Giving up cycle commuting after a close pass, a bit dramatic

[Kermit power]

OP, I would suggest you take a look at Bike Hub. It's an app for Android (and probably Apple as well) which works as a Satnav for bikes.

It's very much like google maps in most respects. Whilst it's not as slick, it does have the lovely benefit of being able to choose from various route options, one of which is "quietest".

When I got fed up with riding up the Cycle Superhighway from Colliers' Wood into Central London, I tried Bike Hub instead, and it found me a lovely, quiet route to within about 400 yards of my office in Waterloo. The only part where there is any real car traffic at all is going through Wimbledon, and most of that is usually pretty much at a standstill as I ride past!

[Robertj21a]

I think that anyone who rides a bike these days must be crazy, it's just far too risky. Although it's fair to blame the car/lorry drivers for many of the problems, a good number of cyclists do nothing whatsoever to help themselves. I realise that the OP is well lit up but, unfortunately, he's in a minority - the number of cyclists who ride with no/inadequate lights on busy and unlit roads is unbelievable. They often add in dark clothing and nothing reflective. What are they thinking ?

[Kermit power]

Robertj21a said:

I think that anyone who rides a bike these days must be crazy, it's just far too risky. Although it's fair to blame the car/lorry drivers for many of the problems, a good number of cyclists do nothing whatsoever to help themselves. I realise that the OP is well lit up but, unfortunately, he's in a minority - the number of cyclists who ride with no/inadequate lights on busy and unlit roads is unbelievable. They often add in dark clothing and nothing reflective. What are they thinking ?

I don't know what they're thinking, but you seem to be thinking that because some numpties choose to cycle around in dark clothing without lights, it must be far too risky for anyone else to cycle either! I am bemused by your logic.

[Robertj21a]

Kermit power said:

Robertj21a said:

I think that anyone who rides a bike these days must be crazy, it's just far too risky. Although it's fair to blame the car/lorry drivers for many of the problems, a good number of cyclists do nothing whatsoever to help themselves. I realise that the OP is well lit up but, unfortunately, he's in a minority - the number of cyclists who ride with no/inadequate lights on busy and unlit roads is unbelievable. They often add in dark clothing and nothing reflective. What are they thinking ?

I don't know what they're thinking, but you seem to be thinking that because some numpties choose to cycle around in dark clothing without lights, it must be far too risky for anyone else to cycle either! I am bemused by your logic.

Pleased that you are bemused. In my experience, the majority of cyclists create problems for themselves.

[Kermit power]

Robertj21a said:

Kermit power said:

Robertj21a said:

I think that anyone who rides a bike these days must be crazy, it's just far too risky. Although it's fair to blame the car/lorry drivers for many of the problems, a good number of cyclists do nothing whatsoever to help themselves. I realise that the OP is well lit up but, unfortunately, he's in a minority - the number of cyclists who ride with no/inadequate lights on busy and unlit roads is unbelievable. They often add in dark clothing and nothing reflective. What are they thinking ?

I don't know what they're thinking, but you seem to be thinking that because some numpties choose to cycle around in dark clothing without lights, it must be far too risky for anyone else to cycle either! I am bemused by your logic.

Pleased that you are bemused. In my experience, the majority of cyclists create problems for themselves.

Where are you seeing this majority of cyclists? The vast majority that I see whilst commuting in and out of London do no such thing. There is a small minority that people notice as they fly through red lights, don't look around them and don't use lights, but they're just the small minority that stand out. Most people ride perfectly sensibly.

[GOATever]

Robertj21a said:

Pleased that you are bemused. In my experience, the majority of cyclists create problems for themselves.

Nice, this is exactly the sort of attitude that causes the most issues.

[nickfrog]

Robertj21a said:

Pleased that you are bemused. In my experience, the majority of cyclists create problems for themselves.

Have you got any data or MI to back that up?. In my experience the vast majority or cyclists or motorists for that matter (remember they're often the same person anyway) are considerate but the eye is very good at spotting the minority of twonks as they stand out, irrespective of vehicle. Similar on internet forums incidentally.

[smn159]

GOATever said:

Robertj21a said:

Pleased that you are bemused. In my experience, the majority of cyclists create problems for themselves.

Nice, this is exactly the sort of attitude that causes the most issues.

Indeed. Classic confirmation bias

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

Carrot said:

Chainsaw Rebuild said:

Option B. Also I would seriously consider a camera then if a malicious pass happens again you can do something about it.

Do what about it? The police are not interested.

I believe they are now; there is that new dashcam portal where you can upload the footage to be reviewed.

[Henners]

Quite why someone comes to this subforum to grumble about cycling is beyond me.


I do B now, city roads or a nice long ride in the country... Made my choice

[Robertj21a]

Kermit power said:

Robertj21a said:

Kermit power said:

Robertj21a said:

I think that anyone who rides a bike these days must be crazy, it's just far too risky. Although it's fair to blame the car/lorry drivers for many of the problems, a good number of cyclists do nothing whatsoever to help themselves. I realise that the OP is well lit up but, unfortunately, he's in a minority - the number of cyclists who ride with no/inadequate lights on busy and unlit roads is unbelievable. They often add in dark clothing and nothing reflective. What are they thinking ?

I don't know what they're thinking, but you seem to be thinking that because some numpties choose to cycle around in dark clothing without lights, it must be far too risky for anyone else to cycle either! I am bemused by your logic.

Pleased that you are bemused. In my experience, the majority of cyclists create problems for themselves.

Where are you seeing this majority of cyclists? The vast majority that I see whilst commuting in and out of London do no such thing. There is a small minority that people notice as they fly through red lights, don't look around them and don't use lights, but they're just the small minority that stand out. Most people ride perfectly sensibly.

It might surprise you to know that most people do not live, or commute, in London. I'm not at all surprised if cyclists in London are more aware and generally 'street wise' as there are far more of them than many other parts of the UK, and have more cycle lanes to use too.
No, I travel all around the UK, often on rural roads. There are no cycle lanes, street lighting, or even pavements, so you would hope that cyclists paid even greater attention to their personal safety - unfortunately not. A high proportion have inadequate, or no, lights and dark clothing without anything significantly reflective. You try seeing that from behind a car windscreen with oncoming headlights.

[heebeegeetee]

Robertj21a said:

It might surprise you to know that most people do not live, or commute, in London. I'm not at all surprised if cyclists in London are more aware and generally 'street wise' as there are far more of them than many other parts of the UK, and have more cycle lanes to use too.
No, I travel all around the UK, often on rural roads. There are no cycle lanes, street lighting, or even pavements, so you would hope that cyclists paid even greater attention to their personal safety - unfortunately not. A high proportion have inadequate, or no, lights and dark clothing without anything significantly reflective. You try seeing that from behind a car windscreen with oncoming headlights.

Hmm. I also traveled around the uk a lot, in the past, and a heck of a lot on rural roads. Apart from general leisure driving we also did regularity road rallying for some 10 years, and did night time road rallying for a few years, so really did pack some rural miles.

Really struggling to recall any issues with cyclists. Might have been one, once, in a rural lane in Belgium, when on a rally. I don't understand how you've managed to find so much trouble.

Incidentally, as pedestrians we're also supposed to wear reflective items or garments at night, but largely we don't. Do you?

[Robertj21a]

heebeegeetee said:

Robertj21a said:

It might surprise you to know that most people do not live, or commute, in London. I'm not at all surprised if cyclists in London are more aware and generally 'street wise' as there are far more of them than many other parts of the UK, and have more cycle lanes to use too.
No, I travel all around the UK, often on rural roads. There are no cycle lanes, street lighting, or even pavements, so you would hope that cyclists paid even greater attention to their personal safety - unfortunately not. A high proportion have inadequate, or no, lights and dark clothing without anything significantly reflective. You try seeing that from behind a car windscreen with oncoming headlights.

Hmm. I also traveled around the uk a lot, in the past, and a heck of a lot on rural roads. Apart from general leisure driving we also did regularity road rallying for some 10 years, and did night time road rallying for a few years, so really did pack some rural miles.

Really struggling to recall any issues with cyclists. Might have been one, once, in a rural lane in Belgium, when on a rally. I don't understand how you've managed to find so much trouble.

Incidentally, as pedestrians we're also supposed to wear reflective items or garments at night, but largely we don't. Do you?

I do actually, if the conditions require it.

It's wonderful to see that nobody else has any problems with cyclists........

[JQ]

Robertj21a said:

It's wonderful to see that nobody else has any problems with cyclists........

Tends to only be st drivers who have issues with cyclists. We're all driving gods here on PH. Clearly there's always an exception to the rule though.

[bigdom]

Robertj21a said:

A high proportion have inadequate, or no, lights

Having decided to cycle into the office today, Surrey into Berkshire, you know, reducing congestion and all that, I was well lit, 2 lights both front and rear and reflective both ends.

On both ways, the amount of special need drivers who thought driving in stealth mode, or look I have DRL's, so I don't need to use dip beam or have rear lights is staggering.

Automated cars cannot come to quickly for these bunch of fking idiots.

[frisbee]

bigdom said:

Robertj21a said:

A high proportion have inadequate, or no, lights

Having decided to cycle into the office today, Surrey into Berkshire, you know, reducing congestion and all that, I was well lit, 2 lights both front and rear and reflective both ends.

On both ways, the amount of special need drivers who thought driving in stealth mode, or look I have DRL's, so I don't need to use dip beam or have rear lights is staggering.

Automated cars cannot come to quickly for these bunch of fking idiots.

He’ll probably complain that your lights are too bright or flashing too much next!

[nickfrog]

Robertj21a said:

I do actually, if the conditions require it.

It's wonderful to see that nobody else has any problems with cyclists........

Lovely straw man argument, the hallmark of the pissed off. The only people who have issues with cyclists are a minority of Victor Meldrews, or is that Robert Meldrew ?

[Polite M135 driver]

ambuletz said:

Option Z - don't ride so close to the curb.

I find if I ride close to the curb people are more likely to do a close pass. if I move a hair slightly off centre then people don't do a close pass and will have to consider doing a proper overtake manouver instead. If you give them the room to do a close pass they'll do it.

I’ve given up cycling to work this year after doing it for two years. This technique works well for avoiding close passes that come from ignorance. Unfortunately it attracts deliberate close passes and actually generates a lot of conflict in my experience.

For me the stress of the threat from other motorists and the constant ‘alertness’ Really raised my background stress levels to the point where it was heavily affecting other bits of my life. I started to get intensely angry when, for example, cars would pull infront of me into a bus lane (bus/cycle lane). It’s a shame because I liked the physical excercise side of it and also enjoyed the nice mornings. Maybe need to get more zen.

I had an unavoidable bit of of 40 mph dual carriageway and some motorway slip road roundabouts to negotiate, though strangely the worst bit was in town.

[Polite M135 driver]

Carrot said:

Chainsaw Rebuild said:

Option B. Also I would seriously consider a camera then if a malicious pass happens again you can do something about it.

Do what about it? The police are not interested.

Several police forces have anti close pass initiatives which include close pass reporting schemes that use video evidence.

[Robertj21a]

nickfrog said:

Robertj21a said:

I do actually, if the conditions require it.

It's wonderful to see that nobody else has any problems with cyclists........

Lovely straw man argument, the hallmark of the pissed off. The only people who have issues with cyclists are a minority of Victor Meldrews, or is that Robert Meldrew ?

Ooh, I do seem to have hit a number of raw nerves with the cycling fanboys on here

All I will add is that if cyclists feel that they are sufficiently visible in dark and/or wet conditions then good luck.