Two videos, need opinions....

[som3blok3]

Video 1:

I'm used to RLJing cyclists now, I've caught a few on video and just deleted them, they all look the same. This video highlights two of my pet hates with other cyclists though: RLJ, and cyclists who ride accross ped crossings. Now, not sure on others opinions on this one hence the post. I was always brought up (by a Mum who was very, VERY much into cycling) to take the theory that the road is for bikes/horses/cars/trams etc (she is quite old, bless her), and that pavements are or peds. Full stop.

So, as much as I hate the female cyclist who RLJd in the first place, I only noticed the 'pavement cyclist' (surely a ped crosing is just an extension of the pavement, right?) upon watching the video back when I got to work. To be fair though, the older woman probably just wanted to cross the road on what is a hairy bit of road in rush hour (should of got off and pushed though), RLJ woman was going too fast, obviously thinks she's some sort of London bike courier!!

I had planned to point out some basic road rules when I caught up with her but yet again, words failed me, just gave her plenty of head shaking.

Note, a small glimpse of the Olympic TT route.

Video 1



Video 2:

What to do in this situation? The reason I joined CC was to gain knowledge, so what should I have done better? I was well aware of what was going on, just didn't expect the Beetle to come so far over, yet alone into the cycle lane. Should I have stopped with the white BMW? Or was I right to carry on as I was?? I'm guessing I was in the Beetles blind spot, being behind a car so thats fair play, does it mean the Beetle can pull in to the cycle lane???

Video 2


So, right vs wrong?!?

 

[400bhp]

Video 1:

Stupid woman-no excuse for that.

Video 2:

I think you could have anticipated it better. 6 of one-half a dozen of the other. She shouldn't have been so far into the cycle lane, but you should have been alerted to the beemers brake lights and looked around for the reason. We all make mistakes and I've done this myself.

 

[som3blok3]

Thanks .

That's the thing though, I was well aware of the Beetle pulling out, just thought I'd be safe in the bike lane

 

[mumbo jumbo]

Video 1:

Stupid woman-no excuse for that.

Video 2:

I think you could have anticipated it better. 6 of one-half a dozen of the other. She shouldn't have been so far into the cycle lane, but you should have been alerted to the beemers brake lights and looked around for the reason. We all make mistakes and I've done this myself.

Agree with both of these.

 

[HLaB]

Video 1 - The RLJ is [insert swear word here] annoying/dangerous; some folk have a word but I tend to shy away from confrontation

Video 2 - Its a plank driving the beetle. Legally thats an advisory cycle lane (dashed line) so he can enter if neccessary. Even in the case of mandatory cycle lanes (solid line) although not legal, drivers enter them too! The best thing IMO if you anticipate something is to drop back and avoid conflict, which would only tend to hurt you. Hindsight is a wonderful thing (I think somebody trademarked that) but I think looking at it I would have left the cycle lane earlier and dropped in behind the white beamer let it take any impact (its bumper will recover), although it never happened it avoids a left hook at the next junction and you were forced to move right after that anyway.

 

[SlowerThanASluggishSloth]

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I don't know about the rights or wrongs, but it's great to hear someone whistling on their way to work!

 

[subaqua]

anticipation. always assume they will do the worst thing possible. act accordingly and save your skin.


I had one last night at 4am when a HGV would have wiped me out if i had taken the " i am in the right" attitude .

I sloed down and dropped back and lived to see another day

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

The first one I wouldn't worry about. The older lady crossing the road is probably worried about riding on the road, and she isn't really much of a danger to anyone (unlike the RLJ one).

Regarding the second, as people have said, I think you need to expect drivers to do stupid things. This is especially the case when someone else lets them pass; often they seem to disengage their brain and just focus on accepting the offer causing minimum inconvenience to the kind person who made it. Technically, it could be argued that you should not have overtaken the BMW on the inside, because it was not queueing in traffic and was not indicating to turn right. I know we all do it, but it is likely that the driver of the Beetle may not have expected anyone to come up the inside, so caution is recommended I think.

Again, technically, even though that is an advisory cycle lane, cars should give priority to cyclists in such a lane. However, it's worth remembering the words of the Highway Code: "The rules in The Highway Code do not give you the right of way in any circumstance, but they advise you when you should give way to others. Always give way if it can help to avoid an incident." So, the best policy is to assume everyone else is an idiot until proved otherwise.

 

[Camgreen]

Video 1 - The RLJ'er is just selfish, inconsiderate and downright dangerous. The woman riding across the road ... technically probably not right, but she wasn't dong any harm and was showing consideration to the other users of the crossing. The cyclist hurtling through the lights appeared to allow no margin for error whatsoever and someone could've been seriously injured.

I've witnessed similar incidents in Cambridge where one cyclist approached a ped crossing at considerable speed, overtaking vehicles which had responded to the red light (therefore blind to any hazard), and then promptly swerved around pedestrians without so much of a touch of the brakes.

Video 2 - Hazard could've been anticipated in hindsight, however the VW shouldn't have entered cycle lane imo

 

[Alien8]

1) Slash her tyres.

2) You need to be very careful when undertaking - but no harm done. On the subject of the Beetle, like many drivers they probably have trouble steering - it is after-all so difficult. This is why cars turning right move to the left and people reverse in to main roads rather than in to their drive - they can't control their vehicle.

 

[Amanda P]

1. Neither of the other cyclists should have behaved as they did, although, as others have said, the older lady bumbling across the crossing on her bike was little risk to anyone. Red-light-jumper nearly had her though - and didn't have much time or leeway to avoid anyone else who might have been crossing at the time.

2. Blue Beetle IS a plank - but the roads are full of them, so you have to keep your wits about you. Respect for keeping your reaction to such a gentle, murmered "whoah...".

I probably wouldn't be using the cycle lane at that point - I'd be taking my place in the traffic in primary position anywhere there are junctions like that one. (The bike lane's rather narrow, and you'd also be prey there to passengers opening doors to get out while the traffic's slow, to drivers pulling in towards left-hand junctions, planks who just don't like you being faster than them, etc etc. ) But that's just me. YMMV.

You do need to work some more on your whistling. I didn't recognize the tune.

 

[som3blok3]

You do need to work some more on your whistling. I didn't recognize the tune.

Lmao, I can't sing too well either!

RLJ woman is a disgrace to cyclists.

Old lady was playing it safe, fair enough (still get off and push though!)

As for Beetle woman, lots of good points taken on board. There's always slow traffic on that bit of road on the way home, maybe I should just ignore the narrow cycle lane and get stuck in down the middle? I end up out there when the cycle lane ends anyways....

Thanks for the feedback people, together we'll all be better

 

[twozeronine]

Very bad RLJ indeed.

By the way, was the first video at about 8:30 - 8:40 in the morning? Just that I cycle in the opposite direction at that time, and I think I spotted a few other cyclists coming out of Bushy Park that I sometimes pass (yeah, pass, not just see ).

 

[adds21]

Video 2:

That's one of the reasons I so dislike that type of cycle lane. IMO, it would be far safer to be on the outside of the traffic. You'd be more visible, and traffic would be more lightly to see you there (or, expect you to be there in the first place). Not to mention the whole "being part of the taffic" argument.

But of course, because there's a cycle path there, it's almost taking away the option for the cyclist.

 

[som3blok3]

Very bad RLJ indeed.

By the way, was the first video at about 8:30 - 8:40 in the morning? Just that I cycle in the opposite direction at that time, and I think I spotted a few other cyclists coming out of Bushy Park that I sometimes pass (yeah, pass, not just see ).

That exact time, so we're going in opposite directions? Make sure you shout next time, I'm all in black (Night Vision / Northwave black, no ninja ) silver helmet, on a Boardman Hybrid.

Blink and you'll miss me though