Out on my bike in the autumn sun. Needless to say some wally in a 4x4 drove past me within 6 inches of my arm on a wide road with no other traffic!
Cyclists.
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Where were you at this point @bertiejaffa ? 
I don't cycle on the road anymore 
I used to, all the time, but about 6 years ago I was hit by a car. As unlucky as it was to get hit by a car in the first place, it is remarkable how lucky I was. It was a 60mph road, slightly uphill and facing into the evening sun, so visibility wasn't great at that moment, but I'd done everything I could do - wearing neon colours & reflective clothing, rear light flashing. But the car driver didn't see me (or wasn't looking) and ploughed their left wing mirror into my right arm, spearing me into the verge. It messed up my arm from the mirror and my knee from the fall, but apart from that I got away with just some stitches and physio. If I had been going any quicker I wouldn't have been so close to the verge and then I don't think I'd be here today.
The worst part of the whole thing was that the driver didn't stop (despite losing a wing mirror). And the police could not have been any less interested in trying to track them down
I used to, all the time, but about 6 years ago I was hit by a car. As unlucky as it was to get hit by a car in the first place, it is remarkable how lucky I was. It was a 60mph road, slightly uphill and facing into the evening sun, so visibility wasn't great at that moment, but I'd done everything I could do - wearing neon colours & reflective clothing, rear light flashing. But the car driver didn't see me (or wasn't looking) and ploughed their left wing mirror into my right arm, spearing me into the verge. It messed up my arm from the mirror and my knee from the fall, but apart from that I got away with just some stitches and physio. If I had been going any quicker I wouldn't have been so close to the verge and then I don't think I'd be here today.
The worst part of the whole thing was that the driver didn't stop (despite losing a wing mirror). And the police could not have been any less interested in trying to track them down
There are a lot of terrible drivers out there. As a cyclist as well as a motorist I am perhaps more aware of them than those motorists who moan about cyclists on the road. Yes, there are some stupid inconsiderate cyclists as well as motorists, but the cyclists are FAR less dangerous.
It is genuinely terrifying to see some people share their attitudes when it comes to cyclists on social media, almost always born out of ignorance ("well they don't pay road tax...") or their own skill/confidence shortcomings ("stuck behind them for miles..."). I have been driving for 20yrs now and don't think I have ever been "stuck" behind a lone or group of cyclists for more than 20 seconds.
They would feel differently about it if they or a loved one cycled.
You are correct though, there are some absolute wombles who give cyclists a bad name - running red lights, cycling on pavements etc.
Let me know if you're ever cycling through Darley Dale - there's always a loo-stop or bottle filling station available for you
You could even visit your old Z3 a few doors down
They would feel differently about it if they or a loved one cycled.
You are correct though, there are some absolute wombles who give cyclists a bad name - running red lights, cycling on pavements etc.
Let me know if you're ever cycling through Darley Dale - there's always a loo-stop or bottle filling station available for you
You could even visit your old Z3 a few doors down
Totally agree John, I've been driving since 1967 and I've NEVER been significantly held up by cyclists. I have been held up for hours due to avoidable vehicle crashes, no cyclists involved. I have also been held up significantly by caravaners when there have been two or more behind eachother making it impossible to overtake.
As an ex HGV driver I've nearly killed a few.
For example my truck indicating to turn left and a cyclist will still pass down the left side of the truck - cyclist going straight on. That happens all too often. I don't know what it is. Cyclists often don't seem to notice what other road users are doing. Luckily I've HGV'd in Germany too where cyclists do have priority even if they do try to sneak down the side of the truck.
For example my truck indicating to turn left and a cyclist will still pass down the left side of the truck - cyclist going straight on. That happens all too often. I don't know what it is. Cyclists often don't seem to notice what other road users are doing. Luckily I've HGV'd in Germany too where cyclists do have priority even if they do try to sneak down the side of the truck.
Correct @Duncodin, cyclists should be aware of vehicles turning left because they are very vulnerable. Approaching traffic lights I always look to see if vehicles near me are indicating to turn left and if they are I wait and let them go. About 50% of drivers don't indicate and then if I move off and they turn left I'm the one they abuse!
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Points
- 231
- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
There are many many many total TiTs on the road on bikes. We get large groups of road riders around my rural area that won't split into smaller groups to allow vehicles to pass them safely in stages and ride 3 and 4 abreast etc. they are a menace with very arrogant attitudes to other road users that totally contributes to bad behaviour by drivers who get frustrated and angry behind them. A lot of cyclist don't help themselves, and yes I would agree a lot of the car / van drivers etc are just as bad, but I can't agree that cyclists are mainly in the right.
BTW I also ride.
BTW I also ride.
Not a case of being in the right, as I've said there are bad cyclists and bad drivers, but bad cyclists can be irresponsible whereas bad drivers can kill people!
To be fair, groups of cyclists are recommended to ride side-by-side in the highway code (Rule 66). It makes for a shorter overtake than if they were in single-file, it also discourages drivers from trying to squeeze past when there isn't sufficient space.
The wording specifically mentions riding two abreast, although if 3-4 cyclists are comfortable and competent to ride side by side without crossing into the other lane, I don't see the problem, if anything they are further shortening the length of the pack you're going to overtake. Be grateful
The Highway Code - Rules for cyclists (59 to 82) - Guidance - GOV.UK
Rules for cyclists, including an overview, road junctions, roundabouts and crossing the road.
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Points
- 231
- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Oh there you go then, rule 66 will sort it all out. Let's hope they start following that one at least.To be fair, groups of cyclists are recommended to ride side-by-side in the highway code (Rule 66). It makes for a shorter overtake than if they were in single-file, it also discourages drivers from trying to squeeze past when there isn't sufficient space.
The wording specifically mentions riding two abreast, although if 3-4 cyclists are comfortable and competent to ride side by side without crossing into the other lane, I don't see the problem, if anything they are further shortening the length of the pack you're going to overtake. Be grateful
The Highway Code - Rules for cyclists (59 to 82) - Guidance - GOV.UK
Rules for cyclists, including an overview, road junctions, roundabouts and crossing the road.www.gov.uk
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Points
- 231
- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Yep. And bad cyclists can be the cause ot an accident.
Rarely, because they are the ones badly injured or killed.Statistically most accidents are caused by bad, careless or dangerous driving.
At school we were always told to cycle one behind the other rather than side by side.
We were also encouraged to wear a cross body fluorescent strip something you rarely see cyclists wearing today, always surprises me how many choose to wear black?
We were also encouraged to wear a cross body fluorescent strip something you rarely see cyclists wearing today, always surprises me how many choose to wear black?
Must agree, the current fashion for all black or dull cycle clothing is plain stupid! I remember the old 'Be safe be seen' slogan. I always wear a bright colour top in summer and similar top with reflective details in dull weather, but no matter 7 out of 10 vehicles still pass far too close when the roads are clear and there is no reason not to give more space.
Don't be giving people ideas Shaun.
Tony.
Tony.
Ive seen both flavors, lots of fitness nuts around here, lots of cycle lanes too, If only the cyclist and the motorists would pay any attention to them. either or both can be idiots, but the cyclist always comes out worst sadly. There is a cyclists forum you know, that has an I am not a robot captcha, asking click all the squares with traffic lights.. It,s a pretty lonely place, only half a dozen members.Don't be giving people ideas Shaun.
Tony.
I think there are two types of cyclist from my experience.
1. Those out for a leisurely ride or using it as a genuine form of transport to get from A to B
2. Those out for exercise and using strava or similar app with "best times" in mind
Type 1 is always courteous to other road users. They pull in, or ride single file to let traffic overtake - they're courteous to pedestrians and let them cross etc.
Type 2 (and I'm sure this isn't all of them) *can* be so focussed on their strava time that literally nothing else matters.
I had a run in with a Type2 cyclist a few years ago. I was driving along a single track road and the cyclist was coming in the other direction at speed. There was a passing place ahead of us both and the cyclist reached the passing place first and chose to sail straight past it and toward me - causing me to brake sharply and pull into the verge.
The cyclist shouted at me for being "inconsiderate" - I tried to reason with him that had he pulled into the passing place we'd have passed without incident and the answer I got was "it's F**king idiots like you that ruin my strava times" and then he rode on....
I am also a cyclist - firmly in the Type1 camp.
And people like this is what gives Type2 riders, and cyclists in general, a bad name. Unfortunately, in my opinion, there are a lot of riders that seem to think their PB time is all that matters and anything that holds them up is fair game to be shouted at.
1. Those out for a leisurely ride or using it as a genuine form of transport to get from A to B
2. Those out for exercise and using strava or similar app with "best times" in mind
Type 1 is always courteous to other road users. They pull in, or ride single file to let traffic overtake - they're courteous to pedestrians and let them cross etc.
Type 2 (and I'm sure this isn't all of them) *can* be so focussed on their strava time that literally nothing else matters.
I had a run in with a Type2 cyclist a few years ago. I was driving along a single track road and the cyclist was coming in the other direction at speed. There was a passing place ahead of us both and the cyclist reached the passing place first and chose to sail straight past it and toward me - causing me to brake sharply and pull into the verge.
The cyclist shouted at me for being "inconsiderate" - I tried to reason with him that had he pulled into the passing place we'd have passed without incident and the answer I got was "it's F**king idiots like you that ruin my strava times" and then he rode on....
I am also a cyclist - firmly in the Type1 camp.
And people like this is what gives Type2 riders, and cyclists in general, a bad name. Unfortunately, in my opinion, there are a lot of riders that seem to think their PB time is all that matters and anything that holds them up is fair game to be shouted at.