Yet again my life was on the line

[Slogger]

Yes, I support local cyclists: I used to cycle 50 miles at a time myself. And yes, it amazed me the hostility between us two-wheelers and drivers.

But, and this has come to me as a car driver who has had many "fault" and "non-fault" accidents in the past, I have come to believe there is a great deal one can do to drive/ride defensively, and avoid a great many situations where danger lurks.

Just because an accident or "near-miss" is not your fault does not mean there wasn't anything you could have done to avoid that situation arising.

If you're sceptical, try one advanced driving lesson. It'll change your mind, I promise you.

typical answer from a car driver ? COULDNT U AVOID IT

Sure i could if i had eyes in the back of my head , you need to remember a cycle has a 17 to 30 mph max speed with little manouverablitly when cornered = roundabouts = your at the mercy of traffic
junctions = your at the mercy of traffic

as for the advanced driving carp i have done that on the motorbike and it was way overated
gl on the roads i have my rockets and will use them

 

[ohmygodwhathaveyoudone]

why do cyclists not use the cycle paths that are provided and instead use the road and have near misses when are a car approaches an island/bollard in the middle of the road and they don't stop at crossings or traffic lights either.
I used to cycle to work but its just too risky as it seemed that every motorist thought i was invisible(i never jumped the traffic lights though)
i nearly hit a cyclist when he swerved in front of me to avoid a BUMP in the road but as he was on a MOUNTAIN BIKE WITH SUSPENSION AND 99 GEARS THAT IS CAPABLE OF GOING UP MOUNT EVEREST his bike might not have made been made for it
i think the roads are far to dangerous for bikes especially for kids because of the attitude of motorists (me included)
ahhh thats better,rant over.

 

[Steve]

why do cyclists not use the cycle paths that are provided and instead use the road and have near misses when are a car approaches an island/bollard in the middle of the road

Because many roads dont have adjacent cycle paths. 10 years ago here, the council spent a fortune building dedicated cycle paths in red tarmac, adjacent to the footpath, but sunk down with a kerb between them, so it was seperate. About a mile stretch to the town centre. Then every cycle path they have built since then is just painted on. Shame they couldn't keep up the effort with making drop kerbs etc.

and they don't stop at crossings or traffic lights either.

AFAIK, if they dismount, they dont have to. They are then a pedestrian.

I used to cycle to work but its just too risky as it seemed that every motorist thought i was invisible(i never jumped the traffic lights though)
i nearly hit a cyclist when he swerved in front of me to avoid a BUMP in the road but as he was on a MOUNTAIN BIKE WITH SUSPENSION AND 99 GEARS THAT IS CAPABLE OF GOING UP MOUNT EVEREST his bike might not have made been made for it
i think the roads are far to dangerous for bikes especially for kids because of the attitude of motorists (me included)

agreed, I have the habit of riding on the pavement, I just consider the roads too dangerous. The police always turn a blind eye lol.

 

[Richardp]

Cars should be banned {and dogs} and the roads made over to bikes and their riders, that bloke that was in a jet car crash was a prat and gloryfieing speed, someone said he encourages kids to go fast, they get their names on a grave stone he gets his name on a helicopter, thats true.
these are my humble thoughts.

um! kate humble