Should I be in Primary?

[gavroche]

This video makes you realise how vulnerable cyclists are on busy roads, no matter how you ride it. You only need one careless motorist to spoil your ride, with a potential for dangerous results.

 

[Cyclopathic]

Stuff that. I'd take the cycle path. That said I think your positioning throughout was correct and what I would do if I had the confidence to take it at a brisk enough pace. Generally I try and avoid bits of road like that which seem to be designed with the sole purpose of moving motorised vehicles along as quickly as possible. This looks like a dangerous section of road for any cyclist no matter what their positioning. As has been mentioned, one idiot can spoil everything and I do not fancy the odds of not meeting an idiot. They are everywhere and everybody at some time.

 

[ianrauk]

Is there a reason that guy is straddling two lanes, or is he just a dumbass?

I think you have answered your own question Sir.

 

[Boris Bajic]

Is there a reason that guy is straddling two lanes, or is he just a dumbass?

I used to ride like that ('70s, '80s and maybe '90s too). I was taught and encouraged to occupy the nearside of any lane I was riding in.

That was the consensus in those days. I was taught to do so at Cycling Proficiency. In a road system like the one in the vid, that often translates into riding on or right alongside the lines between lanes.

On a roundabout or in a multi-lane system (my school ride took me over Blackfriars Bridge) I would ride on the left of any lane I wanted to follow - and filter as appropriate. I translated this method into extra-urban riding, where motor traffic was often moving far faster than me.

It was a long time (decades) before it dawned that I was moving much faster than I had earlier and that I might make my progress a little surer and safer if I moved right a little in some circumstances. Riders who ride like White Line Johnny in the vid are not necessarily dumb-asses; they may be doing what they were taught to do and have not yet felt the reason to change.

I did change, but I still use 'primary' a good deal less than many other riders I see in traffic.

 

[ManiaMuse]

I think your line is fine, it's clear where you are going unlike the other cyclist. Personally I'd be a bit more to the left on the stretch after the 1st roundabout with lots of shoulder checking but definitely not straddling the lanes.

On the other hand it looks like a scary section of road and I can see why the other cyclist is trying to be as out of the way as possible for fast moving traffic coming from behind.

No way to avoid them? Quieter B-roads or semi-decent cycle path? Pedalling furiously is always a good idea like you demonstrate - would not recommend these types of roads unless you can sustain at least 20+mph.

 

[MrJamie]

I liked the lines you took, but depending on speed/traffic i'd probably go for the left lane after the big roundabout and either try to move back into the right by the junction or stop and wait, but I tend to avoid traffic systems like that in general as im a scaredy road rider :P

I didn't understand the filter at the 3rd (I think it was) roundabout and I think it would have been better to sit in the queue rather than wait alongside it.

 

[Monkreadusuk]

For those that asked for a video of the cycle path, I took that route this morning to see what it was like. Needless to say, it increased my time getting round the roundabout, however not by much. This was at 0900hrs on a Saturday morning so traffic was light. I would imagine that on a weekday I would have a lot more trouble crossing at the junctions.

Anyways, here's the video.

 

[bianchi1]

That looks awful. In heavy traffic you could be stood waiting for ages. Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

It's like a real-life game of Frogger!

 

[Lurker]

Thanks - useful to compare. No way to encourage cycling! Worth tweeting or emailing your original post and your more recent post, with the video links, to the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group and 'The Times'?

 

[4F]

Got to take primary and pedal like f*** to get off there as soon as possible. I would add more shoulder checks in there as well.

 

[Markymark]

I would take primary in the left lane after the RB. Also, not clear form the vid but I'd be shoulder checking a lot - I don't think I noticed one.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Where you are is fine.

 

[Monkreadusuk]

I would take primary in the left lane after the RB. Also, not clear form the vid but I'd be shoulder checking a lot - I don't think I noticed one.

No excuse for it, however my reasoning behind lack of shoulder checks is, if im in the middle and not changing position, then I don't need to shoulder check.

Head down and pedal like mad :P

 

[BentMikey]

No excuse for it, however my reasoning behind lack of shoulder checks is, if im in the middle and not changing position, then I don't need to shoulder check.

Head down and pedal like mad :P

Really?