Anybody seen this one yet?
Discussion
The Nur said:
Saw that on BBC news this morning. All very sad, and "something needs to be done" etc, etc. BUT. What is the solution? I can't badger the authorities to "do something" when I'm not sure myself what it is I'd like them to "do".Allied to this is the fact that we cyclists have to accept that it's not always the driver at fault. I had a close call yesterday with a left-turning Transit van (although he wasn't signalling left at the time, so partially his fault). I was filtering up the left of stationary traffic at some lights, with eyes only for the (at that point) empty road, and advanced stop line ('bike box') branching left off the main one. http://goo.gl/maps/NYXmi (advanced stop box not on satellite image)
As I approached the front of the van, traffic moved off again and I found myself in the 'at risk' zone beside the van. This, despite the fact that I pride myself on being very aware, and a 'good' cyclist. Now if it'd have been an articulated lorry or a full-sized bus, then I'd probably have stayed back anyway, but over-confidence and a lack of patience put me in a risky spot. Be careful out there
yellowjack said:
The Nur said:
Saw that on BBC news this morning. All very sad, and "something needs to be done" etc, etc. BUT. What is the solution? I can't badger the authorities to "do something" when I'm not sure myself what it is I'd like them to "do".Allied to this is the fact that we cyclists have to accept that it's not always the driver at fault. I had a close call yesterday with a left-turning Transit van (although he wasn't signalling left at the time, so partially his fault). I was filtering up the left of stationary traffic at some lights, with eyes only for the (at that point) empty road, and advanced stop line ('bike box') branching left off the main one. http://goo.gl/maps/NYXmi (advanced stop box not on satellite image)
As I approached the front of the van, traffic moved off again and I found myself in the 'at risk' zone beside the van. This, despite the fact that I pride myself on being very aware, and a 'good' cyclist. Now if it'd have been an articulated lorry or a full-sized bus, then I'd probably have stayed back anyway, but over-confidence and a lack of patience put me in a risky spot. Be careful out there
Mr Will said:
Cycle lanes. Proper ones.
We need the idea of a road built without provision for cyclists to seem as ridiculous as a road built without a pavement.
But then the cycle lanes will be used by 'slow' cyclists and so us 'faster' cyclists will either have to slow down and dodge them or take to the roads.We need the idea of a road built without provision for cyclists to seem as ridiculous as a road built without a pavement.
Just saying and playing devils advocate a bit.
Steve
I ended up stopped with my hand on a cab’s bonnet the other morning to stop myself renewing my club membership. I was probably filtering faster than was prudent to catch a green and I suspect he had made a last second attempt to go left rather than straight on into some congested traffic. We both sort of signalled our apologies and went our separate ways.
It’s a s
tty time of year for it. The sun is often distracting in the morning and the weather just makes you want to get home especially if it’s turned for the worse during the day after setting off in the morning and you’re not in the right gear.
I’ve found pedestrians to be very troublesome over the last month or so as well. Lots of random stepping out into the road. My solution is to just take it a bit easier.
It’s a s
tty time of year for it. The sun is often distracting in the morning and the weather just makes you want to get home especially if it’s turned for the worse during the day after setting off in the morning and you’re not in the right gear. I’ve found pedestrians to be very troublesome over the last month or so as well. Lots of random stepping out into the road. My solution is to just take it a bit easier.
Steve vRS said:
Mr Will said:
Cycle lanes. Proper ones.
We need the idea of a road built without provision for cyclists to seem as ridiculous as a road built without a pavement.
But then the cycle lanes will be used by 'slow' cyclists and so us 'faster' cyclists will either have to slow down and dodge them or take to the roads.We need the idea of a road built without provision for cyclists to seem as ridiculous as a road built without a pavement.
If you want a training ride then the city at rush hour is not the place to do it.
Mr Will said:
Steve vRS said:
Mr Will said:
Cycle lanes. Proper ones.
We need the idea of a road built without provision for cyclists to seem as ridiculous as a road built without a pavement.
But then the cycle lanes will be used by 'slow' cyclists and so us 'faster' cyclists will either have to slow down and dodge them or take to the roads.We need the idea of a road built without provision for cyclists to seem as ridiculous as a road built without a pavement.
If you want a training ride then the city at rush hour is not the place to do it.
In practice, central London is not going to get lots of new, seperate cycle lanes due to cost. Paint on the road is the best that will happen. It's attitudes of drivers (some not all) and cyclists (some not all) that needs to change but this both the cheapest and most difficuelt solution.
Steve
Mr Will said:
Cycle lanes. Proper ones.
We need the idea of a road built without provision for cyclists to seem as ridiculous as a road built without a pavement.
Where I live the council have built a fabulous network of cycle lanes, both beside existing roads and even better on separate routes especially for bikes. We can ride all the way to the next town 10miles away on a car free, beautifully smooth cycle route :-)We need the idea of a road built without provision for cyclists to seem as ridiculous as a road built without a pavement.
But the old folk seem to ignore them and wobble along the road, roadies largely ignore them, non-cyclists bike users ignore them. For some reason the are popular with MTB's and kids (I'm not being mean, I ride road bike and MTB, I don't know why some people ignore them either)
Do people see cycle lanes as below them if they have Lycra and £1000+ bike?
The best defense a cyclist has is riding defensively, if that means "chickening" out of awful junctions in crowded cities then so be it, that Strava segment isn't worth your life.
TwistingMyMelon said:
yellowjack said:
The Nur said:
Saw that on BBC news this morning. All very sad, and "something needs to be done" etc, etc. BUT. What is the solution? I can't badger the authorities to "do something" when I'm not sure myself what it is I'd like them to "do".Allied to this is the fact that we cyclists have to accept that it's not always the driver at fault. I had a close call yesterday with a left-turning Transit van (although he wasn't signalling left at the time, so partially his fault). I was filtering up the left of stationary traffic at some lights, with eyes only for the (at that point) empty road, and advanced stop line ('bike box') branching left off the main one. http://goo.gl/maps/NYXmi (advanced stop box not on satellite image)
As I approached the front of the van, traffic moved off again and I found myself in the 'at risk' zone beside the van. This, despite the fact that I pride myself on being very aware, and a 'good' cyclist. Now if it'd have been an articulated lorry or a full-sized bus, then I'd probably have stayed back anyway, but over-confidence and a lack of patience put me in a risky spot. Be careful out there
scubadude said:
Do people see cycle lanes as below them if they have Lycra and £1000+ bike?
The best defense a cyclist has is riding defensively, if that means "chickening" out of awful junctions in crowded cities then so be it, that Strava segment isn't worth your life.
In my experience, the cycle lanes in Sussex where I live are dreadful. This is mainly Brighton and Worthing. Was using one the other night on Hangleton Rd and it had a segregated part by a roundabout for bikes, with give way lines for the bike that were in the road for oncoming traffic, beyond where they would have been normally. Meant to stop and take a picture. The other issue I have is they are not continuous, they stop and start, they make junctions more complicated, cars get parked in them, and then there is the glass/litter/sThe best defense a cyclist has is riding defensively, if that means "chickening" out of awful junctions in crowded cities then so be it, that Strava segment isn't worth your life.
te that ends up in them.yellowjack said:
TwistingMyMelon said:
yellowjack said:
The Nur said:
Saw that on BBC news this morning. All very sad, and "something needs to be done" etc, etc. BUT. What is the solution? I can't badger the authorities to "do something" when I'm not sure myself what it is I'd like them to "do".Allied to this is the fact that we cyclists have to accept that it's not always the driver at fault. I had a close call yesterday with a left-turning Transit van (although he wasn't signalling left at the time, so partially his fault). I was filtering up the left of stationary traffic at some lights, with eyes only for the (at that point) empty road, and advanced stop line ('bike box') branching left off the main one. http://goo.gl/maps/NYXmi (advanced stop box not on satellite image)
As I approached the front of the van, traffic moved off again and I found myself in the 'at risk' zone beside the van. This, despite the fact that I pride myself on being very aware, and a 'good' cyclist. Now if it'd have been an articulated lorry or a full-sized bus, then I'd probably have stayed back anyway, but over-confidence and a lack of patience put me in a risky spot. Be careful out there
scubadude said:
Where I live the council have built a fabulous network of cycle lanes, both beside existing roads and even better on separate routes especially for bikes. We can ride all the way to the next town 10miles away on a car free, beautifully smooth cycle route :-)
But the old folk seem to ignore them and wobble along the road, roadies largely ignore them, non-cyclists bike users ignore them. For some reason the are popular with MTB's and kids (I'm not being mean, I ride road bike and MTB, I don't know why some people ignore them either)
Do people see cycle lanes as below them if they have Lycra and £1000+ bike?
The best defense a cyclist has is riding defensively, if that means "chickening" out of awful junctions in crowded cities then so be it, that Strava segment isn't worth your life.
It's the same where I live - good cycle routes. Difference is, only the roadies seem to ignore them. Most other cyclists are grateful for them.But the old folk seem to ignore them and wobble along the road, roadies largely ignore them, non-cyclists bike users ignore them. For some reason the are popular with MTB's and kids (I'm not being mean, I ride road bike and MTB, I don't know why some people ignore them either)
Do people see cycle lanes as below them if they have Lycra and £1000+ bike?
The best defense a cyclist has is riding defensively, if that means "chickening" out of awful junctions in crowded cities then so be it, that Strava segment isn't worth your life.
Steve vRS said:
Mr Will said:
Cycle lanes. Proper ones.
We need the idea of a road built without provision for cyclists to seem as ridiculous as a road built without a pavement.
But then the cycle lanes will be used by 'slow' cyclists and so us 'faster' cyclists will either have to slow down and dodge them or take to the roads.We need the idea of a road built without provision for cyclists to seem as ridiculous as a road built without a pavement.
Just saying and playing devils advocate a bit.
Steve
AyBee said:
...it's the junctions so how do you segregate cyclists at every junction of every road? It's a virtually impossible job IMO...
We need to stop seeing cyclists as vehicles. We manage to segregate pedestrians successfully at (almost) every junction. It's a matter of will and money, nothing more. AyBee said:
...I'm a strong advocate of cyclist training, you wouldn't dream of driving a car without some form of training and yet you can get on a bike for the first time, in London traffic without even a second thought.
There comes a point where training alone is not enough. Cycling safely in London is possible if you are a fit and confident adult. I want a city where it is an option for all, not limited to that small section of society. I want cycling to be a viable form of transport not just for me but for my girlfriend, mum and daughter as well. Training isn't going to change that.scubadude said:
Do people see cycle lanes as below them if they have Lycra and £1000+ bike?
It's got nothing to do with the value of the bike!! I often don't use cycle lanes when on the road bike, they normally have a lot of grit/thorns/other debris which will easily puncture a road bike tyre. Many cycle lanes appear not be be designed by people that know anything about cycling - the ones near my work share the pavement and you're either dodging pedestrians or stopping every 50 meters to cross a side road. I just stick to the road, at 20mph I'm not much slower than the cars most of the time.
On the roads they just put them in where they can fit as a way of narrowing the road to encourage cars to slow down a bit but cars often park on them or they randomly finish.
Mr Will said:
Cycling safely in London is possible if you are a fit and confident adult. I want a city where it is an option for all, not limited to that small section of society. I want cycling to be a viable form of transport not just for me but for my girlfriend, mum and daughter as well.
London has a finite amount of space and one that's already far too congested. Making specific and separate cycle routes like in many European cities just isn't viable.TKF said:
Mr Will said:
Cycling safely in London is possible if you are a fit and confident adult. I want a city where it is an option for all, not limited to that small section of society. I want cycling to be a viable form of transport not just for me but for my girlfriend, mum and daughter as well.
London has a finite amount of space and one that's already far too congested. Making specific and separate cycle routes like in many European cities just isn't viable.Daveyraveygravey said:
scubadude said:
Do people see cycle lanes as below them if they have Lycra and £1000+ bike?
The best defense a cyclist has is riding defensively, if that means "chickening" out of awful junctions in crowded cities then so be it, that Strava segment isn't worth your life.
In my experience, the cycle lanes in Sussex where I live are dreadful. This is mainly Brighton and Worthing. Was using one the other night on Hangleton Rd and it had a segregated part by a roundabout for bikes, with give way lines for the bike that were in the road for oncoming traffic, beyond where they would have been normally. Meant to stop and take a picture. The other issue I have is they are not continuous, they stop and start, they make junctions more complicated, cars get parked in them, and then there is the glass/litter/sThe best defense a cyclist has is riding defensively, if that means "chickening" out of awful junctions in crowded cities then so be it, that Strava segment isn't worth your life.
te that ends up in them.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff