Attack on cyclist

[gannet]

Cyclists and motorists do not mix. Just like pedestrians and motorists don't, which is why we have footpaths with kerbs, barriers etc. to separate them as far as possible. Until we create a proper network of protected cycle lanes I'm afraid these incidents will reoccur time and time again.

But we have different levels and abilities of cyclists - I for one refrain from using cycling lanes as I'm much closer to the surrounding speed of the motorists than many other cyclists are... Cruising speed in excess of 20mph does not translate well on to a segregated cycle lane which is all too often shared with pedestrians and lets not forget all cycle lanes that are on the road go down the left of the traffic - and disappear around junctions where they are needed most!

Education of both cyclists and drivers is what is required, principally the needs of all road users and how various actions affect the other Doubt it'll happen though - how many drivers for example see the need for further training over and above the L test??

I really dont understand your point about you not using a dedicated cycle lane because you go too fast to belong there.
By using the road you are only going at 2/3 of the speed of everybody else so you are creating a problem and are a danger to yourself.
In and around Glasgow dedicated cycle lanes have popped up and are a waste of time and money.
A lot of these lanes are separated by a kerb from the main traffic and some even have their own traffic lights.... completely useless as cyclists dont stop at them.
Part of the A77 which used to be a dual carriageway has been reduced to 1 lane and a dedicated cycle lane has been built instead with kerbs etc.
I dont use this road regularly but when I have been on it you see the odd cyclist here and there, its a waste of money and using good road space.
Whats needed instead is education for other road users whether it is cyclists or pedestrians that the road is a dangerous place to be and they should stay off it.

Didn't say I don't use dedicated lanes, just not always... Many of the roads I use have slow moving stationary traffic on them. The cycle lane goes down the left of the road (I'm not saying they should be down the middle) but I don't use it in this instance because:

1. Cars in the traffic queue can and often do get fed up waiting and simply try and turn left into a side road - without looking (and in some case without indicating)
2. I have found that cars expect to be overtaken rather than undertaken, so when I'm faster than they are should I be undertaking or overtaking? What do motorcyclists do in that scenario?
3. Cars in the traffic queue often leave gaps and/or flash opposing cars waiting to turn right in front of them... If a cyclist is coming up the left you have a double whammy - the driver turning right is blind to the cyclist and the the cyclist is blind to the opposing car about to cut their path - no thanks!
4. It can feel hemmed in - kerb on the left, cars on the right - where do I go if a car starts coming in to the left, or pedestrians step of the pavement in front of me? If I'm on the right overtaking I've got far more options...
5. Even when not around stationary/slow moving cars using a cycle lane can encourage conflict when the lane ends cos it's badly designed:

see here for example

In this example I use the cycle lane but I'm actually out into the middle of the main lane well before the pinch point.

I could go on...

 

[srhutch]

Whats needed instead is education for other road users whether it is cyclists or pedestrians that the road is a dangerous place to be and they should stay off it.

What about education for car drivers as well?

 

[ronk]

Whats needed instead is education for other road users whether it is cyclists or pedestrians that the road is a dangerous place to be and they should stay off it.

What about education for car drivers as well?

You have to pass a test to drive a car but not to be a pedestrian or a cyclist!
We're bombarded by education, rules and laws

 

[gannet]

Whats needed instead is education for other road users whether it is cyclists or pedestrians that the road is a dangerous place to be and they should stay off it.

What about education for car drivers as well?

You have to pass a test to drive a car but not to be a pedestrian or a cyclist!
We're bombarded by education, rules and laws

what and learning stops when you pass at 17

 

[Nictrix]

Whats needed instead is education for other road users whether it is cyclists or pedestrians that the road is a dangerous place to be and they should stay off it.

What about education for car drivers as well?

Granted some need it but most do understand the rules of the road, just some dont bother playing the game.
I have always thought that instead of lowering speed limits people should be educated about the dangers of the road.
Too many people walk about with their heads in their phone or listening to music and ignore the surroundings.
If cyclists want a share of the road the should have a share of the responsibilities too which should mean that they follow the highway code like they are supposed to.
I did a bit of digging about whether cyclists can be prosecuted with points on a licence and they cant. The points system only affects motorised vehicles, however they can get a fine.
Stupidly the only way a cyclists can get points on their licence is if they are using a bike while carrying the equipment needed to steal cars for which they can get 8 points.
And Gannet as for filtering on a motorbike through slow moving traffic, I am sure the law states it is legal but you must obviously lower your speed to suit the conditions and pass vehicles on the right unless its a one way street. I would imagine if on a bicycle you should lower your speed and look out for added dangers like the ones you mentioned.
I really think that if a pavement is fairly empty that cyclists should be allowed to use them as it is safer.

 

[Zonder]

I actually purposely block cyclists when I am going to turn left as I don't trust them in the slightest to pay attention. Too many idiots I am afraid where I am.

 

[gannet]

I actually purposely block cyclists when I am going to turn left as I don't trust them in the slightest to pay attention. Too many idiots I am afraid where I am.

if you dont trust them to pay attention... how do you know they wont just cycle straight into the back of you? er yes it's happened

 

[Zonder]

I actually purposely block cyclists when I am going to turn left as I don't trust them in the slightest to pay attention. Too many idiots I am afraid where I am.

if you dont trust them to pay attention... how do you know they wont just cycle straight into the back of you? er yes it's happened

Well it won't be my fault then

 

[Daffy]

Firstly, no one but the rubbish truck turned left. The car and the van went straight on at the junction. To turn left the cyclist would've had to countersteer right which you would have sent him into the car.

The driver (of the van) wasn't indicating left. It's a Ford Connect; The top of the light (which appears orange in the video) is actually the brake light and the indicator is below in the clear section. its just chromatic aberration from the camera lense.

My interpretation was that the cyclist went for the undertake (the van wasn't indicating) not realising that the rubbish truck was intending to turn left. Realising he would have to slow, he checked to his right to see if he could pop out in front of the van he'd just undertaken; he couldn't and had to slow to avoid hitting the truck and/or van. He kept checking to his right to see if the van would slow and allow him to slip between the turning truck and the undertaken van.

It was at this point the cyclist noticed that the driver was on his phone and not really paying attention and (Miffed at having to slow and the situation he has placed himself into) vented his momentary anger by saying "get off your phone, you Muppet!"

The driver (phone in hand) then purposefully (as he had clearly seen him by this point squashed the cyclist into the curb.

Without doubt, the cyclist caused the altercation, but the van driver should be charged for his actions. Assault with a deadly weapon (car)/aggravated assault, driving without due car and attention, using a mobile phone whilst driving and finally Assault and Battery.

I cycle between 6000 and 10000 miles per year and drive around 5000. I'd like to think I wouldn't have placed myself in that situation, but who knows, if i were tired, not paying attention, in a rush?

 

[gannet]

daffy - good spot on the not turning left - difficult given the camera angle (helmet cams :headbang: ).

as you say still a stupid place to put oneself.

 

[domsz4]

daffy i think your right. one question. why is it acceptable for the cyclist in that video to undertake we are not supposed to undertake in cars so why can cyclists?

would a motorcyclist be able to do that or are they prevented?

im pretty sure when i was a kid and did the cycling proficiency they said NOT to go up the side of cars and you should position yourself in the traffic lane just the same a motorbike

 

[Nictrix]

You are only supposed to overtake on the left on a one way street.
However filtering is legal and if you filter between 2 lanes of traffic you are obviously undertaking one of them.