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

[nickfrog]

Robertj21a said:

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

Well, I don't think you have, even if it was quite clearly your intention. I am not sure what a cycling fanboy is either (I actually don't know what a fanboy is at all tbf). I am probably more a driver than a cyclist so if that was a dig, then you missed the target.

[nickfrog]

Robertj21a said:

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

I am not convinced that "cyclists" is homogeneous group, some will have poor lighting, some won't.

The same way as some drivers have defective lighting, some have perfectly adequate/working/legal lights.

Some cyclists are drivers too btw, however esoteric a concept this might be to grasp.

[Robertj21a]

nickfrog said:

Well, I don't think you have, even if it was quite clearly your intention. I am not sure what a cycling fanboy is either (I actually don't know what a fanboy is at all tbf). I am probably more a driver than a cyclist so if that was a dig, then you missed the target.

Actually, it was never my intention. I am, however, surprised at the obvious support from cyclists when all I set out to do was to highlight how many bring problems on themselves !
Oh well, not much point in bothering if everyone believes there are no problems

[nickfrog]

Robertj21a said:

Actually, it was never my intention. I am, however, surprised at the obvious support from cyclists when all I set out to do was to highlight how many bring problems on themselves !
Oh well, not much point in bothering if everyone believes there are no problems

I can't see anyone believing that there are no problems.

Some cyclists behave appallingly on the road : that is a problem.
Some drivers behave appallingly on the road : that is a problem.

You seem to think that a majority of cyclists create problems for themselves. Others like me think it's a minority. I don't see biased support, I see rational views from drivers/cyclists (remember, most cyclists are drivers too although I'd assume a smaller proportion of drivers are also cyclists so perhaps the cyclists are actually a little less biased and their views a little more balanced).

Robertj21a said:

In my experience, the majority of cyclists create problems for themselves.

[GOATever]

nickfrog said:

Sensible, rational stuff.

[Mr Ted]

hyphen said:

Option A

And get a mountain bike for the weekend,.

Plus one on this suggestion, before I raced in the Manx Grand Prix many moons ago I was told 'everyone is born with one pot of luck that never gets refilled so the more often you dip into it and the bigger handfuls you take the quicker it runs out'

I have made it to 60 but then most of my cycling has always been offroad, my mates and I rode what would now be called mountain biking 45 years ago, and got an occasional clip round the ear from the local bobby for doing it

Road riding around here (Gloucestershire) is a pretty miserable experience with homicidal traffic on the main roads and road surfaces befitting a third world country on the side roads, not to mention the yummy mummys in Range Rovers barrelling down the country lanes oblivious to anything smaller than a tractor. Fortunately we have loads of bridleways so I can have a good days riding with minimal road riding

[Tall_martin]

Thanks for all the replies!

I rode in again today- no problems
I rode home- left in the light, no problems.

So sample says it's just one idiot as I must have been passed by ~100 cars with 0 problems.

I ride off road for fun. The road bike has always been for a-b and commuting with a few rides a year on that with mates.

The point about the clock change and dusk drawing in was well made, might have a week in the car then.

As for the pot of luck I guess it's about minimising risk. A slightly different route has helped,

The sat Nav comments and suggestions don't really work for my commute, I'd be up to 10 instead of 3 to take significantly different routes and I don't fancy the busy unlit country lanes that would entail.


Thanks for the input, happy commuting how ever you get to work :-)

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

Would an electric bike help, one that is fast enough that you don't get passed as much?

[heebeegeetee]

Robertj21a said:

Actually, it was never my intention. I am, however, surprised at the obvious support from cyclists when all I set out to do was to highlight how many bring problems on themselves !
Oh well, not much point in bothering if everyone believes there are no problems

All you've highlighted is what a numpty you are. You have the mind of the st driver, and it doesn't hurt to see every now and then how people like you think.

I'm not a cyclist but I have been driving for 40 years, and for my sins I have done a lot of miles in a variety of vehicles and indeed a variety of countries many years ago.

I've had so few problems with cyclists that I would have to say it's statistically zero. If I get delayed by cyclists then it would amount to minutes a year, whereas I have no doubt that i lose 25 hours a year to car traffic that we are all said to do, on average. That's possibly 25 hours multiplied by 40 years.

What did you say the problem with cyclists was again?

[Matt_N]

I’m giving these lights a go on my commute at present to see if it makes people more aware of my width. I don’t normally have any issues but have had a few close passes. Cateye Orb bar end:

[GOATever]

Chainsaw Rebuild said:

Would an electric bike help, one that is fast enough that you don't get passed as much?

If a road legal e bike was used, it shouldn’t be quicker than a reasonable cyclist can ride on a road. A lot of non road legal e bikes, whether modified illegally, or not road legal ( stealth bikes etc ) do find their way onto the road, but that’s a separate issue.

[Carrot]

GOATever said:

Chainsaw Rebuild said:

Would an electric bike help, one that is fast enough that you don't get passed as much?

If a road legal e bike was used, it shouldn’t be quicker than a reasonable cyclist can ride on a road. A lot of non road legal e bikes, whether modified illegally, or not road legal ( stealth bikes etc ) do find their way onto the road, but that’s a separate issue.

Correct, my Halfords ebike only assists up to 15 mph.

[Collaudatore]

nickfrog said:

Robertj21a said:

Actually, it was never my intention. I am, however, surprised at the obvious support from cyclists when all I set out to do was to highlight how many bring problems on themselves !
Oh well, not much point in bothering if everyone believes there are no problems

I can't see anyone believing that there are no problems.

Some cyclists behave appallingly on the road : that is a problem.
Some drivers behave appallingly on the road : that is a problem.

You seem to think that a majority of cyclists create problems for themselves. Others like me think it's a minority. I don't see biased support, I see rational views from drivers/cyclists (remember, most cyclists are drivers too although I'd assume a smaller proportion of drivers are also cyclists so perhaps the cyclists are actually a little less biased and their views a little more balanced).

Robertj21a said:

In my experience, the majority of cyclists create problems for themselves.

I'd have to agree. Not a Londoner. Vast majority of cyclists I see in the mornings, or more to the point, when it's dark, are plenty well lit up. Obviously day time is a different matter.
Have to agree though that there are a few (minority) who give the rest a bad name.

Getting back to the point of the thread, definitely "B" from me too.
Actually regardless of near miss or not, I spend a lot of time developing my route from home-work and back and find new routes that cut out the sections I don't like.

[Solocle]

Collaudatore said:

I'd have to agree. Not a Londoner. Vast majority of cyclists I see in the mornings, or more to the point, when it's dark, are plenty well lit up. Obviously day time is a different matter.
Have to agree though that there are a few (minority) who give the rest a bad name.

Getting back to the point of the thread, definitely "B" from me too.
Actually regardless of near miss or not, I spend a lot of time developing my route from home-work and back and find new routes that cut out the sections I don't like.

Confirmation bias?

[Collaudatore]

Solocle said:

Collaudatore said:

I'd have to agree. Not a Londoner. Vast majority of cyclists I see in the mornings, or more to the point, when it's dark, are plenty well lit up. Obviously day time is a different matter.
Have to agree though that there are a few (minority) who give the rest a bad name.

Getting back to the point of the thread, definitely "B" from me too.
Actually regardless of near miss or not, I spend a lot of time developing my route from home-work and back and find new routes that cut out the sections I don't like.

Confirmation bias?

Genuine question, or stirring?

[LudaMusser]

I commute once every couple of weeks and I always go a longer route as it's much safer and quieter. I also have a rear camera and light all in one. Google Cycliq as for the police to act on anything you need a witness or footage

Over the last two years I've really got into road cycling, out every Sunday pretty much but I always said to myself that if my Mrs ever gets pregnant I'll stop and that's what I've done now. I've gone back to XC mountain biking and just bought a smart turbo trainer

It's sad in a way but unfortunately road cycling is quite a high risk hobby and I need to reduce any risks. My commute when I do it is only two miles

[SVS]

Matt_N said:

I’m giving these lights a go on my commute at present to see if it makes people more aware of my width. I don’t normally have any issues but have had a few close passes. Cateye Orb bar end:

Those Cateye Orb lights look a neat idea for highlighting your width. (Your bike’s width, that is )

Let us know your impression of using them in practice.

[frisbee]

Solocle said:

Collaudatore said:

I'd have to agree. Not a Londoner. Vast majority of cyclists I see in the mornings, or more to the point, when it's dark, are plenty well lit up. Obviously day time is a different matter.
Have to agree though that there are a few (minority) who give the rest a bad name.

Getting back to the point of the thread, definitely "B" from me too.
Actually regardless of near miss or not, I spend a lot of time developing my route from home-work and back and find new routes that cut out the sections I don't like.

Confirmation bias?

Yes, because no other vehicles have any form of lighting with which they could possibly allow the operator to see trees, rocks, beached whales or even cyclists without lights...

[vsonix]

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 live near a uni and the number of invisible and downright suicidal cyclists is alarming. Cyclists commuting to work are bad enough but at least they tend to take the cycling a bit more seriously with the hi-viz and lights and so forth but the students are absolutely shocking. Little to zero illumination. I saw one yesterday with a single LED powered by a battery that was all but flat - it was about as bright as the light on a 4-gang socket that lets you know if it's plugged in or not. Then add the dark clothes, the swooping along at 30-odd mph, earbuds in, music on full blast. And then there are the ones that like to prove how awesome they are by riding with no hands on the handlebars swiping on bloody Tinder or something with the earphones in and the dark clothes and the no lights. In fairness the pedestrians aren't much better, plugged so deep into their smartphone matrix they don't even notice they're crossing roads, let alone consider stopping to look both ways.

I really worry one of these days me, or even worse my elderly mum is going to end up with one of these maniacs under our wheels despite everything, and of course even if they are wearing black with no lights or reflectors and browsing Tinder while listening to music, it's still going to be "our fault" for hitting them, they were so young and beautiful with so much to give etc etc etc.

[smn159]

vsonix said:

I live near a uni and the number of invisible and downright suicidal cyclists is alarming. Cyclists commuting to work are bad enough but at least they tend to take the cycling a bit more seriously with the hi-viz and lights and so forth but the students are absolutely shocking. Little to zero illumination. I saw one yesterday with a single LED powered by a battery that was all but flat - it was about as bright as the light on a 4-gang socket that lets you know if it's plugged in or not. Then add the dark clothes, the swooping along at 30-odd mph, earbuds in, music on full blast. And then there are the ones that like to prove how awesome they are by riding with no hands on the handlebars swiping on bloody Tinder or something with the earphones in and the dark clothes and the no lights. In fairness the pedestrians aren't much better, plugged so deep into their smartphone matrix they don't even notice they're crossing roads, let alone consider stopping to look both ways.

I really worry one of these days me, or even worse my elderly mum is going to end up with one of these maniacs under our wheels despite everything, and of course even if they are wearing black with no lights or reflectors and browsing Tinder while listening to music, it's still going to be "our fault" for hitting them, they were so young and beautiful with so much to give etc etc etc.

Cool story.

Youngsters today, eh? Hope you managed to get home today without running anyone over.