Cycling... stay aware at junctions even when you are tired.

Richie · 13 Sep 2013 at 10:27

[DOD]Asprilla;24935810 said:
Do you have the same argument for motorcycles or are they different?

As has been said, motorcyles are different because they will pull away and can keep up with traffic. I have never had to overtake a motrobike. I can't see anyone arguing differently here.

I filter to the front because I tend to be able to cover the first 5-10m quicker than cars and that gets me clear of the junction. If I queue in traffic then some intellectual giant behind be me will decide that I'm going slowly and am the reason they won't make it though the current phase (even though I'm going the same speed as the traffic) and so they will attempt the over take and possibly a left hook whilst they are at it.

If the cars are repeatedly being filtered past by the cyclists and are they overtaking again it means their journey times are the same and so traffic flow isn't being slowed as all. Too many people confuse speed with journey time.

I can see your point about people trying to overtake you to make it through the lights. Peope may also overtake unsafely to try and "get rid of that damn cyclist as they keep making me miss the lights"

You are assuming that the cyclist is repeatedly filtering through the same traffic which is may not be the case -

1. Traffic overtakes cyclist
2. Traffic stops at lights
3. Cyclist filters through
4. Lights go green
5. Traffic waits to overtake cyclist

ad infinitum

If, however, the cyclist maintains their queue position, point 5 is removed meaning that the traffic in front may not have to stop at the next set of lights negating the need for them to wait again to overtake and their journey time is reduced.

What you are implying is that people may as well just wait behind all cyclists as their journey time is the same :confused:

I'd prefer to get away ahead of the traffic. It's safer.

Agreed but look at the other potential view - instead of 10 vehicles overtaking you (because you filtered by 6 cars); you only have 4. Could this not be deemed a lesser risk?

BTW, just spitballing here.

[DOD]Asprilla · 13 Sep 2013 at 11:13

Richie said:
I can see your point about people trying to overtake you to make it through the lights. People may also overtake unsafely to try and "get rid of that damn cyclist as they keep making me miss the lights"

You are assuming that the cyclist is repeatedly filtering through the same traffic which is may not be the case

I thought that was the scenario you were painting below.

Richie said:
Nothing worse for drivers than, after being able to overtake safely,for the cyclist to then filter by the 10 vehicles that have overtaken him/her at lights (or busy Give Ways) to take up position at the front only for the same cars to then have to wait and overtake again..

I'm only suggesting that cyclists are not extending the journey times of cars if they are both leaving sequential lights at the same time. Most of my riding is in London where cyclists and mopeds are the quickest journey times, not cars.

Richie · 13 Sep 2013 at 12:03

Cool. Around here, the roads are villages/towns interspersed with country roads so, when you overtake a cyclist who then filters back to the front in the village, it can take an age to overtake them again on the country roads if you are the 3rd+ car back. At this point, you are doing 10-20mph when its safe to do 40+MPH in a car

I guess this issue is subjective dependant on where you are in the country (busy city v villages/towns)

uniQ · 13 Sep 2013 at 12:16

^ That's life. You don't have any more rights than the cyclist. Just because you may find it frustrating, they're not obliged to wait for you to pass for your convenience.

Richie · 13 Sep 2013 at 13:23

Calm down. I cycle as well. As I stated above, I was just spitballing and throwing ideas and arguments out there to be discussed (unlike what happens in GD). At no point did I say I had any more rights than cyclists so climb off your high horse and read threads next time.

grudas · 13 Sep 2013 at 13:25

thank you mr obvious ? what a random thread IMO.

Scougar · 13 Sep 2013 at 13:55

grudas said:
thank you mr obvious ? what a random thread IMO.

This isn't GD you didn't have to bother commenting. Thank you so much for your constructive post.

grudas · 13 Sep 2013 at 13:59

Scougar said:
This isn't GD you didn't have to bother commenting. Thank you so much for your constructive post.

ORLY, I mean its obvious enough that you NEED to pay attention to everything while you're on the road and it doesn't matter if you're tired, drunk or high if you're on the road with your bike, car, motorbike or w/e you need to pay attention its SO basic no one ever reminds you of that..

Scougar · 13 Sep 2013 at 14:03

Just so we can see where you are coming from:

grudas said:
I'm going to try and get my license this year... during winter lol we'll see how much my view changes about cyclists..

tbh I do feel like slapping every single cyclist that cycles without lights, high viz clothing is something I don't wear either so I'd be dumb if I was to complain about it..

Clearly you have a good understanding of the road, and what it is like to be part of it, and the assumptions and judgements you have to make every single day, not to mention that people can and do go into 'auto-pilot' sometimes on a familiar route. Next time you step into a road without looking as you cross... think of me and remember that you can get complacent.

I clearly stated that if it makes one person remember to focus even when they are tired, the thread was worth it. I believe the thread was worth it, I'm sorry you don't feel that way.

grudas · 13 Sep 2013 at 14:06

Scougar said:
Just so we can see where you are coming from:

Clearly you have a good understanding of the road, and what it is like to be part of it, and the assumptions and judgements you have to make every single day, not to mention that people can and do go into 'auto-pilot' sometimes on a familiar route. Next time you step into a road without looking as you cross... think of me and remember that you can get complacent.

I clearly stated that if it makes one person remember to focus even when they are tired, the thread was worth it. I believe the thread was worth it, I'm sorry you don't feel that way.

I do have a good understanding of the road to be honest, and I know perfectly fine what it is like to be a part of it, I've cycled over 4000 miles through central london in rain, snow etc so I know perfectly fine how it works.

I agree with you in a way but IMO this "reminder/thread" is pointless as its an obvious thing that you need to pay attention when you're on the road..

Scougar · 13 Sep 2013 at 14:10

**** it. whatever. Removed my comments because this isn't GD. Thank you for your opinion

grudas · 13 Sep 2013 at 14:35

yeah its a discussion forum so why can't we discuss like grown ups? I share my opinion you share yours

removing comments etc is just pointless.

Scougar · 13 Sep 2013 at 14:45

grudas said:
yeah its a discussion forum so why can't we discuss like grown ups? I share my opinion you share yours removing comments etc is just pointless.

I removed them because I didn't want to go off topic so much and I'm not looking for an argument, and rather than cause offence I removed them.

I have never said you couldn't share your's, I always like a reasoned conversation, but please don't try to tell me that removing comments is pointless when you were originally so dismissive of my entire thread. Just think on that for a moment please.

My removed comments in essence came down to this: I have seen so many potential accidents happen (and some actual), that it is clear that people get complacent on the roads. I felt like a tool when this happened, and I got lucky. I'm sorry that you don't seem to value the experiences of others, so that you hopefully may not make the same yourself.

I'm sure when you go for your driving lessons/test you'll be just fine without having listened to the experience of driving instructors and those whom have been driving a long time. Not like they should bother, because what they might say should be obvious right?

platypus · 13 Sep 2013 at 15:37

I think that the number of incidents involving cyclists and cars is evidence enough that not everyone pays attention.

davejh666 · 13 Sep 2013 at 23:19

I am in a fortunate position in that I ride cycles, ride motorbikes and drive a car. What I would say is that not one single group of road users concentrates more than any other.

When I took my motorbike test the one thing that the instructor rammed in our heads was how difficult it is for a car/lorry/other road user to judge the speed and distance of a motorbike. That is why so many motorcyclists keep their lights on all year round - the light always seems closer, so people tend not to pull out on you as much.

And, I have to admit, I am a cyclist that filters to the front of traffic at lights etc. It is just a natural habit for me from riding a motorcycle.