(Good) Interaction with skip lorry company.

[betty swollocks]

I was at halt at some traffic lights recently, when a skip lorry drew up on my inside and halted alongside - it was going down the l/h filter lane. so no problems.
The driver, in a civil manner, asked why I wasn't on the cycle path and why don't cyclists cycle on cycle paths?(There was a shared ped/bike cycle path the other side of him running parallel to the road, but it's one of those not-fit-for-purpose ones), but a five seconds before the lights change conversation was was not the right place to explain and I told him so. We then both moved off, as the lights did indeed change. I emphasise the driver was perfectly polite and his driving was fine, but I think he was having a little dig - that's also fine.
Anyway, I made a note of the company's name - Hill's Waste Disposal and emailed them when I got home, supplying the link to Carlton Reid's article below.
A few hours later, I got a call from the company's transport manager, thanking me and advising that he has printed the article out and would ensure all his drivers read it.
Well done Hill's.
(edited: Just been on their website and the company name is 'Hills' i.e. without the apostrophe).
Job done!
Article here.

 

[Ganymede]

Well done you, too! How encouraging.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Really well done.

 

[Drago]

What a nice chap to take the time to read it, circulate it and reply.

 

[glenn forger]

The driver, in a civil manner, asked why I wasn't on the cycle path and why don't cyclists cycle on cycle paths?.

You should have said "That's a good question, here's one for you: Why didn't you pay attention at school so you don't end up so frustrated at your life that you shout at people going about their lawful business?"

 

[LCpl Boiled Egg]

You should have said "That's a good question, here's one for you: Why didn't you pay attention at school so you don't end up so frustrated at your life that you shout at people going about their lawful business?"

Are you joking?

How do you know he didn't pay attention at school and he's frustrated with his life?
How is asking in a civil manner shouting?
How is annoying the driver further going to help matters?

I don't think the OP would have got such a good result from the company if they'd taken your advice.

 

[betty swollocks]

What a nice chap to take the time to read it, circulate it and reply.

Absolutely!

 

[glenn forger]

If the driver is consumed by curiosity as to why cycle lanes aren't compulsory maybe he could take a look at the Highway Code? It shouldn't be our place to spend our time disabusing these muppets of their idiotic misapprehensions.

 

[Markymark]

If the driver is consumed by curiosity as to why cycle lanes aren't compulsory maybe he could take a look at the Highway Code? It shouldn't be our place to spend our time disabusing these muppets of their idiotic misapprehensions.

You're right. The OP should have told the driver where to go and then none of the further interaction would have taken place.

Result.

 

[glenn forger]

No, that wouldn't be helpful, it would have been better to demand to know why the driver wasn't using the motorway, then set fire to his rig to teach him the value of money.

 

[mustang1]

You should have said "That's a good question, here's one for you: Why didn't you pay attention at school so you don't end up so frustrated at your life that you shout at people going about their lawful business?"

Driver could have replied with yet another question (and an assumption like yours):
Why didn't you pay attention at school so you don't end up so frustrated at your life and mock others?

 

[glenn forger]

No assumption, the driver is by his own admission too lazy to bother actually reading what other road users are allowed to do.

 

[Drago]

The skip handling Yorkie muncher could then have leapt from his cab and battered the soft cyclist. No point risking a confrontation by being gobby when you don't known what you're up against.

Out OP handled it well, without placing himself at risk.

 

[BrynCP]

No assumption, the driver is by his own admission too lazy to bother actually reading what other road users are allowed to do.

The only way to know why a cyclist doesn't use a cycle path is to ask them, surely? You could assume why not, or make inferences based on what you see, but if you don't ask you'll never know for sure!

 

[glenn forger]

Skip Lorry Drivers! No need to take expensive driving lessons, just ask any passing cyclist what the rules of the road are and they'll be happy to help!"