10 ways to rediscover the joy of motoring

[nilling]

From the BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7635486.stm

9) TREAT ALL CYCLISTS THE SAME, HELMET OR NO HELMET An experiment conducted in the UK discovered that drivers gave far more space to cyclists that did not wear helmets, than those who did.
The researchers concluded this was because motorists interpreted the helmet as a symbol of a more predictable and sensible cyclist, one less likely to veer into their path.



I am not sure why this would bring joy to a driver

 

[hackbike 6]

Some hope if anything like the driving I saw on the Romford Road last night.

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

Would the expert behind those tips be the Tom Vanderbilt who’s “Professor of the bleedin’ obvious” at The Open University?

 

[sheddy]

Does #9 mean 'Treat all cyclists badly' ?

'Men honk more than women but women are most likely to be honked at'

 

[hackbike 6]

Just watching Police Stop on ITV 4 and the classic quote from the lorry driver is "They don't understand why I can't see them".

I understand and appreciate why a lot and it does help out there.

 

[Tynan]

'far' more space?

remind me again how much more space

and confirm for me that they factored in the sort of rider that wears a helmet might be wearing hi viz, be riding in a different style etc etc

tricky business stats, let alone plain misinterpretation to suit people's arguments

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Just watching Police Stop on ITV 4 and the classic quote from the lorry driver is "They don't understand why I can't see them".
I understand and appreciate why a lot and it does help out there.

I think this is true, by and large. It's surprising how hard it is to see a cyclist who's 45 feet away from the driver, on the nearside of the trailer and reflected only in a six inch square convex mirror.

 

[fossyant]

Joy of motoring...for me, leaving it sat on the drive every day...... then I can drive it at weekends sometimes, when the traffic isn't so bad....

 

[CotterPin]

I think this is true, by and large. It's surprising how hard it is to see a cyclist who's 45 feet away from the driver, on the nearside of the trailer and reflected only in a six inch square convex mirror.

OT and probably been asked thousands of time before but would we allow such a major safety defect on a piece of machinery in a factory?

 

[PBancroft]

Just watching Police Stop on ITV 4 and the classic quote from the lorry driver is "They don't understand why I can't see them".

I understand and appreciate why a lot and it does help out there.

So why couldn't the Audi TT with the hood down see me yesterday?

 

[janm399]

Joy of motoring...for me, leaving it sat on the drive every day...... then I can drive it at weekends sometimes, when the traffic isn't so bad....

Or drive me and the bike to the races: that is the only acceptable use of my car. Now that the racing season is over, I have to take it out for a spin every month to stop the battery from going flat. Yesterday I even had to clear cobwebs from the steering wheel.

 

[John Ponting]

So why couldn't the Audi TT with the hood down see me yesterday?

slightly OT but ...


apparently you cannot take a driving test in Germany in a 'German' Mini Convertible because or rear visibility problems.


should add, this is hearsay from a UK driving examiner.

 

[hackbike 6]

I think this is true, by and large. It's surprising how hard it is to see a cyclist who's 45 feet away from the driver, on the nearside of the trailer and reflected only in a six inch square convex mirror.

I'm not disputing that.

 

[Campfire]

I've driven an HGV & know if a cyclist is so close that he/she can't see the wing mirrors, then the driver of the vehicle can't see you. Also if you notice more mirrors on the right hand side of the vehicle, it's a LHD & he has more visibility restrictions in the UK.

But then as Kalpaith pointed out about the Audi TT - one pulled straight out on an island from left across our path over to the centre of the roundabout yesterday. These cars are terrible for visibility but he should have seen us from the front! What a ......... I'm too ladylike to swear & it's not permitted is it?

 

[jonesy]

'far' more space?

remind me again how much more space

and confirm for me that they factored in the sort of rider that wears a helmet might be wearing hi viz, be riding in a different style etc etc

tricky business stats, let alone plain misinterpretation to suit people's arguments

Because it was the same rider! Doing the same route in the same position, with and without a helmet.

http://www.drianwalker.com/overtaking/