More cycling deaths
Discussion
swerni said:
OpulentBob said:
As a pedestrian, I have the right to paint myself black and walk the wrong way along L2 of the A14 at 3am. I don't because it's a f
king stupid thing to do, and there are other routes available to me.
Unfortunately, the lycristae don't see things like that. They see "it's my right" and ignore the rest of the potential issues.
You appear to be repeating this pointless comment.king stupid thing to do, and there are other routes available to me. Unfortunately, the lycristae don't see things like that. They see "it's my right" and ignore the rest of the potential issues.
Change the tune
Saddle bum said:
rohrl said:
One thing is for sure.
Anyone in a thread about cycling who uses the word "lycra" is not going to make any point worth reading.
Exactly. I never bother engaging with the "tintops" who use the L-word.Anyone in a thread about cycling who uses the word "lycra" is not going to make any point worth reading.
By the way, I commuted in to Cambridge, cycling capital of the UK, for 2 years by bike. Using the infrastructure that was put in place, I didn't need to touch the public roads except for the final 25 yards, it was all on cycleways or off-road cycle routes. I never once ran a red light, never nearly hit anyone, never thought "s
t that was close", never once got hooted at or had to take evasive action, although to be fair I wasn't trying to get KOM on Strava every day. Or any day. I knew how to ride safely, with lights, with my eyes, with a high viz jacket and with respect for everyone else. And I can see the error in other people's behaviours, as well as my own, and adjust accordingly. By the way again, I have a convertible, so I'm a ragtop, not a tintop. You know, in the spirit of accuracy.
Edited by OpulentBob on Monday 1st June 13:13
There are A roads I won't cycle on because I wouldn't feel safe. The speeds are too high and drivers just don't know how to overtake safely. If more cyclists used busy A roads drivers would expect cyclists and adjust their driving style. We've see that happen in London where I would say drivers are slowly getting used to the volume of cyclists and have learned how to drive better when around them. The roads are for everyone but of course it is easier to tell one cyclist/walker that they would be mad to cycle/walk on a particular road rather than tell every vehicle driver how to deal with other non-vehicular-bound road users.
OpulentBob said:
Saddle bum said:
rohrl said:
One thing is for sure.
Anyone in a thread about cycling who uses the word "lycra" is not going to make any point worth reading.
Exactly. I never bother engaging with the "tintops" who use the L-word.Anyone in a thread about cycling who uses the word "lycra" is not going to make any point worth reading.
You know perfectly well the "Lycra" is used as a pejorative. It's like the word "gay" being hijacked for another meaning.
turbobloke said:
paranoid airbag said:
NoNeed said:
There is a cycle lane next to the footpath on the opposite side of the road where I live and rather than the road or the cycle path so many cyclist cycle on the footpath.
It is about time there was some sort of compulsory training for cyclists who are found to be in breach of the highway code, in the same way the motorists go on speed awareness courses.
Sounds like you need some training if you think that's against the rules. This is what makes cyclists angry - the complete hypocrisy of being criticised, by someone who doesn't know the rules and certainly doesn't follow the rules they do know (don't bother claiming you're law-abiding in a car - I don't believe you), then being criticised again for following the rules and being killed anyway. Whilst the person who did the killing is given a pass.It is about time there was some sort of compulsory training for cyclists who are found to be in breach of the highway code, in the same way the motorists go on speed awareness courses.
I completely fail to understand why any cyclist would bother with the highway code any more. It clearly gets you the sum total of jack s
t in return.It might take many more years, but fortunately society as a whole, and legislation/policy more specifically, is moving toward protecting more vulnerable road users.
Before those obsessed with the word lycra reply (not that I've ever worn the stuff) - please be very aware that I think cyclists should look out for themselves more. That is plainly important. But what I refute is the suggestion that this is enough. It isn't - life will get harder for motor vehicle users in order to make life safer for cyclists and pedestrians. I think we all just need to get prepared for that.
Article on A40 Golden Valley cyclist death said:
Graeme Lewis, co-owner of Eastgate Cycles in Gloucester, said: “We all have to take precautions for our own lives and I personally wouldn’t cycle on the Golden Valley Bypass. There’s other options to get to Cheltenham and it’s better to spend an extra five minutes on a B road and still be alive.
I used to cycle on that road a couple of years ago as part of a regular route from Bristol to Cheltenham. After a few times I switched onto the B roads past the airport as it just felt too fast a road for me to be cycling on. This is just a case of simple self preservation given the nature of the road which I think most sensible cyclists will adopt. I cycle with the view that so long as I get back home safe, then it's a job well done. I have low expectations of general driver behaviour and do what I can to mitigate any risks, but I fully admit I don't always use cycle lanes just because they are provided.I do always cycle well over to the left on any dual carriageways or fast A roads (to the left of the white line), but it's almost impossible to avoid these roads entirely and sometimes you can end up on one if you are following a new route, get lost or re-route midway through a ride. Seems very harsh to condemn anyone killed or injured as being irresponsible without knowing why they happened to be on the road. Maybe they were because the cycle path was in poor condition or badly maintained (see it all the time, littered with broken glass for example) or maybe it was their fist time on that road and they didn't know it was going to be that fast/dangerous etc.
OpulentBob said:
rohrl said:
One thing is for sure.
Anyone in a thread about cycling who uses the word "lycra" is not going to make any point worth reading.
No? What is the material that all these fat men wear while out playing Lance Armstrong then? Spandex? Polyester? Please let me know and I'll make a more accurate statement. Lycra appears to be the best description of it. Unless it's cotton, in which case, buy a bigger size! Anyone in a thread about cycling who uses the word "lycra" is not going to make any point worth reading.
I would say "lycra" holds more weight than a pro-cyclist (I don't mean professional cyclist, but not an "anti") who calls cars "killing machines", or who calls drivers "cagers", or who suggests that the number of cars that run red lights is in any way comparable to the number of cyclists who do.
I have no issue with whoever wants to use the road in a responsible and safe manner - for ALL concerned (In fact, it's in my professional interest that more do, on all forms of transport). I do have an issue with a group of people who could and should know better, but refuse to acknowledge any responsibility for their actions or the actions of those who share their hobby, to the point that you can have a video of someone running a red light, hitting a bus, and STILL defend them as not being in the wrong. Want to ride as fast as you like with your head down, and f
k everyone else? Go hire a track, or do it where you are going to be the only one who gets hurt. The A14, for example. You won't hit any pedestrians there, or find any red lights to slow you down, and if you're going fast enough to undertake a truck, then fair play to you! What really gets me are the careless overtakes on cyclists.
I drive a B road to work often used by cyclists. Plenty of blind bends but then plenty of stretches it opens up to ensure it's clear. Instead of waiting a mere 10-30 seconds, a lot of drivers just go for the overtake, encroaching the other side of he road, round the bend. All it would take is a person coming the other way and you will either get a head on or the impatient mong bailing into the cyclist.
The 40mph are brigade are the worst. Came up behind one (7 seater thing), sat behind them for a while and see a cyclist up ahead in an area of a couple of blind bends but just approaching the last one before a straight. 40mph mong slams their brakes on when they get to within a few metres of the cyclist as if they didn't see them, approaching the right hand blind bend I think at least they are slowing to the cyclist's pace. Then they just pull out and make the overtake! Couldn't believe it. Just what were they thinking?! Wouldn't have even taken 5 seconds to get round the bend.
It's this impatience that must cause 100s of accidents a year imo.
I drive a B road to work often used by cyclists. Plenty of blind bends but then plenty of stretches it opens up to ensure it's clear. Instead of waiting a mere 10-30 seconds, a lot of drivers just go for the overtake, encroaching the other side of he road, round the bend. All it would take is a person coming the other way and you will either get a head on or the impatient mong bailing into the cyclist.
The 40mph are brigade are the worst. Came up behind one (7 seater thing), sat behind them for a while and see a cyclist up ahead in an area of a couple of blind bends but just approaching the last one before a straight. 40mph mong slams their brakes on when they get to within a few metres of the cyclist as if they didn't see them, approaching the right hand blind bend I think at least they are slowing to the cyclist's pace. Then they just pull out and make the overtake! Couldn't believe it. Just what were they thinking?! Wouldn't have even taken 5 seconds to get round the bend.
It's this impatience that must cause 100s of accidents a year imo.
rohrl said:
OpulentBob said:
rohrl said:
One thing is for sure.
Anyone in a thread about cycling who uses the word "lycra" is not going to make any point worth reading.
No? What is the material that all these fat men wear while out playing Lance Armstrong then? Spandex? Polyester? Please let me know and I'll make a more accurate statement. Lycra appears to be the best description of it. Unless it's cotton, in which case, buy a bigger size! Anyone in a thread about cycling who uses the word "lycra" is not going to make any point worth reading.
I would say "lycra" holds more weight than a pro-cyclist (I don't mean professional cyclist, but not an "anti") who calls cars "killing machines", or who calls drivers "cagers", or who suggests that the number of cars that run red lights is in any way comparable to the number of cyclists who do.
I have no issue with whoever wants to use the road in a responsible and safe manner - for ALL concerned (In fact, it's in my professional interest that more do, on all forms of transport). I do have an issue with a group of people who could and should know better, but refuse to acknowledge any responsibility for their actions or the actions of those who share their hobby, to the point that you can have a video of someone running a red light, hitting a bus, and STILL defend them as not being in the wrong. Want to ride as fast as you like with your head down, and f
k everyone else? Go hire a track, or do it where you are going to be the only one who gets hurt. The A14, for example. You won't hit any pedestrians there, or find any red lights to slow you down, and if you're going fast enough to undertake a truck, then fair play to you! 
Boydie88 said:
What really gets me are the careless overtakes on cyclists.
I drive a B road to work often used by cyclists. Plenty of blind bends but then plenty of stretches it opens up to ensure it's clear. Instead of waiting a mere 10-30 seconds, a lot of drivers just go for the overtake, encroaching the other side of he road, round the bend. All it would take is a person coming the other way and you will either get a head on or the impatient mong bailing into the cyclist.
The 40mph are brigade are the worst. Came up behind one (7 seater thing), sat behind them for a while and see a cyclist up ahead in an area of a couple of blind bends but just approaching the last one before a straight. 40mph mong slams their brakes on when they get to within a few metres of the cyclist as if they didn't see them, approaching the right hand blind bend I think at least they are slowing to the cyclist's pace. Then they just pull out and make the overtake! Couldn't believe it. Just what were they thinking?! Wouldn't have even taken 5 seconds to get round the bend.
It's this impatience that must cause 100s of accidents a year imo.
I drive a B road to work often used by cyclists. Plenty of blind bends but then plenty of stretches it opens up to ensure it's clear. Instead of waiting a mere 10-30 seconds, a lot of drivers just go for the overtake, encroaching the other side of he road, round the bend. All it would take is a person coming the other way and you will either get a head on or the impatient mong bailing into the cyclist.
The 40mph are brigade are the worst. Came up behind one (7 seater thing), sat behind them for a while and see a cyclist up ahead in an area of a couple of blind bends but just approaching the last one before a straight. 40mph mong slams their brakes on when they get to within a few metres of the cyclist as if they didn't see them, approaching the right hand blind bend I think at least they are slowing to the cyclist's pace. Then they just pull out and make the overtake! Couldn't believe it. Just what were they thinking?! Wouldn't have even taken 5 seconds to get round the bend.
It's this impatience that must cause 100s of accidents a year imo.
Stupidity kills, problem is speed is easier to measure so lazy law enforcement has focused on that instead.
NoNeed said:
There is a cycle lane next to the footpath on the opposite side of the road where I live and rather than the road or the cycle path so many cyclist cycle on the footpath.
It is about time there was some sort of compulsory training for cyclists who are found to be in breach of the highway code, in the same way the motorists go on speed awareness courses.
I take it you know how to pass a cyclist correctly...It is about time there was some sort of compulsory training for cyclists who are found to be in breach of the highway code, in the same way the motorists go on speed awareness courses.
Diderot said:
Stevanos said:
vonuber said:
Decent cycling infrastructure requires money. We have to spend this money on other important things like vanity projects and lucrative private sector contracts for previously nationalised industries that will provide a decent second job for a mp.
It's all about priorities.
In West Sussex, the council has provided dedicated cycle lanes just off busy roads, but cyclists choose to use the road instead and I'm not talking about a few, it is most of the lycra wearers. The rest of the cyclists, average day-to-day users are fine with it. It's all about priorities.
kwittery beyond belief, and if anyone gets hurt it's always the nasty lorry driver. Cyclists need to remember it's a public highway not a bloody race track. ps off with your stupid peleton to the velodrome where you belongSaddle bum said:
Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining!
You know perfectly well the "Lycra" is used as a pejorative.
I'd suggest that's because Lycra is a highly perjorative fabric. You know perfectly well the "Lycra" is used as a pejorative.
Any material which allows even a casual observer to make out a relief map of the various veins and individual ridges in the wearer's penis and haemorrhoids deserves to be denounced as such by polite society. Why not wear a pair of cotton shorts over the top?
Andy Zarse said:
Saddle bum said:
Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining!
You know perfectly well the "Lycra" is used as a pejorative.
I'd suggest that's because Lycra is a highly perjorative fabric. You know perfectly well the "Lycra" is used as a pejorative.
Any material which allows even a casual observer to make out a relief map of the various veins and individual ridges in the wearer's penis and haemorrhoids deserves to be denounced as such by polite society. Why not wear a pair of cotton shorts over the top?
Leering at some rider's lunch box is not a habit of the guys I frequent with. If it turns you on, you are on the wrong forum.
jesusbuiltmycar said:
NoNeed said:
There is a cycle lane next to the footpath on the opposite side of the road where I live and rather than the road or the cycle path so many cyclist cycle on the footpath.
It is about time there was some sort of compulsory training for cyclists who are found to be in breach of the highway code, in the same way the motorists go on speed awareness courses.
I take it you know how to pass a cyclist correctly...It is about time there was some sort of compulsory training for cyclists who are found to be in breach of the highway code, in the same way the motorists go on speed awareness courses.
Andy Zarse said:
[ if anyone gets hurt it's always the nasty lorry driver.
That so? I ride/cycle/drive, and try and respect all other road users, and accept that I and they are not perfect beings; all make mistakes and errors in judgement. But the animosity on the many PH cycling threads explains much of the aggression seen on our roads every day. Is the hate really worth it?
SS7
NoNeed said:
Why you asking me that? You should be asking most of the cyclists I pass why they don't know how to be overtaken and their part in making it safe.
I've been cycling for many years and I'm not sure I know 'how to be overtaken' and what my part is in making it safe. Surely if you are the one doing the overtaking, it's entirely your responsibility to make sure it happens safely? Unless you are talking about overtaking riders 2 abreast (which BTW is entirely legal according to the highway code), I'm at a total loss to understand what you mean here...Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff