Grief At Work

[Rhythm Thief]

Cyclists need to stand out, it's not really enough to be what I call passively visible. This doesn't necessarily mean reflective gear - really good lights, flashing LEDs (in addition to constant lights) and pedal reflectors all help - but in my experience as someone who spends a lot of time driving, hi viz helps.

My work is driving a truck on unlit or poorly lit rural roads and I see three types of cyclist in the evening "rush hour". The first has no lights at all but relies on hi vis to alert others to his presence. This bloke is practically invisible until you're maybe twenty feet away and will get sqyuashed one day. The second has cheap nasty lights - or nearly dead batteries - and is more visible but still not as obvious as the third type, who has two good quality lights front and back and a reflective top. This chap can be seen from as far away as a car and this means you can factor him into your driving well in advance.

 

[ttcycle]

Just out of interest RT - from your perspective driving on the roads does High Viz make lots of difference or does a well designed bike jacket with the good reflectors have the same visibility?

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Anything with plenty of reflective material is fine. I use a motorway worker - style Hi vis tabard, but only because I get them provided by work and have millions knocking around. Good lights make the most difference of all though.

 

[ttcycle]

That's good to know thanks

 

[l33rec]

London Buses are equipped with cctv front rear side and internal report it promptly to the local police and demand they arrange a download of the buses harddrive.

look for the registration number or fleet number usually dt105 cit333 or dp101 usually two letters and three numbers depicting its make /model/body type these are on all sides and usually by the pedestrian entry doors .

Report also to Transport for London who can impose their own fines on bus co that fall below standard !

 

[RedBike]

I've got some moron that thinks it's funny to keep driving beside me shouting "wheres your road tax" and "Cyclists shouldn't be on road"

It makes you realise why every other cyclist I see is on the pavement.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

My boss' sarky comment when I started cycling in to work was something along the lines of him having to get up earlier if there was "another one weaving around and getting in everybody's bloody way"

 

[TheDoctor]

Funny, whenever I ride to work it's all the cars getting in my way.
Does your boss live in some mysterious other dimension which has no traffic?

EDIT - That was @ Sheffield Tiger, by the way.

 

[gaz]

take it on the chin, these guys are just knobs..

If anyone started that at our workplace they would regret it. about 1/5 of my department cycles.

 

[Arch]

If you want to banter back, I'd tell them that you're getting a video camera like many cyclists now have, so their driving better be exemplary from now on. Can't see them liking that very much!

Also, suggest that just because their Mummies won't let them ride on the road, desn't mean you have to ride on the pavement too...


Redbike! You have one of those! Snap!

 

[andyfromotley]

Where's your sense of humour and have a bit of banter.

I had roughly the same thing at work a couple of months ago. (I rode a recumbent trike)

I was sitting upstairs in the drivers room watching tv, when in walked another driver who started chatting to the shunter and mentioned that if ''you see some twat out on the road riding what looks like a moving bed, make sure you run him over.''

My reponse was to look at the driver (who drove a Jag) and then look at the shunter and say ''yes mate, and if you see some twat driving a Jag be sure to give him a wave (as I made a 'self-gratification artist' sign at the driver) Bit of banter breaks up the monotony of work...chill out and have a laugh.

+1.

Reading this thread has made you appear to be a po faced, humourless, grump. I am sure that youre not. Lighten up?

 

[hackbike 666]

Must admit im not always at my best with the wind-ups but when it leads up to my bike being fiddled about with I think it is going too far...although this has happened only twice in the near 28 years I have been there vandalism isn't nice.

Recently I got called a pedophile because I have a tendency to visit Thailand of which I have done three times totalling 8 weeks there in all...but all I have ever done there is cycle and get drunk.I don't really talk to the bloke who called me this because again I think it is going slightly OTT (He's an ex-cabbie ironically) but he doesn't earn my respect as he doesn't seem to show me any.I have been called many things in the time I have been there...Including gay because I cycle and it does get on my tits and ugly because I am but I have never gone running to a manager.It's taken a long time but eventually I have got used to all the put downs and bonnet fodder crap...even had the fall in front of the lorry thingy tonight and all the other crap that goes with it.

I don't comment on other peoples imperfections because I know I don't like it myself.

Yes I have handled it badly at times and the best way really is to go along with it as hard as it may be.

 

[Vikeonabike]

If you have a back pack then I highly reccomend one of these....
http://www.ledwear.co.uk/products/ledbackpackcover

 

[Jezston]

+1.

Reading this thread has made you appear to be a po faced, humourless, grump. I am sure that youre not. Lighten up?

I am not! But I was feeling pretty grumpy that morning after a near miss (and having to ride such a dreadful bike after my decent one got nicked) think it's fair enough that it might take a while to see the funny side!

 

[Jezston]

If you have a back pack then I highly reccomend one of these....
http://www.ledwear.co.uk/products/ledbackpackcover

Oh zing! Ordered!