An insight into how cyclists get cut up....

[Globalti]

My drive to work takes me over several mini roundabouts, which I usually use fairly assertively. This morning I arrived at one where cars coming from my right are actually entering the major road and drivers tend to hesitate, so you usually have time to anticipate whether they are going to move or not.

No car in sight this morning but suddenly there was a cyclist, moving in pretty fast. All of this took micro-seconds but there was a definite mental shift from "no relevance" to "sheeit it's a cyclist and he has priority". I hit the brakes and he crossed my path with a wave of thanks.

What shocked me was that even though I'm a cyclist and take especial care to look out for fellow cyclists my brain initially saw him as irrelevant to my progress until the intellect told me he was actually very relevant. Had I been less conscientious about cyclists I might well have continued, forcing him to brake.

Hope this small admission helps people to understand how these things can happen so easily.

 

[hotfuzzrj]

I think the other major thing which hugely affects cyclists is the massive under-perception of how fast cyclists can be travelling. I normally travel at speeds between 15-20 mph (much less up hill mind!) and I think motorists pulling out at junctions and RABs see us coming and think "Oh I'll have loads of time to squeeze out" and then are surprised at how rapidly we have approached.

 

[400bhp]

Mini roundabouts should come with danger signs.

Hate em.

 

[Globalti]

Absolutely. And most cars have stopped to check for traffic coming from their right so they have to accelerate from zero whereas this cyclist entered the junction already moving at 10-15 mph.

 

[Moodyman]

Research also shows that drivers tend to look for dangers to them - i.e. another car/bus, etc.

A cyclist is not perceived as a danger to the driver so even when they glance in your direction, their brain doesn't register someone approaching.

 

[Col5632]

Mini roundabouts are a nightmare both by car and by bike, almost been smashed into on the same roundabout in a car and on bike and its always cause people think they can just go cause im not approaching all that fast

 

[ColinJ]

I actually did exactly the same thing in reverse on the forum ride to Blackpool from Rochdale on the way to meeting you (and Capn Ahab), Globalti. We were riding along the Rossendale valley on the main road and I saw a mini-roundabout ahead but just carried on through and only then realised that two cars with priority from a minor road on the right were entering the mini-roundabout towards me. I realised what I'd done and gave an embarrassed shrug as I accelerated away from the cars. One of our riders commented on what I'd done afterwards.

I think those junctions would be better handled with a stop line on the minor road. I suppose the idea is to give traffic a chance to enter a busier road, but it invites this kind of problem. If a mistake is so easily made then it will be made and the junction needs a redesign.

 

[Crackedheadset]

You looked but did not see.

''Look and then look again.''

 

[Maz]

I'm sure cycling has made my driving poorer - On the odd occasion when driving, I sometimes catch myself spending fractionally too long looking at people, buildings, etc on the side of the roads instead of concentrating on the road ahead of me. I can't afford the luxury of looking at that stuff for too long when driving!

 

[thefollen]

Another dodgy road situation is just before a speed camera. This one occasion I was heading south from London and there was a road cyclist ahead maybe going maybe 20mph? I overtook, gave them loads of room but increased my speed to around 35mph to ensure I could cut back in safely without causing the cyclist any concern and hang in the oncoming lane for too long. Thing is I didn't spot the Gatso speed camera that was partially hidden ahead and had to hit the brakes a bit.

Fortunately all was fine since the cyclist was far enough behind, but it occurred to me that this sort of thing could be potentially dangerous were the timings different. Had I seen the cam I wouldn't have overtaken. Saying that, I'd take the points and fine over knocking somebody off their bike :-)

 

[Globalti]

I'm sure cycling has made my driving poorer - On the odd occasion when driving, I sometimes catch myself spending fractionally too long looking at people, buildings, etc on the side of the roads instead of concentrating on the road ahead of me. I can't afford the luxury of looking at that stuff for too long when driving!

Maz the problem is that as you get fitter from cycling, you get hornier AND more alert!

 

[PpPete]

Maz the problem is that as you get fitter from cycling, you get hornier AND more alert!

Globalti - you must stop riding that 'bent on the pavement.

 

[Bman]

I must admit, I too get a little distracted as the weather heats up

 

[Plax]

I had 3 insidences this morning, one I'll warrant was my fault.
1st one, car saw me but pulled out of a side road anyway. I think he didn't realise the speed I was going so I overtook him as he didn't speed up fast enough afterwards. I decided I wasn't going to practically do an emergency stop on a bike when there was no traffic coming in the opposite direction.
2nd one I nearly got myself squished when a van I was following kept braking and slowing down and then just stopped in the middle of the road (literally in the middle of the road). Just as I went to pass him (as in undertake) he decided he was going to pull over. Should have gone on the outside to pass but I wasn't thinking straight and for some reason thought he'd just carry on again.
3rd one, a senior member of staff decided to overtake me on the approach to a T junction with a wagon coming in the other direction. A totally pointless and silly manouver that only got them immediately in front of me in the queue.
I think I must be out of touch with my cycling as I've not done any commuting to work (hell, cycling even) for months. This must be my punishment lol.

 

[Globalti]

It's not a 'bent, it's a full rigid.