195 replies to this topic

[Tanya]

I guess the way that I see it, is at the end of the day as a car driver I'm not too bothered about whether or not the cyclist has behaved as they should, stuck to the rules etc.  I just don't want to be involved in an accident with them as the chances are that they will come off far worse than me.  Cyclists do die in accidents with cars.  

 

Some of the difficultly, certainly in Oxford is that our road network is so overcrowded that it makes conflict and accidents between cyclists and vehicles more likely.  To try and help with this, we now have cycle paths on pavements, and while there is a line to divide them, it can cause problems.

 

I have been hit by a cyclist.  Thankfully I was about 19 years old at the time and bounced reasonably well.  However, I was shaken, it wasn't pleasant and it would have been more serious for a physically vulnerable person.  It was a case of a stupid cyclist who decided to ride his bike down the side of a bus which had stopped to let us off.  There was a queue of bus passengers waiting to get on and he chose to ride in about the metre gap between the bus the bus queue.  A number of the people in the queue helped me up, while the others had a few strong words with him!

 

I feel that if your the stronger/more robust/larger one on the road, you have absolute duty to take extra care of those you can (inadvertently) cause damage too.  So, cars should look out for and be careful of cyclists and cyclists should be careful for pedestrians etc.  

 

Personally (and it might be something to do with Oxford), I have many more issues with cyclists as a pedestrian than I do as a car driver.  They rings their bells and shout at you, which is ok for me as I can jump out of the way, but for those maybe with a learning disability, hard of hearing, visually impaired etc, it is dangerous.  

Edited by Tanya, 05 March 2014 - 12:07 PM.

[mk3 Cooper S]

But two vehicles travelling at different speeds.

 

Yes you are putting yourself in a vulnerable position and if on a narrow or busy road in accordance to the highway code.

[creakyjaws5533]

if you are on a narrow road you cannot overtake a single cyclists safely full stop so we ride two abreast to discourage cars from overtaking us dangerously as there isnt the space for them to do so at all

[mk3 Cooper S]

if you are on a narrow road you cannot overtake a single cyclists safely full stop so we ride two abreast to discourage cars from overtaking us dangerously as there isnt the space for them to do so at all

More fool you for that attitude as it isnt the car driver that will come of worse.

 

You can overtake easily with 400 bhp

[Black.Ghost]

I can honestly say I have never seen cyclists two abreast in a busy built up area, in busy traffic. If there is little traffic it's fine. Staggered, yes but not two abreast. Which is safer as it means less chance of clipping the wheel in front.

Cycling two abreast on a country lane is perfectly acceptable. I know many drivers enjoy spirited driving, but I never go fast around a blind bend. Without worrying about cyclists, you don't know if there is an animal on the road, another accident could have happened etc. If you are trying to overtake a cyclist on a bend, that's plain dangerous. You wouldn't do it to a car so so t do it to a bike. Most cyclists I know try and pull over to single file when a car does approach to let them pass easier.

Bronco apologies. It came across differently.

[creakyjaws5533]

so every car has 400bhp???? no they dont and it doesnt matter how much power you have if there isnt space you cant over take. When I go out training on my own down the same lanes and similar times I get lots of dangerous overtakes in which I normally have to take some evasive action when riding in a group at two abreast this doesnt happen explain that

[Black.Ghost]

if you are on a narrow road you cannot overtake a single cyclists safely full stop so we ride two abreast to discourage cars from overtaking us dangerously as there isnt the space for them to do so at all

More fool you for that attitude as it isnt the car driver that will come of worse.
 
You can overtake easily with 400 bhp

Not on a bend when you can't see what's coming!

[BronkoMini]

if you are on a narrow road you cannot overtake a single cyclists safely full stop so we ride two abreast to discourage cars from overtaking us dangerously as there isnt the space for them to do so at all

There was a study that said something like, if there are two or less cyclists they should be single file and more than that two abreast so you taken as a car to car drivers so they don't take as silly risks, however if it's a really windy road then a car could just squeeze past if it was file but if it was two abreast then the most likely hit the outside cyclist

[mk3 Cooper S]

so every car has 400bhp???? no they dont and it doesnt matter how much power you have if there isnt space you cant over take. When I go out training on my own down the same lanes and similar times I get lots of dangerous overtakes in which I normally have to take some evasive action when riding in a group at two abreast this doesnt happen explain that

See stated law below from the government.

 

Rules of the road

 

66

You should

• keep both hands on the handlebars except when signalling or changing gear
• keep both feet on the pedals
• never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends
• not ride close behind another vehicle
• not carry anything which will affect your balance or may get tangled up with your wheels or chain
• be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians. Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted.

 

67

You should

• look all around before moving away from the kerb, turning or manoeuvring, to make sure it is safe to do so. Give a clear signal to show other road users what you intend to do (download ‘Signals to other road users’ (PDF, 102KB))
• look well ahead for obstructions in the road, such as drains, pot-holes and parked vehicles so that you do not have to swerve suddenly to avoid them. Leave plenty of room when passing parked vehicles and watch out for doors being opened or pedestrians stepping into your path
• be aware of traffic coming up behind you
• take extra care near road humps, narrowings and other traffic calming features
• take care when overtaking (see Rules 162 to 169).

 

 

https://www.gov.uk/r...erview-59-to-71

Edited by mk3 Cooper S, 05 March 2014 - 12:22 PM.

[BronkoMini]

Ghost I can see why as when I read it back it sounded different as when I rote it

[Black.Ghost]

Ibrooks, 2 abreast is not just for overtaking. It's perfectly legal to ride like that.

Can I just point out that if traffic is bad, getting stuck behind a cyclist until you can safely gets past makes no difference because you still won't get past the car in front of you. If there is no or little traffic, you will quickly have the opportunity to pass.

As drivers of cars that are often intimidated by larger vehicles and people pulling out thinking minis are slow etc I really did think there would be more tolerance and understanding on this forum towards cyclists. I wish car drivers would stop with the superiority, big headed Daily Mail reading complex that all cyclists are bad and that all car drivers are perfect.

[creakyjaws5533]

so every corner you expect a group to single out? you obviously have no experience riding in a group as you would learn how stupid that is.

JUST SQUEEZE past that isnt safe at all therefore an overtake shouldn't be attempted as it wont again make the cyclist at risk

[mk3 Cooper S]

so every corner you expect a group to single out? you obviously have no experience riding in a group as you would learn how stupid that is.

JUST SQUEEZE past that isnt safe at all therefore an overtake shouldn't be attempted as it wont again make the cyclist at risk

 

so every corner you expect a group to single out? you obviously have no experience riding in a group as you would learn how stupid that is. - Not me, that is the law, does your cycling club encourage you to break the law??

[creakyjaws5533]

so every corner you expect a group to single out? you obviously have no experience riding in a group as you would learn how stupid that is.
JUST SQUEEZE past that isnt safe at all therefore an overtake shouldn't be attempted as it wont again make the cyclist at risk

 
so every corner you expect a group to single out? you obviously have no experience riding in a group as you would learn how stupid that is. - Not me, that is the law, does your cycling club encourage you to break the law??

that's a law written by morons sat behind a desk which doesnt work on the road in practice do you always abide by the law when driving? I highly doubt

[mk3 Cooper S]

 

 

so every corner you expect a group to single out? you obviously have no experience riding in a group as you would learn how stupid that is.
JUST SQUEEZE past that isnt safe at all therefore an overtake shouldn't be attempted as it wont again make the cyclist at risk

 
so every corner you expect a group to single out? you obviously have no experience riding in a group as you would learn how stupid that is. - Not me, that is the law, does your cycling club encourage you to break the law??

that's a law written by morons sat behind a desk which doesnt work on the road in practice do you always abide by the law when driving? I highly doubt

 

It works for the majority car drivers