Some advice re: positioning, please...

[dodd82]

Hi all

Whilst it is dark, my commute includes this stretch of dual carriageway:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en...d2k&biw=908&bih=577&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

As I approach the roundabout on Eleanor Cross Road, it's debatable as to whether you should be in the right lane, or whether both lanes are acceptable for proceeding to Monarch's Way. But either way, I don't tend to find it a problem.

Once I am onto Monarch's Way, I am in the left lane as you'd expect. This road has clear markings - it is right lane only if you're continuing onto the High Street (though some people seem oblivious to that).

Sometimes I have an issue here, as it's a busy road. I've been tooted for moving into the right lane about 100 yards (my only opportunity!) before the lights/roundabout - because the driver felt I made him miss a green light.

But, if I'd stayed left then I wouldn't have been in the correct lane and, if someone had tried overtaking me on the roundabout whilst turning left, I could end up in an accident.

Any thoughts or tips about the right place to be?

Thanks

 

[Rasmus]

Ignore the toots. Move to the right lane when necessary to ensure your own safety.

 

[dodd82]

Thanks Rasmus - it was a white BMW (shock horror) this morning, and I gave him some verbal when he reached the lights.

But I left wondering whether I'd moved across too early. I'd never have got out if I'd left it though, as he was the first of many.

 

[BentMikey]

Earlier is generally better than later when it comes to negotiating to the correct lane.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

BMW's are normally great drivers,I must say im surprised.

 

[Moodyman]

BMW's are normally great drivers,I must say im surprised.

Agree. I think they all switched to Audis.

 

[Markymark]

Hey, I have an Audi and a BMW and I cycle to work.
Judging car drivers by what they drive is like judging cyclists by what they wear.

 

[dodd82]

Disagree.

Cars have brands. Those brands appeal to certain types of people.

It doesn't take a genius to work out that an Audi or a BMW is more likely to be driven by someone who we recognise as thinking they own the road.

Doesn't mean all Audi and BMW drivers are like it... just means we're not surprised when you meet the ones that are.

I don't recall many Micras driving 2 yards from my back bumper on the motorway, put it that way.

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

Hey, I have an Audi and a BMW and I cycle to work.
Judging car drivers by what they drive is like judging cyclists by what they wear.

You are right,those lycra guys are louts.

 

[400bhp]

Use Trinity Lane?

Think like a cyclist when planning journey, not like a car.

 

[400bhp]

Disagree.

Cars have brands. Those brands appeal to certain types of people.

It doesn't take a genius to work out that an(1) Audi or a BMW is more likely to be driven by someone who we recognise as thinking they own the road.

Doesn't mean all Audi and BMW drivers are like it... just means we're not surprised when you meet the ones that are.

I don't recall many (2) Micras driving 2 yards from my back bumper on the motorway, put it that way.

(1) Or people interested in driving?

(2) Actually, I often find people in these types of cars the worst, not in aggression but in perception and positioning. That might be because they are not interested in driving and choose these cars.

 

[Markymark]

Disagree.

Cars have brands. Those brands appeal to certain types of people.

It doesn't take a genius to work out that an Audi or a BMW is more likely to be driven by someone who we recognise as thinking they own the road.

Doesn't mean all Audi and BMW drivers are like it... just means we're not surprised when you meet the ones that are.

I don't recall many Micras driving 2 yards from my back bumper on the motorway, put it that way.

Bikes have brands. Those brands appeal to certain types of people
It doesn't take a genius to work out that a road bike with clips is more likely to be ridden by someone who we recognise as thinking they own the road.
Doesn't mean all road bike with clips ridders are like it... just means we're not surprised when you meet the ones that are.
I don't recall many Boris Bikes riding 2 yards from my back wheel on the road, put it that way.

******
To be clear I find what I've written as much nonsense as the bit about cars.

 

[dodd82]

(2) Actually, I often find people in these types of cars the worst, not in aggression but in perception and positioning. That might be because they are not interested in driving and choose these cars.


Exactly.

So again, you've given a logical reason why we might expect a particular type of driving from a particular type of vehicle.

 

[dodd82]

Bikes have brands. Those brands appeal to certain types of people
It doesn't take a genius to work out that a road bike with clips is more likely to be ridden by someone who we recognise as thinking they own the road.
Doesn't mean all road bike with clips ridders are like it... just means we're not surprised when you meet the ones that are.
I don't recall many Boris Bikes riding 2 yards from my back wheel on the road, put it that way.

******
To be clear I find what I've written as much nonsense as the bit about cars.

Grow up - you disagree fine. Doesn't make it nonsense.

If knowledge of bike brands was as common as car brands, then you might have a point, but they're not, are they?

Car brands use marketing to attract particular types of people.

It's a fact that certain types of people - based on age, gender etc. - are more likely to drive at speed, aggressively, cause accidents etc.

Far from being nonsense, it's actually quite a logical point.

I appreciate you drive these cars so have taken it personally, but it's not about you specifically.

 

[Markymark]

Sorry, a 3 series estate is aimed at the same gender/age/person as an M3 sport and that as the same as a 7 series saloon?