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"How right basil is", I thought to myself as I cycled down the backs this afternoon. I made a mental list of all the common events that happen on the road, including people opening doors in front of you. At one point I had to use a bit of the highway at Fairway and a woman pulled across me to stop and then just flung the door open. I was still moaning to myself about it when I got to the cycle path from the top of St Leonard's to Baswich and was hit by a cyclist whizzing round a blind bend, far too fast and on the wrong side.....basil said:I always cycle along 'the backs' it's safer, quicker and a lot more interesting........
Did it not used to be incorporated into primary education?Wormella said:I suspect cycling proficiency isn't compulsory because it would be impossible / too expensive to enforce
If all motorists were considerate when overtaking and take notice of the highway code (somewhere it tells motorists to allow the same space overtaking bikes as cars) then this wouldn't be neccessary.Trumpet said:... or the ones (usually adult, in proper gear so presumably club guys) that wish to ride in groups of a dozen or so two abreast when there is traffic coming the other way preventing any attempt to overtake therebye slowing other road users down to their pace...
"How right basil is"........ Blimey! .........Gramaisc said:"How right basil is", I thought to myself as I cycled down the backs this afternoon. I made a mental list of all the common events that happen on the road, including people opening doors in front of you. At one point I had to use a bit of the highway at Fairway and a woman pulled across me to stop and then just flung the door open. I was still moaning to myself about it when I got to the cycle path from the top of St Leonard's to Baswich and was hit by a cyclist whizzing round a blind bend, far too fast and on the wrong side.....basil said:I always cycle along 'the backs' it's safer, quicker and a lot more interesting........
What's the point?....
Don't get carried away - I just seem to have simply omitted to type "much of a" and "enigma"......basil said:"How right basil is"........ Blimey! .........
I believe that somewhere in the highway code it also says that it is acceptable for cyclists to ride two abreast where it is safe and not causing obstruction to other road users. If by riding two abreast you cause motorists to pass by closer than you would wish I would say that the answer is in your hands. If I'm behind a car doing 30 or 40 mph dependant on speed limit I'm happy to stay behind it, on the other hand if I'm stuck behaind a group of cyclists doing 10 or 15 mph I, quite rightly, want to get past them.Mr X said:If all motorists were considerate when overtaking and take notice of the highway code (somewhere it tells motorists to allow the same space overtaking bikes as cars) then this wouldn't be neccessary.Trumpet said:... or the ones (usually adult, in proper gear so presumably club guys) that wish to ride in groups of a dozen or so two abreast when there is traffic coming the other way preventing any attempt to overtake therebye slowing other road users down to their pace...
(I suspect it is the drivers who don't ever ride bikes)
I guess it depends on the junction (layout, volume of traffic etc) but I would normally take the correct lane to avoid confusing drivers. I feel safer knowing that the car behind is going the same way too as that way you're covered from drivers not looking properly at the roundabout. Being in the left hand lane, everybody else is going in different directions to you!tek-monkey said:One thing my CBT instructor mentioned is that cyclists can stay in the left lane at roundabouts regardless of where they wish to exit. How does that work? I'd be crapping it thinking someone will assume I'm going to take the first exit and ploughing into me. I always take the correct lane, as if I was on a motorcycle, is this wrong?
EDIT: Not that I'll be cycling for a bit
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0017TNLZE/ref=asc_df_B0017TNLZE753823?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=googlecouk06-21&linkCode=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B0017TNLZEWithnail said:So.
I'm approaching a roundabout.
Everybody hates me. They do not appear to be overly concerned if i die.
They insist that i signal my intentions despite rarely doing so themselves yet to do so means dramatically lessening the control i have over my vehicle.
Staying in an inside lane means that other, faster road users can keep on doing what they are used to doing by over-taking me.
I seem to be the only user of this road who is aware of what other users of this road are doing, due to the fact i am using my eyes and the rotational abilities of my neck, rather than mirrors and the radio/cd player, and i exploit the gaps accordingly.
I don't think they would be noticeable enough for most drivers, though if they did become widespread i suppose drivers would become more used to looking for them.Vault_girl said:http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0017TNL...de=asn&creative=22206&creativeASIN=B0017TNLZE
I think these should be standard on bikes! It is true it can be quite dangerous to indicate sometimes. These would make it nice and obvious what you plan to do to other road users!
Try both methods when cycling inbound from Creswell to the Eccleshall Road - the answer will become obvious, if you survive both variations...Mr X said:I guess it depends on the junction (layout, volume of traffic etc) but I would normally take the correct lane to avoid confusing drivers. I feel safer knowing that the car behind is going the same way too as that way you're covered from drivers not looking properly at the roundabout. Being in the left hand lane, everybody else is going in different directions to you!tek-monkey said:One thing my CBT instructor mentioned is that cyclists can stay in the left lane at roundabouts regardless of where they wish to exit. How does that work? I'd be crapping it thinking someone will assume I'm going to take the first exit and ploughing into me. I always take the correct lane, as if I was on a motorcycle, is this wrong?
EDIT: Not that I'll be cycling for a bit