jonny jeez
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chislehurst, Kent, UK
+1He did have the choice, but he didn't take it because the cyclist gave him the chance.
One cannot assume that under any circumstances a driver will hold back.
+1He did have the choice, but he didn't take it because the cyclist gave him the chance.
One cannot assume that under any circumstances a driver will hold back.
As for whose fault it is - well the vehicle is not only overtaking, therefore with a higher duty of care, it is also the larger, faster one with an operator that should have a higher duty of care (and training). Many cyclists aren't assertive enough to effectively control heavy traffic behind them, and I for one don't think that a pre-requesite of cycling should be having to control other drivers' actions. They should do that themselves.
You are kidding right?
Of course they should do it themselves, but they don't do they?
Hence the video above
A cycist HAS to control the traffic around themselves.
I guarantee that what happened in that vid never happens to me, why? because I take control of the situation. I don't leave it to the car driver that's for sure.
I agree a cyclist has to do so, but it isn't their responsibility to make people drive well, and doesn't make it the cyclists fault (certainly in law) if the driver doesn't drive correctly.
And I think if we assume that taking primary etc. will stop these incidents we are deluding ourselves. It just reduces the chances of it happening. I take primary and am reasonably assertive, yet still have been put into difficult situations simply because the driver behind has decided I am impeding him and will push through regardless. If we are going to blame someone other than driver for the incident, how about apportioning some blame to the road layout which can put cyclists in poor situations even if they are adept at vehicular cycling.
I fully agree with what you are saying Stowie, however it's isn't a cyclists responsibility, but as you know, a lot of car drivers out there have very little regard for the law, the highway code, cyclists or what is right and what is wrong.
I am not assuming that taking primary will stop an overtake, but it will make a driver think about a pinch point overtake rather then taking a chance if someone is nearer to the side. (and if you were in primary there is no way they can get past anyhow, unless they rear end you)
And yes, road layout has a lot to do with it.
I do that when going up Bedford Hill, Balham (traveling south east).If traffic is not heavy, sometimes the path of least resistance is to back-off before the pinchpoint and then you do not have to take a strong, blocking position on the approach. It also shows other following motorists that you are prepared to defer and facilitate the progress of faster moving vehicles and, if you do need to move into primary postion further down the road, they are more inclined, in my experience (particularly if you thank them with a wave/nod/smile), to treat you more considerately.