road positioning
Discussion
this will be news to a lot of riders and drivers:
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/skills...
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/knowledge/skills...
t that will get said in GG.Ye. The GG one was never going to get anything other than the normal circle jerk of people with an obsession about red lights (which is apparently far worse than a close pass, not that I do either) and self hating Lycra fetishists.
I used to argue with those dumb idiots thinking that these views had to be called out, but decided it's not worth it.
On the video it is all stuff I naturally do having ridden a motorbike for many years. It's a shame so many drivers have no respect for cyclists. I went out for a 10 mile ride at the weekend and had 3 dangerously close passes. What really annoys me is they complain about being held up, but I held non of them up, and in 200ish miles of driveing all over the Cotswolds over the bank holiday weekend (lost of jobs to do) I was held up for less than 60 seconds by cyclists. I spent 40 mins behind cars and caravans doing under 40 in NSL roads where 60 was perfectly safe.
I used to argue with those dumb idiots thinking that these views had to be called out, but decided it's not worth it.
On the video it is all stuff I naturally do having ridden a motorbike for many years. It's a shame so many drivers have no respect for cyclists. I went out for a 10 mile ride at the weekend and had 3 dangerously close passes. What really annoys me is they complain about being held up, but I held non of them up, and in 200ish miles of driveing all over the Cotswolds over the bank holiday weekend (lost of jobs to do) I was held up for less than 60 seconds by cyclists. I spent 40 mins behind cars and caravans doing under 40 in NSL roads where 60 was perfectly safe.
Edited by SteveSteveson on Tuesday 18th April 21:08
The obsession with red lights may be irritating, but it is the one thing that makes cyclists unpopular with pedestrians. Of course a pedestrian is more likely to be killed or injured by a motor vehicle, but they see and experience far more near misses(subjectively, which is the point) with bikes at junctions than with cars (at least in places like central London with lots of cyclists).
I have given up arguing with work colleagues about relative risks, or about the fact that the oncoming bike is less frightening than a car so the pedestrian is more likely to walk out in front of it which is the cause of lots of the near misses.
There are ejits on all forms of transport and on foot.
I have given up arguing with work colleagues about relative risks, or about the fact that the oncoming bike is less frightening than a car so the pedestrian is more likely to walk out in front of it which is the cause of lots of the near misses.
There are ejits on all forms of transport and on foot.
Is it just me or is it strange for a British cycling informational video to show a number of "models" not wearing helmets??
Largely agree on the road position and also ride a motorbike do understand about taking control of lane etc.... Must say only time I ride 2 abreast though is an early morning weekend ride on very quiet roads...sadly think it's like red rag to a bull for a lot of cars leading to dangerous overtakes...
Largely agree on the road position and also ride a motorbike do understand about taking control of lane etc.... Must say only time I ride 2 abreast though is an early morning weekend ride on very quiet roads...sadly think it's like red rag to a bull for a lot of cars leading to dangerous overtakes...
mac96 said:
Of course a pedestrian is more likely to be killed or injured by a motor vehicle, but they see and experience far more near misses(subjectively, which is the point) with bikes at junctions than with cars (at least in places like central London with lots of cyclists).
I bet your average cyclist experiences far more close pass near misses than any pedestrian does with red lights. I know I do. I probably get more close passes in a week than I have ever had near misses with cyclists and red lights, and I work in Oxford.To be honest I don't think the near miss has anything to do with it, it's just an excuse to bash a group some people have decided they hate. They would find something.
I'm feeling a bit put upon as a cyclist at the moment thanks to the bad experience over the weekend.
chris_c201 said:
Largely agree on the road position and also ride a motorbike do understand about taking control of lane etc....
I do think riding a motorbike gives you a lot more confidence cycling. I don't know if it is down to having more road awareness thanks to doing lifesavers on autopilot (I do them in the car too) or having had a "safe" environment to practice taking a lane and filtering with confidence on a motorbike the translating that back to slower speeds without the power.Edited by SteveSteveson on Tuesday 18th April 22:58
chris_c201 said:
Is it just me or is it strange for a British cycling informational video to show a number of "models" not wearing helmets??
...
No. It's their policy I believe. To try to make cycling look and feel like an activity that "normal" people can do on "normal" bikes, in "normal" clothes. They use a cross-section of cyclist 'types' to try to illustrate that it does, indeed, take all sorts. Trying to move away from the "Lycra Warrior" demographic because they are the ones that are already cycling converts. To make 'utility' cycling more popular as practical mass transport, they want to broaden the appeal, and for many potential cyclists the appeal is reduced by a perception that it's necessary to buy specialist clothing and equipment (ie: lycra & helmets) to ride a bike....
Now I'm a 'Lycra Clad' confirmed cyclist who tends to wear a helmet virtually all the time I'm riding. But that's mainly because I have all the gear (whether or not I have any idea is another question) anyway. My son commutes a couple of miles to work in his work clothes and shoes. My wife used to ride to work in jeans and a jacket. Neither wears/wore a helmet. I'd wear "normal" clothes to go to the shop on my bike, but I don't half feel silly with my SPD shoes on with jeans and a t-shirt! All my bikes have clip-in pedals fitted, you see.
I think the content of that video is pretty good. Sadly, it's of no real use tucked away on the BC website, or Youtube. Something like that needs airing regularly on the telly, as a public information film, to reach those that need to understand it's content better. And that group is non-cycling drivers. Maybe if they understood the theory of why cyclists "ride wide" at junctions etc, then they'd be less frothy-mouthed at us as a group?
yellowjack said:
I think the content of that video is pretty good. Sadly, it's of no real use tucked away on the BC website, or Youtube. Something like that needs airing regularly on the telly, as a public information film, to reach those that need to understand it's content better. And that group is non-cycling drivers. Maybe if they understood the theory of why cyclists "ride wide" at junctions etc, then they'd be less frothy-mouthed at us as a group?
Funny, I'd be wondering this for awhile. I thought it might be worth a kickstarter or similar campaign to make it happen. As far as I can tell there are only 2 ways forward, the first is this type of thing, the second is extreme intimidation.However, I resorted to thinking I'm probably just sour because I was wiped out by a car. I also don't want to be associated to the group of 5mph gopro wearing Nazi's.
British Cycling's aim is to become the number one sporting activity in the UK by 2020 I believe.
I do think that having awareness of, and being respectful to, cyclists should be part of your driving test.
But I think the job of educating drivers is partly the responsibility of the government and videos like the one above should be like the old 'Charlie Says' Public Information Films of the 70s. They may not need to be on TV exclusively - it depends where the majority of problem drivers currently get their entertainment from.
I still remember the rhyme for safe driving distances - 'Only a fool breaks the two-second rule' - and use it on every journey. And that's only because it was drummed into me through repeated viewing.
I do think that having awareness of, and being respectful to, cyclists should be part of your driving test.
But I think the job of educating drivers is partly the responsibility of the government and videos like the one above should be like the old 'Charlie Says' Public Information Films of the 70s. They may not need to be on TV exclusively - it depends where the majority of problem drivers currently get their entertainment from.
I still remember the rhyme for safe driving distances - 'Only a fool breaks the two-second rule' - and use it on every journey. And that's only because it was drummed into me through repeated viewing.
yellowjack said:
chris_c201 said:
Is it just me or is it strange for a British cycling informational video to show a number of "models" not wearing helmets??
...
No. It's their policy I believe. To try to make cycling look and feel like an activity that "normal" people can do on "normal" bikes, in "normal" clothes. They use a cross-section of cyclist 'types' to try to illustrate that it does, indeed, take all sorts. Trying to move away from the "Lycra Warrior" demographic because they are the ones that are already cycling converts. To make 'utility' cycling more popular as practical mass transport, they want to broaden the appeal, and for many potential cyclists the appeal is reduced by a perception that it's necessary to buy specialist clothing and equipment (ie: lycra & helmets) to ride a bike....
As an aside, many studies show drives are less careful when driving near to roadies in Lycra than someone in normal clothes. It's about identifying with the person in normal clothes and giving them more consideration. The Lycra riders get less consideration as they aren't in the drivers group and are possibly even dehumanised by the driver. These threads often show this with the typical tribal anti cycling comments focused on the Lycra. The Lycra also shows the rider is out enjoying an activity. perhaps in nice weather, which possibly also pisses of drivers and white van man as they are at work which may involve soul less commuting.
SteveSteveson said:
Ye. The GG one was never going to get anything other than the normal circle jerk of people with an obsession about red lights (which is apparently far worse than a close pass, not that I do either) and self hating Lycra fetishists.
I used to argue with those dumb idiots thinking that these views had to be called out, but decided it's not worth it.
On the video it is all stuff I naturally do having ridden a motorbike for many years. It's a shame so many drivers have no respect for cyclists. I went out for a 10 mile ride at the weekend and had 3 dangerously close passes. What really annoys me is they complain about being held up, but I held non of them up, and in 200ish miles of driveing all over the Cotswolds over the bank holiday weekend (lost of jobs to do) I was held up for less than 60 seconds by cyclists. I spent 40 mins behind cars and caravans doing under 40 in NSL roads where 60 was perfectly safe.
Noob question.I used to argue with those dumb idiots thinking that these views had to be called out, but decided it's not worth it.
On the video it is all stuff I naturally do having ridden a motorbike for many years. It's a shame so many drivers have no respect for cyclists. I went out for a 10 mile ride at the weekend and had 3 dangerously close passes. What really annoys me is they complain about being held up, but I held non of them up, and in 200ish miles of driveing all over the Cotswolds over the bank holiday weekend (lost of jobs to do) I was held up for less than 60 seconds by cyclists. I spent 40 mins behind cars and caravans doing under 40 in NSL roads where 60 was perfectly safe.
Edited by SteveSteveson on Tuesday 18th April 21:08
Whats GG?
I see pedestrians walk out constantly, usually on their phones.
Grant20V said:
Noob question.
Whats GG?
General Gassing, where all bicycle riding people are classed as uninsured, red-light jumping untaxed scum.Whats GG?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&...
SteveSteveson said:
mac96 said:
Of course a pedestrian is more likely to be killed or injured by a motor vehicle, but they see and experience far more near misses(subjectively, which is the point) with bikes at junctions than with cars (at least in places like central London with lots of cyclists).
I bet your average cyclist experiences far more close pass near misses than any pedestrian does with red lights. I know I do. I probably get more close passes in a week than I have ever had near misses with cyclists and red lights, and I work in Oxford.To be honest I don't think the near miss has anything to do with it, it's just an excuse to bash a group some people have decided they hate. They would find something.
I'm feeling a bit put upon as a cyclist at the moment thanks to the bad experience over the weekend.
Edited by SteveSteveson on Tuesday 18th April 22:58
I suppose it all depends on where you cycle and how fast the vehicles are going; when I used to cycle commute in central London i found I was having constant near misses with pedestrians who weren't looking where they were going (not at junctions- just anywhere) and they probably went away thinking 'idiot cyclist'.
Most of the cars were either going slowly or the roads were wide enough to avoid conflict, on my chose route at least!
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff