I dont understand some cyclist

[Andy in Germany]

Those that appear at face value to be a dedicated cyclist, but have poor lighting and dark clothing always amaze me too. You’d think they’d be more aware of their own vulnerability…….

There was a noticeable increase in people buying lights in Dec/Jan. I'm sure that is nothing to do with the fact that the fine for not having lights went up to 60€ from Jan 1st 2026...

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

The terms of ETA's cover include: '– Recovery to a repair shop, railway station or home'. Soooo..... presumably they choose the most convenient or cost effective option, for them. That might well be 'home' if you're only 30-40km away, but I suspect the train station option would apply at some distance not an awful lot greater, or that they'd at least try to argue for the train station. It's £24 now. https://www.eta.co.uk/bicycle-insurance/cycle-rescue

Given the "challenges" taking cycles on UK trains, I can see issues eg what if your cycle hasn't been advance booked on the service to get you home? Or what if the train station nearest your home is still some distance away (eg I like 10 miles from my nearest train station with no public transport) so arriving with a broken cycle.

Cycles on trains is undoubtedly covered in different threads but I wonder if the insurance underwriters actually appreciate the challenges when specifying such clauses. That is unless it's a "cyclist's choice".

 

[steverob]

I’d have a similar query if they tried to take me to whatever the nearest station was, as it would be almost certain that this station was not on a line I could get home from, at least not without travelling in to London and back out again (my home town is on a dead-end line from London that has no real connection to any other lines).

 

[Sea of vapours]

That is unless it's a "cyclist's choice".

I concur that it needs to be that, or at least it's vastly better if it is. The response @Dag Hammar received in the above post is pretty clear, but I'm slightly sceptical still.

 

[presta]

the second clip is for policies purchased or renewed after 30th April 2025

Is your "chosen destination" the destination you chose before the breakdown or after?

Given the "challenges" taking cycles on UK trains, I can see issues eg what if your cycle hasn't been advance booked on the service to get you home? Or what if the train station nearest your home is still some distance away (eg I like 10 miles from my nearest train station with no public transport) so arriving with a broken cycle.

What if you ask to go to the station, then find out you've missed the last train?

The advantage of not having insurance is that you don't have the inconvenience of having to jump through all their hoops aggravating all the hassle you're already lumbered with.

 

[Punkawallah]

Is your "chosen destination" the destination you chose before the breakdown or after?

What if you ask to go to the station, then find out you've missed the last train?

The advantage of not having insurance is that you don't have the inconvenience of having to jump through all their hoops aggravating all the hassle you're already lumbered with.

Therefore the cost of ‘science’ in this case is to £24. Pay the money, take the bike out, arrange a puncture and see what happens. Of course, for it to be ‘proper’ science, you’d have to report your findings.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Therefore the cost of ‘science’ in this case is to £24. Pay the money, take the bike out, arrange a puncture and see what happens. Of course, for it to be ‘proper’ science, you’d have to report your findings.

If it's proper science you're after, what you need is a double blinded randomised trial with some of the subjects on placebo insurance policies.

 

[presta]

If it's proper science you're after, what you need is a double blinded randomised trial with some of the subjects on placebo insurance policies.

There's no experiment needed, is there. If you don't take out insurance, it's a simple fact that you can't get dictated to by them.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

By jove. I saw a man out riding without his wheel building jig. Just this morning. What a wag.

 

[PaulSB]

Single colour, bright tops (Red, Orange, Brighter shades of green etc) seem to not be the norm when I’ve looked.

Hard to know if fashion dictates Black being sold. Or Black being sold dictates what we buy and wear. You’d have to presume manufacturers know what cyclists currently desire - and colour their ranges accordingly. Anyway - it’s not the most helpful for being seen either way 🙄

As long as I have been road cycling people have worn black, I don't think it's a fashion thing but perceived by the wearer as a cool thing.

Personally I'm an advocate of a strong, bright, single colour. I'm not an advocate of hi viz, I don't think it stands out as much as people might hope.

 

[brommieinkorea]

View attachment 801053
Coffee / water / whiskey

Nice setup. But it brings up a legal question. In the USA, because of so many irresponsible twats, we have "open container" laws . Could this be the case in the UK ? Would a bicycle be exempt ?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Nice setup. But it brings up a legal question. In the USA, because of so many irresponsible twats, we have "open container" laws . Could this be the case in the UK ? Would a bicycle be exempt ?

Did a quick google for "open container laws" and they seem to prohibit drinking in public. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-container_law

As far as I know, there is no such thing in the UK. There are bans on drinking in specific places, subject to various bylaws or special orders. For instance, drinking is not allowed on London Transport services, and from memory this includes a reference to "open containers". I couldn't find a policy statement on the TfL website, but it has definitely been the case for over 10 years, probably longer.

Riding a bicycle while unfit due to drink or drugs is an offence under the Road Traffic Act. But I think you could safely transport an open container of alcohol. Well, relatively safely at least, the potholes may make you liable to spill a bit.

 

[Fastpedaller]

As long as I have been road cycling people have worn black, I don't think it's a fashion thing but perceived by the wearer as a cool thing.

Personally I'm an advocate of a strong, bright, single colour. I'm not an advocate of hi viz, I don't think it stands out as much as people might hope.

Last year (or was it the one before? ) I approached a 90-degree bend. Two cyclists were coming the other way, both with yellow jackets. They had just rounded the bend when a car came up behind them, and the driver slammed on the brakes. It was a 'close' thing........ and made me wonder if the driver had the memory of a goldfish because the road before the bend is straight for about a mile, and they must have been in his view for some considerable time!

 

[Alex321]

Nice setup. But it brings up a legal question. In the USA, because of so many irresponsible twats, we have "open container" laws . Could this be the case in the UK ? Would a bicycle be exempt ?

No, it isn't the case in the UK.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

No, it isn't the case in the UK.

We do however still have a number of irresponsible t***s anyway