It’s time for another forum cycle/vehicle disagreement

[Alex88]

Good point. Definitely the hardcore lot who brave the main roads, and all that comes with it. I'm genuinely curious as to the mentality and motivation to do it. I don't think my sense of self preservation would let me..

[nuttinnew]

JK. That's pretty horrific, how on earth did the driver not see the cyclist in front of him?!? Even when hammered my eyes still work. I can understand that judgement might be off when drunk, but that's a case of not even looking where he's driivng.

From the number of times I've seen people completely unaware of a fully lit and making lots of noise emergency vehicle behind them, it's almost like the drunkenness wasn't a contributing factor.

[DeskJockey]

Good point. Definitely the hardcore lot who brave the main roads, and all that comes with it. I'm genuinely curious as to the mentality and motivation to do it. I don't think my sense of self preservation would let me..

Hardcore? Is that what it has come to, that you should be foolhardy to cycle on the main roads, and assumed to be taking a significant risk or be a daredevil? That is dire and a sad indictment of the state of driving. We should all be able to jump on the bike to run local errands/just because, without having to fear being killed by some distracted numpty in a car. It would improve fitness, air quality, noise levels, reduce time wasted in traffic, reduce CO2, etc. It should be the norm for most people, rather than getting in the car to drive half a mile or less.

For me to get somewhere without cars I'll either have to drive there or cycle some distance on roads (whether main or smaller), which is crazy as there are good (relatively speaking) roads right outside my house, and I prefer road cycling.

[Gavster]

I don't really get cycling on public roads. If it's your only means of transport, fine, but the lycra-clad leisure riders, I don't understand it.

Does it not feel fucking terrifying? Riding along a main road that's full of potholes and broken up tarmac, HGV's passing, incompetent drivers, getting a face full of diesel fumes.. doesn't sound like fun!

Busy main roads are fairly horrid to cycle on. 99% of my cycling is in London which is actually a blessing, because I’m moving at a very similar speed to all the cars, especially with all the 20mph speed cameras slowing cars down these days. Whenever I venture out and end up on a road with cars whizzing past at 50mph I definitely feel more vulnerable.

[Alex88]

Good point. Definitely the hardcore lot who brave the main roads, and all that comes with it. I'm genuinely curious as to the mentality and motivation to do it. I don't think my sense of self preservation would let me..

Hardcore? Is that what it has come to, that you should be foolhardy to cycle on the main roads, and assumed to be taking a significant risk or be a daredevil? That is dire and a sad indictment of the state of driving. We should all be able to jump on the bike to run local errands/just because, without having to fear being killed by some distracted numpty in a car. It would improve fitness, air quality, noise levels, reduce time wasted in traffic, reduce CO2, etc. It should be the norm for most people, rather than getting in the car to drive half a mile or less.

For me to get somewhere without cars I'll either have to drive there or cycle some distance on roads (whether main or smaller), which is crazy as there are good (relatively speaking) roads right outside my house, and I prefer road cycling.

I get what you're saying and agree.

I suppose in an ideal world, we'd have designed a lot more dedicated, separate routes/lanes for all vulnerable road users, where pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, etc wouldn't always have to be rubbing shoulders with road traffic? I know it wouldn't always be possible to do it, but it could reduce risk and would almost certainly encourage more people to use a bike/walk.

But yes, the reality is different, and quite sad. I'll always twitch a bit seeing an Artic passing someone tootling along on a bicycle.

[Alex88]

I don't really get cycling on public roads. If it's your only means of transport, fine, but the lycra-clad leisure riders, I don't understand it.

Does it not feel fucking terrifying? Riding along a main road that's full of potholes and broken up tarmac, HGV's passing, incompetent drivers, getting a face full of diesel fumes.. doesn't sound like fun!

Busy main roads are fairly horrid to cycle on. 99% of my cycling is in London which is actually a blessing, because I’m moving at a very similar speed to all the cars, especially with all the 20mph speed cameras slowing cars down these days. Whenever I venture out and end up on a road with cars whizzing past at 50mph I definitely feel more vulnerable.

Interesting. The weight of traffic + no real chance for cars to build up speed, have actually made London riding somewhat safe? Or at least safer than the general perception of riding there?

I do wonder if drivers are gradually becoming aware that cyclists are frequently using helmet-cams now. We can thank Jeremy Vine for that, I think

[DeskJockey]

It would require the political will to emulate the Danish/Swedish/Dutch/other European option with dedicated cycle lanes protected by barriers/a raised kerb/a gap of some sort, not just some paint on the road. It will also require a shift in mindset of all road users.

[Jobbo]

I fairly regularly see people cycling as Alex describes - along dual carriageways where there is a relatively simple alternative of taking a parallel country lane. I don’t get it, though they are entitled to be there and I give them plenty of space obvs.

[Mito Man]

London feels pretty safe to cycle in. Plenty of cycle lanes and if there’s a busy road which doesn’t feel safe you always have the option of a few quiet residential streets running parallel.
Most of the incidents I’ve seen are because cyclists are in rush and jump red lights or position themselves in bad places.

[Gavster]

I don't really get cycling on public roads. If it's your only means of transport, fine, but the lycra-clad leisure riders, I don't understand it.

Does it not feel fucking terrifying? Riding along a main road that's full of potholes and broken up tarmac, HGV's passing, incompetent drivers, getting a face full of diesel fumes.. doesn't sound like fun!

Busy main roads are fairly horrid to cycle on. 99% of my cycling is in London which is actually a blessing, because I’m moving at a very similar speed to all the cars, especially with all the 20mph speed cameras slowing cars down these days. Whenever I venture out and end up on a road with cars whizzing past at 50mph I definitely feel more vulnerable.

Interesting. The weight of traffic + no real chance for cars to build up speed, have actually made London riding somewhat safe? Or at least safer than the general perception of riding there?

I do wonder if drivers are gradually becoming aware that cyclists are frequently using helmet-cams now. We can thank Jeremy Vine for that, I think

Yeah, London feels pretty safe for cycling, the only bits that feel dangerous are the major junctions like Hyde Park corner, Old Street roundabout etc., however most of those have been modified to give cyclists a safe way to cross with pedestrians. I reckon almost all London motorists are completely ussed to there being a hundred cyclists swarming around them and have become more aware in general.

It goes back to my theory that London motorists are, in general, far more tolerant drivers than those in the provinces. If I ever face road rage, it's more likely to be someone in Swindon who wants to stab me because I didn't have the crystal ball foresight to get into the correct lane 3.7 miles before the junction. In London, you can pull up at a junction in the wrong lane, then indicate to change lane and the next person will let you in, no problems.

[240PP]

I like driving in London, it’s like having a day off from being a courteous driver. You can drive like a cvnt and nobody minds because they’re all cvnts too

[nuttinnew]

[Simon]

Hope the car is ok.

[John]

I hope the Strava QOM was worth it.

[nuttinnew]

[nuttinnew]

[mik]

Yikes.

First one - cyclist is massively lucky to walk away from that. Vulnerable road user chose to place themself in highly risky position.

Second one - stoopid pedestrian. If it is Mercuh then they probably successfully sued for a lack of braille warning signs or something. They definitely successfully sued somebody…..

[Gavster]

Those two lorries look weird af, almost like they were trying to take the cyclist down?!? Obviously the cyclist was riding like a dick in the first place, however, their road positions and movements were very strange. Having said that, the cyclist did somehow position himself in the blindspot of the white lorry.

[Rich B]

Nothing weird, they're in long lorries, they're coming to a bend and the road looks like it's getting narrower if anything. There's concrete barriers either side and cars diving for gaps. Then a dumb cyclist decides to put himself in the middle.

As for the other one, I've been at bike parks where riders decide to go and have another look at a drop or feature and stand under it... riders who ride off stuff like that ffs.

[dinny_g]

That second one happens a lot on Ski Slopes - not completely the same as most people aren't airborne when skiing but you come over the brow of a hill and there's a group just standing there having a chat,,,