Is he right?

[snapper_37]

A conversation I have just had, along with the few 'off' threads, has prompted me.

Due to black ice, I have commuted in primary virtually all the way this morning. No bike lanes or paths used. I also saw an ambulance and police car at a RB. Didn't have chance to rubber-neck (too busy watching what I was doing!) but I'm 99% sure it was a cyclist down.

I walked up the car park with a work collegue (as it was like a skating rink ). He said that he had passed me and asked why I wasn't using the bike lane (not being arsey BTW).

I explained about the black ice, particularly near the gutters and where water was pooled. Also how bike lanes were often not gritted.

He said 'Well, don't you think you should stay off the road then?' - as in NOT cycle.

My first thought was - WTF are you to tell me what to do blah blah. But then, thinking about it - is he right? Is it really too dangerous in this weather?

I can't say I really enjoyed the commute as was too busy watching the road like a hawk.

 

[Steve Austin]

I've not ridden in for several weeks due to falling off. I can't afford to fall off an hurt myself when there are other ways I can get to work without hurting myself or breaking my bike

It may be an unpopular opinion, but I think its perfectly sensible to not ride when there is Ice on the roads.

 

[summerdays]

Its your personal choice really - I agree I have riden more primary than normal and a greater tendancy to filter on the right rather than the left to stay away from the gutter, chosen the road rather than the short cut through the park and occasionally got off and walked. No one seems to have objected to this.

What makes him think he is safer in a car... I have to say having seen how long my BIL has taken to recover from his injuries when he skidded in his car, I think some car drivers don't realise they are not immune to the conditions.

Equally I realise that the greatest danger to me is probably a car skidding - I've had one where I was going down hill (parked cars either side), and I saw the car in the side road, I assume before he saw me ... as he skidded to a stop in front of me - unable to stop due to the ice in the side road.

 

[fossyant]

Depends upon your view - I have ridden most days, although the last two weeks it's been more like two or three days out of five - my main worry is sliding cars, and coming off at speed. I also don't need to fall off on my shoulder as that could bugger up my PI claim and set back my recovery.

I've driven today, the roads looked fine other than lots of pooled ice, oh that and we've been up most of the night with my daughter (vomiting bug).

 

[snapper_37]

You have just as much right to be on the road as your friend.

While you can see his point, he has not got one in telling you that you can't ride to work because of icy conditions.

To be fair Lee, he wasn't saying it in a 'Get off the road you f*cking idiot' way. It was more out of concern.

 

[beanzontoast]

It's down to how you feel about your personal safety. I think each cyclist who's had a few 'offs' on ice should probably have learned to respect and judge conditions for themselves. Having said that, it's still possible to get caught out. Ice is unforgiving - you can never be 100% sure about where and when you'll encounter it.

I've ridden every day (mtb), but with precautions - kept my speed down, avoided cycle paths, kept out of the gutters, taken corners gingerly, braked early and gently. Road conditions seem to have improved for the home commute - it's the early mornings that concern me most.

 

[Crackle]

I'm with Fossy. I'd be more worried by other vehicles losing control.

 

[andylaw79]

It's down to personal choice. As it's been pointed out no matter how confident and/or cautious you are if you cycle when there's ice you can still get caught out. Personally I don't like to cycle when it's icey. Had a few nasty offs in the past, not through disregard for the conditions but just being caught out. I just don't like the risk.

Before the new year I didn't cycle when there was ice. Missed the majority of the bad weather in Jan due to illness and I haven't cycled in today as it was very frosty this morning and ice patches on the road.

 

[beanzontoast]

I'm with Fossy. I'd be more worried by other vehicles losing control.

Yes - that's another factor. In winter, I get more nervous of traffic behind me especially when approaching anywhere they have to slow down or stop.

Plus, on left corners especially, if you come off your bike, you can end up sliding across the road into oncoming traffic.

 

[wafflycat]

You're the one who knows your cycling and local conditions - it's your call.

 

[the reluctant cyclist]

I have to say that during this bout of extreme weather I have stayed off the bike.

It's the first year I have done so but I travel in all side roads and they have been in really poor condition.

This morning my own road was just literally a sheet of ice... so I bused it again today.

Of course, when you get into town it looks okay and you wish you had come on the bike!

I came in on my mountain bike one day and was okay but I am a bit wary all the same - snow I will cycle in but ice not so sure.

This is the first year though that I have been off the bike due to weather - I do think it has been particularly bad though and for a prolonged period of time.

(Of course if EVERYBODY adjusted their attitude along with the weather we would be okay wouldn't we?!)

 

[4F]

I agree thats chuffing annoying. My first 6 miles are all country B roads and again this morning they were slipery. Bused in to Ipswich again and the roads there are fine.

 

[gbb]

You're the one who knows your cycling and local conditions - it's your call.[/QUOTE]


Agreed 100%.
I havnt missed a commute all winter so far, continued to ride in the snow, frost and ice.
But, a lot of my commute is on bus only lanes (the cyclepaths are out of the question, even now), quiet urban roads and the occasional faster bit.
Ironically, the most dangerous bit for me is right up my street, 100 yards from home. Way away from anything thats been gritted, with water running off local fields, that then freezes. The rest of the roads are ok'ish...although the slush and snow did make things extremely difficult once or twice.
But then, i use the 35mm shod hybrid...no way is the roadbike coming out in this..that would be mental.

I've had a couple of 'you havnt rode in in this have you '

Yeah...no problem.

 

[Arch]

It may be an unpopular opinion, but I think its perfectly sensible to not ride when there is Ice on the roads.

I think the issue here is, snapper was cycling in a way that avoided the ice (IE, not in the bike lane). If the whole road had been sheet ice, then the guy would have more of a point. But Snapper made the choice based on individual cycling tactics and technique...

Personal choice I think. Would be interesting to know how the guy would react if told he ought not to drive when it was icy.

 

[fossyant]

Anyway, check the forecast from Saturday - it's getting much warmer and dry...