An accident waiting to happen

[johnnyb47]

Hi.
Every afternoon I take the same route home after work. The road is a busy A road which is hammered by HGVs and cars a like. Today the weather was particularly bad and the road spray was quite bad amongst the grey overcast sky. The traffic in front started to slow down in front.As I continued at a slow pace I could see a lone cyclist battling along through the elements 10 miles from anywhere. The first thing I noticed about him was how poorly he was kitted out for such poor weather. Dark clothing , and no lights. He was almost camouflaged against his surroundings and the traffic spray really didn't help matters. The other thing I noticed was how impatient the motorists where behind him waiting for the opertunity to over take. The amount of close passes he had would of left me doing my nut. It was certainly not my idea of safe cycling. He must of been aware of the close passes because when I over took him I gave him a real wide berth and he actually put his hand up to thank me. I felt like stopping further up the road and respectfully have a quiet word with him about how hard it was to see him but I thought the better of it just in case he took exception to it. Sometimes you can see how accidents happen when you come across situations like this

 

[Brandane]

You probably know that you're going to get some replies about how drivers should drive to the conditions; be able to stop in the distance they can see to be clear; the cyclist had every right to be cycling on that or any other unrestricted road; hi-viz shouldn't be necessary; and lights are only required during certain periods between sunset and sunrise. In reality things are different.
I agree with you that it is not a wise thing to do. There are many roads around this area which are legal to cycle on, but I wouldn't go near them on a bike. I try to avoid them in a car! Sometimes it is a good idea to leave drivers to it on certain routes; there's no point in being a martyr to the cycling cause. Having said that, maybe the poor bloke was lost and ended up on a road which he didn't intend to be on. I think we've all done that and been thankful to escape the ordeal unharmed. I know I have!

 

[Markymark]

Hmm. I think this thread would normally go to 11 pages but we've had one recently (I say recently, it is still the 7,365rd time it's come up). So my guess is it will go to 3 pages.

 

[davidphilips]

know he old saying you have to be cruel to be kind,if it where me next time i met him i would cycle beside him for a bit and advise him, even if he does not like it at the time he may think over it and you may well safe him from progressing from a bike to a wheel chair or worse.

 

[johnnyb47]

You probably know that you're going to get some replies about how drivers should drive to the conditions; be able to stop in the distance they can see to be clear; the cyclist had every right to be cycling on that or any other unrestricted road; hi-viz shouldn't be necessary; and lights are only required during certain periods between sunset and sunrise. In reality things are different.
I agree with you that it is not a wise thing to do. There are many roads around this area which are legal to cycle on, but I wouldn't go near them on a bike. I try to avoid them in a car! Sometimes it is a good idea to leave drivers to it on certain routes; there's no point in being a martyr to the cycling cause. Having said that, maybe the poor bloke was lost and ended up on a road which he didn't intend to be on. I think we've all done that and been thankful to escape the ordeal unharmed. I know I have!

There are some roads that put the wind up me too. I usually try to avoid the busy ones if I can but sometimes you have no choice but to use them on your route. I think it's more phycological thing with me but I feel more vulnerable riding a bike in the winter months. I don't know whether this guy had lost his way or not, but I don't think he was enjoying his trip..

 

[vickster]

know he old saying you have to be cruel to be kind,if it where me next time i met him i would cycle beside him for a bit and advise him, even if he does not like it at the time he may think over it and you may well safe him from progressing from a bike to a wheel chair or worse.

I think the OP was in a car although it's not clear

 

[johnnyb47]

That's right. I was in my car on my way home

 

[vickster]

That's right. I was in my car on my way home

Yes I think that's what @User13710 was thinking with her comment too

 

[davidphilips]

That's right. I was in my car on my way home

sorry my mistake.

 

[raleighnut]

Maybe he had no option, we don't all have recourse to cars so sometimes it's a case of needs must.

 

[fossyant]

Ninjas seem to do perfectly fine, more so that us lit cyclist.

 

[mjr]

Sometimes you can see how accidents happen when you come across situations like this

And sometimes you can see how killer motorists get away with it, give or take the occasional fine or weeks in prison, when you come across cyclists willing to blame other cyclists simply for using an unpleasant-but-legal road and excuse incompetent motoring as "accidents"

Sounds like another part of the country where Operation Close Pass and Operation Snap can't come soon enough!

 

[steveindenmark]

Ive stopped and given 2 dog walkers my spare lights over the last couple of years. Pitch black roads, black clothing, black dogs. I have 2 B&M lights on my bike.

I now see they wear vis vests and still carry the lights I gave them. The dogs even have flashing collars. Very easy to see now.

I dont think they realised how difficult they were to see for me. Never mind a driver looking through a wet, grime encrusted windscreen.

Next time you see him have a word.

 

[Dogtrousers]

 

[mjr]

I now see they wear vis vests and still carry the lights I gave them. The dogs even have flashing collars. Very easy to see now.

I think that should be regarded as being an enabler for incompetent motorists. They were probably happy before and now they cling to multiple unproven conspicuity aids.