ANOTHER bloody cyclist!

Winky

quote:

My statistics are from the UK. And I lived and cycle commuted in Bristol for two years without issue (other than my own lack of due care in one instance). Driver attitudes to cyclists in the UK and Canada are both pretty good, even though road rules are very poorly observed by almost all users in both countries.

Come to London and I can show you the many "shrines" left at the roadside by families grieving the loss of a (cycling) loved one who has been killed on the streets of London. There is one not 400 metres from my flat where a girl in her 20's was killed by a lorry that turned in front of her (Read here). I walk past her "ghost bike" most days - very poignant.

Mick, if you have no sympathy for this then you have no soul. At times I wonder how much of your persona is created as a wind up (and there is good sport to had in this forum for sure) or how much of it is really you.

Regards

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Exiled Highlander:
Winky
Come to London and I can show you the many "shrines" left at the roadside by families grieving the loss of a (cycling) loved one who has been killed on the streets of London. There is one not 400 metres from my flat where a girl in her 20's was killed by a lorry that turned in front of her (Read here). I walk past her "ghost bike" most days - very poignant.

Regards

Jim

As much as I feel sympathy for the families and friends of victims of this sort of thing, I find the public outpourings of grief by way of facebook pages, public funerals and memorials a little disturbing. I'm not sure what it achieves. People die needlessly every day for a whole range of reasons. They don't necessarily get memorials.

Having said that, the issue of cyclists in London being trapped inside left-turning heavy vehicles is pretty tragic. But the frequency-rate of these accidents will likely diminish with more bikes on the roads as drivers are forced to become more aware. Constantly harping about the dangers of cycling doesn't really achieve much IMO.

Winky

quote:

Having said that, the issue of cyclists in London being trapped inside left-turning heavy vehicles is pretty tragic. But the frequency-rate of these accidents will likely diminish with more bikes on the roads as drivers are forced to become more aware. Constantly harping about the dangers of cycling doesn't really achieve much IMO.

Sorry, but that is bollocks IMO.

Jim

quote:

I am compelled to subsidise donuts

The frequency will reduce as more councils remove metal railings/ barriers placed at the junctions to protect pedestrians. Unfortunately they have been lethal for several cyclists.
Don't anyone make the mistake of relying on driver awareness - not with SatNav, Mobile phones and iPods gathering momentum behind the wheel. You have to be extremely defensive when you place a cyclist up against a motor vehicle. Stating the obvious really.

Peter

quote:

Originally posted by Exiled Highlander:
Winky

quote:

Having said that, the issue of cyclists in London being trapped inside left-turning heavy vehicles is pretty tragic. But the frequency-rate of these accidents will likely diminish with more bikes on the roads as drivers are forced to become more aware. Constantly harping about the dangers of cycling doesn't really achieve much IMO.

Sorry, but that is bollocks IMO.

Jim

It is demonstrably true that the cycling accident RATES (not numbers) are lowest where there are the most cyclists. It might be that places that are safer attract a lot of cyclists...or that the numbers of cyclists make it safer. I think there is a little of both. At another level, more bikes means more votes by bike riders and better funding for cycle friendly streets. (I hate the term "cycling facilities" - streets are all the cycling facilities that I need)

I can recall Beijing a couple of decades back where thousands of cyclists slowed and calmed the traffic like the control rods ina nuclear reactor. Now? Fewer bikes and absolutely manic traffic. Get off your bike and get yourself into a traffic jam, Mr Wong. It's called progress.

You really don't think drivers become more cycle-aware if there are more bikes? OK, Australian drivers would just try to run them down, but in the UK I think increased numbers of bikes would improve awareness. Note that I didn't say tolerance - drivers will remain bitter, jealous twats who just wish they weren't so boring, fat and lazy and could get themselves out there on a bike.

quote:

Originally posted by JAB:

and may i also thank the driver of the black peugot 307 estate in holborn this morning who decided to turn left at the lights with no prior warning at the moment i drew alongside - a welcome adrenalin rush to perk up the start to my day.

Sorry you had an off. Maybe they weren't expecting a bike to undertake them whilst stationary at traffic lights..but he should have been indicating.
I was in my car stationary at traffic lights indicating left when a cyclist saw fit to undertake the cars waiting there to try an go straight on. I turned left, he got angry with me like it was my fault. Sorry, but no.

I vote for an exchange. Drivers should ride a bike half time to see how it is. Same with bikers, drive a lory/truck and find out how difficult it is to see a bike. I've only driven a few large trucks in my younger years, no way would I do that for a living.

Living here in LA I give way to bikes but I also think they're crazy unless there's a bike lane or it's a bike path. When I'm at my parents down by the beach scads of bikers on the road having fun, wish I was with them. Safety in numbers and with BRIGHT colors.

Even driving a large 3.5t panel van it becomes more difficult to see all around you. I now know why big veicles have the 'If you can't see my mirrors .......etc" signs.
It's also very easy to forget about the massive arseend that requires a substantial over shoot at left corners to avoid running over the curb and possibly trap a pedestrian or cyclist.

quote:

Originally posted by Mick Parry:
I do my best to stop other people speeding.

Mick, serious question:

Why?
how do you judge that the person behind you hasn't got an emergency situation?

kind regards, Fred

Fred

Sorry but I do not understand your question. Could you rephrase it please and then I will answer it.

Regards

Mick

Hi Mick,

I wonder how you determine that the person you're blocking hasn't got a very good reason too speed. Sometime people have an emergence situation, which needs breaking the rules. ie pregnant wife reaching a hospital, doctor reaching a patient, etc etc.

On the other thread you say you deliberately position yourself in the road so as no one else can overtake. How do you know if someone isn't in an emergency situation?

Kind regards, Fred

Fred

Mick could never position himself in the road to prevent people speeding as that would be against the principles of defensive driving that he employs...

Cheers

Jim

Hi Jim,

Because I take this very seriously, I'll reply pretending you're not sarcastic:

Quote from the other thread:

quote:

Originally posted by Mick Parry:
I stick religiously to speed limits and will position myself in the road so as no one else can overtake me. In other words I force others to comply with the speed limits.

Kind regards, Fred

Fred

Not sure if it was sarcasm or irony....I was siding with you but it got lost in translation methinks.

Regards

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by Exiled Highlander:
Fred

Not sure if it was sarcasm or irony....I was siding with you but it got lost in translation methinks.

Regards

Jim

Hi Jim,

Indeed, I'm not a native Englishmen
No problem or hard feelings what so ever.

Cheers, Fred

Hi Fred

Many thanks for the re phrasing.

Basically if someone was rushing to hospital and I was blocking them out, I would expect them to flash their lights and sound their horn.

That would be enough to make me move over.

Regards

Mick

If the troll isn't fed maybe he will migrate back to the pfm forum.

Svetty

Assuming you are talking about Mick? he isn't trolling he is just being himself and although many feel that he can be an absolute twat he livens things up on here and I am happy for him to be around.

I'd rather have Mick than some of the twats on other forums, or fora before some pedant corrects me!

Cheers

Jim

There must be a load of drivers with some medical emergency then...

quote:

Originally posted by Mick Parry:
Hi Fred

Many thanks for the re phrasing.

Basically if someone was rushing to hospital and I was blocking them out, I would expect them to flash their lights and sound their horn.

That would be enough to make me move over.

Regards

Mick

Hi Mick,

That's good to hear. Please keep in mind these situations can occure and aren't obvious all the time (ie with a couple of cars between you and the needed one).

As for the others waiting behind you, please realise some (frustated being held up) really drive like mad once the route with the 'obstacle' has been separated. This can increase the irritation to other road users.

While I don't agree with your driving style, I respect them (it's none off my business telling you what to do). Please realise that sometimes the impact/consequences are wider then seen in the first place.

Happy driving, Fred

Fred

Your posting is the most sensible and constructive one here.

Regards

Mick

quote:

I stick religiously to speed limits and will position myself in the road so as no one else can overtake me. In other words I force others to comply with the speed limits.

I forgot to mention I don't agree with this bit. It seems dangerous and irresponsible and I would have thought Mick would have enough sense just to let the idiots past. This is just going to result in some of them taking even more risks trying to overtake.

Please reconsider Mick. The small satisfaction you get from this isn't worth the risk to yourself and other road users.

dont you tell pc parry how to do his job.

FWIW today in 1934 driving tests were introduced.
Was it a success?

i duno, you still got people in the fast lane only doing 70.