Dumbass cyclist morons who overtake traffic on the left

[gentlegreen]

Yup, absolutely.

I'm of the firm belief that as a cyclist, in the city I actually have more right to the road than a car driver.... cycles were around way before the car.

The only time I'd give cars priority is on a motorway, they can have them - but the city is for pedestrians and bikes.

You should see me pissing off following drivers when I'm in my car and waiting to overtake a cyclist in the correct manner

 

[sir.clip]

Who remembers that cycle lane in the centre of blackfriers bridge..
It claimed a life & seriously injured another 3 people..

The worst place for a cycle lane is in between car lanes..

Any way reminds me of a joke..

This bit of black tarmac walks into a pub walks up to the bar & orders a pint..
The barman thinks nothing of it..
Then a piece of red tarmac walks into the pub & walks upto the bar orders a pint & settles down in a corner..
The barman thinks thats a little odd..
Next thing in burst's a green piece of tarmac, runs over to the bar, smashe's his little hands onto the counter & in a loud voice demands a pint...
With that the black tar mac dives through a window..
The barman has not got a clue whats going on..
And as the red tarmac exists promptly.. he shouts 'watch out barman, he (pointing to green tarmac) is a flipping cycle path mate'.......

 

[gentlegreen]

I have to confess that the traffic in (comparatively suburban) Bristol is probably a different kettle of fish to that in central London, but it would be useful to see the stats for accidents caused whilst undertaking.

All I know is that I've only ever overtaken during my 20 years of commuting.

Actually, the truth is that, since I live in town and work outside I used to chug along at a moderate speed, taking a safe line anticipating the need to pass parked cars and was safely overtaken ... until the school run madness started 10 years or so ago, and it started to make sense to overtake.

Thanks to Google Earth, I have recently found a much safer route that avoids a lot of the overtaking of log-jams.

I suspect if I was cycling in central London, I might well be carrying a baseball bat in place of my bicycle pump.

 

[Herbsman.]

re: OP - if a cyclist is overtaking on the left, you don't have to pull out to the right. Don't be daft.

So what you're saying is that when this happens to me almost every day, I must be dreaming?

 

[gentlegreen]

An interesting stance the OP has taken. I *always* hug the left hand side of the road, because that's where I feen safer. It makes sense to me because i'm only exposed to one lane of traffic instead of two (and an oncoming lane) if I were to overtake on the right.

What do you do when there's a parked car 20 yards ahead ?

When the traffic is moving at a decent pace, then of course I also cycle on the left (I'm 46 and 17 stone ).

 

[fortyplus]

I'm almost 100% with herbsman on this one - I can't swear I never undertake though. Sometimes, in slow traffic, there's good space on the inside and it's the best route to take.

Going up the outside facing oncoming traffic can be scary but I don't think it's anything like as dangerous as going up the inside. The cars coming in the other direction can see you. The scariness boosts your adrenalin and alertness; you don't do it if there's no space, and, as herbsman says, when the inside traffic starts moving faster than you, it's easy to signal, glance behind, move to the left - from a position where you are in clear view of the car behind.

On the left, you face at least three risks. First, at junctions, is left-turning long vehicles. This is a common cause of cyclist death. You're in a blind-spot and unexpected anyway. Second is parked cars - and drivers who open their doors without looking. Probably (sorry no stats) a commoner but less fatal accident than the above. Third is pedestrians, who are quite likely to jaywalk into your path - they look out for cars, not bikes, see stationary traffic and think it's safe to step into the road.

All of which make the outside the safest place to overtake.

 

[cybertect]

An interesting stance the OP has taken. I *always* hug the left hand side of the road, because that's where I feen safer. It makes sense to me because i'm only exposed to one lane of traffic instead of two (and an oncoming lane) if I were to overtake on the right.

Maybe it's because I also drive a car, but I feel a *lot* safer on a bicycle overtaking a queue of traffic on the outside than trying to make my way along the gutter on the inside of a queue of traffic.

For one thing, you're not going to have a passenger door open on you unexpectedly as someone tries to hop out while the traffic isn't moving (car passengers will almost invariably never check behind first). If a driver is for some odd reason going to get out of his car, at least you can see them preparing in their own mirrors, which you can't on the passenger side (they're pointed in the wrong direction).

It's where you're supposed to be for overtaking. There's usually more room available in the middle of the road too. Make clear and unambiguous signals (something I rarely observe other cyclists doing) when moving back over to the inside.

I'll also second the earlier comment about making eyeball contact with drivers when making a manoeuvre with a car in your vicinity.

I have no hesitation in claiming road space when I'm on a bike, especially in town.

 

[cybertect]

Motorists never pull over to the right to give me more room either, if anything they gently glide to the left a little to cut me off.

I guess it must be rare. I was pleasantly surprised to get a thumbs up from a cyclist when I pulled my car out right to give him room between lanes when passing through the centre of Brixton the other day.

 

[bruise]

(cyclist and driver)

i grew up in cambridge - cycle city - which until recently did absolutely nothing for cyclists - even tried to ban them from the city centre. yet Cambridge is far safer place to cycle than London and elsewhere? why?

cos you've got every kind of behaviour from lycra-speedos to ancient crones going so slow you wonder how they stay upright. you've got kids being loonies crashing on and off pavements, virtually nobody wore helmets until recently, and nobody followed any of this detailed etiquette stuff above

the most constructive thing cyclists can do is behave weirdly very visibly, slow traffic down constantly, get in the way of cars, wobble around, look pathetic and vulnerable (as we are) go as slow as you want and as fast as you want use lanes or not as you feel inclined, go 'command' if that rocks your boat, stick to the gutter if not (about a yard out is good)

the only 'rule' i think cyclists should follow is to be kind to pedestrians as they are more vulnerable than us. otherwise we should every day convey to cars that we are easy to kill, hard to spot and behave totally randomly. they might get it in the end - on the whole they have in Cambridge.

 

[Termite Man]

.

I think Maggot's right. When I think the lights are about to change, I stay behind, because I don't want to be stranded in the middle - there's an implication I'm going to turn right instead of move back across the traffic. It's not a question of speed or acceleration - more the risk of a driver setting off and not noticing what I'm going to do.
.

When the lights change the cars often take a while to build up a speed fatser than you can cycle so you just force yourself between 2 cars and into a safe position . I tend to overtake on whichever side has the most room , although most of the ride I do is cycle/bus lanes so I'm normally in those !

 

[gentlegreen]

The scariness boosts your adrenalin and alertness;

I think that's a key point. I have mused more than once that people sneaking through impossibly narrow gaps on the inside are a bit like those who cycle with no lights (often the same people) .. I'm sure they actually lack any sense of danger .... they think because they're invisible that they actually don't occupy the same space time continuum as the rest of the traffic. (though one inevitably does synthesise a simplified model of the situation - it just has to be a flexible model with appropriate safety margins)

Done right it's also "good" adrenalin because it serves the purpose it was intended for. I feel refreshed when I start work each day.

 

[gentlegreen]

When I drive my car I deliberately hug the kerb to block cyclists trying to sneak down the inside (and hence leave room for them on the outside where they should be.)

 

[bruise]

When I drive my car I deliberately hug the kerb to block cyclists trying to sneak down the inside (and hence leave room for them on the outside where they should be.)

that's kind to those many people who simply don't have the confidence to do that.

i think the afore-mentioned baseball bat applies here.





whenever you think of 'cycle rules' - please apply it in your mind to an 80 year old on a sit up and beg.

 

[cybertect]

When the lights change the cars often take a while to build up a speed fatser than you can cycle

I'll agree with this.

0-10 mph a bike has faster acceleration than a car, particularly if you have your wits about you as the lights change.

That gives you enough of a head start to clear a junction and then signal your intentions (!) to pull over to the nearside of the road and allow a following vehicle to overtake you safely.

I got this down to a fine art when crossing the five-way Albany Road/City Road/Richmond Road "Death Junction" in Cardiff in my student days.

e2a: satellite view: Heading west, I found I could usually get to where Richmond Road starts to turn before any cars caught up with me.

 

[Termite Man]

Third is pedestrians, who are quite likely to jaywalk into your path - they look out for cars, not bikes, see stationary traffic and think it's safe to step into the road.

All of which make the outside the safest place to overtake.

I've had pedestrians walk in front of me when overtaking SUV,s White vans because their view is obstructed .

 

[sir.clip]

When I drive my car I deliberately hug the kerb to block cyclists trying to sneak down the inside (and hence leave room for them on the outside where they should be.)

Your sickkkkk in the head mate.

 

[fortyplus]

I've had pedestrians walk in front of me when overtaking SUV,s White vans because their view is obstructed .

Yup, dozy pedestrians can be a hazard on the outside as well. Especially as your view of them is just as obstructed by the tall vehicle.
When driving on country roads the rule is, just remember that round the next bend is a flock of sheep; riding past stopped traffic, behind that high vehicle is a muppet pedestrian waiting to step into your path.

On the inside, though, you've got no indication of which of the 100s of pedestrians is the muppet...

 

[gentlegreen]

Your sickkkkk in the head mate.

Please engage your brain.

I learned my roadcraft (and made most of my mistakes) nearly 30 years ago on motorcycles large and small.

I learned to drive 22 years ago.

I have commuted by bike for nearly 20 years.

You stick to cycling in the gutter with no lights, I will carry on doing it my way and looking out for idiots on two and four wheels.

 

[gentlegreen]

that's kind to those many people who simply don't have the confidence to do that.
<shaky fist metaphor deleted>
whenever you think of 'cycle rules' - please apply it in your mind to an 80 year old on a sit up and beg.

An 80 year old rider would probably have the sense not to be so fecking stupid.
(to be honest I can't remember ever seeing one - I'm the oldest person I ever encounter during my commutes )

 

[bruise]

An 80 year old rider would probably have the sense not to be so fecking stupid.
(to be honest I can't remember ever seeing one - I'm the oldest person I ever encounter during my commutes )

and there's the point - cycling in london is just too scary for the whole population. and people making up endless macho rules is hardly going to help.

it's the attitude of confident cyclists and of car drivers that needs to change.

 

[gentlegreen]

and there's the point - cycling in london is just too scary for the whole population. and people making up endless macho rules is hardly going to help.

it's the attitude of confident cyclists and of car drivers that needs to change.

The road is no place for anyone lacking confidence - whichever kind of vehicle.

Sorry - hard fact of life.

... though I do my best to "train" the motoring public not to take cyclists for granted ...

 

[sir.clip]

Please engage your brain.
You stick to cycling in the gutter with no lights,

I have lights.. & i'll cycle all over this country where ever i feel safe at the time.. Be that the gutter or the mansion.

Any motor vehicle driver that conciously & deliberatly drives any cyclist into the curb or off the road is sick in the head & should have there license taken away..

Even if you have had 100 years of driving experience still gives you no right to deliberatly provoke an accident.. Its just immoral senseless & just dangerous..
Blocking the road .. what are you a cabbie or something...?

 

[gentlegreen]

I have lights.. & i'll cycle all over this country where ever i feel safe at the time.. Be that the gutter or the mansion.

Any motor vehicle driver that conciously & deliberatly drives any cyclist into the curb or off the road is sick in the head & should have there license taken away..

Even if you have had 100 years of driving experience still gives you no right to deliberatly provoke an accident.. Its just immoral senseless & just dangerous..
Blocking the road .. what are you a cabbie or something...?

Please read what I actually wrote.

I'm a cyclist. I drive my car as little as possible.

 

[Ribbit]

I cycle to and from work every day and I'd never consider cycling down the middle of the road - I didn't even know anyone did that until I saw this thread. It's far more dangerous cycling down the centre of the road, into oncoming traffic than it is on the left where I only have to deal with one set of cars. Additionally, if I choose to turn left and I'm in the centre of the road, I have to hope someone let's me cut across in front of them (which is a bloody big risk) and if they don't, then I am forced to stop in the middle of the road with traffic speeding past me in either direction. No thanks.

I'll be sticking to the left hand lane where I feel safe.

 

[sir.clip]

Please read what I actually wrote.



I'm a cyclist. I drive my car as little as possible.

I qouted what you wrote..

and here it is again..

When I drive my car I deliberately hug the kerb to block cyclists trying to sneak down the inside (and hence leave room for them on the outside where they should be.).

What should I make of this..

That your a cyclist who cycles more than he drives. but deliberatly blocks cyclist from cycling down the Inside of traffic when you choose to drive..


Its moronic...

 

[Pingu]

i am thinking of fitting scythe blades to the nearside wheels of my car to act as a deterrant to any cyclists who attempt to undertake me.

now the main question i have is:

serrated edges on the blades or just plain old straight?

 

[gentlegreen]

I would go for the comedy option :-

I briefly had a sign on the back window of my white D ) van politely asking cyclists not to undertake - but the offenders were too stupid to notice it.

 

[gentlegreen]

I qouted what you wrote..

and here it is again..


What should I make of this..

That your a cyclist who cycles more than he drives. but deliberatly blocks cyclist from cycling down the Inside of traffic when you choose to drive..


Its moronic...

It's the result of 30 years' experience as a road user.

Undertaking is illegal - for good reasons.

 

[sir.clip]

It's the result of 30 years' experience as a road user.

Undertaking is illegal - for good reasons.

Really the undertakers seem to make a killing in my local area..

I belive you mean over-taking on the near side.. And i belive that is not illegal for cyclist to use this option.
I belive Undertaking is not and has got nothing to do with the modern highway code..

Maybe you need to retake your driving license exam.. 30 years of driving is a long time without a re-take or refresher & it could be a good thing to be brought up in line with modern highway rules and regulations..

 

[cybertect]

I cycle to and from work every day and I'd never consider cycling down the middle of the road - I didn't even know anyone did that until I saw this thread.

You ought to

138: Before overtaking you should make sure

• the road is sufficiently clear ahead
• the vehicle behind is not beginning to overtake you
• there is a suitable gap in front of the vehicle you plan to overtake.

139: Overtake only when it is safe to do so. You should

• not get too close to the vehicle you intend to overtake
• use your mirrors, signal when it is safe to do so, take a quick sideways glance into the blind spot area and then start to move out
• not assume that you can simply follow a vehicle ahead which is overtaking; there may only be enough room for one vehicle
• move quickly past the vehicle you are overtaking, once you have started to overtake. Allow plenty of room. Move back to the left as soon as you can but do not cut in
• take extra care at night and in poor visibility when it is harder to judge speed and distance
• give way to oncoming vehicles before passing parked vehicles or other obstructions on your side of the road
• only overtake on the left if the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right, and there is room to do so
• stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass on the left
• give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would a car when overtaking (see Rules 188, 189 and 191.

[emphasis added]