I went for a cycle ride on Friday afternoon.
in [UK Drivers]
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From: Doug on 20 Jun 2010 08:19 On 20 June, 07:44, "mileburner" <milebur...(a)btinternet.com> wrote: > "Doug" <jag...(a)riseup.net> wrote in message > > news:c5b78c0c-5f27-4f5c-92f8-224d43df8cb1(a)e5g2000yqn.googlegroups.com... > > > > > What I am talking about here is a longish road with no side turnings, > > until the one on the right I wanted to enter. Clearly, in this mass of > > fast moving traffic I could not have sustained the primary position > > for a lengthy period without being hooted at and possibly being > > deliberately rammed, accidentally on purpose of course. So I had to > > remain in the gutter, where cyclists are expected to stay, such is > > their widely perceived status as road users. > > What road was this Doug? > > I know there are some roads, in some areas, where drivers tend to hoot at > cyclist and I'd like to get some idea what it is about the road which causes > this. > I am talking about a semi-rural area on the outskirts of Greater London. I imagine in the conditions I have described drivers are somewhat fraught. Doug.
From: Doug on 20 Jun 2010 08:25 On 20 June, 11:22, Jim A <j...(a)averyjim.myzen.co.uk> wrote: > On 06/20/2010 07:03 AM, Doug wrote: > > > The usual problem, stuck on the inside with no gap in the long lines > > of fast approaching cars from both directions to use to turn right. > > Not even a chance to occupy the primary position prior to turning > > right without putting my life in danger. > > > What I am talking about here is a longish road with no side turnings, > > until the one on the right I wanted to enter. Clearly, in this mass of > > fast moving traffic I could not have sustained the primary position > > for a lengthy period without being hooted at and possibly being > > deliberately rammed, accidentally on purpose of course. So I had to > > remain in the gutter, where cyclists are expected to stay, such is > > their widely perceived status as road users. > > In that situation I would pull off the road and become a pedestrian for > a bit - taking advantage of whatever crossing is available be it traffic > island, zebra crossing, pelican or whatever. > There were none of those. > > If that isn't an option to you, then I recommend using a mirror - it > makes it much easier to spot a gap in the traffic which allows you to > take primary well before the junction you need. You need to look > purposefully behind and make eye contact with the car behind too though. > I have used a mirror in the past but I didn't have one at the time and I made eye contact over my shoulder on the driver bearing down on me but he didn't give way and I took a chance and he hooted at me. > > Roads often aren't designed to be suitable for us slower cyclists, > unfortunately. > You can say that again! And there are lots and lots of them too. Of course, it doesn't help either if drivers ignore the Highway Code. "212 When passing motorcyclists and cyclists, give them plenty of room (see Rules 162-167). If they look over their shoulder it could mean that they intend to pull out, turn right or change direction. Give them time and space to do so." Yeah sure! Doug.
From: Tony Dragon on 20 Jun 2010 09:10 Doug wrote: > On 20 June, 07:44, "mileburner" <milebur...(a)btinternet.com> wrote: >> "Doug" <jag...(a)riseup.net> wrote in message >> >> news:c5b78c0c-5f27-4f5c-92f8-224d43df8cb1(a)e5g2000yqn.googlegroups.com... >> >> >> >>> What I am talking about here is a longish road with no side turnings, >>> until the one on the right I wanted to enter. Clearly, in this mass of >>> fast moving traffic I could not have sustained the primary position >>> for a lengthy period without being hooted at and possibly being >>> deliberately rammed, accidentally on purpose of course. So I had to >>> remain in the gutter, where cyclists are expected to stay, such is >>> their widely perceived status as road users. >> What road was this Doug? >> >> I know there are some roads, in some areas, where drivers tend to hoot at >> cyclist and I'd like to get some idea what it is about the road which causes >> this. >> > I am talking about a semi-rural area on the outskirts of Greater > London. I imagine in the conditions I have described drivers are > somewhat fraught. > > Doug. Why would that be? -- Tony Dragon
From: Tony Dragon on 20 Jun 2010 09:12 Doug wrote: > On 20 June, 11:22, Jim A <j...(a)averyjim.myzen.co.uk> wrote: >> On 06/20/2010 07:03 AM, Doug wrote: >> >>> The usual problem, stuck on the inside with no gap in the long lines >>> of fast approaching cars from both directions to use to turn right. >>> Not even a chance to occupy the primary position prior to turning >>> right without putting my life in danger. >>> What I am talking about here is a longish road with no side turnings, >>> until the one on the right I wanted to enter. Clearly, in this mass of >>> fast moving traffic I could not have sustained the primary position >>> for a lengthy period without being hooted at and possibly being >>> deliberately rammed, accidentally on purpose of course. So I had to >>> remain in the gutter, where cyclists are expected to stay, such is >>> their widely perceived status as road users. >> In that situation I would pull off the road and become a pedestrian for >> a bit - taking advantage of whatever crossing is available be it traffic >> island, zebra crossing, pelican or whatever. >> > There were none of those. >> If that isn't an option to you, then I recommend using a mirror - it >> makes it much easier to spot a gap in the traffic which allows you to >> take primary well before the junction you need. You need to look >> purposefully behind and make eye contact with the car behind too though. >> > I have used a mirror in the past but I didn't have one at the time and > I made eye contact over my shoulder on the driver bearing down on me > but he didn't give way and I took a chance and he hooted at me. >> Roads often aren't designed to be suitable for us slower cyclists, >> unfortunately. >> > You can say that again! And there are lots and lots of them too. Of > course, it doesn't help either if drivers ignore the Highway Code. > > "212 > > When passing motorcyclists and cyclists, give them plenty of room (see > Rules 162-167). If they look over their shoulder it could mean that > they intend to pull out, turn right or change direction. Give them > time and space to do so." > > Yeah sure! > > Doug. > Try giving signals, it works when I see them. -- Tony Dragon
From: mileburner on 20 Jun 2010 12:54
"Derek Geldard" <dgg(a)miniac.demon.co.uk> wrote in message news:l5tr16libp7n4uu0mresj603atgghf7ad4(a)4ax.com... > > If they pay for the road they can have it how they like. Sorry, but the road is not yours to take bids for :-) |