Biggest Threats to Cyclists?

PintAndAPie

andydiysaver wrote: »

because I've never seen it done appropriately and I drive every day -they're as light as a feather, wind can blow them 5 feet off course and yet they act like they're the rule makers - they do not learn and sadly more of them will die. personal choice will play a part in this every bit as mistakes motorists make. if you are in the way of a heavy vehicle capable of speeds 20 times the speed you can do driven by someone who may be a good driver but may not be a good driver, then being right in front of them while being blown all over the shop by the slightest gust of wind is anything but the safest place.


are a lot of cyclists gamblers? I'd be interested in the study if they do one - afterall - they can't reckon on who is coming yet they take the same risks anyway - sounds like playing the odds to me.

Being right in front of someone when it's appropriate is the safest place, it means the cyclist is most visible and is not in danger of being hit by a vehicle turning left.

I'm a professional driver and I see cyclists taking the centre of the lane every day. Your tendency towards hyperbole does nothing to strengthen your argument.

You want to talk about gambling? I don't care what you drive but I doubt I would even notice if I went into the back of you when in a 38 tonne truck with another 20 tonne in the back. Everyone on the road is potentially at risk but that doesn't give them less right to be there. When I'm driving everyone is vulnerable so the duty of care rests solely with me.

aleph_0

andydiysaver wrote: »

that my friend epitomises the jumped up militant cyclist, I could not have put it better myself had I done a market research exercise and consulted 2000 of the lycra clad zealots in the middle of France!

*blushes*

andydiysaver wrote: »

what you are saying there is you are laying down the law to us, and if we don't like it tough

Whose this 'them' and 'us' you are talking about. I'm saying that I (taught in any good cycle training course, and in cyclecraft) take the lane when overtaking is unsafe. About the same space a car takes up. I'm asking you to respect my judgement. I don't deliberately try to hinder anyone's progress, and drop back to secondary position if possible. You're welcome to overtake in the other lane.

andydiysaver wrote: »

you have a death wish if you persist with such an attitude problem - before you say it - NO NOT because we're all merciless bloodthirsty cyclist killers waiting for the opportunity, but because we make mistakes like all human beings, and we can't account for your egocentric narcissim every second of every day because you've got a flawed personality trait and think you know better than all else! one day whether you think you are right or wrong, you'll force a mistake.

So, an attitude of defensive riding is bad, and will get me killed?

I'm totally lost as to your logic. I'd also like to know why you think I think "I know better than all else"? I make lots of mistakes. I make mistakes on the road. But I do take a step back and think "how could I have done things differently" - both in avoiding making mistakes, and avoiding/anticipating the mistakes of others.

If your argument is "cycling is always unsafe", just come out with it. Because your argument "cycling is unsafe if you try to be defensive" is, frankly, absurd.

Johno100

PintAndAPie wrote: »

Being right in front of someone when it's appropriate is the safest place, it means the cyclist is most visible and is not in danger of being hit by a vehicle turning left.

Yes really visible,



Can you see the bikes?

PintAndAPie

Johno100 wrote: »

Yes really visible,

Can you see the bikes?

Yes, very clever, I'm sure. Do you think I'm not aware of the visibility issues when driving HGVs? I can't see compact cars in those positions, or pedestrians, or mobility scooters, or anything smaller than a medium sized van. Bicycles are not the only vulnerable road user.

custardy

andydiysaver wrote: »

no I'm not driving while posting, only a nutter would do that


the question is not relevant to the thread is it, it's about as relevant as the one I asked you


do you regularly come up with the Socrates stuff while on two wheels? <<case in point - irrelevant!

You raised that Range Rovers always seem slower than you. By your logic they cannot reach the speed limit. Given you will be going at the speed limit as a max to be 'faster' than them?
Not really sure if I can break it down further for you. I do have a large monitor on this PC,does that give me the greater mass to make my point?

cyclistpete

Johno100
You would be able to see the bikes if you looked in the mirror pointing down at the left hand side of the drivers screen.That's what it's there for to see into the blind spots. The first picture has been cropped for effect so you can't see the mirrors.

Johno100

cyclistpete wrote: »

Johno100
You would be able to see the bikes if you looked in the mirror pointing down at the left hand side of the drivers screen.That's what it's there for to see into the blind spots. The first picture has been cropped for effect so you can't see the mirrors.

Do you mean this mirror?



Or this one?



Why take the chance? As the sign, objected to by the militants, says.

custardy

stay back and?

Johno100

custardy wrote: »

stay back and?

Stay back and don't get squashed by the 32t artic.

custardy

Johno100 wrote: »

Stay back and don't get squashed by the 32t artic.

So in stationary traffic. Just sit there?
Be better taking the car and giving you another car to sit in a queue with.