On Yer Bike

I pulled up at a set of temporary traffic lights at the front, I thought I've cracked it here. It was quite a long stretch to get through & when it changed to green, I started off & managed to stop as another 4 cars sailed through. By which time it changed back to red.

(26-06-2020 12:05 )munch1917 Wrote:  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.

Actually relieved to hear this. I got a hire bike out the other day and cycled in the city for the first time in years. The first time I reached a very busy roundabout, I thought 'this is fucking nuts! It's thunderdome!'

So I got off and walked the bike around.

I felt deeply inadequate and a bit of a chicken afterwards. So it's good to hear from an experienced cyclist that my instinct was correct. Thanks!

I make no excuse for occasionally using a pavement in the interest of my own health, but will slow right down. Never had a collision on a path, but I recall one incident were a bloke pulled out his phone & became quite aggressive, threatening to call the police. He was however in the vicinity of a pub.

it beats me why there isn't a cycle lane around roundabouts

Would that help?

(27-06-2020 21:02 )lovebabes56 Wrote:  it beats me why there isn't a cycle lane around roundabouts

Would that help?

There is of sorts, I've mentioned it in a previous post, didn't really go into detail on how it works, not sure how common they are around the country.

Almost approaching 50 I've been an avid cyclist over 40 years.
My own experiences have taught me to stay on the path.
I know I'm not supposed to,but I recall a work colleague cycling home from work on the road. All lights working on his bike and ended up underneath a lorry. Unfortunately he didn't survive. The lorry driver didn't even know what he'd done!!!
Apparently the driver hadn't taken his correct tacho break!!!
I go to work early enough to avoid any pedestrians .
I don't particularly embrace people telling me to get onto the road.
If I approach anyone on the path I dismount and respect their space.

A work buddy took out a cyclist the other week when pulling out of the works car park.
The cyclist was on the pavement going against the traffic flow. There are cycle lanes both sides of the road, he chose not to use them.

He must have seen the stream of cars coming out of the car park.
He must have seen my work buddy pulling up to leave.
He must have seen the driver look the other way to check for oncoming traffic.
He must have realised he wouldn't be expecting a fast moving something heading down the pavement towards him from that direction, so would have expected it to be all clear to pull out.
He must have realised there wasn't a clear path in front of this vehicle for him to proceed.

Still, he shot straight across in front of my work buddy, and ended up going over his bonnet!

As a cyclist it's all too easy to get angry at car drivers for not looking, not indicating, not giving enough room when going past etc, but sometimes it's just down to plain stupidity on the part of the cyclist, and maybe a sense of entitlement "it's up to you to get out my way". Personally, I take responsibility for my own safety, that way there's only me to blame if it goes wrong. I'd rather get to where I'm going in one piece, even if it takes a bit longer, than end up in a hospital bed with a chip on my shoulder that I may be busted up, but it wasn't my fault!

From 22nd June under a new law, drivers can now be fined up to £130 (London) & £70 in the rest of the country for misuse of cycle lanes.

In my area Hull City Council have started the 1st [phase of a 2.5 million scheme to create a continuous cycle network in the city centre. & a planned central safe storage space.
This is much needed as around 10% use a bike, with the national average int he region of 4%, This stat is linked to a high poverty rate,with a lover than average car ownership.

Councils are also working with employers to help role out a Rusty Riders scheme to help people develop their cycling skills safely.