[Closed] That was damn close!

[i]dez, is the camera on a bar mount ?[/i]

Yep, that is for why I referred to it as a "bar-cam" 😉

For added effect the OP skills have dived and rolled onto the grass verge and then sent it in to the cop shop....

I'd be grateful if most drivers gave me that much room tbh...

Is the Police driver at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front as per the Highway Code?

If not, perhaps the Police driver has suffered a catastrophic vehicle related failure...I mean, what other explanation could there possibly be?

So have they responded to your tweet then?

Nah! They're scared

Nah! They're scared

What camera was that you were using? Thinking of getting one for just this sort of thing...

That was a cheapo Ebay one with a light built in. Usually use the 7dayshop one, but its broked.

7dayshop ones are like [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-DV-DVR-camcorder-vehicle-DVR-spy-camera-New-video-D011-/251042147941?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_Video_Camcorders&hash=item3a73472e65 ]this[/url]

the one I was using for that vid is [url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Resolution-Flashlight-Spy-Camera-MINI-video-DVR-/310473143658?pt=UK_CCTV&hash=item4849a4356a ]this[/url] - one thing is better (apart from having a light for emergencies), it keeps the correct date info, whereas the 7 dayshop ones don't. Video quality not quite as good on the little light one though.

What is it with drivers giving too much room? I'm not a horse I'm not going to bolt if a car gets within 2 metres of me. Then there are the ones that give room but forget about the traffic coming the other way.

What is it with drivers giving too much room? I'm not a horse I'm not going to bolt if a car gets within 2 metres of me.

Too [i]much[/i] room?? 😕

Perhaps they were following the Highway Code?

[img] [/img]

Or [url= http://www.smartdriving.co.uk/Driving/DefensiveDriving/Space/Space.htm ]the advice of safe driving organisations[/url]:
[i]"Allow at least two metres' (two yards') clearance when passing cyclists – a court case some years ago laid down the principle that a cyclist is entitled to wobble!"[/i]

Several states in the US have laws in place that make it illegal to pass closer than 1 metre / 3 feet. That seems a sensible amount.

US Campaign: http://www.3feetplease.com

UK Version: http://3feetplease.org.uk/

What is it with drivers giving too much room? I'm not a horse I'm not going to bolt if a car gets within 2 metres of me. Then there are the ones that give room but forget about the traffic coming the other way.

Apart from the rules of the road and common sense, bikes can move die to potholes etc

bikes can move die to potholes

I don't know what it is about that statement but it comes across as slightly Welsh for some reason...

About 1 metre is ok if they literally use the whole opposite lane I wonder if they think I'm pissed or something.

Hmmm.. I always try to use the whole opposite lane when I pass bikes - partly because that's how I like to be passed; partly because it sets a good example to other drivers who may pass a bit closer; and partly because I believe that is what the vague wording of Rule 163 is supposed to (or [i]should[/i]) mean.

Generally I think giving a cyclist enough room that they can fall over sideways without going under my wheels is a pretty good plan.

About 1 metre is ok if they literally use the whole opposite lane I wonder if they think I'm pissed or something.

You can't pass a cyclist safely on most roads unless your break the white line in the middle.
Crossing the white line is something you think (or should do) about more so you may make an extra check of oncoming traffic etc. rather than get halfway and squash the cyclist.
I wont squeeze past a cyclist and will only pass if the other lane is clear.
Hence I might as well use all the space there is not crowd the cyclist or make him inhale more of my exhaust fumes as I accelerate.
I also have no problem with cyclists riding 2 abreast as you still need a clear lane coming the other way to pass them.
[img] [/img]

If you ride on the road, expect your personal safety to be seriously compromised - think singletrack!

Did you not see BMW badge...

*runs*

Generally I think giving a cyclist enough room that they can fall over sideways without going under my wheels is a pretty good plan.

I have genuinely never seen a cyclist going forward at a speed more than say 5 mph and simply flop over sideways. Is that even possible?

If you ride on the road, expect your personal safety to be seriously compromised - think singletrack!

That makes me sad face 🙁

Not everyone is lucky enough to have traffic-free singletrack leading every where they want to go on a bike (e.g. work, shops, pub)

Nor should we just accept that if we ride on the road then it is somehow our own fault if drivers behave like idiots.

longj - Member
Generally I think giving a cyclist enough room that they can fall over sideways without going under my wheels is a pretty good plan.
I have genuinely never seen a cyclist going forward at a speed more than say 5 mph and simply flop over sideways. Is that even possible?

Either a troll or......

Right then how to fall off a bike, punture, chain stuck/break/slip, catch wheel in something, big gust of wind, heart attack, animal runs into road, sh*t happened.

Give decent room. If your not breaking the white line your not overtaking a cyclist properly. This means you have considered the overtake and the potential of another car coming the other way or the cyclist doing something unpredictable. Other wise you risk cutting in on the cyclist mid overtake as a car comes round the corner killing said cyclist.

In more simple terms if a car hits a cyclist it ends up worse for the cyclist. Give more room it doesn't cost you anything.

I find that "I am Traffic" poster pretty insulting.
"I will ride in one position no matter what the type of road, traffic conditions etc cos I can't think and adjust my position accordingly"

NOT ALL ROADS ARE THE SAME.

(eg. if I'd been moronically stuck in the middle of the carriageway when bobby copper on the video was coming towards me... )

I have genuinely never seen a cyclist going forward at a speed more than say 5 mph and simply flop over sideways. Is that even possible?

Now you have. As mike says, shaft happens.

Is it really so much trouble to turn the steering wheel just a little bit more and pass with plenty of room?

I find that "I am Traffic" poster pretty insulting.
"I will ride in one position no matter what the type of road, traffic conditions etc cos I can't think and adjust my position accordingly"

I don't think that is what it is saying at all. It's just a (not very good) attempt to explain the point of taking the Primary to (American) drivers.

He made a 'Gareth Hunt' of It , unintentionally I think. I wouldn't pursue It.

longj - Member

What is it with drivers giving too much room? I'm not a horse I'm not going to bolt if a car gets within 2 metres of me.

You might not but some folks need more space. I leave all the space I can especially if there's someone else behind- lots of folks pass too close, who knows, maybe they'll think "That guy's given loads of room, maybe I should too"

I find that "I am Traffic" poster pretty insulting.
"I will ride in one position no matter what the type of road, traffic conditions etc cos I can't think and adjust my position accordingly"

It's more aimed at drivers and possibly longi. The sentiment is good as an attempt to explain why a cyclist isn't running over drain covers and bobbling down the gutter. The narrower the road the further out I get, it also gives me somewhere to go when the car does something stupid (like in your video Dez)

I am not talking about white line breakers I'm talking about cars that break the white line with both wheels. It's simply not necessary. And this has been the cause of one or two near misses on my commute where the car has failed to return to the left side of the road in time, narrowly missing a car coming the other way.

?? Are you saying that by giving you more room these cars have somehow put you in more danger longj??

And yes I cross right over into the other lane, both wheels over the line (assuming it is a dashed line of course!)

And this has been the cause of one or two near misses on my commute where the car has failed to return to the left side of the road in time, narrowly missing a car coming the other way.

So a car didn't leave enough room/time to overtake. Seems to be an issue with judging distance/speed rather than the amount they moved over. My biggest fear on the road is a half hearted over take where the car realises they are running out of time/space and then cutting into a cyclist. If they can't judge the time and distance correctly then I'd rather they left me more room than not.

GrahamS - Member

?? Are you saying that by giving you more room these cars have somehow put you in more danger longj??

He's saying that sometimes drivers pull right over to pass him even when there's oncoming traffic. And seems to think that's a problem with the amount of space they gave him, rather than what it actually is- passing dangerously when you shouldn't be passing at all.

Which is why I'm suspecting it's a troll because you'd have to work pretty hard to be this daft. Knitting needles up the nose, that sort of thing.

Tend to agree Northwind. If not a troll then certainly misguided.

As mike says, if folk are going to pass me where they shouldn't then I'd much rather they gave me plenty of room when they do it!

I take it you have never riden in rush hour traffic. It's simply not possible to give that amount of room. If all drivers waited until there was space in the opposite lane then there would be a very slow moving traffic from my house to my work. As far cars not pulling in in time, my perception of the situation is that if they had given say 1.5 metres room, they would easily have been out of the way of on coming traffic. I'm not a troll just someone used to riding in busy traffic. We don't all live in deserted country lanes you know.

thats fine, ridden in all sorts of roads all over the place, drive there too. I'll still give cyclists sensible room. My usual examples of rush hour traffic is a long queue from my door to where I work with cyclists making the best progress.

It's simply not possible to give that amount of room. If all drivers waited until there was space in the opposite lane then there would be a very slow moving traffic

Boo hoo! Let me fetch my tiny violin. 😀

Safety > Convenience

If there isn't room to pass safely then the correct answer is not "just pass unsafely then"

Conversely if I found I was holding up a line of cars behind me for any length of time then I'd probably pull off the road for a moment and let them past as a courtesy (and to avoid having drivers getting impatient at my rear wheel).

Give and take.

We don't all live in deserted country lanes you know.

20 car queue today, crawling along behind two tractors.
If it had been bikes then there would have been horns blaring and fists waving.

I have genuinely never seen a cyclist going forward at a speed more than say 5 mph and simply flop over sideways.

Have a trawl of RoadCC for the cyclist in London that was run over by a bus following him too close when a car occupant opened his door on him. CPS prosecuted only one of those at fault, the bus driver was allowed to kill a cyclist with impunity.

I'm forever trying to highlight to my other half the idea of 'defensive cycling' - if there's a road/narrowing that can only allow ONE vehicle through, move to the centre of the road and be that vehicle - it then removes any temptations the driver might have to pull along side you.....

This is particularly effective when towing the kiddie trailer as its a wide bugger, and mose other road users are daft...!

DrP

Oh, in Dez's case he should just hush up as he doesn't pay road tax...... 😉

[i]I have genuinely never seen a cyclist going forward at a speed more than say 5 mph and simply flop over sideways.[/i]

I dropped my chain on monday night (worn drivetrain, been meaning to something about it for ages...), and as I was climbing out of the saddle I was pitched over to my right, hitting the road pretty hard. Luckily for me, it was through some roadworks and I'd just switched to the 'wrong' side of the cones, into the coned off lane, as a courtesy to traffic that would otherwise be stuck behind me up the hill.

Two out the three vids GrahamS links to are clearly the result of riding over metal. Tip : don't ride over metal.

shaft happens

[img] [/img]

Indeed, he does/did, my brother...

8)

Indeed, DrP - when I was much younger and more foolish and rode too far to the left I had a car attempt to overtake me through [url= http://goo.gl/maps/mCwwa ]here[/url] - nowadays I move out so that I'm right in the middle of the lane through there so they don't even consider it (have heard screeching tyres as they realise they're heading for the island in the middle a couple of times).

OTOH, just up the road is [url= http://goo.gl/maps/Kk2XS ]this[/url] example of where it is safe for a car to overtake a cyclist without breaking the white line - it is just about wide enough to fit 4 cars across there (used to have a suicide lane in the middle).

f there isn't room to pass safely then the correct answer is not "just pass unsafely then"

Have a trawl of RoadCC for the cyclist in London that was run over by a bus following him too close when a car

Too close is too close . Clearly I'm not saying cyclists need no room, just that we don't need loads of room. Unless you are cycling back from the pub that is.

How many of those guys who fall off make a huge song and dance about it?

(all of them)

oooh, arrrgh, ooh shit, ooof, arggh, oooh, eeeh.

He's quite close to the Porsche, which has closed down his forward view. He's then positioned his vehicle during the overtake to give the other cyclist plenty of space, very probably because he hasn't seen you soon enough, if at all.

We don't know why a presumably highly trained driver has failed to see or react appropriately to you, thereby placing you in a degree of danger. It doesn't matter whether he's trying to see something in the car ahead, preparing to overtake or stop it, squinting at the low sun or just driving with his brain in neutral. He's a professional driver who has made a simple human misjudgment that could have had significant consequences for you.

Send the footage to the Force Website with the time date and location, and your contact details. The matter will be forwarded to the relevant head of department for attention. At the very least the officer will have his ear chewed for making an arse of an overtake. If it makes him think and take a bit more care next time, then job done.

Well said, downshep.

I once reported a police driver for bad driving as he'd overtaken another car which was already overtaking me - ironically only metres away from the gap in my first link above (but before they'd built that). Got called in to have a chat with the sergeant, then later got a feedback call - apparently he'd had a word with the driver concerned, but not anything formal, which is exactly what I was after - doubtless as in this case it was a lapse of judgement rather than something more fundamental.

Agreed but passing safely does not necessarily mean using the whole opposite carriageway.

Yeah agreed, course not. As aracer says some roads have lanes so wide you can pass without even breaking the lane.

But if I'm the one driving the car then I give cyclists as much room as possible and will happily change lanes to overtake.

I'm just a bit surprised that this upsets you.

I would guess we all need a bit of prodding sometimes about our driving.