BBC helmet cam film to explore cyclist-motorist conflict

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PaulSB

PaulSB

Squire
Location
Chorley, Lancashire
BentMikey said:
Yes, but that's no different to people in cars - we are the same humans after all. The problem is not just this behaviour, but also that people are bigoted towards cyclists, focusing on the tiniest thing a cyclist might have done wrong, or blaming the cyclist for actual good cycling, whilst forgiving motorists the most extreme of transgressions quite easily.
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I agree entirely and this is why I believe we all have a duty to each other to behave responsibly on the roads. I know sections of drivers, some who like a good rant and others very reasonable people, who are very agitated about cyclists. It usually falls in one of two categories - people on bikes breaking every sensible rule you can think of and a driver being held up by a cyclist or group of cyclists. Two abreast and Sunday morning groups seem a particular problem. I'm sure we both understand this and don't need to justify it!

Whenever I encounter this I explain from the cyclist's perspective why a rider would be taking a particular line etc. I'll also agree with the motorist if the cyclist appears to have been in the wrong. We are all under the spotlight and our behaviour is often misunderstood which is why every cyclist should do his/her level best to ride well and courteously at all times. I do though feel a minority of cyclists over-emphasise the driver issue. In my experience, I don't ride in London but occassionaly in Manchester, the vast majority of drivers treat us with respect. Mind you there are some real dickheads out there as well!!

Just look at Gaz's recent RLJ topic with the Keltbray topic. Dear oh dear!!!
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I read the RLJ topic, Keltbray are mentioned there, is this one and the same thread? On the RLJ thread I felt it difficult to form a view of the riding. On the one hand Gaz would be able to see the lights from some distance, certainly enough to react in a controlled way. It looks to me as though there is room however I can see the view that if he's taking the curving right lane he wouldn't have wanted to move over to his left which stopping might have required with a truck on his back. For me it's impossible to tell where the truck is ( I don't want to debate frames per second etc. it's getting far too picky); if the truck is 6 metres away then RLJing was a good move, if not and there was time to stop RLJing was not justified. If I'd been there I could have gone either way depending on the truck's position, I think the rider has to make the call. I don't think it was a very big deal, just an every day riding decision. Overall I think the film suggests he should have stopped, when told the truck was 6 metres away, which we can't see, suggests the opposite.

What I do question is the purpose of the thread and the message in the video. "So why not stop at the red light?" Who is the question aimed at. First time I read this I felt the point was to demonstrate there can be situations where RLJing is justified, no problem. Then the film rolls on to the rear view camera and the emphasis on the question could change. I'm not sure what Gaz is saying here:

This is when to RLJ for safety reasons?
This truck RLDed isn't that appalling
I'm a cyclist and the truck driver's poor driving forced me to RLJ

Now as a cyclist I'm confused by his message, overall I think it comes across as anti-driver, which I doubt was his intention. This is partly why the cam culture bothers me. I'll get back to that later as I have to leave for work.
 
B

BentMikey

Rider of Seolferwulf
Location
South London
You see, I think you've missed the problem. This whole blame the cyclist thing will never be fixed by improving cyclist behaviour, it'll be fixed by changing the culture prevalent amongst drivers, the very worst parts of car culture. I'm sorry to say this, but you seem to be a part of that. Cyclists in the Netherlands aren't that different to us, and yet drivers don't treat them as badly there.

Secondly, as to the point of Gaz's video, you should know by now that Gaz almost never goes through a red light. In this instance (and I think he'd agree that it's extremely rare), there is a situation justifying running the red light.

Gaz's message isn't anti-driver at all, it's anti-bad-road-user. Again, you should know this if you've seen Silly Cyclists. The reality of the UK's roads, though, mean that bad drivers are the thing most likely to risk the lives of other people and Gaz's in particular.
 
Bassjunkieuk

Bassjunkieuk

Veteran
Location
London
Guardian has a rather concerning write up here highlighting that a few groups don't agree with the alleycat race footage that was included and seemingly portrayed as "normal" riding :sad:
 
Rickshaw Phil

Rickshaw Phil

Overconfidentii Vulgaris
Moderator
Location
Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Sounds a lot like my comment from April was justified. I'm quite glad I have other plans for that evening, I reckon watching this would just wind me up.
 
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