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Suicidal Cyclist

1246742

Comments

  • giraffe69
    giraffe69 Posts: 3,613 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Splitting hairs about what VED is called is pointless. For sure the amount paid on various taxes directly attributable to cars is not all spent on roads and hasn't been for years but motorists pay an awful lot of tax on fuel, for their cars, parking etc and granny paying VAT on her chocolate biscuits so a pothole can be filled benefits all road users but isn't what the argument is all about.
    Motorists have a duty to be careful around cyclists but cyclists have a duty also to take some care so wearing a helmet and a high viz. jacket may not be the law but it is common sense. If you are a "vulnerable road user" then reduce your vulnerability!
  • Retrogamer
    Retrogamer Posts: 4,218 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I sometimes have to commute along roads to reach my off road cycling locations.
    Might look a bit unusual and be a bit more sweaty cycling around forests with my high viz jacket on
    All your base are belong to us.
  • brat
    brat Posts: 2,533 Forumite
    giraffe69 wrote: »
    Motorists have a duty to be careful around cyclists but cyclists have a duty also to take some care so wearing a helmet and a high viz. jacket may not be the law but it is common sense. If you are a "vulnerable road user" then reduce your vulnerability!
    I have different coloured clothes. I have white, yellow, pink, light blue, green, dark blue jerseys and red, dark blue and black jackets. My bike is not hard to see either. If you have ever seen the knog blinder rear light I use, you will know that I will be noticed way before many cars. I do this because I am not prepared to be a victim of some driver's woeful observation. I keep yellow hi-vis for when I'm teaching kids, because they have to wear them. All my kit has retro reflective detail, and the most visible at night time are the dark blue and black jackets.

    There is little excuse for cyclists not making themselves visible, especially at night. No one disagrees with that. But a cyclist moving along the road in daylight should not ever be an issue for a driver no matter what the cyclist is wearing.
    Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.
  • Why do cyclists insist on riding side by side, two or three abreast, instead of single file along 60mph country roads with blind bends, concealed entrances and slow moving farm machinery ahead?

    Because you can not talk or hear what the other person is talking about if you are out of range ,also the wind makes it hard of hearing :o
  • Avoriaz
    Avoriaz Posts: 39,110 Forumite
    ..

    1) Why do they also insist on cycling in black clothing with no lights and no ho vis?

    2) they're especially lethal when they leave the pub after lunch time.

    3) The sad thing is that it will be the motorist who will be found at fault if there is an accident.

    1) I see lots of black cars and black motorbikes without lights on in the daytime

    2) So are many card drivers

    3) The motorist will only be found at fault if he is partly or wholly to blame.
  • Avoriaz
    Avoriaz Posts: 39,110 Forumite
    ...The road widens a bit so then I mnage to overtake them still riding 2 abreast. Then a dose of instant karma follows, a police car was behind me all that time and didn;t even notice pulls drives up beside the cyclist and stops to talk to the cyclist,...
    That doesn't say much for your observation skills if you were unaware of what was behind you.

    Were you too busy criticising the cyclists ahead to drive attentively yourself? :D
  • nobbysn*ts
    nobbysn*ts Posts: 1,176 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You'll be unlucky if you get more than a slap on the wrist, and community service if you repeatedly reverse your car over your ex, when drunk.
    A ninja cyclist, you'll be ok to claim for your own emotional distress, and the jet wash cost to get then off the wheel arch.

    If they don't want to be seen, roll with it.
    Or over them.
    Just make sure you claim.
  • JustinR1979
    JustinR1979 Posts: 1,828 Forumite
    This thread reminds me of that video on top gear about being righteous.
    Doesn't stop you getting hurt.
    Make yourselves visible - or work harder and buy a car.
  • brat
    brat Posts: 2,533 Forumite
    This thread reminds me of that video on top gear about being righteous.
    Doesn't stop you getting hurt.
    You do your bit and make sure you don't do the hurting. Trust me, I've spoken to many who have killed vulnerable road users, and it's not a good place to be.
    But if you and other motorists bring the right attitude to the road, then we'll be just fine.
    Make yourselves visible - or work harder and buy a car.
    A second car would be cheaper for me, but much less rewarding. :)
    Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.
  • Tilt
    Tilt Posts: 3,599 Forumite
    wheelz wrote: »
    No car drivers should look better and respect vulnerable road users. :)

    Car drivers have been known to drive into police motorcyclists all in their hi-viz. Eyes, you have them, use them. Scan the road, or do a course IAM ROSPA and all of that if you forgot what you're meant to be scanning the road for.

    It should not be up to the vulnerable road user to protect themselves, send car drivers on a motorcycling course, that will show them how they can drive/ride to survive. It will do away with their feeling of safety causing them to be lazy and drive into cyclists and motorcyclists. Until car drivers have done everything they can possibly do to become a better driver there should not be an onus on the vulnerable road user to make themselves visible. It's your own choice.

    I don't think I have ever read such tripe on this forum! So according to you, cyclists should't have to wear visible clothing or have to go the expense of fitting lights on their bikes? So it's down to drivers is it? What about drivers of large/long vehicles who have to look through mirrors which are sometimes wet? Are they expected to have bionic sight so they can see a unlit, darkly clad individual on a bike who maybe undertaking them in the rain?

    It's a bit like saying the Titanic was unsinkable so the onus to provide enough lifeboats for all the passengers and crew, shouldn't be on the ship's owners...
    PLEASE NOTE
    My advice should be used as guidance only. You should always obtain face to face professional advice before taking any action.
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