A lesson from a coach driver...

[magnatom]

My reasons for not using the cycle lane in this video are contained within the video itself.

The driver of this coach disagrees with them and decided to teach me where I should be by trying to force me left with the end of his coach.

I initially though the overtake from this coach was going to be fine, but he slowed as he passed me and swung his rear end towards me. I could easily have placed my palm on the back of his coach.

I think a wee e-mail will be heading to the coach company. B)

 

[summerdays]

Something goes wrong for me 42 secs into the video... so I never get past that point.

 

[darthpaul]

I hope they take it seriously to, sure you should use a cycle lane if its fit to do so but there is no law that means you must if its full of crap and potholes. The driver is a tool!

 

[magnatom]

I hope they take it seriously to, sure you should use a cycle lane if its fit to do so but there is no law that means you must if its full of crap and potholes. The driver is a tool!

Aye the lane actually makes that road more dangerous to cycle on. If your in it, you are more likely to slip (at the speed I travel at, and on the thinner tyres), but if you stay out of it, you get more abuse.B)

 

[magnatom]

Actually I just re-read your post darthpaul, there is nothing to say I should use the lane, even if it is well designed!

 

[Cab]

Actually I just re-read your post darthpaul, there is nothing to say I should use the lane, even if it is well designed!

Other than sense, of course. If the cycle lane is clear, well designed, well constructed and going where you want, the only thing telling you to use it is common sense.

Be sure to let us all know if you EVER encounter a lane like that in the UK...

 

[magnatom]

Other than sense, of course. If the cycle lane is clear, well designed, well constructed and going where you want, the only thing telling you to use it is common sense.

Be sure to let us all know if you EVER encounter a lane like that in the UK...

Aye indeed. I wasn't saying I wouldn't use it, just that you don't actually have to (with the odd exception).

 

[Origamist]

Aye the lane actually makes that road more dangerous to cycle on. If your in it, you are more likely to slip (at the speed I travel at, and on the thinner tyres), but if you stay out of it, you get more abuse.B)

It was a close pass and poor overtake - but if you're riding to the right of a lane that wide (a no man's land between primary and secondary) and a wide vehicle is going to overtake with oncoming traffic in the opposing lane, you've got to move left if you want to avoid a close overtake.

 

[darthpaul]

Yeah I wasnt implying you must just with common sense B)

 

[Jezston]

Something goes wrong for me 42 secs into the video... so I never get past that point.

I get that at 35 secs. Won't play further. Crashed my browser at one point. Weird.

 

[magnatom]

It was a close pass and poor overtake - but if you're riding to the right of a lane that wide (a no man's land between primary and secondary) and a wide vehicle is going to overtake with oncoming traffic in the opposing lane, you've got to move left if you want to avoid a close overtake.

Origamist, as I noticed him passing I do actually move left. You should be able to see that on the video.

 

[fossyant]

Flippin' eck......fair bit of a turn of speed there to catch him back up...... B)

 

[Origamist]

Origamist, as I noticed him passing I do actually move left. You should be able to see that on the video.

I did see you move, but it's only by a few inches! If you're going to be passed by a wide, long and heavy vehicle, get yourself out of harms way by feet not inches. In that situation the real threat is the coach and not a deviation into the cycle lane.

 

[magnatom]

I did see you move, but it's only by a few inches! If you're going to be passed, get yourself out of harms way by feet not inches. In that situation the real threat is the coach, not the cycle lane.

Aye, but as I said, I thought the overtake was going to be fine until the last minute. He caught me out. It was one of those situation where, because you are staring at the object, you don't seem to move away from it, as you should.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

sorry and i'm not being provocative, but why is the cycle lane unusable? it seems from the camera to be in better condition than some of the main roads around my way. if this is a regular route would it not be easier to get chunkier marathon+ tires than to risk being knocked off? if you are going to cycle in that poor road position perhaps a mirror would be useful. i didn't listen to the exchange between you and the bus driver.