The 'Commuting Code'

beesneez

Just following on from the "Don't mind me as I overtake you for the fourth time" I thought that with the onset of spring and 1000's of newbie (and the not so newbie) commuters hitting the tarmac I'd start a commutting code discussion. Maybe newbie riders (or even those who have been riding for years but have failed to consider that their riding may be incosiderate or even dangerous to others) might read this thread and take on board some of the 'suggestions'.

The Code is designed to facilitate courteous and considerate behaviour of cyclists towards other cyclists and is not concerned about the saftey of the rider ie. I don't care if you want to jump red lights, or pull out in front of trucks, just don't endanger me /p!ss me off when you do it!!!

So I'll start the ball rolling, please add any things that may be helpful, or things other cylists could do:

1. If you pull up to stop at lights, don't push your way to the front and get in front of those that arrived at the lights first, especially if you are a slower rider
2. Prior to passing a cyclist consider whether you are actually faster than them and can maintain your speed, if not don't pass them.
3. Look behind before pulling out to pass, there maybe a faster cylist already overtaking.
4. Check that there's not another cylist behind you before letting lose a glob of snot!
5. Look at yourself in the mirror prior to puchasing any piece of lycra and if intent on buying lycra, consider the option of wearing overshorts
6. Don't ride like a tw@t, it just makes motorists hate cyclists more
7. If another cyclist has pulled over with a puncture, consider whether they might need a helping hand. 9 times out of 10 they won't, but a quick "you need a hand?" never goes a miss.

andrewc3142

8. All bikes should pay "road tax" and have license plates to help name and shame those who break the code, plus an ASBO or two.

Sea_Green_Incorruptible

On 2. The shame of getting caught out doing this is usually so unbearable that you only do it once or twice (particularly if you're 'all lycra'd up' and riding a wisp of trembling Italian carbon).

If you do misjudge it though and feel yourself flagging, pull over to the side of the road and pretend to fiddle with your ipod/mobile phone/Campag Record gear settings to avoid the shame of being passed by that old dude on a butchers' bike who you flew past at the bottom of the hill...

secretsam

No. 5 is spot on, although as with many activities, only about 1% of people actually look any good in the gear, the rest of us look like...oh don't start me

Roastie

+ If a fellow cyclists greets you when stopped at a light, have the courtesy to greet the fellow cyclist back, not pretend like he/she isn't there.

dav1

9. If you cause problems to other road users apologise immidiatly, we all make mistakes but noone likes the people that just dont care!

10. Rememer to thank the kind drivers that make room in the road and let you out at junctions.

dirk_van_gently

. Acknowledge courteous motorists: makes them more likely to be courteous other cyclists.
. Greet/smile/acknowledge other cyclists, and pedestrians: if they choose to ignore you so be it.

andrewc3142

Say thanks and reciprocate if someone slip-streams for you.

Gussio

The first rule of Commute Club is that there are no rules

Anonymous

Appending #1..
When you finally stop at the light, be sure to be behind the line of the crosswalk, not planted directly on top of the walking area (you are at this point not really a pedestrian, but a vehicle,) thus causing any peds to have to exit the crosswalk to get around you while still in the traffic area. Stop at the stop line.

Kafka\'s Doll

Balls to number 5. Fat people need cycle gear more than anyone. If you don't like looking at them stay at home or find some less egalitarian mode of transport.

Signals would be pretty high up my list. If I'm cycling behind you I'd like to know if you're about to hammer the brakes on!

beesneez

Kafka\'s Doll wrote:

Balls to number 5. Fat people need cycle gear more than anyone. If you don't like looking at them stay at home or find some less egalitarian mode of transport.

LOL!!! Personally I don't mind the fatties, they make me giggle. I think I'm more offended by skinny old men in baggy lycra!! If you can't fill it, don't wear it!

patchy

Roastiecp wrote:

+ If a fellow cyclists greets you when stopped at a light, have the courtesy to greet the fellow cyclist back, not pretend like he/she isn't there.

addendum: be sure check out what bike they're riding first, of course...

Clever Pun

should you point out if someones tights/lycra is see through?

is there different rules for men and women?

Sea_Green_Incorruptible

Clever Pun wrote:

should you point out if someones tights/lycra is see through?

is there different rules for men and women?

Depends. For blokes at least, in my view a visible bulge is ok; but if you can see the line of the bell end then things have gone too far...

Clever Pun

Sea_Green_Incorruptible wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

should you point out if someones tights/lycra is see through?

is there different rules for men and women?

Depends. For blokes at least, in my view a visible bulge is ok. But if you can see the line of the bell end than things have gone too far...

I was implying @ss cracks not wise cracks

wai

Be excellent to one another.....dudes 8)

One major thing I'd like to do better when I ride, is not treat every stretch of road (open or not) as my own personal time trial.

hamboman

Sea_Green_Incorruptible wrote:

On 2. The shame of getting caught out doing this is usually so unbearable that you only do it once or twice (particularly if you're 'all lycra'd up' and riding a wisp of trembling Italian carbon).

If you do misjudge it though and feel yourself flagging, pull over to the side of the road and pretend to fiddle with your ipod/mobile phone/Campag Record gear settings to avoid the shame of being passed by that old dude on a butchers' bike who you flew past at the bottom of the hill...

I don't buy into any of that cr4p - I go at the pace I'm comfortable with at the time and overtake whoever's in front of me. Let them overtake me back again if they want to put on a burst of speed caused by shame, no biggy.

I think it's a really nooby thing to get hung up on trying to go faster than others, just ride your own commute.

Sea_Green_Incorruptible

hamboman wrote:

Sea_Green_Incorruptible wrote:

On 2. The shame of getting caught out doing this is usually so unbearable that you only do it once or twice (particularly if you're 'all lycra'd up' and riding a wisp of trembling Italian carbon).

If you do misjudge it though and feel yourself flagging, pull over to the side of the road and pretend to fiddle with your ipod/mobile phone/Campag Record gear settings to avoid the shame of being passed by that old dude on a butchers' bike who you flew past at the bottom of the hill...

I don't buy into any of that cr4p - I go at the pace I'm comfortable with at the time and overtake whoever's in front of me. Let them overtake me back again if they want to put on a burst of speed caused by shame, no biggy.

I think it's a really nooby thing to get hung up on trying to go faster than others, just ride your own commute.

Indeed. I was er... being ironic ...

Rapha tarts on carbon roadies DO hate being over taken by anyone though...

andrewc3142

Glad you limited it to carbon. Had me worried for a minute, there.

il pirata

beesneez wrote:

Just following on from the "Don't mind me as I overtake you for the fourth time" I thought that with the onset of spring and 1000's of newbie (and the not so newbie) commuters hitting the tarmac I'd start a commutting code discussion. Maybe newbie riders (or even those who have been riding for years but have failed to consider that their riding may be incosiderate or even dangerous to others) might read this thread and take on board some of the 'suggestions'.

The Code is designed to facilitate courteous and considerate behaviour of cyclists towards other cyclists and is not concerned about the saftey of the rider ie. I don't care if you want to jump red lights, or pull out in front of trucks, just don't endanger me /p!ss me off when you do it!!!

So I'll start the ball rolling, please add any things that may be helpful, or things other cylists could do:

1. If you pull up to stop at lights, don't push your way to the front and get in front of those that arrived at the lights first, especially if you are a slower rider
2. Prior to passing a cyclist consider whether you are actually faster than them and can maintain your speed, if not don't pass them.
3. Look behind before pulling out to pass, there maybe a faster cylist already overtaking.
4. Check that there's not another cylist behind you before letting lose a glob of snot!
5. Look at yourself in the mirror prior to puchasing any piece of lycra and if intent on buying lycra, consider the option of wearing overshorts
6. Don't ride like a tw@t, it just makes motorists hate cyclists more
7. If another cyclist has pulled over with a puncture, consider whether they might need a helping hand. 9 times out of 10 they won't, but a quick "you need a hand?" never goes a miss.

8. Apart from abiding by no. 7, treat the remainder of these anal regulations with the contempt they deserve...chill out...enjoy your cycling, but remember that there are an army of such sad gits out there. Alternatively, deliberately break as many of above to observe the satisfying sight of said saddos turn purple as they attempt and fail to impose their personal morality onto everyone else.

dirk_van_gently

Clever Pun:
But if you can see the line of the bell end than things have gone too far...

eeeeuuwww!!! TMI

Bassjunkieuk

I do get rather frustrated by people who break rule 1, but have to admit I do usually try to get either near the front or at least get a clear way out when approaching crowded lights as I can take off fairly quickly! Usually you can make an educated guess who the faster riders are going to be and tuck in behind them :-)

As for rule 2, I quite enjoy a game of cat and mouse and enjoy the challenge of riding with other commuters who are going about the same pace as me, never really been one for taking it easy!

cityvision

Add - Never get angry. Anger distorts your perceptions and leaves you vulnerable to more serious accidents. Try to smile and say sorry, even if its not your fault, you can always make a friend, however if they have done you real damage, it is understandable if you lose all self control so that they can never damage any other person or child.