Life as a cycle commuter

[numtumfutunch]

Todays commute

Im passed by an HGV approaching a traffic light controlled junction with a cycle path opening out onto an advance stop zone
He moves past me very, very near the junction and as Im slowing to meet the red light moves to fully occupy the ASZ leaving me in no mans land

He isnt indicating but even so I tap his passenger door as I pass and pull in front of him (well out of the ASZ and in front of the traffic lights) and give him a cheery wave to let him know Im there

In return I get the finger and he calls me a wker
He is still not indicating

As the lights turn green I move off smartly and look back to see him execute a left turn again without indicating
I calmly congratulate myself on my conduct and wonder what would have happened if Id have stopped for the light at his passenger door

Last week it was some daft bh pulling out from a side road in front of me as I slammed on the brakes mouthing the word "sorry"

The week before the captain of the local golf club cut across me in his Volvo

None of these events elicited much anger
I expect to be treated like scum and after over 30y of cycling and cycle commuting Im still here

Does it have to be like this?

[Centurion07]

No excuse for the lorry wker but this might explain the other two:

http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/raf-pilot-teach-cyc...

[Hoofy]

Depends. Were you like the 80% of cyclists I barely saw this evening as they didn't bother with lights or reflective gear? tts.

[numtumfutunch]

Hoofy said:

Depends. Were you like the 80% of cyclists I barely saw this evening as they didn't bother with lights or reflective gear? tts.

I commuted in at 8AM
It was broad daylight
AFAIK I dont need lights or reflectives in these conditions
Perhaps Im wrong?

[Hoofy]

numtumfutunch said:

Hoofy said:

Depends. Were you like the 80% of cyclists I barely saw this evening as they didn't bother with lights or reflective gear? tts.

I commuted in at 8AM
It was broad daylight
AFAIK I dont need lights or reflectives in these conditions
Perhaps Im wrong?

I'd still want a massive neon sign hovering over me reading, "OI, I'M HERE!"

But the lorry driver is a tt. The other one needs to pay more attention. I normally look the oncoming cyclist in the eyes so they know I've seen them.

[AyBee]

Count yourself lucky...unfortunately not everyone has the same sense as you in these situations. RIP

[nagsheadwarrior]

If a cyclist tapped my door then waved id assume either he knew me or he was being a militant.
Wrongly i wouldnt realise he was just making me aware of his presence to avoid being squished.
Im a cycle commuter too but never had any trouble yet,knock on wood!

[MoelyCrio]

AyBee said:

Count yourself lucky...unfortunately not everyone has the same sense as you in these situations. RIP

Quelle suprise - a tipper truck.

Crossrail + some st road awareness (it has to be said) = too many deaths in London.

[danjama]

AyBee said:

Count yourself lucky...unfortunately not everyone has the same sense as you in these situations. RIP

So soon after the young girl

[danjama]

AyBee said:

Count yourself lucky...unfortunately not everyone has the same sense as you in these situations. RIP

So soon after the young girl

[carreauchompeur]

My main hazard this evening was fking pissed pedestrians... At least 4 trying to sacrifice themselves under my wheels dealt with by a mixture of avoidance and shoulder barging!

[5STM5]

numtumfutunch said:

Todays commute
I was cycling in a busy area

I quoted on an earlier thread, and will ask the same question here. What is it about cycling that makes you want to risk your life, as you are at the mercy of other vehicles?
You have no protection other than skin and maybe a cycle helmet.
The other poster responded saying "Because life is short and cycling is a fun thing to fill it with".
I don't understand why someone would want to cycle in a built up area that has so many risks, maybe you can explain it better than the OP.

[eldar]

carreauchompeur said:

My main hazard this evening was fking pissed pedestrians... At least 4 trying to sacrifice themselves under my wheels dealt with by a mixture of avoidance and shoulder barging!

Aye, its a bugger riding on the pavement

[LeftmostAardvark]

5STM5 said:

I quoted on an earlier thread, and will ask the same question here. What is it about cycling that makes you want to risk your life, as you are at the mercy of other vehicles?
You have no protection other than skin and maybe a cycle helmet.
The other poster responded saying "Because life is short and cycling is a fun thing to fill it with".
I don't understand why someone would want to cycle in a built up area that has so many risks, maybe you can explain it better than the OP.

Without wishing to speak for the OP: it is free, it is quicker than walking, it saves the hell that is the underground / public transport at rush hour, it aids fitness (hence saving time by not having to work out in the evening and getting more family time) and it provides a reasonable assurance that the journey won't be delayed - more so than car / public transport / other anyway.

[UrbanSports]

IMO cyclists just get in the way, they use the roads for free and are a general pest especially at busy times.

[AyBee]

5STM5 said:

I quoted on an earlier thread, and will ask the same question here. What is it about cycling that makes you want to risk your life, as you are at the mercy of other vehicles?
You have no protection other than skin and maybe a cycle helmet.
The other poster responded saying "Because life is short and cycling is a fun thing to fill it with".
I don't understand why someone would want to cycle in a built up area that has so many risks, maybe you can explain it better than the OP.

The choice is this:
- Cramped, boiling hot tube train for 30 minutes sweating my arse off; or
- Something I love doing, keeping fit and fresh air (just about) for 20 minutes.

It's an easy one for me. You keep your wits about you, position yourself where you can be seen, avoid the idiots and make every effort to pre-empt what people are going to do (easier than you'd think). I actually enjoy it. I've been knocked off once in 2 years (into the side of a car that cut across me), few cuts and bruises but fine. Would I give up one minor accident in 2 years for the tube, daily?! Not a chance! When you see the behaviour of some cyclists, you understand how accidents happen. Had a guy this morning overtaking me and trying to squeeze down a decreasing space on the inside of a coach, I was hanging back because I could see what the coach was doing - I have no idea what he was thinking...

[danjama]

UrbanSports said:

IMO cyclists just get in the way, they use the roads for free and are a general pest especially at busy times.

fking insensitive comment dont you think?

In relation to the above link, police were actually fining cyclists for going through that junction incorrectly a few days earlier, even though it's the safer way.

I wilk be a lot more careful on my commute this week.

Edited by danjama on Tuesday 16th July 07:29

[GC8]

numtumfutunch said:

I commuted in at 8AM
It was broad daylight
AFAIK I dont need lights or reflectives in these conditions
Perhaps Im wrong?

I think that you always need a high visibility tabbard, to give yourself a fighting chance.

Im not sure what to say about the HGV driver. I will happily defend the majority against the cycle and HGV hating self-important car driving eejits here, but that is indefensible and you should report the fool to the Traffic Commissioner (who can summarily disqualify him!).

[sparks_E39]

UrbanSports said:

IMO cyclists just get in the way, they use the roads for free and are a general pest especially at busy times.

Harsh. They have every right to use the roads if they do so in a safe and considerate manner. My main problem is cyclists without lights or reflective clothing at night, just a plain stupid thing to do. Can't say a cyclist has ever really got in my way to a point where I found it annoying before.

[nickfrog]

UrbanSports said:

IMO cyclists just get in the way, they use the roads for free and are a general pest especially at busy times.

I wouldn't mind your opinion but when it's based on totally wrong facts, it makes you look quite stupid :

1 - Cyclist don't use the road for free, no more than you do. They often pay one or more VED as they often also are motorists (incredibly enough). There is no road tax in this country anyway http://ipayroadtax.com/. If anything they limit road wear by taking their bikes and not their cars.

2 - "General pest". No they're not. A visible minority are idiots. Like a visible minority of drivers are idiots. Like a visible minority of PHers are.

3 - "Especially at busy times". If they didn't choose to ride their bike they'd probably drive their car, making roads even busier.

Edited by nickfrog on Tuesday 16th July 02:18