Lunatic Cyclist

[D-Rider]

I had been planning to post on User's "Considered Approach" thread that it seems to me that RLJers have been in the minority this week and that, generally, the standard of cycling in Edinburgh seems pretty good.

However.... <deep sigh>

<rant>

I was in the car today because I overdid things with a run a lunchtime yesterday and the legs just weren't up to cycling this morning.

Heading home, downhill on the Royal Mile I checked my blindspot before moving out to pass a stopping van. Just in time to see a ninja cyclist overtaking me - dark bike, dark clothes, no lights. It hadn't actually got dark at that point but was well on the way - most vehicles had their lights on.

I followed him on down the hill - 27 mph ish so no point overtaking.

At the bottom of the hill, at the Parliament, there's a roundabout with a stream of traffic from the right and a car waiting from our entrace to turn left. The cyclist, without perceptibly slowing down, jumped up on the pavement on the left, somehow avoided the peds, cut the corner and jumped back onto the main road, in the middle of flowing traffic.

Further on, there's an uphill section. This guy veers across the road onto the pavement on the other side, which was full of peds, and cycles up the pavement.

I got stopped at the lights at the top of the hill and when he catches up it's straight across the road... RLJ - on the ped crossing but not even a green man - and off down the road to the right.

This guy is an accident waiting to happen. It's hard to blame anyone who forms a poor opinion of cyclists after witnessing this.

</rant>

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

<viz advice>
You should have knocked him off to learn him the error of his ways, innit.
</viz advice>

 

[HLaB]

I came down Broughton Street the other week behind a cyclist who was weaving all over the road, he then goes straight through the red at the pedestrian crossing. I caught him up again a few seconds later and he was again weaving all over the place no hand on the bars and in his own little world; respect to the drivers for not losing patience with the bloke. He sounds a bit like your Lunatic.

 

[neslon]

A couple of nights ago I had a similar experience. Dark night, drove down to the shop (for stuff too heavy to go in a rucksack). Parked, checked wingmirror, look over shoulder & opened door. SPLAT!!!
Ninja stupid student dressed head to toe in black, with black bobble hat riding black bike with no lights went straight into the door. Forget all that twaddle about hi-viz being urban camouflage - cycle round like this pillock and you will end up wrapped round the sharp end of a car door, or worse.
Fortunately he wasn't hurt (much) so I settled for yelling at him & checking his bike, before sending him on his way with some advice.

 

[Night Train]

I seem to have found more then the usual number of ninja cyclists recently too. Not had any run in with them, just noticed them in the dark in all black on all black bikes. I look out for them anyway as I expect ninja ccylists and peds attempting suicide on my car everytime I go out.

Is it a fashion statement or something?

 

[Tynan]

HC is rather severe about opening your car door as i recall

 

[Black Sheep]

you got to look for the darker bit of darkness to spot the ninja

 

[hackbike 666]

I saw one tonight Waterloo bound with hi-viz and no lights.Well lit area,thought he showed up pretty well.Then again I suppose a ninja may have as well there.

 

[D-Rider]

To be honest, I was less worried with this guy's lack of visibility (it was getting dark and hopefully he was nearly home.... wishful thinking maybe) than with his suicide run down the hill and round the roundabout.....