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Can we add in parking as well? Not as dangerous, or a different kind of dangerous, but on my street (wide enough for parking on one side, about half of houses have driveways) lots of people park slightly/halfway/fully across the pavement.
I can usually squeeze by on foot but not everyone can. I think it's a symptom of the same problem as texting while driving etc.
Parking ?? Can we add in Parking ???
Only if includes X5 and ML 4x4 drivers then Yes, off you goooooooooooo ! 😆
our right it is getting worse but I only find it in town meaning Cheltenham which is a small place but has some crazy driving these days
Sorry to hear that 🙁
I bought my first MTB in Cheltenham, (Williams Cycles 1989!) Was living there at the time and commuting daily from Montpellier to Swindon. Short commute, from memory never had any problems, but at 5:40am you wouldn't expect many! Also used to cycle from there to the West Midlands and back, and never felt particularly unsafe at the time - even on the A roads.
quick question, because I don't know, but are phone records pulled from the time of an accident? Doesn't seem hard to do, and would show whether someone was texting or calling...
Hands free makes no difference either, your brain's still elsewhere.
(and yes, this is too late to help the poor sod smeared all over the road I know).
Went to Bikeexpo.co.uk at the event city , manchester ,next to the the cathederal of consumerism,huge car parks and 2 bike parks one in side the event with a chap checking bikes in, depsite the show being aimesd at cyclists etc, only 2 bikes locked up in the secure area, and none in the outside area, on arrival most of the car parks were filling up, on leaving at 13.00 all car parks almost full with signs advising more parking spaces in overspill car park, its such a well located place, surely more people could cycle ther with more cash spent on better signage and cycle lanes etc.
quick question, because I don't know, but are phone records pulled from the time of an accident? Doesn't seem hard to do, and would show whether someone was texting or calling...
a fellow cyclist who was a traffic copper, said some motorists set the clock on their phone back an hour, so if stopped could show the call log and say they hadnt used the phone for an hour, easy to just check clock time, or phone the phone and see what time registers on phone.He caught a few like that
Every time a cyclist is overtaken by a motor vehicle they'll invariably be giving them a pretty wide birth - and as the driver coming from the other way that's a potential accident in the making - Look I've spent many days in my life cycling on roads so it would be churlish to advocate not to road cycle - But it's delusional not to accept that cycling on roads can be hazardous to driver's ... If you want to do it fine but accept the calculated risks - I personally would never bother these days - MTB all day!
^^^^^^ nothing is forcing the driver to overtake the cyclist, NOTHING.
If it's any consolation to the OP, I can say that it's not just in the UK. Having commuted in London for 3 years the worst set of road users I've ever come across are Irish drivers. Back at home in Limerick a fella once figured it was ok to clip my handlebars while travelling at 50kph on approach to a roundabout in icy conditions (Winter of 2009). Not that that's any help, I guess mandatory cycle commuting for a period would probably open their eyes alright.
I feel the same op. I started serious riding with my dad when I was 6. Started racing at 12 and went on to road race spending up to 25 hours a week on the road. About ten years ago I'd had enough. I came back from every ride in a bad mood because of ridiculous driving. Thats when i started mountain biking. But if someone like me gets bullied off the road how the hell are inexperienced riders going to cope.
Ive got 2 daughters who occasionally ride with me off road only. A few weeks ago I had a discussion with my wife about whether we should be encouraging them to ride. The answer was no. I'm very sad. It's only going to get worse and I'm not risking their lives or mine.
I stick to cycle paths where possible on my commute. It makes it slower but I don't have to put up with as much idiocy on the roads.
add my 2p here
cycled for 3 months in Europe only 2 incidents
cycled here on friday morning, had 2 incidents one very serious (van overtaking a group of cyclists up hill as two of us coming down the other side, he flashed is lights and waved with his hand for us to get out of the way - while laughing!)
doesnt matter if you live where you only see 1 car a week or 10000 - its the standard and style of driving thats the issue in the UK.
we should forget this constant eye on "speeders" and move towards standards and sharing the road.
the "texting van driver" story sums up EVERYTHING about the UK for me.
I reckon every new car should be fitted with a jamming device that stops mobile phones picking up a signal which activates every time the engine starts. That would at least stop the phone obsessed drivers from doing as much damage.
Other than that the law needs to be changed so that causing death or serious injury by dangerous driving is dealt with by stronger sentences. I've long felt that if you don't like somebody in this country and want to get away with murder just down half a bottle of whisky and run then over. You'd loose your licence and maybe at worst spend a couple of years in prison. The current legal system doesn't place enough value on human lives; that's what has to change to make a real difference.
Personally I don't go out on my bike without a helmet camera these days. I'm sure I look a right pillock as it is quite bulky but better to be an alive pillock than a dead one.
I've been out for a couple of hours on the road bike this morning and observed some shocking behaviour. Inconsiderate use of the road with little awareness of others around them.
The protagonists on this mornings ride were club cyclists in large groups.
I was out over Hudds this aft- fantastic road manners displayed to me. Must be the weather 😀
Bregante it descends very well. Brakes are lacking though at speed 😆
Personally I don't go out on my bike without a helmet camera these days. I'm sure I look a right pillock as it is quite bulky but better to be an alive pillock than a dead one.
Not trying to be a PITA, but how is a cam going to keep you alive if you're hit?
Went to Bikeexpo.co.uk at the event city , manchester ,next to the the cathederal of consumerism,huge car parks and 2 bike parks one in side the event with a chap checking bikes in, depsite the show being aimesd at cyclists etc, only 2 bikes locked up in the secure area, and none in the outside area, on arrival most of the car parks were filling up, on leaving at 13.00 all car parks almost full with signs advising more parking spaces in overspill car park, its such a well located place, surely more people could cycle ther with more cash spent on better signage and cycle lanes etc.
I went to BikeExpo this morning (by car), there is no way in hell I'd ride up there. It's an easy enough ride - 20 miles or so but that whole area has woeful public transport links (very limited bus, no train or tram) and it's designed to get everyone in and out by car. Massive expressways, 3 and 4-lane gyratory systems, 4-lane roundabouts, huge volumes of fast-moving traffic. It's designed to cope with match-day and Saturday shopping traffic so when it's quieter, like on a Sunday morning, it becomes a race-track.
I'm an experienced road rider but there's not a chance I'd ride that lot. What little cycling provision that is there is woeful: gravel-strewn shared-use tracks that cease to exist at random points, no signage. Dreadful place.
It's funny, I'm coming to the end of 2500km, through Europe to Athens. Apart from Macedonians, who mostly seem to drive with zero respect for anyone else, the only other issue I had was a dick in a range rover on UK plates.... Embarrassing really.
That's Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and now Greece.
Surprise winners are Albanians in general, no incidents giving most passing distance and Greek lorry drivers.
Van drivers were universally worse than anyone else.
Don't know if it's been mentioned, but modern cars really do isolate the driver. And I'm sure modern safety features contribute to risk compensation, the cyclist getting the shitty end of it.
Driving standards are as excellent as ever in this country compared with most other countries in the world. However since the Police gave up patrolling and relinquished enforcement to cameras and computers, removing the threat of being seen by a patrol car, the tiny minority of habitual law-breakers know they can carry on beaking the law with impunity and if they get caught by a camera they only have their own bad observation to blame.
You need to ride somewhere quieter. In the Ribble Valley and Bowland Fells we are generally treated with extreme courtesy by drivers but it's rural and very popular with cyclists.
This poster has it right:
You need to move somewhere quieter. Grew up in Dumfries and Galloway where you'd be able to ride 100 miles on nice quite country roads and not see more cars that you could count with your fingers. I'm sure Somafunk will attest to how quite the roads round here could be.Even in Fife most of the roads were pretty quiet and almost never had any aggro with driver.
On the rare occasions when I do venture into busy areas like Manchester I find that my position and manner of riding make a big difference; perhaps 12 years of motorcycling have taught me to take up the right position on the road. This includes taking up the entire carriageway while approaching emerging traffic, moving across their field of vision to create sideways movement and establishing strong eye contact. Drivers generally only respect other road users who show assertive body language.
{quote]I've long felt that if you don't like somebody in this country and want to get away with murder just down half a bottle of whisky and run then over. You'd loose your licence and maybe at worst spend a couple of years in prison.
I think you've not thought about this very much, as your plan seems unnecessarily complicated.
Self-driving cars are well into development... the solution's on the way 🙂
quite - what's the point of the whisky?I think you've not thought about this very much, as your plan seems unnecessarily complicated.
Just tell them your view of the road was impaired by not giving a shit who was there
Not trying to be a PITA, but how is a cam going to keep you alive if you're hit?
A lot of motorists seem to realise that it is a helmet camera and give me a wide berth as a result (it films front and back at the same time). Plus I'm a big guy who rides assertively. If one of the buggers does drive over me I would hope that the footage would send them straight to prison. Frankly its a sad state of affairs when you think about our roads and the muppets that think they have a god given right to use them.
quite - what's the point of the whisky?
Teetotal killjoys the lot of you :-).
I'm with those who are looking forward to driverless cars being on our roads. In fact it would be great if they could start with driverless vans, that way I could sort out my paperwork between appointments rather than at the end of the day.
I'm still riding and enjoying the old "Maxlite I bought off you a couple of years ago, we are doing the C2C this summer too.
Groovy Gravy! Really made me smile cheers, have a good one.
I find that riding a less road specific bike encourages me to poke along roads with surfaces that I'd normally avoid on a 25mm tyre.
Since I repurposed a 29er for road use with Big Apple tyres (2.35") it has been a lot more enjoyable because I can poke along on surfaces that would be very uncomfortable otherwise.
Today's pootle along single lane roads and gravel paths.
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I went to BikeExpo this morning (by car), there is no way in hell I'd ride up there. It's an easy enough ride - 20 miles or so but that whole area has woeful public transport links (very limited bus, no train or tram) and it's designed to get everyone in and out by car. Massive expressways, 3 and 4-lane gyratory systems, 4-lane roundabouts, huge volumes of fast-moving traffic. It's designed to cope with match-day and Saturday shopping traffic so when it's quieter, like on a Sunday morning, it becomes a race-track.I'm an experienced road rider but there's not a chance I'd ride that lot. What little cycling provision that is there is woeful: gravel-strewn shared-use tracks that cease to exist at random points, no signage. Dreadful place.
I'm guessing you are approaching from the south / stockport side ?
I went to Bike Expo on my Bike, straight in, parked up in the inside compound so much easier than driving but I came from Bolton side which was down the NCN 55, then minor roads over Barton Swing Bridge then I use the footpath cycle lanes past Asda to Event City.
I wouldn't like to tackle it from the south side though....
My experience as a driver near Evrnt city in Trafford park (hands up) http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/so-i-had-a-close-miss-last-night-with-a-cyclist
I wouldnt cycle round there (or if I did I'd stay on the sharps/rubbly paths provided).
Work shifts? Night etc is quieter but I still remember a trained... driver rolling it there at speed a couple of years back........ It can be a place where everyone goes at it too quickly and add to the mix truck diesel, bolts, parts laying off roundabouts etc...or in the case of the trained driver- rail lines in the road(?)
A lot of motorists seem to realise that it is a helmet camera and give me a wide berth as a result (it films front and back at the same time).
Sorry for the derail but what camera is that? I'm only aware of the Oregon Scientific one that films front and rear, is there another?
A lot of motorists seem to realise that it is a helmet camera and give me a wide berth as a result (it films front and back at the same time).
Hmmm... Or it makes you feel better that you've taken a step to improve your safety and so don't notice their passes as much? Confirmation bias is a powerful thing. Not a criticism, I can't really see that most people are so eagle eyed that they will pick out a helmet cam.
Anyhow, I avoided this up til now because I've never really felt that bad driving was a major issue on the roads anywhere I've ridden (or driven TBH) in the UK.
Not a criticism, I can't really see that most people are so eagle eyed that they will pick out a helmet cam.
Oh I dunno. If it is the Oregon one that I've seen, it'd be hard to miss it, it's **** huge!
much sympathy..I get asked allot if I would ride road bikes simple answer "too many steel death traps out there" numerous times nearly been taken out on a long quite stretch of road by inconsiderate drivers simply giving no space
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I live 10 miles from my door steep to Gisburn forest trails, so happily will ride out there and back..........however yesterday confirmed to me that the Van/Car drivers desperate to get to the trails have no respect idea or care for other cyclists. Mainly B roads and they are flying along with no attention or care for cyclists, they are even worse that the sunday lets go for coffee or lunch in the country drivers some of who are really patient and polite.
My experience is not
You need to ride somewhere quieter. In the Ribble Valley and Bowland Fells we are generally treated with extreme courtesy by drivers but it's rural and very popular with cyclists.
The culture in the UK (and possibly elswhere) is to pay lip service to road rules because there not "real", for some that even means taking pride in getting away with stuff.
It starts with speeding and ends with dead people.
however yesterday confirmed to me that the Van/Car drivers desperate to get to the trails have no respect idea or care for other cyclists
Or indeed other road users, last weekend I planned to get the train up to Horton and ride back via various bridleways. However due to maintenance work there was a replacement coach service. Going along the A65 past the Coniston Cold hotel a car with four MTBs on the roof overtook the coach on a blind bend (solid double white lines). Let's just say the coach driver wasn't particularly happy.
however yesterday confirmed to me that the Van/Car drivers desperate to get to the trails have no respect idea or care for other cyclists
I hear you and I LOVE driving on those roads however before I'm lumped in as a hypocrite/typical driver I'm always scanning ahead over the top of drystone walls, never going into a bend fast and wont squeeze past cyclists quickly.
The roads round there are awesome for minimal brakes, lift off and gearing down smooth driving. They just reward smooth driving sooooo much.
However- I know exactly what you mean - people coming out of (any) trail centre or rushing too- I've seen some really shoddy driving both as a cyclist and as a driver.
Oh I dunno. If it is the Oregon one that I've seen, it'd be hard to miss it, it's * huge!
Yep, its the Oregon one and yes it is *ing huge. The picture quality is actually very good on it though.
Not a criticism, I can't really see that most people are so eagle eyed that they will pick out a helmet cam.
Trust me the camera really is that damn large. Short of mounting a old VHS camcorder on my cycle helmet with gaffer tape I would really struggle to make it more obvious. Even the camera mount is massive. Plus, as I found out a while ago whilst descending Holme Moss at speed in bad weather, it really catches the wind 😀
A lot of motorists seem to realise that it is a helmet camera and give me a wide berth as a result
From my experience, most motorists don't even see a motorbike, never mind a cyclist and even less so a small camera mounted on your helmet.
I agree that it helps prove guilt if you are knocked off but I cant see it stopping you getting knocked off in the first place.
Riding back into Lincoln last night, a fella passed me way too close, with traffic coming the other way, on a bridge.
I offered a critical, objective appraisal of his driving through the medium of sign language (admittedly, maybe not the most constructive response). 100 yards down the road, the bloke pulls in (this is in rush hour traffic by the way) and turns around and drives back up the road, purely to call me a prick. Nice one, stay classy.
People get so tetchy about their driving. Yes, I'm sure you are Colin McRae reincarnate, I'm sure you have bossed Gran Turismo without driver assist, I'm sure whatever engagement it is you're rushing to is so important that you're willing to risk someone's life for the sake of a few seconds.
The government seem to be putting a lot of effort into raising awareness of motorbikes, why not bicycles to a similar extent?
I'm considering getting a motorbike, but the way I'm treated on my bike (not a commute goes by without getting cut up, pulled out on, passed too close, overtake-turn), really makes me question this. I know I'd be ok pootling about if the roads were clear, it's just all these ignorant assholes with places to be that are really putting me off the idea.
The government seem to be putting a lot of effort into raising awareness of motorbikes, why not bicycles to a similar extent?
Now that is an excellent question. If we had a campaign like the think bike one, it would really raise the profile of cyclists and get people talking. Then I think people might start to think of us as something other than a fringe group of untermensch.
"Then I think people might start to think of us as something other than a fringe group of untermensch."
Well put - that just about sums up how I feel on many days on my daily commute. For example the other day when some woman in a VW Anorak mounted the kerb/cycle path just in front of me and then looked at me blankly when I had the cheek to raise my hand.....
A spot of light research suggests that the cyclist mortality rate is about a 3rd of that of motorcyclists, with almost as many serious accidents.
Now, I'm highly doubting rider error makes up an equal percentage of those 2 figures, I would assume (ass - you - me, I know) that many more of the motorbike accidents are a result of the actions of the rider, rather than other motorists, just based on the increased speed alone. You have to be doing pretty well to kill yourself on a bicycle without the addition of an external influence, like another road user.
I offered a critical, objective appraisal of his driving through the medium of sign language (admittedly, maybe not the most constructive response)
I simply shake my head or do the 'what?' sign with an open hand/palm facing upwards'.
If they notice the 'bird' they'll notice a sarcastic wave or 'what'. So message received.
****er etc sign puts you on a level with them so you lose any high ground IMO. Plus some people really are wind up ready to explode due to their life/stress/debt and even though they never were much at fighting at school suddenly they feel like they want to fight. Like a 10yr old child high on sugar lashing out.
If they still pull over and kick off. Fine but bad driving should [u]not[/u] go unchallenged, same with bad behaviour in a bar, street, etc. Why should sitting in a box remove you from how a person should conduct themselves?
I've said this myself- the day I sit behind a twitching curtain in fear to say anything- that should be the day I leave this earth (death or back on my spaceship 😉 ).
This week - solid traffic filtering down to a red light. I pulled out of my road on my bike and a 64 plate Merc raced to close the gap and sit on the car bumper infront. I shook my head and he opened his window and said 'WHAT'?
I asked him calmly why he did that with a redlight ahead.
Talk carefully and slowly and explain and it most circumstances it can dissipate someones lashing-out stress-anger IMO.
I know giving them the finger isn't ideal, though it seems to have become muscle memory since I started commuting. I've gestured "can I have a bit more space please?" before, by moving my right hand in and away from the bike, and a bloke stopped and asked "how much space do you ****ing need?!"
People need to chill-T-F out.
I am genuinely interested in knowing if that helped the driver understand why what he did was pointless.
I have a similar situation on the commute. Some motorists race ahead and cut you up just so they can queue less than 100m ahead.
Had some hero have a go at me for daring to be ahead of him when this happened. Gave him a look as I pulled up alongside him, but I felt it was pointless talking to him. People like that usually don't understand reason.