It's amazing more bikers aren't killed
Discussion
For the last few months I've been driving to London more frequently than I'd like. To say that bikers (that's cyclists and motorcyclists) are like Kamikazee pilots is an understatement.
They almost appear to want to get run over and several of them leave their guide dogs at home.
The other day, an ambulance came screaming from the other way, so whilst my traffic lights were on green, I stopped so that the ambulance could swerve around the junction nice and easy. He started to, but Mr Cyclist behind me decided that as I had stopped clearly he should just go round me - straight into the path of the ambulance. I mean, it must have been hard to spot with it's camoflage paint and no lights on nor noises...........
They almost appear to want to get run over and several of them leave their guide dogs at home.
The other day, an ambulance came screaming from the other way, so whilst my traffic lights were on green, I stopped so that the ambulance could swerve around the junction nice and easy. He started to, but Mr Cyclist behind me decided that as I had stopped clearly he should just go round me - straight into the path of the ambulance. I mean, it must have been hard to spot with it's camoflage paint and no lights on nor noises...........
I find bikers (motorcyclists I'm on about 
) to be one extreme or the other; either incredibly considerate, or total t
ts. One very nearly ended up with "Escort" stamped on his forehead the other day when on a dual carriageway, heavy traffic doing about 20 mph, checked my mirrors to change lanes, saw the biker in the middle about 15 cars back (headlight on, very odd yellow colour), signaled, started to move and lucky enough glanced in the mirror again as I moved, only to see the biker suddenly a HELL of a lot closer. Screamed past me, not a great judge of speed but couldn't have been doing less than 50mph to close that much gap in the space of time he did. Technically I suppose it would've been my fault, but the speed he was doing was ridiculous given the conditions.
Cyclists on the other hand do aggravate me; unusually high proportion of 'militant cyclists' around here. It does surprise me with both forms of bikers when they act stupidly/dangerously; by far the most vulnerable people on the road so I sure as hell would be being as careful as I could.
) to be one extreme or the other; either incredibly considerate, or total tts. One very nearly ended up with "Escort" stamped on his forehead the other day when on a dual carriageway, heavy traffic doing about 20 mph, checked my mirrors to change lanes, saw the biker in the middle about 15 cars back (headlight on, very odd yellow colour), signaled, started to move and lucky enough glanced in the mirror again as I moved, only to see the biker suddenly a HELL of a lot closer. Screamed past me, not a great judge of speed but couldn't have been doing less than 50mph to close that much gap in the space of time he did. Technically I suppose it would've been my fault, but the speed he was doing was ridiculous given the conditions.Cyclists on the other hand do aggravate me; unusually high proportion of 'militant cyclists' around here. It does surprise me with both forms of bikers when they act stupidly/dangerously; by far the most vulnerable people on the road so I sure as hell would be being as careful as I could.
vit4 said:
only to see the biker suddenly a HELL of a lot closer. Screamed past me, not a great judge of speed but couldn't have been doing less than 50mph to close that much gap in the space of time he did. Technically I suppose it would've been my fault, but the speed he was doing was ridiculous given the conditions.
Cyclists on the other hand do aggravate me; unusually high proportion of 'militant cyclists' around here. It does surprise me with both forms of bikers when they act stupidly/dangerously; by far the most vulnerable people on the road so I sure as hell would be being as careful as I could.
The first rule of pulling out to overtake is to be sure it's safe. If you see a bike coming you should be looking long enough to judge it's speed not just assume because you think it's unsafe to do that speed the bike won't be doing it. Bikes accelerate and brake far quicker than cars, a handful of throttle can see you doing stupid speeds and people will get carried away whether you or I think it's safe to do so. I've ridden bikes for years (although I don't ride now) and was a constant witness to car drivers only paying 50% the attention they should be to their surroundings. Cyclists on the other hand do aggravate me; unusually high proportion of 'militant cyclists' around here. It does surprise me with both forms of bikers when they act stupidly/dangerously; by far the most vulnerable people on the road so I sure as hell would be being as careful as I could.
You will never win the car vs bike argument because for every bike you see doing something stupid you see ten car drivers doing something even more stupid! Obviously there are more cars than bikes on the road so it's all relative. It's an old cliche but just expect everyone to be stupid and you won't go far wrong!
Edited by 6potdave on Wednesday 27th July 21:54
6potdave said:
If you see a bike coming you should be looking long enough to judge it's speed not just assume because you think it's unsafe to do that speed the bike won't be doing it.
Most have a bright headlight directed straight at my door mirror. Makes it almost impossible to judge their speed.
alock said:
6potdave said:
If you see a bike coming you should be looking long enough to judge it's speed not just assume because you think it's unsafe to do that speed the bike won't be doing it.
Most have a bright headlight directed straight at my door mirror. Makes it almost impossible to judge their speed.Jasandjules said:
Mr Cyclist behind me decided that as I had stopped clearly he should just go round me - straight into the path of the ambulance. I mean, it must have been hard to spot with it's camoflage paint and no lights on nor noises...........
Was he wearing some obscure hip clothes and riding a brakeless fixie perhaps? If yes, you need to realise they OWN LONDON, so you better recognise. And yes, ambulances are mainstream, no hipster would ever consider giving one way.Pothole said:
@OP; no it's not. Just because you, as a non-biker, don't think you'd be able to judge things that finely doesn't mean we can't. Just play your normal game and we'll take care of ourselves.
The thing is, I've nearly nailed a couple recently - not just the ambulance dodger in the OP. I was signalling left, there is a left hand lane at the lights, and they are on green, so I start to go through - Mr Cyclist undertakes me - had I not saw a glimpse of something on my near side I'd have just ploughed through him.On Monday, I had two cyclists on my nearside, which isn't a major problem BUT then a motorcyclist also went past on the inside, and they had a minor collision. Cue lots of swearing from one cyclist at motorcyclist who simply gave a hand signal (no prizes for guessing what!) and roared off..
EAT - Was meant to say that I think my standard of driving/observation is higher than many drivers on the roads who don't tend to see my big black passat estate.............. So that's also why I am amazed there are not more bikers hurt..
Edited by Jasandjules on Thursday 28th July 14:36
Since I've got a motorbike I notice a lot of the mistakes car drivers make, it's made me a lot more aware when I'm driving in the car now. I check blindspots a lot more and am generally less 'lazy' now when driving.
The most common mistakes I notice, people pulling out of junctions without really looking and people changing lanes without properly checking as well.
The most common mistakes I notice, people pulling out of junctions without really looking and people changing lanes without properly checking as well.
vit4 said:
I find bikers (motorcyclists I'm on about ) to be one extreme or the other; either incredibly considerate, or total tts. One very nearly ended up with "Escort" stamped on his forehead the other day when on a dual carriageway, heavy traffic doing about 20 mph, checked my mirrors to change lanes, saw the biker in the middle about 15 cars back (headlight on, very odd yellow colour), signaled, started to move and lucky enough glanced in the mirror again as I moved, only to see the biker suddenly a HELL of a lot closer. Screamed past me, not a great judge of speed but couldn't have been doing less than 50mph to close that much gap in the space of time he did. Technically I suppose it would've been my fault, but the speed he was doing was ridiculous given the conditions.
Cyclists on the other hand do aggravate me; unusually high proportion of 'militant cyclists' around here. It does surprise me with both forms of bikers when they act stupidly/dangerously; by far the most vulnerable people on the road so I sure as hell would be being as careful as I could.
You fail. If you see a vehicle approaching in your mirror you still make a manoeuvre? What malfunction in your head makes you think that is correct?) to be one extreme or the other; either incredibly considerate, or total tts. One very nearly ended up with "Escort" stamped on his forehead the other day when on a dual carriageway, heavy traffic doing about 20 mph, checked my mirrors to change lanes, saw the biker in the middle about 15 cars back (headlight on, very odd yellow colour), signaled, started to move and lucky enough glanced in the mirror again as I moved, only to see the biker suddenly a HELL of a lot closer. Screamed past me, not a great judge of speed but couldn't have been doing less than 50mph to close that much gap in the space of time he did. Technically I suppose it would've been my fault, but the speed he was doing was ridiculous given the conditions.Cyclists on the other hand do aggravate me; unusually high proportion of 'militant cyclists' around here. It does surprise me with both forms of bikers when they act stupidly/dangerously; by far the most vulnerable people on the road so I sure as hell would be being as careful as I could.
As for cyclists: if you can't negotiate past a cyclist carefully, you should examine your driving style.
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