Just because you can.... doesn't mean you should.

[sabian92]

Afternoon CC,

Driving the car this morning on the A557 when the traffic slows down. It's 10 to 9, so prime rush hour time (especially as this road leads towards the M56) and I thought nothing of it, slowed down etc. Traffic then starts to overtake something (I couldn't see as a lorry was in front of me) until I become the first in line behind the thing people were overtaking.

A fully lycra'ed up roadie, in the middle of the inside lane, pootling along at about 18mph. I'm all for riding your bike and all that, don't get me wrong but Jesus, pick your route a bit more carefully than this bloke did. It's essentially a 2 lane motorway and the places that you can get to from it can be reached just as easily on 30mph roads that carry far less traffic. He clearly wasn't going for out and out speed as he was on the hoods, admiring the view. You definitely wouldn't ride on a motorway in the same way so I'm not sure why he chose to do it!

People have been killed previously on this stretch of road doing exactly what he was doing. I hung back and protected him for as long as I could (I was coming off at the next slip road) but I could see the frustration from other drivers. Traffic was bad enough although flowing reasonably quickly so I'm not sure why he thought putting himself in danger by riding on an A road in rush hour was a particularly clever idea.

Just because you're legally allowed to ride somewhere, doesn't mean it's the best idea

 

[Glow worm]

Afternoon CC,

Driving the car this morning on the A557 when the traffic slows down. It's 10 to 9, so prime rush hour time (especially as this road leads towards the M56) and I thought nothing of it

Interesting you mention prime rush hour, with all the assiciated queues of cars, but choose to focus on a lone cyclist as the problem.
One for the car culture thread maybe?

 

[Arjimlad]

I don't know the road, but I find it sad that he was, as you say "putting himself in danger" when in reality it may be he was actually being thoughtless & obstructive. He may not be from round your way. I'm contemplating a ride down through Wiltshire soon and finding it hard to avoid using the A36 which in parts is as you describe.

Injury or death is not the appropriate punishment for causing a temporary obstruction - and on the road you describe it's hard to understand how a driver would not both see him, and have ample room to safely overtake.

 

[sabian92]

He wasn't a problem as in he was causing the traffic, my point was that it's a damn stupid place to ride unless you have a death wish (or a large life insurance policy for your kids and you're skint).

I didn't wish harm to him (I even protected him from other traffic) but he was clearly local. No luggage, expensive road bike, 1 water bottle and no maps etc.

 

[numbnuts]

I thought we “share” the roads, silly me for thinking differently

 

[Markymark]

I thought we “share” the roads, silly me for thinking differently

He doesn't pay road tax so he doesn't count

 

[palinurus]

I ride a small part of my commute on a section of dual-carriageway (in my case the road leads to a junction on the M1). It goes the direction I want to go- I turn off at a lane before the M1 to get to work. Most mornings the traffic is stationary, half-terms and fridays it might be moving freely. I don't feel it is any worse safety-wise than reasonable alternative routes (discounting those that involve dismounting and using pedestrian facilities/ multiple road crossings).

 

[Scoosh]

1. he is 'the traffic'
2. would you be as vocal had it been a tractor, doing, say 18 mph ?
3. he was actually helping people to slow down, relax a bit and recognise that cycling is much better for you !

 

[Markymark]

So, to be clear he was using up 1 of the 2 lanes and that's still a problem for the car drivers?

 

[jayonabike]

I ride a small part of my commute on a section of dual-carriageway (in my case the road leads to a junction on the M1). It goes the direction I want to go- I turn off at a lane before the M1 to get to work. Most mornings the traffic is stationary, half-terms and fridays it might be moving freely. I don't feel it is any worse safety-wise than reasonable alternative routes (discounting those that involve dismounting and using pedestrian facilities/ multiple road crossings).

I ride past that very junction most times I'm on my way home from a ride. If it was up to the OP I'd never get out on my bike

 

[Peter Armstrong]

"and the places that you can get to from it can be reached just as easily on 30mph roads that carry far less traffic"
Why dont people drive there then

 

[sabian92]

I thought we “share” the roads, silly me for thinking differently

We do, but common sense should prevail. Pootling along seemingly ignorant at 20mph on a dual carriageway (that leads to the M56/M6, no less) during rush hour probably isn't exactly the brightest idea. Okay, he broke no laws but would you ride on a motorway if it was legal? Methinks not.

1. he is 'the traffic'
2. would you be as vocal had it been a tractor, doing, say 18 mph ?
3. he was actually helping people to slow down, relax a bit and recognise that cycling is much better for you !

1. I know, that isn't what I had an issue with
2. Yes, because tractors always seem to be in front of me when I'm late somewhere
3. Traffic was moving at 60mph, albeit heavily, and he was doing 1/3rd of that speed. Helping people slow down for what exactly? And I know it is but again, just because you can, doesn't mean it's the best way to get to somewhere.

So, to be clear he was using up 1 of the 2 lanes and that's still a problem for the car drivers?

No, the problem was he seemed to lack any sense of self preservation.

"and the places that you can get to from it can be reached just as easily on 30mph roads that carry far less traffic"
Why dont people drive there then

Because it takes far longer in a car due to traffic but probably no longer on a bicycle.

Let me be clear here - I have zero issue with him riding a bike. My point was that he could have gone several other, far safer and quieter ways to where he was going without holding up a dual carriageway and nearly getting plowed into by traffic (which has happened on that stretch of road and they still haven't found the car that did it).

 

[MontyVeda]

I guess a similar scenario would be someone driving along the inside lane of the motorway at 20-30 mph.. how would the OP and everyone else feel about this?

 

[Cyclopathic]

Woa, tough crowd tonight.

 

[JasonHolder]

This was me lycrad up. Ride on hoods all the time. Even when hauling ass. What's the problem