It really is NOT always the car......

[Slaav]

End of a Sportive today and there were many instances of cyclists simply riding 'as is their right' and bu66er the other road users.

I had finished and was driving away when a pair came around the last roundabout riding two abreast - but 5-6 ft apart and blocking everyone - they turned up towards the end (college) and took the Primary in the middle of the road; cursory right arm adn off the went with no thought for any other road users.

I hate to say that I saw this on many occasions over 5 hrs or so.....

Really does us no favours

[McFsC]

I try to ride round roundabouts like that, to be honest.

A roundabout is the very last place I want a car attempting to overtake me...

EDIT: If you mean blocking every other cyclist, I read it wrong.

Edited by McFsC on Monday 1st April 21:48

[Rich_W]

There's lots of them about. many SHOULD know better!

Saw a guy yesterday. Faster than me.

But how he didn't get killed by the Audi Cabriolet when he veered from the normal position near the kerb into the middle of the lane (normal 2 way road) he then wobbled back and then veered again. Audi driver was remarkably restrained, just indicated, and went round him. So far as I could determie he wasn't avoiding anything. Just riding st.

[outnumbered]

Just this afternoon, on the NSL dual carriageway where one of my cycling club mates was killed, a road cyclist pulling out to pass the guy he was riding with, without even looking behind. Could easily have been another fatal accident if the following car had been closer and been unable to take avoiding action as it did.

I hate riding on DCs, and always stick to the gutter like glue if I ever have to do it...

[Slaav]

McFsC said:

I try to ride round roundabouts like that, to be honest.

A roundabout is the very last place I want a car attempting to overtake me...

EDIT: If you mean blocking every other cyclist, I read it wrong.

Edited by McFsC on Monday 1st April 21:48

No - I mean blocking cars and not giving them the courtesy of a wave or a 'thanks' once the danger has passed. When I do this, and wave or 'thumbs up' the driver almost inevitably then realises it was conscious on my part and figures out why - at least is much more likely to be patient next time.....

[yellowjack]

Had the opposite experience yesterday. Three cyclists up ahead, all on road bikes, but I was instantly concerned about how they might react/behave, due to the fact that they were not in Lycra, but loose shorts and 'non-cycling' sportswear, and on flat pedals. Road was too dodgy to commit to passing them straight off, too many twists and turns with hidden dips and false summits to see enough of the road to be safe.

I ended up feeling guilty about making presumptions based on their attire, as they rode extremely considerately. To the point where I received a thumbs up from 'last man' and a 'wave through' which, given the circumstances, I accepted gratefully, and passed safely before I had full sight of the road ahead.

The behaviour of the knucklehead in the Ford S-Max behind me, on the other hand, was appaling. Impatience to the point of danger, with his moving out 'for a look' and the aborted overtake which he tried, but failed to complete due to the oncoming Transit Van which materialised out of thin air from the hidden dip around the right hand blind bend. FFS, sometimes the guy ahead of you is only 'slow' because 'fast' just isn't safe for good reasons.

[zebedee]

outnumbered said:

I hate riding on DCs, and always stick to the gutter like glue if I ever have to do it...

You might be better taking up a more 'centralised' position (by which I mean you ensure cars have to pull into the other lane to pass you safely). Riding in the gutter encourages two cars trying to pass you at once without slowing, which will rarely be safe. I often ride a d/c like that and no-one has ever taken issue, after all, that is what the second lane is for. I feel a lot more comfortable than I used to over on the left as well.

[outnumbered]

zebedee said:

You might be better taking up a more 'centralised' position (by which I mean you ensure cars have to pull into the other lane to pass you safely). Riding in the gutter encourages two cars trying to pass you at once without slowing, which will rarely be safe. I often ride a d/c like that and no-one has ever taken issue, after all, that is what the second lane is for. I feel a lot more comfortable than I used to over on the left as well.

I'm much happier being mostly out of the way on the left than relying on someone who hasn't seen me, or sees me late, braking/avoiding in time. Fortunately my DC riding usually consists of just a couple of hundred metres where there's no alternative route.

[yellowjack]

outnumbered said:

zebedee said:

You might be better taking up a more 'centralised' position (by which I mean you ensure cars have to pull into the other lane to pass you safely). Riding in the gutter encourages two cars trying to pass you at once without slowing, which will rarely be safe. I often ride a d/c like that and no-one has ever taken issue, after all, that is what the second lane is for. I feel a lot more comfortable than I used to over on the left as well.

I'm much happier being mostly out of the way on the left than relying on someone who hasn't seen me, or sees me late, braking/avoiding in time. Fortunately my DC riding usually consists of just a couple of hundred metres where there's no alternative route.

The biggest problem I see for riders on DCs is the drivers who see the cyclist, but leave it until last minute to pass, and pass without use of indicators. It's fine if you've seen the bike as well, but if you are following a van, or a larger MPV/4x4, the chances of seeing the bike through that vehicle are massively diminished. Why don't people just see sense, and use their bloody indicators? The problem is compounded by idiots who follow too closely behind other vehicles, leaving little time to react when the bike "suddenly appears" when the nearside rear quarter of the vehicle ahead passes the bike.

For this reason, I am with 'zebedee' - as you will at least have required the lead overtaking vehicle to consider his speed and position relative to you, which should prompt some braking, and/or a planned manoeuvre into the right hand lane, things which SHOULD wake up any following drivers and prompt similar action from them.

[zebedee]

yes, whilst giving no excuse not to be seen (hi viz, at least 3 rear lights etc etc) then there is no reason to suspect someone will just drive over you.