Are some drivers really that blind?

scrumpydave

There's a lot of preaching to the choir going on here, but as this is the beginners forum I'm going to offer some advice. Bear in mind I'm not aiming this at anyone in particular, but some of the examples given sound like they might have been avoidable.

1. Don't ride in the gutter, it makes you invisible and invites people to take risks around you. At junctions and roundabouts it is often sensible to take the midlle of the lane to prevent drivers pushing you to the side and hiding you or left hooking you.
2. Try to make eye contact with drivers who are joining the road you are on. You can be a lot surer whether they have seen you or not.
3. Make your intentions clear early and carry them out decisively.
4. Don't push your way through traffic unless you are SURE that traffic is not about to start moving.
5. People do stupid things. Unless the road in front is clear and free of obstacles keep in control of your speed and be prepared to stop.

I'm sure there are more but these are the first that come to mind.

You have to make an effort to be visible on the roads. Clothing and lights are not enough.

Muffintop

scrumpydave wrote:

There's a lot of preaching to the choir going on here, but as this is the beginners forum I'm going to offer some advice. Bear in mind I'm not aiming this at anyone in particular, but some of the examples given sound like they might have been avoidable.

1. Don't ride in the gutter, it makes you invisible and invites people to take risks around you. At junctions and roundabouts it is often sensible to take the midlle of the lane to prevent drivers pushing you to the side and hiding you or left hooking you.
2. Try to make eye contact with drivers who are joining the road you are on. You can be a lot surer whether they have seen you or not.
3. Make your intentions clear early and carry them out decisively.
4. Don't push your way through traffic unless you are SURE that traffic is not about to start moving.
5. People do stupid things. Unless the road in front is clear and free of obstacles keep in control of your speed and be prepared to stop.

I'm sure there are more but these are the first that come to mind.

You have to make an effort to be visible on the roads. Clothing and lights are not enough.

Cheers Dave (or is it just Scrumpy). I don't drive myself so I am super concious incase the obvious course of action isn't always the correct course. I usually stick myself in the middle of a lane - I'd rather do something wrong and everyone see it rather than do something right and get squished by someone else not paying attention. We're all guilty of it. I find cycling up my local high street pedestrians are guilty of listening and looking for cars that they don't see cyclists - I've had a couple of very close misses.

On the other hand I have a mate who frequently cycles over the lower speed limit zones and doesn't quite get that they're 1. Breaking the law and police could legitimately hall them in for it, 2. Actually hurt someone. They drive as well but seems to think cos they're on the bike what they do doesn't 'count'. They're also guilty of cycling with their head down trying to look at the map. They are always on the wrong side of the road by the time they look up again. You'd think that with driving they'd be more aware but they're just confusing confidence with arrogance.

Mx

scrumpydave

Thanks Muff (Top?)

I don't drive either any more, but experience has taught me that riding assertively reduces problems. I think if you expect drivers to do the right thing they usually won't so my tactic is to make it clear to them exactly what they are supposed to do. I don't wave my fists or anything, I just put my bike on the right part of the road in plenty of time.

I never get any antagonism from drivers, and I always thank them when they let me cross the lane to turn right etc. Not sure how well it would work in That London though. Some people down there seem pretty angry.

HebdenBiker

scrumpydave wrote:

Not sure how well it would work in That London though. Some people down there seem pretty angry.

It's true. Drivers in London are far worse than the rest of the country.

bompington

Muffintop wrote:

...cycles over the lower speed limit zones and doesn't quite get that they're 1. Breaking the law and police could legitimately hall them in for it...

Wrong - speed limits do not apply to cyclists! But you can be done for cycling wantonly and furiously