Cycle lanes are dangerous - or is it the idiot that uses them that is dangerous?

[Number14]

I was quite happily cycling along in a cycle lane, slowly passing a couple of lorries when I approached a bush that was overhanging the cycle lane. At the same point, a gentleman in his car decided that the lane he was in wasn't wide enough and decided that we wanted to drive in the cycle lane, right next to the bush. As I passed in the almost non-existent gap I turned to see him texting on his phone and indicated to him that he shouldn't be driving and using the mobile.

Then the world stops - or I stop, as I face plant into the back of the car in front.

Cue a couple of minutes of not knowing what's happening and then the lovely lady gets out of her car to ask how I am. Bless her . After some reassurances we both go on our way relatively happy and I go and get the life threatening wounds on my hand dressed.

Moral of the story: If some idiot pulls into the cycle lane while using his phone, don't turn around to make comments/gestures to him - unless you make sure that the traffic in front is moving.

The video will be posted when I get home.

Cylce lanes are dangerous.

 

[BentMikey]

Oops!! Much sympathy.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Sorry, and I'm glad you're ok, but that made me chuckle.

 

[upsidedown]

Ouch, glad you're ok.



Like RT i just let out a guilty chuckle, sorry.

 

[HLaB]

Sorry, and I'm glad you're ok, but that made me chuckle.

Sorry for the OP but I'm glad I wasn't the only one to laugh

 

[dondare]

In my opinion cycle lanes are dangerous in more ways and for more reasons than I can be bothered to say right now.
Ignore green paint, use the road just as you would if no lane was marked.

 

[Number14]

In my opinion cycle lanes are dangerous in more ways and for more reasons than I can be bothered to say right now.
Ignore green paint, use the road just as you would if no lane was marked.

It was red paint and that should have given me a clue - video upload tonight to provide even more mirth for you.

 

[dondare]

It was red paint and that should have given me a clue - video upload tonight to provide even more mirth for you.

Ignore red paint also if it denotes a cycle lane.

 

[Origamist]

In my opinion cycle lanes are dangerous in more ways and for more reasons than I can be bothered to say right now.
Ignore green paint, use the road just as you would if no lane was marked.

The cycle lane issue is a red-herring here. The problem was a driver using his phone whilst driving and a cyclist gesticulating to the driver when he should have been looking where he was going!

I hope you're OK No 14 and it's only your pride that's taken a knock.

 

[dondare]

The cycle lane issue is a red-herring here. The problem was a driver using his phone whilst driving and a cyclist gesticulating to the driver when he should have been looking where he was going!

I hope you're OK No 14 and it's only your pride that's taken a knock.

That as well.

 

[Ste T.]

If you go to the " Gobshites using their phones while driving ...Chat " website and go to the commuting forum you'll find him posting about it now. Oh how he laughed. And all the other gobshites will be piling in to give you a good kicking, saying you deserved it.!!

 

[hackbike 666]

oh whoopee yet another chance to bash cycle lanes again when the actual real danger was the mobile phone user yet again.Just lets not get blinkered with our hate of cycle lanes as usual which only one boarder managed to pick up on and i had realised before origamist had posted but to which i couldnt comment on earlier.

 

[dondare]

oh whoopee yet another chance to bash cycle lanes again when the actual real danger was the mobile phone user yet again.Just lets not get blinkered with our hate of cycle lanes as usual which only one boarder managed to pick up on and i had realised before origamist had posted but to which i couldnt comment on earlier.

Mobile phone users are an ever-present danger on all roads.

Cycle-lanes can entice cyclists to the edges of the road when a more central position might be safer.
Cycle-lanes are more likely to be obstructed (for instance, by overhanging vegitation) than the rest of the carriageway.
These factors may have contributed to the accident.

In any case, the title of the thread invites comments on cycle-lanes. My comments will always very critical.

 

[Number14]

Moral of the story: If some idiot pulls into the cycle lane while using his phone, don't turn around to make comments/gestures to him - unless you make sure that the traffic in front is moving.

Cylce lanes are dangerous.

oh whoopee yet another chance to bash cycle lanes again when the actual real danger was the mobile phone user yet again.

He was a contributory factor but I admit it was my fault for not watching the traffic. I'll learn from this episode so this morning wasn't wasted. And, if I hadn't had the crash, I would have been one of my fastest ever commutes.

 

[Origamist]

I know you had a grass verge escape route, but I'd not be going up the inside of two HGVs with a junction on my left approaching.

Were you hurt?