On my commute there is a cycle lane which breaks in the middle for a roundabout. In theory I should beable to leave one cycle lane, cross the roundabout and join the cycle lane again so I can carry on when the traffic builds up. Not so because the cars take my lane to filter in the queue - and I SHOUT at them THIS IS A CYCLE LANE - ooh dear never thought I would do that.
oh dear - not me surely!
- Thread starter Willow
- Start date
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John the Monkey
Frivolous Cyclist
- Location
- Crewe
Is the lane marker solid or dashed? If it's bounded by a dotted line, they're allowed to do this, aren't they?
John the Monkey said:
Def. solid - problem is right by the lane there are two lines of traffic filtering into one as they come off the roundabout plus cars also trying enter the roundabout and filter in - to be honest I guess it's wishful thinking even trying to put a cycle lane there. It suprises me I'm so irratated by it I guess it's because it's just there that undertaking the traffic gives me most satisfaction.
John the Monkey
Frivolous Cyclist
- Location
- Crewe
Willow said:
Well, I guess you can shout if you want to then
(Take it easy though, there's some bloody loonies out there).
the reluctant cyclist
Über Member
- Location
- Birmingham
I'm normally one for shouting out the comments (and then getting into trouble
) so I have been more careful recently about my reactions!
Last Friday however I got cut up really badly on a nasty part of my route.
It is just a single carriageway road with cars parked both sides and not much room. There is a spot where the road turns a corner and the pavement sticks out and to add to the problems there are two really nasty drains right at that spot.
I try to make sure I am out in the middle of the road just before these to stop people cutting me up but on Friday I misjudged it or something and ended up being in the way of a Renault Espace who decided to overtake me right on that spot. He came so close that he brushed my sleeve and I felt the best action was just to stop the bike and lean into the pavement which I did.
A few yards up ahead at the red traffic lights he was stopped and I thought I would have a little word.
Normally I go in all guns blazing but this time I poliitely knocked on his window (resisting the urge to smash it in) and smiled like a lunatic!
He opened his window and I said really politely "I don't want to start a massive row or anything but I just want to let you know that back there you came so close to me you brushed my sleeve and I had to stop to prevent an accident!".
He was sooo apologetic it was untrue - really really sorry!
First time ever anyone has been sorry! Perhaps being polite is the way to go - it was really hard though!
) so I have been more careful recently about my reactions! Last Friday however I got cut up really badly on a nasty part of my route.
It is just a single carriageway road with cars parked both sides and not much room. There is a spot where the road turns a corner and the pavement sticks out and to add to the problems there are two really nasty drains right at that spot.
I try to make sure I am out in the middle of the road just before these to stop people cutting me up but on Friday I misjudged it or something and ended up being in the way of a Renault Espace who decided to overtake me right on that spot. He came so close that he brushed my sleeve and I felt the best action was just to stop the bike and lean into the pavement which I did.
A few yards up ahead at the red traffic lights he was stopped and I thought I would have a little word.
Normally I go in all guns blazing but this time I poliitely knocked on his window (resisting the urge to smash it in) and smiled like a lunatic!
He opened his window and I said really politely "I don't want to start a massive row or anything but I just want to let you know that back there you came so close to me you brushed my sleeve and I had to stop to prevent an accident!".
He was sooo apologetic it was untrue - really really sorry!
First time ever anyone has been sorry! Perhaps being polite is the way to go - it was really hard though!
soolrider
New Member
- Location
- Cambridge-ish
+1
I am really bad with "anger management issues" so can 100% relate to the urge to respond angrily especially when you feel you are in mortal danger.
However since I've consciously stopped the swearing/gesticulating a few months ago & used the same tactic as reluctant cyclist, I've had brilliant results on about 4/5 occasions. Really recommend it.
Only works if you are able to catch up with them safely for a chat though
I am really bad with "anger management issues" so can 100% relate to the urge to respond angrily especially when you feel you are in mortal danger.
However since I've consciously stopped the swearing/gesticulating a few months ago & used the same tactic as reluctant cyclist, I've had brilliant results on about 4/5 occasions. Really recommend it.
Only works if you are able to catch up with them safely for a chat though
John the Monkey
Frivolous Cyclist
- Location
- Crewe
Origamist said:
And then you hit them in the knackers with the U-lock?
TBH, the most I do these days is a "move over" gesture, and try to give myself enough space on the road to get out of the silly buggers' way should that be necessary. Impatience, ignorance and inconsideration are so endemic on our roads that attempts to change it seem utterly futile.
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
A beep on the AirZound and a pushing/move over more gesture works wonders on the cars that overtake after the offending vehicle! That's driver education working for you.
