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

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/fa...equipment.html

Riding in the 'hours of darkness'

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

• have cycle lights fitted (see below)
• 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]

Originally Posted by timwilky

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)

Well done that man.

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.

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

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.