The closest shave yet

[miller1098]

I’m so lucky to be alive.lunchtime today we had run out of bread so our local shop is only a couple of 100 yds away up and across the main road. So I jump on my bike and pedal up the road in our village I always ride in the middle of my side of the road as I want people to see me and the hedge are big it’s a long straight so I’m visible so I stick my arm out in plenty of time to indicate that I’m turning and ride for a while with my arm out and am just in the process of turning when a vw camper flys past and misses me by mm the people in the car park couldn’t believe how close it was, I’m still shaking This is the second time this has happened this year but this was definitely the closest. In all my years as a car, lorry ,tractor,motorcycle rider I’ve never been put in fear of my life by a cyclist. F### drivers need to take more care

 

[backseateducation]

Glad you're ok mate. Things would be much better if all.road users just looked out for each other a bit more.

 

[miller1098]

Glad you're ok mate. Things would be much better if all.road users just looked out for each other a bit more.

Thanks buddy. But I’m not ok really I’ve done some pretty scary things ever but I usually choose to do them and today I did everything perfect just popped to the shop for some bread and it was almost written on my epitaph it was that close my heart is still racing . If I had run into the back of that van he would of got a little paint damage if he had hit me probably the same but I would be in the hospital but at 40mph limit probably in a box.my grandchildren wouldn’t of had their soldiers to dip in their eggs an I’d never seen their faces again. I’m over 60 but I would like to of been able to encourage my grand kids to cycle but there are way to many arsehole drivers on the road that could kill them,they seem to have the attitude that if someone else makes a mistake they deserve to be hit and maimed there may be as many arsehole cyclist but the chances of them actually giving you more than a couple of bruises are huge . Rant over for now lol

 

[Z Victor 1]

As a petrolhead and like you having driven tractors, lorries, commercials with trailors, motorbikes as well as cars I wholeheartedly agree with you @miller1098. I am also a cyclist and it is when on my bike that I am fully aware of just how bad, dangerous and discourteous are so many of the drivers on the roads.

 

[Duncodin]

In defence of motorists though. Devil's advocate and all that.

In a previous life I was a truck driver. Sitting at the lights indicating right (Germany so driving on the right hand side of the road). Lights change and I set off towards the middle of the junction and then start to pull the cab round to the right a cyclist zooms through on my right going straight ahead. Missed him by a gnats knacker. I mean it's a 40 foot trailer with indicators all down the side like a frigging christmas tree but do they see it? Do they ****

In germany law says that cyclist pretty much have priority if you're turning right. They can do what the hell they like. You're turning off and they're going straight ahead - you have to have more mirrors than a 60's Mod Scooter.

In the UK though it's not much different. I'll be sat at the lights in my zed indicating left and a bike will pull up on my left and you can put money on it he's going straight ahead. I just let them go before I set off.

 

[Z Victor 1]

Of course there are idiots on bikes, but fewer than in vehicles. Why? Because the consequences of being an idiot on a bike are always likely to be painful, whereas many drivers feel safe in their metal boxes and seem to have little regard for other road users. I cycle regularly (avoiding traffic and main roads) and I would say that 80% of drivers pass far too close, within a couple of feet even when on a wide open road where they could easily give plenty of space, just completely oblivious to the potential danger.That's just one example of poor driving in this regard, I could list many more.

 

[Toby]

Glad you're ok Hugh, not a pleasant experience - really folks just need to be more considerate to each other. Unfortunately a poor example on either side causes eveyone to be tarred the same.

Watched a guy happily cycle through a red light the other day - easy to understand why some folks disregard them when they see blatant law breaking like this.

" I'll be sat at the lights in my zed indicating left and a bike will pull up on my left and you can put money on it he's going straight ahead. I just let them go before I set off. "

The cyclist has priority in this situation, so you did right letting them go first

 

[Duncodin]

And another thing that grips my sh*t are these electric bikes. Taking my dog for a walk along the canal footpath and in the distance hear somebody shouting "Excuse me" at the top of their lungs. I turn to what looks like a bicycle about 100 yards away and just about have time to yank the dog to heel when the (motor) cyclist comes flying past at god knows what speed.

Well. He did shout "excuse me" so i guess he owns the footpath. I'm guessing he doesn't bother ringing the bell because at that distance it just wouldn't be loud enough to sweep the way clear at the speed he's going.

Actually I don't mind stepping aside to let a 'proper' cyclist keep their momentum as they huff and puff their way up 5 locks hill. But those electric ones are a menace. Aren't those things classed as motor vehicles? They should be.on the road surely?

 

[Duncodin]

Glad you're ok Hugh, not a pleasant experience - really folks just need to be more considerate to each other. Unfortunately a poor example on either side causes eveyone to be tarred the same.

Watched a guy happily cycle through a red light the other day - easy to understand why some folks disregard them when they see blatant law breaking like this.

" I'll be sat at the lights in my zed indicating left and a bike will pull up on my left and you can put money on it he's going straight ahead. I just let them go before I set off. "

The cyclist has right of way in this situation, so you did right letting them go first

Section 74 new 2022 highway code for cyclist says
Do not ride on the inside of vehicles signalling or slowing down to turn left.

This would mean that if the cyclist arrives at the junction first then he has priority. But if the car is already waiting AND indicating left then the cyclist should not roll down the left side of the car if the car is indicating left.

After all that though. I passed my driving test (and hgv test) and done most of my driving in Germany where we give way to cyclist in pretty much all cases. So I just give them as much space as I can.

 

[Toby]

Section 74 new 2022 highway code for cyclist says
Do not ride on the inside of vehicles signalling or slowing down to turn left.

This would mean that if the cyclist arrives at the junction first then he has priority. But if the car is already waiting AND indicating left then the cyclist should not roll down the left side of the car if the car is indicating left.

After all that though. I passed my driving test (and hgv test) and done most of my driving in Germany where we give way to cyclist in pretty much all cases. So I just give them as much space as I can.

Check the last paragraph of section 6 regarding the new rules which came into force Jan. 2022

The Highway Code: 8 changes you need to know from 29 January 2022

Rules for all types of road users have been updated in The Highway Code to improve the safety of people walking, cycling and riding horses.

www.gov.uk

People cycling have priority when going straight ahead at junctions
The code clarifies that when people cycling are going straight ahead at a junction, they have priority over traffic waiting to turn into or out of a side road, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise.


Personnally I think its an accident waiting to happen - buts thems the rules.
Its all about gettig priorites in place for when driverless vehicles come in.

 

[Duncodin]

Check the last paragraph of section 6 regarding the new rules which came into force Jan. 2022

The Highway Code: 8 changes you need to know from 29 January 2022

Rules for all types of road users have been updated in The Highway Code to improve the safety of people walking, cycling and riding horses.

www.gov.uk

People cycling have priority when going straight ahead at junctions
The code clarifies that when people cycling are going straight ahead at a junction, they have priority over traffic waiting to turn into or out of a side road, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise.


Personnally I think its an accident waiting to happen - buts thems the rules.
Its all about gettig priorites in place for when driverless vehicles come in.

BTW I'm looking at rule for cyclists. No. 74 of actual highway code. Update for March 2022.

But. This motor vehicle left turn vs cyclist straight ahead thing is probably one if the biggest killers of cyclists so we all need to just give each other space and time no matter who has priority.

If you're a cyclist PLEASE do not pass down the left side of a truck if the truck is indicating left. It's likely the truck driver can't see you. You may have priority but that won't help you when you're under the back axle of an eddie stobart.

 

[miller1098]

Section 74 new 2022 highway code for cyclist says
Do not ride on the inside of vehicles signalling or slowing down to turn left.

This would mean that if the cyclist arrives at the junction first then he has priority. But if the car is already waiting AND indicating left then the cyclist should not roll down the left side of the car if the car is indicating left.

After all that though. I passed my driving test (and hgv test) and done most of my driving in Germany where we give way to cyclist in pretty much all cases. So I just give them as much space as I can.

You my friend are an example of a good thoughtful considerate driver and I would happily let my grandchildren put their lives on a bike in your hands if everyone was like you

 

[t-tony]

Just as a matter of interest, do they even do the Cycling Proficiency Test any more at primary schools? I did mine back in the day with the local village Bobby. I can even recall some, if not all of it now even though I don't cycle anymore. The point is it stuck in my mind all these years because the younger you teach kids the better the chance of it staying in their minds.
On another point, in the next village on Friday, a young boy came within a whisker of being killed as he went around the front of the school bus after getting off and ran out in front of a car, which luckily managed to stop in time. Do people not bother to teach kids any road sense now? Some years ago a young boy wasn't so lucky and was killed doing exactly this. Most likely the people with school age kids didn't even live here back then.

Tony.

 

[miller1098]

Just as a matter of interest, do they even do the Cycling Proficiency Test any more at primary schools? I did mine back in the day with the local village Bobby. I can even recall some, if not all of it now even though I don't cycle anymore. The point is it stuck in my mind all these years because the younger you teach kids the better the chance of it staying in their minds.
On another point, in the next village on Friday, a young boy came within a whisker of being killed as he went around the front of the school bus after getting off and ran out in front of a car, which luckily managed to stop in time. Do people not bother to teach kids any road sense now? Some years ago a young boy wasn't so lucky and was killed doing exactly this. Most likely the people with school age kids didn't even live here back then.

Tony.

In America when the school bus stops all traffic stops. You can’t depend on kids buddy

 

[t-tony]

Totally agree but I'll lay odds that he has not been educated about road safety. Also I think it would be a great thing that school busses had the "STOP" sign which swings out at a stop. This means traffic in BOTH directions has to stop until the sign is swung back in.
Problem being we do not have dedicated school busses like they do in the US so private coach companies would not want to fit them.
But even then you still get stupid drivers who pass the stationary school bus with sign out. I've seen it happen.

Tony.

 

[Robert Wiles]

And another thing that grips my sh*t are these electric bikes. Taking my dog for a walk along the canal footpath and in the distance hear somebody shouting "Excuse me" at the top of their lungs. I turn to what looks like a bicycle about 100 yards away and just about have time to yank the dog to heel when the (motor) cyclist comes flying past at god knows what speed.

Well. He did shout "excuse me" so i guess he owns the footpath. I'm guessing he doesn't bother ringing the bell because at that distance it just wouldn't be loud enough to sweep the way clear at the speed he's going.

Actually I don't mind stepping aside to let a 'proper' cyclist keep their momentum as they huff and puff their way up 5 locks hill. But those electric ones are a menace. Aren't those things classed as motor vehicles? They should be.on the road surely?

The UK laws for electrically assisted cycles limit power to 250 Watts and speed to 15.5 mph. Anything above that is classed as a motor vehicle. However, you can buy Chinese electric bike conversion kits with 1500W motors which probably make a push bike as quick as a small motorbike. I wonder how many of these kits sold are bought by law abiding citizens who have consideration for other road users?.....

On a similar note, is anyone else being plagued by the latest menace of electric scooters being randomly driven on road or pavement?

 

[Nodzed]

First off @miller1098 glad you were not injured Hugh. I do a lot of miles and see some horrendous incidents of crazy vehicle drivers passing cyclists, and some incidents the other way.

Well this debate just keeps going on doesn't it. I was driving to the new Zedshed HQ yesterday following @Oldguysrule on a wide but rural road and we came across several cyclist, came across the second lot of bikes, so I pulled as far to the right as I could go giving far more than room than required, luckily going very slow and the dipstick on the rear bike decides to overtake the front bike and pulled out in front of me right across to the opposite side of the road, didn't look just assumed the road was clear, wonder who would have got the blame if I had hit him!

For you walkers just to throw one back at you; I live in the Forest of Dean which is a huge and dedicated mountain bike and walking area with a couple of big bike hire and parking area points for cyclists around the area, with hundreds of dedicated biking trails ranging from easy to skilled, clearly marked and warning not suitable for walking and hundreds of miles of walking routes and paths.

There are also walking only trails and mixed trails. I have a e mountain bike (and there's probably as many ebikes as analogue bikes out there on any given day) It amazes me how many families, dog walkers (always with their dog off the leads) insist on walking with dogs and children on the biking trails that have been constructed purely for biking and then get angry when a bike comes blasting down the trail, they are all well signed so there is little excuse. Also those on the mixed trails that do the same not accepting its a mixed trail.

The serious mountain bikers don't used the mixed trails or the walking trails, I will concede there are idiots that will use the walking trails but these are usually kids. ebikes are restricted 10 approx 15mph assistance, I can assure you serious skilled riders on non ebikes exceed 15mph by some margin ebikes are not the problem. Its common practice to call ahead to walkers on mixed trails that you are approaching, I do it, would you rather they didn't, and bikes don't have bells these days! When we go walking we don't walk the bike or the mixed trails, seems sensible to me, but where vehicles, people and bikes mix its the same old story isn't? everyone should be respectful, considerate and learn to share!
As a walker, cyclist and a driver I can with confidence deduce a dick head is a dick head regardless of what activity they are partaking in, some walkers, cyclist and drivers are just inconsiderate. If you are walking where cyclist are permitted to ride or you are a cyclist riding in walking areas, be considerate of each other.

In my experience in this area in the Forest whether walking or cycling the cyclist are more considerate than the walkers who seem to think they have more right, just saying.

 

[Duncodin]

Slight change of topic - showing you the country side we live in - although still on topic because it shows how narrow above mentioned footpath is.

On an interesting note though this is an area called 5 locks - because there's 5 canal locks directly connected to each other. I would have loved to have seen this in action in its heyday. (although over the next mile and a half there's something like 14 locks so, as you can imagine, a pretty long steep incline where the council haven't seen fit to widen the path because it was only serial cyclist who could actually manage cycling up it.

First picture shows the height of these locks. Some full of water and someempty with a 3 meter drop into a few muddy inches of water with the odd shopping trolly to catch your fall.

See the path. Nettles to the right and, in places, a steep embankment down to the basin. Now tell me what gives any one, cyclists or pedestrians, a right to use this path in any way that affects other people.

Chain of locks stretching off down the hill. Doesn't look steep but till recently only the serious cyclists would come up here. Now any tw*t can nip into halfords (actually there's 14 locks between here and the retail park at the bottom of the hill) and come flying up this hill at whatever speed his e-cycle can manage shouting "Excuse Me" at the top of their lungs as if that gives them some right to get me, the missus and the dog to jump into the nettles. I mean that path is hardly wide enough for two people (who really like each other) to walk side by side.

By the way. My dog is never off the lead. I just can't trust him. He's a dog with a dog brain and he'd be off chasing ducks and geese many of which have young at this time of the year. and, when we're walking along the road, he's got a thing about chasing vans.

 

[t-tony]

I suppose its just as well they don't use bloody great horses to tow canal boats these days because they used to take up the whole of the towpath. Excuse me wouldn't register to a horse.

Tony.

 

[Duncodin]

I suppose its just as well they don't use bloody great horses to tow canal boats these days because they used to take up the whole of the towpath. Excuse me wouldn't register to a horse.

Tony.

Actually - we do have a fair few horses round here. Haven't encountered one on the path but the sherlock in me can see the signs that they've been there.