Council's safety advice puts cyclists at risk

[glasgowcyclist]

Glasgow City Council thinks it's cycling-aware in its approach to road safety. It has compiled an online series of tests in which you can take the role of cyclist, taxi driver, bus driver or lorry driver.

In the section aimed at HGV and bus drivers is the following scenario:

You are approaching a cyclist on a narrow country road with bends.

Q: You wish to pass the cyclist, do you:

a) Squeeze past as soon as there is space for your vehicle?

b) Accelerate quickly past the cyclist as he should be nearer the edge of the road?

c) Slow down and wait for a sufficient gap to allow at least one arms length between you and cyclist and then overtake? {This is given as the correct answer.}
​

You have to wonder if any cyclists were involved in creating this material.


GC

 

[MCRCyclist]

What. Thats crazy! An arms length! What happens if I suddenly swerve to avoid a pothole? Does that mean, if I get hit its my fault? Glasgow City Council may need to rethink this one!

 

[discominer]

You have to wonder if any cyclists were involved in creating this material.

Actually you don't have to wonder. This is Glasgow City Council, bending over for the automobile since the 1950s.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

What. Thats crazy! An arms length! What happens if I suddenly swerve to avoid a pothole? Does that mean, if I get hit its my fault? Glasgow City Council may need to rethink this one!

It would appear they consider that an articulated lorry can safely pass you on twisty roads even if it's close enough for you to touch it.

I'd like to see the people who came up with that nonsense experience it from the position of a cyclist.

GC

 

[Sara_H]

Bloody hell! That's horrendous.

 

[ColinJ]

I am 6' 1" tall and my arms are only 2' 6" long. Most people's arms are probably shorter than that!

I do not consider 2' 6" to be a safe overtaking distance, except at very low speeds.

Many US states are bringing in a '3 feet' law, but even that is a bit close - I suppose if it is persuades drivers to make it 3' rather than 2' then it would be an improvement, but 4'-5' would be more like it.

 

[Sara_H]

I am 6' 1" tall and my arms are only 2' 6" long. Most people's arms are probably shorter than that!

I do not consider 2' 6" to be a safe overtaking distance, except at very low speeds.

Many US states are bringing in a '3 feet' law, but even that is a bit close - I suppose if it is persuades drivers to make it 3' rather than 2' then it would be an improvement, but 4'-5' would be more like it.

I've seen some campaigning for 1.5m, which I think is 4'11" - two arms lengths.

 

[ColinJ]

I've seen some campaigning for 1.5m, which I think is 4'11" - two arms lengths.

That would be a much better rule/law!

 

[ufkacbln]

The problem, dare I say it like helmets is that one or two cyclists started a campaign for a 3 foot passing distance, which then got national press coverage

As a result it is seen as being the desire of cyclists to acheive this as a standard practice.

So they probably did consult cyclists....... but were they the right ones

 

[ComedyPilot]

I overtook a cyclist going up Pool bank towards LBA on Friday. I gave him loads of room by going onto the opposite side of the road ( just after the lights for any locals) The yummy mummy tail gating me in her silver 4x4 gave him zero room, and she tried to undertake me in the process.

 

[format]

The scenario where they are talking about an HGV overtaking a cyclist turning right.

Apparently it would cause 'inconvenience'... bit of an understatement there!

 

[Brandane]

An arms length is more than enough; as long as we are talking about a lorry drivers arm!

Just kidding truckers, I am one! But it has to be said that a significant number have knuckles dangerously close to the floor.

 

[the_mikey]

I overtook a cyclist going up Pool bank towards LBA on Friday. I gave him loads of room by going onto the opposite side of the road ( just after the lights for any locals) The yummy mummy tail gating me in her silver ****panzer gave him zero room, and she tried to undertake me in the process.

That happens often, I leave loads of room only for the following vehicle to try to occupy the space.

 

[steveindenmark]

So who has contacted Glasgow City Council about this? There is not a lot of point in telling us and not them.

What happens in the case of the one armed lorry drivers? ;0)

 

[Sara_H]

So who has contacted Glasgow City Council about this? There is not a lot of point in telling us and not them.

What happens in the case of the one armed lorry drivers? ;0)

I emailed them last night.