Friday morning commute

[User]

 

[Origamist]

I came across the aftermath of this too.

Hearsay, I know, but an eyewitness told me that the woman ran across the road and the cyclist hit her at speed. He said the traffic light was green for the cyclist and he couldn't really avoid her.

I hope she is OK.

 

[XmisterIS]

Thank goodness I live in tractor-land (or "trac'r laand" as it is correctly called).

I thought the traffic/num of pedestrians round here was bad at rush hour ... until I made a driving trip up to London (or "Lunnun" as it is correctly called round these parts) ... WOW!!!! I have never seen such chaos in my life!!!!!

Why do people always walk so fast in Lunnun? And why do you get beeped at when you are 1/2 a second slow off at the lights? I always put the car in neutral at lights, they don't seem to like that up Lunnun way ....

Next time I go up there, I am considering putting a big sticker in my back window that says, "Get orf moi laand!" ... just so they know I'm not from Lunnun and please could they be a little more patient.

 

[janm399]

I know I'll regret it on my way home today, but my commute in Manchester was full of glorious sunshine and light traffic. Bliss!

@XmisterIS: the reason for leaving your car in gear when stopped at lights (or using the hand brake) is that if someone hits you from behind*, your car won't jump quite so far forward and it may save you from hitting the car ahead of you.

* Assuming, of course, that they're doing less than 5 - 8 mph.

 

[XmisterIS]

@XmisterIS: the reason for leaving your car in gear when stopped at lights (or using the hand brake) is that if someone hits you from behind*, your car won't jump quite so far forward and it may save you from hitting the car ahead of you.

I didn't say anything about the handbrake, I said I leave it in neutral.

As it happens, I leave it in neutral and apply the handbrake for the very reason that you give.

Don't read things into my post that I haven't written.

 

[adds21]

@XmisterIS: the reason for leaving your car in gear when stopped at lights (or using the hand brake) is that if someone hits you from behind*, your car won't jump quite so far forward and it may save you from hitting the car ahead of you.

* Assuming, of course, that they're doing less than 5 - 8 mph.

I thought the opposite was true. Certainly when I did my advance driving test (admittedly a good few years ago), I was always told to leave the car out of gear when stopped, so that if you’re hit and your foot comes off the clutch, the car won’t jump (not saying it won't roll of course!).

I was told the same when doing my bike test. Always put the bike in neutral when waiting so if you’re hit it doesn’t run away with you.

 

[XmisterIS]

I thought the opposite was true. Certainly when I did my advance driving test (admittedly a good few years ago), I was always told to leave the car out of gear when stopped, so that if you’re hit and your foot comes off the clutch, the car won’t jump (not saying it won't roll of course!).

I was told the same when doing my bike test. Always put the bike in neutral when waiting so if you’re hit it doesn’t run away with you.

Precisely. Exactly correct.

 

[gaz]

@XmisterIS: the reason for leaving your car in gear when stopped at lights (or using the hand brake) is that if someone hits you from behind*, your car won't jump quite so far forward and it may save you from hitting the car ahead of you.

* Assuming, of course, that they're doing less than 5 - 8 mph.

Leaving it in gear with the clutch down won't do anything. might as well have it in neatural and not wear out your clutch.

My ride in was ok today, took it easy as this is the first week i have done a full commute and want to save my legs for the way back.

 

[skwerl]

Leaving it in gear with the clutch down won't do anything. might as well have it in neatural and not wear out your clutch.

My ride in was ok today, took it easy as this is the first week i have done a full commute and want to save my legs for the way back.

how does keeping the clutch pedal pressed wear out your clutch?

 

[gaz]

how does keeping the clutch pedal pressed wear out your clutch?

Your holding the clutch system and thus the life of the clutch is diminished, it's like holding the car still with the brake for a long period of time, if you do this consitantly every time you stop instead of using the handbrake, then your brake life is shorterned.

I don't know the exact technical reason as to why, but it shorten the life when sampled over a long period.

 

[hackbike 666]

I must say im a bit concerned with how peds cross the road.Generally in London.

 

[jig-sore]

something to do with the bearings in the clutch i think. if you sit with your foot on the pedal it puts them under strain and wears then out (i think)

 

[skwerl]

Your holding the clutch system and thus the life of the clutch is diminished, it's like holding the car still with the brake for a long period of time, if you do this consitantly every time you stop instead of using the handbrake, then your brake life is shorterned.

I don't know the exact technical reason as to why, but it shorten the life when sampled over a long period.

I believe that's utter bollox. The only thing you're using when holding the clutch is the cable/hydraulic actuator. I'd like to see the data if you have it though. Same goes for holding the car on the footbrake. How can that shorten brake life? There's no pad wear taking place if you're stationary.

I could of course counter-argue that you're increasing the life of your gearbox by keeping the clutch pedal pressed.

 

[skwerl]

something to do with the bearings in the clutch i think. if you sit with your foot on the pedal it puts them under strain and wears then out (i think)

sorry but no. in fact, if you've got the clutch disengaged then the input shaft won't be spinning and therefore your thrust bearing will wear less, as will your gearbox

 

[hackbike 666]

Sod the clutch this is a cycling thread not a bloody car thread.