Invisible cyclists

[Littlepeahead]

If I was a cyclist on these dark drizzly mornings I would definitely be wearing something high viz or at least pale in colour as well as having decent lights.

Instead on my drive to the station I struggle to see most cyclists as they are dressed head to toe in black with at best one tiny LED light that gets lost among all the other red lights around me. Then they wonder why they get hit by vehicles.

And don't even get me started on them jumping the red lights at pedestrian crossings :hackedoff:

In New Zealand they have much stricter rules, including the compulsory wearing of cycle helmets. No one seems to flout them so either the Kiwis are just more responsible people on 2 wheels or the police enforce the laws over there.

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/01/cycles-rules-equipment.html

Riding in the 'hours of darkness'

If you ride during the hours of darkness, you must:


have cycle lights fitted (see below (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/01/cycles-rules-equipment.html#lights))
switch your cycle lights on
wear reflective material (if you don't have pedal reflectors).

Reflectors

You must have a rear reflector that is visible from a distance of 100 metres when light shines on it (eg a car's headlights).
You may have yellow or amber pedal reflectors on the forward and rearward-facing surfaces of each pedal.
Equipment you need in the hours of darkness

If you want to ride your cycle on the road during the hours of darkness, it must have:


one or two white or amber headlights that can be seen from a distance of 100 metres. (One of these headlights may flash.)

and


a red rear-facing light that can be seen from a distance of 100 metres. (This may be steady or flashing.)

[gruntygiggles]

+1

Driving the lanes around here means having eyes on stalks to see them!

My biggest pet hate with cyclists though is that very few in my experience think to slow down and let you know they are there when passing horses. One minute you're riding down a quiet country lane, next a silent figure on wheels whizzes past and you and horse are left wondering what the hell just happened.

Funnily enough, watched a clip on rude tube last night about an idiot cyclist almost getting himself squished!

[Fallout]

Totally agree. I was pulling out of a space in Sainsbury's the other night. Looked left, nothing. Looked right, car was coming but I had plenty of time to pull out. Thought I'd better go quickly though. Out I pulled and my passenger was shouting "STOOOOOPPP!". Hit the brakes, and a cyclist comes shooting past, about 1 foot from my bumper, head to toe in black, black bike, no lights. My passenger only saw him at the last second. If I was by myself, I would've creamed the fool.

Ninja cyclists really **** me off, if I'm honest!

[timwilky]

Years ago I knocked a red light running no light cyclist off at 2 in the morning. Fortunately he wasn't hurt unlike my car that needed a new wing/bonnet/windscreen.

I took the little **** home and had a right go at his parents. (And went back week in week out to get the money for my repairs)

[Fallout]

I took the little **** home and had a right go at his parents. (And went back week in week out to get the money for my repairs)

:smt041 Well done that man.

[metalmonkey]

I wear a lid, have lights and reflective gear I stand out quite a bit.

Why don't car drivers see me? The only time they do is when decided to throw things from the car or hurle abuse for very poor driving which is getting more common now...

Anyways petrol prices are going to increase, espically with the a fuel refinery closed. I do ride and drive as well.

[Tim in Belgium]

There are muppet cyclists/car drivers/motorbike riders/horse riders/pedestrians etc. every day on on huindreds of miles of road.

If I were to start moaning about every muppet I see on the road I'd never get any work done!

May be we should turn off all the street lights and car/bike lights and drive in the dark, it'd slow everything down and make it lovely and safe.

[timwilky]

I think though the standards of cyclists have slipped. Those who for some reason refuse to use light or think the rules of the road don't apply to them.

I have been abused by pavement cyclists who feel I should step onto the road so they can pass me or moan when my dog snaps because they have ridden up his backside.

It used to be (I don't know if it still is) in the highway code advise not to ride two or more abreast. Now cyclists bunch up take over whole of the road leaving no room for motorists of any form to overtake and then moan when cars/bikes make their presence known in order that they sort themselves out.

I think it is a case of idiot motorists tend to brush off their stupidity, whereas idiot cyclists make a song and dance about everything.

[NTECUK]

Keep em pealed out there.
We need an EU directive to make compulsory wearing of helmets and hi viz jackets.
Hang on an't Bikers against such laws ;)

[EssexDave]

I break the law and have no reflectors.

But, my rear light has a constant red beam about the same as a car taillight and flashes as bright as a brake light.

My front light is about as powerful as a car headlight and I have to make sure it's dipped or it blinds oncoming cars - I've never been pulled out of and a lot of cars move out of the way thinking I'm a motorbike when I filter.

A decent set of lights is the most important thing, you wouldn't see high viz or reflectors with them on - but you also wouldn't need to see them.

And Tim the highway code suggests two a breast should be done when safe to do so - it makes overtaking easier rather than a long line, e.g. 8 cyclists in 4 groups of 2 with a car size gap inbetween to allow overtaking rather than 8 cyclists in a line taking up as much space as an artic = no safe overtaking opportunities.

Of course, as with everything there are complete muppets and there are really 2 types of cyclists in my opinion, those who cycle because they enjoy cycling, and those who cycle just as a means of transport. Generally both have very different standards.

And sorry having re-read your post Tim I do have to add this in...

'leaving no room for motorists of any form to overtake '

That's fine but I am entitled to the road as much as the next person and it is the motorists responsibility to form a safe overtake. I was cycling along at 30mph on the way to work this morning and had several cars overtake me to just slam on their brakes to avoid rearending the car infront, so I sat in the middle of the road.

Out of courtesy, I did move over when the traffic started to speed up and I slowed down a bit.

Point still stands, it is not a right to overtake a cyclist.

[maviczap]

There are muppet cyclists/car drivers/motorbike riders/horse riders/pedestrians etc. every day on on huindreds of miles of road.

If I were to start moaning about every muppet I see on the road I'd never get any work done!

May be we should turn off all the street lights and car/bike lights and drive in the dark, it'd slow everything down and make it lovely and safe.

+1

I think though the standards of cyclists have slipped. Those who for some reason refuse to use light or think the rules of the road don't apply to them.

I have been abused by pavement cyclists who feel I should step onto the road so they can pass me or moan when my dog snaps because they have ridden up his backside.

It used to be (I don't know if it still is) in the highway code advise not to ride two or more abreast. Now cyclists bunch up take over whole of the road leaving no room for motorists of any form to overtake and then moan when cars/bikes make their presence known in order that they sort themselves out.

I think it is a case of idiot motorists tend to brush off their stupidity, whereas idiot cyclists make a song and dance about everything.

I agree with your point on pavement cyclists Tim (and the ones who jump red lights), but on the whole I think driving standards on the whole have dropped and attitude towards other road users by motorists is shocking. Everyone has to be somewhere fast, no time is given to others and impatience rules. You're in my way, get out of my way, I'm coming through, even though its not my right of way, I've got a 4x4 and I'm going to use it as a battering ram.

Having witnessed how cyclist are treated and looked after in France, Holland & Germany its the attitude of road users that's got to change here.

All the drivers who winge about cyclists should try cycling for a few days a week

You can winge about cyclists not wearing helmets & have a law that says you must wear a helmet, but it only protects your head, the rest of the other soft tissue parts break quite easily, and wearing Hi Viz & having lights is ok, but no good if drivers don't give you enough room.

You can impose all these things by law, but whose going to enforce it?

The same department that's responsible for regulating speeding motorists, drivers on mobile phones, drivers applying make up on the way to work, drivers shaving on the way to work. Overworked and understaffed.

I wear a helmet, I wear bright coloured tops, I have lights (LED's are far better than the Every Ready ones I had as a boy), but I will not wear bright coloured cycling tights. :rambo:

Why? Its wrong, just wrong, black is the new black and thankfully about the only colour you can get. You wouldn't want to see my legs in blue lycra. :p

[Messie]

Another thing I've noticed just recently is a new form of front light - a flashing one. The ones with quite dim lights are ok (although how they help the rider see in front I don't know) but I've now seen one or two that are really bright. So bright that, as a car driver, it's made me stare at the. - a type of target fixation effect. So I HAD seen them but was likely to drive into them!

[EssexDave]

By law front light should be flashing. I again do not have a flashing light.


This is incorrect.

[Dipper]

I agree cycling "ninjas" are a danger to themselves but realistically what can be done about them, annoying though because these people give all cyclists a bad name.

Likleyhood is that a bad cyclist will only hurt themselves or cause a small amount of damage, a very different situation to what a bad driver can do.

On the helmet front, aparrently a car driver will pass closer and drive more recklessly around cyclists wearing a helmet due to the percieved reduction in vulnerabilty!?!?!

[Messie]

By law front light should be flashing. I again do not have a flashing light.


Really? It should be flashing?

[EssexDave]

Really? It should be flashing?

Yes I believe it has to be flashing to be legal.

[Littlepeahead]

Dave, got to say you are wrong on that one. n fact when you look, there are a load of regulations that are simply ignored by most cyclists.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069837

Clothing. You should wear


a cycle helmet which conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and securely fastened
appropriate clothes for cycling. Avoid clothes which may get tangled in the chain, or in a wheel or may obscure your lights
light-coloured or fluorescent clothing which helps other road users to see you in daylight and poor light
reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle bands) in the dark

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_069850.jpg
60

At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85). White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen. Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.

[timwilky]

So I got it slightly wrong re the bunched up lot it is actually


never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends


so single file you lot on narrow or busy roads and on bends

[EssexDave]

Point taken about the flashing light/steady light but nowhere does it say the light MUST be steady it is recommended that it is.

I for one cannot stand a flashing light as one it doesn't help you to see and it's just a heap of crap.

It always says, you 'should' wear - not debating there may be benefits but reflective clothing isn't as necessary with bright lights.

[EssexDave]

So I got it slightly wrong re the bunched up lot it is actually



so single file you lot on narrow or busy roads and on bends

Most cyclists I observe do obey this - getting into single file when it is narrow and you can't overtake with them two abreast.

the point is, you should give a cyclist about a metres width when overtaking - they could be caught by wind, fall off whatever and you wouldn't overtake a car half a foot away.

Around bends, I stick myself (generally) in the middle of the road to stop stupid car drivers trying to overtake without being able to see round.

Obviously it's difficult to talk about every situation but we're talking about two different breeds of cyclists here, not all jump reds, don't use lights and cycling 3 abreast blocking any chance of an overtake.

[Drew Carey]

As a cyclitst, it is in my personal interest to wear a helmet, wear reflective clothing, have lights front and rear that are flashing.

Do I still get missed.....yes. How I have no idea but I have been run off the road once had a number of Smidsy's including one nice chap who when he hit traffic and I sailed past him simply wound down the window and shouted "get off the ******* road".

I also only overtake when clear, ie use a lifesaver (useful on cycles too) to check - but see so many instances of people chatting aimlessly in pairs etc.

As has been said, not all of us are reckless etc. Bottom line, like with everything in our humanity - people are lazy - so some can't be aresed to buy clothing or make an effort to think of others. All down to the whole society issue again.

[Drew Carey]

Another thing I've noticed just recently is a new form of front light - a flashing one. The ones with quite dim lights are ok (although how they help the rider see in front I don't know) but I've now seen one or two that are really bright. So bright that, as a car driver, it's made me stare at the. - a type of target fixation effect. So I HAD seen them but was likely to drive into them!

My flashing light is pointed at tarmac so as not to dazzle and also it is not very strong. The ones you are seeing are most likely high power / high lumens lights that were mainly designed for mountain biking in the dark etc. In fact they are not sold as "commuting" lights. Most commuter lights are items like my catseye which takes 2 AA batteries as is not massively bright.

Some of the newer powerful ones have seperate battery packs and very powerful lamps - some cost hundreds.

Personally, not my choice for a commute.......but it depends where commuting, if on an unlit road, a cheap bicycle light may not cast enough glow to even see when moving. My journey is on lit roads the whole way so I don't need to "see" per-se, but be seen.

[gruntygiggles]

I can be perfectly tolerant when in the car...I wait patiently and ignore riders waving me past around bends...I would rather see for myself. I hate being too close as i know how vulnerable you are on a bike.

My problem is still the silence of them. The point in my first post is one...but when Stig (one of the collies) was just a pup, he was on the lead, walked down the front path and onto the pavement and just as he got onto the pavement he was hit right in the side by a cyclist going at a rate of knots! A trip to the vets later, he took a couple of weeks to recover. The cyclist had a go at me initially saying Stig was in his way, not his fault. I said that he was riding on the pavement, going around a corner with a high hedge so he couldn't see and going way too fast. When I added what would he have done had he hit a todler, not a puppy...the colour drained from his face and he admitted fault and paid the vet bill.

Everyone seems so quick to have to find anyone or anything to blame but themselves.

I just wish cyclists would realise how much they can scare animals when they appear out of nowhere, leave a tiny gap and Don't slow down!

[Drew Carey]

I can be perfectly tolerant when in the car...I wait patiently and ignore riders waving me past around bends...I would rather see for myself. I hate being too close as i know how vulnerable you are on a bike.

My problem is still the silence of them. The point in my first post is one...but when Stig (one of the collies) was just a pup, he was on the lead, walked down the front path and onto the pavement and just as he got onto the pavement he was hit right in the side by a cyclist going at a rate of knots! A trip to the vets later, he took a couple of weeks to recover. The cyclist had a go at me initially saying Stig was in his way, not his fault. I said that he was riding on the pavement, going around a corner with a high hedge so he couldn't see and going way too fast. When I added what would he have done had he hit a todler, not a puppy...the colour drained from his face and he admitted fault and paid the vet bill.

Everyone seems so quick to have to find anyone or anything to blame but themselves.

I just wish cyclists would realise how much they can scare animals when they appear out of nowhere, leave a tiny gap and Don't slow down!

1st off I would have smacked him one for being on the pavement. Secondly, I agree, when in a situation where there are blind bends or lack of light - should be riding slowly anyway.

Unfortunately many just don't have common sense.

[Dicky Ticker]

I have yet to meet "most cyclists" as the greater percentage of them have a law to themselves which does not involve any other road users.Road racers on training runs are the worst culprits,come round a corner and you find them 2-3-4 abreast.

A flashing light is an indicater you are turning and it must make more sense to have a solid light to eleviate any error

It wouldn't be so bad about no road tax if they had some sort of reg no and insurance. I had one squeeze down the side of the car and scrape it with his pedals and when I confronted him he f----ed off down a one way street so I couldn't follow him as he was perfectly aware of what he had done

Sorry little respect for them as the majority make it bad for the odd good cyclists same as motorcyclist who kick the sides of cars or break off mirrors. Having said that I do try and abide by the highway code and providing any other road user is doing likewise I have no problem.


Night time----cyclist coming up the side of a car it can be mistaken for a car indicator.

[EssexDave]

Can I just say cyclists who cycle on the pavement should have their bikes taken off them then and there, unless there is a good reason (safety grounds) and in which case they should slow down to walking pace...

[Littlepeahead]

Can I just say cyclists who cycle on the pavement should have their bikes taken off them then and there, unless there is a good reason (safety grounds) and in which case they should slow down to walking pace...

When I was on crutches a few weeks ago I nearly got knocked over by a cyclist racing along the pavement near home. Had I been a bit quicker I'd have shoved one crutch in his spokes and then beaten him round the head with the other!

My point about hi viz is that on the way to town last week there were 4 cyclists in a group. 3 in dark clothing, one had on a high viz and he was so much easier to see from a distance as they were all side on crossing a road so their lights were of not much use.

[maviczap]

Dave, got to say you are wrong on that one. n fact when you look, there are a load of regulations that are simply ignored by most cyclists.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069837

Clothing. You should wear


a cycle helmet which conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and securely fastened
appropriate clothes for cycling. Avoid clothes which may get tangled in the chain, or in a wheel or may obscure your lights
light-coloured or fluorescent clothing which helps other road users to see you in daylight and poor light
reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle bands) in the dark

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_069850.jpg
60

Sorry but these are rules are not the law, and are advice from the nanny state.

The is no law as yet that says you must wear a crash helmet & Hi Viz. You cannot be prosecuted for not wearing a cycling helmet yet.

[Dipper]

It wouldn't be so bad about no road tax if they had some sort of reg no and insurance.

Road tax was abolished about 1939, roads currently are paid for out of general taxation. If cyclists were to pay VED it would probably be at the rate for 125gm CO2 or less cars which currently is £0. Cyclists have just as much right to their journey as any other road user.

Registering cycles could only be an expensive overkill of a piece of legislation. I carry £10,000,000 3rd party insurance for cycling which costs about £20 a year this clearly illustrates the true risk cyclists pose on the roads.

[maviczap]

It wouldn't be so bad about no road tax if they had some sort of reg no and insurance.

Road tax was abolished in 1937 and replaced by what is know as vehicle excise duty, its a common misnomer that its always referred to as Road Tax.

VED is a Car Tax and as you know is based on the vehicles CO2 emmisson.

Tax for the roads comes out of general taxation


When I was on crutches a few weeks ago I nearly got knocked over by a cyclist racing along the pavement near home. Had I been a bit quicker I'd have shoved one crutch in his spokes and then beaten him round the head with the other!

Can't disagree with you, see below

Can I just say cyclists who cycle on the pavement should have their bikes taken off them then and there, unless there is a good reason (safety grounds) and in which case they should slow down to walking pace...

[maviczap]

Road tax was abolished about 1939, roads currently are paid for out of general taxation. If cyclists were to pay VED it would probably be at the rate for 125gm CO2 or less cars which currently is £0. Cyclists have just as much right to their journey as any other road user.

Registering cycles could only be an expensive overkill of a piece of legislation. I carry £10,000,000 3rd party insurance for cycling which costs about £20 a year this clearly illustrates the true risk cyclists pose on the roads.

Beat me to it :chef:

[maviczap]

Registering cycles could only be an expensive overkill of a piece of legislation. I carry £10,000,000 3rd party insurance for cycling which costs about £20 a year this clearly illustrates the true risk cyclists pose on the roads.

+1

We need to look at pro cycling countries like Holland, more bike useage per head than any other EU country, more spent on cyclists per head.

They don't have a registration policy and doing that here would only reduce the number of cyclists, and lead to more & more cars on the roads, when government is trying to encourage us to reduce our car usage.

[Dicky Ticker]

Since when have they done away with the little reg no on the dutch bikes then? and what percentage of cyclists have 3rd party insurance?------very very few I think.

[Dicky Ticker]

Road tax or VED however you wish to describe it was the thing I said didn't matter,it was some sort of identification for the cycle and insurance I implied should be a requirement.

Until the general riding and awareness improves you will not change my opinion and I can't see that happening without some sort of legislation

[Tim in Belgium]

None of my dutch bikes had reg numbers, nor did any of my dutch colleagues.

[Dipper]

Since when have they done away with the little reg no on the dutch bikes then? and what percentage of cyclists have 3rd party insurance?------very very few I think.

All you can do is judge as you find on the roads which I'm sure you do Dicky, however there are many drivers who don't and are downright dangerous around the most vulerable of road users. It is no persons right to make progress above the safety of another road user.

[maviczap]

Since when have they done away with the little reg no on the dutch bikes then?

All the ones I've ridden in Holland & I've seen haven't had any registration

what percentage of cyclists have 3rd party insurance?------very very few I think.

Until its compulsory why should they? Where the evidence that cyclists cause enough accidents to warrant them having insurance. Yet another tax to discourage cyclists off the roads.

In 25 years of cycling, I've never hit anyone, pedestrian or vehicle, I have it because on nearly every ride I have cars getting too close or driving at manic speeds down single roads. I want legal assistance for when I get knocked off by some errant car driver

[EssexDave]

LPH - my rear light shoots some light out to the sides also for that very reason.

[NTECUK]

Likleyhood is that a bad cyclist will only hurt themselves or cause a small amount of damage, a very different situation to what a bad driver can do.

!
Grab a hand full of front Brake when a Ninja Cycle darts accross the zebra crossing and you might end up in a big heap?

[Dicky Ticker]

Whilst driving a 44ton artic I have experience of loosing a lot of money over an incident involving a non insured cyclist.Locked up for 3 days and the perishable load ruined till it was established non fault. If the cyclist had insurance there would have been a possibility of recompense from the cyclist insurance I had no chance as he was dead

If as has been stated it is such a small risk premium why should cyclists be allowed to use the public highway uninsured-----please don't say that they don't cause accidents or loss to other road users because they do.

That is why I would like it to be compulsary ----and for electric invalid carriages as well.

[Dipper]

Whilst driving a 44ton artic I have experience of loosing a lot of money over an incident involving a non insured cyclist.Locked up for 3 days and the perishable load ruined till it was established non fault. If the cyclist had insurance there would have been a possibility of recompense from the cyclist insurance I had no chance as he was dead

If as has been stated it is such a small risk premium why should cyclists be allowed to use the public highway uninsured-----please don't say that they don't cause accidents or loss to other road users because they do.

That is why I would like it to be compulsary ----and for electric invalid carriages as well.

I agree that comusory insurance would be a good idea, and it's not expensive so it souldn't keep cyclists off the road. The way I see though it is that it would just be impossible to police without draconian overkill (and expensive) laws...... any suggestions?

[maviczap]

If as has been stated it is such a small risk premium why should cyclists be allowed to use the public highway uninsured-----please don't say that they don't cause accidents or loss to other road users because they do.l.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/dec/15/cycling-bike-accidents-study

http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/adviceandinformation/cycling/facts-figures.aspx

[maviczap]

I agree that comusory insurance would be a good idea, and it's not expensive so it souldn't keep cyclists off the road. The way I see though it is that it would just be impossible to police without draconian overkill (and expensive) laws...... any suggestions?

I don't have a huge problem with compulsory insurance, but I would plough the money back into cycle schemes

[Tim in Belgium]

That is why I would like it to be compulsary ----and for electric invalid carriages as well.

And pedestrians (runner/walkers)?

[BBadger]

they and we are all as bad as each other at times.

Although i do have a pet hate for the cyclists around me. Being on the Olympic cycle route you get so many who think they own the road and foot paths along the river.
After one hit my dog tried to blame me and then shoved me out the the way ( he got a tennis racket to the head and firmly put on his **** ) i have complete disregard for most of them.
So did a fire truck that put the sirens on about 2ft behind them just to get them to shift.

[fizzwheel]

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Roads are for everybody to use regardless of what form of transport is being used, if we all learned a little tolerance, patience and to see things from other peoples perspectives, then we'd all get along a hell of alot better.

For the record

Helmet
1 x Front light steady beam, angled down and to the left to avoid dazzling car drivers
1 x Rear light on scroll
1 x Rear light constant beam
1 x Hi Viz orange jacket with reflective strips

I dont bother with reflectors, because TBH if you havent seen me with all that lot on you arent going to.

In the summer all my cycling kit is garish and I do stand out, but yet I still got knocked off by a car driver "Who didnt see me"

Insurance, compulsory training everything all of it makes no difference, if the person on two wheels life is devalued so much it deemed OK to run them off the road or shout abuse at them.

If you substitude cyclist for motorcyclist would you put up with abuse on your daily ride on your SV or whatever you were doing because you were a "motorcyclist" ?

No I didnt think so...

[-Ralph-]

Can I just say cyclists who cycle on the pavement should have their bikes taken off them then and there, unless there is a good reason (safety grounds) and in which case they should slow down to walking pace...

Nope, they should dismount and push.

These are the kind of cyclists I hate, what chance has any motorist got of overtaking that? Even for a motorbike it's a struggle. It's a road, not a racing circuit, I don't care if they are having a race, the rules of the road come first.

http://www.picture-newsletter.com/tour-suisse/cycle-race-cg3e.jpg

[maviczap]

Nope, they should dismount and push.

These are the kind of cyclists I hate, what chance has any motorist got of overtaking that? Even for a motorbike it's a struggle. It's a road, not a racing circuit, I don't care if they are having a race, the rules of the road come first.

http://www.picture-newsletter.com/tour-suisse/cycle-race-cg3e.jpg

Err that's an officially sanctioned proffesional road race called the Tour de France, it has a fully supported Police rolling road closure, similar to the IOM TT.

I bet you wouldn't complain about how that is run on a motorcycle forum.

Road racing on the public highway in the UK is also supported by dedicated Police officers,under ACPO guidelines and racing cyclists pay for the privilege.

[-Ralph-]

Err that's an officially sanctioned road race called the Tour de France, it has a fully supported Police rolling road closure, similar to the IOM TT.

I bet you wouldn't complain about how that is run on a motorcycle forum.

Road racing on the public highway in the UK is also supported by dedicated Police officers,under ACPO guidelines and racing cyclists pay for the privilege.

No police in sight when they block the road in exactly the same way around my village, don't know whether they are racing, practising or what, but they are a pain in the rrssss. 3,4, sometimes 5 abreast and right across the white line.

I wouldn't complain about a motorcycle rideout, as they'd be travelling at the speed of the traffic flow, and the highway code doesn't tell motorcyclists they must stay less than two abreast on narrow roads.

[maviczap]

No police in sight when they block the road in exactly the same way around my village, don't know whether they are racing, practising or what, but they are a pain in the rrssss. 3,4, sometimes 5 abreast and right across the white line.

If they had numbers pinned to their shorts at the back it would be a race, otherwise its a club rideout, which riding 3,4 - 5 abreast is plain daft.

[metalmonkey]

See this is the problem, car drivers think they are the king of roads.

Car drivers casue far more accidents, hurt and kill people a lot more, than other forms of transit. Maybe if car drivers changed their attitudes towards all road users there would be less problems. Its always the car drivers that throw things, spit, swear and are violent why is that okay?

Of course if someone is being a douche bag, then it doesn't matter who or what they ride/drive they should be dealt with. As for cycling on the pavement, why:smt065 no one should be doing that.

[maviczap]

See this is the problem, car drivers think they are the king of roads.

Car drivers casue far more accidents, hurt and kill people a lot more, than other forms of transit. Maybe if car drivers changed their attitudes towards all road users there would be less problems. Its always the car drivers that throw things, spit, swear and are violent why is that okay?

Of course if someone is being a douche bag, then it doesn't matter who or what they ride/drive they should be dealt with. As for cycling on the pavement, why:smt065 no one should be doing that.

Amen :salut:

[EssexDave]

Education for all?

I'm sure many cyclists who don't drive have no clue why car drivers do stuff, and the same for car drivers with motorcyclists and all with lorry drivers.

We very much need to improve the education people are provided with when doing tests to ensure that people know what's going on on the road, and not just with other users of the vehicle you learn in.

[-Ralph-]

If they had numbers pinned to their shorts at the back it would be a race, otherwise its a club rideout, which riding 3,4 - 5 abreast is plain daft.

I shall look out for that next time. So you reckon if they have numbers on a police escort should be present?

[fizzwheel]

I shall look out for that next time. So you reckon if they have numbers on a police escort should be present?

Not necessarily, I've done sportive's, where I have been in a big group, with a number pinned onto me / my bike but there has been no police escort.

Also the local club, run a Time Trial up and down the A303 on one of the busiest parts of it on Tuesday nights, riders have numbers on, but again no police escort, but a Time Trial you wouldnt come across a big group, riders would be spaced out at set intervals.

Trouble is police escort costs money and some of the club organised events / smaller events just wouldnt be able to afford it.

Locally to me there has been planned now for the last 3 years a 3 day stage race and every year it gets cancelled either because the police wont support it due to safety concerns of it costs to much money to pay the police to provide support for it.

Personally if I came across a big group of riders, I'd not expect there to be a police escort, is there an argument that there should be one, maybe...

[-Ralph-]

Seriously, some days it's a case of crawl along at 15mph, for 5-10 minutes, until you get a straight bit long enough to get past the equivalent of two 2 HGV's, then gun the car for all it's worth (I don't have a powerful car) to get past. If they are on the road without a police escort, then they should be following the highway code, and showing a bit of consideration for other road users.

[fizzwheel]

I completely agree. The club run I went on the other day was two abreast on narrow roads and I didnt like it, I was worried about the car drivers behind us running about of patience and performing a dodgy over take.

It happened on the club run that I didnt go on last Sunday, group of twenty riders two abreast on a main road, car drivers got impatient and were overtaking where there wasnt room and forcing their way into the pack of cyclists with lost of close overtakes and not much room being left. Even the way it was described to me made me cringe.

I think I shall stick to cycling on my own...

[Stenno]

I overtook a car the other day only to spot some old boy with no lights or helmet on cycling towards me. I don't agree with being forced to wear hi-viz jackets etc but lights and reflectors on a bicycle should be as lawful as that of a motorbike.

[Tim in Belgium]

Do you have a nice front reflector on your motorbike?

[Tim in Belgium]

Perhaps you need a front number plate too on your motorbike for when you run down cyclists/children/cats/cuddly bunnies.