Pedal bikes on the road

Home insurance covers you. My boss just came off his thunderbird when a cyclist cut across him ( she thought a train was coming!! ) he ploughed into her and came offon a railway crossing. Her home insurance has covered everything.

Originally Posted by MisterTommyH

Rule 66 states you should never cycle more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads.

Exactly Tom, that's precisely where I always see them doing it.

[DJ123]

Originally Posted by Specialone

I've just started riding my mtb again recently, but I'm not a fan of road riding, I'm also getting sick of militant cyclists who ride two abreast in groups and don't give a **** that there's nowhere to pass so you sit behind them for quite a while at 7-10 mph, a long line then forms behind and so they could at least drop to single file to let the queue disperse, but no, all they care about is themselves.

You should watch the Tour De France to get some ideas. I learned aaaaaaaaaaaaaged ago the best way to deal with it is to push the person at the front over. Then the rest crash into each other and they all fall off. Problem solved, happy me, happy car drivers happy everyone! The only issue with this is that on busy days your left arm does get a little tired.


Please note the above is not serious, true or to be taken as fact in any way, shape or form.


I find them the same as any other road user. Some are courteous, some are stupid arrogant feckers and other are clueless to the danger they put themselves in.

[Dipper]

Originally Posted by daddyjob

I find them the same as any other road user. Some are courteous, some are stupid arrogant feckers and other are clueless to the danger they put themselves in.

Wise words indeed...

Originally Posted by Specialone

Exactly Tom, that's precisely where I always see them doing it.

This can be a tricky one. I know the highway code says you shouldn't if it is a narrow or busy road. However, quite often I'm happy to sit two abreast if it still leaves space to overtake for the simple reason that it actually makes for an easier overtake. Why? Well if there are 8 cyclists, 8 in a line is a pretty long line and makes it pretty hard to overtake, whereas if you're only four long then it's less distance you must travel to get past.

It's no different to overtaking a milk float or a car, and if you're incapable of doing that in the circumstances, then perhaps a bit of patience is the best thing.

I will accept though, there are times when it's simply not appropriate, and that's something the cyclists must take into consideration.

I feel the problem we've had, is that too many cyclists forget so much when they get on their bikes. It's the same as car drivers in supermarkets, c'mon you all know what I'm talking about. People that generally aren't that bad on the road, but the second they're in a supermarket car park all the rules of the road disappears and bedlam ensues.

We really do need some form of compulsory education for all about bikes, and a bit more understanding on both sides!

You know that British Cycling are constantly lobbying and they are always developing their plans for the future; perhaps if you think if something that might help it'd be worth dropping them an email?

As an aside, the people who complain of cycling on the footpath and the police doing nothing about it, I'm pretty sure they've been given nationwide guidance basically saying that if it isn't dangerous just let it be. 20mph on a footpath is definitely dangerous, but I guess they use that as a way to avoid having to deal with it. It does allow kids and that to get away with it too though which isn't a bad thing necessarily!

[Dipper]

On the issue of pavement cycling this is the recommendation made by Government when the new fixed penalty for pavement cycling was introduced...

“The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required.”

[Littlepeahead]

Vauxhall bridge and the surrounding area brought to a standstill this morning and a cyclist died after a truck hit them. No matter what your opinion, in London they've got to sort out the dangerous junctions. So many fatalities every year.

Some of the cyclists in London look like they are trying their best to attain a Darwin award.

Cycling (or driving / riding for that matter) up the inside of any vehicle demonstrating an intent* to turn left is bloody stupid. Many vehicles which drive around the capital have stickers to remind people of this fact, and yet it continues to be one of the biggest sources of collisions.

Also, I'm disappointed in the number of people here suggesting that cyclists should ride in the gutter. I'm no fan of cyclists who are clearly holding up traffic behind for no reason, but expecting serious cyclists to ride in the potholes and crap at the side of the road is just silly. Many of these guys are doing 20-25mph quite consistently on a bike with no suspension at all. Different if it's a granny bike doing 7mph.

* As motorcyclists we all know that the indicators are the last thing to show the drivers intent in at least 50% of cases

[ophic]

I find most London cyclists on my commute pretty decent and switched on, tbh. I know they jump red lights but usually with the knowledge of how the junction is timed and it is therefore safe(ish). They're normally not hard to pass on a motorbike, but I can see how it can be frustrating for a car to have to pass the same cyclist(s) many times because they filter past at every traffic light and then get in the way on the straights.

The only ones that bug me are the ones who pull up just ahead and to my left when I'm clearly indicating to turn left, and then don't either wait for me to turn or set off quickly enough to get out of the way, and then ride straight on. In fact generally they don't have any awareness that I'm there at all. And this is normally in a left turn only lane, with plenty of space on my right hand side they could use. Funny how you just know what they're going to do before they even move.

Brings me back to my point, compulsory education for all. The school syllabus should include more on managing money, life administration, and road etiquette for pedestrians, cyclists, different types of motor vehicles etc.