Cyclist-cyclist collisions

[Crankarm]

I'd be interested to read your reply had the "victim" instead posted his story of swerving into the Right hand fork, without checking or indicating, and crashed into some numpty who was overtaking at the time?

Uhhh?? The chap has admitted he over took a slower cyclist on the right then cut across his path as he wanted to take the left fork. Seems the fault was all his. I have every sympathy for the slower rider who had the right of way as he was in front. This sort of thing goes on all the time on the roads. Must get past you cuts straight across your path despite you having the right of way.

 

[DrSquirrel]

Maybe not overtaking on the approach to a junction would be a good idea?

+1 Exactly what I first thought...

 

[summerdays]

Uhhh?? The chap has admitted he over took a slower cyclist on the right then cut across his path as he wanted to take the left fork. Seems the fault was all his. I have every sympathy for the slower rider who had the right of way as he was in front. This sort of thing goes on all the time on the roads. Must get past you cuts straight across your path despite you having the right of way.

No he assumed the other cyclist was taking the left fork I think... there is a duty to look behind when you change position on the road/path to check that it is clear to do so.

Equally overtaking at the point of a junction probably isn't wise either.

 

[rarelyused]

Thanks for the feedback all.

I fully accept that there was some early morning numptiness on my part. Not making excuses or attempting to shift blame here, just figured it is better to admit when you're wrong and learn from the mistakes. I shall add caution prior to forks in the path to the list of lessons for the day.

To correct one point, I wouldn't say I had cut in front of the other guy, we were pretty much side-by-side at the time. I hope I would have left him plenty of room when pulling back left.

As for cycle path vs Dumbarton road argument, there are no traffic lights on the cycle path and it is easily accessible from my starting point. I do get back onto the roads before getting to the clyde tunnel (difficult not to).

 

[jimboalee]

Maybe not overtaking on the approach to a junction would be a good idea?

Precisely. Path, road, anywhere.

 

[Arch]

Uhhh?? The chap has admitted he over took a slower cyclist on the right then cut across his path as he wanted to take the left fork. Seems the fault was all his. I have every sympathy for the slower rider who had the right of way as he was in front. This sort of thing goes on all the time on the roads. Must get past you cuts straight across your path despite you having the right of way.

There's no 'right of way' on a cycle path, or for that matter, a road. Priority perhaps.

If the other guy wanted to move right to the right fork, then it would have been wise to look, and possibly indicate before doing so.


I think Panter is spot on with his theory...

But lessons learned all round, and no harm done.


I was on the road a while back, overtaking a chap weaving about a bit - gave him plenty of room on that account. Turned out he wanted to go right at a side road, just as I passed him, and swung out without the slightest look, or indication, colliding with my handlebars - how we both stayed up, I dunno. If I'd been a bus, he'd have been dead.

I expect that was all my fault too.

 

[Tynan]

there seems to be a recent rash of cyclists that change position on the road without so much as a thought to what might be coming up behind them

 

[Arch]

there seems to be a recent rash of cyclists that change position on the road without so much as a thought to what might be coming up behind them

Well, I guess they drive cars, and wander about on pavements (and stop dead in doorways or at the top of the escalator grrrrrr), so they must cycle as well....

Yeah, ideally you'd wait behind every single other cyclist, but in practice, you don't, so I guess sooner or later, you get caught out. A bit of responsibility on both sides, and experience gained. The ones to worry about are the ones who aren't capable of learning...

 

[Jezston]

there seems to be a recent rash of cyclists that change position on the road without so much as a thought to what might be coming up behind them

I have a friend who I ride home with occasionally who NEVER looks behind when pulling out around parked vehicles, and rarely when turning. One time he pulled out around a parked car while a 4x4 was coming up behind him, the 4x4 had to brake suddenly to avoid impact.

When I mentioned this incident to him later he had no idea what I was talking about. I've repeatedly tried having a word with him about it and each time he's been totally dismissive of me saying I take it all too seriously and I just need to relax. Guy has a wife with a kid on the way ffs.

 

[skudupnorth]

At least it ended up with hand shakes and not fisty cuffs ! With more and more people taking to two wheels we will all need to be aware as if we were dealing with motorists to anticipate less experienced cyclists actions.
At least you were going in the same direction ! I have been stunned by the new craze of lets ride against traffic (normally hoody/BMX types !!!!! ) what an earth are they thinking ?????

 

[Arch]

At least it ended up with hand shakes and not fisty cuffs ! With more and more people taking to two wheels we will all need to be aware as if we were dealing with motorists to anticipate less experienced cyclists actions.
At least you were going in the same direction ! I have been stunned by the new craze of lets ride against traffic (normally hoody/BMX types !!!!! ) what an earth are they thinking ?????

They aren't, I guess. Like Jezston's mate, they think they are impervious. With kids, they may at least grow up. With adults, it'll probably take a serious accident (to them, or a mate, or something they witness) to make the point.

Good point about dealing with less experienced cyclists like motorists - of course many of these less experienced cyclists will BE motorists*, bringing along all the self importance and false confidence that they know best....


*I know a lot of us are motorists too, but I mean people mostly accustomed to driving, who are only just starting to cycle, and perhaps doing that through budgetary necessity than a desire to take up a new hobby...

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

If you look at my last thread you will see that I had a cyclist - cyclist collision a couple of weeks ago.

They are rare I think - mine was a case of me and the other cyclist going too fast around a blind corner and both doing that little dance where you don't know which way to go! I unfortunately came off worse!

Lesson learnt - go slower around blind corners - simple really!!!

 

[skudupnorth]

They aren't, I guess. Like Jezston's mate, they think they are impervious. With kids, they may at least grow up. With adults, it'll probably take a serious accident (to them, or a mate, or something they witness) to make the point.

Good point about dealing with less experienced cyclists like motorists - of course many of these less experienced cyclists will BE motorists*, bringing along all the self importance and false confidence that they know best....


*I know a lot of us are motorists too, but I mean people mostly accustomed to driving, who are only just starting to cycle, and perhaps doing that through budgetary necessity than a desire to take up a new hobby...

True that people are riding due to costs,pity they are still in motorist mode and not appreciating the full joy of cycling and just regarding it as a means to an end.
I wish the driving test would include a cycling test too,that would make more people aware of what happens if a bad action from either motorist or cyclist can cause havoc !

 

[Arch]

True that people are riding due to costs,pity they are still in motorist mode and not appreciating the full joy of cycling and just regarding it as a means to an end.
I wish the driving test would include a cycling test too,that would make more people aware of what happens if a bad action from either motorist or cyclist can cause havoc !

That's not the problem though - you can be a pure utility cyclist, and still understand and obey the rules of the road - and have the foresight to look out for those who are numpties (however they travel). 5 days a week, cycling is a means to an end for me - to get to work, but it doesn't make me less of a cyclist on those days, I think.

I agree on the cycling test, I think drivers should have to have sessions on a bike, on a scooter, and in a larger vehicle (the latter perhaps off the road), in order to properly understand everyone's needs. Plus retests on a regular basis.

 

[jimboalee]

There's no 'right of way' on a cycle path, or for that matter, a road. Priority perhaps.

If the other guy wanted to move right to the right fork, then it would have been wise to look, and possibly indicate before doing so.


I think Panter is spot on with his theory...

But lessons learned all round, and no harm done.


I was on the road a while back, overtaking a chap weaving about a bit - gave him plenty of room on that account. Turned out he wanted to go right at a side road, just as I passed him, and swung out without the slightest look, or indication, colliding with my handlebars - how we both stayed up, I dunno. If I'd been a bus, he'd have been dead.

I expect that was all my fault too.

Oh yes, but there is. The vehicle which is closest to its intended path has right of way. Two cyclists riding along a cycle path in the same direction, the cyclist ahead is closest to his intended lane, left OR right. The cyclist following is further from his intended lane left OR right, so has to give way to the cyclist ahead of him.
The cyclist ahead does NOT give way to the cyclist following. The cyclist following only overtakes when he thinks it is safe to do so. In this case, in error due to his lack of foresight and anticipation concerning the fork in the path.