Britain’s Angriest Cyclist

[blackrat]

Good idea, just a shame that roads in the UK are often so narrow that 3' is often a high proportion of the road. God knows what Americans think when they experience them over here!

True story this: My daughter-in-law (American) on a recent visit to Britain with my son was so terrified of the cars, roads and speed of the traffic and being on the 'wrong' side of the road that she spent the entire 10 days of the road trip huddled in the back seat of their hire car afraid to even look out.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Good point

There are main roads round here where a pickup truck parked at the side of teh road properly - results in the cars coming up on his side having to give way to oncoming traffic

There is an info graphic, that I failed to find again. It showed a UK road and cars from the 80s, then cars from the 20s. In the former you could park cars either side, and have cars pass each way at same time. The latter, only one car at a time was able to fit between parked cars, reducing it effectively to an alternating one way. One of many reasons for congestion as well as the 400% increase in motor vehicles.

 

[brommieinkorea]

True story this: My daughter-in-law (American) on a recent visit to Britain with my son was so terrified of the cars, roads and speed of the traffic and being on the 'wrong' side of the road that she spent the entire 10 days of the road trip huddled in the back seat of their hire car afraid to even look out.

'Mericans can not drive worth a crap. The test for an operators license is a joke.

 

[PaulSB]

Good idea, just a shame that roads in the UK are often so narrow that 3' is often a high proportion of the road. God knows what Americans think when they experience them over here!

That's not really correct. Yes, many country lanes are narrow but what most A or B roads are significantly wider.

 

[PaulSB]

This is true although at times on a busyish A(and B roads at times) can get cars flying past at 60mph+ and often seemingly much more and being in primary can be unnerving as feel very exposed. I do alter position very dependant upon roads conditions and traffic.

Yes, I agree. If I found myself on high speed A road my position would change. The vast majority of roads we use don't fall into this category. Fortunately in this area the two or three busy A roads we can't avoid have good, segregated cycle paths.

 

[TheSpiderPig]

Its not that roads are so narrow, but that cars are so wide, and getting wider.

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Blimey, didn't realise it was quite as severe as that! Amazingly consistent increase over the years.