Do cyclists have a date with death?

sigma · 21 Aug 2009 at 13:29

I really like those riders around here who decide not to bother putting any lights on their bikes and dress all in black/dark clothes and ride when it's dark or just getting dark. I wish I was as clever as those people.

snowdog · 21 Aug 2009 at 13:47

[DOD]Asprilla;14721966 said:
What!?!? You're saying that if I indicate and move into the middle of the road to turn right then the cars behind me have right of way and I should wait for them to overtake before I turn?

If those are the rules of the road you obey then no wonder there are so many accidents.

Edit: just noticed your location and realised there may be some confusion over the rules.

No, you stay left until you can turn... Or turn right when you can before they reach you. Tbh now that I'm reading my own post I'm not sure what the rules actually are, if the cars have right of way because they are goign straight and cross your path, or if they are equal because you're behind each other...

But imo the smartest thing to do is always stay on the left until you can actually turn and let cars pass you on the right...

Does the rest of the traffic magically vanish in the Netherlands when a 25kph moped is on the road?

That kind of speed is easily capable of inflicting a fatal head injury, but moped and cyclists are generally involved in accidents with other vehicles that may be doing a fair bit more than 25kph in the opposite direction. Doesn't take a genius to figure that one out, so I have to wonder about the intelligence of your government.
?

Vanish? What's your point ? At least our government doesn't tell us what to do in this case, people can do whatever they want... You're also capable of a fatal head injury while running into something at high speed, should all pedestrians wear helmets too ? Wear a helmet if you like but for gods sake don't let the government force you to do it...

It's their choice to use a bicycle. If they don't want to abide by traffic laws because it takes a bit of effort then they shouldn't be on the road.

Riiiight, instead they should all use cars so the traffic is stuck all day long instead of just during the busy morning and evening hours :rolleyes:

.

Captain_Slick · 21 Aug 2009 at 13:49

snowdog said:
Riiiight, instead they should all use cars so the traffic is stuck all day long instead of just during the busy morning and evening hours .

That wouldn't happen though, would it? If anything traffic would move more smoothly even with the extra cars because there's no berks on bicycles to slow them down or get in the way.

snowdog · 21 Aug 2009 at 14:16

Captain_Slick said:
That wouldn't happen though, would it? If anything traffic would move more smoothly even with the extra cars because there's no berks on bicycles to slow them down or get in the way.

I don't know what the case would be in the UK, but here it'd mean a 25% increase in car traffic. Besides, cyclists barely slow down cars at all, they only share the same roads in built up areas on other slow areas, anywhere else they sit on cycle paths or parallel roads. I don't really see how bikes slow you down though, fair enough my driving experience is a bit limited ( probably only driven 40ish hours in total in my whole life so far) but I have not once been held up by a cyclist to slow me down considerably, I simply always overtake em, the worst situation I had is having to slow a bit so I can pass them safely ( wait for cars coming the otehr way).

OpenToSuggestions · 21 Aug 2009 at 14:22

Just remember if you hit as cyclist at worst you will need a new body panel, whereas they need new legs. Of course I give them room but some of them really do want to die.

I don't understand cyclists or motorcyclists who go round like a maniac with no care for safety, when really they should be the observant ones as they have zero protection.

[DOD]Asprilla · 21 Aug 2009 at 14:24

snowdog said:
No, you stay left until you can turn... Or turn right when you can before they reach you. Tbh now that I'm reading my own post I'm not sure what the rules actually are, if the cars have right of way because they are goign straight and cross your path, or if they are equal because you're behind each other...

Nope, If I'm turning right then I indicate right and move into the middle of the road, provided it is safe to do so. I then turn right. I'm not crossing their path because they are on the same path as me. A bike has the same right of way as a car; when cars go past you on your bike they are overtaking, not taking a parallel path.

What happens with alarming frequency though is that I indicate right, pull into the middle of the road, start my turn and then someone goes past me on the right. The most amazing thing is that there is usually plenty of space for them on the left.

Meloco · 21 Aug 2009 at 14:26

Mr-White said:
Cyclists should pass a test before being allowed on the roads and they should not be allowed on the paths. I work in Cambridge and cyclists cause havoc every where, they're a bloody nuisance.

MW

+1

matt_fsr · 21 Aug 2009 at 14:26

[quote='[DOD]snip[/quote]

This is because many drivers long ago forgot how to drive properly, and with any care for other road users.

Firegod · 21 Aug 2009 at 17:30

platypus said:
Sounds more to me like you need an anger-behind-the-wheel management course, which would help make the roads just a little bit safer. Neh?

Nope.

FreeStream · 21 Aug 2009 at 17:58

I cycle and drive, some cyclists bring it on themselves and even I get in the way sometimes, mainly by accident, because no one is perfect.

But under the law cyclists arn't allowed on the road or the pavement so thats useful isn't it...

RockLobster · 21 Aug 2009 at 18:11

Concorde Rules said:
But under the law cyclists arn't allowed on the road or the pavement so thats useful isn't it...

They are allowed on the road read up Taylor vs Goodwin.

Pants · 21 Aug 2009 at 18:50

I see some of you think it's annoying when cyclists ride in the middle of the lane.

It's because if they hugged the curb moronic drivers would try to squeeze past even with oncoming traffic etc. It's an accident waiting to happen and not good for elbows or mirrors.

And the tax argument, just lol.

Kerplunk · 21 Aug 2009 at 18:56

I find Royal Mail cyclists just as bad tbh, round here is the local depot and at 8:45am they are all out in force! A constant stream of them grr

teulk · 21 Aug 2009 at 20:44

Im a cyclist, i ride on the road. I own a car and i pay road tax or Vehicle Excise Duty. As already pointed out you dont pay road tax or VED for a bicycle because they 1. Dont emit harmful emmisions. 2. They dont damage the roads. Oh and i also have cycle insurance. Are you equally upset that drivers of cars with low emissions pay less Tax than you, what about electric cars, they pay no Tax so obviously they shouldnt be allowed on the road either !

I get fed up with drivers wanting to kill me, i get fed up with drivers cutting me up, i get fed up with drivers forcing me into the kerb.............i can quite happily go along at 20 - 25mph yet drivers still feed the need to do all of the above, well why is that ? Simple really, im delaying then by 1 or 2 seconds !

If you think there are bad cyclists around then there are equally just as many bad drivers !

FreeStream · 21 Aug 2009 at 21:36

RockLobster said:
They are allowed on the road read up Taylor vs Goodwin.

Can't find it but I was working on the basis of no engine + no registration = not on the road

Meloco · 21 Aug 2009 at 21:39

teulk said:
Im a cyclist, i ride on the road. I own a car and i pay road tax or Vehicle Excise Duty. As already pointed out you dont pay road tax or VED for a bicycle because they 1. Dont emit harmful emmisions. 2. They dont damage the roads. Oh and i also have cycle insurance. Are you equally upset that drivers of cars with low emissions pay less Tax than you, what about electric cars, they pay no Tax so obviously they shouldnt be allowed on the road either !

I get fed up with drivers wanting to kill me, i get fed up with drivers cutting me up, i get fed up with drivers forcing me into the kerb.............i can quite happily go along at 20 - 25mph yet drivers still feed the need to do all of the above, well why is that ? Simple really, im delaying then by 1 or 2 seconds !

If you think there are bad cyclists around then there are equally just as many bad drivers !

You can cycle 20 - 25mph.. Ok, I get this on a 60mph road. That definitely does not delay me by a few seconds. Most cyclists seem to go about 5mph where it is way too dangerous to perform a safe over-take. Meanwhile about 5 cars are piling up behind, all wanting to overtake.

Peter Diffey · 21 Aug 2009 at 21:55

teulk said:
Im a cyclist, i ride on the road. I own a car and i pay road tax or Vehicle Excise Duty. As already pointed out you dont pay road tax or VED for a bicycle because they 1. Dont emit harmful emmisions. 2. They dont damage the roads. Oh and i also have cycle insurance. Are you equally upset that drivers of cars with low emissions pay less Tax than you, what about electric cars, they pay no Tax so obviously they shouldnt be allowed on the road either !

I get fed up with drivers wanting to kill me, i get fed up with drivers cutting me up, i get fed up with drivers forcing me into the kerb.............i can quite happily go along at 20 - 25mph yet drivers still feed the need to do all of the above, well why is that ? Simple really, im delaying then by 1 or 2 seconds !

If you think there are bad cyclists around then there are equally just as many bad drivers !

This this this this!

teulk · 22 Aug 2009 at 06:16

Regardless of how fast the cyclists are going you are very rarely adding more than a few seconds to a few minutes on to your journey time. i think you will find that 5mph is very slow for a cyclist to go, i bet you will find that most will be going on average between 10 and 15mph if not fastter. Yes i can reach 20 - 25mph but i cant sustain that speed but even so its still too slow for some drivers.

EvilDreams · 22 Aug 2009 at 07:13

I agree with all negative points against cyclists, they slow everyone down to their speed and they don't pay tax or insurance. If *I* have to pay to use the road then so should they especially with all the trouble they cause other road users.

I frequently have to change lanes to overtake cyclists on a 40mph dual carriageway (which means the traffic is doing 50/60) or get stuck behind one at 10-15mph which is ridiculous.

If you want to go on the road with the adults buy something with an engine you cheapskate!

teulk · 22 Aug 2009 at 07:39

EvilDreams said:
I agree with all negative points against cyclists, they slow everyone down to their speed and they don't pay tax or insurance. If *I* have to pay to use the road then so should they especially with all the trouble they cause other road users.

I frequently have to change lanes to overtake cyclists on a 40mph dual carriageway (which means the traffic is doing 50/60) or get stuck behind one at 10-15mph which is ridiculous.

If you want to go on the road with the adults buy something with an engine you cheapskate!

Oh dear i bet you just hate being stuck behind people who drive slower than you too :rolleyes:

EvilDreams said:
I frequently have to change lanes to overtake cyclists on a 40mph dual carriageway (which means the traffic is doing 50/60) or get stuck behind one at 10-15mph which is ridiculous.

So you speed too then ?

EvilDreams said:
If you want to go on the road with the adults buy something with an engine you cheapskate!

I have a car or did you not bother to read all the posts :confused:

EvilDreams said:
they don't pay tax or insurance

I have bicycle insurance to ride on the road (not required by law but i have it !), did you miss that bit aswell and you dont need Tax to ride a bicycle on the road - governments rules not mine.