Feeling sorry for considerate car driver
Discussion
I was cycling home yesterday afternoon doing about 30 kph when I was overtaken by a woman in a nice Jag, she had given me plenty of room, however what she had not noticed was the raised central island in the middle of the road. She was about 2 metres past me when she hit the curb of the central island an blew out both her drivers side tyres (and I expect destroyed the wheels as well) and promptly came to a stop a few yards in front of me. I have to say that I just kept on going past her as it was only a few seconds later that I realized what she must have done.
I feel very sorry for her and I am sure she will think it was my fault but ther was not much I could do. I hope she does not take it out on the next cyclist she has to pass.
I feel very sorry for her and I am sure she will think it was my fault but ther was not much I could do. I hope she does not take it out on the next cyclist she has to pass.
happened to me also, out on bike, van wants to get past , does and over take hits one of those stupid middle roads islands, blows tyres.
the issue is these road islands are daft esp for the Police and ambulance who now cannot drive down any road in the middle, crazy installations paid for with TAX money !.
the issue is these road islands are daft esp for the Police and ambulance who now cannot drive down any road in the middle, crazy installations paid for with TAX money !.
swerni said:
G0ldfysh said:
Dammit said:
The road island should be licenced, insured, wearing mandatory hi-viz and a helmet- it was practically asking for the woman to hit it if it was not helping itself.
Maybe they should pay road tax...Typical of a lack of planning and forward observation. Some drivers seem to be so utterly fixated on the "need" to pass a cyclist that they fail to even look past said cyclist to what the next hazard might be. Several shocking overtakes on me yesterday had oncoming drivers tooting and flashing their lights at the overtaker. I've not witnessed anyone hitting an island (or worse, another vehicle) yet, but you can bet your bottom dollar that if they did, their first words would likely be "look what you bloody-well made me do!!!!"
I had a (polite, from my side at least) word with a chauffeur in a black Mercedes yesterday in Sunningdale, as he overtook whilst I was signalling and positioning to go right at the traffic light controlled 'T' junction. He was going left as well!!! He left his pass so late that he couldn't get his car back across the white line before he had to stop abruptly (I wonder where that stationary Transit van at the red light suddenly 'appeared' from
)
I looked at him and rolled my eyes/shook my head. He wound his window down. I asked "was that really necessary?" and he seemed to believe it was. I asked if he was aware of the Highway code, and he claimed to have read it. I said he should re-read the bit about overtaking (or more accurately NOT overtaking) on the approach to junctions and hazards. Apparently I'm a "typical cyclist" and an "a
hole". I wonder if the 'client' behind the blacked out rear windows felt the same way?
As for the OP feeling sorry for the 'considerate' car driver? I'm afraid I'd have limited sympathy for them, to be honest. Waiting a few seconds would have prevented the damage, and anyone with a functioning pair of eyes should be able to see a traffic island beyond the cyclist in the road ahead?
I had a (polite, from my side at least) word with a chauffeur in a black Mercedes yesterday in Sunningdale, as he overtook whilst I was signalling and positioning to go right at the traffic light controlled 'T' junction. He was going left as well!!! He left his pass so late that he couldn't get his car back across the white line before he had to stop abruptly (I wonder where that stationary Transit van at the red light suddenly 'appeared' from
) I looked at him and rolled my eyes/shook my head. He wound his window down. I asked "was that really necessary?" and he seemed to believe it was. I asked if he was aware of the Highway code, and he claimed to have read it. I said he should re-read the bit about overtaking (or more accurately NOT overtaking) on the approach to junctions and hazards. Apparently I'm a "typical cyclist" and an "a
hole". I wonder if the 'client' behind the blacked out rear windows felt the same way?The Highway Code said:
162
Before overtaking you should make sure
* the road is sufficiently clear ahead
* road users are not beginning to overtake you
* there is a suitable gap in front of the road user you plan to overtake.
167
DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example
* approaching or at a road junction on either side of the road
* where the road narrows
* when approaching a school crossing patrol
* between the kerb and a bus or tram when it is at a stop
* where traffic is queuing at junctions or road works
* when you would force another road user to swerve or slow down
* at a level crossing
* when a road user is indicating right, even if you believe the signal should have been cancelled. Do not take a risk; wait for the signal to be cancelled
* stay behind if you are following a cyclist approaching a roundabout or junction, and you intend to turn left
So tell me again, Mr 'Professional Driver Chauffeur-Doofus', exactly which version of the highway code is it that you were following? Before overtaking you should make sure
* the road is sufficiently clear ahead
* road users are not beginning to overtake you
* there is a suitable gap in front of the road user you plan to overtake.
167
DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example
* approaching or at a road junction on either side of the road
* where the road narrows
* when approaching a school crossing patrol
* between the kerb and a bus or tram when it is at a stop
* where traffic is queuing at junctions or road works
* when you would force another road user to swerve or slow down
* at a level crossing
* when a road user is indicating right, even if you believe the signal should have been cancelled. Do not take a risk; wait for the signal to be cancelled
* stay behind if you are following a cyclist approaching a roundabout or junction, and you intend to turn left
As for the OP feeling sorry for the 'considerate' car driver? I'm afraid I'd have limited sympathy for them, to be honest. Waiting a few seconds would have prevented the damage, and anyone with a functioning pair of eyes should be able to see a traffic island beyond the cyclist in the road ahead?
happens to me almost weekly on my way home on my bike - all of 2 miles.
left hand bend, no sight line, with a central island about 10 yrds past bend - then another 10yrds on is my right turn; oh and an infant and primary school within another 10 yrds
most car driveres assume it's safe to overtake on the bend...little do they know !
must be xray vision....
left hand bend, no sight line, with a central island about 10 yrds past bend - then another 10yrds on is my right turn; oh and an infant and primary school within another 10 yrds
most car driveres assume it's safe to overtake on the bend...little do they know !
must be xray vision....
red997 said:
happens to me almost weekly on my way home on my bike - all of 2 miles.
left hand bend, no sight line, with a central island about 10 yrds past bend - then another 10yrds on is my right turn; oh and an infant and primary school within another 10 yrds
most car driveres assume it's safe to overtake on the bend...little do they know !
must be xray vision....
I have a similar thing. The road out of my village is about 2 miles, with a few tight, blind bends. Most days some idiot will try and overtake me rather than wait 10 seconds, or less, for me to go round one of them. Every so often they find a car coming the other way. Fortunately so far non of them have hit the car coming the other way, but it's only a matter of time.left hand bend, no sight line, with a central island about 10 yrds past bend - then another 10yrds on is my right turn; oh and an infant and primary school within another 10 yrds
most car driveres assume it's safe to overtake on the bend...little do they know !
must be xray vision....
Last Tuesday someone tried it on the second bend, almost had an accident, then stayed behind me the rest of the two miles despite several safe overtaking points. Clearly realized what they were doing was not safe. Hopefully the lesson will stay with them.
Edited by SteveSteveson on Friday 29th May 14:39
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