Best way to identify a cyclist

saajan_12

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0w8g18x9no

ThorOdinson

Veteransaver said:

Herzlos said:

I actually saw a cyclist on his phone today. To be fair he was maybe about 12, going at walking speed and on an empty pavement with a barrier between it and the road. 

For perspective; on the same journey however I spotted 2 drivers using phones whilst driving, and 6 cars jumping red lights.

It's heartening to see this anti cyclist thread is now well into its 2nd month all because someone suffered a bit of minor cosmetic damage to their car.
Today I was cycling back from the local shop, a man was attempting to cross at the zebra crossing. I stopped for him to cross, the 2 cars behind me just sailed on through (overtaking me on the zigzags too). Unbelievable and could have ended in utter carnage for both me and the pedestrian.

The same crossing a few years ago I was trying to cross with my kids, the car approaching slowed to stop, I was just about to cross when I noticed a van following that proceeded to ram into the back of the stopped car, shunting him right across the crossing where (had I not been ultra aware) we would have been mown down.

Yes, cyclists are definitely the major problem on our roads. /s

I've seen this happen and it's often because the cyclist is blocking the clear view of the crossing. Drivers should slow down if they can't see clearly, but many don't.

That's why I say it would be better for cyclists to use the middle of the lane. Then if they stop to let someone cross it's clear they are dismounting or whatever, they are part of the flow of traffic.

It's not just about who is right and who is wrong, it's about making everyone safer.

Veteransaver

ThorOdinson said:

Veteransaver said:

Herzlos said:

I actually saw a cyclist on his phone today. To be fair he was maybe about 12, going at walking speed and on an empty pavement with a barrier between it and the road. 

For perspective; on the same journey however I spotted 2 drivers using phones whilst driving, and 6 cars jumping red lights.

It's heartening to see this anti cyclist thread is now well into its 2nd month all because someone suffered a bit of minor cosmetic damage to their car.
Today I was cycling back from the local shop, a man was attempting to cross at the zebra crossing. I stopped for him to cross, the 2 cars behind me just sailed on through (overtaking me on the zigzags too). Unbelievable and could have ended in utter carnage for both me and the pedestrian.

The same crossing a few years ago I was trying to cross with my kids, the car approaching slowed to stop, I was just about to cross when I noticed a van following that proceeded to ram into the back of the stopped car, shunting him right across the crossing where (had I not been ultra aware) we would have been mown down.

Yes, cyclists are definitely the major problem on our roads. /s

I've seen this happen and it's often because the cyclist is blocking the clear view of the crossing. Drivers should slow down if they can't see clearly, but many don't.

That's why I say it would be better for cyclists to use the middle of the lane. Then if they stop to let someone cross it's clear they are dismounting or whatever, they are part of the flow of traffic.

It's not just about who is right and who is wrong, it's about making everyone safer.

A cyclist blocking the view of a crossing? Seriously?


Those zebra crossing things you know, they have 2 massive flashing orange beacons and white stripes painted on the road. Yet many drivers either don't notice them or don't care.
And I'm sure cyclists permanently riding in the middle of the lane would go down really well with drivers.

People would still find a way to blame cyclists, "that cyclist made me perform a dangerous overtake, Officer".

Maybe drivers could start by setting a good example and not overtaking on zigzags, and actually look where they are going?

Herzlos

ThorOdinson said:

Veteransaver said:

Herzlos said:

I actually saw a cyclist on his phone today. To be fair he was maybe about 12, going at walking speed and on an empty pavement with a barrier between it and the road. 

For perspective; on the same journey however I spotted 2 drivers using phones whilst driving, and 6 cars jumping red lights.

It's heartening to see this anti cyclist thread is now well into its 2nd month all because someone suffered a bit of minor cosmetic damage to their car.
Today I was cycling back from the local shop, a man was attempting to cross at the zebra crossing. I stopped for him to cross, the 2 cars behind me just sailed on through (overtaking me on the zigzags too). Unbelievable and could have ended in utter carnage for both me and the pedestrian.

The same crossing a few years ago I was trying to cross with my kids, the car approaching slowed to stop, I was just about to cross when I noticed a van following that proceeded to ram into the back of the stopped car, shunting him right across the crossing where (had I not been ultra aware) we would have been mown down.

Yes, cyclists are definitely the major problem on our roads. /s

I've seen this happen and it's often because the cyclist is blocking the clear view of the crossing. Drivers should slow down if they can't see clearly, but many don't.

It's quite an impressive reach to try and blame a cyclist for a car breaking the law. I can't see any way a moving car will have view to a pedestrian completely blocked by a cyclist, and I'd assume that they'd take the cyclist having stopped as a sign that there was a pedestrian waiting to cross.

Herzlos

saajan_12 said:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0w8g18x9no

Good. Dangerous people should be punished properly.

However I'm not convinced it's going to make any real difference:

The government estimates that of 1,600 deaths on UK roads last year, four were caused by cyclists.

That's 0.25%. I suspect there's better ways to improve road safety than picking on cyclists.

bouicca21

Maybe just lots more publicity and encouragement to join a cycling organisation would be useful. Insurance comes bundled in with membership, as does legal advice.

kinger101

ThorOdinson said:

sand_hun said:

ThorOdinson said:

You were in the car and just let him do it?

Maybe you can see the problem.

There is a lot of enforcement for drivers though. They even have cameras that can spot it, as well as not wearing seat belt.

What was I supposed to do - grab the phone from his hand? I had a word with him and told it was unacceptable behaviour.

Despite there being some enforcement for drivers, most law breaking isn't punished. Consider how many people text at the wheel - most are never caught. Add to that offences like tailgating, breaking speed limits, jumping red lights. The police (or cameras) can't possibly act upon all of these things.

If I was in a car being driven by someone texting I'd treat it as an emergency and tell them to stop immediately so I could get out.

On Saturday I saw a cyclist who was making a phone call while riding on the road. I joined the back of a queue at the lights and he was coming up behind, deja vu... But then he went up on the pavement, swerved around a jogger, and crossed by the lights. Got it all on camera, but no hits on Yandex this time.

I have a dash cam fitted and I can assure you that pretty much every drive over 10 miles I'd have captured at least one point-worthy motoring offence.  In London, it would be much higher.  In Essex.......

If I was petty, I could upload each one to a website where police would follow up at least with a telling off for some of them and points for others.

I really have it so I can take action if I see someone seriously endangering my life.

On a side note, just pointing at my camera seems to be very effective in getting tailgaters to calm down and back off.

Road users of any category can be bad, but the majority of motorists and cyclists are responsible. So I don't see the point of getting wound up too much about any group in particular.

It's pretty easy to spot bad cyclists well before you are near them.  Lime bikes.  Mountain bikes on road.  Anyone without a helmet. Anyone not wearing bright colours reflective clothing   Anyone whose bike seat is adjusted so  low their knees ride above the handlebars.  Anyone wobbling their front wheel.  Anyone without two hands on the bars. Anyone with headphones on. Anyone not cycling defensively. And seemingly everyone with a Deliveroo bag. I sure there are good cyclists in this group but experience tells me they present a higher risk than a defensively cycling guy on a road bike wearing neon green lycra.

A good motorist will adjust their driving according to the hazards.

kinger101

ThorOdinson said:

Herzlos said:

I actually saw a cyclist on his phone today. To be fair he was maybe about 12, going at walking speed and on an empty pavement with a barrier between it and the road. 

For perspective; on the same journey however I spotted 2 drivers using phones whilst driving, and 6 cars jumping red lights.

Either you live in the worst town in the country or you made that up.

Sound perfectly plausible to me.

ThorOdinson

Veteransaver said:

ThorOdinson said:

Veteransaver said:

Herzlos said:

I actually saw a cyclist on his phone today. To be fair he was maybe about 12, going at walking speed and on an empty pavement with a barrier between it and the road. 

For perspective; on the same journey however I spotted 2 drivers using phones whilst driving, and 6 cars jumping red lights.

It's heartening to see this anti cyclist thread is now well into its 2nd month all because someone suffered a bit of minor cosmetic damage to their car.
Today I was cycling back from the local shop, a man was attempting to cross at the zebra crossing. I stopped for him to cross, the 2 cars behind me just sailed on through (overtaking me on the zigzags too). Unbelievable and could have ended in utter carnage for both me and the pedestrian.

The same crossing a few years ago I was trying to cross with my kids, the car approaching slowed to stop, I was just about to cross when I noticed a van following that proceeded to ram into the back of the stopped car, shunting him right across the crossing where (had I not been ultra aware) we would have been mown down.

Yes, cyclists are definitely the major problem on our roads. /s

I've seen this happen and it's often because the cyclist is blocking the clear view of the crossing. Drivers should slow down if they can't see clearly, but many don't.

That's why I say it would be better for cyclists to use the middle of the lane. Then if they stop to let someone cross it's clear they are dismounting or whatever, they are part of the flow of traffic.

It's not just about who is right and who is wrong, it's about making everyone safer.

A cyclist blocking the view of a crossing? Seriously?


Those zebra crossing things you know, they have 2 massive flashing orange beacons and white stripes painted on the road. Yet many drivers either don't notice them or don't care.
And I'm sure cyclists permanently riding in the middle of the lane would go down really well with drivers.

People would still find a way to blame cyclists, "that cyclist made me perform a dangerous overtake, Officer".

Maybe drivers could start by setting a good example and not overtaking on zigzags, and actually look where they are going?

You misunderstood. You only have to stop at those crossings if someone is using it. That's why they try to position them where drivers can easily see people walking up to them.

Anyway, hopefully this is just the first step in properly regulating cyclists.

kinger101

ThorOdinson said:

Veteransaver said:

ThorOdinson said:

Veteransaver said:

Herzlos said:

I actually saw a cyclist on his phone today. To be fair he was maybe about 12, going at walking speed and on an empty pavement with a barrier between it and the road. 

For perspective; on the same journey however I spotted 2 drivers using phones whilst driving, and 6 cars jumping red lights.

It's heartening to see this anti cyclist thread is now well into its 2nd month all because someone suffered a bit of minor cosmetic damage to their car.
Today I was cycling back from the local shop, a man was attempting to cross at the zebra crossing. I stopped for him to cross, the 2 cars behind me just sailed on through (overtaking me on the zigzags too). Unbelievable and could have ended in utter carnage for both me and the pedestrian.

The same crossing a few years ago I was trying to cross with my kids, the car approaching slowed to stop, I was just about to cross when I noticed a van following that proceeded to ram into the back of the stopped car, shunting him right across the crossing where (had I not been ultra aware) we would have been mown down.

Yes, cyclists are definitely the major problem on our roads. /s

I've seen this happen and it's often because the cyclist is blocking the clear view of the crossing. Drivers should slow down if they can't see clearly, but many don't.

That's why I say it would be better for cyclists to use the middle of the lane. Then if they stop to let someone cross it's clear they are dismounting or whatever, they are part of the flow of traffic.

It's not just about who is right and who is wrong, it's about making everyone safer.

A cyclist blocking the view of a crossing? Seriously?


Those zebra crossing things you know, they have 2 massive flashing orange beacons and white stripes painted on the road. Yet many drivers either don't notice them or don't care.
And I'm sure cyclists permanently riding in the middle of the lane would go down really well with drivers.

People would still find a way to blame cyclists, "that cyclist made me perform a dangerous overtake, Officer".

Maybe drivers could start by setting a good example and not overtaking on zigzags, and actually look where they are going?

You misunderstood. You only have to stop at those crossings if someone is using it. That's why they try to position them where drivers can easily see people walking up to them.

Anyway, hopefully this is just the first step in properly regulating cyclists.

You have a habit of twisting what people have said.