Cyclist under a van

[nino_savatte]

Funnily enough, the only real aggro I've experienced was when I politely told a driver he wasn't supposed to stop in the box and positioned myself in front of him. He then followed me slowly almost all the way to my work, with him and his passenger shouting really vile things out of the window. I was quite shocked actually as they were in their 60s and they were so agressive it was scary.

According to the Highway Code that sort of behaviour (tailgating) is actually illegal, but it would seem that a lot of motorists have either forgotten the Code or have a selective take on it. I don't think the police react much to those breaches of the HC - even if they are reported to them.

Aye, I always position myself directly in front of any motorist who has pulled into the box.

 

[nino_savatte]

Many (not all) motorists tend to ignore this part of the HC.

Motorcyclists and cyclists

211

It is often difficult to see motorcyclists and cyclists, especially when they are coming up from behind, coming out of junctions, at roundabouts, overtaking you or filtering through traffic. Always look out for them before you emerge from a junction; they could be approaching faster than you think. When turning right across a line of slow-moving or stationary traffic, look out for cyclists or motorcyclists on the inside of the traffic you are crossing. Be especially careful when turning, and when changing direction or lane. Be sure to check mirrors and blind spots carefully.
Look out for motorcyclists and cyclists at junctions
212

When passing motorcyclists and cyclists, give them plenty of room (see Rules 162-167). If they look over their shoulder it could mean that they intend to pull out, turn right or change direction. Give them time and space to do so.


213

Motorcyclists and cyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven road surfaces and obstacles such as drain covers or oily, wet or icy patches on the road. Give them plenty of room and pay particular attention to any sudden change of direction they may have to make.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069858

 

[nino_savatte]

Tailgaters: every road users enemy.

Tailgating – driving closer than the two-second gap advised in the Highway Code – was responsible for 10,000 road accidents in Britain in 2006, but research by the Transport Research Laboratory, in partnership with the insurance company Direct Line, has found that drivers’ impatience is still putting lives at risk.

The study found that more than 90 per cent of motorists were followed too closely when they observed the Highway Code, compared with fewer than 50 per cent when they drove the same route in their usual style.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article4433120.ece

Then there's the comment from this idiot

Personally, I don't give a damn about people tailgating me. I drive a large estate car with 6 foot of metal between me and those behind. You ain't going to hurt me - just yourself, your insurance, pride, and a possibly a fine. I stay in the left hand lane, overtake when safe to do so.

Tony, Watford, UK

Well, Tony from Watford, you're a cunt.

 

[Termite Man]

cyclists who ignored red lights and rode through had a lower fatality rate

thats bollocks

Women cyclists are far more likely to be killed by a lorry because, unlike men, they tend to obey red lights and wait at junctions in the driver’s blind spot, according to a study.

stay out of the blind spots and you will be fine if you wait at lights . I do and have never been in an accident or even close to being in an accident due to my road position !

 

[terrythomas]

It's all about eye contact. Someone gave me that advice once and it made me a LOT more confident cycling. Once you have made eye to eye contact with a driver (say if you are coming out onto a roundabout) you can be sure they have seen you.

 

[goldenecitrone]

It's all about eye contact. Someone gave me that advice once and it made me a LOT more confident cycling. Once you have made eye to eye contact with a driver (say if you are coming out onto a roundabout) you can be sure they have seen you.

I disagree. It's just about being seen. And knowing that you have the same rights to indicate to the driver behind that you will be pulling out in front of them and they will have to slow down for a few seconds to allow this rather than smashing you into smithereens.

 

[nino_savatte]

Quite. SEE and BE SEEN.

 

[se5]

I recently had four hours of one-to-one cycle training provided free by Hackney council (I'm sure other councils will provide it also either free or vastly reduced rate).

For those of us who have the privilege of living or working in Lambeth (?!) four hours subsidised training is available for the same cost as one days congestion cahrge, ie £8. To book your training session see http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/TransportStreets/WalkingCycling/Cycling.htm - still waiting to find a time to schedule in my training but friends who have done it say they learnt a lot and were very impressed.

 

[jusali]

It's what the Advanced Stop Boxes were put in to prevent. Sad that so few motorists take the slightest bit of notice of them.

This so pisses me off also bus lanes used as car parks
The thing is I neve see any enforcement of these bits of the road no police nada. So why fucking bother?

 

[co-op]

This so pisses me off also bus lanes used as car parks
The thing is I neve see any enforcement of these bits of the road no police nada. So why fucking bother?

I've wondered if the ASBs are properly thought through? I'd just have them on the lefthand lane. They are always right across both lanes of a two-lane road - and given that (except where there is a right turn option) you will never on a bicycle be using the right hand side of the ASB, this kind of encourages cars to creep into them.

I'd have the left hand side for cyclists, maybe the righthand side for motorbikes - which would have the bonus of not tangling them up with cyclists which is starting to happen in London.

 

[blooper]

thats bollocks

No, it really isn't. Using common sense instead of a red light to guide you as to when to go and stop is far, far safer although, of course, if you have a lack of common sense then this isn't the case.

 

[corporate whore]

Further to the OP, a yellow sign at the scene of the incident denotes "seious injury" and TBH it looked worse than that when I went past.

 

[chico enrico]

I just saw the title of this thread and thought Hey! "Cyclist under a van" - that'd be a good name for a race-horse before any other thoughts came into my head. I wonder about myself sometimes.