Got told off by a fellow cyclist (although he was in a car!)

[pshore]

"I cycle every day and ... "

Its funny how many drivers claim they are a cyclist so they can give you some advice. I often imagine their bike sitting in their garage all dusty with a flat tyre waiting for their next trip to Centre Parcs.

For me, hearing the phrase "I am a cyclist ..." from a driver is almost up there with "I ain't racist but ..."

[edit - just spotted red light saying the same thing in post #26]

 

[400bhp]

[QUOTE 1488606"]
Ignore them RC. I've had drivers scream at me for riding up the outside. They're just frustrated because they're not going anywhere and you are.


[/quote]

+1

Ignoring is easier said than done.

Had some start ass yesterday shout "it's a road" at me (with my daughter on the back) on a road that leads from nowhere with speed humps. I think (didn't stop to ask-can't be arsed) he was trying to make a point because I dared to move into the middle of the road (room only for one passing car as ironically cars were parked on the verge) to stop him forcing his way past.

Morons abound-ignore.

 

[wiggydiggy]

[QUOTE 1488606"]
................checking for peds crossing between the cars, ...........
[/quote]

I can't stress that one enough, I learnt the hard way to slow down at times as people will just step out. I still feel guilty 18 months later for the young woman who stepped out in front of me and I ran into. End result was both on floor although luckily no injuries and the traffic was stationary. I go a different way now to avoid that section as its always quite bad for lemmings

 

[jonny jeez]

He's completely correct.

Undertaking is bloody stupid and and an accident waiting to happen.

Do yourself a favour, stop doing it!

you dont drive a green Polo do you Monkeypony?

For the record I dont, but I also agree ...in fact, I'll see Monkey and raise him with a "what the hell are you doing passing traffic on a junction anyway" comment...especially on the left?!?

Bonkers if you ask me, you are just waiting to get clipped.

 

[wiggydiggy]

you dont drive a green Polo do you Monkeypony?

For the record I dont, but I also agree ...in fact, I'll see Monkey and raise him with a "what the hell are you doing passing traffic on a junction anyway" comment...especially on the left?!?

Bonkers if you ask me, you are just waiting to get clipped.

Really?

I keep a good eye out for anything as I do so and sometimes its simply not possible to pass on the right. In fact at some junctions I cycle through if I passed on the right people would understandably think I was turning right, and it would be difficult to get back to the left.

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

you dont drive a green Polo do you Monkeypony?

For the record I dont, but I also agree ...in fact, I'll see Monkey and raise him with a "what the hell are you doing passing traffic on a junction anyway" comment...especially on the left?!?

Bonkers if you ask me, you are just waiting to get clipped.

I suppose I thought (rightly or wrongly) that as I could see into the nearest car on my right and he was not indicating to turn left or indeed looking like he was going to turn left and I had waited until he had gone further accross the junction than he needed to if he was going to turn left I felt pretty safe?!

It's a long, long queue of traffic - hardly moving - on a really wide road - is it really that bad to do it - I have analysed what I did sooooo many times now and I don't think I would have been any safer passing on the right ..

.. in fact I think that had I been overtaking on the right - Mr Mercedes would not have seen me at all and would have pulled out to do his right turn.

Of course I only think these things - but in 10 years of daily commuting I haven't felt unsafe doing this. The main one for me is the door opening and it was wide enough for that not to be happening - plus I ALWAYS check now for passengers - and there weren't any!!!! Seriously - I was a lone bike surrounded by a sea of stationary cars with one person in each of them!!!! (Not that unusual for a Friday night!)

 

[wiggydiggy]

Its all relative TBH As long as you (and I mean in general not just you ) take care when filtering on the left in that sort of situation then yes it is safe.

I've seen vids, and this where I think jonny/monkey maybe coming from, where people absolutely belt along the inside as if the traffic isnt there. Thats when it gets dangerous....

 

[Matty]

He probably reacted in that manner because he is a poor driver and didn't check his mirror, therefore when you 'appeared' his default reaction was horn/aggression. You knew what was happening as did merc.

 

[jonny jeez]

I've seen vids, and this where I think jonny/monkey maybe coming from,

Filtering at speed it daft regardless, but filtering past moving traffic at a junction is really playing the short odds.

I speak from experience (we are none of us perfect) Ive done it myself and nearly come a cropper...I was sure I was safe but you really cannot "assume" traffic will do what it should.

 

[wiggydiggy]

Junctions are just hard work and potentially dangerous full stop I think, each one potentially unique and needs care etc. I wouldnt left-lane filter at every junction but I wouldnt wait in primary/pass on right at all the ones I dont filter at either.

Your right with the assumption as well, I'm always prepared for traffic to be diving anyway it wants

 

[_aD]

I never undertake and will only overtake if there's plenty of door room. Either way it shows presence of mind for you to come and ask - it's good to question your road habits now and then just in case someone can point out a better way.

 

[MickL]

Ive just started a job by the five ways Island and I was wondering what commuting round these parts is like as Im going to start cycling from Dudley to work. Just sounds like another nob in a car looking for an easy victim, thankfully being a burly(fattish) type of chap I never got to much hassle when I commuting to wolves from Dudley.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

and if there had been an on road cycle lane going up the left here?

Yes, this is a serious problem with cycle lanes; especially "advisory" ones. It adds to the sense of righteous indignation that ignorant motorists feel when we ignore the lanes and cycle properly.

 

[MickL]

Yeah Mr P I have been catching the bus so far just to get used to the route the Wolverhampton road does look like a mean climb but I will get used to it, failing that I can use my MTB and just go down the canal via Broad Street.

 

[jonny jeez]

Either way it shows presence of mind for you to come and ask - it's good to question your road habits now and then just in case someone can point out a better way.

that's true, well said