Cyclists telling from behind

[GoMild]

@mjr

changing line/lanes without signalling

Fair enough. But when I used to extend my arm on the same stretch of the road I was told that my arm is getting in their way.

This is a wide straight road with no junction, everyone was travelling towards the same direction like a school of fish and there were a few other riders around me. So I didn't have a lot of space to change my line and even if so I did it gradually - just not gradually enough for her to shout at me.

I get sans-signalling riders/drivers all the time but I generally let it slide. If anything that is in front of me, I know I'm responsible to dodge them whatever stupid manoeuvre they take. That's why I don't follow a rider right behind or too close. If I have to, I position myself diagonally behind in case they suddenly brake. Anyway I don't go that fast and tend to hug kerb (8 in), giving plenty of space for the racers to take over me.

 

[mjr]

Fair enough. But when I used to extend my arm on the same stretch of the road I was told that my arm is getting in their way.

Well, think about the failure cases: would you rather get your arm knocked by someone who felt it was getting in their way, or be brought down by someone who felt you should have signalled before moving to the side?

I also tend to signal lane changes as I saw in the Netherlands, not raising my arm completely sideways, so it's not really much wider than my 50cm handlebars, so it doesn't take any space that anyone should be cycling in anyway.

I get sans-signalling riders/drivers all the time but I generally let it slide. If anything that is in front of me, I know I'm responsible to dodge them whatever stupid manoeuvre they take. That's why I don't follow a rider right behind or too close. If I have to, I position myself diagonally behind in case they suddenly brake. Anyway I don't go that fast and tend to hug kerb (8 in), giving plenty of space for the racers to take over me.

Yeah, they ain't all going to ride well, so we have to deal with it... I still wouldn't hug the kerb, though, as that leaves you nowhere to go except down if someone misjudges it and comes too close when overtaking. Aim for at least 75cm and probably a metre. If the lane's too narrow, expect them to change lanes to come by.

 

[Ihatehills]

I hesitate to bring this up, (dons flak jacket in anticipation of the fallout) but I find that my mirror helps avoid situations like this.

 

[GoMild]

@Ihatehills Not a bad idea if there aren't any vandals around - even my dirty/crappy/broken seat cover was stolen after a day in my area. Shiny mirrors might not survive for long. Also the mirror takes up the extra widths that is precious when going through the canyon of tall buses & trucks in London.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

@Ihatehills Not a bad idea if there aren't any vandals around - even my dirty/crappy/broken seat cover was stolen after a day in my area. Shiny mirrors might not survive for long. Also the mirror takes up the extra widths that is precious when going through the canyon of tall buses & trucks in London.

My mirror fits on the frame downtube.

I find the lack of awareness of the possible presence of other bikes displayed by some riders to be such that it is best to assume that all other people on bikes are about to try to kill or maim me when I am riding mine.

 

[GoMild]

all other people on bikes are about to try to kill or maim me

Agree - I assume everyone & everything is trying to kill me, including myself as I cannot guarantee that I never make mistakes.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Agree - I assume everyone & everything is trying to kill me, including myself as I cannot guarantee that I never make mistakes.

tbf, the most effective attempt on my life, to date, whilst a bici, was by me.

 

[GoMild]

(RE: previous - if I encountered 'back-talking' riders, I turn around, point in their face and shout "you are BEHIND me!")

Guarantee you will end up on your arse one day because of that.

Hopefully not, but if that ever happen, at least it'll clearly show why you should never distract a rider from behind, so... you're welcome? (joke )

 

[mjr]

I hesitate to bring this up, (dons flak jacket in anticipation of the fallout) but I find that my mirror helps avoid situations like this.

I don't see how - the OP suggests having looked behind and not considered the following rider too close behind for the movement.

going through the canyon of tall buses & trucks in London.

Oh please stop! First the kerb-hugging and now this - you're one of those riders who I get scared just watching as you squeeze through crush zones, aren't you?

 

[PK99]

My personal experience is that drivers are reasonably predictable (good or bad) whereas cyclists are getting less and less predictable as their number grows....

+1

 

[Vegan1]

It's a shout made out of courtesy, I would not read too much into it.

 

[GoMild]

I don't see how - the OP suggests having looked behind and not considered the following rider too close behind for the movement.

She might have been speeding and closed up the gap in that split second - she can go as fast as she likes if she is able to do so without bothering people in front of her.

Oh please stop! First the kerb-hugging and now this - you're one of those riders who I get scared just watching as you squeeze through crush zones, aren't you?

Try Bank/Strand/Shaftesbury Av. in the morning...you won't go anywhere if you try to ride strictly by the text book.

Give 1m from kerb and someone will undertake, even moped guys pass on your left. There's a different dynamics in London and every inch is eagerly utilised, but it's not a chaos.

Drivers are generally very aware of the cyclists, and anyway the state of congestion means the vehicles can't go that fast. Of course you never ride into the blind spot or the crush zone, but once you understand the 'London rule', you can safely ride everyday.

(I'm sure many riders will disagree but that's my everyday experience in the last 5 years.)

 

[Drago]

Don't use capital letters so highlight words. Some of us are dyslexic and that makes it difficult to read, the opposite effect to that which you likely intended.

 

[GoMild]

@Drago the upper case fixed - for NVDA/Jaws users.

 

[Drago]

Cheers. Its only a little thing, but can make life so difficult.