Too fast, poor forward planning and a collision

[Origamist]

I see your brakes come on really soon after the lights start to change - is this when you noticed them change or were you about to slow down a bit anyway?

I had a feeling the green phase was coming to an end, but I had just passed the point where I knew I wouldn't be able to brake in time without overshooting the stop line. I didn't anticipate the light change by braking (or try to speed up for that matter), but I was on the brakes quickly when I saw the lights change and realised a hazardous situation was developing (I was just a bit slow to spot what was about to happen).

The comparison concerning overtaking within a moving traffic lane is an interesting point - but cycles and cars are different vehicles. DfT and Cycling England guidance recommends a cycle lane min width of 2.5m to accommodate two cyclists where the cycle flow is high. No road engineer would recommend a lane width of 2.5m to accommodate two cars safely. There is clearly an understanding that different modes of transport need different amounts of road space. That said, I agree that the bus lane in the vid cannot comfortably accommodate the dynamic envelope of 3 cyclists and maintain a reasonable overtaking space between them.

 

[Joseph]

The comparison concerning overtaking within a moving traffic line is an interesting point - but cycles and cars are different vehicles. DfT and Cycling England guidance recommends a cycle lane width of 2.5m to accommodate two cyclists where the cycle flow is high. No road engineer would recommend a lane width of 2.5m to accommodate two cars safely. There is clearly an understanding that different modes of transport need different amounts of road space.

That's a figure / guidance I'd never seen before; it does seem to make sense. (I wonder if we'll see the advice changed in future revisions of the highway code.)

Certainly amazing the difference between Glasgow and London. I only see a handful of cyclists on my 5 mile commute each day, it's pretty rare to even be riding behind / in front of another cyclist, most I see are going other directions to me.

 

[Tinuts]

One thing struck me while I was feeling guilty for what I posted here...Do I cycle more defensive because I am perhaps older than you Origamist?

I wonder if my job has anything to do with my defensive cycling as having learnt a few tricks in over twenty years of driving perhaps im better at reading ahead...concentrating?

I do think differently and I wont go hell for leather when it looks built up or dodgy like your situation...also have this thing about peds suddenly appearing from nowhere also.

Agreed. I'm all for defensive self-preservation.

 

[Origamist]

One thing struck me while I was feeling guilty for what I posted here...Do I cycle more defensive because I am perhaps older than you Origamist?

I wonder if my job has anything to do with my defensive cycling as having learnt a few tricks in over twenty years of driving perhaps im better at reading ahead...concentrating?

I do think differently and I wont go hell for leather when it looks built up or dodgy like your situation...also have this thing about peds suddenly appearing from nowhere also.

I don't know if you are a more defensive cyclist than me, HB. I do know that I sometimes ride to fast for the conditions and pass other cyclists with too little space - both faults are evinced in this video.

 

[hackbike 666]

I don't know if you are a more defensive cyclist than me, HB. I do know that I sometimes ride to fast for the conditions and pass other cyclists with too little space - both faults are evinced in this video.

I think that answers my question.

At least you are honest though,had quite a few cyclists overtake too close and also had one ride in the roadworks to undertake me last week.

 

[marzjennings]

I don't see where you did much wrong, maybe a bit fast, but no harm done and you managed to pull up, if not a bit late, at the lights. I'd have gone with the last couple of cars myself, but that's just me.

Interestingly for me is that you don't call out as you pass other riders. On this side of the pond folks often call out,'on your left' as they pass to give the rider ahead some notice of an impending overtake. I'll admit there are fewer riders to pass on the streets near me and you'd calling out every second or so.

But is there no calling out at all in the UK?

 

[Tynan]

when you pass another bike every ten seconds it can get tiresome

and 90% of them at least will have no idea what you mean and half will panic and swerve

 

[Origamist]

I don't see where you did much wrong, maybe a bit fast, but no harm done and you managed to pull up, if not a bit late, at the lights. I'd have gone with the last couple of cars myself, but that's just me.

Interestingly for me is that you don't call out as you pass other riders. On this side of the pond folks often call out,'on your left' as they pass to give the rider ahead some notice of an impending overtake. I'll admit there are fewer riders to pass on the streets near me and you'd calling out every second or so.

But is there no calling out at all in the UK?

I stopped as I had a bad feeling there would be a collision behind me and wanted to check everyone was OK.

I occasionally call out, but as Tynan said it can be counter productive as some riders are startled by my castrato like trill. Consequently, I find it better to simply give fellow cyclists more room - particularly when they are pulling away from traffic lights...

 

[BentMikey]

I must say you're considerably more of a riskophile than I had imagined from your posts on here.

 

[MacB]

when you pass another bike every ten seconds it can get tiresome

and 90% of them at least will have no idea what you mean and half will panic and swerve

I got a bit of a jolt when a pair of roadies gave me a cheery hello today as they passed me going up a hill, I was in the middle of a lovely daydream

On the Martletts ride I was conscientously warning people I was passing and chatting to some as I went. I gave a cheery hello and info that the pit stop was only about 4 miles away to one smallish group. One of the girls was so startled she promptly rode in to the verge

 

[HLaB]

But is there no calling out at all in the UK?

I'll do it all the time on a club run when I know how the rider in front will react (ie they wont swerve) but I often don't do it to unknown cyclists/ pedestrians as I find it can spook them into reacting badly, I prefer to look for the safe pass and if need be stop.

 

[Origamist]

I must say you're considerably more of a riskophile than I had imagined from your posts on here.

There's often a disjunction between what I say and what I do.

 

[Origamist]

I got a bit of a jolt when a pair of roadies gave me a cheery hello today as they passed me going up a hill, I was in the middle of a lovely daydream

On the Martletts ride I was conscientously warning people I was passing and chatting to some as I went. I gave a cheery hello and info that the pit stop was only about 4 miles away to one smallish group. One of the girls was so startled she promptly rode in to the verge

Only one? You're losing your Quasimodo touch.

 

[BentMikey]

There's often a disjunction between what I say and what I do.

LOL, well I know that feeling.

 

[MacB]

[QUOTE 1174662"]


At least when I said hello last Thursday morning in Berrylands, to an obviously newbie commuter as I passed (everything brand spanking new, including hi-viz winter jacket), she did say hello back.

Not fall over in a desperate attempt to escape!


[/quote]

that hurts guys, it was dark as well, so the fear was the voice alone, you're not doing much for my self confidence here!!!