Biggest Threats to Cyclists?

carlosthejackal666

The biggest threat to cyclists? Every other road user.

Ok, so that's a massive generalisation, but it's becoming more and more prevalent where other vehicles are dangerously close when passing, even on country roads where NOTHING is coming in the opposite direction. When running on the selfsame roads, into the path of traffic, cars etc, often pull right on to the opposite side of the road, so why cut so close to me when I'm on my bike. I always try and wait until there's an obvious place to pass a cyclist whenever I'm in the car on on my motorbike, and always acknowledge drivers/bikers who offer me the same courtesy when I'm cycling or commuting on the bicycle. They're few and far between, however, and don't even get me started on mobile phone use...

AndyBSG

bugslet wrote: »

Of the 60 offences, most were hours. And?

But it's almost impossible for an HGV driver to unwittingly exceed their hours(unless they're using old paper tacho's).

Also, every driver has to fill out a vehicle inspection ticket each day showing they have checked the basics like brakes, lights, tyres, mirrors, etc.

I agree that major mechanical faults only a mechanic can find during the 8 week check up but the fact so many were found on so few lorries suggests they were all these minor walkround defects that drivers are supposed to check for themselves.

I worked at C Butt haulage for a year delivering Moben Kitchens as a drivers mate and we had lorries pulled over regularly for spot checks by the DVAL but the only defects we ever had were ones that had occurred on that journey or ones that only a mechanic would have found.

Our vehicles never left the yard with any known defects and and the drivers weren't allowed their paperwork and routes until they had done their walkround.

WiggyDiggyPoo

Le73Uq86Uv wrote: »

The biggest threat to cyclists !

CYCLISTS

If there is a Cycle path USE IT.

I'll happily use any cycle path that's of the same or higher quality to the road, and actually goes where I want it to go.

I'll also ask you, would you use any of these?

New inner city obstacle course:


Perfect for travelling from one parked car to the next.


May need to lose some weight to use this one.




HGVs

I think there is going to be some major debate on how better to regulate their use in inner cities, no one (including me) I think can argue that we don't need them but does it make sense to have them on the roads at the busiest times e.g. Commuting time?

What might be interesting if anyone has a source is what is most carried goods?

I suspect general e.g. Supermarket but that's just a guess.

custardy

Johno100 wrote: »

Not when the focus has been on London deaths.

http://road.cc/content/news/99191-sustrans-calls-action-after-11-cyclist-deaths-uk-month

bugslet

AndyBSG wrote: »

But it's almost impossible for an HGV driver to unwittingly exceed their hours(unless they're using old paper tacho's).

Also, every driver has to fill out a vehicle inspection ticket each day showing they have checked the basics like brakes, lights, tyres, mirrors, etc.

I agree that major mechanical faults only a mechanic can find during the 8 week check up but the fact so many were found on so few lorries suggests they were all these minor walkround defects that drivers are supposed to check for themselves.

I worked at C Butt haulage for a year delivering Moben Kitchens as a drivers mate and we had lorries pulled over regularly for spot checks by the DVAL but the only defects we ever had were ones that had occurred on that journey or ones that only a mechanic would have found.

Our vehicles never left the yard with any known defects and and the drivers weren't allowed their paperwork and routes until they had done their walkround.

I'm not disagreeing Andy in many ways - it was the level of journalism that annoyed me. Yes with digis, it's difficult to not know that you have gone over, but we've all had occasions where with the best will in the world, every now and then you get caught and end up running over due to circumstances beyond the drivers control. The linked item was just slanted as if every one was heinous and we know that isn't necessarily so.

I'm always surprised by how few checks we get ( touching wood here;)), but that's because of the Operator compliance rating we have, so again the article suggests that defects are endemic across all trucks, when as you know, they aren't. They are concentrated amongst those who continually flout the laws.

Probably is supermarkets Wiggy. I did read that 25% of LGVs are on for supermarkets directly or indirectly - not my sector, but I did a 'guess' once as I ambled along a motorway and reckon it's about right.

You might be surprised how many drivers actually support a ban at rush hour, it's no joy hauling round 44 tonne on roads that are filled with, er, cyclists.:p A lot of drivers worry about missing a cyclist in the mirrors and the inevitable consequence.

Johno100

custardy wrote: »

I work out of various offices in a 30 mile radius from my house
So how does moving close to work workout?

I wasn't responding to you, I was replying to a poster in London and his/hers horrendous commute.

30 mile radius from your home (in Edinburgh?), wonderful driving roads around there so use a car, unless you are a masochist of course?

Johno100

custardy wrote: »

http://road.cc/content/news/99191-sustrans-calls-action-after-11-cyclist-deaths-uk-month

Interesting read, one more cycle related death to add to the list,

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Woman-pedestrian-hit-cyclist-St-George-dies/story-20094831-detail/story.html

Something does need to be done to protect vunerable road users.

custardy

Johno100 wrote: »

I wasn't responding to you, I was replying to a poster in London and his/hers horrendous commute.

30 mile radius from your home (in Edinburgh?), wonderful driving roads around there so use a car, unless you are a masochist of course?

My car is a lump of metal to chugg from A to B
no haring around. if im using it them its driven well within the law,in what most people would call a sedate manner
I prefer to cycle when I can. ironically i get paid less when I cycle due to the reimbursement system only allowing for car use

custardy

Johno100 wrote: »

Interesting read, one more cycle related death to add to the list,

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Woman-pedestrian-hit-cyclist-St-George-dies/story-20094831-detail/story.html

Something does need to be done to protect vunerable road users.

Lol. So its cycle related when a cyclist collides with someone
and cyclist related when something collides with them?

custardy

Le73Uq86Uv wrote: »

The biggest threat to cyclists !

CYCLISTS

If there is a Cycle path USE IT.

2 years ago when I was taken out by a taxi
the day before I took the cycle path,which was sheet ice and i came off (the coucil despite wanting to be a world class city,dont grit the cycle routes)
So i took the road as a 'safer' option
what now Einstein?