Grrrrrrr! 
I've had probably about 3 months of very enjoyable commuting, with little incident. I've spotted a few numpty cyclists and had a car door open in front of me (a little girl so it doesn't really count). It's been bliss.
However, it couldn't last and it would appear silly season has started again.
Yesterday I had a close pass at speed. Grrrr. Traffic was stationary on the main road and I was approaching from a side road. When I got there a few cars were waiting to get onto the main road I pulled passed them and into the gap left by a car on the main road (a gap to let a car out of the side road). As the traffic started to move I let 2 cars out of the road I just came from. Obviously this must have pi$$ed off the guy behind me, and on a dual carriage way (with no cars to his right) he passed way too close. Grrrr. (Video will follow when I have time).
Today I had worse. Much worse.
Left the house and I had to cycle carefully as it was about -2C or so. Got onto the main roads which were ok, but obviously I had to cycle with a bit more care.
Coming off a roundabout which leads to a pinch point I take primary as I always do and I hear a car coming up behind me. No matter, there is no space to overtake, due to pinch point and cars/buses in opposite lane. But did that stop him, and the fact that the roads were a bit slippery? Oh no. The car pushed past anyway.
Now, I have had close passes in my time, but this was officially the closest. As he started passing I instinctively put my hand out towards the car. Not only did I touch it, but I got my whole bl**dy palm on his side window with a thump!
The car, which I now recognised as a privite hire taxi stopped further ahead (he had a lady passenger!). He rolled down his window and said 'you were in the middle of the road, you shouldn't be in the middle of the road!'
Of course I was in the middle of the road &*&&*^$!!!!!
I'll post the video of this taxi later, probably in a separate and slightly more chilled thread! Rest assured I will be following this one up with the licensing authority and possibly the police (although I might use this as more of a threat). I'll be doing my usual pushing, the licensing authority to take part in some sort of campaign. I've had enough of this sort of attitude from private hire drivers (I don't generalise as there are some great taxi drivers, but I'd bet on average they tend to cause more problems for cyclists and that is my experience).
Sorry for this post. I just had to let off steam. He really, really got my goat up this morning!!
Anyway rant over, normal service will resume....
I've had probably about 3 months of very enjoyable commuting, with little incident. I've spotted a few numpty cyclists and had a car door open in front of me (a little girl so it doesn't really count). It's been bliss.
However, it couldn't last and it would appear silly season has started again.
Yesterday I had a close pass at speed. Grrrr. Traffic was stationary on the main road and I was approaching from a side road. When I got there a few cars were waiting to get onto the main road I pulled passed them and into the gap left by a car on the main road (a gap to let a car out of the side road). As the traffic started to move I let 2 cars out of the road I just came from. Obviously this must have pi$$ed off the guy behind me, and on a dual carriage way (with no cars to his right) he passed way too close. Grrrr. (Video will follow when I have time).
Today I had worse. Much worse.
Left the house and I had to cycle carefully as it was about -2C or so. Got onto the main roads which were ok, but obviously I had to cycle with a bit more care.
Coming off a roundabout which leads to a pinch point I take primary as I always do and I hear a car coming up behind me. No matter, there is no space to overtake, due to pinch point and cars/buses in opposite lane. But did that stop him, and the fact that the roads were a bit slippery? Oh no. The car pushed past anyway.
Now, I have had close passes in my time, but this was officially the closest. As he started passing I instinctively put my hand out towards the car. Not only did I touch it, but I got my whole bl**dy palm on his side window with a thump!
The car, which I now recognised as a privite hire taxi stopped further ahead (he had a lady passenger!). He rolled down his window and said 'you were in the middle of the road, you shouldn't be in the middle of the road!'
Of course I was in the middle of the road &*&&*^$!!!!!
I'll post the video of this taxi later, probably in a separate and slightly more chilled thread! Rest assured I will be following this one up with the licensing authority and possibly the police (although I might use this as more of a threat). I'll be doing my usual pushing, the licensing authority to take part in some sort of campaign. I've had enough of this sort of attitude from private hire drivers (I don't generalise as there are some great taxi drivers, but I'd bet on average they tend to cause more problems for cyclists and that is my experience).
Sorry for this post. I just had to let off steam. He really, really got my goat up this morning!!
Anyway rant over, normal service will resume....
