why no handbrake?
- Thread starter andharwheel
- Start date
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Flying Dodo
It'll soon be summer
I'd say most drivers who hold the car on the brakes are automatics. However, several times I've been waiting behind automatic cars when the driver has changed from Drive to Park, and you initially think they're going to suddenly reverse into you, because the selector goes through R first, which means the reversing lights come on. Not good!
Mad at urage
New Member
- Location
- Just N of Cardiff
Brakelights don't mean the handbrake isn't engaged, just that the footbrake is engaged. It's not an 'either/or' choice.
Many modern automatics (like mine) disengage the drive when the footbrake is on, but not when the handbrake is on. Whilst I put thehand(actually, foot operated)parking brake on if stopped for any length of time (such as at lights which are not likely to change within seconds), I'll often keep the footbrake on. First it is always on until I have a vehicle stationary behind me (i.e. let them see those big red lights to reinforce the fact that I'm stopped), second if I'm at the front of the queue, engaging 'parked' means that to move off, I have to (i) engage foot brake (ii) engage forward drive (iii) disengage parking brake. At the front of an impatient traffic queue the time taken can irritate others. Further back in the queue, the time is not an issue (as long as I can see what is going on ahead), so I'm more likely to be able to come off the footbrake.
Edit: Hearsay, but I was told by one advanced instructor that automatics suffer fewer rear-end shunts; the suggestion was that they tend to have brake-lights on more often when stationary, even if the handbrake was on.
Many modern automatics (like mine) disengage the drive when the footbrake is on, but not when the handbrake is on. Whilst I put the
Edit: Hearsay, but I was told by one advanced instructor that automatics suffer fewer rear-end shunts; the suggestion was that they tend to have brake-lights on more often when stationary, even if the handbrake was on.
gentlegreen
Active Member
- Location
- Bristol 5
I think my particular hatred of people not using the handbrake comes from not infrequently witnessing drivers creeping forwards into the ASL at lights.
When I witness them wearing out the clutch on hills, I feel for whoever buys the car from them later on ...
When I witness them wearing out the clutch on hills, I feel for whoever buys the car from them later on ...
gentlegreen
Active Member
- Location
- Bristol 5
Right on cue :-
(another Bristolian cyclist's video)
(another Bristolian cyclist's video)
Judderz
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Astley, Nr Manchester
As I did the Advanced Driver Training Course a few years ago, applying the handbrake at junctions, lights etc was not allowed....reason being....it's called the 'Parking Brake' and as we were'nt parking up, it was not to be used.
As it's also a driver awareness course, having your footbrake pressed at lights, junctions etc, this alerts drivers behind you that you are indeed stopped/stationary, reducing the risk of impact from behind....or that's what a DVLA approved instructor taught us.
As it's also a driver awareness course, having your footbrake pressed at lights, junctions etc, this alerts drivers behind you that you are indeed stopped/stationary, reducing the risk of impact from behind....or that's what a DVLA approved instructor taught us.
gentlegreen
Active Member
- Location
- Bristol 5
I bet you were made to put the gearbox in neutral and take your foot off the clutch though ?
I have to say I picked up on that footbrake/brake light thing a few years back and started doing it in addition when I thought it was a good idea.
I'm not sure I would trust people who aren't advanced drivers to do that - especially when their braincell is tied up with texting ...
Hip Priest
Veteran
I was under the impression that the IAM recommends handbrake & neutral (in that order) when stationary at junctions, though I might be wrong.
It's a minor issue in the grand scheme of things.
It's a minor issue in the grand scheme of things.
jay clock
Massive member
- Location
- Hampshire UK
The only beef that people seem to have is the brightness of the high level light (and it being at cyclist eye level). Is that right?
As a cyclist who often sits behind cars on one of my 6 bikes, and as a motorist who drives auto and manual cars, I have always rated this concern as ZERO on my worry scale.
As a cyclist who often sits behind cars on one of my 6 bikes, and as a motorist who drives auto and manual cars, I have always rated this concern as ZERO on my worry scale.
Bromptonaut
Rohan Man
- Location
- Bugbrooke UK
I beleive current practice teaches learners to stop in gear with clutch depressed and I suspect service rather than parking brake. Apparently it's to easy for ab-initio drivers to fumble the gear selection etc.
Night Train
Maker of Things
- Location
- Greater Manchester
I use my parking brake when I stop but I do also keep my foot on the brake to keep the light on until someone stops behind me. It is a good indicator to a following motorist, who may be half asleep, that I am actually stopped.
Then I keep my foot covering, but not pressing, the brake pedal because if I see an impending collision I can have all four brakes working if necessary of not if not.
I was taught 'hand brake, neutral' when stopped unless the stop is very brief but to also cover the brake in case of a rear collision that could send me into the traffic in the junction.
As a cyclist I am not bothered by the high level brake light if I am behind a car in traffic, it is one more 'stopped' red light for the traffic approaching from behind.
I have seen, on here, and elsewhere, cyclist showing off their super bright rear (and front) lights but not really much concern that it is possibly eye level to the driver behind in traffic.
Then I keep my foot covering, but not pressing, the brake pedal because if I see an impending collision I can have all four brakes working if necessary of not if not.
I was taught 'hand brake, neutral' when stopped unless the stop is very brief but to also cover the brake in case of a rear collision that could send me into the traffic in the junction.
As a cyclist I am not bothered by the high level brake light if I am behind a car in traffic, it is one more 'stopped' red light for the traffic approaching from behind.
I have seen, on here, and elsewhere, cyclist showing off their super bright rear (and front) lights but not really much concern that it is possibly eye level to the driver behind in traffic.
Davidc
Guru
- Location
- Somerset UK
Can't say brake lights have ever bothered me, on a bike or in a car.
I tend to use footbrake for short stops and handbrake if it's going to be more than ten or so seconds. Footbake goes back on if something's coming towards me from behind until it's definitely stopping.
I tend to use footbrake for short stops and handbrake if it's going to be more than ten or so seconds. Footbake goes back on if something's coming towards me from behind until it's definitely stopping.
BlackPanther
Hyper-Fast Recumbent Riding Member.
- Location
- Doncaster.
I don't think it's down to laziness. After all, an equally common occurrence is the the clutch burning fools who'll sit there facing uphill on the biting point, gently rocking back and forth. Most of the people who hold on the brakes are not also 'handraked', as they roll back a tad before setting off. I personally use the handbrake and footbrake to make myself more visible.
