- Thread starter colnerov
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Making laws is one thing, changing attitudes is quite another.
You might be "correct" when you have the right of way, but you're still the one that's going to be dead when you get whacked by the car if you're walking or riding your bike. It’s not about who’s right, it’s about who’s left.
More ill thought out legislation to encourage the ones with no sense.
You might be "correct" when you have the right of way, but you're still the one that's going to be dead when you get whacked by the car if you're walking or riding your bike. It’s not about who’s right, it’s about who’s left.
More ill thought out legislation to encourage the ones with no sense.
slim_boy_fat
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There are many roads around here that are too narrow to pass a cyclist with the new 2mtr space, some of this seems a bit unworkable to me.
Bob
Aye, and when they insist on cycling two abreast [as they do] you'll be up on the verge on the other side of the road [if it's not a stone wall.....]
I wonder if we'll get a 'special dispensation' for all our single-track roads up here?
Arc Tourist
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I've always followed the advice my Dad gave me. ............................... " Just because you may have the right of way, never insist on it. "
brightspark
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i encountered 2 cyclists side by side on a narrow road coming towards me. theres just enough room for 2 cars to pass each other on that road. i was doing 40mph going towards them. at last minute they decided to move over real fast 
idiots common sense doesn't seem to avail if it had been a car coming we would both pull to the side otherwise it would be a head on crash
idiots common sense doesn't seem to avail if it had been a car coming we would both pull to the side otherwise it would be a head on crash
cheb
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You know people bang on about Orwell's 1984 and how it's becoming true? Consider the attitude to other road users on here with reference to the two minute hate concept.
There are dispensations for single track roads, they're called, and sometimes even signed, passing places.
A bit of politeness and tolerance goes a long way, from all road users.
There are dispensations for single track roads, they're called, and sometimes even signed, passing places.
A bit of politeness and tolerance goes a long way, from all road users.
Tangledfeet
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That's because it's safer and recommended by cycling organisations, although not in the highway code... speaking as a driver it does make overtaking cyclists easier when the road allows but I do agree that on narrower roads it doesn't work; seasoned cyclists should move over (I certainly do) but it would irritate me if I was the driver. Rule 66 does state cyclists should move over and ride in single file on narrow roads.
I'm predominantly a driver but also an occasional cyclist but I do find this forum seldom objective and very anti-cyclist - I think perhaps I should just ignore them. Let us not forget that every road user can be a fanny; whether cyclist, motorcyclist, driver, van driver, lorry driver, bus driver...
Oh, and I'm sure someone will be along with YouTube videos on the matter!
And something my IAM instructor used to say, "Expect stupid at every encounter and you will rarely be disappointed."
It seems that now the car driver must anticipate a whole new level of idiocy while the perpetrators of said idiocy will be given a new level of confidence that they have no responsibilities.
I fear this might actually make the statistics worse.
Every time I see a more vulnerable persons (cyclist, pedestrian, motorcyclist etc) I am reminded of an old truck driving pal of mine from the 80's. He had a woman on a bicycle come up his nearside at a roundabout while he was waiting to move off. She stopped just below his passenger door (artic) in his blind spot. End result was he killed her. He never drove again. Her stupidity cost her life, and ruined his life too.
Hood
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Out on my bike (motor type) on Sunday and going round a narrow windy road and coming round the corner I meet a group of cyclists, 4 abreast or maybe that should be 8 as they were all female. 12 in total and all right across the road, I think they were expecting me to go up onto the verge but I just stopped and they had to swerve to miss me. It is not that cyclists are on the road that annoys me at times, it is the arrogance and entitlement shown by a few that annoys me. There are cycle paths alongside a few of the roads I use but the cyclists, well the lycra clad ones anyway, are too good for the cycle paths and insist on using the road.
arther dailey
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so in the local town if you are at a junction and going to turn but there are a stream of pedestrians walking/crossing the road you are on how do you proceed as according to the law you have to consider their right to cross safely first ,which means you may be sat at the junction 5/10 minutes or more if its a week end , I recognise we should all be aware of others safety thats a given , but some of this is going to be difficult in practice . cyclists obviously should be given room but everyone will agree there are a small no. that will ride two abreast and not move just because they can , one hand gesturing at the cam on their bonce..as a passive aggressive threat , luckily its a small minority , courtesy , politeness/good manners seem to be a thing of the past ever since the thatcher grab it days (sod the consequences to others)
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Maybe you will be allowed dispensation to fit a cow catcher to "encourage" them to move over?Aye, and when they insist on cycling two abreast [as they do] you'll be up on the verge on the other side of the road [if it's not a stone wall.....]
I wonder if we'll get a 'special dispensation' for all our single-track roads up here?
AndersK
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Om many roads we have a separated lane for cyclists. Good thing but those who see themselves as competition cyclists often refuse to use them which is quite annoying since they like to drive in big lumps making hard to pass. When passing those it is good practice to wash the windscreen
To sort things out regarding pedal bikes ,,,, simple ,,, make them ride facing the on-coming traffic , like walkers are advised to do ,,,
A Lycra clad biker wouldnt be as keen to ride in the middle of the road like an ass if he could actually see what a forty ton artic looks like at fifty mph face on.
ok I know it wouldnt work , but it would be an education. ... Id also put bigger bumpers on trucks too.
A Lycra clad biker wouldnt be as keen to ride in the middle of the road like an ass if he could actually see what a forty ton artic looks like at fifty mph face on.
ok I know it wouldnt work , but it would be an education. ... Id also put bigger bumpers on trucks too.
I always thought it was 6ft , ie 2m that you were advised to give as a clear space to pedal bikes , so if they fall over you basically dont run over their head . Probably avoids cracking the plastic hat that pedal bikers seem to think works the same way as a shield of invincibility.There are many roads around here that are too narrow to pass a cyclist with the new 2mtr space, some of this seems a bit unworkable to me.
Bob
Alan Reynolds
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I encountered a girl on a main bus route in London. I could see she was riding without her hands on the handlebars. As I passed I was surprised to see she was actually using both Hans to text on her phone, not looking at where she was going. I passed and slowed further down the road, indicated left, checked my mirrors and started turning. Yup, you guessed it. She came up the inside. They have a death wish.
Kram
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The cyclist passing distance is rubbish. Changing it to one and a half meters minimum! 
As a pedal cyclist myself 30cm is all the gap I need. The gap is not the problem it is how cars do it.
* Im upto 300km cycling this year, 2000 total in my strava. It would be a lot higher but I try to focus excersize on running (700/4000).
@Tangledfeet there is nothing safer about riding abreast. The only time it is acceptable to me is if a parent is with a young child who may not be competent for road riding.
Ive had lycra clad idiots trying to impede my progress by riding abreast. The cbr6 fit between them quite nicely with an adequate, safe gap either side.
Many times on the motorbike I give cars far less and that includes passing between oncoming traffic on normal A roads. That may be considered extreme but I consider it safer - less likely to be squished when the car infront wants to suddenly stop and the car behind is not looking.
Most cars dont know how to pass, spend an excessive time in the oncoming lane with minimal acceleration. Drivers have been taught that slower is safer, so do everything slow. How often do you see old granny merging onto a dual carriageway or motorway too slow, causing an HGV to slow or swerve!?
How many times has my motorbike been pushed to the edge of the road and forced to stop by a car, incorrectly passing a cyclist? Ive lost count!
I keep saying to myself that next time it happens I will go for the gap between the oncoming car and cyclist.
As a pedal cyclist myself 30cm is all the gap I need. The gap is not the problem it is how cars do it.
* Im upto 300km cycling this year, 2000 total in my strava. It would be a lot higher but I try to focus excersize on running (700/4000).
@Tangledfeet there is nothing safer about riding abreast. The only time it is acceptable to me is if a parent is with a young child who may not be competent for road riding.
Ive had lycra clad idiots trying to impede my progress by riding abreast. The cbr6 fit between them quite nicely with an adequate, safe gap either side.
Many times on the motorbike I give cars far less and that includes passing between oncoming traffic on normal A roads. That may be considered extreme but I consider it safer - less likely to be squished when the car infront wants to suddenly stop and the car behind is not looking.
Most cars dont know how to pass, spend an excessive time in the oncoming lane with minimal acceleration. Drivers have been taught that slower is safer, so do everything slow. How often do you see old granny merging onto a dual carriageway or motorway too slow, causing an HGV to slow or swerve!?
How many times has my motorbike been pushed to the edge of the road and forced to stop by a car, incorrectly passing a cyclist? Ive lost count!
I keep saying to myself that next time it happens I will go for the gap between the oncoming car and cyclist.
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