How many times can you get hurled abuse in one ride?

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

If there isn't a law already, my common sense tells me that like you would on foot - its a good idea to face oncoming traffic on a pushbike as I have more control over my destiny!!

So I am not being argumentative, I am actually using my common sense to make my journey as safe and easy as possible and wondering why others can't see it!!

But is the fact that everyone dissagreeing with you mean that your not using the right common sense? That's how people know they are wrong... or have I got confused now?

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

So I am not being argumentative, I am actually using my common sense to make my journey as safe* and easy as possible and wondering why others can't see it!!

OK so if the cycle lane wasnt there. Would you have ridden in the same manner. On the wrong side of the road against the flow of traffic ?

because from reading your post that looks exactly what you have done. Surely its common sense to ride in the same direction the traffic is going in ?

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

OK so if the cycle lane wasnt there. Would you have ridden in the same manner. On the wrong side of the road against the flow of traffic ?

because from reading your post that looks exactly what you have done. Surely its common sense to ride in the same direction the traffic is going in ?

No I would have ridden on the pavement (and I know that is technically wrong, but again, common sense tells me I am better off on there than on the road regardless of the pavement law) ... obviously we are not talking down the high-street, just general non or very sparsely populated footpaths.

If there was no footpaths, I would ride in the same direction of the traffic ...

To my mind the cycle lane is for cyclists though, my direction of travel within it shouldn't really overly concern a motorist should it? ... the fact I am in it is all that matters ... a closing speed of 25mph or closing speed of 45mph, what's the difference? the car is still approaching me and needs to keep the feck out of my cycle lane!!

p.s. It's not like I always travel in the 'wrong' cycle lane ... just I don't see the harm in it when/if I do

Originally Posted by Grinch

But is the fact that everyone dissagreeing with you mean that your not using the right common sense? That's how people know they are wrong... or have I got confused now?

Common sense isn't simply the opinion shared by the many (the average/common) , it is the ability to have good judgement.

Else it would be common sense to watch Eastenders!!

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

To my mind the cycle lane is for cyclists though, my direction of travel within it shouldn't really overly concern a motorist should it?

True, but they arent going to be expecting you to ride towards them on the wrong side of the road. In my experience last thing you want to do is to put yourself in an unexpected situation you are going to get knocked off... which is where IMHO the common sense argument comes in.

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

... the fact I am in it is all that matters ... a closing speed of 25mph or closing speed of 45mph, what's the difference? the car is still approaching me and needs to keep the feck out of my cycle lane!!

Yes but quite often they dont. I've seen plenty of cars in cycle lanes or passing close. I've been a victim of it. What I'm saying is its not good saying "oh but I was in the cycle lane car x or y shouldnt have been there" when said car has hit you and run you over or your stuck underneath it.



.

You just seem to be arguing for the sake of it. Not the most intelligent form of debate is it?

So, judging by your badly worded replies, in your humble opinion, traffic laws regarding cyclists are open to your own interpretation?

Don't get me wrong, I don't exactly stick to the letter of the law. However, I don't blatantly say its ok to do it and then have the cheek to complain when someone objects and gives out abuse.

I rest my case about trolling!!

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Yes but quite often they dont. I've seen plenty of cars in cycle lanes or passing close. I've been a victim of it. What I'm saying is its not good saying "oh but I was in the cycle lane car x or y shouldnt have been there" when said car has hit you and run you over or your stuck underneath it.
.

I too have been a victim of cars/buses in the cycle lane ... where they have come alongside or up from the rear and clouted/squeezed me, I'd much rather have seen them coming and then I could have got out of the way rather than get clouted squeezed to the kerb!!!! (I can hop on the kerb/pavement if there were oncoming.)

I have been 'squeezed' more times than I can remember, I have only been knocked off once (going the right way in a cycle lane I might add) Fortunately I only got a scuffed knee etc, but it still piddled me off that I didn't have a chance/see it coming! - regardless of the law, that is why I prefer to use the pavement (as long as it isn't full of pedestrians).

maybe you weren't the victim of abuse due to your riding or your riding actions, maybe it was cos they knew who you were...?

Originally Posted by Blue_SV650S

If there isn't a law already, my common sense tells me that like you would on foot - its a good idea to face oncoming traffic on a pushbike as I have more control over my destiny!!

Nope, don't agree with this at all I'm afraid. If you're on a road with a 40mph limit, and you're travelling in the same direction doing 20-25mph, if someone does happen to knock in to the back of you they'll push you forward a bit and you've got a chance of getting off lightly.

If you're going in the opposite direction and someone veers in to you (cos they're not expecting you there ) you're going to have an impact speed of 60-65mph. You're gonna be seriously injured if not dead. Just cos it seems to make sense to you isn't going to miraculously educate 30 million motorists to your way of thinking!

Originally Posted by keithd

maybe you weren't the victim of abuse due to your riding or your riding actions, maybe it was cos they knew who you were...?

That's true, I do tend to get abuse just walking down the street ...