrians and Cyclists have equal priority. Everyone moves aside for horses

My wife does a lot of walking with her mates along one of the cycle routes and makes the comment that the pingy bells are useless - they can't be heard and easily distinguished. Much more effective is "Excuse me".

My favourite is to say a loud "ding-a-ling, excuse me" much more friendly than strident and impersonal bell ringing.

Dave

An airZound or Hornit is much more effective. I only use that for peds who step out into the road without looking, or something equally foolish though. No need to terrify them unnecessarily.

JQ.

rev_henry wrote: »

An airZound or Hornit is much more effective. I only use that for peds who step out into the road without looking, or something equally foolish though. No need to terrify them unnecessarily.

Also useful for scaring car drivers.

ventureuk

I ride on the pavement, in pedestrian zones, through red lights, no entries, over pedestrian crossings, through subways, on A B and C roads, towpaths, green lanes, bridleways, moors and even around golf courses.

All year around, in all weathers including snow, at all times, often after 11pm and before 6am in both urban and rural areas.

200 miles a week in summer, fewer in winter.

I have a variety of bikes, own a very wide variety of lights, clothing, helmets, tyres and tech.

I ride to the conditions using the right bike, defensively and leave barely a tyre print of my presence on which to be criticised by motorists or pedestrians.

When I can't ride I get withdrawal.

I own an Airzound......for BMW drivers.

Weekend warriors, evening club riders and all the gear no idea riders make me smile.....as I ride past.

I've been run over once when a car went through a red light at rush hour, I bought a new bike and had a nice holiday with the compensation.

I live at the top of a big hill on the Pennines, it's all downhill leaving, all uphill returning.

The 2016 TDF could very well come past my house.

I own two large powerful turbo petrol cars, pay a small fortune in fuel duty and http://ipayroadtax.com/

I really don't give a flying $%^& what others think, I am very happy with my cycling life.