On Yer Bike

Big generalisations coming, so take it all with a pinch of salt...

In the coming battle for street space, there could (should?) be a natural alliance of cyclists, pedestrians and public transport united against motorists. And I don't say that out of any antipathy for motorists - who I'm sure are mostly capable and courteous drivers.

It's just a balance of power thing. Our cities and streets, our laws and our codes, have all evolved to serve the needs of cars. Now that other modes of travel are trying to take some of the street back, something has to give.

My concern, however, that there isn't enough solidarity and support between all those other users. Pedestrians bitch about cyclists, cyclists bitch about other cyclists, bus users bitch about everyone, including the bus driver.

I like the simple hierarchy of blame principle. The person with the deadlier vehicle is responsible for the safety of the more vulnerable one. I.e. in an incident between car and bicycle, it's the driver's fault! I don't care who swerved or who broke the rules -- car kills bike. Likewise, when a cyclist knocks over a pedestrian, I don't care who was texting or wasn't looking before they crossed the street -- bike kills person. And so on.

I can see where you are coming from, but I think many people on here are more likely to see the cyclist as a scourge on the road who has no respect for the highway code or laws and if they get hit by said car driver the cyclist is quick to say the car driver didn't see them and the car driver always says the cyclist jumped the red light etc.....

Serves me right. Went to work on my bike only to get a bleedin puncture half way there.
I know it's called a push bike... But Ffs not literally..

^Front or back??

(25-06-2020 17:34 )Crackaddict Wrote:  Serves me right. Went to work on my bike only to get a bleedin puncture half way there.
I know it's called a push bike... But Ffs not literally..

I'm using Slime puncture sealant, only had to repair one puncture in almost 2 years.

(25-06-2020 14:21 )Goodfella3041 Wrote:  ...
I like the simple hierarchy of blame principle. The person with the deadlier vehicle is responsible for the safety of the more vulnerable one.
...

As a cyclist, I apply this kind of principle in reverse for my own safety. I don't pick fights with bigger, heavier motor vehicles, as I am always going to come off worse, I slow down, give way, whatever, let them do their thing, then I'll do mine.
Touch wood, I haven't been hit or knocked off in years


Regarding punctures, I use Maxxis inner tubes which are slightly thicker than standard, along with decent tyres.
The tyres I use have the kevlar protection strip in them. They cost a bit more than a Halfords cheapo, but last way longer, so cost less in the long run. My last pair I had for 3 years, doing around 14 miles daily on pretty rough tarmac roads, my current ones are on their second year and still looking good for at least one more, maybe more than that.
With this combination, I haven't had a real genuine puncture in maybe four years, just a couple of 'old age' punctures where an old inner tube has just given up and needed replacing.
Previously, punctures were at least a monthly occurence, sometimes weekly, and regular replacements of inner tubes, and probably a couple sets of tyres per year soon added up.

^^

Have used Kevlar tyres in the past, well worth the extra cost, will definitely be putting some on before winter.

Agree about giving way to larger vehicles. Junctions are fine, I'll let lorries etc. go even when I have the right of way, as I've found that not everyone understands it, or just choose to ignore it.

I feel most exposed on roundabouts. When I had to commute through a busy city they did have some cycle-lanes & crossings on roundabouts, adds a bit of time & distance to your journey, but much safer. Without them it's just scary, motorists have to realize that your generally going to be slower & lack the acceleration that they possess. I want to look in my mirrors to see what's going to under or overtake, but like most bikes I don't have them. It can be really unhelpful when your road positioning is correct, & you signal to exit, yet 9 times out of 10 some idiot decides to impatiently blast their horn at you.

I don't generally do roundabouts anymore, had too many close shaves, and a few actual knock-offs in the past. One of the rare occasions I'll take to the pavement or get off and walk around, depending how busy the pavement is.

One of the biggest issues around here is the mini cycle lanes at junctions. We have lots of these leading to the green box at traffic lights intended to give cyclists a 'head-start' at the junction. They are fine if you get there while the lights are red and can get to the front and own the space, but if the lights change as you approach, you get caught out with endless numbers of vehicles turning left without bothering to indicate first, cutting across and potentially wiping you out. They are intended to make things safer for the cyclist, but often make it much worse, I often don't bother with them and just join the end of the line of cars and go through at my own pace after they have all gone through, much safer.
One such setup on my work route has no traffic lights across the junction, just the ones where you pull up, so you have to crick your neck up to see the lights change, then get down and start cycling across while the cars behind are trying to come around you. Ridiculous lack of thought, a bit like the cycle path that they decided to cover in gravel!

As a pedestrian, I've long got used to being the lowest in the foodchain, even on pavements.
Green man on a crossing ?
Invisible to cyclists apparently, just keep sailing through.
Cyclist coming up to a red light - no problem, just mount the pavement and keep going, don't mind me.
Path through a park that isn't a dedicated cycle lane ? Ding Ding Ding with your bell as you speed up behind that pesky pedestrian and overtake them on whatever side you feel like -left right doesn't really matter does it, it's only a plodder.

If the UK cycle highway more fully connected I think it would be happier cyclists