Being embarrassed into danger

[jonny jeez]

Dont ever feel obliged to enter a dangerous spot on the road just because some other numpty doesn't know better.

Had a rider tap my wheel twice the other night, at first I thought it was just an innocent bump and didn't react, then "thump"...a stronger tap along with a "Hello...can you move up please".

Thing is, this person was polite and looked the part, so If I hadn't known better I would have shuffled up alongside the Mercedes that was sitting too close to the kerb at the junction, simply because I would have thought that I should.

As it was I looked at the gap, back at them and said..."er, no, but you can help yourself" and moved to one side...there was no ASL, no refuge, no escape route...just a big lump of solid black Merc blocking their ultimate progress.

She then duck walked up to within a few inches of the Mercedes wing mirror as they immediately pulled away from the lights in a straight line, heading closer still to the kerb to avoid the large lorry sat on their right, nearly taking her off the bike.

Why do some riders feel they MUST get to the front of the traffic at the lights, even when they cant and especially when they shouldn't?

PS, I admit to thoroughly enjoying ripping past them as I followed the Merc. and may even have put in a little extra effort to make the point.

 

[jarlrmai]

MGIF is not just limited to drivers.

My favorite is cyclists who at a red light hop onto the pavement, ride across pedestrian crossings and across the other road weaving in and out of people and cars to get past the red light, only to have me pass them 20 seconds later after the lights have changed.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Embarrassed? Obliged?

No chance and I wouldn't have moved either, you don't walk up behind someone at a ped crossing and start tapping them on the shoulder to shove up. Its just rude.

 

[Hip Priest]

MGIF is not just limited to drivers.

My favorite is cyclists who at a red light hop onto the pavement, ride across pedestrian crossings and across the other road weaving in and out of people and cars to get past the red light, only to have me pass them 20 seconds later after the lights have changed.

I saw a bloke do that the other day. As I rode past, I turned to give him a withering look and realised it was a work colleague!

 

[jonny jeez]

I saw a bloke do that the other day. As I rode past, I turned to give him a withering look and realised it was a work colleague!

What is the social etiquette for that?

Rode through Camberwell this summer with a mate who, suddenly and very loudly shouted...(and I apologise in advance for any offence)

"Stinks of Nigger here!"

I was stumped and managed a confused look of horror at the realisation that someone I know and like turned out to be a raving racist and decided to announce it to the world in the depths of Sarf London. At the lights he continued with " all we need is some chips and we'll be made up".

Apparently what he'd actually shouted was "sinks of vinegar here!"...which in fact it did, for some reason.

 

[Hip Priest]

What is the social etiquette for that?

I just said 'Errr....morning mate!'

It's lucky I'm not the type to shout at cyclists. Imagine that. 'Get off the pavement you knobb, oh, alright Steve!'

 

[PBB]

Great advice from the OP - really needs to go in the guide for new commuters, as a newbie could easily 'obey' the request just out of lack of experience.

 

[downfader]

I've had other riders ask to get past when I've stopped at red, and its a lorry thats the next one up and right at the line. I just turn to them and say "no, too dangerous to sit in that gap!"

 

[ManiaMuse]

I usually try to position myself in the line of traffic with a gap for cyclists to go down the left if I don't feel like filtering for whatever reason. Usually look behind for cyclists before stopping.

f they want to go down the left of a HGV/bus or the lights are just about to change then it's their choice if they want to put themselves in danger.

 

[Twelve Spokes]

I usually try to position myself in the line of traffic with a gap for cyclists to go down the left if I don't feel like filtering for whatever reason. Usually look behind for cyclists before stopping.

f they want to go down the left of a HGV/bus or the lights are just about to change then it's their choice if they want to put themselves in danger.

I do the same now.Always leave a gap if possible because I know they just must get to the front or even jump the lights.
I nearly came a cropper the other day trying to prove a point with a car though.In reply to the OP's original post.Trying to prove a point that I could keep up with him and that he had done a pointless overtake.

 

[BentMikey]

I would have stayed put and told her "Be patient, or you'll be a patient".

 

[Leodis]

What is the social etiquette for that?

Rode through Camberwell this summer with a mate who, suddenly and very loudly shouted...(and I apologise in advance for any offence)

"Stinks of Ni**er here!"

I was stumped and managed a confused look of horror at the realisation that someone I know and like turned out to be a raving racist and decided to announce it to the world in the depths of Sarf London. At the lights he continued with " all we need is some chips and we'll be made up".

Apparently what he'd actually shouted was "sinks of vinegar here!"...which in fact it did, for some reason.

lmao Post of the week.

 

[steve52]

sounds like a prospective dawin award winner, and may be the cause of some grief and sadness to me, grrrr

 

[biking_fox]

When I'm in front of some RLJ fool I'll try to deliberately position myself so that I'm in the gap and they can't squeeze past to jump the lights again (even if I could easily have ridden forward into the ASL). Doesn't always work, and you can't always block it, but keeps me amused (and ahead).

 

[thefollen]

Always get people ducking in front of me (usually past the white line). Plenty of lights on the ride to/from work, overtook the same bloke around four times this morn. Doesn't bother me; were I them however, I wouldn't enjoy being constantly overtaken!