When is close too close?

[Schneil]

Very level headed and polite repremand, I'm impressed.

Thanks

To be honest I was quite shaken up and upset, but screaming and shouting didn't seem appropriate in this situation. The driver knew she'd ****ed up bigtime and seemed genuinely concerned and remorseful. Lets hope she doesn't make the same mistake twice

 

[Slaav]

Hi,

Today I rode further out from the curb as some posters suggested.
For the best part the drivers did give me a wider birth but I sensed there frustration with speed and revs.
One actually took a very silly risk in a overtake into a blind bend on a hill.


View: http://youtu.be/2sa1r0e2-68


These are the risky overtake maneuvers drivers take the further out we ride.
We become safer but oncoming traffic is put in more danger.
Looks like we can't win.

Br

That is unfortunately quite believable!

I was out myself today at a pinch point I know well and made a big point of stomping on the pedals to show I was doing my best to nit hold the van up.... Think a blind bend on the brow of a small hill in a built up area with occasional parked cars.

But no! Wasn't going quick enough so the stupid overtake happened effectively into blind oncoming traffic - thankfully luck was on our side until we crested the brow and lo and behold a parked car and oncoming traffic -ta dah! Pretty much an emergency stop by said van.... I would obviously easily have got through the gap but was ready for my emergency stop!!!!

Will I stomp on the pedals again etc, yes I would. Will the van drive into someone head on? Possibly yes, unfortunately.

So, the moral is to take a stronger position, within reason, and just cross our fingers.....

 

[buggi]

I ca


Hi, I try too ride out as far as I can get away with on most rides but when the roads busy during rush hour I try to give them clearance. I dont expect them too overtake into oncoming traffic.

Br

wrong thing to do. Take a strong position or they will abuse it.

 

[buggi]

I've watched that now (couldn't get it work before). In all those clips you are way too close to the gutter.
you should never be less than a metre from the kerb and on narrow lanes take primary position. This forces them to wait until there is no oncoming traffic before they overtake. If they don't, you have "wobble room". With the position you currently take, you've nowhere to go. Report the lorry driver and bus driver to their companies if you can trace them. Disgusting overtakes.

 

[buggi]

Hi,

Today I rode further out from the curb as some posters suggested.
For the best part the drivers did give me a wider birth but I sensed there frustration with speed and revs.
One actually took a very silly risk in a overtake into a blind bend on a hill.


View: http://youtu.be/2sa1r0e2-68


These are the risky overtake maneuvers drivers take the further out we ride.
We become safer but oncoming traffic is put in more danger.
Looks like we can't win.

Br

don't worry if you sense frustration, at least you know they have seen you. If they take a risk with an oncoming driver, that driver will embarrass the fk out of them with the sound of their horn. Also, as harsh as this sounds, this is not your problem, it's theirs.

 

[Krellon]

don't worry if you sense frustration, at least you know they have seen you. If they take a risk with an oncoming driver, that driver will embarrass the fk out of them with the sound of their horn. Also, as harsh as this sounds, this is not your problem, it's theirs.

This is why I carry cameras. Evidence!!!. Since I stuck the rear facing camera on the grip traffic has given me a much wider birth. You hear them scream up behind then bang the brakes when they realize they have a GoPro on them.

I guess we need to just learn to live with it until the Government sorts the road system out.

Br

 

[buggi]

glancing behind when you see oncoming traffic or a pinch point also has this effect. Bollards, exits at junctions, etc. Its like catching a thief in the act.

 

[Krellon]

Nice to imagine drivers looking closely enough to notice such a thing.

They can't fail too see it. Big black stem with 2x2 in box with big lens on it. It would certainly get my attention if I drove up behind it.

Br

 

[CopperBrompton]

To be honest I was quite shaken up and upset, but screaming and shouting didn't seem appropriate in this situation. The driver knew she'd ****ed up bigtime and seemed genuinely concerned and remorseful. Lets hope she doesn't make the same mistake twice

She did seem as shaken up by it as you were, and I think the way you handled it makes it far more likely she'll be careful next time than if you'd shouted at her. Very nicely done.

 

[CopperBrompton]

glancing behind when you see oncoming traffic or a pinch point also has this effect. Bollards, exits at junctions, etc. Its like catching a thief in the act.

This really does work in my experience. I think seeing a face suddenly transforms you from an object to a person, as well as making them feel watched. I often do a tactical wobble if I see or hear a vehicle coming up fast behind me - that too generally gets them to slow down or move out.

 

[Slaav]

Seeing as many of us have heard the phrase SMIDSY, and are a little bigger than that, I can only admire your optimism.

I also admire the rather wishful optimism in this case

 

[Krellon]

Seeing as many of us have heard the phrase SMIDSY, and are a little bigger than that, I can only admire your optimism.

I also admire the rather wishful optimism in this case

Actually its fact. I cycle 40 miles a day 5 days a week. I did this without cameras, with one camera on helmet and then on chest and now also with a rear facing camera and believe me I got less risky overtakes with the helmet cam as I did without it and the rear facing camera has reduced them even further.
I'm not saying it's made them go away all together I'm saying that it is safer for me with the camera than it is without.
When I pass a cyclist I check his off side for clearance. I assume most drivers do this. The first thing they see when doing this a camera stuck out the side of the bike. Yes, it's not all ways obvious to some what it is but it causes enough doubt to make them hesitate and give a wide birth.

Br

 

[glenn forger]

Do you think drivers realise it's a camera? Many cams look like lights.

 

[Krellon]

Do you think drivers realise it's a camera? Many cams look like lights.

Possibly, all I can say is that when there mounted on the offside of the bar drivers are taking a wider birth.
Either they know what they are or curiosity slows them until they get closer look and then it's pretty obvious what they are.
Bear in mind that my camera's are GoPros which actually look like cameras as opposed to bullet cams which can look like torches.

Br

 

[glenn forger]

Cool. I only notice wide overtakes when I'm on the way round mum's and have a bunch of flowers in my offside pannier.