Another near miss

[1ten]

I always ride with bright tops and lights on. I amazed at the number of people that ride the country lanes near us with dark clothing and either no lights of about 1 candle power lights. I am also amazed about how bad some drivers are along with some cyclists! They are as bad as each other.
Cycle paths are great if you want to pootle along, try training for an irionmsn on them, you can’t ride fast or far enough without keep stopping.
Easier said than done but both cyclists and motorists need to be more considerate.

 

[MHdreaming]

Then there's this

Cyclist who knocked over woman on phone must pay up to £100,000

Man claims case in which both found equally to blame may set alarming precedent

www.theguardian.com

We need more of this!!! If a car driver sees a pedestrian step out on a road the drivers first reaction would be to hit the brakes. When it happens with a cyclist their first thought is sound an air horn or shout and swerve round the pedestrian stay on your bike and keep going at all costs.

 

[busbuddy]

Most of the cyclists we've seen recently seem to be strapped for cash - none of them appear to be able to afford a bell to warn pedestrians that they are approaching.

a bell is a legal requirement on a new bike and the retailer is supposed to fit one before he lets you have your bike, even online suppliers should include one in your build kit

i have hi-vis vest and lights for my ride to work but use hi-vis rear panniers and lights when cycling for leisure

 

[MHdreaming]

Why do I have to go out of my way and use hi-viz when it's you who is not looking where you are going!! What if it were a child, would you still try and run them over as you try to do with me every day.
Phil

This is the same mentality that tells a cyclist it’s a good idea to undertake hgv’s and busses. Then complain its not safe for them on the roads. As for wearing black and blaming other road users for not seeing them its madness. Motorcyclists don’t have a problem driving with their headlight on. New vehicles all have daytime driving lights for a very good reason yet we have cyclists complaining its their right to wear dark clothing and complain other traffic can’t see them

 

[MHdreaming]

It's amazing how motorists think that's cyclists do it wrong.

So they were wearing black, so what you saw them.

Not as if there are no dark coloured cars.

If you want to die keep wearing black clothing when riding your bike

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[Zains Pops]

Try driving in London on a wet dark evening, black clothes, black bikes, no lights, no lane discipline no regard for traffic lights and sometimes just coming the wrong way on road it’s a lottery and a nightmare trying to avoid them

 

[2x2camper]

This is the same mentality that tells a cyclist it’s a good idea to undertake hgv’s and busses. Then complain its not safe for them on the roads. As for wearing black and blaming other road users for not seeing them its madness. Motorcyclists don’t have a problem driving with their headlight on. New vehicles all have daytime driving lights for a very good reason yet we have cyclists complaining its their right to wear dark clothing and complain other traffic can’t see them

No it's that mentality that says the motorists is right and everyone else is wrong.

If you weren't driving big pumps of metal at speed the problem won't be the same.

 

[2x2camper]

If you want to die keep wearing black clothing when riding your bike

Clothing doesn't kill anyone not paying attention does

 

[Oldbob]

I have to ask as well, why is it cyclists have to have their lights on flash mode ? To me personally it is so annoying, and it does state in highway code that a solid light should be used.
The other thing is how many cyclists have insurance ? A simple public liability even ? My dog has insurance so if he ran into a road or anything like that and caused an accident then at least he is insured against it.
As a driving trainer told us, cyclists are the least to be prosecuted for any offence, because unless you can prove they have knowledge of the highway then they can do what they like, you can buy a bike and take to the highways with no training or grasp of highway etiquette what so ever, so unless police can prove they have a licence or formal training then they can't be touched !

 

[2x2camper]

I have to ask as well, why is it cyclists have to have their lights on flash mode ? To me personally it is so annoying, and it does state in highway code that a solid light should be used.
The other thing is how many cyclists have insurance ? A simple public liability even ? My dog has insurance so if he ran into a road or anything like that and caused an accident then at least he is insured against it.
As a driving trainer told us, cyclists are the least to be prosecuted for any offence, because unless you can prove they have knowledge of the highway then they can do what they like, you can buy a bike and take to the highways with no training or grasp of highway etiquette what so ever, so unless police can prove they have a licence or formal training then they can't be touched !

Cyclists can't win. Your complaining that cyclists are letting you know they are there and other posts are complaining that they can't be seen

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[Jaws]

So you miss his lights but it's his fault

I think you have missed the point of that post
OP did not say it was the cyclists fault, only that even with twinkle lights he had not been seen..

Basically saying ( I believe ) the more visible a cyclist makes them selves the safer they are..

No one is perfect and we all make mistakes from time to time.. doing what you can to be less of a target does make sense .

 

[2x2camper]

I think you have missed the point of that post
OP did not say it was the cyclists fault, only that even with twinkle lights he had not been seen..

Basically saying ( I believe ) the more visible a cyclist makes them selves the safer they are..

No one is perfect and we all make mistakes from time to time.. doing what you can to be less of a target does make sense .

I think the problem on here and other motor centric forums that that there is a belief that the responsibility for not been hit rests mainly with the cyclist. They are not the ones in cha of big pumps of metal being driven at speed.

 

[MHdreaming]

A cyclist isn't going to harm you in any way.

Record number of pedestrians are injured by cyclists, figures show

A record number of pedestrians are being killed or seriously injured in crashes with cyclists, new figures have revealed. In 2017, 130 people were injured in accidents involving cyclists.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[Oldbob]

2x2camper not complaining the fact they have lights on, just the fact that they are flashing and annoyingly so.
Have lights on to be seen, I do on motorbike, but have them on permenant not flashing, if you look at a junction and it is in-between flashes of their lights you aren't going to see them, if lights were on all the time then they would be seen.
It is same sort of question, why do card, mh's in fact all vehicles come with day running lights now ?
How many people used to think it was strange the old volvo cars used to have side lights on all the time ?

 

[2x2camper]

Record number of pedestrians are injured by cyclists, figures show

A record number of pedestrians are being killed or seriously injured in crashes with cyclists, new figures have revealed. In 2017, 130 people were injured in accidents involving cyclists.

www.dailymail.co.uk

As a comparison would you like to get the stats for number of pedestrians injured by motorists

You are a bit deluded if you think the Daily Mail reporting is impartial

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[MHdreaming]

Clothing doesn't kill anyone not paying attention does

Its about time you read this.....

Highway code for cyclists

make sure you have a full understanding of the Highway Code for cyclists

www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk

 

[Barclaybasher]

I drive my old Jag with sidelights on, didn't stop one 'banker' on a bike hitting my front wing - I was exiting a side road - he was riding on the pavement without thinking of stopping, he fell off and got an earbashing -"Do want to get f*****g killed !!"

 

[MHdreaming]

As a comparison would you like to get the stats for number of pedestrians injured by motorists

You are a bit deluded if you think the Daily Mail reporting is impartial

I didn't say Cars will not harm you in any way but you did try to tell us Cyclists will not harm you in any way

 

[2x2camper]

I didn't say Cars will not harm you in any way but you did try to tell us Cyclists will not harm you in any way

Yes they are not when you are on a car which was what I was talking about

 

[Jaws]

No it's that mentality that says the motorists is right and everyone else is wrong.

If you weren't driving big pumps of metal at speed the problem won't be the same.

Tell that to the myriad of pedestrians that get hit by cyclists daily

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[GPW]

It's amazing how motorists think that's cyclists do it wrong.

So they were wearing black, so what you saw them.

A cyclist got hit in our village exactly because he'd decided a dark green top, black helmet and trousers on a black carbon fibre bike with carbon wheels, for a ride in the countryside, was a smart idea.

He decided to wait in the middle of the road at a junction surrounded by trees and bushes. I struggled to see him and as he was right in the middle had to really drive around him. The van behind me was also going slowly but I heard the crack as the impact of his wing snapped the carbon fibre wheel. He only just hit him, the perfect camouflage of the cyclist really did work.

Some cyclists are just stupid.

 

[Barclaybasher]

The problem with some cyclists is that they use the roads to practice for 'ironman', Tour de Peckham etc, head down flat out all the time with a frightening belief that they are alone on their 'racetrack'

Thos sort of riding does have its place - ON CLOSED ROADS....

 

[wotme]

Like I said in my original post I live in the New Forest, lots of trees, lots of shadows especially on sunny days, ideal conditions for cyclist not to be seen if they are wearing black or dark clothing. Even our wild ponies have the sense to wear reflective collars. So those of you who like to be invisible on our roads I'll ask the question again --Why is that?

 

[busby]

Cycle tracks are only part of the solution.

What we really need is for motorists not to think they own the road and everyone should get out of there way because thy are not in a motor vehicle.

But of course they will be replies to this that they do own the road because of the non existent Road Tax they pay.

I don't see why people don't just chill out, go at speeds that are appropriate for the conditions of the road and aim to get where they are going without harming other road users.

A cyclist isn't going to harm you in any way.

Who cares if you get there 5 minutes later than you intended.

You have half hit the nail on the head. You think your right and car drivers think the same..It's something unusual about the UK.It just doesn't happen in France,Spain Germany and Holland..BUSBY.

 

[busby]

Clothing doesn't kill anyone not paying attention does

Why do Road Workers,,Ambulance Crews and Motorway Police wear hi viz,,?? Your talking silly.BUSBY

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[2x2camper]

Why do Road Workers,,Ambulance Crews and Motorway Police wear hi viz,,?? Your talking silly.BUSBY

Unfortunately they still get killed.

 

[busby]

Unfortunately they still get killed.

People still get killed in cars with air bags and seat belts and crumble zones but many are not.If Hi Viz saves one person from death or injury then its worth it.BUSBY.

 

[Rapido925M]

I'm very grateful to a local cyclist who was riding down the main road in pouring rain with neither bright clothing nor lights (flashing or otherwise).

Despite needing 20 stitches in her head when I ran into her as I came out of a minor junction, I got away with a £30 fine and no points on my licence.

I'm sure the magistrate accepted my plea that I'd looked but hadn't seen her BECAUSE of her attire.

Gordon

PS my only "accident" in the last 45y, so I do not wish to be accused of being an inconsiderate driver of a large lump of speeding metal.

My only previous injury-accident happened when a girl (who I later discovered was deaf) walked between two parked cars, looked in my direction when I blared the horn on my motorbike, and then stepped out in front of me. I wonder if she failed to see my black motorbike ridden by a black-clad youth wearing a black helmet about 10mins before lighting up time?

 

[Ernesto]

The vast majority of people are agreeing with the OP - yes, it’s entirely reasonable to wear bright colours/ visible clothing and some daytime lights. One or two are being pedantic and arguing the toss which feels a strange position to take but I think it reflects the very unequal treatment riding a bike seems to result in.
Yes, some cyclists are fools and ride dangerously. Many ride as carefully and considerately as possible.
Many car drivers are equally foolish - the key divider is cyclist acts stupid and (usually) no one dies. Car driver is foolish, and many many more times, someone dies.
I’ll repeat my point - totally 100 % agree bright clothing is a good idea as are lights, insurance, a bell and riding considerately, wearing a helmet and riding within the law at all times. I’d even licence my bike (surprised we haven’t had that one yet) ......Trouble is, I do all of that (other than the licence of course) and find myself in fear for my life at least once a week.
So car drivers, what else should I be doing? It’s that frustration I think that is at the heart of why some people are arguing against a very sensible point.

 

[wotme]

I wont labour the point of cyclist wearing bright clothing could help prevent an accident. You may have seen the case in the news today where a cyclist collided with a pedestrian who stepped into his path not paying attention to the fact that the lights changed in his favour to green because she was studying her mobile phone. Apparently he claims he was travelling at no more than 10 to 15mph ho sounded his airhorn and shouted at her (didn't say what he shouted) but it failed to prevent him riding into her causing both to lose consciousness. It ended up in court with her claiming for damages and he obviously thought he was in the right didn't even bother to be represented. The judge ruled against him and because he was not insured he could end up paying escalating costs getting on for £100,000. At first I thought poor old cyclist but when you look at the facts, yes the lady should have been paying attention, but then if the cyclist had thought to apply his brakes before activating his air horn and shouting at her then perhaps it may have resulted in just another near miss

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