Give cyclists room

[owyn]

Originally Posted by triumphjon

ive recently experienced a disgruntled cyclist who shouted the earth that i should give him a meters clearance , i wouldnt mind so much but at the time he was actually UNDERTAKING me , a situation made worse as a parked car opened its door into our paths , i naturally blew the horn & avoided both the door and the **** on a bike along with te oncoming traffic ! if cyclists are insisting a meters clearance & therefore taking up as much space on a carrigeway as a motor vehicle then its about time the riders were made to be insured and pay ved for the push bike too

I think a metre is a very reasonable distance, if you try standing with your back to traffic and let them drive past you within a metre I bet you flinch!

As for VED and insurance, how much would you suggest that be? Currently cars that produce very low levels of CO2 get zero VED, as a cyclist would be close to zero then maybe it should be a negative amount, I think I'd support that. After all there are several cars which which gain a grant for purchasing.
As for insurance, I have full third party cover as part of my british cycling membership at just over £40. It would be interesting to know how many uninsured losses there are involving cyclists, that would probably inform as to whether mandatory insurance is necessary.

[Brodick]

I respect cyclists unless they try to bully traffic or take advantage
I have noticed of late a number of cyclists not using bike lanes and therefore causing delays on the roads. Why would a cyclist not use a bike lane it is there for their safety as much as that of a motorist
Also riding on a road two or three abreast is just wrong. Rude causes delays and angers motorists
I too am a cyclist but would never break intend to annoy motorists or break any rules

[Bonefishblues]

Interesting that someone so exposed can "bully traffic". How so?

[Munro83]

Originally Posted by Bonefishblues

Slow down so you don't have to slam on. Perform an overtake. Simples. The speed differential is such that the latter should be easy. As stated, in many scenarios it is safer for cyclists to ride in this way to avoid their being squeezed, as can happen if in single file.

I lost perhaps 30 secs time on a journey to a group of cyclists this evening as I cruised up behind them. Because I maintained a distance they didn't hear me. Once they did they took up single file and one beckoned me past when he could see around the next corner. No drama, no fuss, everyone got along.

Just saying.

You must have lovely straight roman roads where you live, here in Aberdeenshire we have plenty 60mph roads which are perfectly safe cornering at 60mph but are still relatively blind corners. So yes I do have to slam on if a bunch of cyclists suddenly apear- even worse are the people who decide to jog along a main road!!!

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by Munro83

You must have lovely straight roman roads where you live, here in Aberdeenshire we have plenty 60mph roads which are perfectly safe cornering at 60mph but are still relatively blind corners. So yes I do have to slam on if a bunch of cyclists suddenly apear- even worse are the people who decide to jog along a main road!!!

I think you are damned by your own words tbh.

[Munro83]

Originally Posted by Bonefishblues

I think you are damned by your own words tbh.

So you can see around every corner you drive? Even a long sweeping corner in a forest?

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by Munro83

So you can see around every corner you drive? Even a long sweeping corner in a forest?

No I can't on occasion. When I can't I moderate my speed appropriate to my visibility.

[Brodick]

Originally Posted by Bonefishblues

Interesting that someone so exposed can "bully traffic". How so?

By not using bike lanes when provided. Not illeagal but Darn right rude and inappropriate
Cyclists kicking out at traffic believing they are in the right. Whilst they maybe on some occasions. Not all. There are other ways
There needs to be more laws governing cycling on the public highways. To many chances being taken by some.
Again I cycle on a regular basis and Am disgusted how some ride on the road

[Bonefishblues]

Originally Posted by Brodick

By not using bike lanes when provided. Not illeagal but Darn right rude and inappropriate
Cyclists kicking out at traffic believing they are in the right. Whilst they maybe on some occasions. Not all. There are other ways
There needs to be more laws governing cycling on the public highways. To many chances being taken by some.
Again I cycle on a regular basis and Am disgusted how some ride on the road

Perhaps you could think of a more appropriate term as I still don't see bullying behaviour.

[Father Ted]

Originally Posted by owyn

As for insurance, I have full third party cover as part of my british cycling membership at just over £40. It would be interesting to know how many uninsured losses there are involving cyclists, that would probably inform as to whether mandatory insurance is necessary.

£4000 damage to a company car I was driving when the cyclist thought road laws didn't apply to him.