Cyclists' rant thread

You know how it is, you've just survived another ride to work and want to scream at someone.... Let me start it off.

On my way to work this morning I happened upon an unhappy cyclist and a small car, having collided when car turned right (as opposed to left for a change) across gap in slow moving traffic, not looking for cyclist. I stopped to check cyclist was ok and that he was remembering to do all the things you should in these circumstances. He was ok, battered and bruised but bike was in need of surgery. He asked me if insurance would cover the damage. I said yes, this lady's insurance will pay out ie. the driver of the vehicle that hit him. She said "Why?" WHY??????????? Because you knocked him off his bike, he's injured and his bike is broken. Does insurance not apply simply because it was a cyclist you hit and not another car???? I also said they must call the police.

Personally, I think we should always report collisions and accidents to the police, then there's a chance that court action will result (careless/dangerous driving) and one day, perhaps one day, drivers will learn to be a bit more careful.

/rant

<puts tin hat on and waits for irate drivers and pedestrians to join in>

Argh! Don't get me started!

I've got so much pent up anger about the lack of awareness and courtesy shown to cyclists that I can't even rant coherently about it anymore. I've only actually been hit once but the number of near misses I've had must number in the hundreds and the reaction of the driver is always the same as the lady driver in your incident. They seem to think that being in a car gives them priority to go where they like and cyclists should just leap out of there way. The overtaking then turning left thing is a prime example.. opening car doors into you.. driving into you because they started overtaking when something was coming the other way.. it's always the cyclists fault though of course. GAH!

*breathes deeply*

I'm going to guess that the cyclist was riding down the inside of a line of slow moving traffic, which is illegal.  Yes, the motorist should have looked before turning but if you're doing something illegal you have to take a certain amount of responsibility.

Pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist and driver

I just wish there were more cyclists on the roads - then motorists wouldn't think that it was their right to do whatever they feel like.

Stopping to pick up the wife on a double yellow - dual carriageway  - right in front of me just as i was getting up speed. 40mph traffic in other lane so NO WAY am i over taking. Just had to stop dead swearing loudly.  aaarrgh

Filtering on the left may not be the most sensible option depending on the circumstances, but it's not illegal.

Dunno if it is illegal Mr W. Highway code s163 :

I have always interpreted this as being able to ride up to traffic lights on the left of the queue or 'undertake' slow moving heavy traffic. I don't particularly like doing it as you are invisible to traffic turning right across you (and the potholes are worse, broken glass collects, can't see the poxy drains, pedestrians step out, muppets open the door to climb out...), but the roads round our way are so snarled and narrow that I sometimes have no choice.

Under the Highway Code it is acceptable to pass a vehicle on the left (usually referred to as undertaking) if the vehicle is signalling to turn right and there is enough room to do so or where you are in a separate lane and the other vehicle is being held up by traffic ahead. Any manoeuvre should be done with care.

If you're in a cycle lane then it's a separate lane so not illegal to pass on the left.  if there's no cycle lane then you're considered to be in the same lane as the cars so it is illegal.

Apologies if I seem to be defending the motorist.  I've had numerous near misses when I've been cycling but also seen loads of cyclists jumping red lights, cutting in front of cars and riding very badly.  Before we, as cyclists, start ranting we need to make sure that we're obeying the highway code.

Grr but car drivers are mostly cretins , I cannot even bring to mind the number of times they have attempted to kill me whilst I have been cycling or motorcycling.

Still I would say this RIDE ASSERTIVELY you are less likely to be hit , be seen, make it clear  what you are doing and watch for the obvious threats  , then you at least have a good chance! 

I dont think the Ukrainian gentlemen I adroitly removed from his car via his driver side window will be overtaking any more cyclists and then doing a sharp left any time soon.