I don’t disagree but unfortunately as a cyclist we are also the brunt of a constant myth that we are all somehow irresponsible/ dangerous.
I’ve been shouted at several times by car drivers and pedestrians for ‘skipping red lights’, ‘not stopping’, ‘blocking lanes’ etc when in all cases I have been obeying all relevant traffic laws and also cycling very safely. Meanwhile I see drivers exceed the speed limits almost constantly and feel like it’s harmless because ‘everyone does it’.
I don’t know why people have it in for cyclists so much but they really do.
At least you have one person here who doesn’t have it in for all cyclists
Yes, I have witnessed some appalling behaviour on the road from pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, car drivers and even so called “professional” drivers, but I still feel that they are a minority and that the majority of road users are very well behaved.
i.e. in rural environments where bikes are slower than traffic they are more likely to be killed rather than injured whereas in urban environments where bikes are potentially quicker than traffic they are more likely to be injured rather than killed. I’m sure force = mass x acceleration is relevant here.
I would assume too, that most of the urban accidents are commuters/cycle couriers, etc whereas the majority of rural incidents are with the “leisure” cyclists.
Assumption again, but I would think that because of their environment, urban cyclists have more road sense too.
For some reason the right wing press is having a field day on this. It seems they are deliberately spreading confusion and then claiming that people are confused. The below article for example, talks about cyclists using the ‘middle of the road’ and a picture of some rural cyclists when the guidance is specifically saying cyclists should use the middle of the road in junctions. (I’m using the Times here but if you want worse examples the Daily Mail is in full hysteria mode).
This is already cycling safety basics - I’ve been doing that for years in places like old street roundabout - a big London roundabout with a large amount of commercial & HGV traffic and multiple lanes. I always take to the middle of a lane as if I was a car - it would be hazardous to stay to the left and allow overtaking or put myself in poorer visibility - as well as making my intentions less clear. This is taught in cycling safety classes which I’ve taken, it’s only being formalised now as guidance.
The times article also quotes "Neil Greig, the director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, a road safety charity, said: “We’re talking about overturning the way people have been trained to drive for their whole lives, how some have been driving for 30 or 40 years, so you’re talking about a fundamental change in priorities.”
Really? You’ve been driving for 30 years and you haven’t learned not to hit cyclists and pedestrians Maybe you should not be driving then.
Subeditor error with the Times article, as the first paragraph of the actual story correctly states middle of the lane. Or ‘primary position’, as cyclists have been learning for a number of years now.
It’s very much not a new thing to those who cycle, or know cyclists, but sadly there are people who think drivers are the most important people on the road, and God forbid anyone date suggest they consider other road users (strong overlap with the “But they don’t even pay any road tax!” crowd).
There’s also an overlap with the mid-life crisis motorbike crowd. No idea how to ride it but their old licence has the category and they go and buy a sports bike. Biking has similar “defensive driving” style techniques that keep you safe and sometimes mildly inconvenience a car driver. (Middle of a lane, protecting your space even if you have to slow down because of a poor road surface or other hazard).
Motorcyclists are taught not to protect their space. Basically, don’t argue with things that are much bigger than you because you’ll lose and probably get badly hurt. Not to mention write off your bike.
There are none of these either. You’re primarily taught evasive techniques, like swerving at speed and emergency braking.
I was taught both defensive and evasive motorbike techniques to ensure my safety. Helping another road user to see you, and therefore take you in to account, can really improve your chances. This is particularly true if you have a smaller capacity/slower vehicle. Don’t ride your 50cc moped in the gutter because a car might want to overtake.
As a cyclist, I can say, never ride in the gutter for any reason in a city especially. It’s full of broken glass and all manner of things that will damage your vehicle. Keep clear by at least half a meter.
I wouldn’t ride in the gutter at all regardless of power, but if a car is driving in a way that they want to overtake - allow them to. Don’t be defensive and fight for your space. Let the idiot past and play it safe
Defensive driving does not equal blocking an overtake. It’s just about anticipating upcoming risks and trying to mitigate them (without introducing new risks). Anticipating behaviour/influencing factors and being prepared.
So I might pull over if there was a safe lay-by coming up or I might stay proud in the lane round a blind bend and then pull in slightly as the road straightens up. (To facilitate an overtake).
I’ve just re-read our discussion You mean defensive as is a preventative measure, rather than an “aggressive” I’m entitled to ride here so I’m going to fight with you to stay here. My bad!
You see lots of motorcyclists doing this on YouTube and the likes, especially if they’ve been cut off. Or arguing for lane positions and punching mirrors etc.
Having read most of the articles, and listened to quite a few news reports today regarding this, maybe I’m missing something, or just being a bit thick.
It just seems to be reinforcing the need for consideration for all road users.
I took my car test 35 years ago, motorbike test 30 years ago, HGV test 20 years ago, and my PCV test 15 years ago, and with all of them I was taught to anticipate hazards.
In fact, hasn’t hazard awareness actually been part of the driving test for some time now?
Maybe you should not be driving then.
You mean defensive as is a preventative measure, rather than an “aggressive” I’m entitled to ride here so I’m going to fight with you to stay here. My bad!
Defensive Driving is an actual thing and a way to defend yourself