Biggest Threats to Cyclists?

Retrogamer

I've seen a massive increase in cars driving around at night with no lights since they starting making cars dashboard lights come on all the time.

They can see their speedo and what song is playing, so it doesn't matter if other roads users can see them or not.

Cycrow

Retrogamer wrote: »

I've seen a massive increase in cars driving around at night with no lights since they starting making cars dashboard lights come on all the time.

They can see their speedo and what song is playing, so it doesn't matter if other roads users can see them or not.

I've noticed this happening alot when its foggy
i was cycling one day when it was really foggy, got to a juction and couldn't see any cars coming, was about to move out when a car appeared out of the fog. Followed by a whole line of cars, none of them had lights on

hugheskevi

Saw a cyclist stopped by a police motorcycle earlier this week. No idea why he had been stopped, but it appeared that the policeman was instructing him to put his lights on based on what the cyclist was doing.

This was at about 0850 in the morning so was daylight, albeit overcast conditions. Personally I didn't have my lights on (cycling) and watching cars I'd say it was about 50/50 as to whether they were using light. From the legal position, it was well after sunrise so the cyclist certainly wasn't under a legal obligation to use lights at that time.

Will be interesting to see if lights during daylight hours are added to hi-viz and helmets as things the police advise cyclists about.

Buellguy

OK, After 30 pages of this, I'm a driver, cyclist and ride a motorbike, as the cyclist and biker, you ARE a vulnerable person, treat EVERYONE as being someone out to kill you, get off the high horse, you might be in the right but if you are in the morgue it doesn't help, you are vulnerable, as the driver, treat everyone as vulnerable, you can kill them. Oh, and get off the f**king mobile phone. Cyclists, take the s**ing headphones off, and as to try and text whilst cycling through a red light, I hope you have your will filled out and I hope it's never going to be you knocking on someones door telling a bereaved relative that you've killed someone (rant over!!)

Johno100

Talking of horses reminded me of this case.

Rider David Horton lost life after cyclist spooked horse in New Forest

One of their regular rides ended in tragedy after the horse, Ace, was spooked by a cyclist.

Mr Horton was thrown from the saddle when the animal reacted to the bike coming up behind him, an inquest was told.

The 64-year-old father of two was taken to Southampton General Hospital but died after developing blood clots and suffering a cardiac arrest.

Mrs Horton added: “The bike came down a hill and approached David at speed from behind. Cyclists are supposed to use gravel tracks but this one was riding along one of the Forest tracks made by ponies.

“Cyclists need to be more aware of the way horses react if they’re approached in the wrong way and in the wrong place. David had ridden all his life and Ace had taken part in competitions – but horses are a flight animal.”

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/10943899.Rider_lost_life_after_cyclist_spooked_horse/

custardy

Good to see John staying on message and continuing his detritus flow

Strider590

Johno100 wrote: »

Talking of horses reminded me of this case.


http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/10943899.Rider_lost_life_after_cyclist_spooked_horse/

In my experience, at least around this area, the local "powers that be" seem to like forcing cyclists onto bridleways by banning them from forest footpaths, THEN what they do is put down deep sand on parts of the bridleways, which makes cycling completely impossible. You come round a bend, hit sand, you can't brake, you can't steer, suddenly the front wheel goes full 90 and the next you know your flying over the handlebars toward whatever is in the way, be that a pedestrian or a horse or whatever else.

If anyone knows the area, Kinver edge is a great example of this stupidity.

Many local authorities seem to force cyclists into situations where they will come into conflict with others and i'm sure in your example there was a similar reason as to why a cyclist was coming into conflict with a horse/rider.

Strider590

Retrogamer wrote: »

I've seen a massive increase in cars driving around at night with no lights since they starting making cars dashboard lights come on all the time.

They can see their speedo and what song is playing, so it doesn't matter if other roads users can see them or not.

Cycrow wrote: »

I've noticed this happening alot when its foggy
i was cycling one day when it was really foggy, got to a juction and couldn't see any cars coming, was about to move out when a car appeared out of the fog. Followed by a whole line of cars, none of them had lights on

This is why DRL's became a legal requirement, it was easier to do this than to have the Police stop drivers for not using their lights (because they'd turn them on as soon as they saw the Police car trying to pull them over).

Big_G_RC

I've started to use my bike lights during the day light hours now. I switch my front light to flashing in the daylight and solid during the night. I've also put LED flashers on my helmet.

Frustratingly I had another car pull out on me yesterday (in the daylight). Almost the same situation as a few weeks ago when I was knocked off in a classic SMIDSY situ. I gave him a glaring look and he stopped - on the roundabout.

Le73Uq86Uv

Buellguy wrote: »

OK, After 30 pages of this, I'm a driver, cyclist and ride a motorbike, as the cyclist and biker, you ARE a vulnerable person, treat EVERYONE as being someone out to kill you, get off the high horse, you might be in the right but if you are in the morgue it doesn't help, you are vulnerable, as the driver, treat everyone as vulnerable, you can kill them. Oh, and get off the f**king mobile phone. Cyclists, take the s**ing headphones off, and as to try and text whilst cycling through a red light, I hope you have your will filled out and I hope it's never going to be you knocking on someones door telling a bereaved relative that you've killed someone (rant over!!)

Here, Here, well said.