helmet cams - advice

[akb]

Yes I always indicate when safe. Beano, thanks for you arrogance, not really why I post here.

Although he did come across as quite blunt, Beano is quite true. Its always best to pre-empt actions from drivers and learn how to avoid them. This is where things like Cycle Craft come in handy. Give it a try and save your self some pennies on the camera. Although cameras are great if you get hit or have an incident as evidence; if cycling to a standard, these incidents should become non-existent or severley reduced.

 

[akb]

[QUOTE 3203749, member: 30090"]Boring.[/QUOTE]

Zzzzz

 

[summerdays]

So by indicating and turning left I am somehow at fault for an oncoming car turning accross me? not sure how this can be the case, i thought it was just an impatient driver, in fact he said there was room for both and that he used the opposite lane to give me more space. Opposite lane with oncoming traffic, sounds safe. but hey-ho, sounds like must be my fault for being there and not poor driving.

No you are not at fault, the impatient driver is. But you are trying to control the situation to make it as safe as possible for yourself. The impatient driver is going to be there anyway until driving culture changes in this country.

 

[thecube]

I'd like to point out I have had no accidents in years of riding, I do use primary and secondary positions, I also avoid potential accidents, it doesn't mean I am happy to be the one doing this al the time. I got abuse for using the roubabout the other day, I pointed out I was legally entitled to do so and got a load of abuse about being a cylist and not paying road tax. I get told to use the cycle path even whe it's poor. It's not just bad driving it's that people, especially when comutting, don't care. On my road bike i have no problems at all. i do think it was worse with the hot weather. I work with other cylists and they have had issues too, just seems like a anti-cycling mentallity. I also drive a car too.

 

[ianrauk]

two situations where this happens, one with the small speed bumps where the primary position would mean going over them rather than down the side.

If it's safer to go over then round then do it.

I have a road on my commute that has these bumps. I handle them as this.
Shoulder check, nothing behind, I go to the side of the bump. Car behind, over the bump I go.

It's all about controlling the situation.

 

[ianrauk]

I'd like to point out I have had no accidents in years of riding, I do use primary and secondary positions, I also avoid potential accidents, it doesn't mean I am happy to be the one doing this al the time. I got abuse for using the roubabout the other day, I pointed out I was legally entitled to do so and got a load of abuse about being a cylist and not paying road tax. I get told to use the cycle path even whe it's poor. It's not just bad driving it's that people, especially when comutting, don't care. On my road bike i have no problems at all. i do think it was worse with the hot weather. I work with other cylists and they have had issues too, just seems like a anti-cycling mentallity. I also drive a car too.

As a daily commuter and it's all getting to you then learn to chill and let it go. It's better for you in the long run or you end up disliking your commute and giving up the bike. That's what a lot of motons want. Just don't give them the satisfaction.

A lot of commuters on here are the 'give them a wave and a smile that'll confuse 'em' ethos and it does work.

Myself... I give them the finger.

 

[thecube]

Predicting an Audi is going to cane it past and then shoot right across the front of you since they have just seen and on-coming car and where driving too fast is not always predictable. I've heard the best ways to stay safe is wear a blonde wig and to wiggle all over the road, car drivers will then give you a wide berth, but I not doing that!
Defensive driving or not, you can't stop some vehicle going past, and most of the time it is safe and fine for them to do so, but I had a large van go past me on a straight section of road, he then pulled in and made contact with me, it was just a brush but nevertheless not nice. This guy then denied it! there are situations when things should be straight forward and safe, but bad drivers will still do careless things. I have been cycling years, these things don't happen everyday, but I just think a camera might help if it does go pear shaped.
I actually got the impression that road safety and the patience and respect of car drivers was improving over recent years. I think there is a greater awareness from drivers, but still a few numpties.

 

[John Shingler]

just ride

 

[thecube]

Ian, I agree to some extent, but it's not always easy. I love going on my road bike, but the commute can be a bit hit an miss!
I mean what are you supposed to do when turning right and indicating in time to do so, you start to move out and the car that was way behind you still wants to go past, so does so in the opposite lane? this stuff will always happen from time to time. So you pull back to the 2ndry postion and let the impatient scroat go by or stay where you are and wait for them to have a potential head on?

 

[thecube]

Beano, believe it or not you might struggle. You talk like someone that can predict the potential whereabouts of all other road users, now I have a feeling this might not be the case.

 

[summerdays]

Moan on the commuting thread, gets it out of your system and you move on! And you can also say nice things that happened on your commute too.

I rarely get actual aggro from drivers, last one I remember was some bloke waving for me to get out of the middle of the road. It's the drivers who don't think, or who are distracted that cause me the most annoyance.

 

[thecube]

yes maybe summerdays, of course there is plenty of good stuff too. I think it is bad in my town due to loads of road works and people sitting in hot cars as the cyclists go by enjoying the sunshine, fresh etc.
Once I had a parked car pull out without indicating whilst I was passing, so as we were parallel I pointed out he might want to a) look next time and b) indicate his intentions. A few seconds later he'd sped off down the road and then tried to reverse into me! I was pretty shocked and had to mount the curb. A helmet cam would have definitely got him a visit from the police! of he wouldn't have done it. Personally I just want to get gome alive, and bad driving is risking that. I'm not perfect but I do try my best whilst on a bike.

 

[ianrauk]

Ian, I agree to some extent, but it's not always easy. I love going on my road bike, but the commute can be a bit hit an miss!
I mean what are you supposed to do when turning right and indicating in time to do so, you start to move out and the car that was way behind you still wants to go past, so does so in the opposite lane? this stuff will always happen from time to time. So you pull back to the 2ndry postion and let the impatient scroat go by or stay where you are and wait for them to have a potential head on?

Wait for them to have a head on.

 

[MrWill]

Incidents = examples of bad driving that could easily cause an accident without evasive action from me. The most regular examples are people speading past me only to slow rapidly and pull intowards the curb to go over those small spead bumps. Of course I maintain my speed before getting goosed by the motorists! One guys did this recently and whilst he pulled intowards the curb I said through his open passenger widonw, " would you like me to change your radio station", he raced off, stopped and offered to rip my head off! Bit OTT i think, but nevertheless unsettling. Maybe the presence of a camera would help calm things. Another regular situation I have is when I turn left off a main road the car coming from the oppostie direction turns left right at the same time, it's my right of way and I could easily end up under their car. Again some guy tried to hit me when I pointed this out. I just want to get home safely for my family!
I am looking at the Contour Roam2 at the moment.

Contour went belly up last year, I would not bother with it.

 

[ianrauk]

[QUOTE 3203859, member: 30090"]Nah, survival instinct will kick in, driver will pull left and/or hit the brakes. Neither a good outcome fof the cyclist.[/QUOTE]


Depends how far the car get's in front.