Giving up cycle commuting after a close pass, a bit dramatic
Discussion
Hi,
After 3 quite close passes on the way too work and malicious one within 10cm accompanied by hand gestures on the way home I'm wondering if life is too short for commuting.
I've been commuting off and on since 97 and have never been so rattled.
Options.
A) drive to work.
B) take a non direct route down less busy roads.
C) carry on as before.
The commute is 3 miles each way through a residential area. The route I take is down some busy ish main roads. I'm lit up like a Christmas tree and wear a bright yellow jacket.
Suggestions welcome
After 3 quite close passes on the way too work and malicious one within 10cm accompanied by hand gestures on the way home I'm wondering if life is too short for commuting.
I've been commuting off and on since 97 and have never been so rattled.
Options.
A) drive to work.
B) take a non direct route down less busy roads.
C) carry on as before.
The commute is 3 miles each way through a residential area. The route I take is down some busy ish main roads. I'm lit up like a Christmas tree and wear a bright yellow jacket.
Suggestions welcome
Tall_martin said:
Hi,
After 3 quite close passes on the way too work and malicious one within 10cm accompanied by hand gestures on the way home I'm wondering if life is too short for commuting.
I've been commuting off and on since 97 and have never been so rattled.
Options.
A) drive to work.
B) take a non direct route down less busy roads.
C) carry on as before.
The commute is 3 miles each way through a residential area. The route I take is down some busy ish main roads. I'm lit up like a Christmas tree and wear a bright yellow jacket.
Suggestions welcome
Option B until you get your confidence back.After 3 quite close passes on the way too work and malicious one within 10cm accompanied by hand gestures on the way home I'm wondering if life is too short for commuting.
I've been commuting off and on since 97 and have never been so rattled.
Options.
A) drive to work.
B) take a non direct route down less busy roads.
C) carry on as before.
The commute is 3 miles each way through a residential area. The route I take is down some busy ish main roads. I'm lit up like a Christmas tree and wear a bright yellow jacket.
Suggestions welcome
Well if you are ok with the increased risks of dying on the roads, keep commuting. But I would imagine your wife/partner and kids (delete as appropriate) would probably thank you.
You've had some warnings. No point in being confident if you are dead. Only you can assess your priorities.
Remember you can still cycle for fun under your own terms rather than an enforced commute.
You've had some warnings. No point in being confident if you are dead. Only you can assess your priorities.
Remember you can still cycle for fun under your own terms rather than an enforced commute.
It’s not much better by car. I’ve been overtaken twice in the last week while waiting to turn right ( yes wtf!!!!) both times by impatient drivers.
My commute of 80 miles a41-m25-a12 is easier than back roads. Crazy driving standards. I drive to the speed limit all the time apart from on the track but every one is desperate to get there faster. I was overtaken past a specs camera this evening - what was she thinking.
Back on topic - use back roads. I use the turbo trainer much more than roads these days
My commute of 80 miles a41-m25-a12 is easier than back roads. Crazy driving standards. I drive to the speed limit all the time apart from on the track but every one is desperate to get there faster. I was overtaken past a specs camera this evening - what was she thinking.
Back on topic - use back roads. I use the turbo trainer much more than roads these days
I'm in Nottingham.
I commuted round the ring road for 5 years, mostly fine.
I think it's a week of driving this week and option b next week and I'll see how it goes.
I've got a camera already, can't see me putting it on. Chance of catching anyone - low- chance of anything happening - I'd think the police have more pressing problems than close passing cars.
I tried a turbo trainer for fitness a few years ago. Not for me, I would rather ride in traffic in the rain than on the turbo!
I commuted round the ring road for 5 years, mostly fine.
I think it's a week of driving this week and option b next week and I'll see how it goes.
I've got a camera already, can't see me putting it on. Chance of catching anyone - low- chance of anything happening - I'd think the police have more pressing problems than close passing cars.
I tried a turbo trainer for fitness a few years ago. Not for me, I would rather ride in traffic in the rain than on the turbo!
I'm with you, OP. If I had the money for a good turbo set up, I'd spend it on another actual bike. I want to be outside!
My shortest route to work on a road is 7 miles but I go at least 10 to avoid the shortest route which is on a narrow country A road which is signposted as an accident black spot stretch. Plus if I am getting all the gear on and getting the kit ready, I'd rather ride longer anyway.
I think you should go option B and use the camera. You shouldn't have to give up because other people can't drive properly; but the only way of knowing if the camera does anything is to use it and send the footage to the cops. I hate close passing, and shout and wave at cars that do it to me.
My shortest route to work on a road is 7 miles but I go at least 10 to avoid the shortest route which is on a narrow country A road which is signposted as an accident black spot stretch. Plus if I am getting all the gear on and getting the kit ready, I'd rather ride longer anyway.
I think you should go option B and use the camera. You shouldn't have to give up because other people can't drive properly; but the only way of knowing if the camera does anything is to use it and send the footage to the cops. I hate close passing, and shout and wave at cars that do it to me.
I'd have been doing option B from the outset - it's what I already do. I avoid major roads on the commute - at rush hour drivers get more frustrated when speed differential are greater, on the back roads I'm generally travelling at the same speed as the cars if not faster. I actually also avoid all forms of cycling infrastructure as that generally causes more issues than it resolves.
Get back on the bike, it's good for you and your confidence will return. However, I'd steer clear of major roads in the future.
Get back on the bike, it's good for you and your confidence will return. However, I'd steer clear of major roads in the future.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Had a similar experience - rush hour, mini roundabout (on a T junction effectively) I was turning right. Was watching the car in front to make sure it had moved off and cleared rob. Then I looked, was a suitable gap before the next car on the right and went. Cyclist on my right just on the roundabout I didnt see at all. I should have given way. Pillar of the car perhaps? Thankfully did not hit them but close.I cycle regularly as well so was shocked I didnt see them. When driving Im always saying out aloud at junctions BIKE to make my brain think about a bike and hopefully see it. Im careful about overtaking bikes etc.
If you dont expect to see a bike sometimes you will but it does not get recognised as one - your brain blanks it. You are looking for a big square shape ie a car. if you dont see a car then you think its clear. Its got to be taking your time to really look not a glance.
Option B for me.
I have a 3.5 mile commute in the morning but take the 5 mile alternative on the way home. Because of the road layouts etc the morning route is fine, I don't have to cross any traffic but the same route home involves a few more awkward junctions and traffic crossings so I take the easy route along the river which is all cycle paths. Life's too short to be taking unnecessary risks. Cycling everyday makes the chance of an incident a case of when not if.
I have a 3.5 mile commute in the morning but take the 5 mile alternative on the way home. Because of the road layouts etc the morning route is fine, I don't have to cross any traffic but the same route home involves a few more awkward junctions and traffic crossings so I take the easy route along the river which is all cycle paths. Life's too short to be taking unnecessary risks. Cycling everyday makes the chance of an incident a case of when not if.
B
Or perhaps take a break for a while. I had it a few years back. I wanted to kill the van driver concerned, especially wen he just shrugged and laughed. It amped me up for a couple hours at work so I took a few weeks off.
It's a funny time of year as it's still kinda light and kinda dark. My "gut" is that once the clocks change, people will somehow learn to drive in the night properly again.
AS a side note, are your lights flashing ones or static. Slow Flashing is better IMO. Not hyper seizure setting. Try and avoid it pointing at drivers, slightly off by a few degrees they still see it. Are the lights visible from the side?
Or perhaps take a break for a while. I had it a few years back. I wanted to kill the van driver concerned, especially wen he just shrugged and laughed. It amped me up for a couple hours at work so I took a few weeks off.
It's a funny time of year as it's still kinda light and kinda dark. My "gut" is that once the clocks change, people will somehow learn to drive in the night properly again.
AS a side note, are your lights flashing ones or static. Slow Flashing is better IMO. Not hyper seizure setting. Try and avoid it pointing at drivers, slightly off by a few degrees they still see it. Are the lights visible from the side?
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