Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => On The Road => Topic started by: simonp on 27 September, 2013, 08:57:10 pm

Title: DOTD
Post by: simonp on 27 September, 2013, 08:57:10 pm
Cyclists only need apply.

Today I nominate the Fixie rider on Euston Rd who came up from behind, between taxi behind me and curb, undertaking me, then cutting across in front of me from the left, as traffic moved off, nearly taking out my front wheel. "Sorry mate" doesn't really cut it.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Crumbling Nick on 28 September, 2013, 01:51:56 am
OK, I'll take the bait.

What does DOTD mean, and does it matter for someone who is wise/fortunate enough to cycle in London infrequently :demon:?

I'll add that I've cycled along Euston Rd. several times, usually in rush hour, with a few kg. of baggage, and have mixed views about the ethics of all the categories of road user apart from bus drivers (pretty good) and taxi drivers (that's a national disease). Lots of cyclists misbehave. Many don't.

At a slightly more reflective level...

London isn't the first city to discover the benefits of cycling. Is the bad behaviour of a few cyclists a function of local attitudes, or is it all a lot more complex?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 28 September, 2013, 09:05:15 am
My guess is Richard Of The Day.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Zipperhead on 28 September, 2013, 12:24:24 pm
Mine was the stupid woman last night who, as I was braking to a stop behind another two cyclists for a give way came alongside me and pulled in front. Then when we set off again she was slower so I passed her easily going up the next slope.

A couple of sets of lights further on, as I was stopping behind another cyclist she came alongside and cut in front again. I politely pointed out that that was the second time she had pulled of that stupid manouvre, but I couldn't understand what she was saying behind her smog mask.

A bit further along when the traffic was so snarled up that even bicycles couldn't move she took to the pavement.

I don't mind if cyclists want to kill and injure themselves, but I do get annoyed when they try and involve me in their stupidity.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 October, 2013, 09:01:47 am
The bloke on the cycle path yesterday who was so engrossed in adjusting his computer/GPS/other bar-mounted device that he didn't even realise he'd veered across the whole width of the path and was about to collide with me going the other way. In fact, I'm pretty sure that if I hadn't been there to wake him up, he'd have gone into the bushes at the edge of the path.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SlowCoach on 06 October, 2013, 10:15:09 pm
The bloke on the cycle path yesterday who was so engrossed in adjusting his computer/GPS/other bar-mounted device that he didn't even realise he'd veered across the whole width of the path and was about to collide with me going the other way.

This is a regular problem I have on one of my commute routes. The cycle path runs along the river bank and is very popular with rowing coaches cycling along concentrating on the boat they are coaching rather than on where they are going. I find that the crew on the river is generally more attentive than the coach. I've now had a couple of occasions when my shout of "MOVE LEFT !!!" at an approaching coach has been totally ignored by the cycling coach, but not by the crew on the water who have responded and ploughed into the bank leaving a totally perplexed coach and crew.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Crumbling Nick on 07 October, 2013, 12:24:39 am
The bloke on the cycle path yesterday who was so engrossed in adjusting his computer/GPS/other bar-mounted device that he didn't even realise he'd veered across the whole width of the path and was about to collide with me going the other way.

This is a regular problem I have on one of my commute routes. The cycle path runs along the river bank and is very popular with rowing coaches cycling along concentrating on the boat they are coaching rather than on where they are going. I find that the crew on the river is generally more attentive than the coach. I've now had a couple of occasions when my shout of "MOVE LEFT !!!" at an approaching coach has been totally ignored by the cycling coach, but not by the crew on the water who have responded and ploughed into the bank leaving a totally perplexed coach and crew.
That's a new one to me. When I was involved in rowing & coaching, the towpaths were not used by commuters. It may be a regional issue, but my experience is over 4 decades out of date.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Wascally Weasel on 07 October, 2013, 01:02:23 pm
The bloke on the cycle path yesterday who was so engrossed in adjusting his computer/GPS/other bar-mounted device that he didn't even realise he'd veered across the whole width of the path and was about to collide with me going the other way.

This is a regular problem I have on one of my commute routes. The cycle path runs along the river bank and is very popular with rowing coaches cycling along concentrating on the boat they are coaching rather than on where they are going. I find that the crew on the river is generally more attentive than the coach. I've now had a couple of occasions when my shout of "MOVE LEFT !!!" at an approaching coach has been totally ignored by the cycling coach, but not by the crew on the water who have responded and ploughed into the bank leaving a totally perplexed coach and crew.

Shout "TAKE A LOOK SCULLER!" at her/him - their Pavlovian response may cause them to fall off/in the river.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SlowCoach on 07 October, 2013, 01:39:24 pm
The bloke on the cycle path yesterday who was so engrossed in adjusting his computer/GPS/other bar-mounted device that he didn't even realise he'd veered across the whole width of the path and was about to collide with me going the other way.

This is a regular problem I have on one of my commute routes. The cycle path runs along the river bank and is very popular with rowing coaches cycling along concentrating on the boat they are coaching rather than on where they are going. I find that the crew on the river is generally more attentive than the coach. I've now had a couple of occasions when my shout of "MOVE LEFT !!!" at an approaching coach has been totally ignored by the cycling coach, but not by the crew on the water who have responded and ploughed into the bank leaving a totally perplexed coach and crew.
That's a new one to me. When I was involved in rowing & coaching, the towpaths were not used by commuters. It may be a regional issue, but my experience is over 4 decades out of date.
It's a very specific issue caused by introduction of the National Cycling Network. The coaches always used to use the South bank of the river. The NCN route was put in using the North bank and the rather grotty foorpath upgraded into a 2.5 metre offroad cycle track, with a tarmac surface. This is very much closer to the river than the south side track and so the coaches seem to prefer it and moved across en masse. It can be entertaining riding down there sometimes because the path also tends to be used as storage space for eights, blades, boat racks etc. where it passes the boat houses. I've also found squads of rowers all lined across the track doing pressups. One of these days I might just try perfecting my bunny hop, rather than waiting for the path to be cleared.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rower40 on 07 October, 2013, 08:51:56 pm
If there is a crew carrying their boat across a path, an authoritarian shout of "Shoulder-high...LIFT" may cause an automatic response in the rowers to lift their boat high enough for you to ride underneath.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Zipperhead on 08 October, 2013, 12:40:02 am
I despair of people's fucking stupidity.

Tonight on the way home, it wasn't completely dark but it was well past the time when sensible people switched on their lights whatever their vehicle.

As I came up to some lights I knew they were about to change, so I stayed slightly to the right of the stationary cyclists and didn't quite stop. When the lights changed off we went.

On my left was a man riding a carbon Pinarello, dressed in black cycling gear, wearing a helmet but no lights. I accelerated past him. In front of him was a woman and just ahead was a coach parked. So I moved across to the right to miss it and slowed slightly to allow the woman to move out. Just as I reached the coach someone started shouting at me, and when I looked to my left Mr. Pinarello's front wheel was about to foul my pedal, and his bars were about to clip my seatpost.

Apparently, I had pulled left into him!

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: HTFB on 08 October, 2013, 08:13:44 am
The bloke on the cycle path yesterday who was so engrossed in adjusting his computer/GPS/other bar-mounted device that he didn't even realise he'd veered across the whole width of the path and was about to collide with me going the other way.

This is a regular problem I have on one of my commute routes. The cycle path runs along the river bank and is very popular with rowing coaches cycling along concentrating on the boat they are coaching rather than on where they are going. I find that the crew on the river is generally more attentive than the coach. I've now had a couple of occasions when my shout of "MOVE LEFT !!!" at an approaching coach has been totally ignored by the cycling coach, but not by the crew on the water who have responded and ploughed into the bank leaving a totally perplexed coach and crew.
That's probably a crew who could plough into the bank under their own steam without prompting, since the boat is supposed to be keeping to the right, and moving left would put it in midstream.

It seems to be natural, on busy stretches like early termtime mornings in Oxford, for the coaches also to keep right: on the left, the boats heading along the towpath bank get continuous contact with their coach, but this doesn't compensate the coaches heading the other way for the nuisance of losing sight of their distant crew when cyclists coming the other way intervene. And naturally you do technical exercises along the near bank and racing pieces on the far side, so the far-side coaches are riding with greater momentum and win the contest.

This effect does put the coaches in conflict with civilians, who may quite reasonably want to use the path in early termtime mornings for commuting. If you stand your ground and the surprised coach rides straight into the river, you'll be rewarded with the heartily-expressed approval of at least eight other people. And a cox.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Vince on 08 October, 2013, 10:57:15 am
I think my late father managed to ride into a river whist coaching. My mother was not impressed - it was her bike!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: caerau on 08 October, 2013, 11:04:49 am
When  I was student I once coached a crew of novice rowers.  One day I saw an eight plough so quickly into a grassy bank on the other side of the river that it left stroke and cox in the river and bow stuck on the riverbank with the middle rowers dangling in mid air.
Not for long though as the boat merrily snapped in half at the centre ruining all their day.


I think I wet myself several times over watching that.  ;D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Feanor on 14 October, 2013, 10:59:48 am
Hertfordshire Police escort M1 cyclist off motorway

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-24518094
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 14 October, 2013, 11:38:43 am
I'd wear a hood if I cycled on a motorway, deffo.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: L CC on 18 October, 2013, 01:03:59 pm
One way street. 6:30 am. Black trousers, black jacket, no lights front or rear. The wrong way, wrong side of the road.

Moron.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Andrew Br on 18 October, 2013, 08:45:44 pm
Last night: rider on nice looking road bike yelps quite spectacularly as we (both bike mounted) start to pull out into her path. Lights would have helped you, you pratt.
Tonight while I was in the car: a flashing red light on the front. Again another attractive road bike so you'd think that he could afford £5(ish) for a small white light.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: handcyclist on 19 October, 2013, 11:27:27 am
Did the Fiesta have a cycle in it? If not, may I refer you to the Today's Motorised Moron thread (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=63751.msg1580604#new)?
Need to get back OT there, it's degenerated to puns involving cows.  ;D

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 January, 2014, 02:54:09 pm
Approaching this junction
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=zetland+rd+bristol&ll=51.469943,-2.589576&spn=0.006496,0.014205&hnear=Zetland+Rd,+Bristol,+United+Kingdom&gl=uk&t=m&z=16&layer=c&cbll=51.469656,-2.593546&panoid=p1pQvb3dH3z9XOtlYtlEWA&cbp=12,317,,0,0
which is not a straightforward T because it has an extra side road between left and straight on, just at the point where the bus lane becomes a left-turn lane and the cycle lane starts, a 3-axled lorry was waiting. I was going straight on and just as I drew level with it, the lights turned green, so I hung back. Most probably it was going straight too, but traffic does take the second left from either lane without indicating and there are always parked vehicles by Sainsbury's just after the junction. And at this point, a bloke on a mountain bike overtakes on my left. I thought he was going to go up the inside of the lorry, but no, his idea is possibly even more dickish than that - he grabs hold of a bar on the lorry's left rear door and gets a free ride for the next four hundred yards or so.  ::-) A couple of times I thought he was going to be wiped out as the lorry moved out to pass parked vehicles, including a breakdown truck,  :o but he managed to avoid them. Close thing though. When the lorry stopped in the next jam, he rode along the pavement a bit, dicked around in a side road, then pissed off up the inside of the queue. The irony of all this is that the whole time he was holding onto the lorry, I was easily keeping up with him on my extremely upright urban hybrid with laden panniers.  ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: caerau on 10 January, 2014, 04:13:13 pm
You didn't have a helmetcam on did you?  I'd like to see all that :-D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: red marley on 10 January, 2014, 04:19:44 pm
If only Lucas Brunelle was filming it. Then it would have been cool.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 10 January, 2014, 05:57:03 pm
The name Lucas Brunelle makes me think of Louis Bunuel. If he'd filmed it, it might have been cool.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: L CC on 14 January, 2014, 08:33:10 pm
Me.
Bloody cyclists, with barely visible lights in the middle of nowhere.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SlowCoach on 15 January, 2014, 02:52:12 pm
Last night - a pavement riding BMXer with no lights. I was waiting to enter a roundabout on the commute home (sitting in primary in the left hand lane). He came off the pavement in front of me, cut behind the vehicle that was pulling out on my right and then proceeded to ride the wrong way round the roundabout!!! After 10 yards or so he then cut left and rode straight over the grassy hump in the middle. I lost sight of him at that point. It was a highly original piece of navigation.

Five minutes later, who should I overtake but a lightless pavement riding BMXer.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mike on 15 January, 2014, 04:41:36 pm
The bloke riding down the A1 near Biggleswade at dusk tonight.  No lights, no reflectives, dark coloured kit on a 70mph dual carriageway without much of a hard shoulder, with a smaller road directly parallel and about 50 yards to the left. 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 19 February, 2014, 09:37:31 am
The idiot wobbling along in the gutter on Ampthill Road at 6.30 this morning. No lights. On the wrong side of the road! Oncoming cars were flashing their lights and hooting but he seemed oblivious to it all.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: JonJo on 19 February, 2014, 07:09:25 pm
OK, I'll take the bait.

What does DOTD mean, and does it matter for someone who is wise/fortunate enough to cycle in London infrequently :demon:?

Dawn of the Dead maybe?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 19 February, 2014, 08:19:03 pm
Me.
Riding home on the cycle path next to work, looking at the small tree which had blown over and at the slowish chap on the MTB who was using the road. Looking everywhere, in fact, except where I was going. It was only the squeal of brakes which alerted me to the cyclist coming the other way.  :face palm: Fortunately I had time (just) to take avoiding action and to apologise.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: cycleman on 19 February, 2014, 10:09:28 pm
I nearly took out a twit who was riding towards me on a  unlighted cycleway  with a red flashing light on his handlebars . Luckily for him I was testing a new 600 lumen front light and was able to miss that said twit .
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 February, 2014, 10:11:05 pm
Similarly, I saw someone who had both white and red lights on his handlebars today. WTF ???
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 February, 2014, 10:26:31 am
I was on the bus today.

DOTM

Bus at lights, indicators on, turning left. Cyclist coming along pavement and duckingleft. Bus driver clocks them, and swings wide on the turn; good thing, cyclist cuts right in front of the bus. Then straight through red ped crossing (with people on it), into the bus lane on the right - erm, now he's riding the wrong way down a bus lane, in the middle of the lane, towards a blind corner. Jumps onto the pavement and weaves through the pedestrians.

What a complete and utter bellend.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: sg37409 on 20 February, 2014, 08:53:50 pm
The idiot with no front light cycling across Haymarket junction at 7:15 pm last night, to turn up morrison street. Wrong side of the road and directly in my line…...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Veloman on 20 February, 2014, 09:30:40 pm
Interesting to read all these posts about cyclists.

Makes you wonder why cyclists get a bad name by some!

Sadly, the behaviour of the few will tarnish the many and the behaviour reported in this thread is doing our PR no good whatsoever.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: bumper on 20 February, 2014, 11:05:57 pm
DOTD goes to the bell end from this morning with his light on full power and super silly mega fast strobe setting coming up the hill from Trentham traffic lights.

Thanks to you I had two green dots burned into my vision for the rest of my trip down the road. I also didn't see he truck behind you until you'd fucked off.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: sg37409 on 21 February, 2014, 08:28:52 am
Interesting to read all these posts about cyclists.

Makes you wonder why cyclists get a bad name by some!

Sadly, the behaviour of the few will tarnish the many and the behaviour reported in this thread is doing our PR no good whatsoever.

Proportionally, I see more crap cycling than driving.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 21 February, 2014, 09:35:58 am
Sadly, the behaviour of the few will tarnish the many and the behaviour reported in this thread is doing our PR no good whatsoever.

Proportionally, I see more truly incredibly crap cycling than driving.
FTFY

I think that reading cyclists winge about bad cyclists doesn't do us any harm. I do not like being lumping in with the utter fuckwits mentioned in this thread. They are FuckwitsOnnaBike and would probably be FuckwitsInnaCar if they were driving.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 21 February, 2014, 07:11:30 pm
DOTD goes to the bell end from this morning with his light on full power and super silly mega fast strobe setting coming up the hill from Trentham traffic lights.

Thanks to you I had two green dots burned into my vision for the rest of my trip down the road. I also didn't see he truck behind you until you'd fucked off.
Similar for me yesterday. Roadie coming through our village with what must have been an 'off road' type light. Made the mistake of looking at it. Dots before the eyes.
And it wasn't even dark. I had no front lights on and had only put the back ones on because they're there and I might as well use the batteries up.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mattc on 21 February, 2014, 07:57:58 pm
Sadly, the behaviour of the few will tarnish the many and the behaviour reported in this thread is doing our PR no good whatsoever.

Proportionally, I see more truly incredibly crap cycling than driving.
FTFY

I think that reading cyclists winge about bad cyclists doesn't do us any harm. I do not like being lumping in with the utter fuckwits mentioned in this thread. They are FuckwitsOnnaBike and would probably be FuckwitsInnaCar if they were driving.
... and would probably kill a few people every year between them.

Unlike the cyclists, who just piss people off a little. Like the rain. Or Radio1.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Pedaldog. on 21 February, 2014, 11:16:33 pm
I nearly took out a twit who was riding towards me on a  unlighted cycleway  with a red flashing light on his handlebars . Luckily for him I was testing a new 600 lumen front light and was able to miss that said twit .
Remarkably, err, Restrained wording Chris!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: cycleman on 22 February, 2014, 08:54:29 am
Man of peace me :)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: HTFB on 24 February, 2014, 03:53:18 pm
The bloke on a racer in full lycra who'd decided to make a contraflow cycle lane out of the narrow pavement in Montpelier Vale. How did he even get there?

I can see why they don't let him ride on the road yet, mind you.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mustgettaller on 26 February, 2014, 11:45:23 am
The M25 cyclist. 'nuff said.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: menthel on 11 March, 2014, 08:35:33 am
Fixie rider going across Cedars Rd/Lavendar Hill junction filming himself with front and rear gopros as he jumped the lights and weaved thru the traffic still travelling across the junction. Twatcockwomble.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: marcusjb on 11 March, 2014, 08:45:40 am
The local club rider who was probably towards the end of a long ride, so was probably a bit tired, but still got upset by a bloke in jeans sat on a Japanese City bike overtaking him whilst he free wheeled along.

Cue increase in speed, heroic overtake, building up a gap and then, free wheel. 

Bloke in jeans on Japanese City bike remains at a constant speed (thing is a single speed) and passes once again.

Cue increase in speed, heroic overtake, building up a gap and then, free wheel.

Bloody annoying.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 14 March, 2014, 08:22:23 am
The idiot wobbling along in the gutter on Ampthill Road at 6.30 this morning. No lights. On the wrong side of the road! Oncoming cars were flashing their lights and hooting but he seemed oblivious to it all.
Saw him again this morning. Same as before but in thick fog (though I don't believe the fog was half as thick as him)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: jogler on 15 March, 2014, 07:48:42 pm
Myself
My blind lady stoker & I were discussing night riding today as we rode.When I said that I enjoy such rides she pointed out that ALL her riding is night riding.
Sometimes I only open my mouth to change feet. ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 15 March, 2014, 07:50:38 pm
Myself
My blind lady stoker & I were discussing night riding today as we rode.When I said that I enjoy such rides she pointed out that ALL her riding is night riding.
Sometimes I only open my mouth to change feet. ::-)

I dunno, I'd have thought a blind stoker would particularly appreciate the lack of cars...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Phil W on 15 March, 2014, 07:55:36 pm

Myself
My blind lady stoker & I were discussing night riding today as we rode.When I said that I enjoy such rides she pointed out that ALL her riding is night riding.
Sometimes I only open my mouth to change feet. ::-)

It's not though as night riding has a whole difference in the sounds and general ambience as you ride. My blind stoker notices this and often picks up some night sounds long before I do.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Canardly on 15 March, 2014, 09:24:58 pm
Your stoker was pulling your leg. Night riding is also about smells, tastes, wind in your face etc. And I am sure the stoker appreciates you driving the tandy.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ruth on 15 March, 2014, 09:52:50 pm
She sounds like me when I'm feeling sorry for myself and want to drag other people down into my misery.  And she's probly allowed to feel sorry for herself.

It's not you jogler, it's her.  Night riding is nothing like day riding, which she'll realise when you take her on a FNRttC.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: jogler on 15 March, 2014, 10:25:02 pm
She is amongst the most positive thinking & pro-active people I've ever met;no indication of misery or negativity in her character & she doesn't feel sorry for herself.

'sfunny you should mention FNRttC.I told her of the York to Hull ride about which she had several questions, the answers to which did nothing to generate a negative response of any sort.Quite the opposite.She asked if I would want to ride it again.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ruth on 15 March, 2014, 10:26:48 pm
She is amongst the most positive thinking & pro-active people I've ever met;no indication of misery or negativity in her character & she doesn't feel sorry for herself.

'sfunny you should mention FNRttC.I told her of the York to Hull ride about which she had several questions, the answers to which did nothing to generate a negative response of any sort.Quite the opposite.She asked if I would want to ride it again.

And ... ?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: jogler on 15 March, 2014, 11:12:16 pm
 and at the present time equivocation is my strongest characteristic.
I rarely do the same ride more than once* but I find myself contemplating the logistics of getting a tandem to York & back from Hull without using my car.
I have already discounted riding it there & back
However I think Carol would not wish to undertake a 100km-ish ride any time soon & I have yet to convince myself that I too could do so although by this time next week I expect to have a clearer indication on this issue.


*IIRC I have do so only twice.Both times a lady otp was involved.The same lady.She knows who she is.

and yourself Ruthie?

and your new avatar is a cracker :thumbsup:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 16 March, 2014, 12:51:55 am
Of course, a FNRttC is rarely the same ride more than once...   :demon:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 17 March, 2014, 08:27:25 am
Yesterday.

Sunny Sunday afternoon. Cycle path beside A507. Lycra lout bellowing obscenities at three wobbly little people being herded by their (nearly as wobbly) parents. Didn't like it, did you, when I caught you up and bellowed obscenities at you, finishing with "and if you want to do this speed you're two feet away from a fucking empty road you cunt" >:(
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ruth on 17 March, 2014, 09:05:22 pm


and yourself Ruthie?



Thinking about it.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 March, 2014, 03:42:11 pm
Yesterday.

Sunny Sunday afternoon. Cycle path beside A507. Lycra lout bellowing obscenities at three wobbly little people being herded by their (nearly as wobbly) parents. Didn't like it, did you, when I caught you up and bellowed obscenities at you, finishing with "and if you want to do this speed you're two feet away from a fucking empty road you cunt" >:(

 :thumbsup: good one, guy.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Dibdib on 19 March, 2014, 07:43:22 pm
Not for the first time (same muppet) - dipshit on a BSO, rolling down the wrong side of the road, straight at me, with a very dim red blinking light - ON HIS HANDLEBARS.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: contango on 20 March, 2014, 12:35:23 pm
A few weeks ago I nearly ran into a cyclist when in the car.

He was riding a black bike wearing black clothes with no lights on the wrong side of the road. I instinctively slowed when I saw a flash of yellow that I didn't expect, which turned out to be a pedal reflector.

I'm amazed at the number of people riding around in dark clothes with no lights, or the people who do really stupid stuff like putting red lights on the front of the bike or white lights on the rear. I spotted one the other day riding around a busy roundabout in the twilight wearing dark clothes and no lights. He was visible because of the street lights, certainly not because of any efforts he had made to be seen.

It seems a lot of people figure lights are purely for their benefit and if they can see where they are going they don't need lights.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 20 March, 2014, 09:30:14 pm
It seems a lot of people figure lights are purely for their benefit and if they can see where they are going they don't need lights.

Presumably not the same group with the seizure-inducing front flashers...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 March, 2014, 09:34:25 pm
It seems a lot of people figure lights are purely for their benefit and if they can see where they are going they don't need lights.

Presumably not the same group with the seizure-inducing front flashers...
...although the same reasoning.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: essexian on 27 March, 2014, 09:47:19 am
Sundown Drive in Stafford is quite a nice short hill where, if you try, you can get up quite a nice bit of speed before turning off into the speedhump hell that is the Highfields estate.

Thus:

http://goo.gl/maps/o1QVz


The one way you won’t get up any speed as a cyclist if you cut in front of a bus, slam your brakes on and start to shout at the driver. Not sure what he had done to upset you, but you did make yourself look a right twat throwing your bike down (a Tesco’s special by the looks) and offering the bus driver out for a fight.

Sometimes….and yes, I find this very hard to do…. It’s better to bite your tongue and just let it go afterall, there will be only one winner bike V bus.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 30 March, 2014, 09:08:19 pm
Saturday evening, around 1845, and nearly full dark. Heading South down Balcombe Road on the short stretch of footpath I now use to avoid a repeat of diving sideways off the bike as some moton overtakes a car coming my way as I would have waited to turn right.

People carrier, southbound, pulls the F1 florr-everything overtake on another car, and very nearly takes out the northbound cyclist. Road bike, proper kit, no sodding lights at all.

But he WAS wearing a helmet...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: contango on 02 April, 2014, 10:44:24 am
It seems a lot of people figure lights are purely for their benefit and if they can see where they are going they don't need lights.

Presumably not the same group with the seizure-inducing front flashers...

Yep, the "I'm looking out for me and sod everybody else" attitude isn't confined to motorists.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: caerau on 02 April, 2014, 11:21:25 am
There's a lot of serious advice out there to have lights on flashing in commuting traffic as it gets noticed.  I read an article from a former military jet pilot once on exactly why it's a good idea (all to do with pilots being trained to look, then look again to avoid objects being unnoticed by the mechanics of how your brain interprets vision).  Having a flashing light can induce the same affect in a driver who doesn't necessarily look as carefully as a jet pilot, say when pulling out from a t-junction straight into a cyclist they haven't seen even with a steady front light.  I noted this and started using a front flasher from then on.


I was doing it until I rather discovered that others really *hate* it just the other day. I don't so it hadn't occurred to me that others do until I had a bit of an altercation with someone on an audax.


I shall adjust my lighting tactics accordingly but not everyone out there doing this is doing it from a selfish 'sod everyone else' point of view.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: simonp on 02 April, 2014, 11:45:13 am
A flashing light alone, depending on frequency and duty cycle, can be very hard to spot in a mirror.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: caerau on 02 April, 2014, 01:21:52 pm
Maybe so, I wasn't commenting on the effectiveness, more the implied assumption above that anyone using a flashing light is a selfish tosser.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 02 April, 2014, 02:13:36 pm
Yesterday, about 5:15 so could have been a commuter but seemed to be racing another cyclist, which could have been the reason for the dickish decsions. Jumping a red light is common and you got through before the other traffic started moving, so we'll ignore that. But overtaking a car on the right when it's stopped in the middle of the road, with its right-hand indicator flashing and opposite an obvious turning (a petrol station) is really stupid.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Vince on 02 April, 2014, 02:38:07 pm
Is DOTD Dick Of The Day?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Canardly on 06 April, 2014, 07:50:27 pm
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Nelson Longflap on 06 April, 2014, 09:56:35 pm
Riding along in broad daylight I saw the inverse of the headless cyclist (or is that headless horseman?) ... Somebody riding on the pavement alongside a hedge. I saw the bike and the head, but as he was wearing a camo jacket and trousers that disappeared against the shrubbery I had to look twice for the torso.

I didn't know camouflage stuff you buy in the Army stores was that good! I'm not a high-viz evangelist but making yourself semi-visible seems to be asking for trouble.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: jsabine on 07 April, 2014, 08:45:42 am
A few years ago we walked into the bar at Shannon airport. An American troop transport was obviously refuelling or stopping over - all we could see was a huge number of heads, above a great sandy indistinguishable mass. Desert pattern DPM merged into the next battledress and even into the background very effectively.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: billplumtree on 07 April, 2014, 12:38:22 pm
[Tommy Cooper]
I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day, but I couldn't find any.
[/Tommy Cooper]
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 07 April, 2014, 05:14:51 pm
There's a lot of serious advice out there to have lights on flashing in commuting traffic as it gets noticed.  I read an article from a former military jet pilot once on exactly why it's a good idea (all to do with pilots being trained to look, then look again to avoid objects being unnoticed by the mechanics of how your brain interprets vision).  Having a flashing light can induce the same affect in a driver who doesn't necessarily look as carefully as a jet pilot, say when pulling out from a t-junction straight into a cyclist they haven't seen even with a steady front light.  I noted this and started using a front flasher from then on.


I was doing it until I rather discovered that others really *hate* it just the other day. I don't so it hadn't occurred to me that others do until I had a bit of an altercation with someone on an audax.


I shall adjust my lighting tactics accordingly but not everyone out there doing this is doing it from a selfish 'sod everyone else' point of view.
As part of the training I deliver I espouse "active looking", which is a process of scanning a person and their possessions to pick up as much info as possible. Much the same thing.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: contango on 07 April, 2014, 05:25:37 pm
There's a lot of serious advice out there to have lights on flashing in commuting traffic as it gets noticed.  I read an article from a former military jet pilot once on exactly why it's a good idea (all to do with pilots being trained to look, then look again to avoid objects being unnoticed by the mechanics of how your brain interprets vision).  Having a flashing light can induce the same affect in a driver who doesn't necessarily look as carefully as a jet pilot, say when pulling out from a t-junction straight into a cyclist they haven't seen even with a steady front light.  I noted this and started using a front flasher from then on.


I was doing it until I rather discovered that others really *hate* it just the other day. I don't so it hadn't occurred to me that others do until I had a bit of an altercation with someone on an audax.


I shall adjust my lighting tactics accordingly but not everyone out there doing this is doing it from a selfish 'sod everyone else' point of view.

I didn't mean to imply that flashing lights = selfish tosser. I use flashing lights myself a lot of the time. I was thinking more of the difference between a flashing light that's powerful enough to not only be seen but also highlight road imperfections, and a flashing light that's the equivalent of driving a car with full beams on all the time.

I want to be bright enough that people can't use the "didn't see you" excuse without casting serious doubts on their ability to see at all, but not so bright/so badly set up that people can't see anything other than a blinding light.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 22 April, 2014, 08:51:28 am
While I have given up grumbling about people riding on the footpath, figuring it's better to see a bike rather than yet another car, I would like to point out to Mr Baggy White Trousers on a (clean!) BSO that it is a footpath, not your personal velodrome. Plz to be riding accordingly - schoolkids are not put there to be interesting obstacles to slalom around ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: HTFB on 23 April, 2014, 10:23:52 pm
You know those Lane Closed vehicles, the ones with the ruddy massive great arrows on the back made out of glowing lights designed so that even narcoleptic morons hypnotised by the monotony of the road can't stay unaware of them at distances of under half a mile, and enhanced with flashing yellow beacons at all salient corners?

Guess who just nearly rode into the back of one.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Marco Stefano on 04 May, 2014, 06:20:40 pm
The BSO-riding twit on my side of the road in Ely yesterday lunchtime - I shouted 'Wrong side of the road!' at him as he passed between me and parked cars, but he just carried on. Perhaps he thought the door zone on the right was safer as you might bounce off.  ???

Wouldn't be surprised if he appears in the local paper next week. Hopefully not in the obituary column.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Reg.T on 15 May, 2014, 09:05:33 am
My candidate last night was a lady (20s/30s) on a tidy sit-up-and-beg with basket. It was past peak commuting time, but was on the A4 in Bath, and as I was about to overtake she blithely meandered across the lane onto the hatched area in the middle of the road, for no obvious purpose (though possibly for the next right turn further up the road), and with neither a glance nor signal.  ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Riggers on 16 May, 2014, 12:15:13 pm
I've held off jotting down my particular DOTD, as it happened at least a month ago, but if helps bring a perverse joy combined with shaking-of-head to my fellow YACFer, then so be it. Plus I have time on my hands.

Yes, this particular Gold Star goes to the young lady one evening in Brighton who, instead of cycling round the taxi, decided she "Jolly-well-wanted-to-show-the-taxi-driver-he-shouldn't-have-parked-there!"

Imagine the scene: it's around 10.30pm on a road served by numerous bars and restaurants. It allows one-way traffic for vehicles and two-way for cycles. A lone taxi comes down the road (no other vehicles on the road either) and pulls to a stop, straddling the painted dashed-lined denoted cycle lane, so other cars should they come down the road can pass, and his passengers don't have to cross the road to climb into the taxi. So far so good.

Enter, from the other end of the road (so theoretically against the flow of traffic), the female cycling knob who, rather than just cycle round the taxi, which any sane well-adjusted person would have done, decided to park her bike up against the taxi bumper.

As you can imagine, I muttered "You stupid girl", and couldn't be bothered to stay to witness the ensuing exchange of views between taxi driver and cyclist.

Bet the taxi driver won't be feeling disposed to other cyclists because of her selfish and pointless action.

Class knob.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 29 May, 2014, 11:40:43 pm
After muttering about the letter in the Metro that asked, rhetorically and cylophobically, "When did you last see a car driving on the footpath or going through a red light or through pedestrians on a crossing?*" I was walking back up Balcombe Road. The stretch in question is nsl 60, and coming towards me was a knob on a mountain bike. No lights of any kind, but a reflective waistcoat, at 2145 hrs.

I looked down the road to see what the cars behind him were seeing. The jacket was so dirty that he was only showing up when the cars were within 20 yards of him. Darwin, where art thou?

*Every bloody day, of course. Those cars parked on the footpath, for example. To quote Charlotte, they were dropped there by a bloody TARDIS? And the last time I rode a London Bus, from Vic station to Oxford St, it went through four red lights.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 02 July, 2014, 08:31:40 am
DOT Yesterday Afternoon.

Coming down The Greenway, approaching "my" right turn, at 25 mph. Ahead of me, on the footpath, is a white-haired bloke on an MTB, doing 7-8 mph. I look back to check it's clear to signal and move out. When I look forward again, there's this dick, about 5 feet away directly in front of me, still drifting slowly along. Brake, jink right and shout YOU COULD TRY LOOKING MATE! He jumped. (I'm not surprised - I was loud enough to get an echo off the houses alongside.) He had no idea I was there ::-) I don't think I gave him a heart-attack (though I nearly had one) cos he was still upright when I turned off.

I can only assume he's adopted that particular riding "style" because he's tired of life ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 02 July, 2014, 08:54:14 am
I'm not sure it entirely qualifies, but a young lady on the Boris Bike who sallied forth across all the lanes of Parliament Square (and what a splendid testament to our nationhood that is, four lanes of stuttering malodorous traffic) without a care in the world, and a certainly not a glance behind at what, for once, was solid fast-moving traffic.

Somehow it all conspired to not hit her. I suspect the fact that she was an attractive young lady in a flirty short skirt had something to do with the lack of rancour from braking drivers.

I presume a tourist. I kind of like her approach to traffic management, though for a moment I expected it be short-lived and grisly.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tiermat on 02 July, 2014, 08:56:13 am
I'm not sure it entirely qualifies, but a young lady on the Boris Bike who sallied forth across all the lanes of Parliament Square (and what a splendid testament to our nationhood that is, four lanes of stuttering malodorous traffic) without a care in the world, and a certain not a glance behind at what, for once, was solid fast-moving traffic.

Somehow it all conspired to not hit her. I suspect the fact that she was an attractive young lady had something to do with the lack of rancour from braking drivers.

I presume a tourist. I kind of like her approach to traffic management, though for a moment I expected the worst.

Probably Italian or Parisian.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: clarion on 02 July, 2014, 02:30:15 pm
When can we expect ian to start commuting in a flirty short skirt.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: jogler on 02 July, 2014, 02:57:01 pm
I'm going to buy a kilt for commuting purposes ;D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: caerau on 19 July, 2014, 01:05:42 pm
Well yesterday coming home on the commute I nominate the arse on a  bike in front of me at the lights crossing North Road by the Music Buidling in Cardiff.


There is a segregated cycle path which of course always fills up with pedestrian groups four abreast.  Annoying but that doesn't excuse his action of riding up behind one group of lads like a bat out of hell and shoulder barging his way through them.  I found myself apologising on his behalf whilst pointing to the big picture of a bicycle on the ground and pointing out that the exclusive pedestrian bit was over there.  Nevertheless, no need for that.  A simple excuse me does the trick in my experience.  >:(
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fields5069 on 23 July, 2014, 11:45:15 am
A fine reason for keeping the 'ping!' bell on my bike. It has proved very useful on the lovely path from Newport Sainsburys (Crindau) to Caerleon, and I always get a "thank you" for my troubles. I'm not sure the same would happen in the 'diff though. :-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ian H on 23 July, 2014, 12:14:34 pm
I was very pleased with the generous amount of room the overtaking caravanette gave me the other day. The oncoming driver moving a little too fast round the blind bend ahead was less pleased. He managed to avoid the ditch.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: caerau on 28 July, 2014, 12:35:14 pm
A fine reason for keeping the 'ping!' bell on my bike. It has proved very useful on the lovely path from Newport Sainsburys (Crindau) to Caerleon, and I always get a "thank you" for my troubles. I'm not sure the same would happen in the 'diff though. :-)


I rather gave up on the bell to be honest.  I found it only worked about 30% of the time.
The rest of the time it either went unheard due to doziness/daydreaming, headphones or less generously through being ignored.  On other occasions it was interpreted as "GET OUT OF THE WAY!" or instilled panic in the pedestrians ahead.


Personally I prefer an excuse me from a reasonable distance behind followed by a second when directly behind if necessary.


Generally I dislike shared use cycle paths though - they're not good for either cyclists or pedestrians frankly.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2014, 12:47:08 pm
I said "Good afternoon" to an elderly couple walking along a narrow country lane with their backs to me, they moved aside, I thanked them and as I passed the man said, "That was so as not to scare us with your bell, wasn't it." Actually, I've taken the bell off that bike, but I do think that on the whole people respond better to an "Excuse me" or similar. Horses especially! The exception is when there's a lot of background noise.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fields5069 on 28 July, 2014, 12:57:57 pm
I don't usually like to say anything, so end up stuck behind whoever it is unless I use my bell. I agree it can come off as a "Get out of my way!" though. I was in the centre of Bristol the other day, walking, and was amazed at all the shared use paths, which don't seem to be segregated. It just looked like utter chaos, with so many bikes around.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ian H on 28 July, 2014, 01:03:54 pm
If it's shared use  I regard pedestrians as having priority. Also,  if it's shared use,  I avoid it wherever possible.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Bledlow on 28 July, 2014, 01:16:58 pm
After muttering about the letter in the Metro that asked, rhetorically and cylophobically, "When did you last see a car driving on the footpath or going through a red light or through pedestrians on a crossing?*" ...

*Every bloody day, of course. Those cars parked on the footpath, for example. To quote Charlotte, they were dropped there by a bloody TARDIS? And the last time I rode a London Bus, from Vic station to Oxford St, it went through four red lights.
It's amazing how people see only what they want to see. When I commuted by bike & train, I occasionally amused myself by totting up such incidents on my journey. It was almost never zero.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2014, 02:10:58 pm
I said "Good afternoon" to an elderly couple walking along a narrow country lane with their backs to me, they moved aside, I thanked them and as I passed the man said, "That was so as not to scare us with your bell, wasn't it." Actually, I've taken the bell off that bike, but I do think that on the whole people respond better to an "Excuse me" or similar. Horses especially! The exception is when there's a lot of background noise.

Agreed.  Polite speech, or mechanical noises (changing gear, flicking brake levers, that sort of thing - studded tyres on brick surfaces are particularly effective) tend to go down better with peds, but I will use a bell on approach to blind corners, as that's loud and unambiguously 'bicycle'.  The exception is Kool Stop brake pads, which tend to spook people.

I prefer a brrring-bell to a ping-bell, and I reckon they're more audible if you're distracted or your high-frequency hearing isn't very good.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hellymedic on 28 July, 2014, 02:18:04 pm
I think a HYOOGE Dutch Ping-Pong bell would be most audible across a wide range of frequencies.
Shared use is the jbex of Stan and is mostly best avoided by cyclist who wish to go places. They seem designed to promote chaos and conflict.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2014, 02:20:35 pm
I think a HYOOGE Dutch Ping-Pong bell would be most audible across a wide range of frequencies.

Indeed.  Not sure how well recognised they are as a bicycle bell by the average Brit, but that may be a good thing...


Quote
Shared use is the jbex of Stan and is mostly best avoided by cyclist who wish to go places. They seem designed to promote chaos and conflict.

I reckon they're designed to promote the organisations responsible for creating shared use paths.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: simonp on 28 July, 2014, 03:15:27 pm
Central Bristol cyclist on a BMX mounting pavement to weave through pedestrians to get past a car which had slowed to let pedestrians cross.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2014, 03:18:05 pm
If by "shared use" you mean the painted line on the pavement, I agree. But there are many off-road paths shared quite successfully by pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and runners. It's true that a lot of these also don't go anywhere, but many of them are nevertheless pleasant places for a ride - and for admiring outdoor sculpture.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TimC on 28 July, 2014, 05:15:08 pm
Shared-use paths which have no attempt to delineate areas for pedestrians, equestrians or cyclists work quite well, IME. Ok, you're not going to go anywhere quickly - but you shouldn't be trying to on such a path. They're for bimbling, passing the time of day, stopping to admire the view or somesuch, and they generally beget better behaviour than paint-segregated paths.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: HTFB on 28 July, 2014, 07:47:48 pm
I said "Good afternoon" to an elderly couple walking along a narrow country lane with their backs to me, they moved aside, I thanked them and as I passed the man said, "That was so as not to scare us with your bell, wasn't it." Actually, I've taken the bell off that bike, but I do think that on the whole people respond better to an "Excuse me" or similar. Horses especially! The exception is when there's a lot of background noise.

Agreed.  Polite speech, or mechanical noises (changing gear, flicking brake levers, that sort of thing - studded tyres on brick surfaces are particularly effective) tend to go down better with peds, but I will use a bell on approach to blind corners, as that's loud and unambiguously 'bicycle'.  The exception is Kool Stop brake pads, which tend to spook people.

I prefer a brrring-bell to a ping-bell, and I reckon they're more audible if you're distracted or your high-frequency hearing isn't very good.
I tend to call "Ting! Ting!" where "Excuse me please" or "Bike on your right" aren't right. Do you think I'd be better changing to "Bring! Bring!"?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Basil on 28 July, 2014, 08:42:10 pm
Yes, I call out "ring ring" along with filcking my brake levers.  It mostly elicits a smile.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fields5069 on 29 July, 2014, 08:37:33 am
I sometimes use the zombie-esque moan of my poorly maintained disc brakes.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 July, 2014, 08:42:22 am
I sometimes use the zombie-esque moan of my poorly maintained disc brakes.

Gentle application of the Hope disc on the back of the Speedmachine would produce a noise not dissimilar to a wolf passing tail-first through a mangle.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Bunker22 on 29 July, 2014, 11:30:53 pm
I said "Good afternoon" to an elderly couple walking along a narrow country lane with their backs to me, they moved aside, I thanked them and as I passed the man said, "That was so as not to scare us with your bell, wasn't it." Actually, I've taken the bell off that bike, but I do think that on the whole people respond better to an "Excuse me" or similar. Horses especially! The exception is when there's a lot of background noise.

Agreed.  Polite speech, or mechanical noises (changing gear, flicking brake levers, that sort of thing - studded tyres on brick surfaces are particularly effective) tend to go down better with peds, but I will use a bell on approach to blind corners, as that's loud and unambiguously 'bicycle'.  The exception is Kool Stop brake pads, which tend to spook people.

I prefer a brrring-bell to a ping-bell, and I reckon they're more audible if you're distracted or your high-frequency hearing isn't very good.
I tend to call "Ting! Ting!" where "Excuse me please" or "Bike on your right" aren't right. Do you think I'd be better changing to "Bring! Bring!"?

I use "Cyclist Approaching". It's not intimidating, is non-confrontational and factual.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: jsabine on 30 July, 2014, 07:58:02 am
I use 'excuse me' if I'd like them to move out of my way, and 'good morning/afternoon' if I'd like them not to move into my way.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 30 July, 2014, 09:43:44 am
Tadcaster centre has a fairly narrow road through it, single lane each direction. There are roadworks, completely closing one lane, with a diversion round.

So, I nominate for DoTD the polka-dotted cyclist who ignored the diversion and pulled into the other lane. When there was already a transit coming the other way. I found myself making dickhead gestures at them, which I think the driver of the transit appreciated.
   
The diversion probably adds 200m to the route, dickwad.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Si_Co on 30 July, 2014, 12:31:12 pm
I sometimes use the zombie-esque moan of my poorly maintained disc brakes.

Gentle application of the Hope disc on the back of the Speedmachine would produce a noise not dissimilar to a wolf passing tail-first through a mangle.

Hope freewheels are great, sounds like someone running a stick along railings  ;D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 July, 2014, 02:04:04 pm
I had to use the Shimano-equipped rear wheel from the towpath bike on the 3 Coasts in 2007 as the Hope hub on the Speedmachine needed new bearings.  The lack of noise while coasting was most disconcerting ???
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Pickled Onion on 06 August, 2014, 07:29:24 am
On cycle path last night, cyclist came round the corner towards me riding on the right. He could have just been taking the corner a bit wide, so I slowed down, then stopped. I didn't want to go to the right of him in case he swerved to the correct side at the last minute, but no, he squeezed past on my left. He then stopped and shouted at me:
- What's your problem? You could see me coming!
- I thought you would pass on the left...
- Why? Is there a rule about it or somefink?

 :facepalm:

He then carried on. On the right.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 August, 2014, 02:03:41 pm
Young adult riding down middle of two-lane, one way road.

The wrong way. On a brakeless BMX. Towards a blind junction.

FFS
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 August, 2014, 09:17:32 pm
I nominate Sada the pissweasel fuckpuppet on a Brompton who felt that the "Give Way" sign at the south end of the one-way bit of Endell Street didn't apply to him.  You, Sir, came very close to wearing the Towpath Bike for a hat.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 03 September, 2014, 10:36:52 am
Yesterday's DOTD met the motorised moron, who overtook him and forced an oncoming car to use part of the entrance to the Coppingham to avoid a collision.

The DOTD, though... riding a MBSO north on Balcombe road, hands in pockets, earbuds in, and eyes closed as he grooved to his bangin' toons, innit?

Oy, Darwin...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Basil on 03 September, 2014, 06:36:51 pm
I have never been so scared in all my life.  There's a lady I sometimes see in the mornings who rides one of those city bikes with the most elevated handle bars I've ever seen.  This morning I could see her ahead of me as we crawled through slow moving traffic on the Col de Priory Road.  Slowly I car hopped up level with her where she was now behind a large artic.  The road is narrow and on the left is a 5 foot brick wall.  No pavement, no gutter, just road/brick wall. 
The truck ground to a halt, and I promise you, it was no more than18" from the wall.
No, she didn't, did she?  Yes she bloody did!
Scoot, scoot, scoot and she disappeared up the side.  I was horrified.  I shouted "No!!!!!!!" as loudly as I could and the wondered what to do.  I couldn't pull out and get cab high on the truck as the road was too narrow to get past the oncoming traffic.
Then the truck moved off again for a few feet and she reappeared.  I swear it was rubbing the shoulder of her jacket.
Of course I then tried to proffer advice.  All I got was a look that suggested that she'd be ignoring random old blokes trying make unwelcome advances, thankyouverymuch.

When she dies, and she will, it will of course be anyone's fault but the cyclist.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mattc on 03 September, 2014, 07:10:56 pm
Oh great - new school term. Impatience cranked up enormously in the last 48 hours.

Yesterday was crap. This morning I got honked at - followed by aggresive revving bullshit - for the heinous crime of overtaking a stationary queue  :facepalm:

(Rather glad I had a half-day today, no evening rush-hour for me.)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Redlight on 04 September, 2014, 10:11:18 am
The two cyclists in Blackheath village who undertook me at a junction as I was signalling the left turn I was about to make.  Happily I saw them in my left hand mirror, as I slowed down, and stopped.  >:(
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tatanab on 05 September, 2014, 11:00:50 am
Teenager on an MTB too small for him - catches up with a car at a T junction.  Car is turning right so teenager moves alongside the right hand side of the car just as it pulls away.  He then proceeds to bully the car to a stop so that he can cross in front and go back to his gutter hugging.

10:30 pm in dark lanes.  I see the lights of a vehicle approaching around a bend so prepare to see a car.  It's not.  It is a cyclist with a blast it everywhere mega power light on his handlebars and another on his head.  Aaaaaaargh, my eyes.  On my dynamo powered headlight with a proper cut off beam I was riding more quickly than he was.  I admit I swore at him.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Zipperhead on 18 September, 2014, 02:51:59 pm
Commuting into central London every day there's no shortage of bellends on bikes, but one this morning really took the biscuit for incredible stupidity.

I was approaching this junction (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.4497726,-0.2026126,3a,75y,23.15h,89.08t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sdG4Eu6sP72f6Apdvg2HD9A!2e0), in primary intending to turn right at the mini roundabout. There were no vehicles behind me, but there were a couple of cars approaching from the left and straight ahead.

It's not a place to rush into because until you get up to the give way line the church blocks any view of traffic approaching from the right (and even when you get there the visibility isn't good).

So, just about when I got to the zebra crossing a bicycle came from behind me, went past the traffic islands on the wrong side of the road, in the middle of the lane and then around the right hand side of the roundabout to turn right.

Had anything come from the turning on the right then the world idiot count would have been reduced by one (well, until the next one was born).

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rogerzilla on 19 September, 2014, 07:03:28 pm
Two young lovers tonguing in the middle of the psyclepath.  i couldn't think of anything witty to shout, sadly.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Vince on 20 September, 2014, 02:11:54 am
Wouldn't "Get on the fucking pavement" have worked?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Tim Hall on 20 September, 2014, 04:01:27 pm
Two young lovers tonguing in the middle of the psyclepath.

It seems Roger has stumbled across an early draft of "That's Enterttainment". Mr Weller later decided the "missing the tranquility of solitude" sounded much more pretentious better. And what's more, it scanned.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: closetleftie on 21 September, 2014, 10:04:09 pm
Wouldn't "Get fucking on the pavement" have worked?

FTFY.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spesh on 22 September, 2014, 12:28:27 am
Wouldn't "Get fucking on the pavement" have worked?

FTFY.

 ;D

I thought "Get a room!" was standard operating procedure language in such instances.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: PeteB99 on 22 September, 2014, 11:06:01 am
Wouldn't "Get fucking on the pavement" have worked?

FTFY.

 ;D

I thought "Get a room!" was standard operating procedure language in such instances.


Miserable old gits. Weren't any of you young and full of hormones once?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 22 September, 2014, 12:42:26 pm
I thought "Get a room!" was standard operating procedure language in such instances.

They're teenagers.  The whole reason they're snogging on the cyclepath is that they can't get a room.

Barakta and I once famously encountered some on a very exposed bench on the Rea Valley path under cover of winter darkness.  We rode past without comment, on the basis that being lit up by our combined FRIKKIN LASERS was embarrassing enough.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: davelodwig on 22 September, 2014, 03:01:01 pm
I thought "Get a room!" was standard operating procedure language in such instances.

They're teenagers.  The whole reason they're snogging on the cyclepath is that they can't get a room.

Barakta and I once famously encountered some on a very exposed bench on the Rea Valley path under cover of winter darkness.  We rode past without comment, on the basis that being lit up by our combined FRIKKIN LASERS was embarrassing enough.

I once ran over an older amorous couple in Sutton Park.

I was with one of my uni friends and we were having a day of whizzing round the bush trails that cross all over the place, highlights had been such wonders as discovering there is a bog in Sutton Park and the shop running out of ice cream. However as I came hurtling around a bend on a lovely bramble sided slope there across the path was a very naked lady upon a slightly undressed man, I couldn't stop quick enough and I'm not sure who screamed more me or them but I remember going over the handlebars thinking, well this is unusual.

Thankfully no one seriously hurt, I had to bail because my knees no longer worked terribly well after using them as a landing device. The couple didn't hang around very long, so I suspect they probably were not a item, I imagine the cuts and bruises might be hard to explain to their actual partners.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rafletcher on 24 September, 2014, 08:55:20 am
Driving down Tring Hill last evening on the way home, the MAMIL in red and white that came out of the Wendover junction on the left without looking or slowing. So far so usual, then he takes primary, also fine. I pass and pull back in. Out of habit I check my mirrors in time to see him swerve violently to his right to avoid a rough patch - straight into the path of the car about to pass him. Eeek! He was completely oblivious of the traffic, and maybe thought 25mph was fast enough that he didn't need to worry it. he was wrong.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Otto on 24 September, 2014, 10:57:31 am
Every cyclist in front of me in the rain to tody who didn't have a mudguard.>>>> GRRRRRRRRRRR
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 September, 2014, 09:37:04 am
Me, yesterday, about 7 pm. I was in a hurry, which is perhaps why I forgot that earlier in the day I'd cleaned the grime off my rims and blocks and had deliberately not closed the brake quick releases, in order to aid drying... No braking at all. I live at the apex of a hill, with a give way at the bottom... So the obvious thing to do is to drag your foot on the floor. This works well enough in daps, but shiny metal on the sole of your shoe has virtually no friction. I considered running into the back of a parked car, but was going a bit fast for that. It was actually the junction that saved me, because it is very quiet and on the other side of it the road carries on in a straight line but goes up hill. So I just went straight over, didn't even look, and fortunately there was nothing - except a man pushing a bike across the other side of the road, chatting into his phone. He hadn't seen me and even if he had he would have assumed I'd stop at the junction, but now we were on a collision course. Panicked shouting from me and he stopped, probably wondering what kind of idiot I was. Managed to stop in a semi-controlled fashion.

I have never been so terrified in my life!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Moultonaught on 25 September, 2014, 09:52:35 am
Me, yesterday, about 7 pm. I was in a hurry, which is perhaps why I forgot that earlier in the day I'd cleaned the grime off my rims and blocks and had deliberately not closed the brake quick releases, in order to aid drying... No braking at all. I live at the apex of a hill, with a give way at the bottom... So the obvious thing to do is to drag your foot on the floor. This works well enough in daps, but shiny metal on the sole of your shoe has virtually no friction. I considered running into the back of a parked car, but was going a bit fast for that. It was actually the junction that saved me, because it is very quiet and on the other side of it the road carries on in a straight line but goes up hill. So I just went straight over, didn't even look, and fortunately there was nothing - except a man pushing a bike across the other side of the road, chatting into his phone. He hadn't seen me and even if he had he would have assumed I'd stop at the junction, but now we were on a collision course. Panicked shouting from me and he stopped, probably wondering what kind of idiot I was. Managed to stop in a semi-controlled fashion.


I have never been so terrified in my life!


:o Glad you're OK, and that nothing was coming as you crossed the junction.

My 2 DOTDs (in a journey of less than 2 miles!) were 

1) The PCSO on a bike who was proceeding along the main road in an unorderly fashion. I was waiting on a side road with a bunch of other cycle commuters to cross the road he was on, to go straight on (it's a cross roads). He was obviously looking for a particular side road and paused, swerved, dithered, continued, paused, swerved, dithered,  continued, eventually stopping in front of us blocking our route, before continuing along the road....

2) the bloke this morning who was happily looking at his phone whilst cycling directly towards me at a fair pace in a ped/cycle only bit of road by work. A VERY curt shout of "LOOK" from me resolved the situation...  :)

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 September, 2014, 10:13:45 am
Remember, kids, it's as easy as ABC: Air, Brakes, Chain.  :facepalm:

A look at the soles of my shoes now shows the left cleat to be subtly reshaped. Still works, though!



To the person I was going to nominate before my little incident, I wanted to say "Those yellow lines at the side of the road are not guide lines!" If you carry on riding with your front wheel between them, particularly where the pavement is narrow, you're going to collide with a pedestrian - you almost hit my elbow.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 25 September, 2014, 02:05:26 pm
I did something similar once on Whiteladies Road after borrowing a flatmate's bike.  I was in a coursework deadline hurry and hadn't considered the implications of riding a bike straight from Cambridge, as yet untested on Bristol's roads.   :facepalm:


In other DOTD news, me, yesterday:  Passing a car on the left at speed as it moved to turn right into a side-road, only then realising that it had flashed a slow-moving bus out of the junction.  Fortunately the road was dry and I was onna bent with a proliferation of well-adjusted brakes, and managed to stop in a surprisingly short distance indeed with only a little bit of fishtailing.  The bus driver was paying attention and had by then stopped in the middle of the road to wave me through, but I'd just done an emergency stop in a ~90" gear, so that wasn't happening.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 25 September, 2014, 02:15:10 pm
For future reference, resting the left heel on the chainstay and rubbing against the rear tyre in BMX kid-style is a very effective and controllable brake. Pressing a mudguard against the tyre makes little difference to whether you can ride away from the stop (yes, in my experience).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: benborp on 26 September, 2014, 01:05:27 am
"I didn't realize that you had laid claim to that particular piece of road."

No, I hadn't. And that isn't how I ride in any way at all. However, that particular piece of road was two inches in front of my front wheel and I was moving off from a standing start. My failed clipping in and sudden foot down resulted in an egg sized lump on my left shin and a subdued exclamation of 'Cheers.' The lump and the way you treated three other road users over the next hundred yards before jumping the lights and heading off to Clapham says you are a dick. Particularly on a day when the A23 had as many bodies sprawled over it as normal behaviour, for some inexplicable reason, normally fails to produce.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: L CC on 26 September, 2014, 01:01:42 pm
For future reference, resting the left heel on the chainstay and rubbing against the rear tyre in BMX kid-style is a very effective and controllable brake. Pressing a mudguard against the tyre makes little difference to whether you can ride away from the stop (yes, in my experience).
I guess this is much like how the toe of a sandal makes a fairly effective front derailleur, in extremis.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 26 September, 2014, 03:16:17 pm
For future reference, resting the left heel on the chainstay and rubbing against the rear tyre in BMX kid-style is a very effective and controllable brake.

I once followed a bod on a BSO lacking such niceties of modern living as brake cables.  This was his sole means of stopping.  This was in rush hour traffic down the hill past Holloway Prison :o

I kept my distance.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 29 September, 2014, 07:05:04 pm
This morning, on the way to the quack. I saw him mounting his BSO outside the station, and thought his full waterproof hi-viz two piece suit to be rather warm for cycling. When I stopped in the ASL at the bottom of the little slope, he shot past me and through the red light. I raised my hands in despair, and looked round to see the driver behind me giving a similar gesture.

Lights change, second set are green, so I'm quickly behind POB, who then veers onto the wrong side of the road and onto the pavement, where he continued at the same speed with no regard for the street furniture-induced pinch points or the peds.

Looking behind him would have been difficult, as he had the hood of the yellow jacket pulled tight and partly over his eyes.


On a different note, riding back the same way at 2340 that night, I was going down the other little slope after the railway bridge. Coming toward me, on the other side of the road, was a man in a hi-viz vest, wearing headphones, walking backwards along the yellow lines.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 September, 2014, 10:13:09 am
This morning, on the way to the quack. I saw him mounting his BSO outside the station, and thought his full waterproof hi-viz two piece suit to be rather warm for cycling. When I stopped in the ASL at the bottom of the little slope, he shot past me and through the red light. I raised my hands in despair, and looked round to see the driver behind me giving a similar gesture.

Lights change, second set are green, so I'm quickly behind POB, who then veers onto the wrong side of the road and onto the pavement, where he continued at the same speed with no regard for the street furniture-induced pinch points or the peds.

Looking behind him would have been difficult, as he had the hood of the yellow jacket pulled tight and partly over his eyes.


On a different note, riding back the same way at 2340 that night, I was going down the other little slope after the railway bridge. Coming toward me, on the other side of the road, was a man in a hi-viz vest, wearing headphones, walking backwards along the yellow lines.
Almost certainly not the case here, but it occurs to me this would be perfect bike-thief wear. The hood prevents identification while the whole outfit makes you look like you should be on a bike.  :(
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 30 September, 2014, 01:18:46 pm
Almost certainly not the case here, but it occurs to me this would be perfect bike-thief wear. The hood prevents identification while the whole outfit makes you look like you should be on a bike.  :(

Or indeed wandering around with a set of sturdy bolt cutters...

Of course, the illusion is only maintained if they don't nick a decent bike.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 02 October, 2014, 08:33:50 am
Baggy white trousers hoody on BSO slaloming roud schoolkids on the footpath as mentioned upthread no longer slaloms round schoolkids on the footpath. His tyres are so soft that all the energy he used to put into slaloming round schoolkids on the footpath is now expended just making his BSO go forwards. Still on the footpath though.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 02 October, 2014, 08:50:19 am
Me :-[

Developed a cold between yesterday ride home and setting off this morning so head was a bit wishy washy. 100 yards up the road, approaching a mini roundabout, silver BMW overtakes and then slows rapidly due to traffic. I set to pass as he exits the roundabout due to more traffic on his exit. he sets off, I commit to the overtake through the roundabout, he has opted to go right round and seek an alternative route. Combined BMW and Cannondale braking prevents bloodshed.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Bledlow on 02 October, 2014, 12:49:37 pm
Cemetery Junction, Reading.

Pedestrian started crossing the side street (one way, only accessible from my direction) I was about to turn into. He had his back to me, & didn't look. So far so normal, & I was prepared. I braked & steered to go behind him, as he was clearly unaware of my presence (or that of the car behind me).  I must have registered in his peripheral vision as I went round the corner, because he suddenly stopped, looked round & stepped backwards directly into my path. So I steered the other way & passed slowly a couple of paces in front of him while he appeared poised for another step back.

I heard something about 'bloody cyclists' as I passed.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: red marley on 04 October, 2014, 07:40:47 am
The pedestrian would have had priority in that situation and you and any other traffic should be giving way and waiting for them to cross before turning (https://www.gov.uk/using-the-road-159-to-203/road-junctions-170-to-183).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 04 October, 2014, 11:24:57 am
Cemetery Junction, Reading.

Pedestrian started crossing the side street (one way, only accessible from my direction) I was about to turn into. He had his back to me, & didn't look. So far so normal, & I was prepared. I braked & steered to go behind him, as he was clearly unaware of my presence (or that of the car behind me).  I must have registered in his peripheral vision as I went round the corner, because he suddenly stopped, looked round & stepped backwards directly into my path. So I steered the other way & passed slowly a couple of paces in front of him while he appeared poised for another step back.

I heard something about 'bloody cyclists' as I passed.
I have to say that this is a tough one. If, when making a turn into a side street, there's both a pedestrian crossing and a car right on your back wheel (that's not making the turn), it's hard to balance what to do.

In the same way that very occasionally I feel obliged to go through a light that I would under normal circumstances stop at, because I am sure the driver of the car behind won't also stop.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 04 October, 2014, 12:20:07 pm
I have to say that this is a tough one. If, when making a turn into a side street, there's both a pedestrian crossing and a car right on your back wheel (that's not making the turn), it's hard to balance what to do.

I tend to err on the side of highway code in such situations.  Though it invariably confuses the pedestrian, who will probably stop in the middle of the road to wait for me to make the turn and deadlock the whole thing.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: teethgrinder on 05 October, 2014, 08:53:11 am
The Highway Code says that you must "give way," which need not be a stop.
I try to make eye contact and position myself or maneuver (slowing down is a good tactic), so that the pedestrian realises that I have seen them and am actively avoiding them. If they dither a bit, not knowing what to do, I give a wide berth and go.
I usualy slow right down but rarely stop.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 October, 2014, 03:43:06 pm
I often actively nod pedestrians across when they are dithering, sometimes verbally. Yes, I'm aware this is in contravention of the HC. Whether I'd do it with a car behind me would probably depend on whether I thought the driver was going to stay behind me or overtake regardless.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Canardly on 05 October, 2014, 04:51:52 pm
I was a bit of a DOTD today when making a right turn, didnt see car behind me and therefore had a close one ....
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 05 October, 2014, 07:50:57 pm
A conker, rolling downhill on the wrong side of Lickey Road and through the perpetually red light[1] at the car factory.  Wasn't even wearing a helmet.   :D


[1] My working theory is that the strong bias in favour of the minor road in the phasing is a cunning plan by the council to reduce speeding on that section of road by ensuring there's always a short queue of cars at the lights.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 13 October, 2014, 12:32:42 pm
me on Friday afternoon.

The trains were b******d by a signal failure so I had ridden to Wokinham, fluked a train towards home but had to get off one stop early as it was now not stopping at my prefered station.

So now I am riding home from the early station, only a couple of miles so no problem. Then I get to here (https://www.google.co.uk/maps?ll=51.392409,-0.638102&spn=0.000013,0.015643&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=51.392409,-0.638102&panoid=QjNED4tr4JRE4U0LioCjTg&cbp=12,138.38,,0,6.87) only since google drove through a traffic calming scheme has been installed in the bottom of the valley. Now this is a nice decent down and then a climb back out the otherside. The traffic calming involves narrowing the road on both sides down to a single lane and give ways in both dirrections with a speed pillow thing in the middle. Again no issue as the cyclist can keep their momentum miss the pillow and proceed up the hill....


Unless of course you are overtaken on approach to the traffic calming, and here comes the stupid bit. Once the merc had passed me I expected it to slow a bit for the traffic calming but hoped for minimal retardation and loss of momentum...

No the biddy slowed to a crawl and I had to brake rather hard not to run into the back of her, on leaf debris, in the wet.  :facepalm: When the pedals of a fixie aren't turning and you are still moving forward it feels very strange.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 October, 2014, 12:39:05 pm
I'm not sure that's so much you being DOTD as the driver being JIAM.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 13 October, 2014, 01:26:53 pm
No I was too hopeful of maintaining momentum. She slowed a little at first whilst confirming the oncomming vehicle was giving way and I hoped she would continue through at that pace and closed up behind aiming to maintain my pace. However the driver in question then slowed further for the speed pillow thing and then I was in trouble as I had already closed up. Locking the rear wheel on the debris just further demonstrated my misjudgement.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Bledlow on 13 October, 2014, 02:17:02 pm
The pedestrian would have had priority in that situation and you and any other traffic should be giving way and waiting for them to cross before turning (https://www.gov.uk/using-the-road-159-to-203/road-junctions-170-to-183).
I was trying to give way to him, by slowing to a crawl & aiming to pass behind him.

Think of approaching a roundabout in a car. There is already a car on the roundabout. You aim to join the roundabout behind it. But the driver, after passing the road you are joining from, suddenly notices & you & reacts by slamming on his brakes & reversing into the space you were about to drive into.

That's effectively what happened. If he'd stopped dead I'd have gone behind him.  He was already past the line I was following.

The driving test nowadays can very easily be failed by not paying attention to people who might move into your path, even though you have priority. You won't get as far as the actual driving part: you'll fail on the computer-based test. No test for pedestrians, of course (& rightly so), but the Highway Code says this about what he was doing -
Quote
8
At a junction. When crossing the road, look out for traffic turning into the road, especially from behind you. If you have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, you have priority and they should give way (see Rule 170).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: red marley on 28 October, 2014, 04:51:23 pm
At lunchtime today I, as a pedestrian, cross a road on a green beeping pelican crossing. A youf onna bike ignores red and weaves around behind me prompting me to have to speed up a little to avoid a close encounter.

So far, so normal; youfs still have some growing up time, so I can put up with this without too many wasted heartbeats. However, just as I am dodging him, another bloke on a bike, this time in his 30s or 40s, reasonably smartly dressed, comes from the other direction, also crossing red while my little green man continues to beep plaintively and I'm stuck in the middle of the road. This time I have to stop sharply to avoid a collision.

In a despairing voice a call out "Red light!", more in a weary 'give us a break' tone than anything else. To which he shouts as he rides off "At least I didn't hit you!".

Still, at least he didn't hit me.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 October, 2014, 09:04:25 am
Perhaps you should have hit him.  A right cross to the jaw.

"We do not condone inflicting GBH on random passers-by, dicks though they may well be" - The Mgt.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: aidan.f on 30 October, 2014, 08:39:33 pm
Accidentally catching the strap of a bag on his handlebars would have taught him a lesson.






Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 31 October, 2014, 10:07:32 am
I think I mentioned the time a courier tried the pedestrian crossing wiggle outside Holborn station. A burly guy reached out and grabbed his messenger bag strap. Bike continued. Courier didn't.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 31 October, 2014, 10:26:30 am
Seen yesterday evening:
flat bars with silly plastic grips - check
No mudguards and wet dirty water splattered over rider, etc - check
No brakes - check
Riding on pavement - check
Fixed gear - negative. It's single speed. No brake, single speed, being ridden on the pavement by a fucking hipster 'dude'.

Areshole
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tiermat on 31 October, 2014, 10:32:38 am
Seen yesterday evening:
flat bars with silly plastic grips - check
No mudguards and wet dirty water splattered over rider, etc - check
No brakes - check
Riding on pavement - check
Fixed gear - negative. It's single speed. No brake, single speed, being ridden on the pavement by a fucking hipster 'dude'.

Areshole

York or Leeds? I have noticed, over the last two weeks that there appears to be 3 types of cyclists in Leeds:

1) The ones who do it properly, waterproof jackets, mudguards, well looked after bikes
2) The hipsters
3) Those on BSOs

Guess which two types are, usually, NOT on the road, but on the footpath.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: sojournermike on 31 October, 2014, 10:47:11 am
Seen yesterday evening:
flat bars with silly plastic grips - check
No mudguards and wet dirty water splattered over rider, etc - check
No brakes - check
Riding on pavement - check
Fixed gear - negative. It's single speed. No brake, single speed, being ridden on the pavement by a fucking hipster 'dude'.

Areshole

Phil

You're riding singlespeed, ergo you're half a hipster;) Bet you don't ride the pavements...

I was amused chatting to a guy one day about his singlespeed in Leeds. It was running 53:15 and when I asked about the hills he just grimaced and admintted they were 'dificult'



York or Leeds? I have noticed, over the last two weeks that there appears to be 3 types of cyclists in Leeds:

1) The ones who do it properly, waterproof jackets, mudguards, well looked after bikes
2) The hipsters
3) Those on BSOs

Guess which two types are, usually, NOT on the road, but on the footpath.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 31 October, 2014, 10:48:03 am
Please bear with us while the fence around Hackney is completed.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tonyh on 31 October, 2014, 10:48:33 am
Areshole

Off-topically grabbing another chance to giggle:

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=80450.msg1701451#msg1701451

(Thanks, Mrcharly and Wobbly)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tiermat on 31 October, 2014, 10:51:02 am
Seen yesterday evening:
flat bars with silly plastic grips - check
No mudguards and wet dirty water splattered over rider, etc - check
No brakes - check
Riding on pavement - check
Fixed gear - negative. It's single speed. No brake, single speed, being ridden on the pavement by a fucking hipster 'dude'.

Areshole

Phil

You're riding singlespeed, ergo you're half a hipster;) Bet you don't ride the pavements...

I was amused chatting to a guy one day about his singlespeed in Leeds. It was running 53:15 and when I asked about the hills he just grimaced and admintted they were 'dificult'



York or Leeds? I have noticed, over the last two weeks that there appears to be 3 types of cyclists in Leeds:

1) The ones who do it properly, waterproof jackets, mudguards, well looked after bikes
2) The hipsters
3) Those on BSOs

Guess which two types are, usually, NOT on the road, but on the footpath.

Weeeeelll, I would be, had I actually found where the bike racks are at work (and no, I'm not leaving out the front of the building all day!)

There are a couple of cyclists in the office, shall ask one of them the next time I see him.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: red marley on 31 October, 2014, 11:19:28 am
Seen yesterday evening:
Fixed gear - negative. It's single speed. No brake, single speed, being ridden on the pavement by a fucking hipster 'dude'.

Really? No braking ability at all? I've seen my fair share of dooods on clown bikes, but never, as far as I am aware, freewheels with no brakes at all (bmx trail bikes excepted). That's going to cost them a fair bit in worn Vans (and dental repair work).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 31 October, 2014, 12:11:50 pm
Seen yesterday evening:
Fixed gear - negative. It's single speed. No brake, single speed, being ridden on the pavement by a fucking hipster 'dude'.

Really? No braking ability at all? I've seen my fair share of dooods on clown bikes, but never, as far as I am aware, freewheels with no brakes at all (bmx trail bikes excepted). That's going to cost them a fair bit in worn Vans (and dental repair work).

I saw one going down Walworth Road once. Caught in traffic, I noted no brakes, fair enough I think, hipster fixie type probably planning to invade Peckham. Then we start moving again and I notice he's not pedalling...

About 200 metres further down the road I discovered how he stopped himself. It involved the back of a number 176 bus. Unconventional, I'm sure, but hey, that's counter-culture for you. I sure others simply rely on the beard-related air braking to regulate their speed.

Edit: and yes, I know it's mad. Who'd ride a bike at speed through traffic and red lights without a brake?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 31 October, 2014, 12:13:53 pm
And what speed was the parked car doing when it moved sideways into you?

Yes, I burst out laughing.

Yes, I called you a twat.

Next time you try to take a short-cut across our car park you'll think of not reading your kindle while doing so :facepalm: ::-)

Is your front wheel badly bent, mate?

Oh, and the owner of the now-dented Discovery outranbks you by quite some way.

Have a nice day now. :D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 31 October, 2014, 12:15:53 pm
Seen yesterday evening:
Fixed gear - negative. It's single speed. No brake, single speed, being ridden on the pavement by a fucking hipster 'dude'.

Really? No braking ability at all? I've seen my fair share of dooods on clown bikes, but never, as far as I am aware, freewheels with no brakes at all (bmx trail bikes excepted). That's going to cost them a fair bit in worn Vans (and dental repair work).

What about the ubiquitous BSO with both V-brake noodles unhooked to give clearance for the shockingly out of true wheels?  Unless you count BSO bearings and tyres as a form of braking, I suppose...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 31 October, 2014, 03:21:10 pm
York or Leeds? I have noticed, over the last two weeks that there appears to be 3 types of cyclists in Leeds:

1) The ones who do it properly, waterproof jackets, mudguards, well looked after bikes
2) The hipsters
3) Those on BSOs

Guess which two types are, usually, NOT on the road, but on the footpath.

Leeds.

The darker days have led to an increase in the number of salmon, ninjas and pavement surfers.

Category (2) cyclists don't really need brakes as with the busy pavements in leeds they seldom move faster than walking speed anyway.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: aidan.f on 01 November, 2014, 10:11:57 pm
The rider who considers a laser of deth is needed on the rear of his bike in Fareham, even in daylight eye-wateringly bright, and wait for it, red, white?, red flashes at one second intervals. I hope I am never near your rear in any type of vehicle on a dark and rainy evening. Get a proper light mate!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Moultonaught on 03 November, 2014, 09:46:58 am
the bloke repeatedly riding around in circles  - on a road just up from Marylebone station.  and when a couple of buses beeped him as he swerved across in front of them  -  he'd just smile and wave....  and then repeat!!  :facepalm: scary....
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 November, 2014, 10:52:26 am
One-man critical mass^ ???
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Moultonaught on 03 November, 2014, 10:55:51 am
maybe!  ;D I thought at first he was just doing an ill-judged u -turn having missed his side-turn but then he just carried on riding in circles! & smiling!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Torslanda on 06 November, 2014, 06:22:15 pm
Please wait while we complete the fence around Marylebone Station area . . .
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 November, 2014, 05:25:38 pm
Unlit bike?  Wong way up a one-way street?  Street in question one of three mainish roads that make up the Crystal Palace Triangle?

Congratulations, young lady.  Your Darwin Award will be delivered shortly.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: handcyclist on 09 November, 2014, 10:18:46 pm
Me, yesterday.

Well, more Pillock of the Day really  ;D.

In a rush to get my rental van back before the office shut at midday. I gather up the workaday bike, or Old Faithful as it would rather be known, and throw a pair of winter gloves in the panniers as it's squally and the skies look threatening. In the back of the van she goes and I set off.

I made the depot in time, the handover was painless, and I reach into my panniers for some goretex loveliness as the rain is descending.

Imagine my joy as I found two right gloves ....... ::-).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hellymedic on 09 November, 2014, 11:59:19 pm
Hope you were able to turn one inside out...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Deano on 10 November, 2014, 12:05:02 am
Today, I wasn't sure whether to be amused or annoyed by the oik who went straight over the light-controlled bridge over the Gaunless at Evenwood, against the red light, while texting on his phone. And overtaking a learner driver who was waiting for the lights to change.

I was riding over the bridge the other way - I'd have shouted a warning if there had been any traffic behind me. Honest.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 13 November, 2014, 01:00:08 am
Well, it WAS Evenwood...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Deano on 13 November, 2014, 12:10:58 pm
It's not called the Gormless Valley for nowt!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Zipperhead on 13 November, 2014, 12:14:13 pm
So I'm carefully and slowly threading my way along the inside of some stationary traffic (there's a bridge blocking the outside) and ahead of me is another cyclist. She's slowing down because just in front of her is a large truck about to go into a left hand bend. Sensible.

Until some complete and utter fucking dickwad on a bicycle comes up from behind me, and obviously his journey is too important so he overtakes me and goes into the space between me and the bicycle in front. Which isn't long enough to accomodate a bicycle, so his back wheel knocks my front wheel sideways.

Does he apologise? Does he fuck, up the inside of the truck he goes. I carefully went around the outside (I wish to live) and carefully through the bends, but the idiot didn't bother to stop at the red traffic light.

No doubt he thought that as he was wearing a helmet and hi-viz then he was safe.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 13 November, 2014, 06:49:57 pm
Road bike. No lights. No high viz. Didn't even notice pedal reflectors.
But that's OK because he was on the pavement.
Which is only wide enough for one person to walk on and feels a bit narrow even then.
And has a slope towards the road.
And has wet leaves on it at this time of year.
And he didn't look comfortable, wobbling all over the place.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: benborp on 17 November, 2014, 10:20:12 am
For the love of Dave! If you rock up after twenty other cyclists have come to a stop at a set of lights after getting there before you and you position yourself in the right hand lane of two in order to get to the front, surely, surely, you must have an inkling that:

There may be the possibility that one/two/several cyclists on your inside will be faster away when the lights change?

That moving straight in towards the kerb is going to cause, at the least, some inconvenience?

That if you're going to do that, the briefest glimpse to your left might be of some benefit?

That fitting your pannier on the right instead might just buy the rest of us enough space to avoid having our front wheels taken out by your supreme numptiness. (it currently has a streak of brake crud from my front rim running down it)?

Just so you know, anticipating the lights by half a second doesn't improve the situation in anyway whatsoever.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 18 November, 2014, 10:09:43 am
I know it's not a busy road, Horseys, but I bet you'd whine like self-entitled bus transmissions if you came up behind a pair of two-abreast cyclists when in Daddy's Range-Rover :demon:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 18 November, 2014, 08:37:24 pm
Riding on an unlit, national speed limit, narrow, unlit road. 
No front light.
A dim flashing white light on the back!
The only reason I saw you was the reflective bands on your 'council worker' issue trousers.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: benborp on 19 November, 2014, 09:38:07 am
Having my left arm sticking out to the side while waiting at a set of lights serves two purposes. Well done, your dickishness negated both. Wouldn't it be worth a pause for thought if your intended manoeuvre requires stopping and pushing someone's signalling arm out of the way in order to continue?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 19 November, 2014, 09:50:44 am
Left arms can be unpredictable, like swing doors.

You must never do such a terrible thing :demon:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Clare on 19 November, 2014, 09:57:45 am
Oooh, I once smacked a PORHoS* in the face whilst signalling left as I approached a roundabout. It was his own fault for attempting an undertake.




*Pillock On a Rusty Heap o' Shit
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: benborp on 19 November, 2014, 10:15:18 am
Last week, while slowly filtering down The Cut I did have the opportunity to whisper in another rider's ear "What would happen if I signalled left NOW?" I don't think he understood, even when I did gain space, signalled left and pulled up.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 19 November, 2014, 11:46:10 am
Let's have a shout out for the SPD wobblers who cut to the front. They're lean, mean cycling machines. They've got to have pole position for that green light.

Cue 30 seconds of random slow wobbling across the junction as they try and clip back in.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tatanab on 19 November, 2014, 12:11:49 pm
Let's have a shout out for the SPD wobblers who cut to the front. They're lean, mean cycling machines. They've got to have pole position for that green light.

Cue 30 seconds of random slow wobbling across the junction as they try and clip back in.
That irritates me on club rides.  We all want to get  across the junction so fiddle around turning your pedal over once you are across.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Torslanda on 19 November, 2014, 01:11:06 pm
Surely using clipless pedals means that you can pedal with one leg?

Stopping in the right gear means you can get going again easily. Is it just me that gets up to speed before farting around trying to get my cleats to engage?

Somebody pass me the SHUVEL . . .
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SlowCoach on 19 November, 2014, 01:17:49 pm
Cue 30 seconds of random slow wobbling across the junction as they try and clip back in.

Were you watching Ruthie and myself on the tandem at the weekend?  ;D

I thought we had got away with that one relatively unobserved... I think wobble was an understatement as I tried to clip in with my stoker powering away behind  :o

We sort of sussed it eventually
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: teethgrinder on 19 November, 2014, 03:47:05 pm
Is it just me that gets up to speed before farting around trying to get my cleats to engage?


Not so easy if you ride a fixed wheel with a low gear.
Fixed wheeling has taught me to clip in while I accelerate, if not as soon as my foot hits the pedal.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 19 November, 2014, 03:53:37 pm
You don't get this problem with toe-clips. Which is why these new-fangled clipless things will never catch on.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SlowCoach on 20 November, 2014, 01:23:12 pm
You don't get this problem with toe-clips. Which is why these new-fangled clipless things will never catch on.
Hate to disagree but I remember from my tandem exploits of some 40 years ago having a stoker who would delight in trying to change the cadence as I leaned down to tighten the straps on the toeclips - this was a trick he usually pulled after a long (rather too long) session in the pub. Drunken, belligerent stokers were one thing that put me off tandems for many years (that, and having our 23 foot sea kayak trailer overtake us on the hair pin going down Wrynose Pass).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: clarion on 20 November, 2014, 05:37:40 pm
Is it just me that gets up to speed before farting around trying to get my cleats to engage?


Not so easy if you ride a fixed wheel with a low gear.
Fixed wheeling has taught me to clip in while I accelerate, if not as soon as my foot hits the pedal.
When have you ever ridden what could reasonably regarded as a low gear fixed? ;D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 November, 2014, 05:46:15 pm
Ooh, I've heard tell that some of TG's fixed gears were only in double figures!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: IanN on 26 November, 2014, 12:02:22 pm
To the young woman on the the shiny new cycle path alongside the river (and adjacent road) in Bristol
Precisely what gives you the right to jump the red light and force your way through a mass of pedestrians crossing the road?

Particularly as , (because said cycle path has been partly closed as it's now falling into the river) your path after the lights was blocked.

Gast suitably flabbered and lazy stereotypes about all the real morons on bikes being men adjusted accordingly

(although yesterday's unlit BSO Captain on the Portishead road takes the prize on that front)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 November, 2014, 12:03:54 pm
Is that Clarence Road with the shiny new bus stop island gizmo? If so, what's it like - apart from falling into the river already?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: IanN on 26 November, 2014, 12:17:53 pm
Yes - Clarence Road. Looks good, and it will be great when it's finished/repaired  as I get almost daily close passes on York Road (t'other side) on my way home





(I've even been known to take to the pavement as the safer option when its wet and 'orrible :o. Slowing to walking pace to pass the occasional pedestrians , obviously   O:-)  edit: does that make me a hypocrite? not sure)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 26 November, 2014, 12:24:07 pm
I thought there was a white line on the pavement cycle path on York Rd. Is that only on Coronation Road?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 02 December, 2014, 08:41:27 am
I have to nominate myself, the only reason I got to work was the alertness of a range rover driver.

Filtering past a long queue of stationary traffic to turn right at a Tee junction I failed to notice the parked car in the line so when the traffic moved forward and I happened to be alongside the vehicle immediately behind the parked car...

The first I knew was seeing the front wheels turning and the vehicle start to pull out. Fortunately the driver saw me passing their A pillar and stopped, I wave hand in appology and proceed forward.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 02 December, 2014, 08:45:21 am
I often warn people about the ineffectiveness of rim brakes on early application in the wet.

Why the fuck don't I remember this when descending towards a roundabout behind a Range Rover which then slows rapidly for the car turning across it on the r/a? I saw the car approaching from the opposite direction and saw it indicating a right turn. I only managed to avoid rear ending the Range Rover by taking to the gap on it's near side.

IAAT (I Am A Twat).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Redlight on 02 December, 2014, 12:00:11 pm
Whilst being sorry that she was hit by a car and left lying in the road for a lengthy period of time, can I nominate this cycling instructor for the complete lack of awareness of irony in her comments about yellow coats and hats

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hit-cyclist-left-lying-in-the-road-for-90-minutes-hits-out-at-shambles-of-nhs-care-9896977.html (http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/hit-cyclist-left-lying-in-the-road-for-90-minutes-hits-out-at-shambles-of-nhs-care-9896977.html)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 04 December, 2014, 07:04:01 pm
Feral cyclist who pavement-cycled through a crowd of pedestrians and then, finding his way through blocked, bunny-hopped into the road in front of my automotive appliance as I was exiting a small roundabout.  After the brakes I applied the horn.  His fuck-you expression was replaced for a nano-second by shocked surprise before relaxing into his stereotypical snarl and he departed, front wheel pointing skywards.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 05 December, 2014, 08:04:15 pm
Riding on an unlit, national speed limit, narrow, unlit road. 
No front light.
A dim flashing white light on the back!
The only reason I saw you was the reflective bands on your 'council worker' issue trousers.
I think I saw him again last night, but without the trousers. He was going to be completely invisible as soon as he left the village. And he must have much better eyesight than me to ride on that road with no front light.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 05 December, 2014, 10:10:36 pm
Ah, I think I spotted the guy he sold his trousers to.  Which is just as well, given the lack of lights on the BSO.  Though, like most Brummies, he was riding on the pavement and the chain was doing an admirable job as an audible warning.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 December, 2014, 08:50:53 pm
Yeah, but it's amazing how easily spotted a man with no trousers is!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SlowCoach on 08 December, 2014, 01:25:11 pm
I think I've discovered why there's been a rash of bikes with either red light at front and back, or white light at front and back. These are mainly, but not always, to be found adorning pavement cycles. It appears that our local pound shop has taken delivery of a consignment of mis-packaged bike lights. Each packet either has 2 red lights, or 2 white lights. To kit your bike out properly - you have to spend £2... (and then pass a set on to your mate)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 December, 2014, 01:40:25 pm
Cunning marketing there from poundshop!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 08 December, 2014, 01:46:35 pm
I think I've discovered why there's been a rash of bikes with either red light at front and back, or white light at front and back. These are mainly, but not always, to be found adorning pavement cycles. It appears that our local pound shop has taken delivery of a consignment of mis-packaged bike lights. Each packet either has 2 red lights, or 2 white lights. To kit your bike out properly - you have to spend £2... (and then pass a set on to your mate)

Ah-ha!

Last year it was green front lights, because Tesco had bought in a load of cheap sets with dubious LEDs.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 December, 2014, 01:49:29 pm
You don't see many yellow/orange blinkies nowadays. Oh, the joy of mistaking an oncoming cyclist for a car's indicator!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Deano on 08 December, 2014, 10:43:13 pm
I think I've discovered why there's been a rash of bikes with either red light at front and back, or white light at front and back. These are mainly, but not always, to be found adorning pavement cycles. It appears that our local pound shop has taken delivery of a consignment of mis-packaged bike lights. Each packet either has 2 red lights, or 2 white lights. To kit your bike out properly - you have to spend £2... (and then pass a set on to your mate)

You get a different class of DOTD up there. Round here, it's still the classic ninja with no lights, riding on the wrong side of the road. Yes, I do mean you, coming around the blind corner on Borough Road on the right hand side.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 December, 2014, 09:19:59 am
It doesn't matter what colour or how bright your rear light is if you attach it to the seat tube - not seat post - so low that it's underneath the rack.  ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 09 December, 2014, 12:04:16 pm
And even if you do attach it to the seat post, riding with a jumper tied round your waist tends to reduce its efficacy.

One wet winter evening I saw a woman doing this.  White jumper.  BSO.  No mudguards.  Oh.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 09 December, 2014, 12:12:31 pm
I saw an odd light situation the other day. Red light on the bike in front kept disappearing. I figured it was mounted oddly but I couldn't figure out how until I passed. She had both lights mounted on the front mudguard (so the rear light was only visible when the front wheel wobbled). It looked professionally done on a Dutch-style bike.

I suppose it was quite noticeable.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SlowCoach on 09 December, 2014, 03:37:58 pm
She had both lights mounted on the front mudguard (so the rear light was only visible when the front wheel wobbled)

 ::-) At least, that way, you can tell if your rear light has failed simply by looking down. It certainly saves having to look at your reflection in all those shop windows as you pass, so you can check... This might actually be worth trying on my recumbent - I wobble so mush that I'kl invariably be showing something (on second thoughts - on the recumbent you probably wouldn't see anything from behind as it would be shielded by my fat arse). I like to run with 2 rear lights in case one of them fails and I don't notice (which has happened on a couple of occasions)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 09 December, 2014, 04:26:12 pm
I did wonder if somehow someone had bodged a rear mudguard (one of those SKS ones with the integrated light) onto the front. Without appearing like I was trying to look up her skirt (no ma'am, I'm merely inspecting your unusual lighting arrangement), I couldn't check too closely. Odd and I'm not sure sensible.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 09 December, 2014, 08:27:54 pm
Rear lights on front mudguards are a perfectly sensible thing to do ...on a tadpole trike.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 December, 2014, 10:05:08 am
Having attempted it myself, I have a certain amount of sympathy for the chap going from Wood Street to the Whipps Cross Road last night.  The first bit is uphill, it was the height of the rush hour and you were on single-speed.

This sympathy dwindled to zero, though, when I had cause to overtake you coming off the roundabout, because you were very nearly invisible.  Get a rear light, you twat.  The bloke I encountered later on Larrington Towers Road has one he doesn't need.

It's mounted on his handlebars :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 19 December, 2014, 06:35:55 pm
Bonus points to the numpty who sailed through the red coming up from Embankment onto the north end of Blackfriars Bridge into the segregated bike bit ahead of me (and several other cyclists coming off the bridge) and then stopped at the end because he needed to turn across traffic to Queen Victoria St. Cue a near pile-up. Harsh language may have been used.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Moultonaught on 05 January, 2015, 10:09:18 am
to the Brompton rider who thought it sensible to overtake me as I was overtaking a *very* wide parked HGV.  As he tried to ride into the space I was happily and innocently occupying on my bike, I had to chuckle, at the 'give cyclists space' sign handing from his saddle!  :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 January, 2015, 10:36:09 am
Was it accompanied by a sticker saying "My other bike's a Range Rover"?
 :demon:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 06 January, 2015, 08:38:27 am
Me

Horrible misread of a road position resulting in heavy braking.

Approaching mini-roundabout (straight on and right) going first exit straight on and set up to pass another cyclist on approach / entry. Vehicle approaching from right, timing such that I would enter as he exited and his road position implied he was going left so timing was great, until...




He was actually U turning, my position wide to pas the cyclist meant I didn't see the right hand indicator. Cue heavy braking to avoid t-boning the car and head shakes from the other cyclist.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Si_Co on 15 February, 2015, 05:53:53 pm
Me?  :-\ Too fast into the lights?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB00nBKMLOo
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 16 February, 2015, 10:28:38 am
Me?  :-\ Too fast into the lights?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qB00nBKMLOo

Um, no - they should have given way. I don't see that you did anything wrong there.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Otto on 16 February, 2015, 10:32:47 am
Yup not your fault, they wouldn't have done that if you were in a car
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 16 February, 2015, 10:47:46 am
Si

You are perfectly entitled to do what you did, however if what you did was prudent ...

Unless you can see and be seen by the driver waiting to turn across you they are likely (unreasonably) to expect that the car in front of you will block the oncoming traffic as they did. Be glad you hit the gap and wonder what would happen to the motorcyclist in a similar situation.

To conclude. not your fault, but a mistake that you could anticipate and allow for. Seeing as we get hurt in an accident I ride on the basis of failing to anticipate a driver's error means I made a mistake.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Si_Co on 16 February, 2015, 11:15:29 am
Thanks, its the prudent bit..I knew there was a chance of right turning traffic, which is why I was stood up, in a mercatone uno top, to try and make myself visible. This actually compounded the situation since I touched the brakes as I hit the stop line, then hit the pothole which made the bike really light and caused the wheels to lock up so I had to get off the brakes and go for evasion instead of stop.

It was a foreseeable situation and I think I made a poor choice, and yes at the time I did think "bleeding glad I'm not on a motorbike"
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Riggers on 16 February, 2015, 02:18:57 pm
Hhhhmmm, yes, nasty junction. It's one of those that give both road users the choice of approaching driver-to-driver or passenger-to-passenger, with no helpful road markings to define vehicle positioning. A "Shall I shan't I?", unless you are the first to gain priority, and then you can dictate what the other person should do.

Well done anyway.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: jsabine on 16 February, 2015, 04:47:27 pm
I'm kind of with matthew in terms of it not being your fault but nonetheless a situation that could be anticipated and allowed for.

The driver should have seen you, should have given way, and as far as I could tell doesn't even really have the excuse of "a car won't fit through there so I'm good to go" as there *is* room for a car, especially once the Audi in front of you had begun to clear your lane.

It's too easy for someone just to follow the car in front, with the twin reasoning of "they're going, so there's obviously not a car coming" and "if there is a car coming, it'll have to slow down for them anyway, so I'll be fine if I just follow them close" (a car driver can, of course, believe at least six contradictory things in the space it takes them to clear a junction), so someone cutting across your bows is all too predictable.

I'd probably have been doing much the same speed: I might have been easing off a bit as the brown estate crossed my lane, and I'd probably have been covering the brakes (without standing) as I entered the junction. But once the brown estate has gone (as 14s ticks into 15s), you've got a clear lane ahead of you and a good view of the driver's-side windscreen of the black  Focus. They didn't see (or didn't look) rather than not being able to see you.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Aunt Maud on 16 February, 2015, 08:42:55 pm
Looks like they underestimated your speed somewhat, as they were starting their turn and were slightly across your lane as you went past the kerb.

Either that or they weren't looking properly.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: sg37409 on 16 February, 2015, 09:07:32 pm
I think I'd have blamed myself for that. (as the cyclist)

I've done things like that, thankfully not so many now. I learned a big lesson from being hospitalized for months from a smidsy (where greater prudence would have prevented it)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 16 February, 2015, 10:07:41 pm
I think I'd have blamed myself for that. (as the cyclist)

I've done things like that, thankfully not so many now. I learned a big lesson from being hospitalized for months from a smidsy (where greater prudence would have prevented it)

I once 'hit the gap' when two vehicles entered a mini-roundabout from my left as I was going straight on at 15-20mph. The first should have waited for me, the second never looked, and the pedestrian on the corner was yelling "Oh S**t". Unlike Si I didn't take any evasive action as I didn't have time to react and just got very lucky.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: andyoxon on 17 February, 2015, 12:09:12 am
Si

You are perfectly entitled to do what you did, however if what you did was prudent ...

Unless you can see and be seen by the driver waiting to turn across you they are likely (unreasonably) to expect that the car in front of you will block the oncoming traffic as they did. Be glad you hit the gap and wonder what would happen to the motorcyclist in a similar situation.

To conclude. not your fault, but a mistake that you could anticipate and allow for. Seeing as we get hurt in an accident I ride on the basis of failing to anticipate a driver's error means I made a mistake.

Yes, that = Defensive driving riding strategy; where everyone's potentially an idiot and so anticipation is key.   That car should have had the highway code ringing in their ears ' go if the way is clear, and take special care if turning', but busy intersections tend to suffer from 'SMIDSY', and so I try to ride so as to 'eyeball' and quite often have the font light flashing - which IMO gives me a bit more time to play with when proceeding straight through.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: sg37409 on 17 February, 2015, 09:27:52 am
I think I'd have blamed myself for that. (as the cyclist)

I've done things like that, thankfully not so many now. I learned a big lesson from being hospitalized for months from a smidsy (where greater prudence would have prevented it)

Manged to get myself into a similar scenario this morn. :-(
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: IanN on 26 February, 2015, 10:16:53 pm
I'd like to nominate the cyclist I encountered on the way home from work today. (Bristol, by the fountains)
I was cycling through a pedestrian crossing (on the road, on a green light, obviously  ;D)
The cyclist on the pavement looked at me and then slowly cycled across...


... in front of the double decker bus coming the other way

 :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm: :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Pingu on 27 February, 2015, 11:27:24 am
Si

You are perfectly entitled to do what you did, however if what you did was prudent ...

Unless you can see and be seen by the driver waiting to turn across you they are likely (unreasonably) to expect that the car in front of you will block the oncoming traffic as they did. Be glad you hit the gap and wonder what would happen to the motorcyclist in a similar situation.

To conclude. not your fault, but a mistake that you could anticipate and allow for. Seeing as we get hurt in an accident I ride on the basis of failing to anticipate a driver's error means I made a mistake.

Yes, that = Defensive driving riding strategy; where everyone's potentially an idiot and so anticipation is key.   That car should have had the highway code ringing in their ears ' go if the way is clear, and take special care if turning', but busy intersections tend to suffer from 'SMIDSY', and so I try to ride so as to 'eyeball' and quite often have the font light flashing - which IMO gives me a bit more time to play with when proceeding straight through.

Cars have ears?  ???
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 27 February, 2015, 11:52:24 am
Si

You are perfectly entitled to do what you did, however if what you did was prudent ...

Unless you can see and be seen by the driver waiting to turn across you they are likely (unreasonably) to expect that the car in front of you will block the oncoming traffic as they did. Be glad you hit the gap and wonder what would happen to the motorcyclist in a similar situation.

To conclude. not your fault, but a mistake that you could anticipate and allow for. Seeing as we get hurt in an accident I ride on the basis of failing to anticipate a driver's error means I made a mistake.

Yes, that = Defensive driving riding strategy; where everyone's potentially an idiot and so anticipation is key.   That car should have had the highway code ringing in their ears ' go if the way is clear, and take special care if turning', but busy intersections tend to suffer from 'SMIDSY', and so I try to ride so as to 'eyeball' and quite often have the font light flashing - which IMO gives me a bit more time to play with when proceeding straight through.

Cars have ears?  ???
Why not?  Many of them have dicks.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 February, 2015, 03:54:38 pm
POTD in DOTD ^  :D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hellymedic on 28 February, 2015, 12:48:17 am
Agreed!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: andyoxon on 28 February, 2015, 06:25:18 pm
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6224/6341923407_ffc0e05808.jpg)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 28 February, 2015, 11:53:56 pm
If walls have ears then that's Teethgrinder's sausage delivery van.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 01 March, 2015, 04:51:11 pm
I forgot, on Friday, 'pavement' cycling in extremis. I live on a steep hill, about 1-in-4, and the road turns into a lane which clambers up onto an even more steep flight of 98 steps (I walk up and down them everyday, so I know them all). So I'm walking back from the pool and I hear a sound like someone throwing bags of ball bearings into an industrial shredder behind me.

"I HAVEN'T GOT ANY FUCKIN' BRAKES!" yells the chav on a PoS Halfords-special full suspension mountain bike as he literally bounces past me down the steps like a rodeo rider on a recently gingered bull. Now these aren't gentle steps, probably twice the gradient of your average stairs. I've no idea how he managed to stay on until he hit the lane where he fell off, bounced and slid another twenty or so metres without a bike and then, as I thought bugger I'm going to have call an ambulance, got up and retrieved his bike and got back on and resumed his downward journey. OK, he's conquered the steps, but there's another 200-odd metres of 25% gradient hill. Before he hits T-junction. I did expect to see a mangled bike at the bottom of the road, but I guess somehow he survived. I don't think he'll be troubling old age.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 01 March, 2015, 05:03:12 pm
Salmon BMX riding the wrong way down the bus on the Euston Road  :o

Judging by his control as he then went through the queuing traffic there was a distinct lack of brakes on the bike as well.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 01 March, 2015, 05:06:18 pm
"I HAVEN'T GOT ANY FUCKIN' BRAKES!" yells the chav on a PoS Halfords-special full suspension mountain bike as he literally bounces past me down the steps like a rodeo rider on a recently gingered bull. Now these aren't gentle steps, probably twice the gradient of your average stairs. I've no idea how he managed to stay on until he hit the lane where he fell off, bounced and slid another twenty or so metres without a bike and then, as I thought bugger I'm going to have call an ambulance, got up and retrieved his bike and got back on and resumed his downward journey. OK, he's conquered the steps, but there's another 200-odd metres of 25% gradient hill. Before he hits T-junction. I did expect to see a mangled bike at the bottom of the road, but I guess somehow he survived. I don't think he'll be troubling old age.

Perhaps an urban version of http://road.cc/content/feature/12692-scrapheap-challenge is in the pipeline?   ;D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 01 March, 2015, 05:39:59 pm
"I HAVEN'T GOT ANY FUCKIN' BRAKES!" yells the chav on a PoS Halfords-special full suspension mountain bike as he literally bounces past me down the steps like a rodeo rider on a recently gingered bull. Now these aren't gentle steps, probably twice the gradient of your average stairs. I've no idea how he managed to stay on until he hit the lane where he fell off, bounced and slid another twenty or so metres without a bike and then, as I thought bugger I'm going to have call an ambulance, got up and retrieved his bike and got back on and resumed his downward journey. OK, he's conquered the steps, but there's another 200-odd metres of 25% gradient hill. Before he hits T-junction. I did expect to see a mangled bike at the bottom of the road, but I guess somehow he survived. I don't think he'll be troubling old age.

Perhaps an urban version of http://road.cc/content/feature/12692-scrapheap-challenge is in the pipeline?   ;D

He'd be a champion. I'm not sure if he planned the descent or not, it's a footpath and I suppose you might not know it's a big flight of steep steps. It's not easy to walk down, and to be honest, I think a tad technical even for a professional mountain biker.

I've really no idea how he managed to get up after that fall and just carry on, he sort of bounced and rolled down the lane and the bike was going top over tail without him (I'm not sure how the bike survived for that matter). He was 'lucky' as sometimes people park on the lane leaving just enough room for a slow moving pedestrian to squeeze by.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: resus1uk on 01 March, 2015, 06:07:45 pm
D's of the day, three abreast wrong way along a narrow one-way street in a  Wold's market town.
Compounded by shouting at the oncoming cars going the correct way.
One wearing a well known jersey from the nearby city cycle club
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: HTFB on 04 March, 2015, 10:35:26 pm
Today's is the owner of the very elegant Brian Rourke track bike I parked next to outside the Lewisham leisure centre. Lovely clean lines, top tube angling up near the seatpost, internal routing for the rear brake cable, but looking cleaner still with the brake removed, proper flip-flop hub ... turned to use the freewheel side. :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: davelodwig on 19 March, 2015, 12:28:42 pm
Last night,

Bling carbon road bike... Check
Full Racing team kit and matching shoes... Check
Riding on the pavement at full pelt weaving in and out of pedestrians in the dark with no lights... pillock
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 20 March, 2015, 10:47:11 am
Lad on route to school, I am pleased to see you cycling but if you get to a set of give way lines and look right and see a cyclist riding up the cycle lane towards you, you have two choices:

1. Stop

2. Turn onto the pavement like most of the other lads* riding to school

You DO NOT proceed out into the cycle lane as I had a car on my rear quarter and nowhere to go from my cruising speed. Fortunately the driver had anticipated that I may have to come out of the cycle lane to pass you and had held back.





* before anyone jumps on me it's a boys school.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jacomus on 20 March, 2015, 01:50:39 pm
Lights are a Good Thing on bicycles. Especially if they are quite bright.

Having 2, yes, 2 of the Fenix double-bulb front lights aimed at the eyes is just plain rude though. If you are getting flashed by oncoming vehicles, in the daytime, you're probably being an arse about your need to be seen. Still, I guess the frikkin' lazers might melt unsuspecting cars out of the way whilst you RLJ ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: JonJo on 23 March, 2015, 06:39:39 pm
D's of the day, three abreast wrong way along a narrow one-way street in a  Wold's market town.
Compounded by shouting at the oncoming cars going the correct way.
One wearing a well known jersey from the nearby city cycle club

Beverley. Hull. Do I win £5?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Moultonaught on 25 March, 2015, 01:24:05 pm
The bloke yesterday who decided to pull out of a side road to my right- across moving traffic in all 3 lanes. When I politely recommended he try looking  before manoeuvring; he just looked confused.

At the next set of lights he surprisingly stopped! Unfortunately it was to my right and I and all the other bikes to his left were going straight on. And he turns left across me and 2 other cyclists anyway. Muppet!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 13 April, 2015, 11:15:04 am
A number of competitors in the Paris-Roubaix

SNCF sues after TGV nearly hits riders (http://www.thelocal.fr/20150413/paris-roubaix-riders-have-near-miss-with-tgv)

However, it did occur to me that with the tech. stuff available, better provision couldn't have been made to avoid such a narrow window in which to stop the peloton.

The riders are fired-up competitors, the roads are closed to allow them to ride without normal constraints and then bingo, someone shoves a train front of them!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: T42 on 13 April, 2015, 03:47:26 pm
Gent from another forum:
Quote
We followed a cyclist yesterday and as we approached him he did a sudden swerve out and around a drain and no, he did not look behind. Had I not somehow half expected it to happen or had my wits about me he would have been road kill and I would be typing this from within a locked cell.

Didn't feel like arguing. No point, anyway.

A number of competitors in the Paris-Roubaix

SNCF sues after TGV nearly hits riders (http://www.thelocal.fr/20150413/paris-roubaix-riders-have-near-miss-with-tgv)

However, it did occur to me that with the tech. stuff available, better provision couldn't have been made to avoid such a narrow window in which to stop the peloton.

The riders are fired-up competitors, the roads are closed to allow them to ride without normal constraints and then bingo, someone shoves a train front of them!

I'm rather surprised it was just a half-barrier crossing.  TGV lines are dedicated and the trains travel at several hundred kph, so it ought to be physically impossible to simply ride round a closed barrier, if only to save the taxpayer hamburger-removal and panel-beating costs.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: simonp on 13 April, 2015, 03:55:14 pm
TGVs also run on lower-speed lines where level crossings are permitted. LGVs (Lignes a Grande Vitesse) do not have level crossings.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: T42 on 13 April, 2015, 09:35:25 pm
^^^Point.  Of course in Alsace we wouldn't know, we've just been building the things here since the 1970s but the LGV to Strasbourg isn't finished yet.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Zipperhead on 14 April, 2015, 09:52:53 am
Commuting through London every day it's difficult to single out a single DOTD as the Dickhead per Mile quotient greatly exceeds unity.

So as they were all at the same place at pretty much the same time I would like to nominate 5 together (there will no doubt be others on the way home)

Heading East along Grosvenor Road, when I got to the junction at Vauxhall Bridge the left hand lane was blocked by a large truck, the sort that's generally carrying aggregate (I don't know if it was full or empty). But that was ok, because the bike lane isn't a bike lane at that point and he was stopped behind the ASL and his left hand indicator was flashing. He was also within about 18 inches of the curb, again not a problem.

Ahead I could see some cyclists, and I could also see traffic coming from the left which meant that the lights were going to go green for us fairly soon (it's a big four way junction with each road going in turn).

Now I wouldn't have gone up the left hand side anyway because in the real world even if I had been on the Lance Armstrong Pharmacology Diet it would make no difference - the truck would be out of the way pretty soon. So I stopped behind.

In quick succesion along came 3 cyclists and squeezed up the inside and as the last one got clear the lights changed and the truck started to move.

Along comes cyclist number 4 and puts on a spurt to out accelerate the truck and get up the inside. Now modern materials and clothing are good but if he thinks that a few kilos of carbon fibre and polystyrene are going to win in a fight with all that steel then he needs to watch the physics channel instead of the Disney channel. he made it though.

By this point the truck is moving and is at an angle to the curb, getting closer by the second. Along comes cyclist number 5 and tries to go up the inside.

The truck driver was on the ball and hit his horn and stopped, and the cyclist managed to stop, but leaning sideways onto the curb to avoid the back wheels.

If any of those people had been killed/injured in that situation through their own stupidity then the cries would have gone up "something must be done to protect us from these dangerous trucks"
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 14 April, 2015, 10:18:57 am
Given tales like this I wonder why trucking companies aren't sticking cameras all over their trucks.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 14 April, 2015, 11:54:17 am
Cameras cost Money and running over a bicycle isn't going to do much damage to a four-axle tipper.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 14 April, 2015, 11:59:39 am
Generally though we don't seek to punish stupidity with the death penalty. We don't remove safety guards from machines on account that people ought to have more sense than to stick their hand in there. I too despair often at some of the maneuvers cyclists make but then, we know from recent cases, the lorries have simply driven over cyclists right in front of them, and I'm sure we've all had the sensation of being only a few centimetres from an overtaking truck.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Vince on 27 April, 2015, 10:47:49 am
Me.

Being a little late for my train from Liverpool Street, I rode through every red light along Victoria Embankment yesterday afternoon.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 April, 2015, 10:55:22 am
Legal in Nevada, I'm told. Or perhaps it was Colorado. Not London, though!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Vince on 27 April, 2015, 12:45:20 pm
Funny you should say that, but none of the groups of police people loitering at each junction made any comment. I think they were watching the funfucked runners walking in the opposite direction ;D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: jenhunt on 28 April, 2015, 02:08:56 pm
last night on the commute home
travelling at 16mph (headwind, couldn't be ar... bothered) got overtaken on a blind bend by a rather large HGV. He was so close to me that according to strava my speed picked up to 23mph as I was sucked into his draft.
I then had to brake sharply as the twunt turned right into their yard less than 100yards later.  :-X :-X :demon:

also on last night's commute the muppet who couldn't possibly have lifted his foot even 1mm off his accelerator to allow the oncoming car to pass before he over took me, meaning that I was at risk of elbowing his windscreen.... Grrr!

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: madcow on 28 April, 2015, 02:24:50 pm
Do what I did once and follow the vehicle into the yard and ask to speak to the driver or failing that the transport manager (who should listen to any concerns about driving standards ).
 Politely point out that you considered his overtaking to be a danger to your health and safety and that the extra minute on his travel time would have been nothing compared to the hours that he would have spent with the police should he have made contact with you.
Don't rant or ask for him to be sacked , just let them know how vulnerable you are when on a bike.
In my case the driver apologised and we shook hands. Some drivers spend so long in their own cab that they forget what it is  like  on the outside.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: jenhunt on 28 April, 2015, 03:26:17 pm
good plan - might try that next time!
as it is we deal with them fairly regularly at work, so I've asked my transport planner to have a word with them when he's on the phone next :)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 06 May, 2015, 02:02:48 pm
Your chances of reaching a ripe old age, m'laddo, will be greatly improved if you do not use the parked vehicles in the Surrounding Spaces of Mr Sainsbury's House of Toothy Comestibles as slalom markers.  You and your BSO came very close to becoming a bonnet mascot on my motor-car.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 19 May, 2015, 09:40:44 am
Peniscranium yoof (17-ish) yesterday afternoon. Crossed the road ahead of me, or, rather, got 3/4 of the way, dropped his skateboard and started scooting it along the road. Right in front of the big ugly cyclist doing 20+ mph. He nearly shat himself when I whizzed past shouting "GERRAHTAROADYERKNOB"
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jacomus on 20 May, 2015, 09:41:21 am
Hero onna Cervelo P5 TT bike scorched past me, flicked the bike down the nearside of the WVM in front of me and couldn't anchor up quick enough to prevent himself T-boning a 26t scaffolding lorry who was slowly turning left whilst indicating.

Sed rider totally lost his shit after standing up, kicking the lorry and generally screaming unintelligibly and trying to provoke a fight with the 3 guys who got out of the lorry.

I didn't stick around to see how it turned out, but I don't rate the hero's chances much if it did come to blows.

Strange bike to be commuting on, but I'm pretty sure that even such a speed machine as the P5 can be ridden sensibly in heavy traffic. Or, if you must ride like an asshat, at least accept the consequences. Hopefully the guy doesn't drive like he rides.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 20 May, 2015, 10:02:53 am
Hmmmm, yes. Scaffolders do tend to be on the muscley side of things.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 20 May, 2015, 11:01:16 am
Hmmmm, yes. Scaffolders do tend to be on the muscley side of things.

One of my fellow zeks was a scaffolder in Civvy Street.  Although a shortarse with ridiculously small feet, he was an impressively muscular shortarsed cokehead with ridiculously small feet so I took care not to spill his tea.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 26 May, 2015, 07:28:41 am
A very special award goes to

http://road.cc/content/news/152498-video-manchester-cyclist-rides-through-red-light-and-side-bus
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jaded on 26 May, 2015, 07:41:28 am
A very special award goes to

http://road.cc/content/news/152498-video-manchester-cyclist-rides-through-red-light-and-side-bus

If you read the comments you find out that he says hid brake cable snapped and he didn't have enough time to skid stop.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Hot Flatus on 26 May, 2015, 08:44:22 am
Still shit riding though. Only a fool would ride through a  green light without looking left for rlj-ing traffic.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 26 May, 2015, 09:22:07 am
A very special award goes to

http://road.cc/content/news/152498-video-manchester-cyclist-rides-through-red-light-and-side-bus

If you read the comments you find out that he says hid brake cable snapped and he didn't have enough time to skid stop.

It's 4 seconds from when the lights turn red until he crosses the stop line. Glad he isn't hurt, but he doesn't have anyone or anything else to blame, sorry.

The second vid where the cyclist is an enthusiastic starter, it was clear the lorry was RLJ-ing, a normal, less enthusiastic start as all other riders did would have been less....exciting.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jacomus on 26 May, 2015, 09:56:59 am
A very special award goes to

http://road.cc/content/news/152498-video-manchester-cyclist-rides-through-red-light-and-side-bus

If you read the comments you find out that he says hid brake cable snapped and he didn't have enough time to skid stop.

It's 4 seconds from when the lights turn red until he crosses the stop line. Glad he isn't hurt, but he doesn't have anyone or anything else to blame, sorry.

The second vid where the cyclist is an enthusiastic starter, it was clear the lorry was RLJ-ing, a normal, less enthusiastic start as all other riders did would have been less....exciting.

Or if the second cyclist had been covering the brakes - his hands were palm forward holding the curve of the bars, you can see his right hand let go and reposition for the front brake lever.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 May, 2015, 02:37:45 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o3B601Ndsg

Oh dear.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Feanor on 31 May, 2015, 07:42:02 pm
Me..

I was cleaning my bike after yesterday's damp-ish 200, and noticed the seat-pack was missing.
I'd just done a 200k into the remote wilds without any spare tube or anything.

The reason was that the last ride that bike had done was a wet 400, where I had swapped out the seat-pack for a bigger bag.
I'd removed the bigger bag when cleaning it up after the wet 400, but never replaced the seat-pack.

Idiot Boy.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Reg.T on 31 May, 2015, 08:10:25 pm
At least you picked the perfect time to discover the omission  ;D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 June, 2015, 08:30:09 am
I think we have a winner:
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/13059984.Cyclist_smashes_into_learner_driver_s_parked_car___watch_the_York_man_s_video_that_s_taking_the_internet_by_storm_____/ (http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/13059984.Cyclist_smashes_into_learner_driver_s_parked_car___watch_the_York_man_s_video_that_s_taking_the_internet_by_storm_____/)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jaded on 01 June, 2015, 08:35:12 am
I think we have a winner:
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/13059984.Cyclist_smashes_into_learner_driver_s_parked_car___watch_the_York_man_s_video_that_s_taking_the_internet_by_storm_____/ (http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/13059984.Cyclist_smashes_into_learner_driver_s_parked_car___watch_the_York_man_s_video_that_s_taking_the_internet_by_storm_____/)


Bzzzt. Repetition!!  ;D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 01 June, 2015, 11:43:52 am
I think we have a winner:
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/13059984.Cyclist_smashes_into_learner_driver_s_parked_car___watch_the_York_man_s_video_that_s_taking_the_internet_by_storm_____/ (http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/13059984.Cyclist_smashes_into_learner_driver_s_parked_car___watch_the_York_man_s_video_that_s_taking_the_internet_by_storm_____/)

Good to see he was almost unhurt but not long ago in York outside Terry's (as was) a female cyclist hit a parked car and died.  There was also a tragedy when a time-trialler hit a caravan stopped on the A63 near Hull.  He'd been cycling head down 'in an aerodynamic position'.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: pumpkin on 01 June, 2015, 11:52:28 am
Seem to remember an audax or sportive a couple of years ago where a cyclist had gone 50m and was so engrossed in his Garmin that he hit a car and had to quit. The trick is to look ahead but most of us have managed that (I hope). As a ski-ing instructor once told me, looking down at your feet won't make you ski any better. So with cycling, looking ahead is going to pay dividends
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Si_Co on 01 June, 2015, 12:03:04 pm
I think we have a winner:
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/13059984.Cyclist_smashes_into_learner_driver_s_parked_car___watch_the_York_man_s_video_that_s_taking_the_internet_by_storm_____/ (http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/13059984.Cyclist_smashes_into_learner_driver_s_parked_car___watch_the_York_man_s_video_that_s_taking_the_internet_by_storm_____/)

Nobody here would be so stupid as to do such a thing and end up with a fractured skull would they? Not to a car that's parked in the same place every day on the road they live on, would they? Oh,no sirree....

<wanders away whistling>
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tonyh on 01 June, 2015, 12:38:54 pm
...engrossed in his Garmin....

I'm making this post to remind myself that anything longer than a brief glance is Too Long. Scared.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 June, 2015, 01:17:18 pm
Seem to remember an audax or sportive a couple of years ago where a cyclist had gone 50m and was so engrossed in his Garmin that he hit a car and had to quit. The trick is to look ahead but most of us have managed that (I hope). As a ski-ing instructor once told me, looking down at your feet won't make you ski any better. So with cycling, looking ahead is going to pay dividends

On the last LEL a chap of FOREIGN disposition forgot which side of the road he was supposed to be riding on when leaving a control, discovering the error of his ways courtesy of an oncoming Corsa.  The driver of which being not entirely blameless due to his not having switched on his lights in spite of it being midnight.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Basil on 01 June, 2015, 01:41:22 pm
I think we have a winner:
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/13059984.Cyclist_smashes_into_learner_driver_s_parked_car___watch_the_York_man_s_video_that_s_taking_the_internet_by_storm_____/ (http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/13059984.Cyclist_smashes_into_learner_driver_s_parked_car___watch_the_York_man_s_video_that_s_taking_the_internet_by_storm_____/)

Nobody here would be so stupid as to do such a thing and end up with a fractured skull would they? Not to a car that's parked in the same place every day on the road they live on, would they? Oh,no sirree....

<wanders away whistling>

I believe that #2 son is the only one in my immediate family not to have done this.
Or maybe he's the only one not to have fessed up.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 June, 2015, 02:06:38 pm
Well not in broad daylight - I rode into the back of a parked van, in pitch dark, heavy fog. Van was parked on double-yellow lines (which I knew were there and hence was not expecting a parked vehicle). I was going very slowly though, on account of the conditions.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 01 June, 2015, 05:24:46 pm
I'm feeling left out.  I don't think I've ever ridden into a stationary vehicle.   ???

This is probably my fault for doing too many miles on cycles that let me see where I'm going without contortion.


Van was parked on double-yellow lines (which I knew were there and hence was not expecting a parked vehicle).

Bit of a rookie mistake, that...  :)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 01 June, 2015, 05:27:10 pm
For my part, I HAVE ridden into a stationery vehicle, but that was only because my handlebars stopped being handlebars rather unexpectedly. It was sufficient of an experience that I have no need to repeat the same.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 01 June, 2015, 05:35:19 pm
For my part, I HAVE ridden into a stationery vehicle, but that was only because my handlebars stopped being handlebars rather unexpectedly. It was sufficient of an experience that I have no need to repeat the same.
Would that have been a Staples van ?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 01 June, 2015, 05:35:59 pm
Oh dear. Rather dazing experience, y'see.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: benborp on 01 June, 2015, 10:00:51 pm
I once took the option of parked Transit over wheels of overtaking tipper. Broken collar bone (diagnosed twelve years later).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jaded on 01 June, 2015, 10:27:52 pm
Never ridden into a stationary vehicle, but have slid under the wheels of one at a junction.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 02 June, 2015, 06:35:54 am
Having learned to ride on bikes with steel wheels and rim brakes I acquired a permanent fear of oncoming stationary vehicles. It has never really left me.   
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Basil on 02 June, 2015, 07:16:09 am
Having learned to ride on bikes with steel wheels and rim brakes I acquired a permanent fear of oncoming stationary vehicles. It has never really left me.

That's interesting.  I wonder if those of us that grew up with braking systems that didn't really work in dry conditions and were merely for decoration in the wet developed a more pragmatic style of riding, as opposed to those who grew up in the world of V and disk brakes? 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 02 June, 2015, 07:25:22 am
Having learned to ride on bikes with steel wheels and rim brakes I acquired a permanent fear of oncoming stationary vehicles. It has never really left me.

That's interesting.  I wonder if those of us that grew up with braking systems that didn't really work in dry conditions and were merely for decoration in the wet developed a more pragmatic style of riding, as opposed to those who grew up in the world of V and disk brakes?

It's quite possible that that, combined with a basic knowledge of physics is what makes me so shit at descending. More like, I just get scared, tbh.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 June, 2015, 08:25:40 am
Van was parked on double-yellow lines (which I knew were there and hence was not expecting a parked vehicle).

Bit of a rookie mistake, that...  :)
In me defence I plead that I'd ridden that route 5 days a week for over a year. Only a complete idiot would park there, as it is a busy (narrow) road through an industrial estate with very intolerant lorry drivers.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: pumpkin on 02 June, 2015, 10:19:21 am
http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/13217611.Extreme_road_rage_driver_identified_as_master_butcher_and_owner_of_upmarket_cafes/

Some of you may have posted this already. Cyclist did himself no favours getting into the tirade imo
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 02 June, 2015, 10:40:29 am
http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/13217611.Extreme_road_rage_driver_identified_as_master_butcher_and_owner_of_upmarket_cafes/

Some of you may have posted this already. Cyclist did himself no favours getting into the tirade imo

The two were just as bad as each other, and were the transport modes swapped the outcome would likely have been identical.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jakob W on 02 June, 2015, 10:45:18 am
No, I don't think they were; while it's better to be Zen about these things the adrenaline jolt of being driven at by two tons of steel is pretty powerful, and the swearing is IMO not unreasonable. The threats of violence are all coming from the driver.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 02 June, 2015, 10:49:08 am
That's how we see it.

My point is that arseholes like that driver don't come out of nowhere, and they aren't actually murderous madmen. That cyclist - whilst we are certain is more in the right - imo exhibited an equally uncontrolled disproportionate reaction (and neither actually went for the other, despite the intense goading by the cyclist). The two are not so different.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: pumpkin on 02 June, 2015, 10:50:05 am
No, I don't think they were; while it's better to be Zen about these things the adrenaline jolt of being driven at by two tons of steel is pretty powerful, and the swearing is IMO not unreasonable. The threats of violence are all coming from the driver.
That's the norm. But both parties were egging each on albeit one more violently. Anyway the motorist is receiving some attention on fb and apparently has a naked pic on Twitter!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Katie on 02 June, 2015, 10:54:35 am
Toss-up between the driver who stopped suddenly on the A6, no signals, in the pouring rain, and the driver immediately behind the first (and immediately in front of me) who pulled out to avoid first driver, and then stopped without signalling so they could yell at the first driver for stopping without signalling. And then yelled at me because I nearly rear-ended them. (Keyword: *nearly* - I even managed to stay on the correct side of the road, somehow.)

Driver behind me
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jacomus on 02 June, 2015, 11:03:10 am
http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/13217611.Extreme_road_rage_driver_identified_as_master_butcher_and_owner_of_upmarket_cafes/

Some of you may have posted this already. Cyclist did himself no favours getting into the tirade imo

Cyclist didn't shower himself in glory, but it was the driver who lost his shit at the first 'oh come on' exasperated words from the cyclist, then tried to ram the cyclist, stopped and hopped out full of road rage.

The driver isn't competent enough to hold a licence, IMO, needs banning and re-testing.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 02 June, 2015, 11:09:25 am
No, I don't think they were; while it's better to be Zen about these things the adrenaline jolt of being driven at by two tons of steel is pretty powerful, and the swearing is IMO not unreasonable. The threats of violence are all coming from the driver.

Just for the hell of it, I went back and looked again. As ever interpreting vids is a mystic art of divination but still.

It looks as if the initial "infringement" was the $x$ (look what happens when you use the shift-4 ;) ) pulling in slightly after overtaking, holding speed with the other cyclists, personally I've had a lot worse and more brown trouser close passes. Still not good, but no worse than a "7" on a 1-10 of London close passing.

It also looks as if the driver was inwardly fuming and looking for trouble because he reacted to the cyclist's shout - had the window open to shout at cyclists? who knows. That demonstrates in my view he deserves anything the old bill could have thrown at him, but looking more at the interaction.

Cyclist goes right into overdrive, calling the driver names with.... enthusiasm. At this stage, the driver hasn't actually combusted. So much enthusiasm though that he is spitting at the driver at 0:48. Unsurprisingly it goes downhill from there.

I wouldn't call the cyclist any names, because he was in the right, but I'm fairly certain in my mind that he's the same kind of human as that knob of a driver.


The driver isn't competent enough to hold a licence, IMO, needs banning and re-testing.

Really wish this could happen
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 June, 2015, 11:17:44 am
The cyclist calls the driver names but it is the driver who is making violent threats.

"Sticks and stones" etc.

There is absolutely no justification for threatening to smash someone's teeth in because they called you a 'fucking idiot'.

I'm no angel and in the last 8 months have twice ended up exchanging sweary rants at a driver. If someone physically assaulted me, I'd hit back.

But. The Driver was the only one threatening to assault the cyclist.

He also seems to think that his car being thumped would be something the police would be interested in. that the police would arrest someone for hitting a car with their hand, but wouldn't arrest someone for assault. What A Moron.

[Edit]
I've just watched the initial vid. The driver is utterly at fault, there is very little the cyclist could have done to avoid contacting his car - the driver pulled in on him. In that case I think I would have lost my rag even faster and sooner than the cyclist.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 02 June, 2015, 11:29:30 am
The cyclist calls the driver names but it is the driver who is making violent threats.

"Sticks and stones" etc.

There is absolutely no justification for threatening to smash someone's teeth in because they called you a 'fucking idiot'.

I'm no angel and in the last 8 months have twice ended up exchanging sweary rants at a driver. If someone physically assaulted me, I'd hit back.

But. The Driver was the only one threatening to assault the cyclist.

He also seems to think that his car being thumped would be something the police would be interested in. that the police would arrest someone for hitting a car with their hand, but wouldn't arrest someone for assault. What A Moron.

[Edit]
I've just watched the initial vid. The driver is utterly at fault, there is very little the cyclist could have done to avoid contacting his car - the driver pulled in on him. In that case I think I would have lost my rag even faster and sooner than the cyclist.

But he didn't contact the car.... he just shouted "hey, come on" from where it all kicked off.

And yes, the driver is at fault, and no I am not defending the driver in the slightest, and yes if you and up exchanging sweary rants with drivers, maybe you have  a bit of the same type of character makeup. I'd like to think you were better able to manage it than either of those, though.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jaded on 02 June, 2015, 11:38:01 am
The driver drove deliberately close to the cyclist and already had his nearside window open.

Everything else stems from those two actions.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 June, 2015, 11:39:00 am
I think he probably put a hand up against the car - he was nearly pushed into the kerb, it would have been difficult not to do so.

There is a bit on roadcc about this that seems to indicate police have had a word and possibly cautioned him.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: davelodwig on 02 June, 2015, 11:40:27 am
I must admit I get a bit Sweary after the really close calls, despite usually keeping the lid on things, and I've always marked it down to the adrenaline that's just crashed into my system in fairly short order. Especially in those oh crap this is it moments.

The problem is when that rocks up against someone who is generally an angry person and in control of a motor vehicle, who's subconscious is just looking for a reason to have a pop, I mean it's really difficult to in the moment realise they've had a really bad day at work, dogs run off, wife's moved out, whatever in the moment that your thinking I'm brown bread and accidentally let fly with something that would make an anglo saxon blush.

The only time I've been in a fight in the road is when the chap jumped out the car and was pulling his sleeves up and balling fists and a whole school experience of having the shit kicked out of me by bullies came rushing back and I got in first and hard. Honestly the chap didn't know what do do he just stood there (well lent against his car) and looked like his perception of the world had been ruined. I picked my bike up and walked off to find a coffee and sort of just left him there.

I just wish people would look where they are going.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jacomus on 02 June, 2015, 11:41:55 am
No, I don't think they were; while it's better to be Zen about these things the adrenaline jolt of being driven at by two tons of steel is pretty powerful, and the swearing is IMO not unreasonable. The threats of violence are all coming from the driver.

Just for the hell of it, I went back and looked again. As ever interpreting vids is a mystic art of divination but still.

It looks as if the initial "infringement" was the $x$ (look what happens when you use the shift-4 ;) ) pulling in slightly after overtaking, holding speed with the other cyclists, personally I've had a lot worse and more brown trouser close passes. Still not good, but no worse than a "7" on a 1-10 of London close passing.

It also looks as if the driver was inwardly fuming and looking for trouble because he reacted to the cyclist's shout - had the window open to shout at cyclists? who knows. That demonstrates in my view he deserves anything the old bill could have thrown at him, but looking more at the interaction.

Cyclist goes right into overdrive, calling the driver names with.... enthusiasm. At this stage, the driver hasn't actually combusted. So much enthusiasm though that he is spitting at the driver at 0:48. Unsurprisingly it goes downhill from there.

I wouldn't call the cyclist any names, because he was in the right, but I'm fairly certain in my mind that he's the same kind of human as that knob of a driver.


The driver isn't competent enough to hold a licence, IMO, needs banning and re-testing.

Really wish this could happen

Come the revolution, motoring incidents will be dealt with by immediate suspension of licence and a re-test, unless the driver can prove they weren't at fault.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 02 June, 2015, 01:55:42 pm
In other news: cyclist decides to pass anti-rat-run barrier on opposite side of road before oncoming Jag gets too close.  Cyclist discovers dropped kerb is nowhere near as dropped as was initially suspected.  Cyclist performs Cirque du Soleil-stylee acrobatics in his attempt to stay out of the way of any marauding South American big cats.

I'm sure that kerb was lower the last time I went that way ???
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 02 June, 2015, 04:59:00 pm
 ;D

Also:

Quote
Mr Wells, who trained as a master butcher, said earlier today: “I would like to apologise for any offence caused. My behaviour was unacceptable and regardless of the situation, I shouldn’t react like that.

“I fully appreciate that cyclists have as much right to the road as any other road users.”

Being pedantic, cyclists actually have more right than landroverdiscoverydrivers.  But wotvhek.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hellymedic on 02 June, 2015, 08:00:58 pm
No, I don't think they were; while it's better to be Zen about these things the adrenaline jolt of being driven at by two tons of steel is pretty powerful, and the swearing is IMO not unreasonable. The threats of violence are all coming from the driver.
That's the norm. But both parties were egging each on albeit one more violently. Anyway the motorist is receiving some attention on fb and apparently has a naked pic on Twitter!

Indeed. The dick of the day appears minuscule.
(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Aunt Maud on 03 June, 2015, 08:16:56 am
I don't dare watch it, as it will make my blood boil.

He's a cycling friendly chap though, as he runs workshops from one of his "up market" establishments.

http://brew-cafe.com/unchained-at-brew/
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: pumpkin on 03 June, 2015, 09:19:38 am
Unfortunately for him what people will see is not a motorist who has been wronged (he wasn't) but a violent, aggressive man using profanities against a cyclist. Granted the cyclist matches him in terms of swearing but if the motorists friends/family/staff see that video they'll see a man threatening assault and then going on an almost Basil Fawlty rant about cycle lanes etc.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 03 June, 2015, 09:26:40 am
That would have been me last night.

Down hill approach to a roundabout, exits at 9 and 2 o'clock. I timed my entrance better than the cyclist in front which resulted in passing them on entry as we were both turning right. The problem was the motorist who entered from our left (also turning right), he had seen and judged the speed of the other cyclist well, however not mine and realised he was staring out his drivers window at me to work out what he was doing.

My problem was I was committed to my line. fortunately he slowed up enough to let me past him and exit the roundabout.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: origamist on 03 June, 2015, 12:02:58 pm
I think he probably put a hand up against the car - he was nearly pushed into the kerb, it would have been difficult not to do so.

There is a bit on roadcc about this that seems to indicate police have had a word and possibly cautioned him.

The wing mirror makes contact with the cyclist (it gets bent in) - whether this was a result of the cyclists hitting it with his hand or being struck by the vehicle, you can't make out from the video. However, as the driver makes no mention of his vehicle being hit, I'd favour the latter explanation.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Aunt Maud on 03 June, 2015, 12:23:49 pm
It looks like he's now under "trial by social media".

I bet it's not doing him any good.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 03 June, 2015, 12:41:31 pm
I think he probably put a hand up against the car - he was nearly pushed into the kerb, it would have been difficult not to do so.

There is a bit on roadcc about this that seems to indicate police have had a word and possibly cautioned him.

The wing mirror makes contact with the cyclist (it gets bent in) - whether this was a result of the cyclists hitting it with his hand or being struck by the vehicle, you can't make out from the video. However, as the driver makes no mention of his vehicle being hit, I'd favour the latter explanation.

We all like to be youtube vid detectives, but I think you are reading too much into that, the distortion is as a result of the wide angle, there is no wobble, no sound of impact and the mirror adjustment remains good (you can see the driver), I'd say no contact.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: origamist on 03 June, 2015, 12:57:17 pm
I think he probably put a hand up against the car - he was nearly pushed into the kerb, it would have been difficult not to do so.

There is a bit on roadcc about this that seems to indicate police have had a word and possibly cautioned him.

The wing mirror makes contact with the cyclist (it gets bent in) - whether this was a result of the cyclists hitting it with his hand or being struck by the vehicle, you can't make out from the video. However, as the driver makes no mention of his vehicle being hit, I'd favour the latter explanation.

We all like to be youtube vid detectives, but I think you are reading too much into that, the distortion is as a result of the wide angle, there is no wobble, no sound of impact and the mirror adjustment remains good (you can see the driver), I'd say no contact.

Watch the original video at 2mins 15secs! Actually, the driver does accuse the cyclist of hitting his car and then adjusts his wing mirror with a push. Contact seems far more likely than not...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jakob W on 03 June, 2015, 01:12:44 pm
Road.cc had a comment from the cyclist on their story saying that he had been hit by the wing mirror.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: origamist on 03 June, 2015, 01:30:49 pm
Road.cc had a comment from the cyclist on their story saying that he had been hit by the wing mirror.

Thanks.

Cyclist claims he was hit by wing mirror and driver accuses cyclist of hitting his car. At least they both agree there was contact...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: clarion on 03 June, 2015, 01:38:48 pm
I think he probably put a hand up against the car - he was nearly pushed into the kerb, it would have been difficult not to do so.

There is a bit on roadcc about this that seems to indicate police have had a word and possibly cautioned him.

The wing mirror makes contact with the cyclist (it gets bent in) - whether this was a result of the cyclists hitting it with his hand or being struck by the vehicle, you can't make out from the video. However, as the driver makes no mention of his vehicle being hit, I'd favour the latter explanation.

We all like to be youtube vid detectives, but I think you are reading too much into that, the distortion is as a result of the wide angle, there is no wobble, no sound of impact and the mirror adjustment remains good (you can see the driver), I'd say no contact.

Watch the original video at 2mins 15secs! Actually, the driver does accuse the cyclist of hitting his car and then adjusts his wing mirror with a push. Contact seems far more likely than not...
That's certainly how I saw it, and I'm not going to watch the video again.

The cyclist could maybe have handled the situation better by staying calm, but he was, not unreasonably, scared of someone who thought nothing of trying to hit someone with a large vehicle getting out and approaching aggressively.  Adrenaline levels must have been sky high, and the cyclist's comments start defensively, with 'Stay away!' or similar.  I wish I could say I would handle it better, but I know that my voice gets quite squeaky with adrenaline, so, although I am not at all an aggressive person, I can't really say that I would.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: cygnet on 03 June, 2015, 10:43:59 pm
The knob who loudly and aggressively berated another cyclo-commuter for 'impeding his progress' down the nearside of a coach on a road resticted to narrow two-way traffic due to road works. The beratee took it surprisingly calmly - simply responding that he 'didn't want to end up dead'.

A couple of seconds later as the coach moved off we both passed him stuck against the kerb due to the non-materialising of the gap he'd cocksurely assumed would open. He didn't even have the decency to apologise to the chap he'd just laid in to.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: pumpkin on 06 June, 2015, 08:40:28 pm
Going home last night and behind a car with the sign 'Great grandchildren on board' displayed in the back window. One of them may have been the child sat on the knee of the passenger in the front :o What could possibly go wrong?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jaded on 06 June, 2015, 09:09:35 pm
Cut in half by the seat belt.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 13 June, 2015, 01:36:22 am
I remember witnessing a police officer I was working next to admonish a wankpanzer driver for where he had his small child: standing between his thighs and holding onto the steering wheel. FReply from driver? "What's it got to do with you?"

A full and frank* explanation of what it had to do with the copper then followed.

* and rather prolonged...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Redlight on 14 June, 2015, 08:47:07 pm
I remember once on the commute encountering a woman with a baby of about three or four months on her lap while driving. And she didn't have a seat belt on.  I was tempted to say something but I didn't want to interrupt her phone call.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: pumpkin on 14 June, 2015, 09:53:15 pm
At least they live down to our expectations.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 15 June, 2015, 09:33:06 am
I remember witnessing a police officer I was working next to admonish a wankpanzer driver for where he had his small child: standing between his thighs and holding onto the steering wheel. FReply from driver? "What's it got to do with you?"

A full and frank* explanation of what it had to do with the copper then followed.

* and rather prolonged...

Saw a chap sullenly pulling out the child-seat from the boot of his oversized people pram the other week, as his wife and little kid stood around on the pavement. Given the police car parked behind and the large officer of the law standing by, I presume it wasn't a voluntary rush of reason on the driver's part. I'm sure somehow that if there was an accident it would be the car's fault.

I remember a few years back my wife remonstrating with the driver of a Landrover who was letting his son 'drive' down a track by Ladybower Reservoir. You know what happens when the airbag deploys that close to your child's face? He apparently didn't know and didn't care. I don't have kids, but I can only assume they're easily replaceable if you break one.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: HTFB on 15 June, 2015, 11:09:57 am
When I were a wean our parents used to think nowt of cramming us five to t'back seat, wi't'babbies in t'footwell and twa more of t'likely lads rattling around in t'boot. No air con in them days, so t'windows used to steam up a treat in t'winter. Come summer t'black plastic babby-seats left in t'sun would melt onto your skin soon as touch it. Seatbelts? We used to dream of seatbelts.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 15 June, 2015, 11:37:24 am
I remember witnessing a police officer I was working next to admonish a wankpanzer driver for where he had his small child: standing between his thighs and holding onto the steering wheel. FReply from driver? "What's it got to do with you?"

A full and frank* explanation of what it had to do with the copper then followed.

* and rather prolonged...

Saw a chap sullenly pulling out the child-seat from the boot of his oversized people pram the other week, as his wife and little kid stood around on the pavement. Given the police car parked behind and the large officer of the law standing by, I presume it wasn't a voluntary rush of reason on the driver's part. I'm sure somehow that if there was an accident it would be the car's fault.

I remember a few years back my wife remonstrating with the driver of a Landrover who was letting his son 'drive' down a track by Ladybower Reservoir. You know what happens when the airbag deploys that close to your child's face? He apparently didn't know and didn't care. I don't have kids, but I can only assume they're easily replaceable if you break one.
My first 'drive' was sitting on my dad's lap at the wheel of a Series II Landrover crossing a field. Slightly different days !
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 15 June, 2015, 12:20:29 pm
A couple of days ago about twenty of us had to cram into a old Toyota minibus that might have held about nine plus one in the front seat. It wasn't so bad, the 'conductor' had to hang onto the outside of the minibus so he could continue to hold shut the sliding side door, which at some point in history had lost any kind of locking mechanism. He didn't seem too troubled, he continued conversation by sticking his head back in through the window. My seat didn't have a back other than two pointy bits of metal, the exhaust seemed to be vented through the passenger cabin and the floor got so hot that I couldn't put my feet down. Suspension and shock absorbers were memory long before it was asked to carry twenty-plus recently fed people down a dirt road. Seat belts? We were so crammed in that really, in the event of a crash, none of us were going anywhere. A sign above the driver in Shona promised that God was in the driving seat. All I can say is that God has a heavy foot and a liking for beeping the horn.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hellymedic on 15 June, 2015, 12:36:54 pm
Dad's car got written off when the airbags deployed so I understand replacement is neither cheap nor simple.
Dad has thankfully had no need to replace any of his six children (three of whom are now grandparents so seem efficient at self-replicating...)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tiermat on 15 June, 2015, 12:57:59 pm
Dad's car got written off when the airbags deployed so I understand replacement is neither cheap nor simple.
Dad has thankfully had no need to replace any of his six children (three of whom are now grandparents so seem efficient at self-replicating...)

Simple, yes (usually just a couple of bolts and wiring plug) cheap, NO! I had an occasion to price up replacing a steering wheel airbag.  Not much left from 4 figures.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 15 June, 2015, 01:13:59 pm
The problem comes when someone's face is within the deployment range of the air bag (e.g. sitting on the driver's lap). It's a hefty bone-breaking smack as face meets explosively deploying plastic.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Zipperhead on 15 June, 2015, 02:03:27 pm
Here's a demonstration of the forces released by Bulgarian funbags airbag:
https://youtu.be/w31E7myVDxU (https://youtu.be/w31E7myVDxU)

When we were children in car restraint consisted of a rolled up newspaper, except when we were in grandad's car when we could stand on the front seat with our heads through the sunroof as he drove around.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hellymedic on 15 June, 2015, 02:11:08 pm
We had seatbelts or child harnesses at the back of the family car from 1964.
One of our next-door neighbour twins was killed by ejection in 1963.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: orienteer on 15 June, 2015, 04:50:29 pm
Are motorbike combinations still legal? An uncle used to bring his family in one down to London from Yorkshire on the A1, before Mways. Had to be particularly careful turning left........
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 19 June, 2015, 08:47:17 am
Man in his 20s with little boy of 5 or 6 waiting to cross the road. It was about 1/4 past 5 and quite busy. "When I say GO! we run across the road". He'd picked the widest part of the road, directly opposite the chip shop (guess where they were going). Traffic was quite heavy with only small gaps. They did make it across, thanks to the alertness of a Freelander driver, but what kind of idiot encourages a small child to run across a busy road?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 19 June, 2015, 08:50:03 am
what kind of idiot encourages a small child to run across a busy road?

cf Kevin Ward http://www.darwinawards.com/darwin/darwin2014-13.html
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: red marley on 19 June, 2015, 09:02:02 am
In my day we had machines dedicated to encouraging such behaviour (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frogger).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2015, 09:06:28 am
In my day we had machines dedicated to encouraging such behaviour (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frogger).
I thought that was going to be ice cream vans! Or pelican crossings with v short timings.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tiermat on 19 June, 2015, 09:16:01 am
In my day we had machines dedicated to encouraging such behaviour (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frogger).

Which has been updated (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yodo1.crossyroad&hl=en) for the modern kids...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: red marley on 19 June, 2015, 09:19:07 am
Ice cream vans would commonly have a "Mind that child!" exclamation painted on the back (do they still do that?). A clear statement that it should be drivers who need to take responsibility for ensuring they don't injure incautious children, not admonishments to people who dare stray into vehicle territory.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Riggers on 19 June, 2015, 12:19:53 pm
… if they do, wouldn't it be great if they were in a regional dialect:

"N'then. Loooook'owt. Thaz a child abut! Flower."
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 June, 2015, 12:58:58 pm
First I heard his bell and saw the people crossing the round I was about to turn left into scatter. Then he came rushing round the corner, doing about 25mph down the one in eight hill, on the wrong side of the road as he turned into the side street I was coming out of. He diverted around me and almost into a car parked on the other side of the street. But hey, at least he was wearing a helmet!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mustgettaller on 19 June, 2015, 01:48:29 pm
The youth who decided to hop off the pavement on his MTB into the cycle lane between Emsworth and Havant - the wrong way -  to meet me coming the right way. I had visions of writing of the 2nd bike in 3 weeks as I did an endo and nearly had to swerve into the overtaking traffic.

(Was on carbon light thing after my Secteur was written off in a collision with stupid woman pulling out of a car park and bouncing me into a cast iron bollard - the bruises were impressive!)

I grabbed his arm to tell him how stupid he was - reasonably politely but less so as he completely lacked to acknowledge any problem. I nearly did the over-50 thing of "take those earphones out and listen to me - you leave when I've **** well stopped talking to you" but couldn't be bothered. I did nearly just punch his lights out though - I was so pissed off. Luckily sense prevailed. And I'm normally so mild mannered...

Was a couple of weeks ago but finally got round to ranting about it.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 19 June, 2015, 02:07:40 pm
The youth who decided to hop off the pavement on his MTB into the cycle lane between Emsworth and Havant - the wrong way -  to meet me coming the right way. I had visions of writing of the 2nd bike in 3 weeks as I did an endo and nearly had to swerve into the overtaking traffic.

Or the youth who decided to hop off the pavement on his MTB into the dual-carriageway Bristol road - the wrong way - to meet me coming up the hill at about 5mph on a loaded Brompton.  He swerved into the fortuitous absence of traffic, built up significant speed from the hill and shot off into a side-road behind me.

No real risk of a collision, but I really don't know why he didn't just stay on the pavement.   ???
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 20 June, 2015, 05:50:11 pm
c. 11 a.m. in York's Coppergate I have stopped on the red at the busy pedestrian crossing.  30-ish guy wearing big headphones riding a slime green bike, too impatient to wait for all to cross and charges over just missing a woman in front of me but only because she jumps out of his way.  Lucky she was agile.   
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 03 July, 2015, 08:41:10 am
A507 Shefford by-pass at 1/4 to 7 last night. A red Peugeot estate sweeps past, passenger hanging out of the window, giving it the usual unintelligable NYAGREKLEZMOWTTIYHFG ending in a doppler-effected ROAD TAAX YOU CAAAAAaaant.

This, erm, person, qualifies as a Dick rather than an Oik or a Motorised Moron for two excellent reasons.

1 (One) - He was wearing a black CYCLING jersey.
2 (MMXV) - The car he was travelling in had two very shiny roadbikes on the roof-rack. ::-)

What is the world coming to?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 03 July, 2015, 08:48:45 am
Stolen car ?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 03 July, 2015, 08:49:03 am
And clothes ?

:-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 03 July, 2015, 09:36:45 am
Actually, I think he was probably part of the new breed of MAMILS who seem to be multiplying now the weather has improved. What, a few weeks ago, were quite quiet routes on a weekend have now become busy with lycra-clad morons riding their bikes in the same fashion as they drive their AUDIs. It can get somewhat scarey at times.

Another couple of months and it'll be blessed peace out there again.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 03 July, 2015, 10:21:33 am
A507 Shefford by-pass at 1/4 to 7 last night. A red Peugeot estate sweeps past, passenger hanging out of the window, giving it the usual unintelligable NYAGREKLEZMOWTTIYHFG ending in a doppler-effected ROAD TAAX YOU CAAAAAaaant.

This, erm, person, qualifies as a Dick rather than an Oik or a Motorised Moron for two excellent reasons.

1 (One) - He was wearing a black CYCLING jersey.
2 (MMXV) - The car he was travelling in had two very shiny roadbikes on the roof-rack. ::-)

What is the world coming to?

Irony?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 03 July, 2015, 10:54:45 am
Not Americans then.

:-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: red marley on 03 July, 2015, 12:37:03 pm
[...] unintelligable NYAGREKLEZMOWTTIYHFG ending in a doppler-effected ROAD TAAX YOU CAAAAAaaant.

It being unintelligible, what they actually said was "Well done lad, keep going! The roads here in God's own county of South Yorkshire are second to none, paid for out of a non-hypthecated taxation system. As much as people think you should contribute to them though a road tax, you can't."
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 03 July, 2015, 01:57:58 pm
What is the world coming to?

Irony?

Quite.  Though I generally reserve that sort of thing for people I actually know.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 06 July, 2015, 09:23:09 am
The biter bit...

Quote
A private wheel clamper from Hampshire has been fined £500 for clamping police cars providing security for a private visit by the Queen to Portsmouth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15496114 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15496114)

 ;D ;D ;D :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: orienteer on 06 July, 2015, 11:01:32 am
The biter bit...

Quote
A private wheel clamper from Hampshire has been fined £500 for clamping police cars providing security for a private visit by the Queen to Portsmouth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15496114 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15496114)

 ;D ;D ;D :facepalm:

"Colin Shackel, prosecuting, said PC Mark Cox and a second officer, both in plain clothes, were providing protection for the Queen."

Bit of nominative determinism too!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 July, 2015, 11:17:24 am
The biter bit...

Quote
A private wheel clamper from Hampshire has been fined £500 for clamping police cars providing security for a private visit by the Queen to Portsmouth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15496114 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15496114)

 ;D ;D ;D :facepalm:

Quote
Andrews told the court he had tried to call his firm's control room for authorisation to remove the clamp, and had been prevented from doing so by police.

If that is true, then this poor bastard has been really shafted. He's lost his job, his marriage and had threats made against him.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 06 July, 2015, 01:57:41 pm
The biter bit...

Quote
A private wheel clamper from Hampshire has been fined £500 for clamping police cars providing security for a private visit by the Queen to Portsmouth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15496114 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15496114)

 ;D ;D ;D :facepalm:

Quote
Andrews told the court he had tried to call his firm's control room for authorisation to remove the clamp, and had been prevented from doing so by police.

If that is true, then this poor bastard has been really shafted. He's lost his job, his marriage and had threats made against him.

The job loss may well be related to this incident. No idea what led to the marriage breakdown and threats.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: woollypigs on 06 July, 2015, 02:50:28 pm
Forgot about this, few weeks back, while walking in town. Three cyclict went through the red, over the pedestrian crossing I had green on. As with everything I forgot to shout something, mainly because I never have a great punch line ready. Even when it is that simple as - it's red!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: caerau on 17 July, 2015, 12:02:12 pm
DOTD today is your truly.


With various graduation ceremonies taking place this week at my place of employment they've put in temporary metal ramps up the whole 3 steps to get into the main entrance to the building - for catering and presumably disabled access.  I've been enjoying yomping up one of them on the bike, not because it saves me any time, but just because it's a bit of fun in the morning.


Sometimes it pays to pay attention to the weather though.  Next time I'll save this silliness for dry conditions.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tonyh on 17 July, 2015, 01:13:22 pm
Hope you're ok!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: madcow on 17 July, 2015, 01:59:54 pm
DOTD today is your truly.


With various graduation ceremonies taking place this week at my place of employment they've put in temporary metal ramps up the whole 3 steps to get into the main entrance to the building - for catering and presumably disabled access.  I've been enjoying yomping up one of them on the bike, not because it saves me any time, but just because it's a bit of fun in the morning.


Sometimes it pays to pay attention to the weather though.  Next time I'll save this silliness for dry conditions.  :facepalm:

You know the old saying -the bigger they come , the harder they fall. Hope you're O.K.
Think Rory Mcillroy and the Open , except substitute Welsh guy and PBP.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 29 July, 2015, 08:40:32 am
Female jogger in all blue foopball kit who caused a lorry driver to change his trousers by running straight across the roundabout about 6 feet in front of his moving lorry on the busy A507 Chicksands roundabout at 0715 this morning. About 20 feet from a Toucan crossing ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 29 July, 2015, 01:05:38 pm
Female jogger in all blue foopball kit who caused a lorry driver to change his trousers by running straight across the roundabout about 6 feet in front of his moving lorry on the busy A507 Chicksands roundabout at 0715 this morning. About 20 feet from a Toucan crossing ::-)

Bet she was enjoying her choons though.......
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Redlight on 31 July, 2015, 02:36:45 pm
Arguably two for the price of one here

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/motorist-takes-a-tumble-while-trying-to-attack-cyclist-video-185352?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social (http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/motorist-takes-a-tumble-while-trying-to-attack-cyclist-video-185352?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Social)

The only person who comes out with any credit is the slightly embarrassed looking passenger.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: red marley on 31 July, 2015, 05:24:26 pm
Should've worn a helmet.


But really, chasing down impatient idiotic drivers to educate them until they explode is never going to make the roads a better place to be.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 31 July, 2015, 05:37:12 pm
Dunno if he chased anyone down, he just carried on with his ride. Mr Sweary driver may not have learned anything from this, thousands of other potential sweary drivers have.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: red marley on 31 July, 2015, 05:58:16 pm
I don't share your optimism. I think the kind of confrontational behaviour shown by both in the video just reinforces an "us and them" attitude that will do little to encourage considerate behaviour. Headcam warriors do us no favours at all, putting off potential new cyclists and normalising what is still thankfully relatively rare aggressive behaviour.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 31 July, 2015, 06:00:12 pm
Politely remonstrating with a driver who just risked your life isn't being a "warrior".

Drivers sometimes offer unremunerated and un-asked for advice to me, even when I haven't come close to endangering them, wouldn't occur to me to threaten them for doing so.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: caerau on 31 July, 2015, 06:03:16 pm
I just put that on the today's motorised moron thread, I was thinking it might not be out of place here too - seems I'm not the only one who thought that  :thumbsup:


Yeah, both were dicks there really.


I did enjoy 'Do you have insurance? no!'  er... 'Yes'


though
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 31 July, 2015, 06:11:11 pm
Politely remonstrating with a driver who just risked your life isn't being a "warrior".

Chasing him down several turns later in order to do so is more than a bit confrontational, though.

And I agree with jo about the merits of sharing videos like this.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 31 July, 2015, 06:12:46 pm
 That may have been his commute, catching up with that driver just shows how stupid and pointless the dangerous overtake was.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 31 July, 2015, 06:17:50 pm
That may have been his commute, catching up with that driver just shows how stupid and pointless the dangerous overtake was.

It seems a suboptimal route for a commute, doubling back on yourself like that.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 31 July, 2015, 06:20:16 pm
https://vid.me/XeuC
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: clarion on 31 July, 2015, 06:22:04 pm
Should have been wearing a helmet.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 31 July, 2015, 06:25:31 pm
(http://road.cc/sites/default/files/image_1148.jpg)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jurek on 31 July, 2015, 09:37:37 pm
Spindrift, you cock!  ;D
I'm with Jo on this one.
Cyclist appeared to be no peace ambassador....
I pity the next cyclist the Peugeot driver encounters.
I can't help but think that if there had been no camera, this would have been a non-incident - other than for a sharp intake of breath.

Must confess to allowing myself a snigger when I see Peugeot-boy take a roll. :demon:
As well as feel sorry for him.
That probably hurt.
It wasn't any judo break-fall I've seen before.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Freya on 31 July, 2015, 11:15:47 pm
Whatever the rights or wrongs of the guy on the bike.......that is extremely funny.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 01 August, 2015, 08:19:26 am
The worst side of cycling vigilantism. Looked at some of the other of his videos, he must be really pleased to have something so "exciting".
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Zipperhead on 26 August, 2015, 02:45:56 pm
Cycling in London there's no shortage of idiots on bicycles, every day I encounter two wheeled idiots determined to injure themselves and others and I thought I'd seen just about every variant of muppetry and fuckwitedness that humanity could devise, but this morning I met one who was so far off the stupid scale that to call him a moron would be an insult to morons worldwide.

I was on my way to work and going along Lombard Road in Battersea about here (https://goo.gl/9aKZTy).

At the traffic lights ahead the path from the river comes out on the left (which is why the lights are there). Just behind me on the left the path goes back to the river. Lazy/stupid (ie pretty much most of them) cyclists used to come out at the lights and cycle along the pavement, despite the no cycling signs. But at the moment the pavement isn't there as the site on the left is being redeveloped*

As I was about where the camera is in the streetview link, a cyclist comes out from the path on the left at the lights into the road (on the wrong side) and cycles towards me, so I moved out to avoid him, then to add to the fun his dog appeared behind him. Not on a lead, Mr. muppet wasn't even looking to see what his dog was doing, it was just running behind him. Seeing me the dog just ran out into the centre of the lane, and my worry was that the cars behind having seen me swerve to avoid the idiot wouldn't spot the dog and would run it over. Fortunately they did and no animals were injured.

The world is full of these idiots - and most of them probably drive cars as well.

* Because the pavement isn't there the developers have added a temporary traffic light (and someone to operate it) to allow pedestrians to cross, go along the other side and cross back at the lights, most don't, but that's ok because there are enough people in high vis and hard hats in the road to shield them.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Wascally Weasel on 27 August, 2015, 04:35:23 pm
I often say hello or good morning to the hi viz clad workers.  Sometimes they put the lights on red when they see me approaching now!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: pumpkin on 28 August, 2015, 11:31:09 am
Yesterday am when my wife was on the way to work. The driver edging out from a l/h road. He sees he and she knows he's going to go anyway so she starts to slow down and he goes. he then goes immeditely right to a block of shops on the opp. side of the road but forgets to look for oncoming traffic and finds a car in the side of his. No doubt the cyclist was to blame somewhere. She witnessed an incident the other week on the Belmont road, north of Bolton where a motorist passed the cyclists from her club (sensibly) but when he got to the leading cyclist he then immediately turned right towards his house but found a motorcycle buried in the side of his car and the rider later died after being carried off in the helicopter. It's always that moments inattention. >:( :(
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Zipperhead on 24 September, 2015, 12:32:20 am
I must have a sign on my back that says "fuck me from behind", that everybody but me can see.

On the way home, pulling away from a set of lights another bicycle overtook me and immediately cut across me to go up the ramp, immediately after the lights, onto the pavement. Fortunately my brakes were a little sharper than his brain.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Wascally Weasel on 29 September, 2015, 10:32:23 am
I must have a sign on my back that says "fuck me from behind", that everybody but me can see.

On the way home, pulling away from a set of lights another bicycle overtook me and immediately cut across me to go up the ramp, immediately after the lights, onto the pavement. Fortunately my brakes were a little sharper than his brain.

No, I just think that the level of road skills (and road sense) is diminishing, or being more widely spread amongst a greater number of people (in the way that a the last tiny remnants of a tub of margarine get very thinly spread on a piece of toast).  I’m sure I’m seeing worse riding on the roads I share with you for commuting than I used to.

Some big tubby sack of shit ahead of me went up the inside of a 4x4 as it was going through a pinch point, was almost taken out and then shouted at the car driver.

I over took him at the earliest safe opportunity (after he had helpfully pulled out to the right without looking or signalling a smidge earlier).  Then he overtook me at the lights and sat in front of me (in the pedestrian crossing).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 29 September, 2015, 11:02:41 am
Not sure about this one, but I saw an off on Saturday up Hackney-way (the road from Homerton to the bridge over the Lea). Lycra-clad bloke with all the gear sprints past me. There's a car ahead of him indicating left, quite obviously to pull into some flats. Now, yes, the driver should have looked in their mirror, but equally it was obvious what they were doing and the cyclist could have simply slowed down and let them complete the manoevre or gone around on the outside. But no, he had to try and go through the inside and clipped the front of the turning car. He was fine but having a right barney at the driver. It was one of those things so easily avoided by either party, especially the cyclist who had two easy options.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tonycollinet on 30 September, 2015, 01:01:25 pm
In my view that is 100% the cyclist. If he goes left up the side of a left turning vehicle, it is unreasonable to expect the driver to be looking in the mirror all the time to spot such stupid behaviour.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 07 October, 2015, 08:53:49 am
Dicks of the 1030pm yesterday are the two yoofs in dark clothes, no lights, riding along a narrow and somewhat twisty unlit road - on the wrong side!

Anybody who's familiar with the road between Upper Gravenhurst and Campton will want to join me in saying "They must be bloody stupid!"
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Redlight on 08 October, 2015, 09:40:32 pm
The black-clad fixed wheel ninja who decided that it was a good idea to overtake a group of cyclists approaching a junction on Tower Bridge Road on their right and then immediately turn left across their wheels. It was a move worthy of the Addison Lee bag that he had over his shoulder.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: HTFB on 14 October, 2015, 11:46:51 am
Yesterday's bloke on the Overground, too old to be a hipster, travelling with a nice old orange and chrome derailleur frame built for 27" wheels. He'd achieved a single-speed 700c conversion by the simple expedient of taking both brakes off. No, it wasn't a fixie. And the chain was very, very slack. (I suppose it's possible he'd just bought it and was taking it home to rescue, which would make the DOTD the previous owner.)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 October, 2015, 03:45:19 pm
Leeds, this morning. Rush-hour pedestrian levels.
Rider on a full carbon aero-frame-tube jobby with deep, deep section rims (prob near 90mm. Bad Bunny hop onto pavement then proceeded to honk in surges like he was going up a 1/3.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: runsoncake on 20 October, 2015, 07:10:32 pm
JUst wonder what goes through some peoples heads at times.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-34584344 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-34584344)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 November, 2015, 08:58:39 pm
The POBs with no lights who ride on psyclepaths, taking random sides.  FFS get some blinkies and keep left.  Also, the peds who invariably walk on the bike side and mobile phone users who can't even hear the ringing of a bell.  I had to tap one such phone user on the shoulder to clear a path on the way home and even then I'm not sure she really noticed, although she did move.  Cycle paths just don't work.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 12 November, 2015, 09:08:06 pm
Shared-use paths don't work.

Cycle paths I'm suspending judgement on until I actually meet one...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: andyoxon on 13 November, 2015, 10:01:42 am
This (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.6570707,-1.3031017,3a,75y,185.59h,88.54t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swlT4cPy7gVLJlk8LGy69CA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) is one shared-use I use, and it's fine, because the number of pedestrians is low.  Do occasionally meet the oblivious runners with headphones though...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 19 November, 2015, 11:11:24 am
Chap on a hybrid with bright red light on the back of his lid, a bright red light on the back of his rucksack, a bright flashy red light on his seat pillar, and a bright flashy red light on the back fork. Don't you think a front light might come in handy at that undogly hour on a cloudy dark morning?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 19 November, 2015, 11:15:12 am
Talking of effing runners, walking across Hammersmith Bridge the other night and one decided Mrs Ham was in his way so pushed her aside. Unfortunately behind me and I didn't notice otherwise I think I might have provided a more immovable barrier to progress. I vote runners can be included in DOTD, as they likely have at least the lycra and road bike at home.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 19 November, 2015, 11:25:04 am
I vote runners can be included in DOTD, as they likely have at least the lycra and road bike at home.
Seconded
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 19 November, 2015, 01:37:10 pm
Nahh, runners are obviously poor people who can't afford bicycles.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tom_e on 19 November, 2015, 01:45:14 pm
I doubt non- runners & cyclists distinguish, we're probably all yoghurt knitting health freaks to them.  Your bullying runner blends right in with those red light jumpers.

I reckon shared use isn't so bad, IF there is plenty of space for all the users.  Not as fast as blasting down the road if you have to share with people on foot.  Then again it sometimes isn't as fast to drive the car when sharing the road with lorries. & cyclists.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 25 November, 2015, 01:56:35 pm
I feel this Lord Sugar article belongs here as DOTD!

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/lord-sugar-attacked-by-cyclists-on-twitter-after-suggesting-99-per-cent-accidents-would-be-avoided-a3122886.html
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 25 November, 2015, 02:09:55 pm
I really dislike sugar, but he is making a valid point. His "99%" figure is obviously wrong, but suggesting avoiding going down the inside of large vehicles, etc, is sensible.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DDCyclist on 25 November, 2015, 02:12:30 pm
He's got a point. Reading the road and surrounding hazards will reduce accidents. That works whatever mode of transport you use including your feet.

I seriously doubt that it would eliminate 99% of accidents though. Maybe (moistens finger and sticks it in the air) 10 to 20%.

99%? Not a chance. Years of bimbling up and down the M1 on a motorcycle made me super-aware of what most drivers were going to do before they signalled - but some remained unpredictable.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 25 November, 2015, 02:37:12 pm
It's all fine being more aware of my situation and believe me I am!! It's the other roads users that aren't aware of THEIR situations which makes it dangerous for everyone. Lord Sugar is wrong to put all the onus onto cyclists.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: red marley on 25 November, 2015, 02:46:19 pm
No-one's going to object to showing good awareness on the roads being a desirable thing.

But it is wrong to suggest that (a) lack of awareness from cyclists is a principal factor in incidents; (b) that everyone bears equal responsibility to improve their awareness.

The former is supported by analysis of incidents - see, for example http://road.cc/content/news/83104-two-thirds-cyclist-injuries-following-collisions-motor-vehicle-due-driver-says
The latter is the basis for a presumed liability approach to managing responsibility and effecting behaviour change, which recognises as a principle that those with the greatest capacity to do harm are the ones that have the greatest responsibility to avoid that harm.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 25 November, 2015, 03:54:28 pm
There is a world of difference between blaming cyclists and saying that if you choose to take extra care you can avoid most accidents.

You certainly can while driving.

Just because you might have been able to avoid an accident by using extra skill does not make it your fault if a driver piles into you.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 25 November, 2015, 04:28:03 pm
Lord Beardface of Hackney is a contemptible maggot. If he reckons 99% of RTCs were down to a fault on the part of the rider then with 16 deaths a year you only have to find 2 blameless riders to show the absurdly self-important gobshite is talking pants. The majority of riders were blameless. Risky or illegal cycling is a factor in just 6% of KSI RTCs, Sugar claims almost the opposite of the reality. He's a slime-ball Murdock spiv with "Lord Sugar" written across his crossbar, the stupid big penis. 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Regulator on 25 November, 2015, 04:37:15 pm
JUst wonder what goes through some peoples heads at times.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-34584344 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-34584344)

One side of the story... which smells a bit fishy.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 25 November, 2015, 04:54:33 pm
Lord Beardface of Hackney is a contemptible maggot. If he reckons 99% of RTCs were down to a fault on the part of the rider then with 16 deaths a year you only have to find 2 blameless riders to show the absurdly self-important gobshite is talking pants. The majority of riders were blameless. Risky or illegal cycling is a factor in just 6% of KSI RTCs, Sugar claims almost the opposite of the reality. He's a slime-ball Murdock spiv with "Lord Sugar" written across his crossbar, the stupid big penis.

Not a big fan of him then?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 25 November, 2015, 05:27:46 pm
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/28/article-1165492-040A2052000005DC-393_233x223.jpg)

Ghastly man. Nasty, ignorant victim-blaming from..why's he talking about cycling anyway? What's it got to do with beard face, he doesn't cycle in London cos a driver takes him everywhere. Suddenly he's laying the law down about stuff he knows squit about.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DDCyclist on 25 November, 2015, 05:58:51 pm
Lord Beardface of Hackney is a contemptible maggot. If he reckons 99% of RTCs were down to a fault on the part of the rider then with 16 deaths a year you only have to find 2 blameless riders to show the absurdly self-important gobshite is talking pants. The majority of riders were blameless. Risky or illegal cycling is a factor in just 6% of KSI RTCs, Sugar claims almost the opposite of the reality. He's a slime-ball Murdock spiv with "Lord Sugar" written across his crossbar, the stupid big penis.

Not a big fan of him then?
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/28/article-1165492-040A2052000005DC-393_233x223.jpg)

Ghastly man. Nasty, ignorant victim-blaming from..why's he talking about cycling anyway? What's it got to do with beard face, he doesn't cycle in London cos a driver takes him everywhere. Suddenly he's laying the law down about stuff he knows squit about.

I think that'd be a "no."   ;D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 November, 2015, 08:40:47 am
Lord Beardface of Hackney is a contemptible maggot. If he reckons 99% of RTCs were down to a fault on the part of the rider then with 16 deaths a year you only have to find 2 blameless riders to show the absurdly self-important gobshite is talking pants. The majority of riders were blameless. Risky or illegal cycling is a factor in just 6% of KSI RTCs, Sugar claims almost the opposite of the reality. He's a slime-ball Murdock spiv with "Lord Sugar" written across his crossbar, the stupid big penis.
Oh ffs

yes, he's a contemptible maggot.

However, he did not say that RTCs were the fault of the cyclist. He pretty much said the OPPOSITE!
The thrust of what he was saying was that all cyclists should assume that all car (drivers) near them are trying to kill them, and that hence they should ride very very defensively.

Sugar cycles a lot and at a heck of a speed, according to cycling weekly journalists who have ridden with him.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 26 November, 2015, 09:38:06 am
He said:

Quote
"as long as you have that philosophy when you’re riding your bike in central London, I think 99 per cent of the accidents that occurred would have been avoided.”

Which is complete bollocks and implies that the dead or injured cyclists only had to follow his stupid advice to avoid the collision. the reality is almost the complete opposite, the cyclist's behaviour is rarely the causal factor. He's explicitly saying that the cyclists in collisions could have followed his advice and been ok. He doesn't cycle in London. He claimed his split helmet was proof they work. He has form for flapping his gums about stuff he knows nothing about and it gets press attention because in this country it's assumed that celebrities are sources of wisdom. It's all dangerous stuff, the LTDA got wind of the Standard poll and have flooded it with votes saying the undertaking cyclist was at fault in that collision. Mmmm, so cabbies are anxious to blame cyclists for collisions, and self-important windbag Sugar declares that he has the answer to road safety, and it's CYCLISTS TAKE CARE.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 26 November, 2015, 09:51:11 am
He could, and should, have equally easily said : -

Quote
And as long as you have that philosophy when you’re riding your bike driving your vehicle in central London, I think 99 per cent of the accidents that occurred would have been avoided.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 26 November, 2015, 10:00:05 am
He said:

Quote
"as long as you have that philosophy when you’re riding your bike in central London, I think 99 per cent of the accidents that occurred would have been avoided.”

Which is complete bollocks and implies that the dead or injured cyclists only had to follow his stupid advice to avoid the collision. the reality is almost the complete opposite, the cyclist's behaviour is rarely the causal factor. He's explicitly saying that the cyclists in collisions could have followed his advice and been ok. He doesn't cycle in London. He claimed his split helmet was proof they work. He has form for flapping his gums about stuff he knows nothing about and it gets press attention because in this country it's assumed that celebrities are sources of wisdom. It's all dangerous stuff, the LTDA got wind of the Standard poll and have flooded it with votes saying the undertaking cyclist was at fault in that collision. Mmmm, so cabbies are anxious to blame cyclists for collisions, and self-important windbag Sugar declares that he has the answer to road safety, and it's CYCLISTS TAKE CARE.

You do realise that your rant about Sugar says more about you than it does about him?

That's bye the bye. Let's try it with driving.

Do you think that it is true that when driving, with application of skill you can significantly change the probability of being involved in  a road traffic accident? That by developing and applying observational and positional techniques you can ensure for the most part that if an accident happens you won't be involved? It's true whether you believe it or not. You may choose to read that as "if you have an accident it is then your own fault", personally I wouldn't because while more people would be capable of developing those techniques many probably aren't. For example, if a car joins a motorway and ploughs into the side of someone driving along happily in the inside lane, it isn't the fault of the driver of that car as he has right of way. However, I'd like to think it wouldn't have happened to me, as either (a) I wouldn't have been in that lane or (b) I would have been alert to the possibility at that position of risk.

It's the same with bikes.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 26 November, 2015, 10:10:32 am
If the Oddjob freak had said the answer is for EVERYONE to take care it would have been helpful, but because he pulled that 99% statistic right out of his stupid Hackney arse he reinforces victim-blaming. Being "situationally aware" doesn't work against lorry drivers playing with phones.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 26 November, 2015, 11:31:20 am
If the Oddjob freak had said the answer is for EVERYONE to take care it would have been helpful, but because he pulled that 99% statistic right out of his stupid Hackney arse he reinforces victim-blaming. Being "situationally aware" doesn't work against lorry drivers playing with phones.

Unfortunately the only person that I know  who will listen to what I say is me, and even he doesn't sometimes. So, "Everyone Take Care" is aspirational, but bloody useless at keeping me alive.

And I'm afraid that being situationally aware DOES work against lorry drivers playing with phones. Not in all circumstances in all ways, but in most of those circumstances that I have observed or read about resulting in cyclist injury it does.

Take the case of the lorry that turned left at Holborn, from the wrong position in the road. The cyclist crushed against the railings was not at fault in the slightest, but if they had observed the signal (which the lorry was actually making) they could have chosen not have been where they were.

You CAN ride to keep yourself alive, it doesn't make it your fault if you fail to do so.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 26 November, 2015, 11:44:23 am
Sugar cycles a lot and at a heck of a speed, according to cycling weekly journalists who have ridden with him.

Cycling at a heck of a speed does seem to reduce conflict with motor traffic...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TimC on 26 November, 2015, 03:15:25 pm
When I was in the military, if I was tasked with flying into an area where people really were trying to kill me, I spent a great deal of time and energy doing everything I could to make damn sure I wasn't an easy target. In an urban cycling environment, the same applies. I would love for drivers to be more aware and to consistently and reliably do all they could to avoid me, but I know that's a forlorn hope so I will do everything I can to minimise the risk of being a victim. That includes the measures Alan Sugar suggests. No, it won't prevent '99% of accidents', but hopefully it will prevent 99% of my accidents.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 26 November, 2015, 03:37:24 pm
I did four years in the SAS and left because the balaclava made me itchy but Alan Beard is appealing to terrible drivers who are desperate to believe that the collision they may cause will be the rider's fault. Rubbish drivers love to believe cyclists are constantly throwing themselves under car wheels, it's a neat little pre-prepared bias built into society that the self-appointed Yoda of Cycling has just reinforced.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: red marley on 26 November, 2015, 04:18:55 pm
The video of the cyclist-taxi collision (https://youtu.be/8TGSWcSfK_U) that's doing the social media rounds at the moment is an apposite example of the kind of thing we are discussing.

There's little doubt that if the cyclist had stopped before the taxi driver moved left, or filtered to his right (or stayed at home that day), there would not have been a collision between them. So it feels natural to suggest that cyclists should be more aware of the possibility of situations like this arising. However, we also have to consider the effect of very public words of advice such as Sugar's which will be heard by more non cyclists than cyclists. In this case, the taxi driver did a classic manoeuvresignal rather than mirror -- signal -- manoeuvre, showing a lack of awareness that had more serious consequences for the cyclist than it did for the driver. Discussion of #bloodycyclists filtering down the inside has the consequence of allowing those who actually do the harm to avoid having to change their behaviour or accept responsibility for the potentially dangerous vehicles they control.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 26 November, 2015, 04:59:54 pm
Sorry Jo, are you saying continuing to stream down the inside of a vehicle indicating left is good cycling? That is any more good than turning left without regard for the cyclist come up the inside?

There is a huge disparity in the responsibility of the car and the bike, there's nothing to choose when it comes to the competence of the driver and rider.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jakob W on 26 November, 2015, 05:25:05 pm
Except the taxi starts turning and flicking his indicator at the same time, when the cyclist is almost level with the rear of the cab. Now you might say you should never filter left near a junction even if a vehicle's not indicating, but the cabbie's competence is far below the cyclist's - the first cyclist of 3 has just passed his front wing and he clearly isn't aware of the other 2 behind him, nor does he do any kind of mirror check before he turns.

Now obviously defensively paranoid riding can protect against some risks - albeit at the cost of a slower or more tiring journey as it's safer never to pass a vehicle - but the fact remains that motor vehicles are so much faster and heavier that they can put you at risk whatever you do. Which is why the onus should always be on the driver to ensure they're not placing others at risk.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 26 November, 2015, 05:26:39 pm
Svetlana Tereschenko was killed by a lorry driver who didn't bother indicating. The lorry driver that killed Daniel Cox was indicating, but unfortunately he turned the opposite direction. Neither cyclist did anything wrong, both have their behaviour impugned by Sugar. Sebastien Lukowmski and Mary Bowers were both stopped at traffic lights and a lorry driver came up behind and either didn't notice or forgot the cyclists were there and ended both their lives. So when Sugar says:

Quote
Any truck that is parked by traffic lights, I will not go down the inside lane of it. I will stay behind it and be patient because it’s going to kill me.
 

he's bolstering the view that riders killed by trucks have been rash or intemperate and that is not often the case. It's not even usually the case.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: red marley on 26 November, 2015, 06:36:28 pm
Sorry Jo, are you saying continuing to stream down the inside of a vehicle indicating left is good cycling?

As you might guess, I wouldn't say this is 'good cycling'. What I did say though can be paraphrased as Anyone can behave less than ideally on the road, but those whose less than ideal behaviour poses the greatest danger to others have the greatest obligation to behave better.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 26 November, 2015, 10:28:02 pm
Sorry Jo, are you saying continuing to stream down the inside of a vehicle indicating left is good cycling?

As you might guess, I wouldn't say this is 'good cycling'. What I did say though can be paraphrased as Anyone can behave less than ideally on the road, but those whose less than ideal behaviour poses the greatest danger to others have the greatest obligation to behave better.

I'd never argue with that.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 27 November, 2015, 09:21:51 am
Taxi drivers that suddenly lurch to the left to a kerb for a customer that stuck their hands out are bloody lethal drivers! Same goes for those that are already by the kerb with the left indicator on then suddenly, as you are moving out to the right to go round them, decided to flick right indicator and attempt a complete u-turn with scant regards for both cyclists and cars  ::-) No amount of situational awareness can make up for those kind of thoughts.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 27 November, 2015, 10:10:16 am
Taxi drivers that suddenly lurch to the left to a kerb for a customer that stuck their hands out are bloody lethal drivers! Same goes for those that are already by the kerb with the left indicator on then suddenly, as you are moving out to the right to go round them, decided to flick right indicator and attempt a complete u-turn with scant regards for both cyclists and cars  ::-) No amount of situational awareness can make up for those kind of thoughts.

Sorry mate, but you couldn't be more wrong.

As you say, some situations make these sort of manoeuvre more probable. For example, an unusual traffic blockage, someone hailing a cab from the other side of the street. Just being aware of the situation gives you the possibility to avoid it, and do all or any of modify your speed, direction, cover your brakes.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 27 November, 2015, 10:31:27 am
That's your opinion. After 5 years of riding in London, I am still occasionally surprised by drivers despite trying to 2nd guess everyone the best I can! 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rogerdodge on 27 November, 2015, 10:46:39 am
I think that most people here have the anticipation to avoid these kind of accidents most of the time, but this comes from experience and people ought to be able to cycle and survive without those years of learning. Pretty much in the same way that pedestrians do.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 27 November, 2015, 11:34:51 am
I think that most people here have the anticipation to avoid these kind of accidents most of the time, but this comes from experience and people ought to be able to cycle and survive without those years of learning. Pretty much in the same way that pedestrians do.

There are a number of people on here who have undertaken Advanced Driving, Motorcycling, Cycling training and while they may not all agree with me entirely, riding safely is NOT about second guessing what someone else is going to do because, guess what? you don't know. Instead it is about taking control of your destiny yourself.

A really good example (and non controversial) is from driving, what to do with tailgaters on a motorway. It's something that many people have a problem with, the answer  is simple, you ensure that the gap between you and the car in front is such that you can stop without the tailgater going into you.

So, no, it isn't my opinion, it is just best practice.

FTR, nothing I say changes my agreement that people SHOULD be able to cycle and survive without using that level of skill

The common cause I have with Mr S is that  as a personal preference I would prefer not to have segregated cycle facilities. In and of themselves they are arguably not fantastic for cycle safety. What they do do, and why they are ultimately a good thing, is that they bring more people on to bikes which almost however it is achieved is a Good Thing.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Hot Flatus on 02 December, 2015, 05:51:49 pm
The video of the cyclist-taxi collision (https://youtu.be/8TGSWcSfK_U) that's doing the social media rounds at the moment is an apposite example of the kind of thing we are discussing.

There's little doubt that if the cyclist had stopped before the taxi driver moved left, or filtered to his right (or stayed at home that day), there would not have been a collision between them. So it feels natural to suggest that cyclists should be more aware of the possibility of situations like this arising. However, we also have to consider the effect of very public words of advice such as Sugar's which will be heard by more non cyclists than cyclists. In this case, the taxi driver did a classic manoeuvresignal rather than mirror -- signal -- manoeuvre, showing a lack of awareness that had more serious consequences for the cyclist than it did for the driver. Discussion of #bloodycyclists filtering down the inside has the consequence of allowing those who actually do the harm to avoid having to change their behaviour or accept responsibility for the potentially dangerous vehicles they control.

Interesting, because I watch that and judge it to be entirely the fault of the cyclist.

Plain old common sense, backed up by Rule 167  of the Highway Code: ‘Do not overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example, approaching or at a road junction on either side of the road’.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: andrew_s on 12 December, 2015, 07:54:52 pm
Cyclist attempting to cross a closed level crossing just as a Pendilino HST arrived:
https://uk.screen.yahoo.com/near-misses-close-calls/polish-cyclist-shockingly-drives-path-065236717.html
He was about a half second too late to succeed in his Darwin award attempt, but it's instructive to see how far the smooth side of the train knocked him
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: jsabine on 13 December, 2015, 01:08:44 am
The video of the cyclist-taxi collision (https://youtu.be/8TGSWcSfK_U) that's doing the social media rounds at the moment is an apposite example of the kind of thing we are discussing.

There's little doubt that if the cyclist had stopped before the taxi driver moved left, or filtered to his right (or stayed at home that day), there would not have been a collision between them. So it feels natural to suggest that cyclists should be more aware of the possibility of situations like this arising. However, we also have to consider the effect of very public words of advice such as Sugar's which will be heard by more non cyclists than cyclists. In this case, the taxi driver did a classic manoeuvresignal rather than mirror -- signal -- manoeuvre, showing a lack of awareness that had more serious consequences for the cyclist than it did for the driver. Discussion of #bloodycyclists filtering down the inside has the consequence of allowing those who actually do the harm to avoid having to change their behaviour or accept responsibility for the potentially dangerous vehicles they control.

Interesting, because I watch that and judge it to be entirely the fault of the cyclist.

Plain old common sense, backed up by Rule 167  of the Highway Code: ‘Do not overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example, approaching or at a road junction on either side of the road’.

I don't think I'd say *entirely* the fault of the cyclist - though I don't have a whole lot of sympathy for him.

Undertaking a moving vehicle at a junction, especially one that's indicating (and I think the taxi's indicator was on as it approached the junction, not just as it turned) is a damn-fool game. Nonetheless, the taxi driver's got to take some responsibility for it: his indicator doesn't give him priority, and he's been put on notice that there are cyclists doing stupid things by the one undertaking immediately beforehand. It would be nice to think he'd have been able to spot the cyclist either in his mirror, or by doing a shoulder check to the nearside as he turned - after all, he's the one driving a ton of metal around.

I'd probably hold him liable, but with 75 or 80% contributory negligence by the cyclist.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 13 December, 2015, 01:47:12 pm
94.2% cabbie's fault. He didn't indicate, didn't check his mirror and turned when it wasn't safe.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 13 December, 2015, 01:48:27 pm
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/taxi-driver-fined-for-knocking-highprofile-cycling-campaigner-off-bike-a3135406.html
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 14 December, 2015, 09:03:58 am
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/taxi-driver-fined-for-knocking-highprofile-cycling-campaigner-off-bike-a3135406.html

....but that was deliberate and targeted.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 14 December, 2015, 11:23:59 am
Cyclist attempting to cross a closed level crossing just as a Pendilino HST arrived:
https://uk.screen.yahoo.com/near-misses-close-calls/polish-cyclist-shockingly-drives-path-065236717.html
He was about a half second too late to succeed in his Darwin award attempt, but it's instructive to see how far the smooth side of the train knocked him
That has to be DOTY
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 17 December, 2015, 08:47:54 am
The 'Stipster' (Stealth Hipster) cycling in the opposite direction to me this morning. Black hair, black full beard, black scarf, black jacket, black jeans, black shoes (probably Chukkas) on an unlit fixie. Hands and face were white but, as his handlebars were about 12" wide and his hands were as close to the middle as he could get them, both were invisible from behind. I looked back as soon as we passed and the only reason I could see him was because I knew he was there, it took me about 5 seconds to locate him.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: dave r on 21 December, 2015, 05:55:46 pm
That's your opinion. After 5 years of riding in London, I am still occasionally surprised by drivers despite trying to 2nd guess everyone the best I can!

Even after more than forty years on the road I still get surprised once in a while.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 24 December, 2015, 11:54:14 am
The Yoof on the slime green BMX machine.

Narrow street with an oncoming car. I am approaching a blind left turn.  Said Yoof comes hurtling (i.e. very fast) out of the turn on the wrong side of the road.  It's immediately obvious

a) he is on a collision course with me
b) his bike has absolutely no brakes, none. 

Fortunately I have good brakes and stop instantly to avoid being barged into the oncoming car.  Yoof receives 'feedback' with which he does not argue.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: David Martin on 29 December, 2015, 05:33:45 pm
Son. Forgetting the lock is one thing. Failing to turn round and ride the 300m home to get it and instead just leaving the bike outside the bank whne you went in to pay in your christmas gift money was less than wise. It now appears that much of that finance will be going towards replacing the bike that was subsequently lifted in the 5 mins you were inside.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Riggers on 18 January, 2016, 01:38:08 pm
. . . goes to the "I'm-cycling's-gift-to-women", or whatever he thought he was, in all-the-gear-but-no-idea as he made his way through two lanes of traffic Saturday afternoon on Brighton seafront. We (my friend and his dog) were crossing at the most convenient point for us while the lights were red 30 yards further down the road . . . as you do. No probs.

Apparently it was for God's-gift-to-cycling who, when we were on the pavement yelled "What's wrong with the proper bloody crossing!!?"

I'll point out, in no way were we impeding or in any way close to him, only aware of him as he sailed past, but he obviously decided to put us in our place. Naturally we shouted back at him and, whaddya know it, he breezed through the red light. We shouted "RED LIGHT!!!"

Knob jockey.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 22 February, 2016, 09:25:57 pm
Just seen a bloke on an unlit bike, attempting to trackstand at a traffic light crossroads and failing so badly he wobbled right to the other side of the road and was nearly hit by a Domino's driver.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 23 February, 2016, 03:38:43 am
Riding to work yesterday evening at 1935 hours, fully dark. Coming towards me on the Balcombe Road, two cyclists riding side by side. One is fully lit, front and back. The other is in all-dark clothing with no lights. The one with the lights was the one on the footpath...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: IJL on 24 February, 2016, 10:06:46 am
Quote
Lord Beardface of Hackney is a contemptible maggot. If he reckons 99% of RTCs were down to a fault on the part of the rider then with 16 deaths a year you only have to find 2 blameless riders to show the absurdly self-important gobshite is talking pants. The majority of riders were blameless. Risky or illegal cycling is a factor in just 6% of KSI RTCs, Sugar claims almost the opposite of the reality. He's a slime-ball Murdock spiv with "Lord Sugar" written across his crossbar, the stupid big penis.

I agree 99% is rather OTT. but could have avoided is not the same as being responsible for.  Or as I was told many years ago when I started riding motorbikes "being in the right is no consolation if your lying in the gutter with a broken leg"  I see many bikers and riders put themselves into entirely legal but very risky situations.  I think to some extent this is the nature of cycling most of us are not keen to give the momentum we have worked hard for.  To many road users (of all types) behave as though all the other road users were attentive and intelligent, the reality is many of them are like sheep on the road, only not quite as predictable or sharp witted
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 24 February, 2016, 11:00:13 am
Quote
Lord Beardface of Hackney is a contemptible maggot. If he reckons 99% of RTCs were down to a fault on the part of the rider then with 16 deaths a year you only have to find 2 blameless riders to show the absurdly self-important gobshite is talking pants. The majority of riders were blameless. Risky or illegal cycling is a factor in just 6% of KSI RTCs, Sugar claims almost the opposite of the reality. He's a slime-ball Murdock spiv with "Lord Sugar" written across his crossbar, the stupid big penis.

I agree 99% is rather OTT. but could have avoided is not the same as being responsible for.  Or as I was told many years ago when I started riding motorbikes "being in the right is no consolation if your lying in the gutter with a broken leg"  I see many bikers and riders put themselves into entirely legal but very risky situations.  I think to some extent this is the nature of cycling most of us are not keen to give the momentum we have worked hard for.  To many road users (of all types) behave as though all the other road users were attentive and intelligent, the reality is many of them are like sheep on the road, only not quite as predictable or sharp witted

This seems to be at odds with the views of the police.
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/uk-roads-policing-expert-i-would-not-commute-by-bike-in-london-there-are-too-many-risks-a3099096.html
I would expect (no basis in statistics) that around 5% of accidents are the fault of the cyclists, probably some 15% where both cyclist and driver are both at fault.  40% where the driver is at fault, but the cyclist may have been able to proactively manage the risk, and probably 40% where the cyclist could do nothing to avoid the accident, short of travelling around in a tone tonne motorised steel safety cage.

also consider that one of the strategies for managing risk is often to claim more road space, but this will lead to aggression from drivers, so we are pushed away from the safer course in many cases.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Si S on 04 March, 2016, 08:45:37 am
The brakeless rider on Oxford Road who learned the hard way that unless you really enjoy bouncing off buses it's very important you put your flip-flop hub in the right way round .  :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 04 March, 2016, 12:08:29 pm
A special award

http://road.cc/content/news/181268-cyclist-riding-wrong-way-bike-lane-sues-motorist-after-crashing-%E2%80%93-and-loses

(of costs)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 16 March, 2016, 08:38:00 pm
The dunce on a bike this evening who in the dark is riding an unlit county road with no lights, earphones in, and in the 2km I rode escort to him didn't even look over his shoulder once. This was despite two roundabouts taking first and then second exit (only two exits on either).

The only reason I didn't t-bone him as I pulled out of the side turning was a I saw him silhouetted by the lights of a passing car.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: perpetual dan on 16 March, 2016, 09:22:54 pm
Approaching a roundabout with three lanes, left hand is left turn; other two feed two lanes straight ahead and turn right. Cyclist in front went from secondary in middle lane to primary in right hand lane, with cars behind in both lanes, and no looking back or indication. Then onto left hand of the straight ahead lanes. Sigh.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: essexian on 18 March, 2016, 02:48:58 pm
I had a SMIDSY yesterday late afternoon when out for a pootle along Long Lane, just before its junction with Station Road near Haughton Staffordshire.

I knew riding conditions would be tricky as the sun was very low in the sky meaning that it was difficult to see clearly. However, I had my rear light on its brightest setting and was wearing a bright red top and a yellow lid.

However, popping along at somewhere north of 15mph, I rounded a corner only to spot a white shape up against the hedge…it took me a few milliseconds to realise it was a dog and a few moments longer to work out that the black shape driving into the hedge to get out of the way of a “lycar lout” was the dog emptier.

Sorry mate, I didn’t see you…..  :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: essexian on 20 March, 2016, 07:07:54 am
To the bloke in Lichfield who shot two red lights yesterday whilst I waiting for them to change and then had the affront to shout at me for stopping at the next one after I had overtaken him yet again; Sir, you are what I called you, "A dickhead."

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: MagnusOpus on 21 March, 2016, 10:27:36 am
To the bloke in Lichfield who shot two red lights yesterday whilst I waiting for them to change and then had the affront to shout at me for stopping at the next one after I had overtaken him yet again; Sir, you are what I called you, "A dickhead."

I'm in Lichfield....but it wasn't me!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: davelodwig on 21 March, 2016, 08:22:51 pm
Yes I know the towpath is closed, but that doesn't mean you can propel your electric assist bike along the pavement and almost knock me down as the pair of you zoom round the corner.

I'd have shouted but I was too busy giggling at the fact you had all the kit, bibs, clipless shoes, shoe covers, bright yellow jacket, helmet, bright yellow helmet cover, and then rode on the pavement.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 02 April, 2016, 04:50:58 pm
Special award for the bloke I saw receiving the attention of two (count 'em) police cars today.

He was on the M45 thobut, going towards the M1. There is nowhere, but nowhere to go but the M1 from where he was, and he would have already have ridden some 6 miles on motorway, with only about 1 to go before the M1.

Looked like a nice bike and expensive lycra, couldn't see any ideas in evidence  ;D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hellymedic on 02 April, 2016, 05:00:08 pm
I blame a meatware error onthe SatNav...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 02 April, 2016, 05:51:16 pm
What lane was he in ?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SoreTween on 03 April, 2016, 10:04:35 am
Bit late but I nominate me last Monday. Trying to get to the ASB at some lights where there's no bike filter lane I failed to fit between two cars and hit the wing mirror of one. Cue much apologising.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 07 April, 2016, 01:47:44 pm
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/cyclist-caught-trying-to-ride-to-heathrow-on-hard-shoulder-of-m25-a3219881.html

hahahaha!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Torslanda on 10 April, 2016, 08:50:40 am
Erm . . . Me. Last week.

Center Parcs supply hire hire bikes with a horseshoe type lock on the rear triangle. I stopped, locked the bike, went to the shop and came out again to find that there was nowhere in the lock for the key to fit. Cue searching of pockets and the ground near the bike for a missing lock barrel. Ended up pushing/ carrying the bike back to the villa before the youngest pointed out I was looking on the wrong side of the bike  . . .

What is it I do for a living, again?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 11 April, 2016, 02:14:32 pm
Erm . . . Me. Last week.

Center Parcs supply hire hire bikes with a horseshoe type lock on the rear triangle. I stopped, locked the bike, went to the shop and came out again to find that there was nowhere in the lock for the key to fit. Cue searching of pockets and the ground near the bike for a missing lock barrel. Ended up pushing/ carrying the bike back to the villa before the youngest pointed out I was looking on the wrong side of the bike  . . .

What is it I do for a living, again?

Good question Tors my old mate ;D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SoreTween on 01 May, 2016, 07:08:27 pm
That would be Mr all-the-gear-little-idea on the Wye Valle Wiggle Sportive getting shirty with me today.  Wave your arms all you like pal, I am NOT going to overtake you round the outside of a bend.  I'm out near the centre line , you're hugging the gutter.  I can see a great deal further round the corner than you and it isn't enough. So flap your arms all you wish mate, you're just wasting a little bit of the energy you seem short of.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 03 June, 2016, 10:59:20 pm
Yoof on a BMX, only means of braking appeared to be rubbing th sole of his shoe on the tarmac, riding down an 8% hill on a busy dual carriageway. Shot between the lanes of cares at the bottom, didn't stop at the roundabout.

Unbelievable, luckily no one turning right across his path.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ruthie on 14 June, 2016, 09:36:23 pm
This dick  >:(

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/pedestrian-badly-hurt-after-car-flips-on-to-pavement-a7081646.html
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 14 June, 2016, 10:03:23 pm
That's a VERY naughty car
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 15 June, 2016, 07:17:32 am
I rather thought this thread was for examples of cyclists' ineptitude and the 'Today's Motorised Moron' thread was for drivers of motorised vehicles.

Or have I got that wrong ?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ruthie on 15 June, 2016, 08:31:27 am
I rather thought this thread was for examples of cyclists' ineptitude and the 'Today's Motorised Moron' thread was for drivers of motorised vehicles.

Or have I got that wrong ?

I do believe you're right.  Apologies.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 15 June, 2016, 09:15:51 am
Sorry, displaying sam-like tendencies there.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 27 June, 2016, 08:13:56 pm
Perhaps not quite DOTD but certainly a bit stupid. Me. Coming from here (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5327811,-2.5704732,3a,75y,90h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOqtk6STHOJXPhGxQ5sJO6g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1) and wanting to go straight on, there was a bus coming from left as I circulated the roundabout so I gave a nice big left turn signal and... well, use streetview and you'll see!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 29 June, 2016, 09:33:32 am
The thicko arsehole who swore at the pedestrian (calling her a 'stupid bitch') for daring to be in front of him when he wanted to cycle along the pavement. Then stopped 10 feet further on to complain to his mates about his flat front tyre.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Redlight on 06 July, 2016, 02:13:53 pm
Nominating this one for DOTY (year)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CGP0MhcRvE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CGP0MhcRvE)

Thank goodness the guy on the hire bike managed to regain control.  The other bastard didn't even glance back.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 06 July, 2016, 02:21:29 pm
That roadie gets the C Bomb dropped on him good and proper :demon:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 July, 2016, 02:38:32 pm
Were the others intending to chase the DOTY down?
Some good driving from the lorry driver there.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 July, 2016, 02:54:27 pm
Truly shocking.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 06 July, 2016, 03:04:48 pm

Some good driving from the lorry driver there.

Bit close for an overtake, but that stupid farty blue paint channels you.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: nicknack on 27 July, 2016, 09:41:48 pm
Aren't there a lot of knobs on bikes in Cambridge? Far too many to nominate.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Reg.T on 16 August, 2016, 04:25:11 pm
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/56557612/IMG_20160816_144851.jpg)

What sort of idiot rides a single speed with just a back brake?
And what special kind of DOTD then has their child sit on the top tube?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: davelodwig on 16 August, 2016, 04:42:15 pm
The complete nob jockey this morning on the electric bike.

Tiny Cotswold village (painswick), I was waiting at the traffic lights to go through the narrow one way section.

He jumped onto the barely wide for a person pedestrian pavement, barely in control of the bike, blew through the lights, and then hopped of the pavement into the path of oncoming traffic squeezing pasts.

Thank god it's the summer holidays the place is normally packed with traffic.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 17 August, 2016, 10:14:12 am
Would be me yesterday evening  :-[

Down hill approach to a two lane roundabout with three arms and good site lines, I am entering at 6 o'clock and exiting at 1 o'clock. Vehicle (grey civic) enters from 9 o'clock indicating right suggesting exiting at my entrance. Vehicle (red fiesta) from 1 o'clock enters behind it also indicating right but no problem I have the timing to enter in front of him.

Unfortunately the civic didn't exit but lapped the roundabout, still no problem I have the timing to enter the gap between it and the fiesta.

Now comes the dotd moment. As I committed to entering the roundabout I suddenly realised that along with the fiesta a third vehicle (grey S2000) had entered the roundabout but stayed in lane 1 while turning right and not indicating. My timing is all wrong to avoid him and despite breaking hard I couldn't stop before the line. Fortunately the S2000 had seen me coming and stopped to let me recover.

I should have known better as there are a lot of people who go right in lane 1 on that roundabout.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 31 August, 2016, 01:36:47 pm

Guy who rounded the blind bend at speed on the wrong side of the road.   Luckily I'd slowed down and tucked right in as I usually do.  It's a single vehicle width passage and I am always prepared for a car to be rat running at speed.  This time it was a cyclist.  He did apologise so I left it at that.  If he'd met a car instead of me he wouldn't have been in a fit state to apologise.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Wascally Weasel on 02 September, 2016, 09:48:46 am
Yesterday heading west on the Upper Richmond Road, bloke ahead of me almost crashed into another car crossing the junction at the foot of Putney Hill.

He was texting, not wearing a seatbelt and had a Yorkshire terrier on his lap.  The complete dick.

Blue Honda, reg: V648 DLL
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Wowbagger on 02 September, 2016, 09:51:36 am
I expect the Yorkshire Terrier was driving.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 02 September, 2016, 11:25:38 am
Yesterday ...
Blue Honda, reg: V648 DLL

Oi, you can't bring that thing down here!


(http://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/traffic-control-devices-manual/sign-specifications/images/r04-10-nolabels.gif)

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Hattyfatner on 02 September, 2016, 10:34:46 pm
Nearly got sideswiped by a grey Mercedes tailgating a red Seat both passed with only a couple of cm to spare.
To cheer myself up after work went to gwhizz cycles and test rode mountain bikes for a while.
Hope the next 195 commutes aren't as hairy...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 03 September, 2016, 04:43:13 pm
Coming back into town (soaked and rather k-nackered) was overtaken fast by a sporty looking guy on a very nice SOTA machine.  Next thing he gets stopped by a car giving way to oncoming traffic.  Rather than slow his impressive progress he hops onto the pavement only to be encountered by a newspaper boy coming t'other way and having to slammmm!!!! on the anchors anyway.   At least he hadn't rlj'd when I next saw him a mile further on.   
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 05 September, 2016, 08:26:41 am
Would have been me on the homeward commute on Friday.

Descending a bit of single track (KoM hunting :-[ ) and realised I was progressing a hit too quick for an approaching section. Applied a little bit of brake which turned out to be too much. Rear wheel started to slide out to the left and I thought "Ooops, I'm gonna fall off the hill in a second" but I soon relaxed as I saw there was a tree between me and the impending fall. "Oh Fuck! Tree!"1 thinks I and released the rear brake, starting to straighten up. Too late, rear wheel impacts tree and stops me dead. I then hear the sound of something reasonably substantial rolling down the hill through the leaf litter. Thinking I had killed the bike, I examine it until I realised that the bike aint'nt dead but the tree is ;D

1 It is amazing what can go through your mind in a small moment of time when things are progressing rapidly in a painful direction.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Dman01 on 07 September, 2016, 12:59:25 pm
I recently spent a couple of weeks working in Amsterdam rather naively expecting it to be a paradise of polite cycling but there were definitely several keen nominees for DOTD out there.  Top of the list seems to be riding the wrong way down a bike lane and aggressively shouldering everyone out of the way rather than tucking in
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Vince on 07 September, 2016, 06:40:22 pm
Normal for Hamsterjam
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tiermat on 25 September, 2016, 02:07:15 pm
I'll nominate the lady onna bike who rode straight out of a T junction in front of me, earlier. A 2 second wait would have given her a totally clear road, with no need to wobble all over the place, like she did!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 28 September, 2016, 08:33:43 am
It's that time of the year again. On my way to the pub at just after 7 last night. The sun hadn't been gone long enough for it to be anywhere close to dark, just a bit gloomy under the trees. AAARGHH!!! MY EYES! MY EYES!!1!! MTB-er comes the other way with a searingly-bright eyeball-DETH-inflicting head torch. No other lights front or rear, just this thing he'd stolen from Anti-Aircraft Command strapped to his head.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 28 September, 2016, 08:36:14 am
He'd probably been waiting to play with his new light for months.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 28 September, 2016, 12:46:41 pm
Properly laughed out loud there!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 03 October, 2016, 09:45:05 am
A nomination for the Doris Bike rider westbound at Aldgate, in the left hand cycle lane.

He stopped, which I thought was odd - he didn't look the type if you know what I mean (No, I wasn't judging on appearances, he had previous) The thing you need to know about that bit there is that (a) the bike lane is a little tedious if you are going straight ahead, as it is red through the complete motorised green to protect you against left turning vehicles, but it does that well (b) there is a right turn filter as part of the motorised green sequence Streetview (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5153399,-0.0713539,3a,75y,270h,89.31t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2ACaEnYILlkNFicOqxYoBw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) if that sounds too complicated. I turn left,  but I'm happy to exchange a few seconds for safety at one of the junctions I thought could never be made safe.

Anyhow, the right motorised traffic  filter turns green, and this bloke sets off from the red cycle lane light across the traffic to turn right! ...... :facepalm:

The thing that made it so memorable for me? That he had a paper bag dangling from the handlebars. That had printed on it "Le Coq Spoprtif"  ;D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mattc on 03 October, 2016, 10:38:15 am
It's that time of the year again. On my way to the pub at just after 7 last night. The sun hadn't been gone long enough for it to be anywhere close to dark, just a bit gloomy under the trees. AAARGHH!!! MY EYES! MY EYES!!1!! MTB-er comes the other way with a searingly-bright eyeball-DETH-inflicting head torch. No other lights front or rear, just this thing he'd stolen from Anti-Aircraft Command strapped to his head.
Amen to that.

I can deal with cycling in the dark and cold of winter - it's less fun than summer, but I can deal with it.

It's the other f****** cyclists that make it such a ball-ache.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 October, 2016, 10:51:00 am
A nomination for the Doris Bike rider westbound at Aldgate, in the left hand cycle lane.

He stopped, which I thought was odd - he didn't look the type if you know what I mean (No, I wasn't judging on appearances, he had previous) The thing you need to know about that bit there is that (a) the bike lane is a little tedious if you are going straight ahead, as it is red through the complete motorised green to protect you against left turning vehicles, but it does that well (b) there is a right turn filter as part of the motorised green sequence Streetview (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5153399,-0.0713539,3a,75y,270h,89.31t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2ACaEnYILlkNFicOqxYoBw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) if that sounds too complicated. I turn left,  but I'm happy to exchange a few seconds for safety at one of the junctions I thought could never be made safe.

Anyhow, the right motorised traffic  filter turns green, and this bloke sets off from the red cycle lane light across the traffic to turn right! ...... :facepalm:
So how are you supposed to turn right there? I presume from a combination of Streetview and your description that after the right motorised traffic filter green, or at some point, there is an all-directions cycling green. It's not exactly clear though, nor is it clear if you've never encountered such a thing that the cycling green will not require you to give way to/coincide with someone else's green as well.
Quote
The thing that made it so memorable for me? That he had a paper bag dangling from the handlebars. That had printed on it "Le Coq Spoprtif"  ;D
:D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 03 October, 2016, 10:51:50 am
I got my first retinal searing of the season on Friday. By Waterloo at about 5.45pm. Still fucking daylight and he's lit up like bloody airliner. I dunno, maybe he was trying to confuse any laser-guided munitions aimed at him. I can see why someone would want to.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 03 October, 2016, 04:25:17 pm
A nomination for the Doris Bike rider westbound at Aldgate, in the left hand cycle lane.

He stopped, which I thought was odd - he didn't look the type if you know what I mean (No, I wasn't judging on appearances, he had previous) The thing you need to know about that bit there is that (a) the bike lane is a little tedious if you are going straight ahead, as it is red through the complete motorised green to protect you against left turning vehicles, but it does that well (b) there is a right turn filter as part of the motorised green sequence Streetview (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5153399,-0.0713539,3a,75y,270h,89.31t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2ACaEnYILlkNFicOqxYoBw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656) if that sounds too complicated. I turn left,  but I'm happy to exchange a few seconds for safety at one of the junctions I thought could never be made safe.

Anyhow, the right motorised traffic  filter turns green, and this bloke sets off from the red cycle lane light across the traffic to turn right! ...... :facepalm:
So how are you supposed to turn right there? I presume from a combination of Streetview and your description that after the right motorised traffic filter green, or at some point, there is an all-directions cycling green. It's not exactly clear though, nor is it clear if you've never encountered such a thing that the cycling green will not require you to give way to/coincide with someone else's green as well.
Quote
The thing that made it so memorable for me? That he had a paper bag dangling from the handlebars. That had printed on it "Le Coq Spoprtif"  ;D
:D

There is a right hand filter lane, the traffic signs are quite clear but you do have to look at them.

And yes, I can believe it is confusing, but the appropriate method of coping is not likely to be be riding across a line of traffic not expecting you to do the same.

That whole segment was that bad I seriously couldn't believe it could be made safe for cycling, there have been many accidents in the past, some fatal. To do it, the whole one way motor centric traffic flow was ripped up and thrown away, a lane was taken away from the  motorised and converted, this junction put in place to protect against left turn lorries, and other stuff. Fucking amazing. Ten years ago it would have been an impossible dream. Still remains that you can't protect against TEH STOOPID, this area appears to bring it out in the cyclist.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 03 October, 2016, 05:05:16 pm
I think the right-hand filter lane is for cars (etc) though. I was simply wondering about the correct procedure for turning right on a bike, not suggesting it should be done by jumping the light. Anyway, I've just had another look at the Streetview from a different position and seen the blue paint leading off at a curve to the right, so clearly it is allowed on the green bike.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 03 October, 2016, 07:37:54 pm
Yes, indeed. There is also an ASL in the right turn lane which is what 99% of people turning right use, positioning into it is easy (relatively speaking) ETA - I Thought there was an ASL - must remember to look properly, there may not be
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mike on 04 October, 2016, 09:21:36 am
Yesterdays adrenalin-generating experience was at the top of Drury Lane when a big-minibus-sized german tourist bus pulled up beside me at some red lights (me in the middle of the left lane, him in the right lane) and *then* he started indicating left. 

I was ready for it, so when the lights went green and he pulled across in front of me I'd already stopped, and I gave the side of his bus an almighty slap.  He slammed to a halt, saw me in the mirror and **then moved off again** seemingly determined to ignore me.  I slapped the window this time, getting a scream out of the elderly tourist behind the glass.  He stopped again, I rode round to the front of the bus, stopped to gave him a friendly wave, then rode off.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 04 October, 2016, 11:58:38 am
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/mother-of-two-fell-off-bike-and-died-moments-after-taking-this-selfie-a3360441.html

I have a serious problem with this. Why is it up to the government ? Surely the lady has to have some self-restraint and keep her bloody hands on the handlebars. Especially at nights! I am sad to hear that she was also not wearing a helmet but it shouldn't take a law to have some common sense.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Canardly on 04 October, 2016, 12:01:29 pm
All those plonkers viewing broken white lines at roundabouts as 'accelerate now' instructions.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 04 October, 2016, 12:08:17 pm
The Greenway. 9:45 pee em. The junction with the underpass, where there would be a streetlight had the caahncil actually bothered to cut back the tree that has grown around it, preventing any light at all from reaching the ground

SQUEAL
of brakes*

Me (to darkly-clad peds in the inky blackness): Do you usually wander into the road without looking?
Darkly-clad ped 1 (male): We didn't hear any cars :facepalm:
Me: I'm not driving a car, am I.
Darkly-clad ped 2 (female): Oh...Er. Oh... Sorry
Me (moving off): It's just as well one of us is awake. Isn't it.
 ::-)

I don't want to crash into pedestrians. It might damage my front wheel.


*My front brake makes horrendously squealy noises at low speed. It's dead good :thumbsup:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 October, 2016, 01:13:11 pm
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/mother-of-two-fell-off-bike-and-died-moments-after-taking-this-selfie-a3360441.html

I have a serious problem with this. Why is it up to the government ? Surely the lady has to have some self-restraint and keep her bloody hands on the handlebars. Especially at nights! I am sad to hear that she was also not wearing a helmet but it shouldn't take a law to have some common sense.
Urging the government to compel cyclists to wear helmets is a lot easier than urging them to make cyclists (or drivers) use common sense and a lot easier than urging them to keep the roads smooth.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 04 October, 2016, 01:17:49 pm
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/mother-of-two-fell-off-bike-and-died-moments-after-taking-this-selfie-a3360441.html

I have a serious problem with this. Why is it up to the government ? Surely the lady has to have some self-restraint and keep her bloody hands on the handlebars. Especially at nights! I am sad to hear that she was also not wearing a helmet but it shouldn't take a law to have some common sense.
Urging the government to compel cyclists to wear helmets is a lot easier than urging them to make cyclists (or drivers) use common sense and a lot easier than urging them to keep the roads smooth.

Sadly true but also I have come off my bike on unbelievably smooth roads in Mallorca so that's not entirely true and I was glad to have a helmet on. Despite what roads we are riding on, helmets should be the first thought on a cyclist mind and not because we're told to by the law.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tom_e on 04 October, 2016, 01:43:26 pm
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/mother-of-two-fell-off-bike-and-died-moments-after-taking-this-selfie-a3360441.html

I have a serious problem with this. Why is it up to the government ? Surely the lady has to have some self-restraint and keep her bloody hands on the handlebars. Especially at nights! I am sad to hear that she was also not wearing a helmet but it shouldn't take a law to have some common sense.
Urging the government to compel cyclists to wear helmets is a lot easier than urging them to make cyclists (or drivers) use common sense and a lot easier than urging them to keep the roads smooth.

Sadly true but also I have come off my bike on unbelievably smooth roads in Mallorca so that's not entirely true and I was glad to have a helmet on. Despite what roads we are riding on, helmets should be the first thought on a cyclist mind and not because we're told to by the law.

Hmm, there's a reason why we have a helmet forum, isn't there?  Despite the fact I usually wear one, I can't agree that they should be the first thought at all.  I've ridden back from the pub enough times to confirm it is substantially more hazardous, per mile, than my normal commute.  Come to think of it, I think walking from the pub might be more hazardous too.  Maybe alcohol is the ...  no, no, that can't be it.  Selfie, cyclist, helmet, those are the buzzwords.  Not alcohol.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 04 October, 2016, 01:47:00 pm
Are we automatically assuming that everyone that goes to a pub has ingested some alcohol It hasn't said anything in the article. Granted newsies usually leave a key piece of information out but until proven otherwise, I'll give the group the benefit of the doubt. Yes, drinking and riding not to be encouraged.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 24 October, 2016, 02:00:11 pm
It's half-term.  This may explain the cyclist that I encountered who came at me head on with her eyes on the front wheel.  She was putting a lot of welly into overtaking other cyclists who were overtaking pedestrians and using my side of the road to do it.

The odd thing was her look of of indignation that I'd rung my bell to avoid a nasty collision.  Even if I'd just stopped she'd have had to run into someone.  I'd preferred it not to be me.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 24 October, 2016, 03:11:34 pm
It's the TdF effect.  Causes a sudden fixation with one's stem.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ElyDave on 24 October, 2016, 04:40:32 pm
can I nominate the pedestrian who stepped out in front of my landrover on Ely high street without looking.  Not that you can't hear a landrover on the high street from where I fire it up three miles away.

he looked very surprised at the sharp blast of the hooter  ;D

And yes, I had spotted him and was already prepared to brake.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 24 October, 2016, 05:17:35 pm
Well yesterday that would be me  :-[

As is normal when I am going to Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church I come out of Waterloo station, ride over the bridge, up Drury Lane, left onto High Holborn and then a highly irregular right onto Shaftsbury Avenue. Well I got two things wrong.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: woollypigs on 30 October, 2016, 08:57:04 pm
More a sillycyclist. A lady pulls out from a side road, without setting her pedal, so is scooting along, 4-5 times, trying to get up and over a hill/bridge I'm approaching. When she started to set off I was about 150 yards away and the road was clear for her to do her manoeuvre. But I catch her up on top of the hill/bridge, when she is then wobbling trying to put her hand out and look over her shoulder to signal that she is doing the same turn as me. I had pulled out to take the lane, and to stop numpties trying to overtake on the hill/bridge. I know one day someone is going to do it but as of yet nobody has, as it is in town and a blind bridge and locals know that there is a turn just past the peak.

If she only had set her pedal, she would have cleared the bridge and done the turn before I would have arrived to the peak of the hill/bridge.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 31 October, 2016, 08:31:08 am
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/mother-of-two-fell-off-bike-and-died-moments-after-taking-this-selfie-a3360441.html

I have a serious problem with this. Why is it up to the government ? Surely the lady has to have some self-restraint and keep her bloody hands on the handlebars. Especially at nights! I am sad to hear that she was also not wearing a helmet but it shouldn't take a law to have some common sense.
Urging the government to compel cyclists to wear helmets is a lot easier than urging them to make cyclists (or drivers) use common sense and a lot easier than urging them to keep the roads smooth.

Had she been wearing a helmet she's unlikely to have wanted to take a picture  of herself. 

But maybe they should ban selfies in dangerous circumstances just as we have an effective ban on motorists using mobiles.  Doing organised rides I have seen people taking selfies on fast descents.  I don't like them doing it riding in front of me, that's for sure. 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 01 November, 2016, 09:32:49 am
I nominate the Person with a bike who was getting on the train last night (I forget which station). I'd boarded at Edinburgh with my son's bike.

DOTD got on train with bike, east coast mainline train, and just left bike in coast vestibule. They had booked bike space. They abandoned bike in coach vestibule. They then didn't respond to messages (multiple, multiple message) over tannoy for the next 3 minutes, asking them to return to the platform outside coach B, so their bike could be put in the bike storage.

Train delayed by 15 minutes because of DOTD.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 04 November, 2016, 06:13:38 am
From yesterday morning.

Single speed? Check. Trendy canvas backpack? Check. Beard? No. Helmet? Bern, so that will protect against anything.

In the cycle lane westbound at aldgate (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5153399,-0.0713539,3a,75y,212.84h,60.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2ACaEnYILlkNFicOqxYoBw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). Motorised traffic has green for straight ahead and left turn. A very large dump truck is in the left/ahead lane to our right but stationary as there is traffic blocking. This Darwin Award Chaser decides waiting in the cycle lane isn't for him, shuffles the dividing kerb and rides up the inside of the truck as he wants to go straight ahead. Traffic did clear in front of the truck during this operation, but - unlike a second truck a little later - this driver chose to stay where he was. Just as well as he really would have known nothing about this bike. 50-50 call for 10 seconds, great move  :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 November, 2016, 08:34:58 am
Streetview shows some impressive skid marks on the blue paint there.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 14 November, 2016, 06:27:59 pm
Um, that would be me.
Colleague lent me his new front light to try out on the commute home (he only cycle commutes once or twice a week).
In the excitement of fitting and playing with the new front light, I neglected to turn on the back ones until I was nearly home.

 :-[ :-[
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Canardly on 14 November, 2016, 07:58:33 pm
Cyclist on very dark stretch of downhill main road with tree canopy near home, 7pm 'ish. No lights at all, hands off bars, earphones, weaving about. Gave him a couple of blasts on the horn before overtaking and then discovered had police car behind me which then put on blues and pulled him up. Hopefully they gave him a bollocking and a set of lights (local campaign). What are these kids thinking, lights are cheap as chips at the bottom end?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SoreTween on 14 November, 2016, 08:53:38 pm
Similar.  Instant reaction was to launch expletives at the car that pulled out from the kerb in front of the cyclist, both travelling in the opposite direction to me tonight.  It registered a few yards later that actually the illumination through the power button of this laptop is brighter than said cyclists front light.  You sir are a royal plonker and so to a marginally lesser extent am I.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: pumpkin on 16 November, 2016, 09:13:54 pm
Partially me and partially the youth on bike I nearly buried under the car the other evening. After putting my bike in the car after the commute and collecting my wife from the tram station (she normally cycles) we were heading home and used a side road to bypass the traffic. The sideroad comes to a B road but isn't marked Give Way but often you need to stop. I check to my right as I slow down to turn left and nothing is coming so I am about to keep moving and my wife shout 'STOP'. I did and there is ninja youth right in the cross hairs. No lights, nothing. I just didn't see him. He swears and keeps moving. I pass him, look in my mirror and he just becomes invisible again. I should have stopped and given him a light off my bike.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SoreTween on 05 December, 2016, 08:57:21 pm
Funny old day.  No motons out, even a couple of borderline TNAR events and..

1) Having overtaken a cyclist (loads of room, no issues at all) about 80 meters further up the road I slow for a ped on a zebra R to L. I'm in the middle of the lane moving at minimum speed with my left arm out as I'm turning a couple of meters past the crossing.  Same cyclist comes past on my left not having slowed at all, just missing my arm and pretty darn close to the ped who still has one foot on the crossing.
2) Just around the corner of the left turn full ninja.  All black gear, no lights at all and not even a single reflective spot on him.  Relying on the white frame to be seen I guess.
3) I followed a cyclist up a small incline with a reasonable red blinky on his seatpost and a fairly vicious white light on the back of his head.

Wierd day.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: caerau on 06 December, 2016, 08:30:15 pm
The tool who locked their bike to mine outside work today.

I have returned the favour witha nice thankyou note.

I shall be removing mine tomorrow and if their's isn't I shall be getting security to do it. >:(
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: caerau on 07 December, 2016, 11:35:26 am
Note gone and their lock re-locked in a more appropriate manner this morning.  An apology wouldn't have gone amiss seeing as it cost me about £20 in taxi and bus fares (left contact details on my polite note on their bike).


I feel in no especial hurry to remove my locks from their bike now and am somewhat tempted to leave their's locked up another night with one of mine....


... but I guess I should be a little more adult than that.


Mostly I'm relieved mine is still there as it had occurred to me when I left that this might be a sneaky tactic to thieve mine - come back in the night and cut my locks open.  Indeed I read once home that this is in fact a commonly used method.  Fortunately and gratifyingly not the case.  Just extreme muppetry.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 09 December, 2016, 08:23:35 am
The tool who locked their bike to mine outside work today.

I have returned the favour witha nice thankyou note.

I shall be removing mine tomorrow and if their's isn't I shall be getting security to do it. >:(

I thought at first you meant you had then placed your own lock round both bikes!  As well as the thank you note.

Best to check saddle heights first.  If their's is much higher than yours you need to be wary..
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: caerau on 09 December, 2016, 02:11:40 pm
I did.


I am a big burly bloke.  The other bike was a pink glittery small MTB.


Anyway, I don't care.  I hope they learned the lesson to bloody well pay attention to how you lock your bike up.  They owe me about £20 in taxi and bus fares if I was to really get arsey about it.  Plus I spent all night having trouble sleeping as I was worried it was a ploy to thieve my bike.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 15 December, 2016, 09:45:02 am
Every f*cking morning for the last 3 mornings I cross a pedestrian crossing and the same cyclist has sailed through the red light, about 4" behind me. I'm really tempted to step backwards into them.

It's early in the morning, the road is empty. Would it really cost them so much to stop for red?

Oh and add the person on Monday, who at 6:30am, with the road nearly empty, found it necessary to ride up on the pavement, continue on the pavement in front of the rail station past all the bus stops (weaving at speed past the people waiting for buses) then rejoin the road once they were past the station? The road was empty.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 15 December, 2016, 12:40:13 pm
Every f*cking morning for the last 3 mornings I cross a pedestrian crossing and the same cyclist has sailed through the red light, about 4" behind me. I'm really tempted to step backwards into them.

It's early in the morning, the road is empty. Would it really cost them so much to stop for red?

Oh and add the person on Monday, who at 6:30am, with the road nearly empty, found it necessary to ride up on the pavement, continue on the pavement in front of the rail station past all the bus stops (weaving at speed past the people waiting for buses) then rejoin the road once they were past the station? The road was empty.

Apparently it not illegal to go behind the person so I've read but yes stopping would be a better option.
EDIT: I am the div. Didn't read the red light.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: orienteer on 15 December, 2016, 12:49:09 pm
It's illegal to pass a red light.

I think I would be tempted to carry an umbrella which might accidently go into someone's wheel...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 15 December, 2016, 01:37:22 pm
Last evening about 19:15*, just about here (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5209787,-0.0927936,3a,75y,78.17h,74.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1scYj4ae62T_HN93d5Z6H9OQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). We (anyone who was cycling) had just had to contend with the Addison Lee method of passenger dropping - stop in the middle of the road and have the passenger open the door to block the cycle lane  :facepalm:, and were riding in traffic up to the zebra. I wasn't going particularly fast, maybe a little faster than dead slow as a result of the annoyance, but ready to stop. As I came up the inside to the zebra, as expected, people crossing from the right so I stop. And was rear ended (by a girl who had a few yards earlier pulled out from the left without stopping forcing me right).

"Sorry", she said "but you stopped unexpectedly"

I waved expansively at the zebra

"I know" she continued "but it was without warning"  :facepalm: ;D ::-)

I just laughed.

*very relevant given its proximity to the Barbican and the consequent density of peds.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 19 December, 2016, 09:32:58 pm
Ok, today it was me  :-[

There's this shared cyclepath on the other side of the road which I'd crossed over to use.  It's covered in leaf mould and stuff and at one point it crosses the entrance to a car park.  Cars have to climb a steep ramp to exit the park and visibilty is poor.  There are give way lines both for bicycles and cars but they are barely visible under the muck*.  Due to big building works it is in fact used by vans almost exclusively -  they tend to park up in the morning and leave at end of day.

Me, trundling along, forgot to look properly and this van was coming up the ramp quite quickly.  No way I could brake in time and so I was very relieved when the van managed to do so before crossing my path!  I cycled on in a state of mild shock and then stopped to see how the van was doing.  He'd obviously paused to recover and as he passed I waved in appreciation of his reflexes and he waved back.

I usually ride defensively was very annoyed at myself for the lapse.

* went back today and there is a large red notice on the ramp which says 'Cycle Track Crossing, Look both Left and Right'.
   
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 22 December, 2016, 08:04:08 am
Pedestrian Pushing a Bike Who May (or may not) Ride it as well as Push its Cyclist's near-miss with train  (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/38393823)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 22 December, 2016, 08:25:26 am
Hoods for the win...... Not.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 22 December, 2016, 12:47:34 pm
Hoods for the win...... Not.

Earphones must be blocking the approaching sound of a train that his addled brain confused with the train that just went past!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ElyDave on 22 December, 2016, 03:25:56 pm
Cyclist's near-miss with train  (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/38393823)

I was just about to post that one.  HTF can you miss a train?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 22 December, 2016, 03:50:14 pm
Get out o bed too late- get stuck in traffic?

 :facepalm: You mean HTF can you miss the fact that a train is approaching?

 ;)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 22 December, 2016, 05:20:23 pm
Hoods for the win...... Not.

Earphones must be blocking the approaching sound of a train that his addled brain confused with the train that just went past!

Neither hoods nor earphones prevent safe use of a level crossing.  It's called not looking.  You know, like the drivers do.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: toestrap on 22 December, 2016, 06:03:09 pm
I was expecting to see a person on a bicycle rather than a pedestrian pushing a bike.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ElyDave on 22 December, 2016, 11:18:53 pm
Get out o bed too late- get stuck in traffic?

 :facepalm: You mean HTF can you miss the fact that a train is approaching?

 ;)

I've never not caught my intended train. It's called planning.

I've also never missed an approaching train, hence still alive and posting. :)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Tim Hall on 23 December, 2016, 10:01:21 am
Hoods for the win...... Not.

Earphones must be blocking the approaching sound of a train that his addled brain confused with the train that just went past!

Neither hoods nor earphones prevent safe use of a level crossing.  It's called not looking.  You know, like the drivers do.

Add to that there's red and green lights on the approach, with clear instructions (Cross only when green light shows) of what to do.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: orienteer on 23 December, 2016, 10:23:09 am
It's possible a train had just passed in the opposite direction. My father once saved a guy's life when he waved him back from the other side, and the guy started to cross without looking after the first train passed. The second train actually stopped just beyond before proceeding, the driver must have s**t himself seeing the guy start to cross (it was a steam loco, very restricted forward vision).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Vince on 23 December, 2016, 11:18:14 am
I've also never missed hit an approaching train, hence still alive and posting. :)
FTFY :D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 23 December, 2016, 05:09:58 pm
Where I worked a railwayman lost both legs crossing the track in a shunting yard.  His foot caught in the points just as the loco approached. 

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 24 December, 2016, 06:16:10 pm
Pavement cyclist who nearly right-hooked me on the Raddlebarn Road by jumping off a kerb without looking at just the wrong moment in order to cross to a side-road on the other side.  Presumably my fault for having oil on my chain.

Judging by the fresh motorised damage to the local lamppost population, I'd say they were in good company.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 02 January, 2017, 06:36:50 pm
Complete moron sailed through a red light through a crossroads, looking to his left, crossing 4 lanes of traffic. Fortunately (as they were heading into the sun) the crossing cars were paying attention and braked to a halt rather than hitting him.

Utterly unbelievable, if one car (correctly travelling through a green light) hadn't hit their brakes and come to a complete halt, this moron would have been hamburger.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: delap on 05 January, 2017, 02:11:00 pm
Artic coming down the A38 Bridgwater Road towards Barrow Gurney overtaking a cyclist (going well over 20mph) in a gap between two islands considerably shorter than the distance needed needed to clear him at about 0710 this morning.  Looked close when the driver opted to just move left rather than abort the overtake.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 05 January, 2017, 04:05:48 pm
The Motorised Moron thread is down there VVVV.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: handcyclist on 05 January, 2017, 08:30:43 pm
Me today  ::-).

Mistimed my roll into an advanced stop box then had a clipped in moment as the lights went green.

Apologies to Mr Patient BMW driver as I rescued myself from 45 degrees to horizontal and limped to the pavement .....
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Tim Hall on 05 January, 2017, 09:19:45 pm
So, a sunny January day. A great mass of people, dressed mainly in black, emerge from a church , outside of which a hearse is parked. It's a good bet that they've just been to a funeral and are feeling sad.  They walk up the narrow lane towards their parked cars.

A cyclist approaches the group. Does he

A. Slow down, think a little about how the other people are feeling?

B. Bellow "cyclist coming through" and attack the climb, weaving through the mourners?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 06 January, 2017, 08:20:27 am
So, a sunny January day. A great mass of people, dressed mainly in black, emerge from a church , outside of which a hearse is parked. It's a good bet that they've just been to a funeral and are feeling sad.  They walk up the narrow lane towards their parked cars.

A cyclist approaches the group. Does he

A. Slow down, think a little about how the other people are feeling?

B. Bellow "cyclist coming through" and attack the climb, weaving through the mourners?
The Super Twat thread is that way
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 06 January, 2017, 10:57:40 am
What a knob!.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 12 January, 2017, 10:16:42 am
Coming to this a bit late (catching up after my xmuss holibobs)

Cyclist's near-miss with train  (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/38393823)

I was just about to post that one.  HTF can you miss a train?

If you're forced to use Grant Palmer buses to get to Biggleswade station - very easily.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 14 January, 2017, 02:23:50 pm
Was trundling along the riverside cycle path at a reasonable pace and approaching to overtake a pedestrian who is keeping well to the left.  As there is loads of room and he is walking in a straight line I decide not to ring my bell.   70 metres further on, a dog walker has spotted me and suddenly starts to take early precautions.   Seeing this, the pedestrian suddenly decides to change sides just in front of me.  Why, when the dog walker is so far away, I don't know. 

I have to do a very quick emergency stop (Hard Brakesit?), the rear wheel skidding over the edge of the cycle path towards an early and very cold bath in the River Ouse.  But luckily I stay upright. The elderly Irishman I have just missed and the dog walker are so profusely (and needlessly?) apologetic I can only laugh it off.

Always ring the bell, I guess.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 17 January, 2017, 04:13:50 pm
Had you rung your bell, he would have moved to the right, stopped in hte centre, turned to look which way to go leaving you the only option to stop or take the 50:50. You know I'm right.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 January, 2017, 04:14:48 pm
Depends how early you ping.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 17 January, 2017, 10:47:03 pm
You can't win more than about a third of the time whatever you decide to do with your bell.

The best way to get pedestrians to act sensibly around cycles on shared paths is studded tyres, but they're not 100% reliable, and hardly worth fitting for that purpose alone.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 January, 2017, 06:42:34 pm
Riding through York station car park. I turn blind corner in car park, ahead of me a car has just pulled out of a space and is starting to drive towards me down a narrow space. I slow and move left.

"Woah" there is a shout and DOAB hits my left arm as he undertakes me shooting past.

doesn't apologise or slow

I catch them as they exit car park on far corner onto quiet street. They pull out onto street and ride down the right hand side of the street.

Yup, DOTD
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 20 January, 2017, 08:39:17 pm
Last night, coming out of the Law Society on Chancery Lane and walking down Fleet St to City Thameslink. Two people on Boris bikes, riding the same way, one on each side of the road. Yup: she couldn't see a gap in traffic to cross to her friend, so she rode the wrong way down the road until she could swing across to join him, and of course without a look over her shoulder.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 20 January, 2017, 09:10:42 pm
A sort of comedy slow-motion lemming:  Without looking, a pedestrian started to cross the road some distance in front of me, at a sedate pace.  I eased off accordingly.  As he got about halfway across he happened to glance in my direction, startled and made some sort of "Arrgh!" noise, in fitting with being mown down by a speeding lycra lout.  I shrugged and passed behind him at below 10mph with about 2 metres of clearance.

Probably a Bristol Post reader visiting Brum on holiday.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Basil on 20 January, 2017, 09:50:09 pm
A sort of comedy slow-motion lemming:  Without looking, a pedestrian started to cross the road some distance in front of me, at a sedate pace.  I eased off accordingly.  As he got about halfway across he happened to glance in my direction, startled and made some sort of "Arrgh!" noise, in fitting with being mown down by a speeding lycra lout.  I shrugged and passed behind him at below 10mph with about 2 metres of clearance.

Probably a Bristol Post reader visiting Brum on holiday.

You hooligan, you.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 25 January, 2017, 08:24:02 am
Talking of (real)  'ooligans..

Had words with a fellow cyclist, on a SOTA mtb, dressed in full gear (the cyclist not the mtb ::-)).  Early 20s I'd say.

About to join the Knavesmire cycle track I waited for him to whizz past.  As he did so, he yelled loudly and aggressively at a woman walking her dogs:  "GET OUT OF MY WAY".   She had done nothing wrong, and I believe the cyclist had not spotted me watching. 

Once on the track I found my normal speed was enough to keep pace with him and when we met at a gate I said politely I thought his behaviour was unnecessary and got us all a bad name.  At that point he was joined by a mate and we carried on.  Our speeds being similar he gave me a tirade about the sins of dog walkers.  I find the dog walkers are generally considerate to cyclists so I told him that as it was a shared facility we had to live with that and that his behaviour was not helpful.  We left it there.

I doubt they were experienced mtbers judging by their roadcraft later.  Hopefully they will become less aggressive.         
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Torslanda on 26 January, 2017, 12:38:39 am
...or dead.

Meanwhile, why would you try to ride 1700km home, from somewhere you don't know, without being able to read a map? What's the worst that could happen?

Well, you could ride 500km in the wrong direction (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-38748373).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 26 January, 2017, 08:29:06 am
...or dead.

Meanwhile, why would you try to ride 1700km home, from somewhere you don't know, without being able to read a map? What's the worst that could happen?

Well, you could ride 500km in the wrong direction (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-38748373).

Although DOTD occurred to me as an option, I posted that story under commuting.   Reason was that I have no idea what it's like being 'a young migrant worker' in China.  Or what I could do to find my way around!

When I was in Kenya we met a hotel worker who ran home.  It took him 12 hours and he did the two way journey every week and his route took him through the bush. He had no choice if he wanted to earn a wage.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 26 January, 2017, 11:34:46 am
I nominate the Santander bike rider who hit the bus I was on yesterday.

Bus was pulling in to a bus stop and moving very slowly, because there was already a bus in the stop. I think the bus was signalling.
Santander bike rider decided to undertake the bus, hit the side of the bus with his hand and banged into it with handlebars. Bus driver stopped completely (they were only doing about 5mph anyway) rider wobbled, finished the undertake, then tried to overtake the bus ahead that was signalling to pull out from the bus stop. I felt sorry for the driver.

Serious lemming behaviour.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 13 February, 2017, 01:57:43 pm
This must be worth a prize in the DOTD competition:   http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/watch-cyclist-captured-by-a-dashcam-faking-being-hit-by-a-car/story-30132169-detail/story.html
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spindrift on 13 February, 2017, 09:18:34 pm
Faker than a big fake thing.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Basil on 13 February, 2017, 10:58:43 pm
Eh?  Is it me?  I don't actually see anything happen.  I don't actually see anything not happen either.  I don't get it.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Riggers on 14 February, 2017, 08:41:27 am
Nor me Bazzer. It's a pathetic attempt at encouraging readership.

He compounds his DOTD by getting on his phone and then cycling off. Mis-titled too. It should be 'a person on a bicycle' not a cyclist.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jacomus on 14 February, 2017, 09:31:27 pm
A hiviz Dr Evil tonight, shining a fikkin' laser at eye-height, angled into the oncoming lane. According to his frantic shaking of an invisible can of coffee beans when I put full beam on, I inferred that we weren't in fact playing "who can put out the most lumens" and instead he just thought that was a reasonable direction to point his fikkin' laser.  ::-)

In the mirrors, I noticed two other drivers behind me incorrectly guess the game too.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 February, 2017, 10:59:58 pm
We don't actually see who he's arguing with, and whatever it is he's arguing about has evidently happened some time before that clip begins. So we really don't know if anything happened or not, but it does look like some bloke getting shouty for the sake of it.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: delap on 15 February, 2017, 09:01:15 am
Leicester Mercury cyclist

I don't get the hate for him.  When a cyclist confronts a motorist sitting at a side junction and claims that the motorist has hit him and with no independent evidence of what, if any, incident occurred, the balance of probabilities tells me that the motorist probably made a dick move at some point.  I would not be surprised to discover that the motorist genuinely feels that he did nothing wrong.  Who knows, the cyclist may share some responsibility but it isn't a stretch to imagine a motorist crossing a pavement at the exit to an indoor carpark*  cutting off or colliding with a cyclist

* here https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/52%C2%B046'28.5%22N+1%C2%B012'32.0%22W/@52.7745833,-1.2102354,341m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d52.774577!4d-1.208892 (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/52%C2%B046'28.5%22N+1%C2%B012'32.0%22W/@52.7745833,-1.2102354,341m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d52.774577!4d-1.208892)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SoreTween on 15 February, 2017, 09:22:12 pm
The bromptonista who rode straight across the crossing on red here (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.317827,-0.5608477,3a,75y,155.26h,66.83t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1seicH2ekxE4XH-nPOr88UNA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DeicH2ekxE4XH-nPOr88UNA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.TACTILE.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D392%26h%3D106%26yaw%3D330.3446%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656) tonight.  You are one lucky pillock.  Under normal circumstances in that 30mph limit you'd have been a bonnet ornament.  The circumstances are not normal because a) there's a temporary 20mph speed limit in place and b) the lady you rode straight out in front of was doing less than that.  I was putting in an effort to keep pace with said lady in order to not inconvenience the BMW behind me that had flashed me out.  My GPS shows I was doing 25.6kph.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 04 May, 2017, 08:19:05 am
It's a while since we've had any DOTDs so I nominate hundreds of them.
This is distilled from a long rant that I decided not to post. I ended up purely by chance at the Lake Garda Cycling 'Festival' in Riva del Garda (Italy) on the Saturday of the Mayday weekend - we were travelling around by train & boat and Our itinerary and the bike event co-joined by fluke.
It was - by the looks of things - a well organised series of rides, talks, and events, and there was a splendid (free) trade show for everyone. The event seemed mainly targeted at Germans, and mainly at MTB riders. There were lots of fat bikes, e-MTBs, and 'normal' mountain bikes. I'm guessing there were a couple of thousand riders there.
But away from the festival rides themselves the riders were behaving like total hooligans. The town has a lot of pedestrian areas, many narrow alleys, and a lot of (non-bike) tourists. The riders - often in groups - were riding at speed through these with no considers for anyone. I saw an elderly French (?) bloke knocked over by a rider and then berated (almost attacked) for what had happened, toddlers reduced to tears, and old people seemingly frightened to leave park benches.
I was, in the end, ashamed to be associated with the world of cycling.


Tapatalk puts this signature here, not me!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Si S on 10 May, 2017, 09:22:05 am
Without doubt it was last night's Raphaman, head to toe RCC gear, who jumped a ridiculously late red here (https://goo.gl/maps/pLqbFyirdC62). He dodged round the traffic that was turning right from opposite which is what saved him I think, as he got a third of the way across and the A56 light went green I thought I was going to be phoning 999, the released traffic came within a whisker of wiping him out and he just managed to avoid the keep left bollard. Still can't believed he came out unscathed.

Got to be one of the all time stupidest bits of riding I've ever seen.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jakob W on 10 May, 2017, 09:31:48 am
I wonder how Rapha would react if you emailed the club sec and pointed out their members were bringing the club into disrepute? AIUI in a traditional club that might cause a missive to go out to members to remember not to behave like twunts (or at least not when in club colours!).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Si S on 10 May, 2017, 09:40:38 am
Strava flyby is my friend, he knows how lucky and stupid he was. Staring at his Garmin apparently.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 12 May, 2017, 05:17:20 pm
A special, special award for a special person

http://road.cc/content/news/222486-video-cyclist-almost-hit-train-after-forcing-his-way-through-level-crossing
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: clarion on 12 May, 2017, 08:56:35 pm
He seems to be somewhat intoxicated
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Zipperhead on 12 May, 2017, 10:51:51 pm
When I used to commute that way in the mornings I saw the occasional roadie put on a sprint to get across there when the gates were coming down.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 17 June, 2017, 06:36:08 pm
I watched a cyclist on the London CS7 route (big blue strip to the left of the road) power past me up towards the inside of a car that was ahead, was slowing down, was indicating left, was ever so slowly incrementally making the left turn at a set of lights, and then the cyclist acted all surprised when the car finally made its manoeuvre. Cyclist went straight into the front passenger door and somehow bounced off and held it together with enough aplomb to get round the front of the car. Then hurled abuse at the driver. Moron.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 17 June, 2017, 06:46:06 pm
He seems to be somewhat intoxicated

Quote
the train driver performed an emergency stop, meaning that the crossing became blocked and the man, whom he described as “very aggressive,” had to carry his bike over the footbridge.

The footbridge that is to the left, just out of shot  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 19 June, 2017, 10:58:28 am
Quote
..the biggest problem here is that he's not wearing hi-viz or a helmet, both of which would have prevented this situation from occurring in the first place.

It almost goes without saying.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 19 June, 2017, 11:23:33 am
I think I fit into this category this morning. I was riding along and hearing no sirens but it turns out that an ambulance had followed behind me for a little while (don't know exactly how long) with its lights on. Just after overtaking me in a safe manner where the road widened a little, it turned right.

There were quite a lot of police cars and ambulances rushing about during this morning's commute, complete with 'blues-and-twos'.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Chris N on 19 June, 2017, 11:42:16 am
I think I was one today too.  Overtook a chap on the old railway line into Bristol this morning and I obviously hadn't given him enough space.  I did apologise when he complained but could have been more polite. :-[
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 20 June, 2017, 12:52:20 pm
I think I fit into this category this morning. I was riding along and hearing no sirens but it turns out that an ambulance had followed behind me for a little while (don't know exactly how long) with its lights on. Just after overtaking me in a safe manner where the road widened a little, it turned right.
I disagree.  They have sirens for a reason and cyclists are not expected to have rear view mirrors.  If they rely on you to read between the lines - "oooh, is it me or was there a blue reflection in that window" and eschew turning the sirens on then they are not in that much of a rush.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: jsabine on 20 June, 2017, 03:29:02 pm
I think I fit into this category this morning. I was riding along and hearing no sirens but it turns out that an ambulance had followed behind me for a little while (don't know exactly how long) with its lights on. Just after overtaking me in a safe manner where the road widened a little, it turned right.
I disagree.  They have sirens for a reason and cyclists are not expected to have rear view mirrors.  If they rely on you to read between the lines - "oooh, is it me or was there a blue reflection in that window" and eschew turning the sirens on then they are not in that much of a rush.

Agreed. If they don't use the siren, then either you're not in their way or they're not in a hurry. Any time I've been trundling along quite happily on the bike, oblivious to the emergency vehicle behind me, it's only taken a quick whoop to encourage me to let them by.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Basil on 20 June, 2017, 03:38:50 pm
it's only taken a quick whoop to encourage me to let them by.

Yes, but hopefully from a little way back.  I was once given the full blast from directly behind me.  I had no idea they were there.  It was extremely loud and I very nearly had a heart attack.  It took me a while before my heart rate and breathing returned to a level where I could carry on.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: jsabine on 20 June, 2017, 03:43:31 pm
it's only taken a quick whoop to encourage me to let them by.

Yes, but hopefully from a little way back.  I was once given the full blast from directly behind me.  I had no idea they were there.  It was extremely loud and I very nearly had a heart attack.  It took me a while before my heart rate and breathing returned to a level where I could carry on.

Sounds like they were trying to drum up business.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Basil on 20 June, 2017, 03:52:54 pm
it's only taken a quick whoop to encourage me to let them by.

Yes, but hopefully from a little way back.  I was once given the full blast from directly behind me.  I had no idea they were there.  It was extremely loud and I very nearly had a heart attack.  It took me a while before my heart rate and breathing returned to a level where I could carry on.

Sounds like they were trying to drum up business.

 ;D
I can only assume they received a 'shout' right then and never thought about the difference between a car with heavy metal or opera pumping out at 11 and a cyclist with only 4 feet of air buffering between him and the horns.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 20 June, 2017, 04:16:23 pm
A simple problem. 

Cycling along the riverside track I encounter an oncoming cyclist.  Naturally I expect him to do what every one else does on that track and pass me on my right where there is plenty of space to pass safely.  But he doesn't, nor does he go to my left because I am right up to the edge, leaving him space the other side.  Eventually we halt and I say to him: "You know you should pass on that side?" Pointing to my right.  He doesn't say a word but cycles up the earth bank to my left and departs.

I guess I could have gone to pass him on the wrong side but it could easily have gone pear shaped if he'd done a late swerve like pedestrians dancing on a pavement.  Thinking about he was very much the sort of yoof to be found in York town centre pedestrian zone determined not to get off and walk and weaving in and out amongst the the crowd.   
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: essexian on 10 July, 2017, 07:38:07 am
Now on charity events I don't expect the best riding standards as, well frankly a large percentage of riders are not "proper"* cyclists like me. However, there were two incidences yesterday on the Manchester to Blackpool ride which merits inclusion here; both happened at traffic lights.

Firstly... when you are slow and frankly have the bike handling skills of someone without any, please do not push to the front at every set of traffic lights, you only cause delays for faster riders and the traffic behind as we are forced to over take you time and time again. This was very noticeable earlier in the ride and did cause a pile up in Preston when they did not realise the road tipped up two a massive 2% sending the uncyclists into a panic as they tried to find a gear they could push or simply stopping in the middle of the road. One bloke did go down and I was lucky that I was able to unclip and stop before hitting him.

And then...when passing, pass on the right....that's what we are taught be it riding in a group or indeed driving a car. So, when again pushing off from a set of lights, a youth aged about 16 undertakes me forcing me and two club riders who were overtaking me into the live lane of traffic... trust me, I was not impressed. Less impressed was the youth when I caught up with him a 100 yards later and explained in shouty words what he had done wrong.


* I am a proper cyclist in the same way spray cream is real cream.... :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Zipperhead on 10 July, 2017, 02:24:10 pm
They must have been London commuter cyclists having a day out.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 10 July, 2017, 06:57:16 pm
Yes, that's CS7. People wobble to the front every time. Either the lycra boys who can't clip in or the generically clueless. In a country where pushing to the front of any queue is usually grounds for a savage tutting it's most peculiar behaviour.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Zipperhead on 11 July, 2017, 06:17:51 pm
I try to cycle to work and back after the main rush hour, in part to reduce interactions with dangerous idiots on bicycles. It doesn't work entirely, but the last two journeys make me think that some people shouldn't be allowed out unless they're on a lead and have a handler.

Going home last night I came to a set of lights at a T junction, stopped in the ASL in the middle of the lane (I was turning right). The traffic light cycle is very long, so after a while another cyclist stopped to my left and a little behind. Not long before the light changed another one stopped alongside almost on the central white line. OK, I think, he's going right as well.

No, when the lights changed and we all pulled away he tried to turn left through me.

This morning, stopped in the ASL with a bunch of other cyclists, lights changed and off we go, a gap between me and the cyclist in front, another cyclist to my left. All happy, accelerating away, two gear changes done. All of a sudden a bicycle comes past on my right and turns left across the pair of us. Not a youngster, but from the glimpse I got as I exhaled "FUUUUUUCCK" he had grey hair under his helmet.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 11 July, 2017, 09:29:58 pm
Yes, that's CS7. People wobble to the front every time. Either the lycra boys who can't clip in or the generically clueless. In a country where pushing to the front of any queue is usually grounds for a savage tutting it's most peculiar behaviour.
CS7. I now ride the length of that every day. There is no end of shocking cycling on display at almost every moment.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Redlight on 13 July, 2017, 01:49:53 pm
Bonus points to the MAMIL whom I overtook in the car about 200 metres before a mini-roundabout this morning. As I approached the roundabout I turned on my left indicator because - you guessed it - I was intending to turn left.

Had to wait for a short while to let other traffic go, during which time Mr MAMIL sailed up my left side and stopped alongside me. I'm not sure why I chose to hold back a few seconds once there was a break in the traffic but I'm glad I did as Mr MAMIL then decided to turn right, without signalling  :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 24 July, 2017, 05:36:07 am
Last night, on the way to work, crossing a roundabout. Kid, about eleven, on and off the footpath, tried to ride straight off the edge and right across to the centre of the roundabout I was exiting. Looking left, of course.

I had already clocked him, so I had my left foot unclipped ready for an emergency stop, which duly came with him about a foot from my leg, alerted by my shouts of "WATCH!"

Which were followed by "Open your eyes and LOOK, son! If I had been in a car, you would be dead!"

I just hope something gets through his head before a car bonnet does.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SoreTween on 25 July, 2017, 08:45:22 pm
Italians on bikes - all of them.  I've only been here 2 days and while seeing the thousands of POBs and hundreds of cyclists is cheering I've not yet seen a single one stop at a red light or pause when turning left across traffic. Glad I'm home tomorrow, my nerves cannae take any more.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 28 July, 2017, 04:53:41 pm
Dashcam shows young cyclist 'playing chicken' with car (http://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-essex-40715685/dashcam-shows-young-cyclist-playing-chicken-with-car)

 ???
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 28 July, 2017, 05:18:23 pm
Dashcam shows young cyclist 'playing chicken' with car (http://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-essex-40715685/dashcam-shows-young-cyclist-playing-chicken-with-car)

 ???

Teenagers.

Also looks like he's using his trainers as a brake.

Meanwhile, this guy's using his mudguard as a weapon (motorist then attempts to fight back with a golf stick): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-berkshire-40750855/slough-road-fight-cyclist-and-driver-filmed-brawling
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 28 July, 2017, 06:56:18 pm
Dashcam shows young cyclist 'playing chicken' with car (http://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-essex-40715685/dashcam-shows-young-cyclist-playing-chicken-with-car)

 ???

Teenagers.

Also looks like he's using his trainers as a brake.

Meanwhile, this guy's using his mudguard as a weapon (motorist then attempts to fight back with a golf stick): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-berkshire-40750855/slough-road-fight-cyclist-and-driver-filmed-brawling

Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough..
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 July, 2017, 08:17:08 pm
I'm not sure that teenager is actually using his feet as brakes, I think he's just riding with his feet in the air for a bit of a laugh. His real crime, of course, is shown in the caption: "about 20 drivers were unable to get past."
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 04 August, 2017, 01:03:11 pm
Two this morning. Turned off main road to ride along residential street, 0500 hrs. Me in yellow and fully lit. Nearly hit BSO and POB on wrong side of the road, two feet from the kerb, dark clothing, no lights.

I get to the bus stop by Ashdown House, and another similar pairing comes out of the ped link, rides along the grass by the main road against traffic direction till the grass runs out, then hops onto the road and continues down the bus lane of a very busy dual carriageway (the one that goes under the airport) on the wrong side of the road.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: menthel on 07 August, 2017, 01:33:16 pm
Yes, that's CS7. People wobble to the front every time. Either the lycra boys who can't clip in or the generically clueless. In a country where pushing to the front of any queue is usually grounds for a savage tutting it's most peculiar behaviour.
CS7. I now ride the length of that every day. There is no end of shocking cycling on display at almost every moment.

In my days as a CS7 regular, it was always the guys in the rugby socks and flat pedals on their Spesh Allez that were the biggest pain. That and the nutters in Tooting. Surprisingly it was neither of these that nearly put an end to me! ;)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Torslanda on 07 August, 2017, 03:19:32 pm

Meanwhile, this guy's using his mudguard as a weapon (motorist then attempts to fight back with a golf stick): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-berkshire-40750855/slough-road-fight-cyclist-and-driver-filmed-brawling


Dear me, standards, people!

Enny fule no it should've been a Zefal HPX . . .
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Torslanda on 14 August, 2017, 09:39:42 pm
Meanwhile in other news.

$cyclist has posted in a Facebook cycling group that she bought the wrong disc pads as they are 'the right shape but too thick'.

I haven't replied. I'm not going to. I despair. Really . . .
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 27 August, 2017, 08:44:33 am
An encounter with an 'all-the-gear-no-idea': lycra, racer, big on high viz. .  Day after Charlie Alliston verdict.

I'd passed him struggling up one of York's famous hills and then stopped at the red.  Before the green he arrived, nipped onto the pavement between the pedestrians and by-passed the lights.  After the green I passed him again and slowed to suggest that his RLJ-ing was giving cyclists a bad name.  I just caught 'but it's not..' before I moved on.  So I'll never know what it isn't. 'Illegal' possibly? 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Torslanda on 28 August, 2017, 10:59:13 am
This may have been down to a lack of clue but who rides their bike across a railway...?

road.cc (http://road.cc/content/news/228375-kent-cyclist-hospitalised-after-riding-across-live-rail)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 28 August, 2017, 11:54:10 am
This may have been down to a lack of clue but who rides their bike across a railway...?

road.cc (http://road.cc/content/news/228375-kent-cyclist-hospitalised-after-riding-across-live-rail)

An American tourist!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TimO on 28 August, 2017, 01:36:22 pm
This may have been down to a lack of clue but who rides their bike across a railway...?

road.cc (http://road.cc/content/news/228375-kent-cyclist-hospitalised-after-riding-across-live-rail)

It does look like he tried to pass inside a gap in the third rail, and assuming you could bunny hop the rails, albeit that's unlikely from ballast, it could "work".  Of course, with the slightest stumble and putting your foot down near the third rail, you would have problems.

At 750DC, I would think that a bicycle tyre would mostly act as an insulator, and any gap of more than about 1mm of air would probably also insulate you from it, so you'd have to almost touch the rail to have a problem (not that I'm recommending experimentation !)

The article has a Tweet from Southeastern "... Here's the damaged rail that engineers needed to repair", although I'm not sure what they had to do, since it doesn't look like more than scorching, presumably due to contact with the metal of the frame or wheel (and hopefully not too much of the person) grounding the supply.

A very very stupid act, and entirely appropriate for this thread, but it may have been a somewhat ridiculously naive attempt to minimise the risks.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 August, 2017, 07:35:48 pm
Even without the third rail, trying to cross the tracks other than at a crossing was a stupid thing to do.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Bledlow on 29 August, 2017, 07:58:26 pm
This may have been down to a lack of clue but who rides their bike across a railway...?

road.cc (http://road.cc/content/news/228375-kent-cyclist-hospitalised-after-riding-across-live-rail)
I used to twice a day.

It was an official crossing, though. One of those footpath/bridleway things where you were warned to be alert & there was a timber path level with the rails.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 31 August, 2017, 02:06:48 pm
Last night riding up one of the immense cols in York someone cut across my front wheel on an electric skateboard - it was a really long thing - then onto the pavement where he proceeded to ride downhill slower than a bike.

No idea how it was speed controlled.

Stupid fucker, good thing I had fingers on my brakes.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 31 August, 2017, 02:56:08 pm
Commute today, on CS Lower Thames Street E to W. Roadie in team gear, belts past at top speed just as lights change, so far so normal. Stops at lights, that's a plus. Stopped at one set, he stops behind a hire bike rider on the left, I'm on the right just by the hire bike. Goes green, he's OFF. Trouble is, so am I. I slow to avoid collision as he goes to overtake hire bike. He grabs my shoulder and pulls himself forward. I say "enjoy your race". He goes in front and turns right off the CS.

Takes all sorts.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 August, 2017, 03:30:08 pm
I think I'd have said more than that to someone grabbing my shoulder on a moving bike without warning.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 31 August, 2017, 07:04:08 pm
TBH, my gob was too involved in the process of being smacked to be, well,  gobby. I only came out with that line as I had been thinking it since he belted past fast and close.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 01 September, 2017, 12:35:12 am
I think I'd have said more than that to someone grabbing my shoulder on a moving bike without warning.

Happened to me once, and was more than a little startling, but there were Special Circumstances.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: cycleman on 01 September, 2017, 08:05:11 am
I was riding away from the lights and the young lad on the outside of me cuts across me :o :hand: he was inches away from me knocking him off his cheap bso . At least he stopped at the lights  ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Si S on 01 September, 2017, 08:15:55 am
Me. Drafting a bus along Edge Lane, I knew he'd be stopping as we approached Wilbraham Road so began to pull out to pass, what I'd forgot about was the traffic island. Feck me it was tight  :-[
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jakob on 06 October, 2017, 11:50:40 pm
Me!! Last light before work got changed, so that the right turn lane has it's own light (and no right turn on red!) along with a separate light for the cyclist+pedestrians.
I've often turned into angry shouting man when cars ignored the red light, yet today I happily started riding across when the cars got green and it was still red for me.
The car turning right justifiably honked angrily at me, but all I could do at that point was a sad apologetic wave.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: clarion on 09 October, 2017, 03:18:37 pm
Static DOTD for me.  Crowded train, second cyclist gets on, checks where I'm getting off, says 'That's OK', then leaves bike leaning on mine.  Not normally a problem.  But, when more people got on, and we got to my station, it was a little annoying to me and the other passengers for me to have to disentangle a bike from behind a a full-susser BSO in a crowded lobby.  This sort of wazzock gets cyclists a bad name >:(
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: cycleman on 09 October, 2017, 07:20:28 pm
A mountain bike rider who cut me up as I was climbing up the canal bridge causing me to brake hard to avoid a collision . I was towing a trailer load of shopping and lost all my momentum  >:(
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mustgettaller on 02 November, 2017, 09:43:00 pm
Me last night.

Off to the pub after work to meet up with friends who had been MTBing. Going up a moderately steep hill (up from Dean Lane End to Forestside for those locals who might know it).

Dropped the chain off granny ring. Spun the pedals a couple of times before realising what was going on. Unclipped on the left and toppled gently over to the right.

Heard car coming round the corner behind me. Immediate thought was "I'd better get up so that (a) I don't get run over and (b) I don't let down the cycling fraternity by giving the impression that this is a normal state for a cyclist in the dark on a country lane".

As I subsequently sorted myself out, steamed up glasses meant that when I got going I nearly cycled straight off the side of the lane, only narrowly avoided even more embarrassment.

Just glad it was dark and no witnesses.

Got to the pub though!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: iddu on 05 November, 2017, 02:03:53 pm
Me.

When the man is proceeding round the roundabout with flashy blinken lighten, don' t try and ride across in front of him  :facepalm:

Amazing how fast you can sprint given need...

Sorry fella.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 08 November, 2017, 09:13:10 am
The idiot on Ampthill Road in the 7 o'clock half-light, with no lights, in the gutter, on the wrong side of the road, with his hands in his pockets. ??? :facepalm: ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 23 November, 2017, 08:37:41 am
Fuckwit onna folding bike this morning. Me.

Motorist hooting as they passed. Me waving and thinking "who's that?" I hadn't switched my rear-light on, had I.  :facepalm:

Mind you.I could claim it's a safety measure. Go on any motoring forum and they're all moaning about how they keep seeing cyclists with no lights...

It's only when you've got your lights switched on and you're covered in reflective gear that they run into you, get out of the car, and say "sorry mate, I didn't see you"*  ::-)




Please don't ask how I know that - my left shoulder still twinges in cold damp weather. :(
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Duckfoot1606 on 03 December, 2017, 10:10:11 am
The guy on the A607 near Brooksby at 7am, racing bike, no rear light and dark gear. He’ll probably report it as a close pass.

A
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: jsabine on 07 December, 2017, 11:33:24 am
A little before 10 this morning, the fluorescent, entitled cockwomble on the shared use pavement on Tunnel Avenue, SE10 - the bit that's part of the Thames Path diversion.

Picking exactly the moment when he couldn't pass - trees to the left of me, wall to the right, room in the middle for me - he came up behind and DING! DING! DING! DING!

I turned to find him looming over me and looking pissed off - a bit startled, I tried "Don't be so aggressive."

"You can't call a bell aggressive," quoth he.

Funnily enough, arsehole, I can. And I did. Because it was, and so was coming right up behind me when you couldn't fucking pass unless I dematerialised, or a tree did.

Next time, if you want to go at that sort of speed and not be interrupted by pesky pedestrians, how about using the road?

That bit's a dead end (except for an occasional bus), so there's usually almost no traffic. And unlike the pavement, the road isn't interrupted every few yards by entrances to light industrial units.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jakob on 08 December, 2017, 10:10:52 pm
It might have been me...but at least it made 2 of us.
Favourite corner, which has a separate lane and light for turning right. (Light is oft ignored).  3 cars indicating to get into that right lane and 2 make it through before light changes...but before that, the 3rd car (A BMW, of course), is freaking out on the horn, clearly in a hurry and starts gesticulating and flipping the bird at the cars who are now long gone.
 I wave at the driver with a big grin on my face and he starts hopping in his seat, gesticulating even more, turning rather red in face. (Passenger looking very depressed). As I roll over the intersection (which is now green for cyclist), I change my wave to a finger and laugh out loud as he's now stomping on his horn.
Yeah, unnecessary, but it was fun to watch him explode.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Canardly on 09 December, 2017, 04:55:23 pm
Main high street cross roads in busy market town centre. Spaced out prat in hoody and face mask undertaking bicycle wheelies in centre of junction. Complete and utter knob.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 09 December, 2017, 07:41:25 pm
20 mph limit.
I'm in the car.
Wide cycle lanes on either side to the extent that if you were to meet another car, at least of of you would have to enter the cycle lane to pass.
Person on bike coming towards me, in the middle of the road. Sees me, and, instead of going to their left and using the cycle lane, goes to their right as if to pass me on the wrong side, then hops up onto the pavement.
Male, mid-late 20s.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 11 December, 2017, 04:41:21 pm
Was approaching two stout oncoming peds on the shared use path.  Also approaching them from behind was another cyclist, rather fast I thought although there was just enough space for them to get by.  I assumed I'd have to slow and wait but the peds, unasked, very kindly moved smartly to one side straight into the path of the other cyclist.  Luckily it wasn't Mr Alliston and she was able to brake rather hard.   Investment in bell-training needed, I'd say. The peds thought it was hilarious! 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 14 December, 2017, 09:15:01 am
I'm in my car, turning left into a 1 way street, but a bin lorry is there, so I have to wait. I'm just inching forwards to complete my turn when a cyclist comes up the 1 way street, squeezes through the small gap between me and the parked car and then stops behind the bin lorry. Wasn't a student - seemed like a professional type riding a hybrid with lid, lights, high vis vest etc.
When the bin lorry moved to the side, she rode to the end of the road (T junction) and turned left without stopping or even slowing down - inches away from the side of a council transit pickup that had been driving along the main road in a queue of traffic. I don't think there's a painted cycle lane there, but I wouldn't be riding in it if there were - too much traffic and slow moving.
A minor miscalculation in the first manoeuvre results in her hitting a vehicle (mine or the parked one) and sliding into the back of the bin lorry, a minor miscalculation in the latter puts her under the back wheels of the transit. There's still snow and ice on the road. Why?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Moleman76 on 17 December, 2017, 03:09:44 am
^ overconfidence, or underawareness
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 02 January, 2018, 06:40:34 pm
Coming into the village tonight I see a cyclist (or at least a person on a bike). Dark clothing, no high-vis, hoodie up.
I'm considering winding the window down and shouting some sort of comment about 'maybe getting some lights' when I realise he has a rear light. It was so dim I'd seem him (and that wasn't easy) way before I could see the little red glow.
At least he had lights of some sort I suppose.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 02 January, 2018, 08:01:49 pm
That sort of thing is fairly common in Middle Earth, and not just the BSOists.  I suspect what happens in many cases is that they bring their battery lights out from a warm room, observe them to be working at switch-on, and continue riding oblivious to the steadily rising ESR of the less-than-fresh battery as it cools down.

This is still preferable to the alternative failure mode where the light cuts off when the voltage gets a bit low, the cyclist eventually notices their light is off, prods the switch, observes it to be working, shrugs and assumes user error.  At least if it's dim you stand a decent chance of noticing your light is down to a pathetic red glow at the end of the journey.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: PhilO on 03 January, 2018, 07:05:09 am
Coming into the village tonight I see a cyclist (or at least a person on a bike). Dark clothing, no high-vis, hoodie up.
I'm considering winding the window down and shouting some sort of comment about 'maybe getting some lights' when I realise he has a rear light. It was so dim I'd seem him (and that wasn't easy) way before I could see the little red glow.
At least he had lights of some sort I suppose.

Am I missing something, or is this not a better reason for saying something? A friendly "your back light's nearly flat, mate!' is likely to be better received, at least.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 03 January, 2018, 07:25:36 am
Am I missing something, or is this not a better reason for saying something? A friendly "your back light's nearly flat, mate!' is likely to be better received, at least.
You're probably right, it would have been better. However, the opportunity didn't arise, short of stopping the car and flagging him down, I suppose.
If he's a regular commuter I will see him again and will see what I can do.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 03 January, 2018, 11:26:39 pm
I've been passed by the same cyclist a couple of times in the last month.  The first time he pointed out that my rear light was flicking on and off.  "Yeah, they're on a light sensor, they do that as you go in and out of the trees around dusk" I explain.  The second time, thanks to the rotation of the earth, it was fully on, which he was pleased to point out.

Better than not knowing, anyway.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 04 January, 2018, 01:08:06 pm
It was still dark at about 7:30 this morning, on account of the overcast sky and the rain coming down (and winter, obv).  The cyclist going wrong way down the middle of a 1 way street, with no lights or reflectives in a dark jacket gave me a bit of a start (corner, so initially not lit up by my headlights)!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 04 January, 2018, 06:18:52 pm
A brace today. Driving home, flick the lights to full beam, something orange catches my eye. "That's odd, why would there be a vehicle with an orange beacon in that house at this time of night?" Then I realise it's two bikes coming towards me with no front lights at all (and of course, dark clothes...).
At least this pair (or the one at the back anyway) had decent rear lights.

This is on a NSL road with no lighting, potholes, water run off, mud...
I usually cycle to work on that road and I definitely need a decent front light just to see where I'm going.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 04 January, 2018, 09:17:27 pm
Red flashing light on a bike. Coming towards me. WTF? I think I prefer the unlit ones.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 07 January, 2018, 09:31:34 am
Red flashing light on a bike. Coming towards me. WTF? I think I prefer the unlit ones.
These seem to go in and out of fashion. We had a couple around here a year or so ago : reversed red/white - I don't know if someone had a word, or natural events took their course. Around the same time Mrs M had words (as best she could) with a newly arrived cycling person from the middle east who seemed to assume it was normal (red at the front, no rear)

Sent from my P01W using Tapatalk

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 07 January, 2018, 09:58:43 am
The closing speed on most folk equipped with a red front light isn't much different to them being stopped. Given that you don't want to run into anything with a red light attached, regardless of its direction of motion or lack of same, is there a huge difference? Assuming you don't aim to skim past by veering at the last moment, of course.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 07 January, 2018, 10:08:56 am
Round here (country lanes with hedges on both sides) it can be confusing as to where the road is. You assume that the red light must be on the left-hand side of the road so start to move right. It's usually just a moment's confusion and usually sorts out, but adding to the thinking time of other road users is really not terribly clever,
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Diver300 on 07 January, 2018, 10:17:43 am
Round here (country lanes with hedges on both sides) it can be confusing as to where the road is. You assume that the red light must be on the left-hand side of the road so start to move right. It's usually just a moment's confusion and usually sorts out, but adding to the thinking time of other road users is really not terribly clever,
That is why cars have to park in the normal direction of traffic in many conditions. Not that the law is enforced.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 07 January, 2018, 10:28:40 am
Several countries require motor vehicles to be parked in the direction of travel. I was surprised when I first visited here that the UK allowed open slather.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 07 January, 2018, 11:07:26 am
The closing speed on most folk equipped with a red front light isn't much different to them being stopped. Given that you don't want to run into anything with a red light attached, regardless of its direction of motion or lack of same, is there a huge difference? Assuming you don't aim to skim past by veering at the last moment, of course.
When you want to turn right, the difference between a bike on the pavement going away from you, and a bike in the gutter coming towards you is significant.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 07 January, 2018, 11:10:16 am
Meh. What do you do about unlit potholes? I have headlights that show me stuff. I don't rely on indicators that may be incorrect (on cars or anything else).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 07 January, 2018, 12:29:12 pm
I don't rely on them either.
It's the 'what the hell is that...oh a bike with no/wrong lights' moment which takes away the concentration, unnecessarily.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 07 January, 2018, 12:43:26 pm
The closing speed on most folk equipped with a red front light isn't much different to them being stopped. Given that you don't want to run into anything with a red light attached, regardless of its direction of motion or lack of same, is there a huge difference? Assuming you don't aim to skim past by veering at the last moment, of course.

The difference is that if there's a only a red light ahead, you assume it's safe to stop.  More of a shared-use path problem than a road one.

I nearly ended up in a canal because of it once:  Entered a tunnel.  Darkness, other than the flashing red light ahead and the surface was dubious, so I stopped to let my eyes adjust.  Oncoming BSOist nearly plowed into me.  If it had been a white light I'd have moved to the side, or waited outside the portal.


At road-speed distances a light tends to be too small to have colour, so I don't make assumptions beyond "flashing light => pedal cycle"
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 07 January, 2018, 01:31:36 pm
Several countries require motor vehicles to be parked in the direction of travel. I was surprised when I first visited here that the UK allowed open slather.

I was given a telling-off by a USAnian friend for parking the wrong way outside her house.  Though not serious enough for me to move the car...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 07 January, 2018, 01:58:17 pm
Several countries require motor vehicles to be parked in the direction of travel. I was surprised when I first visited here that the UK allowed open slather.

I was given a telling-off by a USAnian friend for parking the wrong way outside her house.  Though not serious enough for me to move the car...

Aren't we supposed to leave [one of] the sidelights on if we do this?  Not that anyone ever does, other than by accidentally leaving the indicators engaged.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 07 January, 2018, 02:16:43 pm
Meh. What do you do about unlit potholes? I have headlights that show me stuff. I don't rely on indicators that may be incorrect (on cars or anything else).
Sure, if I hit him it's my fault.  But when you're trying to turn across traffic, you get: car headlights - car headlights - car headlights - gap containing cyclist with dim flashing red light (in the gutter/pavement). First reaction is that he's on the pavement and that means there's a gap to get through before the next car. With someone paying attention they get a second look, which is enough to see they are approaching, and there is no gap. With someone paying a bit less attention...
It's not that other road users can't see this cyclist (urban setting, streetlights), it's that by using a red flashing light on the front (and riding in the gutter) they are actively confusing. I just don't understand - why would you go to the trouble of getting lights and then put the on the wrong way around?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tatanab on 07 January, 2018, 02:32:03 pm
Aren't we supposed to leave [one of] the sidelights on if we do this?  Not that anyone ever does, other than by accidentally leaving the indicators engaged.
For ease of looking up I used my1970s Highway Code which refers to RTA1972 section 78
"You must not park your vehicle without lights at night: if the road is subject to a speed limit higher than 30mph; if you are parked other than nearside to the kerb (except in a one way street); or if you are within 15 yards of a road junction".
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 January, 2018, 02:48:12 pm
Meh. What do you do about unlit potholes? I have headlights that show me stuff. I don't rely on indicators that may be incorrect (on cars or anything else).
Sure, if I hit him it's my fault.  But when you're trying to turn across traffic, you get: car headlights - car headlights - car headlights - gap containing cyclist with dim flashing red light (in the gutter/pavement). First reaction is that he's on the pavement and that means there's a gap to get through before the next car. With someone paying attention they get a second look, which is enough to see they are approaching, and there is no gap. With someone paying a bit less attention...
It's not that other road users can't see this cyclist (urban setting, streetlights), it's that by using a red flashing light on the front (and riding in the gutter) they are actively confusing. I just don't understand - why would you go to the trouble of getting lights and then put the on the wrong way around?
I think it's for the same reason that some motorcyclists put purple or pink perspex over their headlights (which they remove at night) – to attract attention by being unusual.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 07 January, 2018, 02:52:52 pm
I think it's for the same reason that some motorcyclists put purple or pink perspex over their headlights (which they remove at night) – to attract attention by being unusual.
If it were green or pink or purple, then it would definitely merit a second look.
Red is a tail light. Putting it on the front isn't unusual and attracting attention, it's normal, but being used out of context, and therefore, in my view dangerous. And this was at night. ;)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Diver300 on 07 January, 2018, 03:02:45 pm
Several countries require motor vehicles to be parked in the direction of travel. I was surprised when I first visited here that the UK allowed open slather.

I was given a telling-off by a USAnian friend for parking the wrong way outside her house.  Though not serious enough for me to move the car...

Aren't we supposed to leave [one of] the sidelights on if we do this?  Not that anyone ever does, other than by accidentally leaving the indicators engaged.

It's both side lights, and the number plate light(s) in the UK. One side only won't comply with UK law.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 January, 2018, 04:40:57 pm
I think it's for the same reason that some motorcyclists put purple or pink perspex over their headlights (which they remove at night) – to attract attention by being unusual.
If it were green or pink or purple, then it would definitely merit a second look.
Red is a tail light. Putting it on the front isn't unusual and attracting attention, it's normal, but being used out of context, and therefore, in my view dangerous. And this was at night. ;)
Let's not pursue this reasoning or we'll see a return to the days of flashing amber lights. "Have I got time to pull out before that car gets here? Yes, they're turning left. Oh shit, that wasn't an indicator, it was a bike light!" :hand:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 07 January, 2018, 05:04:06 pm
I think it's for the same reason that some motorcyclists put purple or pink perspex over their headlights (which they remove at night) – to attract attention by being unusual.
If it were green or pink or purple, then it would definitely merit a second look.
Red is a tail light. Putting it on the front isn't unusual and attracting attention, it's normal, but being used out of context, and therefore, in my view dangerous. And this was at night. ;)
Let's not pursue this reasoning or we'll see a return to the days of flashing amber lights. "Have I got time to pull out before that car gets here? Yes, they're turning left. Oh shit, that wasn't an indicator, it was a bike light!" :hand:
Exactly. Why is an amber light dangerous?  Because it means something else in normal road use. Just like red means the back of a vehicle. And flashing blue is going to get you into trouble! ;)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 07 January, 2018, 05:13:02 pm
Ultraviolet rear lights, on the other hand, are at least unambiguously weird.  (Spotted onna pavement cyclist in King[']s Heath - one of those dodgy-banknote-identification LED torches gaffer-taped to the seatpost  ???)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 07 January, 2018, 05:21:35 pm
I realize this may be going slightly off topic but regarding the lights I nearly took out a motorcyclist a few months back. It's hard to explain but the headlight looked very much like a car one viewed side on. I look and think that's a car at the roundabout so plenty of time to pull away. Thankfully something just seemed wrong so checked again and saw the bike approaching me.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: simonp on 18 January, 2018, 10:23:04 am
Good one today, bombing down narrow pavement, like he was in a downhill race, weaving around a lamp post then around me.

I may have called him something.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: handcyclist on 11 February, 2018, 04:44:16 pm
Multiple. Well, 3 to be precise.

Ok, so I'm a 57 year old man wearing warm overtrousers struggling into a headwind on a 15 year old Ridgeback. With mudguards.

You three are clearly much younger, much fitter, wearing skintight bibsuits and chasing each other up the hill on carbon fuck-me-how-much bikes. I know that, there's no need to rub it in by passing me with a foot clearance with not such much as a raised Le Col encased hand, let alone a friendly greeting to cheer me on a cold climb.

Arrogant cocks.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Riggers on 14 February, 2018, 11:31:26 am
^ well said Handers.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 16 February, 2018, 09:17:10 am
The closing speed on most folk equipped with a red front light isn't much different to them being stopped. Given that you don't want to run into anything with a red light attached, regardless of its direction of motion or lack of same, is there a huge difference? Assuming you don't aim to skim past by veering at the last moment, of course.
When you want to turn right, the difference between a bike on the pavement going away from you, and a bike in the gutter coming towards you is significant.

In France, in the sticks, on a couple of occasions I have met cyclists coming towards me on the wrong side of the road.  The closing speed is very alarming.  On cycle tracks I Impose My Will on them and force them to take the right side :demon:  The alternative is that little dance pedestrians do. 

Multiple. Well, 3 to be precise.

Ok, so I'm a 57 year old man wearing warm overtrousers struggling into a headwind on a 15 year old Ridgeback. With mudguards.

You three are clearly much younger, much fitter, wearing skintight bibsuits and chasing each other up the hill on carbon fuck-me-how-much bikes. I know that, there's no need to rub it in by passing me with a foot clearance with not such much as a raised Le Col encased hand, let alone a friendly greeting to cheer me on a cold climb.

Arrogant cocks.


Cycling in the Alps or Pyrenees on lonely roads I have often been passed like I am standing still by people who are cyclists of a high order, if not pros (they have support vehicles at the top).  I am no longer surprised to get a friendly wave as they shoot by.  It's the wannabees who have no manners. 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 February, 2018, 11:58:53 am
In India, in a big city, I regularly met cyclists, motorcyclists, tractors, car drivers and horse carts coming towards me on the wrong side of the road. The closing speed was low and the general tendency is for the wrong-sider to keep nearer the kerb. Bus drivers only go the wrong side on country roads and camel riders seem uniquely to keep to the correct side.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jakob on 16 February, 2018, 08:36:32 pm
Me, maybe?
Last night, driving to practice in outer lane, I indicate to change to the inner lane, shoulder check, start to change and hear a car jamming on it's horn. I abort, slow down and see one of these (in black) zoom ahead:
(https://electrameccanica.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/mecc_red-1030x435.jpg)

It's black roof is only just above my window line and I'm not at all surprised I missed that.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 February, 2018, 08:47:32 pm
What IS that?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Neil C on 16 February, 2018, 09:21:21 pm
Looks like it's an electric three wheeler - so just an e-trike without the pedals?  Only $15,500.
https://electrameccanica.com/emv-solo-us/
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jakob on 16 February, 2018, 10:58:06 pm
Yeah, they're made locally and are rather expensive.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 February, 2018, 11:09:35 pm
It does look disturbingly like a cgi image of a normal car with its back half chopped off.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 17 February, 2018, 11:00:38 am
Looks like it's an electric three wheeler - so just an e-trike without the pedals?  Only $15,500.
https://electrameccanica.com/emv-solo-us/

Potholes..
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Veloman on 17 February, 2018, 11:13:34 am
And speed humps as it looks as if it could bottom-out very easily.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 22 February, 2018, 05:22:16 pm
Bloke on shiny electric bike (not apparently pedalling) goes zipping along the pavement past me and then straight across the junction that a Range Rover (indicating correctly) was turning into. Having stopped just in time (the Range Rover also stopped), he squirted around the range Rover, onto the road and nearly went head on into a car coming the other way (emergency stop from both car and ebike - road only 1 lane due to parked cars).
If he rides like that, I'm not sure his shiny ebike is going to stay very shiny for very long.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 22 February, 2018, 08:22:06 pm
that'll be an e-e-e-kbike he was riding
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 22 February, 2018, 09:42:43 pm
Having encountered one a while ago, I was wondering if the ebike revolution is going to give us a whole new class of pavement cyclists who are both fast and unskilled (the usual pavement cyclists tending to be either one or the other).

I'm sure there will be an e-bikelash in due course.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 February, 2018, 09:03:28 am
As with pretty much everything, more power (and easier power) means more potential to do stupid things.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Canardly on 23 February, 2018, 09:24:34 am
BMW driver accelerates in the outside lane leading off a major roundabout but this then becomes a chicane and single lane containing service roads to shops and outlets. Instead of slowing/stopping to obtain a slot he accelerates again and tries to barge his way infront of another vehicle by cutting him up badly. Aggression follows between the two after what had almost resulted in a major collision involving traffic coming the other way. What a dick.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 23 February, 2018, 11:48:55 am
Having encountered one a while ago, I was wondering if the ebike revolution is going to give us a whole new class of pavement cyclists who are both fast and unskilled (the usual pavement cyclists tending to be either one or the other).

I'm sure there will be an e-bikelash in due course.

Most e bikers I have experienced are quite civilized and courteous. There is however, a breed that employs non legal or 'dongled' legal bikes that can be complete cocks.

As the e bike revolution spreads, my former colleagues will catch on to it and then be able to spend time persecuting e cocks as opposed to investiagting real crime.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 February, 2018, 12:06:29 pm
Having encountered one a while ago, I was wondering if the ebike revolution is going to give us a whole new class of pavement cyclists who are both fast and unskilled (the usual pavement cyclists tending to be either one or the other).

I'm sure there will be an e-bikelash in due course.

Most e bikers I have experienced are quite civilized and courteous. There is however, a breed that employs non legal or 'dongled' legal bikes that can be complete cocks.

As the e bike revolution spreads, my former colleagues will catch on to it and then be able to spend time persecuting e cocks as opposed to investiagting real crime.
And I thought "e cocks" were something that might be only in NSFW!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 23 February, 2018, 12:33:39 pm
Having encountered one a while ago, I was wondering if the ebike revolution is going to give us a whole new class of pavement cyclists who are both fast and unskilled (the usual pavement cyclists tending to be either one or the other).

I'm sure there will be an e-bikelash in due course.

Most e bikers I have experienced are quite civilized and courteous. There is however, a breed that employs non legal or 'dongled' legal bikes that can be complete cocks.

As the e bike revolution spreads, my former colleagues will catch on to it and then be able to spend time persecuting e cocks as opposed to investiagting real crime.
And I thought "e cocks" were something that might be only in NSFW!

So the accepted term for a Dick Of The Day on an e bike is a Dildo Of The Day?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 February, 2018, 12:39:31 pm
 ;D :o :hand: :thumbsup: :D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 23 February, 2018, 04:46:11 pm
Having encountered one a while ago, I was wondering if the ebike revolution is going to give us a whole new class of pavement cyclists who are both fast and unskilled (the usual pavement cyclists tending to be either one or the other).

I'm sure there will be an e-bikelash in due course.

Most e bikers I have experienced are quite civilized and courteous. There is however, a breed that employs non legal or 'dongled' legal bikes that can be complete cocks.

Agreed, but those ones tend to ride on the road.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Feanor on 23 February, 2018, 07:06:45 pm
And I thought "e cocks" were something that might be only in NSFW!
So the accepted term for a Dick Of The Day on an e bike is a Dildo Of The Day?

"Wand" or "Rabbit", I'd have thought for an e-Dick...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: essexian on 26 February, 2018, 08:42:38 am
Saturday afternoon around 16.45, I was just about to move from as the lights had changed here:

<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!4v1519634450276!6m8!1m7!1sYqTrCgVHsIYRjXMcltCBhQ!2m2!1d52.81026834475919!2d-2.119982073077113!3f124.28820339350605!4f-4.005925100848401!5f0.7820865974627469" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0" style="border:0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

when two twats on bikes decided to "cycle" there way into the oncoming traffic causing the whole lot of us to stop so they could cross on an angle.

Oh and they had the affront to smack one persons car and shout abuse at another driver who wouldn't let them by.

I think we have a regional DOTD winner!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rogerzilla on 08 March, 2018, 08:30:29 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-43330195/swerve-the-car-footage-shows-dangers-of-stupid-game
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Duckfoot1606 on 12 March, 2018, 08:55:01 am
Disgusting

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43366954

A
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: pumpkin on 14 March, 2018, 02:23:23 pm
Me on Monday. It was raining so bike in the car and go to a halfway point to ride in (5 miles in wet better than 11 miles) and then realise my shoes are @ home. Luckily I have a spare pair on the main campus (2.5 miles) but I can say that a pair of crocs arent comfortable on Candy pedals in the rain.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jakob on 16 March, 2018, 11:30:32 pm
Me, a little bit. I was on my BMX, which means A) Highly manueverable and B) I can bail out very quickly.
 I was waiting for the light to change.  As it did, lady coming the other way decided the lights didn't apply to her, so I decided to put it to the test and started moving on green, forcing her to get the brakes, getting caught in the middle of the intersection. (She wasn't going all that fast, so I wasn't taking any huge risks).
90% of the traffic across that intersection is cyclists and pedestrians and I often see cars ignoring the red lights, if there's no cars crossing.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: handcyclist on 18 March, 2018, 12:02:35 am
Another self-nomination  ::-)

Half asleep, setting off for this morning's Parkrun, I stuffed a drink and a keep-the-saddle-dry plastic bag in a pannier and jumped on. Unfortunately without doing up the clips and straps that hold the top flap. As I turned into the wind from the right, one of the straps wrapped itself around the sprockets, bringing pedalling to a rather abrupt halt .....
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Si S on 22 March, 2018, 06:34:01 pm
My word, don't Unimogs towing Caterpillar transporters stop quickly  :-[  :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 01 May, 2018, 10:20:15 am
I rather winced this morning. I was driving out of a parked up cul de sac when a neighbor turned in. He then had to reverse out of the entrance to the cul de sac to let me past the parked cars. So far so normal.

The came the dunce, the cyclist who passed up the inside of my neighbor, who he had watched reverse out of the side turning, and then pass across the front of me who was now preparing to turn left out of the minor road with a car blocking the road from my right.  :o :facepalm: Fortunately I saw him, stopped and therefore blocked my neighbor from left hooking him.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: essexian on 13 May, 2018, 06:38:13 am
Two in 100m yesterday afternoon.

Firstly, the senior on the road bike who overtook me on at the roundabout on Martins Drive and then promptly headed for the pavement. I mean why? Pavements are for people not bikes. Yes, okay the Newport Road is not the nicest road to cycle on: its narrow and carries quite a lot of traffic, but you seemed to have a decent bike and some speed so it should not have been a problem for you. Perhaps, a case of "all the gear and no idea?"

Talking about no idea...the other DOTD was the youth on what appeared to be an ebike who decided to overtake me and then do wheelies for several hundred yards in front of me in traffic. Twat. Even more so when the berk doubled back after I turned off to do the whole lot again.

This is the type of idiot who will eventually (IMHO) result in ebikes needing to be registered, taxed and helmets made a legal requirement....once that happens to ebikes, it will happen to us muscle powered riders too. This isn't a go at ebike rides overall, just the idiots who see them as a form of way of riding at speed with no need to bother with that stuff like a CBT or insurance etc.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 13 May, 2018, 11:20:18 pm
Sounds like it wasn't an e bike but a 'souped up' or dongled or doctored e bike so therefore not staying within the realms of e bike legislation. Just the sort of idiot that will persuade the polis to actually pay attention and deal with the lawbreakers and legislation dodgers.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 13 May, 2018, 11:42:51 pm
Sounds like it wasn't an e bike but a 'souped up' or dongled or doctored e bike so therefore not staying within the realms of e bike legislation. Just the sort of idiot that will persuade the polis to actually pay attention and deal with the lawbreakers and legislation dodgers.

Or just one that complies with the more lax or complete absence of e-bike legislation that you get in some of the more FOREIGN parts of ABROAD.  Cheap and low-quality but impressively high-power kits are readily available on the interwebs from sellers in the Far East, primarily selling to USAnians (whose e-bike regulations vary state-by-state).

I expect e-bike enforcement will remain a case of not spectacularly failing the attitude test for the foreseeable future, much to the relief of those who need non-compliant systems for disability reasons[1].


[1] eg. Throttle-only operation to get you home after a known-dodgy-knee failure.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 26 May, 2018, 07:55:37 pm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-44264331

I know this isn't cycling, but I thought we had gone beyond this sort of reckless idiocy. Bloody good job it wasn't in winter.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 26 May, 2018, 08:14:31 pm
Reckless idiocy shows no danger of going out of fashion.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 31 May, 2018, 12:33:41 pm
So, fuzzy is walking along the pavement adjacent to the moneygrubbing developers site next to his house. A trailer towing transit van slows on the other side of the other side of the road and does a bit of manouvering.

"He's going to reverse into the site entrance" thinks fuzzy. Some distance away, travelling towards him is a line of 3 or 4 cars with an accelerating hybrid rider at the head of the line.

The van is by now doing a quite capable trailer reverse and is crossing the lane in whch the cyclist and cars are travelling. The cars do the expected thing and slow down. The cyclist? Yup, you've guessed it, he stands and commences a head down sprint. Fuzzy look back and the gap is getting small. he shouts "Slow down, he's reversing!" Cyclist as he passes shouts "Fuck off!"

BANG! CLATTER! as the van sharply stops and the trailer load shifts. "Cunt!" shouts the driver at the rapidly progressing cyclist. "Correct" responds fuzzy.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Riggers on 05 June, 2018, 10:26:36 am
^
What a heart-warming story Fuzzmeister, and one that appears to be replicated elsewhere. I don't mean the precise scenario you describe, but rather the attitude we pleasant cyclists witness with other so-called cyclists. I say so-called, because they are not of our ilk – those, and I'm sure you and I are of a similar age Fuzzy (around 40  ::-) -ish) who have grown up from tiny tots to manhood riding bikes, and not straddling a cross-bar for the first time because in their mid-twenties: it's 'cool', or in battle against the car.

Lack of patience.

Last Sunday. Coming out of the top of Stanmer Park and approaching Old Boat Corner (those that know it will know what I mean) the road is quite narrow approaching the T-junction. Disappointingly, there are perhaps, 10 cars ahead of me (I may have said "Bollocks" if memory serves) but there is no point, and more importantly, no room to comfortably manoeuvre down the wrong side of the road. Unseen vehicles can and do come into the road (which takes you to Ditchling Beacon – you might have heard of that one), so it's folly to think about passing the cars. Apparently, other roadies didn't think so, and while I waited for the queue of cars to diminish, there were a number who cycled past, only to try and squeeze themselves back into gaps that drivers obligingly made.

One lady who came into the gap where I sat, was about to carry on. I said: "I wouldn't, there's a double-decker bus just coming up" (it was an open-top one if you want to know), but did she hang back? Nope. Of course she didn't, and the bus had to stop, while she then shoe-horned herself between two cars, which was one ahead of me.

Maybe these same people drive like they cycle – I dunno? You can understand the drivers thinking: "Knobs."

I'm also adding: Lack of Anticipation.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: essexian on 17 June, 2018, 10:56:29 am
Many I also add Lack of Understanding regarding safe overtaking.   :facepalm:

I will admit I dislike riding from my front door so tend to drive a few miles out of town and park up before hitting the lightly trafficked lanes around Haughton. Not very green I will admit  :facepalm: So this morning, I was heading back to the "station" car park (the station closed 50 odd years ago), when I spotted a MTB rider coming the other way and behind him, a red car. The car was being very sensible and waiting for me to pass before pulling out to over take the MTB rider, given how narrow the road is at that point, and given the mess I would make to the front of the car if she tried to.

However, the MTB rider decided he did not like the car being behind him: she was a good 10 yards back and driving slowly and sensibly, so stopped, turned around and started shouting abuse at the car driver telling her to overtake.  TWAT.  In this case, the car driver was 100% right to wait and the MTB rider wrong. No wonder why some car drivers think cyclists are knobs when one proves it beyond all reasonable doubt that they, as an individual, are.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rogerzilla on 17 June, 2018, 07:20:10 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-44512967

Morons.  No-one in their right mind gets close to a horse when cycling.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 17 June, 2018, 08:20:00 pm
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-44512967

Morons.  No-one in their right mind gets close to a horse when cycling.

Barakta showed me that video on Friendface earlier.  When it popped up on road.cc I was unsurprised to learn they were taking part in a triathlon (which do seem to be a recipe for people who can go reasonably fast on bikes, but who often have all the road sense you expect from riders on a shorter charity ride).

Seriously though, I can understand riding like a cock, with no concern for what the horse might do to the rider or those around it after you've shot past - people do that sort of thing when driving cars all the time.  What I don't understand is willingly getting so close to half a tonne of muscular metal-shoed neurosis that you can actually touch it.  Have they never seen a horse?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SoreTween on 17 June, 2018, 08:36:25 pm
Blimey, indefencible. No reason for any of them to be left of the centre line.

Couple of motorised morons get a mention just to restore a spot of normality:
Quote
Amanda Coyne, who lives near the route of the race, said she had encountered cyclists riding "dangerously" while driving shortly before 09:00.

"I nearly had a heart attack as I nearly got hit by a car which had been forced to overtake cyclists who were riding four-abreast," she said.
Forced? By whome pray tell Ms Coyne?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hellymedic on 17 June, 2018, 08:36:27 pm
Willesden CC also posted the vid on Friendface.
Dreadful!
Title: DOTD
Post by: TigaSefi on 17 June, 2018, 08:40:54 pm
Human Race have confirmed the culprits will be banned for life from their own events and they WILL be reported to the police for colliding with an animal on the road as per Highway Code.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rogerzilla on 17 June, 2018, 09:08:37 pm
One of our schoolteachers was kicked in the face by her own horse and had a bruise the size of a grapefruit, with one eye that didn't re-open for a week.  I've been very wary of rhe things ever since.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Si S on 18 June, 2018, 08:51:54 am
<speculation> Head down riding, chasing a wheel I reckon, resulting in a last second swerve to avoid inserting head into horse's arse </speculation>

Total nob.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Zipperhead on 20 June, 2018, 04:22:12 pm
Mr. Cyclist on Putney bridge, it's good of you to shout at me that "it's a bike lane" and gesture for me to get out - but maybe you might want to look at  the signs, and maybe the writing in the road - which doesn't have a bicycle drawn but the words "Bus Lane", you weren't shouting at the buses were you? And had there been any taxis would you have shouted at them?

No, it's a bus lane and I on my motorcycle am allowed to use it (I did check), so wind your neck in.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 21 June, 2018, 01:31:50 pm
Arse on the 50cc motorbike blatting around and around our estate at 10pm last night. It was too warm, but you left me no choice but to close the windows and boil. Grrr.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: cycleman on 21 June, 2018, 09:16:09 pm
I was riding along the a4 this evening and a car was patiently waiting behind me for a safe place to pass when a prat on a racing bike undertook the car and overtook me with minimal clearance .to car then overtook me and the idiot who shouted at the driver and then took both hands off his handlebars to indicate that the car had passed him to close  ::-) .  Pollock   :hand:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: essexian on 02 September, 2018, 09:00:22 am
I seem to post a lot on this thread..... don't know if that says more about me than it does about the standard of cycling in Stafford but I am hoping its the latter.....

Anyway, yesterday afternoon I was making my way out of town on the NCN Route 5: "The Isobel Trail". Its a flat former railway which has been tarmacked over and is quite pleasant to ride on, if you avoid the dog walkers and the tree roots which have make the path a little uneven in places especially around the former Stafford Common Station.

Thus I was making my way north when I came up behind a youth on an MTB with about as much control over their bike as a hedgehog does over the rear end after a curry (you need to know hedgehogs poo anywhere, even into their own food!). So, out when a friendly: "Hi may I pass please" call, which was ignored... I tried again 50 yards later. However, the youth simply got out his mobile phone and started playing with it.... another call a bit louder this time....ignored...… Followed by "OI"..... which caused a reaction... the youth looked around and saw me and moved a quarter of an inch to the right allowing me to pass...…


The reason for him not moving (apart from being a twat)….he was wearing headphones and thus, could not hear a thing. Okay, I know some people think riding in headphones is okay and yes, it might be at times but not on a shared use path and not while using your mobile phone.  :facepalm:

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 10 October, 2018, 05:12:19 pm
Dear cyclist. Dusk is a particularly difficult time to ride, as is best practice it well behoves the individual to take extra care. When riding on a main road and you are behind a 4x4 turning left and slowed to a stop because, well, because they aren't very good at the driving thing and are waiting for someone in that side road (me) to turn right, it might not be the best idea to ride past at full speed (which wasn't very much, tbh) crossing into the oncoming lane. That I was pulling forward slowly was because my view was limited, by the 4x4, the car's mahoosive A pillars and the light conditions which enabled me to brake rapidly and safely to avoid you, as it would have been messy awkward to pick bits of you and bike out of the bonnet. There wa no apparent reason to hurl mouthfuls of abuse in my direction, at least from my perspective. You clearly felt different.

Have a nice day.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Si S on 12 October, 2018, 09:18:34 am
The sheepish looking guy who decided at the very last minute that riding up the inside of the moving/pulling-in bin wagon on Stretford Road was not a good idea and made to flit across in front of me to pass on the outside, unfortunately the slowing of the wagon put him inside the reach of the safety arm sticking out the back, I reckon the chances of seeing said arm would have been vastly improved if he'd have had some ruddy lights on, as was pointed out by the bin man who gave him a right bollocking whilst picking him up...still better than ending up in the back of the thing I reckon.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 12 October, 2018, 06:01:03 pm
You have to wonder about any cyclist who doesn't give a bin lorry a wide berth simply on account of the smell...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Si S on 13 October, 2018, 12:05:07 pm
Yep, I remember being berated by a fellow commuter a few years ago for allowing one to get away, he wanted to draft it  :sick:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 October, 2018, 07:28:23 pm
Drafting a bin lorry is pretty daft anyway, unless it's returning to depot or you really want to practice repeated 100 metre sprints and trackstands.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Peat on 15 October, 2018, 09:40:22 am
To the chap I see riding most weekdays, who has the irritating combination of a pathetically weak rear blinky light and 2x obnoxiously bright lights up front.

Well done on getting one of those fancy Proviz gilets. However, it's about as much use as a chocolate teapot if you wear a huge rucksack over the top of it. And, by not having mudguards, the only part that would be visible from behind was rendered useless by dint of being covered in road-muck.

Top work.

 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SoreTween on 16 October, 2018, 07:37:12 pm
The rider that passed me at the exit of The Broadway tonight, single lane one way with barriers to the right. I'm behind a car, bus & car waiting for the lights to change. As they go orange the rider passed to my right and continued on to place themselves beside the bus as it begins to move. The bus has been indicating right the whole time, lit up like a big boxy monochromatic Christmas tree.  I'm watching muttering this is gonna be bad as they try to beat the bus then inadequately slow as if not wanting to stop. They manage to drop back just in time.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Torslanda on 17 October, 2018, 12:36:41 am
Any of this lot. (https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/boys-wheelies-into-traffic-191588/) Fucking oxygen thieves.

Frankly they deserve to spend the rest of their adult lives being fed thru a tube but sadly with that would go a severely traumatised driver and a shitload of care staff.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 October, 2018, 10:29:32 am
Yeah. Mind you, I can think of a few middle-aged sensible audax types who'd do that if they had the skilllz and still had the bouncy bonez. Admittedly most of them would probably at least attempt to avoid a head-on collision and maybe even stop at red.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 17 October, 2018, 12:47:36 pm
Yeabut as activities for the yoof of Chatham to participate in go, it's a relatively harmless one.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 17 October, 2018, 12:48:33 pm
Nearly me for nearly pulling out of a car park in front of a lady cycling pretty much in the gutter and the carpark wall was obscuring the view.

Then her for squeezing past my van the wrong way up a one way exit
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Blade on 18 October, 2018, 12:07:11 pm
This morning.

Lady pavement cyclist, riding facing oncoming traffic, doing about 15 M.P.H. on an e-bike, riding one handed, holding a dog leash in the other hand attached to a substantially sized dog.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Peat on 22 October, 2018, 07:57:28 am
To the chap I see riding most weekdays, who has the irritating combination of a pathetically weak rear blinky light and 2x obnoxiously bright lights up front.


Perhaps he posts here? Today a fully reflective backpack and bright rear lights. You could have seen him from the space station! Good work.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 22 October, 2018, 09:38:10 am
Interesting one in Athens last night.
Two dim blinky lights on the front, one white and one red.
On the back a slightly larger but just as dim blue flashing item.

We did wonder if the inhabitants of the nearby police car would take an interest but couldn’t quite see what if anything happened.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Little Jim on 06 December, 2018, 03:28:02 pm
Last night at about 6.00pm.  Dressed all in very dark blue or black, including a blue baseball cap, riding along the A4 in Newbury.  No lights at all on the bike, not that it would have mattered as he was pulling a wheelie.  Not a good idea on a busy main road at the best of times, certainly not in the dark when practically invisible.  I did laugh though when the inevitable happened and he ended up in a heap in the middle of the road.  Fortunately the car behind him was giving him plenty of space as he presumably had anticipated the unceremonious collapse
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jakob W on 07 December, 2018, 11:17:17 am
I've never actually seen a wheelieing yoof come a cropper on the road; mucking about in the park with their mates, sure, but maybe there's some kind of Darwinian selection effect going on here?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 07 December, 2018, 12:21:06 pm
On a related note, it's skateboard ninja season again.

I'm all for skateboarding as a form of transport.  And it makes more sense to do it on the road, which is smoother and less busy with pedestrians than the bin-cluttered pavement.  But maybe not dressing entirely in black would be a good idea...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: markcjagar on 07 December, 2018, 06:20:41 pm
The bellend going the wrong way up a one-way street with no lights in the dark who then joined a busy 2 lane roundabout without giving way and nearly got flattened by a bus...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SoreTween on 18 December, 2018, 08:28:46 pm
I was Glared at tonight, note the capital G.  Paddington would have been impressed by that level of glare. I was driving and my crime was to edge forward with the wheels on full lock entirely within a parking bay left of the road. Entirely within the parking bay. Whilst indicating.
Y' see, despite looking over my shoulder I did not have a clear view of traffic approaching from behind. So I moved carefully to improve my view.
Mr Glareee thought I was going to pull out on him. Wrongly. Sure I didn't see him until I'd moved but that was the point of the movement. I wouldn't have seen him any sooner if he'd had lights on his bike nor if it were fitted with reflectors. His lack of being seen was not down to wearing only black nor the all black bike he rode. His lack of being seen was due to the large van parked behind me.  See, I don't drive an Audi so I don't believe I can see through inanimate objects nor round corners (I digress).
The fact that the only non black surface of the whole mobile ensemble was the logo on the black JDSports bag swinging from the handlebars did not delay me seeing Mr Glareypants at all. Just physics.
I can still feel the glare now.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 29 December, 2018, 06:32:53 pm
Going to work on a night shift on Wednesday, going down a badly lit street while overtaking parked cars, and meeting a POB coming towards me.
Me: 8-LED rear light, one row set to flashing. Cateye rechargeable decent front light. Headtorch. Yellow and reflective winter jacket. Matching gloves. Reflective trim on bib03/4s.

Him (from his voice): all black clothing. Hood up. No lights at all. Sitting bolt upright on the BSO as he needed both hands for the phone he was using, the glow from the screen being the first thing I actually saw of him as he rode up the centre of the road.

Me: "Idiot"
Him: [Doesn't really matter. No great invention employed in his invective]

Me: "Get some sodding lights, dickhead"


The only thing that would have made the event a full bingo card would have been a Magic Plastic Hat worn on the back of his hood.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 29 December, 2018, 07:26:54 pm
To be fair, the glow from the smartphone screen has done wonders for the nocturnal visibility of BSOists.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Si S on 08 January, 2019, 09:08:39 am
The unlit idiot who turned right across my path last night causing a full emergency stop with the comment "Sorry, I thought you were a motorbike". WTF?  ???
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Peat on 08 January, 2019, 02:28:06 pm
I assume he meant that he thought you were a far away motorbike by dint of not hearing your engine.

Either way....foolish.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Redlight on 17 January, 2019, 10:20:30 pm
The half dozen or so who thought it would be sensible to ride against the flow of traffic through the temporary contraflow in Greenwich this evening, despite the fact that the vehicles coming the other way had priority (the red light at one end and the green at the other should have given it away).  The contraflow is in place because the roadworks are taking up more than one lane and the remaining bit of road is very narrow.  Luckily for you, I tend to be considerate towards fellow-cyclists, even when they are acting like complete dicks.  Other drivers may not be so tolerant.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 18 January, 2019, 08:02:33 am
Not sure if it was dickery or just innocent ignorance. Rush hour yesterday evening in Leicester A47 heavy with moving traffic.
Cyclist with a front flashing light, but the flash pattern was «on /off/ on - long off - repeat» the long off phase was long enough to mask the rider's presence at side roads.
If the rider had been going my way I might have warned them (and maybe got a mouthful?)

Sent from my KFDOWI using Tapatalk

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 18 January, 2019, 02:35:26 pm
Blink-blink-pause is probably the optimal attention-getting flashing pattern, as the first flash catches your eye in time to be looking at the second flash.  Hence its use for beacons on aircraft etc.  But it's still a flashing light and should IMHO only be used to supplement a static one, even if the flash frequency meets the 1-4Hz RVLR requirement (which presumably exists to avoid this very issue).

Anyway, front flashing lights are a work of Stan, and should only be used in daylight during thick fog or for impersonating police officers.   :hand:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 19 January, 2019, 04:06:30 pm
Not sure if it was dickery or just innocent ignorance. Rush hour yesterday evening in Leicester A47 heavy with moving traffic.
Cyclist with a front flashing light, but the flash pattern was «on /off/ on - long off - repeat» the long off phase was long enough to mask the rider's presence at side roads.
If the rider had been going my way I might have warned them (and maybe got a mouthful?)

Sent from my KFDOWI using Tapatalk

For my hope front light that is the low battery pattern. which basically means get home quick.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 19 January, 2019, 10:39:38 pm
Yeah, dying battery is another good reason for flashing, on the basis that it's better than the alternative.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: grams on 19 January, 2019, 11:04:52 pm
There were some people with crazy bright flashing front lights on the Dunwich Dynamo last year, which had the joy of not only doing your head in when behind them but for a *long* time after you’d overtaken them. It didn’t help that I encountered them at the peak “why TF am I still awake” brain melting phase of the ride.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 20 January, 2019, 12:08:23 am
There were some people with crazy bright flashing front lights on the Dunwich Dynamo last year, which had the joy of not only doing your head in when behind them but for a *long* time after you’d overtaken them. It didn’t help that I encountered them at the peak “why TF am I still awake” brain melting phase of the ride.

Sadly I think this counts as an integral part of the DunRun experience.  You get loads of riders who've either never ridden on properly dark roads, or who've yet to discover[1] that it's easier to see where you're going when it's not in strobe-o-vision.


[1] Given the ones you meet on the towpath at commuter o'clock in winter, I'm suspicious that some of them consider that warding off cars that aren't there is more important than seeing where they're going.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 January, 2019, 04:01:45 pm
I think there are some who don't realize bike lights can be steady, just as some don't realize it's possible to ride in something other than shorts when the temperature dips below zero.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 20 January, 2019, 05:22:34 pm
Geordies and posties have an exemption.  For the shorts-wearing, not the flashing lights.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Socks on 21 January, 2019, 03:05:24 pm
Geordies and posties have an exemption.  For the shorts-wearing, not the flashing lights.

Apparently that's where Scott's polar expedition went wrong.  They took ponies, which died in the extreme cold.  He should have taken geordies who would have been fine in t-shirt and jeans.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: bairn again on 21 January, 2019, 10:38:30 pm
Got a telling off from a runner for sounding my bell (he was ahead of me going in the same direction on a path that was just about wide enough for us both and it was my standard courtesy warning when overtaking combined with a deceleration given the width of the path). 

Said hed prefer cyclists not to ring their bells. 

I recognised him so I cant wait til next time  :demon:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jasmine on 24 January, 2019, 11:04:01 am

Anyway, front flashing lights are a work of Stan, and should only be used in daylight during thick fog or for impersonating police officers.   :hand:

Indeed.  It's a pet hate. I think a lot of people who have them don't realise that some people will have a tendency to drive/ride *toward* blindingly bright or flashing lights, and that when used in the dark the temporary blindness caused to other road users is a menace.  Fortunately, living in a non-urban area does tend to weed them out - descending a big hill in the dark is certainly more challenging if your light isn't on all the time.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tonycollinet on 25 January, 2019, 07:08:22 am
I have a "be seen by" flasher on all the time. My "see by" lights are only ever on steady.

Sorry - but I disagree with the "work of stan" comments regarding this, as long as the flasher is not excessively bright.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tatanab on 25 January, 2019, 07:16:07 am
as long as the flasher is not excessively bright.
At the other end of the spectrum, I often see riders with daytime front lights that are about as effective as a fart in a thunderstorm.  I see the rider long long before I notice they have a glow worm attached to their bars.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Peat on 25 January, 2019, 08:41:11 am
DOTD shoutout to the fella on the Chalke & Cheese out of Warmley t'other week. Several hundred fully illuminated cyclists heading down the Bristol-Bath traffic free cycle path together. So, obviously, had super bright flashing lights front and rear. I had to sprint off ahead of him for fear of an epileptic fit.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: andyoxon on 25 January, 2019, 09:01:32 am
Got a telling off from a runner for sounding my bell (he was ahead of me going in the same direction on a path that was just about wide enough for us both and it was my standard courtesy warning when overtaking combined with a deceleration given the width of the path). 

Said hed prefer cyclists not to ring their bells. 

I recognised him so I cant wait til next time  :demon:

I wonder how he thinks cyclists with bells supposed to determine his preferences.   So far I haven't had any negativity since I've be using a bell again.  Tend to ping from way back, and keeping pinging at intervals as I approach, until I get a response.  Sometime runners/peds with headphones will confound my efforts.  On rarer occasions I still opt for 'mornin', 'coming through' etc instead of a bell, if I just feel it's more appropriate.

edit.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 January, 2019, 09:26:19 am
DOTD shoutout to the fella on the Chalke & Cheese out of Warmley t'other week. Several hundred fully illuminated cyclists heading down the Bristol-Bath traffic free cycle path together. So, obviously, had super bright flashing lights front and rear. I had to sprint off ahead of him for fear of an epileptic fit.
Paths like that are the places to experience the full range of cyclist lighting choices, from no lights or reflectors at all to full on epileptic disco at high noon, and encompassing all sorts of weird colours and positioning in between. And that's just the cyclists, if we add in the runners, walkers, dogs, hover wheels and similar devices, we'd never end!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Sergeant Pluck on 25 January, 2019, 08:58:52 pm
What a bunch of utter knob ends. Particularly one Iain Plumb.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-47009149

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Pingu on 25 January, 2019, 10:55:30 pm
Lights! Flashing! White on the rear, red on the front  :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 January, 2019, 11:10:11 pm
Lights! Flashing! White on the rear, red on the front  :facepalm:
Occasionally see people with red on the front or white on the rear, don't think I've ever seen both on the same bike. I do wonder whether it's just a mistake, or a case of desperation wrong lights are better than no lights, or a deliberate ploy for WTF-factor safety.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: IanN on 26 January, 2019, 11:10:03 am
Not half as stoopid as red filters on motorcycle front lights  :facepalm:

On rural winding roads at night, sometimes all you can do is steer by aiming for the red lights ahead. I can't see how that could go wrong...
(motorbike idiocy has a different thread I'm sure)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: andyoxon on 27 January, 2019, 12:10:33 am
What a bunch of utter knob ends. Particularly one Iain Plumb.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-47009149

Shocking lack of consideration.

£1000 in fines & costs was fairly substantial when considering this driver - horse/rider collision outcome...  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-40134629
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Pingu on 27 January, 2019, 12:20:34 am
What a bunch of utter knob ends. Particularly one Iain Plumb.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-47009149

Shocking lack of consideration.

£1000 in fines & costs was fairly substantial when considering this driver - horse/rider collision outcome...  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-40134629

 :demon:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 31 January, 2019, 01:21:02 pm
More comedy than dickery: I was at a large, traffic light controlled junction waiting for the right turn filter.  The lights went red for the cross traffic, so the requisite three extra vehicles went through.  The third vehicle was an e-bike ridden by a Just Eat branded courier, who for some reason was too busy staring at me (I've no idea why, I wasn't on a recumbent or anything) that he missed the fact that there was nowhere for the RLJers to go and they'd stopped in the middle of the box junction.  Cue unskilled emergency braking (locking the rear wheel) and nearly skidding into the back of the car in front, followed by an undignified scrabble to remain upright.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: perpetual dan on 06 February, 2019, 09:08:53 pm
I’m going to nominate Mr In A HURRY In My BMW of Brighton.
This morning, as I walked to work, he screeched round a corner to a halt in front of me. It’s a 20 zone and that wasn’t 20. Then, despite his obvious hurry, got out and started shouting and approaching a woman. I think she’d had the temerity to cross the road in front of him. Then there were about 8 of us stopped and expecting trouble, my phone coming out for a photo, someone else suggesting he was going too fast and should chill out. He then left, with more screeching round corners and going too fast down residential streets.
I hope he crashes into a thing rather than a person.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Wowbagger on 18 February, 2019, 02:31:10 pm
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5457584,0.7032503,19.82z refers.

I was cycling in a westerly direction in primary position, approaching the junction of Harcourt Ave and Chelmsford Ave, about to execute a right turn followed by a left into North Road. A white Smart/Aygo type car suddenly appeared 6 inches away from my right elbow, also turned rignt and then left, and then stopped. I stopped and tapped on the drivers window. The driver looked up at me and I said "I'd like to talk to you."

She wound the window down.

"Why did you overtake me just then?"

Blank look. "Just when?"

"About 10 seconds ago, as I was about to turn right out of Harcourt Avenue. Didn't you see me?"

Sigh. "Yes, I saw you. I'm sorry. I was preoccupied. There's an awful lot going on in my life at the moment."

"Same for me, and I'd like it to carry on doing just that and not have it cut short by an inattentive motorist. Thank you."

And off I rode, feeling terribly guilty because the poor woman seemed to be about to burst into tears. Five minutes later, after I left my erstwhile destination of the doctors' surgery, I saw her again. I think she had been sitting in her car trying to get a grip for all the time I was there.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Peat on 18 February, 2019, 02:49:28 pm
Don't feel guilty. Maybe you were the intervention she was longing for.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kev Sp8 on 19 February, 2019, 03:36:08 pm
At the tail end of yesterday's DIY 200, entering Devizes at the start of rush hour, moron in a 4x4 and towing a trailer that was wider than his car attempted to overtake me, but part of the trailer hit my right leg. Luckily I disengaged from the pedal and was just able to stay upright despite pinballing betwixt trailer and kerb.
Put in an 800W sprint to catch him, but he soon turned into the local DIY shop car park. Tapped on his passenger side window to ask if he even knew he'd just hit me, to be met with, 'Touch my f*cking car and I'll knock your teeth out.'
I should've left him to his one man fifedom of twattery; instead I invited him to demonstrate. He got out, walked round to me, whereupon I encouraged him to have a sit down. I should have been the bigger man and walked away. I'm not proud. I sort of am
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hulver on 19 February, 2019, 05:02:38 pm
Just a point of order people.

DOTD is for cycling dicks.
The Motorised moron (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=63751.0) thread is for motorised bell-ends.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mattc on 19 February, 2019, 08:10:35 pm
Just a point of order people.

DOTD is for cycling dicks.
The Motorised moron (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=63751.0) thread is for motorised bell-ends.
Well made.

But I'm glad it didn't stop Kev posting  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: pumpkin on 20 February, 2019, 11:36:23 am
At the tail end of yesterday's DIY 200, entering Devizes at the start of rush hour, moron in a 4x4 and towing a trailer that was wider than his car attempted to overtake me, but part of the trailer hit my right leg. Luckily I disengaged from the pedal and was just able to stay upright despite pinballing betwixt trailer and kerb.
Put in an 800W sprint to catch him, but he soon turned into the local DIY shop car park. Tapped on his passenger side window to ask if he even knew he'd just hit me, to be met with, 'Touch my f*cking car and I'll knock your teeth out.'
I should've left him to his one man fifedom of twattery; instead I invited him to demonstrate. He got out, walked round to me, whereupon I encouraged him to have a sit down. I should have been the bigger man and walked away. I'm not proud. I sort of am

Sometimes remaining nr. the vehicle if they are getting out upsets them. I have been known to sit on my bike near (but not too close) to the offending vehicle. This generally means the driver is forced to stay with the vehicle or is on edge when they go about their business. Of course they will offer violence but I invite them to ring the police and see what the police have to say. On one occasion, I may have gone back and removed the front number plate - my memory isn't what it was so I'm not sure.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: essexian on 22 February, 2019, 07:58:48 am
DOTD????

https://road.cc/content/news/256624-court-told-road-rage-cyclist-tried-rip-door-merc-he-failed-did-rip-wing-mirror

Part of me wants to say yes and part of me wonders if the driver is up before the Beak....nah, that's as likely as me becoming a member of the SBS.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 22 February, 2019, 08:10:28 am
May I share the image from my reading of that Roadcc page, complete with ads?

(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d92wfFx_sTE/XG-uOiEGt0I/AAAAAAAC6j4/OLudmHvjKcEFA_-1aqbDNegvaecpF30YwCKgBGAs/s1600/roadcc.png)

 ;D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: nicknack on 18 March, 2019, 11:00:04 am
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/mar/18/london-cyclist-critical-condition-kicked-off-bike-hackney
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 21 March, 2019, 09:02:30 am
I've been left hooked by a car before, but today was the first time I've witnessed a cyclist right hook a car!
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Warneford+Ln,+Oxford/@51.7506611,-1.2243504,20.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x4876c15d5b2a8c35:0x39e02a8e84b4d079!8m2!3d51.751793!4d-1.2228897
Driving along Warneford lane towards the roundabout, the car in front of me slowed and stopped to allow a cyclist on the roundabout to pass.  It then indicated left and entered the roundabout to turn left down Divinity Road. As they slowed, a person on an MTB undertook the car (in a cycle lane), and attempted to take the second exit on the roundabout, crossing the path of the car. Thankfully, the car stopped. The person on a MTB slowed slightly, swerved and carried on.
The driver could have indicated a bit earlier, but was otherwise blameless. If the person on MTB repeats that manoever, there is likely to be a collision. :(
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 March, 2019, 09:46:39 am
Not exactly rare though. Riding right round the outside of a roundabout, crossing every exit to reach the one you want, used to be (still is?) a recommended technique for cyclists in the Highway Code.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 21 March, 2019, 10:29:25 am
Not exactly rare though. Riding right round the outside of a roundabout, crossing every exit to reach the one you want, used to be (still is?) a recommended technique for cyclists in the Highway Code.
It's surprisingly rare at that roundabout (I drive it every day). Most cyclists will indicate and move to the middle of the lane if they are tuning right.
Doing so while not indicating after passing a left indicating car is just putting yourself in danger.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 March, 2019, 10:34:13 am
I tried the technique one, way back when, and decided it was putting yourself in danger however at any roundabout. The appeal of "keeping out of the way" is clear to unconfident cyclists but it really is not safe.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 21 March, 2019, 12:17:51 pm
Not exactly rare though. Riding right round the outside of a roundabout, crossing every exit to reach the one you want, used to be (still is?) a recommended technique for cyclists in the Highway Code.

I don't think I've done that since Cycling Proficiency, and thinking about it, I don't recall seeing it done in the wild (I've seen cyclists take bad lines at roundabouts, of course, but not the actual gutter-hugging-while-indicating-right thing we were taught).  I suspect those who think it's a good idea are the ones who bail to the pavement as soon as there's a roundabout, possibly due to bad experiences.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 March, 2019, 01:10:07 pm
Yeah, it's the gutter-hugging line I was thinking of. I don't think I've seen anyone doing the signalling right at the same time. I don't know if anyone's doing it because they learnt it umpty years ago, probably more likely they're just scared of "getting in the way."
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 21 March, 2019, 01:26:09 pm
In this case, I think he was just zipping down the cycle lane and trying to jump ahead of the car (and hadn't seen the cyclist on the roundabout - he almost ran into the back of her). IMO it was down to carelessness plus rushing, not timidity.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: winnet on 21 March, 2019, 04:13:46 pm
My nomination would be the guy on the MTB at a massive roundabout near Aberdeen. Cycling on the road rather than using the beautiful cycle path at the side, coming down the inside of my car, then taking the entry corner wide as well as cutting over into the lane.

And to top it all he had headphones in so was oblivious to the rush hour traffic.

G


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Feanor on 21 March, 2019, 06:56:16 pm
The 'not using the cycle path' has raised my hackles a bit!

You do understand that theres no requirement to do so, and in plenty of cases its inappropriate?
Riding a road bike at 30+ kph is not appropriate for shared use cycle paths, and the road is the right place.
Also, dear old Aberdeen and shire cooncils do not treat the cycle paths, which are dangerously icy in winter.

Filtering through slow moving or stationary traffic, eg at the approach to junctions or roundabouts is fine, so long as you don't filter up the inside of traffic turning left and put yourself in danger.

Can you elaborate on exactly what roundabout this was, and what direction you were approaching from?

I ride in the Westhill Kingswells road and over the Kingswells rab every day, and yes, I get shouted at by usually one person each day.

F.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: winnet on 22 March, 2019, 10:49:38 am
I agree that sometimes it is better being on the road given the way they have messed up the cycle paths, combining the bikes and people doesn’t always work. The section in from Westhill to Aberdeen is generally well used.

It is the new Kingsford roundabout approaching from Westhill.

What probably rattled my cage was the way he came up on my inside when I was at the line. When cycling I have always hold back at least a car length so the driver can see me, I don’t fancy becoming a statistic.

G


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Pingu on 22 March, 2019, 11:01:17 am
That's not what I would call a 'beautiful cycle path'.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: CycleCommute.CC on 22 March, 2019, 11:49:04 am
My nomination would be the guy on the MTB at a massive roundabout near Aberdeen. Cycling on the road rather than using the beautiful cycle path at the side, coming down the inside of my car, then taking the entry corner wide as well as cutting over into the lane.

And to top it all he had headphones in so was oblivious to the rush hour traffic.
There are cycle paths for probably 50% of my commute from West Lothian into Edinburgh. However I would choose to ride them for probably 0% of the time. They are untreated, covered in debris, shared use (so runners, walkers, dogs, etc.) and force you to stop every 2 mins.

Just because this guy had headphones on, how do you know he was oblivious to traffic?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: sg37409 on 23 March, 2019, 08:50:36 pm
My nomination would be the guy on the MTB at a massive roundabout near Aberdeen. Cycling on the road rather than using the beautiful cycle path at the side, coming down the inside of my car, then taking the entry corner wide as well as cutting over into the lane.

And to top it all he had headphones in so was oblivious to the rush hour traffic.
There are cycle paths for probably 50% of my commute from West Lothian into Edinburgh. However I would choose to ride them for probably 0% of the time. They are untreated, covered in debris, shared use (so runners, walkers, dogs, etc.) and force you to stop every 2 mins.

Just because this guy had headphones on, how do you know he was oblivious to traffic?

Horses for courses: I found those cycle paths to be great. The A8 wasn't a good option for me. I now ride paths for about 20 out of 25km commute: Its a canal path, shared use but still a lot less stop start than city roads.   
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Riggers on 27 March, 2019, 09:17:30 am
^ and your lungs will thank you for it too.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 04 April, 2019, 06:15:34 pm
I went for a brace yesterday
1 - charming gentleman who drove through the red light at a 4-way light.  The driver in front of him had gone through well after the light had changed, he upped his game by driving through with no hint of amber or green.  Extra points for the classy finish, gesticulating angrily at me for riding through when my light was green - yes, I should have pulled over and got off the road to let him through my bad.
2 - dedicated experience driver overtaking me on a tight right hand turn, he did get a good look at the oncoming vehicle coming in the opposite direction but chose valour and accelerated towards them to the best of his engine's ability.  Some pacey stuff through a 20mph school zone, followed by parking up outside of his house a significant handful of seconds before I caught up with him (a curse upon those slower drivers ahead of him/her).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Torslanda on 05 April, 2019, 11:50:27 am
@fd3. I think those two examples - whilst illustrating the behaviour of two of nature's finest wankspanners - actually belong in the Motorised Moron (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=63751.msg2383308#new) thread, this one being reserved (AIUI) for people on velocipedes behaving like, well, dicks...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 06 April, 2019, 12:08:19 am
Ooops, my bad.  I have resolutioned not to criticise my two-wheeled bredrin, no matter how dunsish they may be - from the title I assumed incorrectly...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 06 April, 2019, 12:12:48 am
Today's award goes to the pavement cyclist holding his phone in one hand and eating a sandwich with another.  This is standard Brummie driving behaviour, so on balance I'm glad he was on a bike.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 09 April, 2019, 04:53:41 pm
Today's award goes to the pavement cyclist holding his phone in one hand and eating a sandwich with another.  This is standard Brummie driving behaviour, so on balance I'm glad he was on a bike.
Well played sir*! I envy the skillz on display.

(* and/or madam)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: grams on 14 April, 2019, 02:43:18 pm
Five of us riding in a fairly tight two up group on a club ride in the countryside this morning, I'm on the back. Suddenly two randoms appear and force their way into the little gap in front of me *side-by-side* and start riding with us.

I shout at them to get out of our group. They give me a whole load of lip about how hard it is to overtake on a hill with oncoming traffic. Then why did you bloody start?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Peat on 24 April, 2019, 08:23:37 am
Me, last night.

Doing a turn on club run turned chaingang, I glanced over my shoulder to check it was clear before I pulled off to the right. Due to the road surface, we were already riding down the centre of the lane (unmarked) so I effectively swung out onto the other lane.

Immediate shrieks of 'CAR BACK', to my horror there was a tiny Peugeot thing in the process overtaking us. Total SMIDSY on my part.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mattc on 24 April, 2019, 09:06:31 am
Me, last night.

Doing a turn on club run turned chaingang, I glanced over my shoulder to check it was clear before I pulled off to the right. Due to the road surface, we were already riding down the centre of the lane (unmarked) so I effectively swung out onto the other lane.

Immediate shrieks of 'CAR BACK', to my horror there was a tiny Peugeot thing in the process overtaking us. Total SMIDSY on my part.  :facepalm:
<raises hand>
I will happily Second this Nomination.

 :)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ginger Cat on 27 April, 2019, 01:10:04 pm
Coming out of Leicester towards the M1/M69 the other day. Waiting in a queue at a set of traffic lights in Big Van. Watching the scene unfold:

- cyclist (who I'd passed a bit earlier) sqeeeeeezing up the left hand side of the traffic queue (including Big Van)..... really there wasn't space for that
- two cars ahead of Big Van, the front car had stopped short and made a big gap for a person coming out of the side road on the left to turn right

Neither the cyclist squeezing up the left hand side of the queue nor the car coming out of the side road to turn right seemed to either do much looking or recognise the risks posed by their respective manoevres.

Thankfully the car was just a bit fast and the cyclist just a bit slow so what looked like an almost inevitable collision was avoided.

People, please do look where you're going no matter what vehicle you're using (especially in Leicester which has a traffic "style" all of it's own  ::-)) . Patience is a virtue.

GC
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rafletcher on 27 April, 2019, 04:53:18 pm
Ah, “fond” memories of the Leicester ring road... 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 28 April, 2019, 06:20:18 pm
Me, yesterday, for rear-ending a Range Rover.  I failed to anticipate sufficiently given the Brompton braking and the pish conditions, and the final deceleration was achieved by catastrophic failure of the switch ring on my Cyo Premium.  The driver pulled in ahead, inspected his bumper, and drove off while I waited at the traffic lights.

Mitigated slightly by the discovery this morning that, while it was no longer wet, the front brake was still in "lalalala not listening" mode, rather than its usual polite suggestion to slow down.  Closer inspection of the rim revealed some sort of oily contamination, presumably picked up in Northallerton after yesterday's soggy audax, as the brakes had been fine (for Brompton values of fine braking) up to that point.

Bah!


ETA: Fixed the Cyo with a donor ring from a broken one that I was keeping in case it came in useful.  They appear to have changed the design at some point, possibly sacrificing serviceability for improved resistance to splashes from behind.  Having now seen a Cyo with the switch ring removed, I'm 100% sure that I wouldn't want to use one at the fork crown without a front mudguard.

I've also given both rims the IPA[1] treatment.


[1] Not beer.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: grams on 28 April, 2019, 11:01:39 pm
Two from today's club ride:

1. A guy in our group who insisted on riding off the front of the group at all times. Sometimes a few bike lengths, sometimes a few hundred metres. He did not have the route. Why did he even come with us?

2. We stopped at a crowded coffee shop. The yard is chocca with bikes. One of our group carefully leant their bike on top of one of the bikes already there (not what I would do, but nevertheless). This guy comes out and goes straight into a full on roid rage shouting match about it. He was the kind of bellend who has one of those vanity nametags on his bike, so I could post his name and club.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Redlight on 21 May, 2019, 02:00:52 pm
The All-the-gear-no-idea clown (I won't mention which club kit he was wearing) today who thought it would be a good idea to undertake me after I had begun my long-signalled left turn. My brakes are better than his anticipation. 

He then proceeded to nearly take out a pedestrian by riding through a zebra crossing on the wrong side of the central refuge.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 22 May, 2019, 11:13:00 am
Chap who overtook me at speed and so closely that I felt him brush by. A little more space, I told him at the inevitable next set of lights. I'm in a cycling club, says he, I think I know how to overtake someone. I don't think you do, opine I, as he stares ahead. You know, sometimes a simple sorry is enough.

Special mention to the guy ahead of me through Tooting and Mitcham yesterday. Use your fucking gears rather than getting in my way at each and every traffic light as slow mash away in the hardest gear.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 22 May, 2019, 09:21:51 pm
Chap who overtook me at speed and so closely that I felt him brush by. A little more space, I told him at the inevitable next set of lights. I'm in a cycling club, says he, I think I know how to overtake someone. I don't think you do, opine I, as he stares ahead. You know, sometimes a simple sorry is enough.

Special mention to the guy ahead of me through Tooting and Mitcham yesterday. Use your fucking gears rather than getting in my way at each and every traffic light as slow mash away in the hardest gear.
We could be doppelgangers.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ElyDave on 25 May, 2019, 08:30:49 pm
Ely is normally a fairly gentle, pleasant place to live, so I was somewhat disconcerted by a vehicular encounter today.

In the middle of town, there is a staggered cross roads with lights controlling the right-left kink as it's not the main road. On the Giant runabout with panniers for shopping, I come up to that point to find two cars stopped at the red in front of me.  I proceed to the front taking a nice safe position to pull away. First car in the line, I notice is about half a length over the stop line.  As soon as the light turns yellow, he starts revving his engine and hooting his horn. I pull off as usual on th egreen as he tries to overtake me through the right left wiggle (single lane, one way streets) almost taking me out in the process whilst onlookers stare.

Discretion being the better part of "oh no here we go again", I pull into the parkimng zone to the left of the street, only to have Jeep-driving twunt pass me and then swerve in front to block me while he rages through the window mostly seeming to be how dare I go in front of him.  A quick shake of the head and I proceed on my way, which seems to enrage him further. 

On the third iteration I suggest that perhaps he should read the highway code sections on interaction with cyclists, cyclists taking a safe position at traffic lights and perhaps not attempt to use his car as a weapon.  At his response that "i'll do it again next time, you shouldn't go in front of me, I'll fucking have you, what are you going to do about it" etc with added vim, vigour and naughty words, I'd had enough and used a naughty word or two back. 

Clearly I wasn't the only one who noticed his attempts at ramming me as a random passer by asked me if I was OK.  Thinking back on it, I wonder if, given our location I either looked foreign, or had "remain" plastered all over me as I can't see that my initial behaviour deserved the result.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: MsG on 28 May, 2019, 10:26:43 pm
@ElyDave if you have a look at the "parking like a twat in Ely" facebook page you'll see a photo taken of a local club ride by an irate driver who seems to have been very upset at having to wait a few seconds to pass their very neat line.
Taking a photo whilst driving?

Sadly I've had a couple of encounters at that junction but not usually as bad you describe. I shall keep a wary eye out for Jeeps, what colour was it?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 May, 2019, 07:04:20 pm
Waiting in the ASL as first vehicle in lane 1 to get onto the Bearpit roundabout, I was aware a scooter had buzzed up just behind my right shoulder. But I wasn't aware that another cyclist had arrived and was waiting just behind and to the left of me, until the lights changed and as the scooter took off inches away from me, I lurched to my left and almost collided with her. We both got stopped at the Jamaica St lights and that gave me a chance to apologise to her, she didn't seem to find it anything exceptional.  ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ElyDave on 31 May, 2019, 06:54:04 am
@ElyDave if you have a look at the "parking like a twat in Ely" facebook page you'll see a photo taken of a local club ride by an irate driver who seems to have been very upset at having to wait a few seconds to pass their very neat line.
Taking a photo whilst driving?

Sadly I've had a couple of encounters at that junction but not usually as bad you describe. I shall keep a wary eye out for Jeeps, what colour was it?

Fore Hill is my personal bugbear, and I've only ever seen traffic wardens there once since I've lived here.  It was a dark blue Jeep, driven by a mature gentleman of a gammony hue.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 31 May, 2019, 07:09:32 am
Usual thing a car that doesn't believe in adjusting speed by easing off accelerator so comes roaring up behind a van then slams on brakes. Then tailgate van till the van actually moves over. Then the car roars off to repeat with next car. The unusual thing was this was a Hurst. Only the idiot driver in it so not even an excuse of getting the deceased somewhere and unfortunately nothing saying the  particular undertaker to complain too.

Oops this should have been in motorised morons
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 31 May, 2019, 08:06:01 am
I am cycling along the (wide) cycle path and coming up on a road junction. Oh, good, the crossing lights are green for me. Glance right, left, the cars are actually stopped, so I slow slightly and ride straight across the junction.

And nearly hit the absolute fecking idiot who was riding along the *road* and cycled straight through the red traffic light without looking left.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: quixoticgeek on 05 June, 2019, 11:38:58 am
Roll off ferry, go round roundabout, notice car overtaking in other lane, think "that's a good overtake" suddenly realise what's happen. Exclaim "Links Fahren!", Cross the road, continue journey on correct size of the road...

Oops

J
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 05 June, 2019, 12:39:18 pm
Well done for doing that straight off the ferry.  Took me three days in ABROAD before I made that mistake.  (Which is approximately the same time it took me from first using clipless pedals to ending up pinned under a bike in a patch of stinging nettles.)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jakob W on 05 June, 2019, 01:34:21 pm
I did it pretty much straight off the ferry in Hook; at the second road crossing I ended up nearly nose to nose with a guy on a scooter who scowled and pointed at the cycle path on the other side of the road: 'daar!'
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 05 June, 2019, 01:50:04 pm
I managed a month in Europe without once getting the side of the road wrong. It was only upon returning to Dover at 3am that it all went wrong at the first roundabout on exiting the port.

First clipless moment ?  That was bizarrely about six years in to using them. My particular moment of embarrassment wasn't a bed of nettles, but slap bang in front of a queue of cars waiting to get on to the Wandsworth Bridge roundabout.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 June, 2019, 02:37:42 pm
I've never done it while in charge of a vehicle, but once when my sister came to pick me up from LOLZgate airport, I got in her car to find it bizarrely had steering wheel in front of the passenger seat. She said she thought it best if she drove.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 05 June, 2019, 03:19:51 pm
Chap in front of me in darkest Mitcham (not everyone knows the correct pronunciation is my-cham). Zero cycling skills. The evidence:

Constantly grinding away in the wrongest gear possible? Tick.
Terrible road positioning? Tick.
Zero situational awareness? Tick.
Constant mostly failed attempts to overtake other cyclists, cars, etc? Tick.
Zipping inside of indicating cars and cyclists? Tick.
Wobbling all the way over to the other side of the road while faffing with phone? Tick.

He was certainly a bit special. I don't predict a long career.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Si S on 28 June, 2019, 09:27:58 am
Me for remodelling a 207

Stop/start traffic on Kings Rd, the 207 in front moved off, I accelerated while shoulder checking, 207 stopped, failed to avoid and punched the right shifter and hand through the nearside light cluster followed by a  quick lie down in the road.

When the lass got out she looked horrified -I'd wiped my forehead after taking my cap off not realising just how much claret was running out of my finger   :facepalm:

Bonus points to the jag driver who stopped to have a rant about reckless cyclists without h*lm*ts  ::-)
   
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: essexian on 28 June, 2019, 11:10:55 am
Ouch! I hope you heal well and quickly.

And yes, a plastic hat on your finger would have helped!  :facepalm:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Tim Hall on 29 June, 2019, 08:59:30 pm
The bicycle rickshaw driver who came blasting round the corner off Westminster Bridge and through the throng of pedestrians this afternoon. They were crossing after the green man had gone off but his velocity was in excess of R17 and his yelling to part the sea of pedestrians was the mark of a knob jockey.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Phil W on 07 July, 2019, 02:56:35 pm
Cycling in the lanes today I came to a turning as the same time as a SUV for a narrow lane.  So I wave them ahead so I wouldn't have them up my backside in a lane with few passing places.  Not 2 mins down the lane we encountered a car coming the other way.  They decided to reverse at quite high speed clearly without checking their rear view mirror as they reversed right into me.  They only stopped as I slapped their rear window and shouted.  To give them credit the passenger did get out to check I was alright.  But seriously they knew I was there I'd waved them ahead not a couple of mins early.  Luckily no harm other than them reversing into my front wheel . I managed to stay upright.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hubner on 07 July, 2019, 03:26:11 pm
Riders who instead of going through lights in a straight line, swerves to the left then cuts back in.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 July, 2019, 03:01:05 pm
The rider of this contraption:
(https://cdn.road.cc/sites/default/files/styles/main_width/public/motorised-bike-leicester-south-police.jpg?itok=vJsXsify)
https://road.cc/content/news/264274-cyclist-motorised-bike-fuel-tank-attached-string-warned-police

I wonder if the PCSO noticed the lack of rear brake?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 21 July, 2019, 04:07:44 pm
The problem with those - and their frankenbike electric conversion brethren - is that I find it hard not to admire that the owners have perpetrated such shed-fettle bodgery in the first place.  Presumably using a minimum of barely-adequate tools, and parts likely found in a skip.

Maybe there should be racing events for such things.  Full body armour required, and the last one to break down / catch fire / generally fall to bits wins.  Would keep them off the road.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: grams on 21 July, 2019, 08:03:57 pm
Alas like everything in life they're just cheap kits from China (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33057989565.html). The only part found in a skip is invariably the poor bike they perpetrate it to.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 21 July, 2019, 08:11:46 pm
Alas like everything in life they're just cheap kits from China (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33057989565.html). The only part found in a skip is invariably the poor bike they perpetrate it to.

Bah! And indeed, Humbug!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 21 July, 2019, 08:21:09 pm
They're just a cheap way of making a small motorbike really, without the bother of registration, insurance, etc. I doubt if the pedals ever turn.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Pingu on 22 July, 2019, 09:50:43 pm
The rider of this contraption:
(https://cdn.road.cc/sites/default/files/styles/main_width/public/motorised-bike-leicester-south-police.jpg?itok=vJsXsify)
https://road.cc/content/news/264274-cyclist-motorised-bike-fuel-tank-attached-string-warned-police

I wonder if the PCSO noticed the lack of rear brake?

I were right about that saddle...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: quixoticgeek on 08 August, 2019, 10:07:15 am

This guy:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-49275630/determined-cyclist-makes-it-through-flood-water-in-edinburgh

Kudos for making it through the floor waters, but I bet he won't take the bike in to have every single set of bearings regreased...

It makes me cringe at what it does to the bike.

J
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 August, 2019, 10:22:46 am
Hardly presents a problem to anyone else though.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: bludger on 08 August, 2019, 10:32:39 am
(https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/The-Rough-Stuff-Fellowship-Archives_adventures-with-the-worlds-oldest-off-road-cycling-club_photo-coffee-table-book-guide-book_creek.jpg)

Sometimes you gotta go where you gotta go.

I have ridden through similar flooded roads before when I was first getting into cycling and didn't know any better. I was riding the cheap OEM wheels that came with the bike, no permanent damage seemed to follow 💁‍♂️ I sold the bike to someone who still happily rides it around no dramas.

I wonder if there would be a market for a super water resistant bike. What a great marketing gimmick that would be.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: BrianI on 08 August, 2019, 10:33:42 am

This guy:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-49275630/determined-cyclist-makes-it-through-flood-water-in-edinburgh

Kudos for making it through the floor waters, but I bet he won't take the bike in to have every single set of bearings regreased...

It makes me cringe at what it does to the bike.

J

Surely the DOTD's were the motorists getting themselves stuck? I wonder how many insurance claims for water locked engines will be declined due to the motorists driving through flood waters?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 08 August, 2019, 10:55:49 am
I once pedalled my bike through a puddle deep enough that my feet disappeared on every rotation, then the bottom bracket, the wheel hubs, and my knees. In my defence, it didn't look that deep and once you are committed it's not like you're keen to stop and wade out.

I can't say I've ever regressed any bearings, if things spin, I'm not bothered.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: quixoticgeek on 08 August, 2019, 10:57:49 am
I once pedalled my bike through a puddle deep enough that my feet disappeared on every rotation, then the bottom bracket, the wheel hubs, and my knees. In my defence, it didn't look that deep and once you are committed it's not like you're keen to stop and wade out.

I can't say I've ever regressed any bearings, if things spin, I'm not bothered.

Having done something similar on sustrans finest NCR1, I took my Brompton in for service the next day. Front and rear hubs were fine, BB, needed attention.

J
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 08 August, 2019, 12:06:29 pm
At risk of making this I rode through a flood thread I once road by bike through a flood where the bike was entirely underwater. Aware of how stupid this was but was young and more stupid. Fell off when hit an unseen obstacle and had to unclip while underwater which wasn't fun.

Bottom bracket seized to the point in unscrewed about a week after.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 08 August, 2019, 12:18:32 pm
As health and safety adverse BMX kids, we once spent an entire summer building bigger and bigger ramps next to a disused boating lake. There was a nice downhill run-up which lead to some stupidly rad air as we leapt out over the water and then had to retrieve our bikes from the bottom of the lake. Over and over.

I feel sure this had nothing to do with my frame snapping in half six months later. That was weird, I came off a drop-off and landed and I went one way, and the bike the other, even though I was still on it. Then I fell off. But really every story involving BMX back then ended with the words 'and then I fell off.'
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: CarlF on 08 August, 2019, 01:01:30 pm

This guy:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-49275630/determined-cyclist-makes-it-through-flood-water-in-edinburgh

Kudos for making it through the floor waters, but I bet he won't take the bike in to have every single set of bearings regreased...

It makes me cringe at what it does to the bike.

J

I cycled through exactly there this morning. The water and the non-amphibious car were gone but the shared pavement was strewn with sizeable rocks and other debris.

Once he’d reached that point he didn’t have any good options- either go up onto the dual carriageway which (although it’s legal to ride there), you have to be very, very brave to use on a bike; or go back the other way, carry the bike up and down stairs on a high footbridge, then make a detour up a stiff climb and along a couple of nasty rat run roads, which looks like a ~7KM detour on the route planner I just plotted it on.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 August, 2019, 02:25:58 pm
Miss von Brandenburg recalls someone doing this on a motorbike when the Fulda burst its banks in downtown Kassel when she was a Penniless Student Oaf.  The biker found out the hard way where the entrance to the pedestrian subway was.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 22 August, 2019, 03:46:01 pm
Miss von Brandenburg recalls someone doing this on a motorbike when the Fulda burst its banks in downtown Kassel when she was a Penniless Student Oaf.  The biker found out the hard way where the entrance to the pedestrian subway was.
:D :D :D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 27 August, 2019, 07:04:01 pm
I once pedalled my bike through a puddle deep enough that my feet disappeared on every rotation, then the bottom bracket, the wheel hubs, and my knees. In my defence, it didn't look that deep and once you are committed it's not like you're keen to stop and wade out.

I can't say I've ever regressed any bearings, if things spin, I'm not bothered.

Having done something similar on sustrans finest NCR1, I took my Brompton in for service the next day. Front and rear hubs were fine, BB, needed attention.

J
If a sustrans route looked like that, you probably picked a good day.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: essexian on 28 August, 2019, 11:23:27 am
Two dicks within 200 yards this morning!

First I came across one on the Toucan Crossing outside ASDA in the centre of Stafford. When the light is red for you and green for me on the road, the idea is that you stop and wait and not, as you did, ride straight out in front of me when I was less than 10 yards away. Happily for you I was going slowly so managed to stop before making a mess all over the road.

And then, just around the corner in Weston Road I was pulling away from the lights which had been red against me, the the second dick decided to undertake me and plonk themselves in front of me right in the centre of the lane. Okay, cycles are traffic but to undertake and then sit up doing 5mph while you played with your phone will result in swearing at you....or it would have if I hadn't had a sick pigeon on board at the time.... or worse from some drivers.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Redlight on 16 September, 2019, 03:23:00 pm
Cycling Ninja, complete with face mask, on a mini-roundabout in Lewisham this morning who decided that the best way to tackle it was to go around anti-clockwise while I was already turning clockwise from the road immediately to his right. Luckily, my wife spotted him coming from behind* the van that was waiting at the junction and alerted me in time for me to hit the brakes.

* i.e. on the left hand side of
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 October, 2019, 10:36:21 am
The two blokes yesterday who decided that rather than use the level crossing where the Bristol to Bath path crosses the short stretch of preserved railway to ride along the path, they would use it to push their bikes along the tracks and take photos of them on the rails. And yes the trains were running yesterday.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Peat on 08 October, 2019, 02:52:55 pm
There's a few un-manned pedestrian crossings on the GWR near me. They'd love it.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 15 October, 2019, 11:01:42 pm
I was in a genuine bicycle traffic jam on the shared-use bollocks up to Mr Sainsbury's Emporium Of Toothy Comestibles earlier.  The cause of the hold-up was a FOREIGN PSO on a sensible[1] Ridgeback failing to keep up with her friend on some kind of electric-assist clown bike, particularly on the uphill bit.  I suspect this was because - either through ignorance or mechanical necessity - the gears were in small:small, but the handlebar danglebag certainly wasn't improving matters.

A pedestrian-free gap eventually opened up, and I passed her as she tacked across to the pedestrian side of the path.  This was a tactical error, as she startled and wobbled into me.  Fortunately I was able to avoid actual contact by speeding up[2] and moving right.  The cyclist behind me had dismounted as soon as the Z-axis came into play, so further conflict was avoided.

All in all, I consider this to be a good sign.  People using bikes!  In Birmingham!


[1] Mudguards, rear rack, etc.
[2] I may have reached 10mph.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 15 October, 2019, 11:28:34 pm
All in all, I consider this to be a good sign.  People using bikes!  In Birmingham!
Yeah, what is the world Birmingham coming to?  15 years ago it felt like I knew 90% the South Birmingham commuter cyclists (4.5 of them) by name. 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 23 October, 2019, 11:47:17 am
The POB riding on an unlit country lane at about 7pm last night. No lights. Weaving a bit on the road. Weaving, because she was reading something from her phone, on a road with a 50mph limit.

So not only was she hard for traffic to see, she had no night vision because she was staring into a very bright screen.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 23 October, 2019, 11:57:48 am
All in all, I consider this to be a good sign.  People using bikes!  In Birmingham!
Yeah, what is the world Birmingham coming to?  15 years ago it felt like I knew 90% the South Birmingham commuter cyclists (4.5 of them) by name.

The rot set in when the Bromptons migrated up from That London...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 23 October, 2019, 11:58:39 am
The POB riding on an unlit country lane at about 7pm last night. No lights. Weaving a bit on the road. Weaving, because she was reading something from her phone, on a road with a 50mph limit.

So not only was she hard for traffic to see, she had no night vision because she was staring into a very bright screen.

On more than one occasion, it's been the light from the screen that's alerted me to their presence.  iPhones are the new pedal reflectors.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 23 October, 2019, 12:43:46 pm
On Saturday evening, while waiting for the bus, I became aware of a mum and daughter singing team approaching. Turned out that they were cycling slowly towards me up the road (daughter in a bike seat on the back of the mums bike). The only way I could locate them visually was by the glowing end of a cigarette. No light on the back either (don't know about reflectors - no car around to light them up). I'm used to stealth student cyclists in the lit up bits of town. Not so stealth family units on bikes in the dodgy (and dodgily lit) suburbs. Sigh.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Paul on 23 October, 2019, 01:56:01 pm
All in all, I consider this to be a good sign.  People using bikes!  In Birmingham!
Yeah, what is the world Birmingham coming to?  15 years ago it felt like I knew 90% the South Birmingham commuter cyclists (4.5 of them) by name.
25 years ago it was just me (Selly Oak to Northfield, then SO to Corporation Street).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: yorkie on 23 October, 2019, 05:26:03 pm
All in all, I consider this to be a good sign.  People using bikes!  In Birmingham!
Yeah, what is the world Birmingham coming to?  15 years ago it felt like I knew 90% the South Birmingham commuter cyclists (4.5 of them) by name.
25 years ago it was just me (Selly Oak to Northfield, then SO to Corporation Street).


About 22 years ago, I think I was approximately 25 to 33% of the West Birmingham (Hagley Road Chapter) cycle commuting team!  ;)


I lived on Holly Road (just before Edgbaston becomes Bearwood) and worked on Broad Street (Quayside Tower, above the stage of what was then Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club)  Normal route to work: wiggle through the back roads onto Portland Road, left onto Hagley Road, straight down the middle of the 2 lanes of traffic, through the 5 Ways underpass and into work!  :-D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Basil on 23 October, 2019, 06:44:48 pm
25 years ago I was still in the Pershore Road gang, just before a change of office location changed my commute to Bristol Road.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 13 November, 2019, 05:53:44 pm
Heading down The Annoying Hill At Cotteridge™, another cyclist appears in the right hand lane.  He proceeds down the hill, picking up speed, and places his feet on the toptube, in lieu of a freewheel.  I observe the absence of a rear brake, and speed up a bit to come level, in order to observe the absence of a front brake.  I then notice the traffic lights at the bottom of the hill turn red, and wonder how he's going to handle that.  I slow a little to give room to evade any impending carnage...

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Tim Hall on 14 November, 2019, 07:51:41 pm
Which reminds me of this, from Don Camillo:

Quote
City people's bicycles are utterly laughable. With gleaming metal gadgets, electric batteries, gears, baskets, chain-guards, speedometers and so on, they are mere toys and leg-exercisers. A genuine bicycle should weigh at least sixty-five pounds; it should have lost most of its paint and at least one pedal. All that should be left of the remaining pedal is the shaft, rubbed smooth and shiny by the sole of the rider's shoe. Indeed, this should be its only shiny feature. The handlebars (with no rubber tips to them) should not be at the conventional right angle to the wheels, but inclined at least twelve degrees one way or the other. A genuine bicycle has no mudguard over the rear wheel, and hanging before the front mudguard there should be a piece of automobile tire, preferably red, to ward off splashes of water. A rear mud¬guard may be allowed when the rider is excessively disturbed by the streak of mud that accumulates on his back during a rainstorm. But in this case the mudguard must be split open
in such a way that the rider can brake in so-called "American style," that is by pressing his trouser turn-up against the rear wheel.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 14 November, 2019, 08:45:50 pm
Back in my BMX accident youth, that was the established braking technique for when whim and fashion dictated we remove our brakes to perform some reckless stunt or other. Whim and Fashion being the twins of diabolical persuasion. You may resist the whispers of one, but together they're delectably persuasive, and yet neither of them knows the way to the nearest A&E.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 14 November, 2019, 10:06:36 pm
Are Whim and Fashion not best buddies with Finisterre and, er, the other one?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 14 November, 2019, 10:20:34 pm
You're on the ball, yes, Whim and Fashion are the executive assistants of Finestre, the Demon of All Such Things, and of course, Finestre herself is entirely delectably diabolical. That said, she made a trampoline out of the skin of the last person that called her that and bounced on it all summer, so I'd urge caution.

I'm not sure who the other one is. Jess the vampyric librarian is in Hell at the moment, but that's the fault of a brainwashed angel. I should probably extract her from that predicament before I cook supper. She's quite a sensible vampire though, would certainly only ride a bicycle with adequate braking systems.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jakob W on 15 November, 2019, 08:49:52 am
Not sure if it's Stockholm Syndrome, but I find myself ever more intrigued by Jess et al.'s adventures. Can't they use their diabolical powers to convince the mothership to put you on gardening leave for a month or two so you can release the tales into the wild...?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 15 November, 2019, 12:25:01 pm
Well, my sort of plan is to take a literary agent hostage. This is somewhat thwarted by the fact merely lying in a wait in a Bloomsbury footwell hasn't really taught me how to identify one. I end up apologizing a lot. Anyway, a project for Christmas, Operation Escape Mothership. Of course, the mothership pays actual money, whereas writing books less so.

In the meantime, Jess is stuck in the underwear section of a Hellish department store fighting off the demonic hoards with nothing other than a borrowed dismembered leg (she doesn't have her powers in Hell, of course). That kind of thing really never happens in my current job.

She still doesn't have a bicycle though, and I wouldn't criticise her riding style if she did. She's trying not to kill humans, but temptation is the fate of any diet.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 19 November, 2019, 08:56:31 am
At a rough estimate, 30% of the cyclists I saw in Oxford yesterday (around 6pm) didn't have lights. A few had lights either on the front or the back. One had a strange rear light that alternated red and white clashes. Special muppet points go to the person with the white light on the back (and no front light), and the other one with a red light on the front (and no back light). WFT?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 19 November, 2019, 09:46:56 am
WFT ?

What a Fucking Tosser ?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 November, 2019, 10:15:04 am
Special muppet points go to the person with the white light on the back (and no front light), and the other one with a red light on the front (and no back light). WFT?
Those are the symmetrical twins, minor Oxford celebrities, known as Tamsin and Tasmin.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 19 November, 2019, 11:23:46 am
WFT ?

What a Fucking Tosser ?
Typo - was intended to be WTF.  ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: HTFB on 19 November, 2019, 12:30:37 pm
At a rough estimate, 30% of the cyclists I saw in Oxford yesterday (around 6pm) didn't have lights. A few had lights either on the front or the back. One had a strange rear light that alternated red and white clashes. Special muppet points go to the person with the white light on the back (and no front light), and the other one with a red light on the front (and no back light). WFT?
Eight out of nine Oxford students are rowers and more used to going backwards in groups.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: grams on 19 November, 2019, 12:58:11 pm
London cyclists are similarly unbothered about lighting. And yet there isn't a spate of cyclists being knocked off every autumn when the clocks go back.

I find this an interesting counterpoint to the endless light up and reflective geegaws companies push on cyclists to "stay safe".
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 19 November, 2019, 01:09:48 pm
London cyclists are similarly unbothered about lighting. And yet there isn't a spate of cyclists being knocked off every autumn when the clocks go back.

I find this an interesting counterpoint to the endless light up and reflective geegaws companies push on cyclists to "stay safe".
I could see them, because they were on well lit city streets. The most confusing were the ones with the wrong way around lights. However, I would prefer it in general if people didn't break the law. I don't know if TVP have had their annual "stop a cyclist" weekend yet (it's where they stop loads of unlit cyclists and ticket them with a special fine that gets cancelled if you show up with lights and a receipt at the police station).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 19 November, 2019, 01:24:43 pm
I believe there's little if any evidence that bicycle lights make you any less likely to be driven into.

Personally, I find them useful for avoiding single-vehicle crashes, but no doubt risk compensation applies, and without them I'd just slow down.

I know this is the wrong thread, but since we're on the subject, I saw a kevved-up hatchback with red LED rings around the front fog lights yesterday.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Redlight on 19 November, 2019, 01:39:01 pm
There was a handful of dickheads on the Moonrakers audax ride on Friday night.

I've nothing against people who feel that in the first mile or so of the ride they have just GOT to get to the front, but if the people ahead of you are riding in traffic with the cars that are overtaking them straddling the centre lane, and are taking primary to keep clear of the door zone, then riding up on the inside and swerving front of them is not a particularly endearing way to behave.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 20 November, 2019, 09:12:05 am
I believe there's little if any evidence that bicycle lights make you any less likely to be driven into.

.
That might be the case, but they make a considerable difference on dark cycle paths and towpaths.

Cambridge has a similar proportion of utter muppets to Oxford, some also with red on the front (must the the rowers again). Mixing it with the joggers (so many joggers) on pitch-black cyclepaths is a sodding nightmare in winter.

I'm not sure what I dislike more, the muppets without lights, or the ones with super-bright lights pointing up. Yes, your light is impressively bright. Thank you so much for proving this by completely blinding me.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 20 November, 2019, 12:36:24 pm
That was one of the things I was thinking of when I said 'risk compensation' in the above post.  If I were to cycle without lights, I wouldn't go anywhere near open water, and I'd avoid a busy unlit path (dogs aside, you can't ride on night-vision if you keep getting blinded by cyclists).

IMHO the cyclists with FRIKKIN LAZERS strobing at your remaining eye are far more annoying than the unlit ones.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 20 November, 2019, 12:46:48 pm
Yes, I think I'd agree with that. If you've got decent lights, you can always see the unlit cyclists. In fact they usually show up much better than runners or dogs due to reflectors. And if you're running (or if you're a dog) you'll have to look out for other runners (and dogs) anyway.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 20 November, 2019, 11:41:40 pm
I believe there's little if any evidence that bicycle lights make you any less likely to be driven into.

I know this is the wrong thread, but since we're on the subject, I saw a kevved-up hatchback with red LED rings around the front fog lights yesterday.

I know that the OP specified Cyclists only, but that was on September 27, 2013, if the thread is DOTD you have to allow for some thread evolution (or rename it DCOTD to be clear).

I think that it depends on the lights, the little ones on constant will not make you much more visible from the side at an intersection or roundabout.  A decent dynamo light or exposure light, with the correct road position, makes a difference.  Not sure how you would get stats on this though.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Pingu on 20 November, 2019, 11:47:52 pm
We're well into Ninja season in Furryboottoon  :-\
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ElyDave on 27 November, 2019, 07:22:02 am
Lack of lights? About twenty years ago, working in Grimsby, I was leaving work one winters evening. Got to the end of our site road, which joined the industrial estate road on a poorly lit corner.

I must have just caught a glimpse of movement, but that certainly saved some ninja that night. No lights, black clothes, almost became a bonnet ornament.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: sg37409 on 27 November, 2019, 08:40:33 am
The twat on the electric cargo bike with mega lights going way too fast on the canal.   I've seen him a lot on the canal, always speeding and it'd be a wonder to me if he's never caused an accident. Now with added darkness and his dazzling lights and the same stupid speed and lack of awareness, I nominate him for DOTD.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 28 November, 2019, 08:20:13 am
Lack of lights? About twenty years ago, working in Grimsby, I was leaving work one winters evening. Got to the end of our site road, which joined the industrial estate road on a poorly lit corner.

I must have just caught a glimpse of movement, but that certainly saved some ninja that night. No lights, black clothes, almost became a bonnet ornament.

In Hull Sunday I saw an entire peloton of the unlit all cycling on the pavement. About a dozen of them clad in black of course. Problem was when they were crossing the road at a roundabout. Once one of them went they all followed.

Car ownership in Hull is very low by UK standards.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 28 November, 2019, 11:26:28 pm
Also much more pavement riding in Hull.  It looks like there is space on the pavements for a cycle lane so many cyclists assume there is one.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: EllysH on 15 December, 2019, 04:08:55 pm
The lady on the town bike, with big bright lights and a high vis vest who cycled up left hand turn lane to the junction, then cut across at a right angle into the straight ahead lane cutting off a vehicle in the progress - the driver thankfully slammed their brakes on thus saving her.

It doesn't matter how visible you are if you ride like an idiot.

Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: quixoticgeek on 16 December, 2019, 12:54:21 pm
London cyclists are similarly unbothered about lighting. And yet there isn't a spate of cyclists being knocked off every autumn when the clocks go back.

I find this an interesting counterpoint to the endless light up and reflective geegaws companies push on cyclists to "stay safe".

It's got a bit crazy round these parts. There's a lot of bikes out there with no lights at all, They seem to suddenly decloak right next to you requiring evasive manoeuvres or slamming of anchors. On my bike that's fine, but on the work cargo bike, they handle a bit like a super tanker, it's only a matter of time until I accidentally collect someone with it.

Usually the police do a crack down on it, you can pay a fine of x, or you can buy some lights from them there and then for €5.

J
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2019, 01:45:56 pm
London cyclists are similarly unbothered about lighting. And yet there isn't a spate of cyclists being knocked off every autumn when the clocks go back.

I find this an interesting counterpoint to the endless light up and reflective geegaws companies push on cyclists to "stay safe".

It's got a bit crazy round these parts. There's a lot of bikes out there with no lights at all, They seem to suddenly decloak right next to you requiring evasive manoeuvres or slamming of anchors. On my bike that's fine, but on the work cargo bike, they handle a bit like a super tanker, it's only a matter of time until I accidentally collect someone with it.

Usually the police do a crack down on it, you can pay a fine of x, or you can buy some lights from them there and then for €5.

J
I've got a cunning business plan. I'm going to get a cheap ticket to Amsterdam, buy/hire/borrow/beg (I'll rule out stealing) a bike, ride it with no lights every night for a fortnight, collect all the €5 light sets I can, then come back and flog them for £10 each!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: quixoticgeek on 16 December, 2019, 01:55:32 pm
I've got a cunning business plan. I'm going to get a cheap ticket to Amsterdam, buy/hire/borrow/beg (I'll rule out stealing) a bike, ride it with no lights every night for a fortnight, collect all the €5 light sets I can, then come back and flog them for £10 each!

But you can get the same lights for about €3 in HEMA...

I'm sure Wilko sell something for about the same price, and same quality.

J
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2019, 01:58:48 pm
https://youtu.be/Gp5St7hORyw
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 16 December, 2019, 05:07:18 pm
London cyclists are similarly unbothered about lighting. And yet there isn't a spate of cyclists being knocked off every autumn when the clocks go back.

I find this an interesting counterpoint to the endless light up and reflective geegaws companies push on cyclists to "stay safe".

It's got a bit crazy round these parts. There's a lot of bikes out there with no lights at all, They seem to suddenly decloak right next to you requiring evasive manoeuvres or slamming of anchors. On my bike that's fine, but on the work cargo bike, they handle a bit like a super tanker, it's only a matter of time until I accidentally collect someone with it.

Usually the police do a crack down on it, you can pay a fine of x, or you can buy some lights from them there and then for €5.

J
I've got a cunning business plan. I'm going to get a cheap ticket to Amsterdam, buy/hire/borrow/beg (I'll rule out stealing) a bike, ride it with no lights every night for a fortnight, collect all the €5 light sets I can, then come back and flog them for £10 each!

Or you could come to Birmingham, where the lovely PCs Hudson and Hodson are (or were a couple of years ago, I can't imagine they've run out) offering free lights as an alternative to a FPN, in the unlikely event of having nothing better to do than stop unlit cyclists.

(This policy was entirely to defuse the "But what are you doing about the BloodyCyclists?" argument when they launched the Close Pass project.)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2019, 09:15:18 pm
Well, I could do that – but then I'd be in Birmingham...  ;)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: jsabine on 19 December, 2019, 03:57:31 am
Well, I could do that – but then I'd be in Birmingham...  ;)

But you'd have a bike, so you could leave.

Moreover, you'd have lights, so you could leave under cover of darkness.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 December, 2019, 09:55:20 am
Well, I could do that – but then I'd be in Birmingham...  ;)

But you'd have a bike, so you could leave.

Moreover, you'd have lights, so you could leave under cover of darkness.
Two very good points. I'll have to take my son's MTB with the jammed-up fork, cos ICBA taking the (dynamo) lights off the other bikes. This means it'll be summertime by the time I get there.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 19 December, 2019, 11:49:43 am
Well, I could do that – but then I'd be in Birmingham...  ;)

But you'd have a bike, so you could leave.

One does not simply ride out of Mordor...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 19 December, 2019, 05:15:41 pm
http://www.birminghamitsnotshit.co.uk
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 20 December, 2019, 09:38:26 am
The twat on the electric cargo bike with mega lights going way too fast on the canal. 
Well played!  I would worry about:
* cycling too fast by the canal
* cargo bike by the canal
* those two together
And I would have to go out of my way to angle a bike light on the cargo to dazzle oncoming vehicles.

So good effort by that rider.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tatanab on 25 December, 2019, 07:48:36 am
6 a.m Christmas Day on an unlit rural main road ---- the rider with no lights or reflective of any kind.  I only saw a dim shape across the road when I turned to look because I heard tyres on the damp road.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ginger Cat on 10 January, 2020, 05:09:30 pm
Yesterday evening, heading home from 4 days on site in Leicester. Coming westbound through Tollbar End, been through the A45/A46 roundabout and now approaching the second roundabout with a left-turn only lane which feeds onto the A46.

There was a chap riding a bike- the sort of cheap nasty "mountainbike" type- positioned in the left gutter of the left-turn only lane, 2/3 way up the ramp. From the position the chap was in there were only 2 options:

(1) At the top of the ramp somehow get across the constant stream of vehicles in the left-turn only lane and get onto around the roundabout (good luck with that, typically traffic comes up the left turn only lane starting from 50mph at the bottom and accelerating as they come through the curve)

OR

(2) Continue to bear left onto the A46 Kenilworth bypass.

Neither option was good but I hope to goodness he didn't take option (2). The slip leads onto what is a 3-lane section of very busy A-road, basically a motorway without a hard shoulder and full of HGVs. It was also raining, dark and all he had was a little blinky red rear light, not very bright. It's also the East Midlands where the driving style makes London look quite civilised and the roads are full of east European HGVs to/from the ferries and JLR products of varying type. (OK, so technically cycles are allowed on there but IMO you'd be way safer cycling on a typical M-way hard shoulder than cycling down the inside lane of A46 Kenilworth bypass, especially on a dark wet evening). 

Scary stuff.

'Cat

 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 13 January, 2020, 09:24:39 am
That would be me.  :-[

First commute by bike in ages today  :thumbsup: but I really should have checked over the fleet yesterday. I went to take the bike from the garage at 05:30 and picked by the one with the better tyre pressure.  :facepalm:

Loaded the luggage and set off, stopped 100m later to put some more air into them to get to the station and finished the job on the train.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 15 January, 2020, 06:21:19 pm
Riding in this morning, a little earlier than usual so still basically dark. Another bike in front of me with a very dim back light.
So I thought to myself, if I pass him at a sensible place, I'll let him know he probably ought to check the battery.
Then I realised he was riding a little erratically, freewheeling at places and for durations that didn't quite make sense.
When I did overtake him (at a point where slowing to talk would have been folly) I heard him talking, presumably on a phone. Not clever, particularly on that road at that time of day.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 05 February, 2020, 11:25:25 am
ME!
On the way in today there was traffic waiting for a bin lorry to get past, narrow road with cars on either side, no way to get through.  Like a proper jerk I cycle on the empty pavement, slaloming between wheelie bins and then rejoined the road past the obstruction.
BWAH HA HA HA HA!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: T42 on 05 February, 2020, 11:42:21 am
I trust you'll turn yourself in after work.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 05 February, 2020, 12:16:46 pm
The chap as I turned out into Borough High Street who, for reasons I'm unclear on, decided to try and overtake me on the outside and then cut across in front of me as I prepared to turn into Southwark Road. He was grinding away something frantic on a chunkmeister bike and I was merely coasting. Eventually, I put on the brakes (I wasn't to be honest sure what he was up to) and he cut across me and then two lanes back into Borough High Street and shouted at me to 'watch where I'm going.'

I'm really not sure on his peculiar road placement or why he didn't merely slow down and go behind me.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 05 February, 2020, 02:01:53 pm
So, ian, does that make *you* the DOTD? 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 05 February, 2020, 04:53:32 pm
No, him, I was in the correct lane, he wasn't.

I think in retrospect he'd come around the Addison Lee on the outside as the lights changed and thus was caught out. Though why he frantically tried to out-accelerate us and go around the front, I'm not sure.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 05 February, 2020, 11:29:12 pm
I think it was pretty clear from his saying
'watch where I'm going.'
Sarcasm is a bit harder to purvey via this medium.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ElyDave on 06 February, 2020, 06:46:58 am
As I was heading out of our village yesterday to pick my daughter up, a white van pulled into the layby in front of me. So far so good. He then decided to reverse into an entrance off the layby, swinging the front of his lwb van out into the road as he did, just as I was approaching.

My approach to this would be to look n my mirror and see if there was anything behind me before reversing so I don't force other people to stop or swerve. Apparently from the tirade of abuse, as soon as I saw the reversing lights go on, I should have given him sole occupancy of the road.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 06 February, 2020, 11:15:20 am
I think it was pretty clear from his saying
'watch where I'm going.'
Sarcasm is a bit harder to purvey via this medium.

Ah, I thought my explanation was sub-par, it's a fiddlesome junction to describe if you don't know it.

I'm used to lycrablokes getting THE RAGE if I overtake them on a Brompton*, but he wasn't a lycrabloke and didn't have the speed, but he seemed intent on getting ahead. I presume if I'd not slowed down (thus risking intimacy with Addison Lee's finest) he'd have been going with me down Southwark Road.

*there's only one thing worse for them, and that's being overtaken by a girl on a Brompton**.

**for some reason, this appears to be London's smallest cycling demographic. I rarely ever seem to see women on Brommies.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Tim Hall on 09 February, 2020, 01:07:00 pm
Yesterday evening, as I was cycling to the station, a BSO propelled by a young woman emerged from a junction. She had small blinky lights front and rear. The one at the front was red, the one at the back was white.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 09 February, 2020, 02:52:49 pm
Yesterday evening, as I was cycling to the station, a BSO propelled by a young woman emerged from a junction. She had small blinky lights front and rear. The one at the front was red, the one at the back was white.
This seems go in fashionable phases hereabouts. Maybe ridden by Darwin fans.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 09 February, 2020, 02:53:23 pm
Possibly anticipating a really strong headwind?  ;D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Tim Hall on 09 February, 2020, 03:36:28 pm
Mind you, I realised when I got back from That London that I could also be DOTD. I'd locked my bike on the upper deck of the pull-out bike rack. When my rail replacement bus pulled in to the station on my return journey, I peered out of the window.  What was that half blocking the pavement?  Why it was my bike, on the upper deck of the pull out bike rack, except it was in its pulled out unstosed position. Replaying my actions from earlier in the evening  I failed to do the stowing bit once I'd locked it to the rack.

No bikes were harmed.


Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 14 February, 2020, 03:38:22 pm
The pavement hopping numpty with no lights with hood up in the dark. Nothing unusual about that but then had to take to road as pavement was full so just cycled towards oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the road. Thankfully the car turning into the junction he was about to cross saw them despite the fact you wouldn't be expecting someone cycling across it on the wrong side of the road. Everyone had to brake which gave me time to get my window down to bellow get some lights. They didn't even look round
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 14 February, 2020, 10:32:22 pm
Had their headphones turned up loud enough to enclose them in their little bubble?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ElyDave on 15 February, 2020, 06:19:27 am
Two of those when I went for a run last week, both young females, saw me out of the corner of their eye and nearly jumped out of their skin
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 18 February, 2020, 08:47:54 pm
If suspect so fuzzy. I have a voice akin to a fog horn when I let it rip so either they had ear plugs or just thought they better keep going as some one in a van is bellowing at me
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: PeteB99 on 29 March, 2020, 01:12:31 pm
Another cyclist on the M60

"This does not constitute your daily exercise"

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/cyclist-m60-police-fined-lockdown-18002498 (https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/cyclist-m60-police-fined-lockdown-18002498)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: grams on 07 April, 2020, 10:11:53 pm
You know that annoying thing some pedestrians do of striding out into the road as you're approaching so they can cross 0.00001 seconds after your back wheel passes? The one that puts them momentarily close enough alongside that you can practically feel their breath?

You'd think they might have knocked that on the head.

Especially when you're making a point of staying miles from the pavement and swerving practically over the centre line as they approach.

(this was on the part of the old A1 in North Finchley that's still 700 metres wide and the most imaginative thing they can do with that space is make one enormous car lane in each direction)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 April, 2020, 12:25:45 pm
You could try coughing loudly as they approach?  :demon:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: quixoticgeek on 11 April, 2020, 11:02:17 am

I was the victim of a Pedestrian vs Bike collision this week.

Unfortunately the bike in question is mine, and was in my hallway at the time. Not fully awake first thing in the morning, I walked into my handlebars.

Turns out ultegra TT brake levers are actually really pointy when you walk into them...

J
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 11 April, 2020, 12:19:38 pm
I still have a scar on my upper arm from impaling myself on a Windcheetah's chainset after tripping over it in the dark, circa 1984.  BEER may have been a factor.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: madcow on 11 April, 2020, 08:51:28 pm
Out today on my 20 mile local loop and I am on a slight downhill ,approaching a T junction onto the old A1. I swing wide, intending to go left. Next thing I know there is a cyclist on my left hand side, close enough to touch, giving me abuse for not signalling. WTAF?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Deano on 30 May, 2020, 09:13:38 pm
Weary Bank today - it was busy with families going into the woods, lots of families and toddlers spilling onto the road. You don't really want to slow down at the bridge so as to preserve your momentum, but I'd already had to slow a bit on the descent to give some space to walkers, and I was going inbetween the families, smiling and calling "morning", when a rider came down the other way without slowing and shot inbetween me and one of the free-range toddlers, leaving about half a metre either side.

Hope your 693rd position on the climb was worth it, Justin.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Redlight on 05 June, 2020, 10:41:43 am
Real heart in mouth moment for me yesterday.

There's a horrible roundabout  (the notorious Angerstein or Woolwich Road junction) near home at which 2 cyclists have been crushed by lorries in the past 11 years. I was waiting at the lights, a couple of cars behind a cement truck, when a cyclist came past on my left. He then proceeded to ride right up beside the cement lorry, which was indicating left, in the driver's blind spot. The lights changed, the lorry began its left turn, and you can guess the rest. 

Fortunately, the cyclist got a foot down on to the pavement and just about managed to stay upright, but there wasn't a lot of room between his wheels and the truck's.  He then tottered off and attempted to turn right by riding all the way around the edge of the roundabout.

I doubt the truck driver was even aware of his presence but, had there been worse consequences, I would have vouched for him. I hope the cyclist manages to learn some road sense before it's too late.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: grams on 05 June, 2020, 11:03:51 am
Trucks in London are required to have mirrors that completely eliminate blind spots. Some trucks have cameras or obstacle detectors and the better managed construction projects mandate them.

If the driver didn't know they were there it was because they didn't look or their employer was a cheapskate.

That driver needs to learn some road sense before it's too late.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Peter on 05 June, 2020, 01:30:44 pm
And so does the cyclist by the sound of it.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Redlight on 05 June, 2020, 02:39:23 pm
Trucks in London are required to have mirrors that completely eliminate blind spots. Some trucks have cameras or obstacle detectors and the better managed construction projects mandate them.

If the driver didn't know they were there it was because they didn't look or their employer was a cheapskate.

That driver needs to learn some road sense before it's too late.

With respect, the driver was stationary at the lights when the cyclist approached. The truck moved off and the cyclist continued to ride up on the left, even as the truck was starting its turn. In my view - based on being about 20 metres away - there was not enough room for the bike to pass alongside the truck even had the truck been going straight ahead. It was a stupid move by the cyclist and - while I am no lover of trucks and the way some of them are driven - there was no reason for the driver to expect that anyone would place himself in such a hazardous position.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 05 June, 2020, 07:00:33 pm
there was no reason for the driver to expect that anyone would place himself in such a hazardous position.

Unless you've ever spent more than about 20 minutes observing the behaviour of cyclists in That London.

Shitty that the truck driver should have to repeatedly check for the sense-deficient ones, but ultimately, they're the one with the deadly crush-machine.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Socks on 08 June, 2020, 07:56:33 pm
The yoof on a mountain bike who decided to cut across the grass verge and into the road in front of me for a race.  Unfortunately for him I was going downhill on the recumbent and obviously faster than he thought.  A brief clash of bikes, we both kept control and nobody was injured.

Could have been a lot worse, hopefully the stupid boy has had enough of a fright to stop doing this in future.  I have to admit that I may have added to his stock of swear words.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 08 June, 2020, 08:15:19 pm
Last time I had a yoof do that, he declared himself the victor after about 200m.  I got to Warwick well ahead of him, thobut.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 21 August, 2020, 12:10:37 pm
Two guys out on mountain bikes last night. Assuming they were together as the idiot was spotted waiting for his mate who appeared to have sense.

Huge queue at Bridge which oncoming traffic has priority on. I'm sat at front and he comes flying past and straight onto bridge. The bridge isn't wide and narrowed by cones and fence where is guess someone hit the bridge

The oncoming driver had to stop and there wasn't much room for the cyclist to squeeze through. His gain was zero as his mate stopped and waited and when we both crossed bridge and I safely overtook he was waiting up the road for him
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 09 September, 2020, 12:00:48 am
NO SPITTING!

There's a pandemic on.  If you must projectile gob while riding your bike, please check you're not being overtaken by another cyclist first.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 September, 2020, 11:36:18 am
x100
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Basil on 09 September, 2020, 02:05:11 pm
x101
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: MattH on 10 September, 2020, 05:30:20 pm
Just for clarity, does that apply to snot rockets too?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Canardly on 10 September, 2020, 05:32:34 pm
Or farting?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 21 September, 2020, 03:33:44 pm
Youngish lad cycling down a big wide road with a lane wide chevron down middle as lots of turns off it. His position was primarily if he was on the continent and the chevrons were the kerb. Occasionally he would move onto the chevrons so people could pass on his left but would then wander back into the lane with no looking
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ashaman42 on 20 October, 2020, 09:13:22 pm
Listen fuckwit. If my bike light is at a bad angle (it is new so maybe I've got the angle set wrong) and dazzling you on the narrow path then say something like "Oh your light's at a bad angle".

Pulling a torch from your pocket and then riding at me one handed shining it directly in my face just means there are now two people dazzled.

Fancy then whining as you ride away "You don't need your light on on the paaaaaath". Umm, I think I'll decide when lights are appropriate. Plus the switch for the dynamo light is halfway down the fork, I'm not stopping and getting off to turn it off for the sake of 500m of path when I've got roads for the rest of the commute.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jasmine on 05 November, 2020, 04:16:53 pm
Two DOTD today. I regularly run with my dogs on a shared use path on Thursday mornings. It's not terribly busy at 7am, so I do a combination of on-harness and off-harness running. First DOTD is an older guy I see relatively regularly. He rides down, and then back up the path, so I'll see him twice. He's got a stupidly bright light, that is angled at head height of someone walking/running. Acknowledging Ashaman's post above, this guy knows his light is badly angled because I see him every week, and every week for the last 6 weeks I've been forced to come to a complete stop with my hand shielding my eyes because I can't see. I can't see him; I can't see my dog; I can't see the path. Fortunately for him, the dog is attached to my waist, but the path is quite narrow in places, so it's really hard to arrange the dog being out of range if said cyclist continues to cycle down the centre of the path.

The second one was a guy who was coming down behind me. It's possible to get up to a fairly high speed as this section is downhill without any major corners for about 3km. Just because it is possible to ride at 20mph, doesn't mean you should. And if you do, ringing your bell at about 3 seconds before you pass someone at 20mph is proper dickish, and fairly likely to lead to collision if you do if often enough. 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Tomsk on 05 November, 2020, 05:52:46 pm
On my normally civilised commute: two unlit cars passed in quick succession, in near-darkness at 5pm, then an unlit cyclist hopped off the pavement and cut across my path, then the road, at speed, just as I was crossing at the Tesco roundabout to follow the cyclepath into town. It was busy, and I'm not sure how he is still alive ...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ashaman42 on 11 November, 2020, 09:03:24 pm
Ah bugger - I think the DOTD might have been me this evening  :facepalm:

Heading down out of Hailsham planning to pick up the Cuckoo trail where it crosses the road at a Toucan crossing. A trio of cars pass me and then there's a nice big gap before the next car coming. So I signal, and, well in advance, move most of the way across the lane and start slowing ready to swing right and off the road. But I can hear that he's going for an overtake, I swing a bit more to the right to claim my space (whilst very ready to dive left if needed) at which he abandons the overtake. I gave him a hard stare and a headshake and turned right as planned. Whereupon the moment I'm off the road I have to slow for a Sustrans barrier and I hear him slowing down.

I give an indignant loud mutter of "Where'd you learn to drive then?" to which he replies "I couldn't see your arm mate!". Ah, well that took the wind right out of my sails. Anyway we both then carried on our way at that point.

So yeah, it was dark and an unlit road, and my jacket is black. It does have some retroreflective patterning on the arms but not exactly masses. So I'm probably not helping myself and will see if the fluorescent 'slapwrap' armbands I have (they were even in my bag with me as well - not much help there) are reflective as well and if not buy something new.

But still I don't think I'm entirely in the wrong. He's got much more powerful headlights than me for one and for two, if I saw a cyclist moving over to the middle of the road ahead of a lit crossing with big blue signs announcing a major cycle route I must just wonder if maybe they were moving over for a reason arm signal or not.

Dunno.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: arabella on 12 November, 2020, 09:01:55 pm
hmm
aren't us cyclists only supposed to indicate if it is safe for us to do so
which means a.n.other can't rely on a cyclist continuing along their current road, the cyclist may want to turn but not be able to safely indicate
which means a.n.other needs to look at what the cyclist is doing and not just rely on the cyclist indicating or not
(it's not as if motorists are consistent about bothering to flick out their finger and trigger that indicaty-y thing anyway)

though I fear the above is verh high expectation of motorists as a whole given their propensity to overtake cyclists when approaching corners, juntions and whatnot which I don't think the highway code recommends
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ashaman42 on 12 November, 2020, 09:14:42 pm
I did suffer a couple of "of course I can overtake on this blind bend, it's dark and there are no headlights shining on the hedge from round the corner"

Which, yeah, probably safer than the same in daylight but a) I was trying to dodge the potholes on the inside of the bend and ii) there could have been a bike or an unlit car in the way.

There wasn't but they didn't know that.

Anyway, I dug out my slapwrap things and a flash photo shows they are more reflective than I realised. So I'll wear them in future, I begrudge the necessity and all but it might help and certainly won't hurt.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fuzzy on 15 November, 2020, 04:27:02 pm
Dear Fuzzy, when you are trying to execute a track stand at a pelican crossing, concentrate on what yoy are doing. Don't mutter under your breath about the Jerk inna Merc in the oppopsite lane who has seriously overshot the stop line. Ignore him.
Failure to do so will result in you not being prepared for the light staying red longer than youe expected precipitating a requirement to unclip with haste.
This haste, due to the cold and recent exertions will set off a cramp in your calf.
With a cramp in your calf, you can't unclip.
This will lead rapidly to a Fuzzy/ pavement interface. With an audience.
Idiot.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: handcyclist on 15 November, 2020, 08:00:01 pm
This will lead rapidly to a Fuzzy/ pavement interface. With an audience.
Idiot.

Ouch. Hoping nothing more dented than your pride  ;D

Been there, done that. Failed timing of 'filter into the ASL just as the lights change' manoeuvre. Somehow ended up half standing with my left leg through the frame and my right foot stuck/clipped in ???. Fortunately the man in the BMW I had just passed waited patiently, as the lights changed, while I hopped/dragged myself to the pavement before having a little lie down . I don't know who was laughing at my idiocy more, me or him ...... but thank you Mr Stranger in a Beemer for not making it worse.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spesh on 15 November, 2020, 08:09:01 pm
<SFX: sad tuba> ;D

sorrynotsorry...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 14 December, 2020, 07:49:38 pm
Stopped in primary position of the leftmost straight-on lane at the lights of the big junction by Bournville College[1] in Longbridge (https://goo.gl/maps/4GGggub9YsHjHMDU6), I hear a swooshing noise behind me.  I was in the process of wondering what it was when the cyclist goes skidding past between me and the car stopped on my right, eventually managing to come to a stop in the middle of the junction, just short of the right-turning traffic that was by this point entering from the left.

I always thought brakeless fixie twats were a fair-weather thing, if not strictly a London one.  They're really not cut out for these skoggy roads.


[1] Which is made of Lego, not chocolate.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 17 December, 2020, 06:46:51 pm
^
1. There are two big lights
2. It weren't no student - we've been closed online for the week
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 04 February, 2021, 08:46:35 am
Two ninja cyclists today, in the dark, foggy enough to use fog lights in the car. One was wearing pale clothing riding a BSO, the other was wearing black on a road bike and moving much faster. Both were only visible when they became silhouettes against other car headlights.
On the positive side - 5 cyclists with proper lights, and one with a helmet mounted one.

Also, yesterday, kids riding electric scooters up and down the middle of my residential street, 2 up. They were very fortunate the car coming the other way had their wits about them when they went flying past it on the wrong side of the road round a (relatively) blind bend!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 04 February, 2021, 10:49:32 am
These witfull cars are great!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: grams on 04 February, 2021, 10:58:57 am
Kids playing in the street? What utter dickheads!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 05 March, 2021, 11:35:53 am
I hope he had a good excuse:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-56291594 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-56291594)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rogerzilla on 05 March, 2021, 11:59:35 am
Has a certain FNRttC organiser been up north?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: grams on 05 March, 2021, 12:05:43 pm
I hope he had a good excuse:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-56291594 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-56291594)

It's a lot safer than most other places people are expected to cycle?

ETA:
The cycle route between Paris and Rambouillet for the start of PBP:
https://goo.gl/maps/YSptqeMgwhxcSwYx9
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Pingu on 05 March, 2021, 11:40:59 pm
I hope he had a good excuse:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-56291594 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-56291594)

For being 'lycra-clad'?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 06 March, 2021, 12:44:10 am
I hope he had a good excuse:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-56291594 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-56291594)

It's a lot safer than most other places people are expected to cycle?

ETA:
The cycle route between Paris and Rambouillet for the start of PBP:
https://goo.gl/maps/YSptqeMgwhxcSwYx9

I don't disagree, on one occasion I have considered cycling down the A329(M), when commuting and Windsor & Maidenhead and Bracknell Forest had not gritted before overnight snow and ice. After witnessing a car in the hospital fence at Heatherwood and sliding the front wheel on approach to a Bracknell roundabout I approached the off slip from the A329 where it become motorway as down hill into the next roundabout was not appealing. My conscience got the better of me and I took the exit rather than ride through the junction with the M4. Fortunately Wokingham Borough had been better with the forecast and had gritted the rest of my route.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 07 March, 2021, 01:19:44 pm
Not really a DOTD and if cycling infrastructure existed wouldn't be a problem but witnessed a quite scary lack of defensive cycling. Saw a guy on a bike with a big gravel truck at a safe distance behind him. I think he was juat trying to let it past but moved partly into a side road entrance but then carried on back into the road. Thankfully the truck driver was sensible as could easily have started to overtake and then had a cyclist pull back into the truck
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DuncanM on 08 March, 2021, 02:16:16 pm
The bloke weaving all over the road on a BMX while eating (an apple?) this morning. I was in the car, so I just stayed behind him trying to work out where he was going. A cyclist (who I know) came past on the (on road) cycle path and almost ran into the back of the BMXer when he swerved from the middle of the road back into the bike lane.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 25 March, 2021, 07:20:24 am
A couple of days ago driving past local secondary school at arrivals time. 30 mph limit but doing much less as so many kids about  good job really as a young un who's bike appeared to have no brakes decided to cut straight in front of me to get to his mates while dragging his feet along the floor in an attempt to slow down
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Solocle on 29 March, 2021, 11:36:20 am
I hope he had a good excuse:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-56291594 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-56291594)

It's a lot safer than most other places people are expected to cycle?

ETA:
The cycle route between Paris and Rambouillet for the start of PBP:
https://goo.gl/maps/YSptqeMgwhxcSwYx9

I don't disagree, on one occasion I have considered cycling down the A329(M), when commuting and Windsor & Maidenhead and Bracknell Forest had not gritted before overnight snow and ice. After witnessing a car in the hospital fence at Heatherwood and sliding the front wheel on approach to a Bracknell roundabout I approached the off slip from the A329 where it become motorway as down hill into the next roundabout was not appealing. My conscience got the better of me and I took the exit rather than ride through the junction with the M4. Fortunately Wokingham Borough had been better with the forecast and had gritted the rest of my route.
I did once end up cycling down the M40 by mistake... 3am run combined with a propped open emergency access gate (the "authorised vehicles only" sign therefore invisible). Oh, and signage on approach suggested that this was the left turn onto the A40, which was only 150m away! (A329 Milton Common junction).

Less than a mile to the next exit, which turned out to be 1.5 miles of spur motorway to the A40. Riding on the A40 after that point felt less safe than the motorway, as I was now in a live 70 mph lane, rather than a hard shoulder. Functionally, it meant I was a bit more paranoid about my rear light.

Whether my heebie-jeebie-o-meter is correctly calibrated is the question. One of the two cyclists to die on the motorway network since 2015 died on the opposite carriageway on that very stretch of the M40. My main concern was whether any vehicles approaching from the rear would be police...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: nicknack on 30 March, 2021, 10:21:11 pm
A pair today.
I'm in my car waiting at red light on a country road. Road works variety. Two gentlemen on bicycles pass me and trundle on through the red light. Lights change and I catch them up very shortly. The next mile or so sees me crawling along behind them due to the bendy nature of said country road before I reach a safe passing space. I wasn't in a hurry so it didn't matter. Other motorists may have felt differently.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ashaman42 on 30 March, 2021, 10:41:15 pm
In some measure of fairness some roadwork light timings are set such that a bike can't get all the way through on a green phase anyway so they'd be annoying a motorist whatever they did.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: DaveReading on 31 March, 2021, 07:42:41 am
some roadwork light timings are set such that a bike can't get all the way through on a green phase anyway

Most, in my experience.

Though, if you think about it, extending the all-red period so that every vehicle is held up for longer on the off-chance that there might be a cyclist still coming through would be a bit daft.

Most of the time, that works well.  It's only the occasional driver who believes that a light turning green means "go, regardless" rather than "go, if the way is clear" that causes problems.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: nicknack on 31 March, 2021, 09:39:13 am
In some measure of fairness some roadwork light timings are set such that a bike can't get all the way through on a green phase anyway so they'd be annoying a motorist whatever they did.
Indeed that may well be true. These two were lucky they didn't meet anyone coming the other way. A sharp bend in the middle of the road works meant there was no way they could see it was clear.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 31 March, 2021, 11:50:43 am
Sometimes the pragmatic solution is to jump the red or ride in the coned-off area.  Or use the pavement, but there usually isn't one.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 31 March, 2021, 11:55:49 am
And the coned-off area is sometimes a big trench or full of machinery or otherwise unrideable. Ideally, the lights would have sensors to detect people in the controlled section. I wonder what horse riders tend to do?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rafletcher on 31 March, 2021, 12:36:36 pm
In some measure of fairness some roadwork light timings are set such that a bike can't get all the way through on a green phase anyway so they'd be annoying a motorist whatever they did.

Indeed. LAst summer there was a long straight stretch of roadworks, and even if I hit the green as fast as I can go (not very) I could never reach the other end before the lights changed. The fact that I was in the middle of the lane didn't stop the lead moton in the queue pulling out and driving at me, assuming, as moton's do, that I'd jumped the red, and anyway their light was green  ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Wycombewheeler on 01 April, 2021, 09:18:50 am
In some measure of fairness some roadwork light timings are set such that a bike can't get all the way through on a green phase anyway so they'd be annoying a motorist whatever they did.

Indeed. LAst summer there was a long straight stretch of roadworks, and even if I hit the green as fast as I can go (not very) I could never reach the other end before the lights changed. The fact that I was in the middle of the lane didn't stop the lead moton in the queue pulling out and driving at me, assuming, as moton's do, that I'd jumped the red, and anyway their light was green  ::-)
I've had this,  I wondered if I should have stopped in the centre of the road,  and then walked backwards (no reverse gear) the entire length of the roadworks as clearly it was "their priority"
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: slowfen on 01 April, 2021, 12:42:13 pm
I have to admit that in temp traffic light areas, unless short, I try and ensure there is at least one car behind me
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 07 April, 2021, 06:48:40 am
some roadwork light timings are set such that a bike can't get all the way through on a green phase anyway

Most, in my experience.

Though, if you think about it, extending the all-red period so that every vehicle is held up for longer on the off-chance that there might be a cyclist still coming through would be a bit daft.

Most of the time, that works well.  It's only the occasional driver who believes that a light turning green means "go, regardless" rather than "go, if the way is clear" that causes problems.


French approach is to have no green at all. There is amber which goes to red so you stop and wait. Then the red switches off and you just get a flashing amber.  Your right of way is very much in doubt and your life is in your own hands whichever way you go.

These special lights are to be found mostly at roadworks and railway crossings.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 April, 2021, 09:03:41 am
At roadworks, the flashing yellow seems to make a lot of sense, precisely for the timing reasons mentioned. Unlike green, it isn't taken as "Go! Anyone in the way is wrong!"
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: nicknack on 07 April, 2021, 09:09:33 am
That's only going to work if you can see that the way is clear.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 07 April, 2021, 09:59:20 am
I'm sure in days of yore, French traffic lights went to flashing amber overnight, especially in rural towns, I can't remember when that changed.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Jurek on 07 April, 2021, 10:01:08 am
It was like that in rural Germany when I was in my teens.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: MattH on 07 April, 2021, 10:18:33 am
Red for stop, flashing amber for proceed with caution (even if you can't see the full length) makes sense to me rather than red and green. Probably still wouldn't stop people going as soon as the light is not red though.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 April, 2021, 10:27:14 am
I'm sure in days of yore, French traffic lights went to flashing amber overnight, especially in rural towns, I can't remember when that changed.
France might have abandoned it but it is still used in some countries.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: ian on 07 April, 2021, 10:41:00 am
I'm sure in days of yore, French traffic lights went to flashing amber overnight, especially in rural towns, I can't remember when that changed.
France might have abandoned it but it is still used in some countries.

In some parts of the US they still do (or did when I lived there).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TimC on 07 April, 2021, 10:53:05 am
I'm sure in days of yore, French traffic lights went to flashing amber overnight, especially in rural towns, I can't remember when that changed.
France might have abandoned it but it is still used in some countries.

In some parts of the US they still do (or did when I lived there).

IIRC, 'flashing amber' in the US turns the junction into a multiway-stop - a concept which Americans understand but almost no-one else does.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 07 April, 2021, 10:54:31 am
I was just thinking, it's a lights version of an all-way stop. Though of course in Europe, you've often got one route marked as priority, so it transforms a traffic light junction into a give way one – or even into priorite a droite.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fimm on 07 April, 2021, 01:25:15 pm
I'm sure in days of yore, French traffic lights went to flashing amber overnight, especially in rural towns, I can't remember when that changed.
France might have abandoned it but it is still used in some countries.
Saw this in Germany when my sister-in-law still lived there. Effectively converts a light-controlled junction into a Give Way / proceed with caution one when the traffic is light.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Bledlow on 13 April, 2021, 12:41:25 am
I'm sure in days of yore, French traffic lights went to flashing amber overnight, especially in rural towns, I can't remember when that changed.
Dunno if they still do it, but a lot of Dutch traffic lights used to do that. Handy when cycling home pissed enough to have difficulty re-starting after stopping. Seemed to be quite a few locals doing that.

This was the mid-1980s, when I worked in Utrecht.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Solocle on 13 April, 2021, 10:18:18 am
I'm sure in days of yore, French traffic lights went to flashing amber overnight, especially in rural towns, I can't remember when that changed.
Dunno if they still do it, but a lot of Dutch traffic lights used to do that. Handy when cycling home pissed enough to have difficulty re-starting after stopping. Seemed to be quite a few locals doing that.

This was the mid-1980s, when I worked in Utrecht.
All I know is that cycling along Hole's Bay Road one night, I'm the only vehicle around, approaching a traffic light, green, green, green from in the distance... then it turns red as I approach! The only impetus was me.

I have since observed that light change to red for approaching motorists, and it'll change back to green shortly afterwards. But at the time I thought it was programmed by a "get orf the road" type, being situated on a dual carriageway with an adjacent cycleway.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: grams on 30 April, 2021, 02:45:15 pm
Only one free spot on the Sheffield stands, next to another bike. I go to lock up my bike and it's got a fuxxing alarmed lock. Proper loud too. Even the slightest wobble sets it off. Grrrr.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 May, 2021, 09:31:34 am
The bloke on a mtb who took a mini-roundabout on a downhill as a good time to overtake a car, by going the wrong side of the keep left island and blasting the roundabout. But he didn't crash and he did get ahead!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: EllysH on 17 May, 2021, 10:05:27 am
The bloke on a mtb who took a mini-roundabout on a downhill as a good time to overtake a car, by going the wrong side of the keep left island and blasting the roundabout. But he didn't crash and he did get ahead!
So... Mission accomplished?

Sent from my COL-L29 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 May, 2021, 10:10:51 am
Looked like it!
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: nuttycyclist on 17 May, 2021, 10:22:36 am
I nominate myself for similar.

A few years ago, bad day at work, and I'd gone out to let off steam.  Approaching home (a downhill) I realised I was behind my neighbour's car.  They slowed and indicated right to turn into our road.  I didn't slow, took a tighter turn and the overtake, and steamed it home ahead of them.

As they pulled onto the drive, they pointed out how dangerous it had been (in my risk assessment I'd catered for a:they are lovely people and b:a cyclist).  We are still on talking terms.
Title: DOTD
Post by: perpetual dan on 30 May, 2021, 10:35:09 pm
I was inadvertently a bit of dick today. On the downs above Steyning there were some model aeroplane flying types. They had signs saying “please stay on the path, it’s safer”. There were two tracks on the ground so I picked the larger of the two. When I got to the corner of their take off field I realised that this wasn’t the path so much as the car tyre tracks of the model aeroplaneists.  I didn’t get buzzed.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: pumpkin on 05 June, 2021, 07:33:13 am
Had to be me last Sunday. Off for a ride, got everything, off I go. At about 45 miles and 6 miles from home I have a flat. No problem, 2 x tubes, levers in seat pack.........which isn't attached to the saddle so my seat pack was/is out there somewhere. I failed to engage the clip thing!!!! My wife doesn't drive so I set off walking. 4 miles later, got to my lbs  which was open. They kindly GAVE me a tube, loaned the levers and I was home 15 mins later. Heel pads and 1 cleat ruined.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Tynan2 on 07 June, 2021, 04:13:55 pm
I london commute so idiocy is legion and expected but what has started to catch my eye of late is people riding while holding their phone in the left hand and staring at it. its quite a remarkable sight.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: pumpkin on 10 June, 2021, 01:22:53 pm
All the rage round here in Mcr. if they havent got a phone, the rider normally has their hands in eg their jacket pocket. Watched a young woman on the phone the other day. Round here the cycle lane is on the pavement but at junctions with side roads there is a give way sign marked. Riding behind her, the give way signs were not for her so anything coming from her left or a motorist turning into the side road would have to be on lookout
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Tynan2 on 11 June, 2021, 01:23:47 pm
Quite a long time ago I was going up the hill from Camden, I looked up to see a fella coming down the hill at a hell of a clip, using both hands to roll a fag.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: nicknack on 23 June, 2021, 03:16:08 pm
I know many here abhor cycle "facilities", but...

On the fabulous Isle of Sheppey there is a nice new cycle/ped path that bypasses about 1km of the Lower Road (a horrible road to cycle on and suicidal to walk on) . It's very nice tarmac - rather better than the actual road. So I can't imagine what the chap pootling along the road, holding up about 20 cars, was thinking. Certainly not doing the cycling cause any favours.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 23 June, 2021, 04:26:34 pm
I know many here abhor cycle "facilities", but...

On the fabulous Isle of Sheppey there is a nice new cycle/ped path that bypasses about 1km of the Lower Road (a horrible road to cycle on and suicidal to walk on) . It's very nice tarmac - rather better than the actual road. So I can't imagine what the chap pootling along the road, holding up about 20 cars, was thinking. Certainly not doing the cycling cause any favours.

"It's a trap"

That's usually what I'm thinking when I avoid using some unfamiliar cycle facility.  Occasionally it turns out to be the wrong decision, and I find myself in circumstances such as those you describe.

Either that or he needed to make some turn that could only be done from the road itself.  I left the excellent A38 cycleway at the Middleway junction and rode into town on the carriageway last week because I needed to turn left further on.  Not doubt the other road users were equally baffled.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: nicknack on 23 June, 2021, 04:54:18 pm
I know many here abhor cycle "facilities", but...

On the fabulous Isle of Sheppey there is a nice new cycle/ped path that bypasses about 1km of the Lower Road (a horrible road to cycle on and suicidal to walk on) . It's very nice tarmac - rather better than the actual road. So I can't imagine what the chap pootling along the road, holding up about 20 cars, was thinking. Certainly not doing the cycling cause any favours.

"It's a trap"

That's usually what I'm thinking when I avoid using some unfamiliar cycle facility.  Occasionally it turns out to be the wrong decision, and I find myself in circumstances such as those you describe.

Either that or he needed to make some turn that could only be done from the road itself.  I left the excellent A38 cycleway at the Middleway junction and rode into town on the carriageway last week because I needed to turn left further on.  Not doubt the other road users were equally baffled.
There's only one turn off that bit of road and he'd already passed it. I'd probably give him the benefit of the doubt and suggest he just wasn't paying attention.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fimm on 23 June, 2021, 04:56:12 pm
I know many here abhor cycle "facilities", but...

On the fabulous Isle of Sheppey there is a nice new cycle/ped path that bypasses about 1km of the Lower Road (a horrible road to cycle on and suicidal to walk on) . It's very nice tarmac - rather better than the actual road. So I can't imagine what the chap pootling along the road, holding up about 20 cars, was thinking. Certainly not doing the cycling cause any favours.

"It's a trap"

That's usually what I'm thinking when I avoid using some unfamiliar cycle facility.  Occasionally it turns out to be the wrong decision, and I find myself in circumstances such as those you describe.

Either that or he needed to make some turn that could only be done from the road itself.  I left the excellent A38 cycleway at the Middleway junction and rode into town on the carriageway last week because I needed to turn left further on.  Not doubt the other road users were equally baffled.
Or possibly you he hadn't spotted the beginning of it, or couldn't work out how to get on to it once he had spotted it... (note that I have no idea what this particular facility is like)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: nuttycyclist on 23 June, 2021, 05:05:04 pm
If it only bypasses 1km (a distance I am used to in France as "a sneeze and you've missed the signposted motorway turnoff" I know I wouldn't risk a cycle route of unknown quality if I was touring in that area.

Yes if I was a local and knew it was good, I'd use it; but I've been let down so many times in the past (including carefully planning to use a sustrans route alongside a railway as I wrongly thought it'd be flat - only to find it was 45 degrees up and down and up and down on loose gravel) that for that short distance time saving I'd not bother putting it in an advance planed route.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 23 June, 2021, 05:10:13 pm
I know many here abhor cycle "facilities", but...

On the fabulous Isle of Sheppey there is a nice new cycle/ped path that bypasses about 1km of the Lower Road (a horrible road to cycle on and suicidal to walk on) . It's very nice tarmac - rather better than the actual road. So I can't imagine what the chap pootling along the road, holding up about 20 cars, was thinking. Certainly not doing the cycling cause any favours.

"It's a trap"

That's usually what I'm thinking when I avoid using some unfamiliar cycle facility.  Occasionally it turns out to be the wrong decision, and I find myself in circumstances such as those you describe.

Either that or he needed to make some turn that could only be done from the road itself.  I left the excellent A38 cycleway at the Middleway junction and rode into town on the carriageway last week because I needed to turn left further on.  Not doubt the other road users were equally baffled.
Or possibly you he hadn't spotted the beginning of it, or couldn't work out how to get on to it once he had spotted it... (note that I have no idea what this particular facility is like)

Yeah, that's the other half of my first scenario.  You don't join it at the start because you're busy negotiating a roundabout or whatever and don't notice it, or by assuming that cycle facilities are rubbish until proven otherwise.  Then you find yourself in fast traffic with a solid kerb (or whatever) between you and the facility, and the path of least resistance is to keep going.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: bhoot on 23 June, 2021, 10:02:48 pm
We cycled that path the other day - it's on Adam's Way to the Sea audax which we were route-checking. It is a superb path, and having ridden that road a few years' back and said "never again to Sheppey" it was needed. It's a good width, smooth surface and separated from the road by vegetation and a verge, continental in standard. However that segregation does make it difficult (r even impossible) to join it if you miss the beginning, so backing up some of the earlier thoughts.

We need more like it. Also when we cycled it the motor traffic was backed up for the car boot sale, so we actually made much faster progress along it than anything on the road did.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Tynan2 on 24 June, 2021, 12:39:49 pm
indeed, a lot of my commute in walthamstow has a raised cycle path but it is a constant series of choices as to joining it or leaving it depending on cars and trucks parked on it, people and children all over it, roadworks, buses letting people on and off, and some mind numbingly long waits at a few junctions.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 30 June, 2021, 07:20:02 pm
I usually refrain from this thread as I refuse to chastise my cycling bredrin. 
I will make an exception for the bloke who added a petrol motor to his bike and then ran a red to take a right, across 4 lanes of traffic.  Ninja skills maybe, but defo a knob.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 30 June, 2021, 08:09:44 pm
I usually refrain from this thread as I refuse to chastise my cycling bredrin. 
I will make an exception for the bloke who added a petrol motor to his bike and then ran a red to take a right, across 4 lanes of traffic.  Ninja skills maybe, but defo a knob.

The first time I came across someone on one of those, I thought it was daft, but gave them credit for the amount of shed-fettling that it must have involved.

I've since learned that they come as kits for about a hundred quid from your preferred supplier of Chinesium.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: PhilO on 01 July, 2021, 08:58:53 am
When a petrol engine has been added, they should appear in the 'motorised moron; thread, Shirley?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Tynan2 on 09 July, 2021, 09:43:38 am
A long time ago in Hackney I saw a young lady riding in London rush hour traffic with a slice of toast and blackcurrant jam. At the time I was intrigued to how she had mounted and started riding with one hand busy.

Yesterday I saw a young lady riding while holding, and drinking from, a cup of coffee, again in London rush hour traffic.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: MattH on 09 July, 2021, 01:03:32 pm
A good time to bring up The Man Who Lived On His Bike (https://vimeo.com/35927275)?  Coffee and toast is nothing  :)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: nobby on 14 July, 2021, 05:33:01 am
Yesterday, driving Westerly along the A5 just before Weston Park we were talking about how this stretch is still as narrow as it was in our motorcycling days of 50 years ago.
Our lane was clear in front of us and coming East bound was a big lorry.
Suddenly, from a very minor road, a cyclist shot out onto the A5 in front of the lorry.
The lorry braked hard and swerved across the road into our lane to avoid going over the cyclist. I braked very hard and stopped as tucked in the verge as I could get and the lorry managed to slide through the gap.
The cyclist, in a scarlet and black diamond shirt, lived another day.
Still, a miss is as good as a mile although it never felt like that at the time.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: HTFB on 14 July, 2021, 10:47:11 am
Darwin of the Day?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: hatler on 14 July, 2021, 12:35:32 pm
Dunce of the Day.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rogerzilla on 31 July, 2021, 10:28:46 am
A POB, whom I assume was FORRIN from

(a) his clothing and
(b) the fact that he was hugging the right kerb, causing much consternation among drivers.  And me, as I had* to pass him on a narrow bridge.  On the left.

*traffic light controlled, so no hanging about
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 08 August, 2021, 04:58:34 pm
I'm not sure if DOTD in this case was myself, the other cyclist, both or neither, but in any case, a faintly amusing and vaguely interesting incident. I came to a T junction with a hill. I wanted to turn right, down the hill. I couldn't see what might be coming up the hill because of a tall van parked on the corner, so I did (most of) what you're meant to do: stopped, looked both ways, then pulled out a short way so I could see round the van, stopped again. Except actually I forgot to do the shoulder check you're meant to do before moving, so that's one dick point to me. Having pulled forward in this way, I could now see a a cyclist coming up the hill, just alongside the parked van, with a car behind him. So I waited. The cyclist turned sharp left as soon as he'd cleared the van, looking as if he as going to enter the side street I'd just pulled out of. But no, he rode over the white lines behind me then pulled out round the next parked car and carried up on the hill. Meanwhile the car had overtaken. I'm not sure if he did this deliberately to let the car overtake or what.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: perpetual dan on 08 August, 2021, 08:07:06 pm
Sounds like no dicks here to me.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Guy on 14 October, 2021, 07:52:18 am
Walking to work in the fog this morning I saw a flashing red light some way ahead. I normally see the paper boy as he goes on his round so didn't think anything of it. Then I noticed it was getting closer. "I'm not walking *that* fast", thinks I. Enter hoodie onna BSO, flashing red lights front and rear. Pillock doesn't know if he's coming or going.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Movers on 17 November, 2021, 11:51:25 am
If Jellylegs is wondrin' where 'is post gorn, we shifted it downstairs into “Today’s motorised moron”, on account of 'ow this thread is for dickish behaviour by them Bloody Cyclists.

We'd string 'em up.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: JellyLegs on 17 November, 2021, 07:00:23 pm
Oops. Sorry!  And thanks for sorting.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 18 November, 2021, 09:22:32 am
This morning, returning in my car down our local high street from supershopping (@08:15, peak driver miscellany) I stop to allow car ahead to reverse park on the left. She is signalling, and not especially fast. Cyclist who has entered from a side road, goes to pass this car as she starts to reverse (she has stopped with offside across the white line) as the front swings out the cyclist has to swerve to avoid. He then decides to circle round to have a word with the driver. As i pass, I wind the window down and tell him "That's all on you mate, all on you". He shakes his head and rides off. His story will be clearly how he was nearly killed by a motorist and another moton told him it was all his fault.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: grams on 18 November, 2021, 03:09:08 pm
You choose to bring a piece of heavy awkward machinery into a busy area, you check your mirrors every time before moving it.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 18 November, 2021, 03:34:24 pm
....which if you read my - albeit abbreviated - account, she had (or at least there's no evidence to show that she didn't) as she had started to manoeuvre.

My take is that the cyclist had misread the situation, because of the queue of traffic and because he had just joined the road, and was moving enthusiastically based on his mistaken assumptions and that his observation and road skills  just didn't match up to his own opinion of them. The success of his evasive action he will, no doubt, put down to his fantastic ability and spidey sense.

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Hot Flatus on 18 November, 2021, 05:15:19 pm
You choose to bring a piece of heavy awkward machinery into a busy area, you check your mirrors every time before moving it.

Trying to watch rear of car and simultaneously watch side mirror for dickheads on bikes is maybe possible if you are Marty Feldmann but otherwise not

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTIwMjA5ODc4Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwNDEwOTg2._V1_UY1200_CR82,0,630,1200_AL_.jpg)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Hot Flatus on 18 November, 2021, 05:22:53 pm
My take is that the cyclist had misread the situation, because of the queue of traffic and because he had just joined the road, and was moving enthusiastically based on his mistaken assumptions and that his observation and road skills  just didn't match up to his own opinion of them. The success of his evasive action he will, no doubt, put down to his fantastic ability and spidey sense.

I had a colleague friend like that. He used to boast that he had "ridden loads in London".

Sometimes he'd ride back with me after work and what "riding loads in London" turned out to mean was riding like a total dickhead with no recognition whatsoever of other traffic. He'd weave in and out like an arsehole often having near misses when he would appear from behind a car waiting to let someone in or out of a sideroad.

He came to my 50th birthday party, part of which included 2 hours on the Newport velodrome, and many of the other non-cycling guests were nervous about riding on the track. I assured them that they would be fine and that if anybody crashed it would be Ben.

Ben duly obliged.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 18 November, 2021, 08:28:25 pm
Deliver-something rider who leaned his bike against a hedge further up our street, leaving the forward-facing FRIKKIN LAZER in full Super Essex Disco Frenzy mode while handing over his payload of lukewarm comestibles.  I was pushing barakta up the hill in her WSO, and the strobe-o-vision did absolutely nothing for either  a) her banging migraine  or  b) my pothole-avoidance skillz.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 19 November, 2021, 04:38:28 pm
I tend to find that they strangely have e bikes but no lights (and ride on the pavement half the time).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 19 November, 2021, 05:44:56 pm
I was contemplating the current zeitgeist in bike lighting as I passed various users of the A38 cycleway earlier.  It seems that the Tesco Value 2*AA anaemic glow-worm style lights (with optional disco patterns that serve only to make the light appear less bright at distances greater than about 10 metres) are now out of fashion, with bicycle lighting tending to three main groups:

- Bike (also scooter and skateboard) ninjas.  Might have a pedal reflector, or the glow of their phone screen.
- Good quality European-style static lighting, most usually on off-the-shelf e-bikes that aren't too mountain-bikey, or the few Sensible City Bikes (frequently Bromptons) with dynamo lighting.
- FRIKKIN LAZERS with all the social nicety of a nuclear explosion.  Nearly always on flashing mode[1].  Chinese mountain bike lights from eBay are out, and compact USB-rechargeable be-seen[2] lights are in.  The main practical effect of this technological advancement is that it's greatly increased the scope for mounting them in odd places and at random angles, to better obfuscate the position of the cyclist.


[1] At a frequency that's either seizure-inducing, or low enough for an entire SMIDSY event to take place during the off period.
[2] Mostly as an after-image.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 19 November, 2021, 05:56:05 pm
Seems a reasonable classification. I'd say that group 2, if it includes anything with a static beam that's not too dim nor too bright but doesn't necessarily have a shaped beam, does seem to be increasing in popularity and is probably in the majority now. Probably this is because of better availability, LED and battery technology has brought down prices of decent lights (or made cheap lights decent quality, in terms of light output if not build quality).

E-scooters are worth a special mention. The hire scooters have decent group 2 lights. Most private scooters are group 1, ie no lights, but a few of the fancier models imitate a Spielberg spaceship or articulated lorry, with rows of coloured lights down the sides, fancy disco things shining on the underside and so on. I've never seen lights on a skateboard.

Finally I'd note that the car thief I saw a few nights ago was using his bike light to investigate the interior of the car he'd broken into. He hadn't bothered with a rear light though.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 20 November, 2021, 07:09:14 pm
When I think scooters and skateboards I think small kids riding on the pavement - and therefore am not in favour of them requiring lights.  It's not back to the future, get your skateboard off the road.
Sadly lazerbeams in the eye are the logical conclusion of SMIDSY and the race to being the biggest schmuck on the road.  I still find car lights dazzling at night so have no special complaint about cyclists (but this is based on my shite eye sight).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 20 November, 2021, 07:20:16 pm
Agreed about car headlights.  Especially on SUVs (the main reason I don't use the trike more in winter).  Though at least they don't flash.

The thing about the lighting arms race is that many of the pedal-powered participants don't seem to be putting much thought into what actually helps them be seen, other than buying a really bright light.  I'm not convinced a single flashing light on your helmet is particularly helpful at making your position clear to other road users, for example.  Not that that's much different to... [continued in Lift The Lid p94 - Ed]

Which reminds me - followed a cyclist wearing a reflective arm band thing on her left arm earlier.  Presumably a foreign student who's been here just long enough to momentarily forget about the whole wrong-side-of-the-road thing.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 22 November, 2021, 10:36:20 am
Or it could have been one of those phone-holders that runners use and she just prefers it on the left?

As for skateboards, I mostly see them ridden on the road. The pavements aren't wide enough to do tricks or get speed up. But then I live in a sort of proto-LTN; most of the roads don't go anywhere and so have little traffic (at least since they got rid of commuter parking), and it's a hill so good for skateboarders.

Unless we're talking about electric skateboards, hoverboards and the like, which are a different thing again (and may have funky disco lights).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 22 November, 2021, 11:53:09 am
Or it could have been one of those phone-holders that runners use and she just prefers it on the left?

Ah, good point.  I didn't get a look at the front of it.



Quote
As for skateboards, I mostly see them ridden on the road. The pavements aren't wide enough to do tricks or get speed up. But then I live in a sort of proto-LTN; most of the roads don't go anywhere and so have little traffic (at least since they got rid of commuter parking), and it's a hill so good for skateboarders.

People skateboarding for transport seem to use a mixture of pavement or road as traffic and surface conditions dictate.  They all love the new cycleway, though, as it's a lovely smooth surface with no motorists and a minimum of wandering pedestrians.

Those skateboarding for skateboarding's sake tend to stick to the places that are out-of-the-way or interesting.  Obviously the local skate park, but also assorted car parks and campus cul-de-sacs when they're not in use.  The university security people seem to tolerate this as long as they're not making a nuisance of themselves in the pedestrian bits.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: cygnet on 07 April, 2022, 08:22:59 pm
Here's a tip, if you must ride down the right hand side of a double queue of cyclists on the bike path waiting at traffic lights.

When you try and turn left, you will have to wait untill that entire queueueueue has passed you no matter how hopefully you stick out your hand to indicate. Next time, just join the back, m'kay.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: benborp on 29 April, 2022, 05:26:52 pm
The club rider in my trailer.

Apparently it was because the trailer was wobbling about.

Which must have been pretty serious because I was stopped at a stop line and had been for about four seconds when he ran up the back of me.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 05 June, 2022, 10:21:01 am
Yesterday, I returned home from Crawley by bus. As is the practice, My driver held the door shut to prevent another older woman from boarding until I was off (narrow aisle)

As she stepped back and I stepped off, a yoof on an MTB shot between us, at speed, missing her by around two inches. She called out that he shouldn't be on the footpath, and the reply was "Fuck off!"

I called after him "Pathetic little boy!", and he stopped in order to offer more gems of sparkling wordplay:
"Fuck off! I'll fucking break your fucking face!"
"You normally fight disabled old women?"
"Fucking smack you you cunt!" (getting off his bike) "You come here and say that!"
"No, you silly little boy, you come back here and try it in front of the buss CCTV! Go on! Be off with you!"

Yes, I actually used that phrase. The driver waited until he had indeed gone off, in which action he was encouraged vocally by a group of people on the other side of the road. I almost regretted him leaving, as I was actually in a mood where punching a young man in his twenties was an attractive idea. I suspect he may have been somewhat surprised at his reception.

Knob.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 05 June, 2022, 05:05:37 pm
^ I really hate it when someone is being a cockwomble and then doubles down on it as opposed to apologising or fucking off.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Steph on 07 June, 2022, 08:03:41 pm
"Punching a young man in his twenties" was not a euphemism... then again...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 29 June, 2022, 07:14:44 am
Last night on way home in van and see a guy on a bike making his way across a multi traffic light junction whilst they would have been red for him.

I overtook him and then at the next lights with a LH lane going left or straight on and right hand one to go right. I stopped well pass the stop line as went through on green but was an ambulance coming other way so stopped to let it through. The guy cycles on right hand side of right hand lane then cuts across car next to me and me to go straight on. Thankfully for him I was paying attention as you wouldn't be expecting a bike to come there.

Next set of lights and he does the same nearly getting taken out by car turning right who honked him. The guy on bike stops blocking cars coming other way and starts shouting at the car driver

He then cut across me again and headed off to probably get run over further up the road
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 06 August, 2022, 02:48:18 pm
About 20 of them today. Helping the brother collect a bed and as we approached a short narrow bridge which can was only wide enough for one vehicle at a time and which we had priority on a group of riders came the other way. My brother despite saying bloody cyclists evey time he sees one to wind me up stopped to let them come through and not one acknowledged us.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: spesh on 15 August, 2022, 07:43:36 pm
The wheel-sucker who took a tow off me from East Ashling to Aldsworth before overtaking without so much as a wave or word of thanks. ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 23 August, 2022, 06:38:30 pm
Combined effort:  Me, for assuming that the BSOist in front was looking over his shoulder at me and slowing down because I was on an interesting bike and he wanted a better look.  Him for then swerving right to jump onto the pavement without indicating.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: cygnet on 05 October, 2022, 10:42:42 pm
It's that time of year again

RED LIGHTS GO ON THE BACK you div.  :facepalm:

Edited 'caus  div may be more appropriate than dick.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Basil on 05 October, 2022, 11:00:20 pm
Ah.  You take me back to my commuting days.  I had a name for all the regulars I would see.
Mr Back to Front was an elderly gentleman who had red on the front and blinken white on the rear.
Never asked him about it as we always passed as he was descending  the Col de Priory Rd as I was grunting  up it.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 09 November, 2022, 07:54:30 am
It's getting dark in the evenings and it's also wet so lights and mudguards are a good idea

Saw someone on a cycle yesterday with one of those mountain bike type mudguards that clamp on the seat post and stick out over the rear wheel. They unfortunately had the light below this on the seat post so pretty much obscured. 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 09 November, 2022, 08:18:53 am
I was on taxi duty the other night turning left at a congested junction, in the rain, through Forest Gate, a populous area with typically inadequate roads and sodium street lighting. I was forcibly reminded of the issues caused by electric bikes, especially as deployed by food delivery riders. A bike in black, with a dark skinned rider wearing dark clothes and a dark hoodie, no lights. And before you say "Well, you saw him, didn't you?" I only saw him as he passed in front of me after I had started moving. About six inches in front of me, at what looked like derestricted speed.

Had there been a collision, it would have been an accident, but likely my fault as I was joining the main road. It did make me think that having some sort of identification on the delivery bag, reporting for the purpose of might be useful, if impractical.

It did make me treble check before opening my door in the road, and sure enough there was another. At least this one had a rear light. There seems to be a common belief among some that front lights aren't any practical use.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 09 November, 2022, 08:26:11 am
They are young and blessed with still good night vision, but not with the realisation that others are not.

By sodium lighting, if you mean the horrible orangey-yellow stuff – yuck! Seems to suck all colour out of surfaces. I didn't think there was much of it left, and it was practically a British speciality to begin with (at least, I've only ever seen it in two other countries).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 09 November, 2022, 01:51:55 pm
Low-pressure sodium is the distinctive orangy one.  It's quite energy efficient (on a par with LEDs) but the spectrum is very narrow (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium-vapor_lamp#/media/File:Low-pressure_sodium_lamp_spectrum.svg).  Which is good news for astrononononomers, who can just filter it out, and bad news for anyone who wants to see in colour, because there won't be any.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 18 November, 2022, 05:09:00 pm
They are young and blessed with still good night vision, but not with the realisation that others are not.

By sodium lighting, if you mean the horrible orangey-yellow stuff – yuck! Seems to suck all colour out of surfaces. I didn't think there was much of it left, and it was practically a British speciality to begin with (at least, I've only ever seen it in two other countries).

If you suffer from what an article I read recently calls 'Binmenism' then you will miss the sodium lights.  Binmenism is a vision problem that is unrelated to eyesight:
 https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/nov/15/who-remembers-proper-binmen-facebook-nostalgia-memes-help-explain-britain-today

I thought it was rather a good word.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 22 November, 2022, 01:07:42 pm
Here's a brave chap:
https://road.cc/content/news/blind-man-fined-cycling-while-drunk-297533

Having said that, when we lived in Newark we had a blind pal with no vision at all whose party trick when blind drunk was to cycle along the River Trent towpath.
He also had a small boat that he'd take to the pub in Farndon navigating by ear.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: aidan.f on 24 November, 2022, 06:31:31 am
Anyone here remember the Simpson twins? One had a genetic condition that rendered him totally blind. He stoked their tandem. His brother often had to follow the white line. They covered some impressive distances.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 27 November, 2022, 07:08:53 am
A collective for the domino's delivery cyclists.

Last week had one swerve up onto the pavement I was walking on and I think say something unsavoury when I looked round at him

Yesterday driving along and spot one cycling about a metre out from the kerb but on the wrong side of the road. I held back as didn't want to undertake him and when a car came other way he pulled up onto the pavement
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 22 January, 2023, 03:01:16 pm
Fortunately, nothing happened, but I found myself in the position of impotent onlooker to an impending disaster.

Father and daughter are out on bike, father late 30s/early 40s, sufficient cycling gear to suggest they viewed themselves as "a cyclist", daughter is about 6 or 7 at a guess.

Location is here https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5587901,0.0422002,101m/data=!3m1!1e3 - there is a "Quietway" running north up Aldersbrook road, across the zebra and left into Wanstead Park Avenue, I'm walking up this road, you are unceremoniously dumped into the road if you follow the path. Father is doing this, and could and should have seen what I saw - a car approaching the junction fast - the appropriate action would have been to stop, but no, he swings around the corner. He may have expected his daughter to stay on the pavement, but she followed him, the approaching car missed her by inches.

Father shouts at daughter. I say to him,"that was your fault, actually" he tells me to "stay out of it". Given the shock he must have had, I decided to. I hope he considers his actions later.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 05 March, 2023, 07:50:12 am
Strangely suicidal red light jumper. Most RLJs seek a gap in the traffic, but this one was too seemingly too impatient for that and simply went in front of oncoming cars forcing them to stop, which they did without a horn being sounded. I also noticed he was ‘riding’ his bike like a hobby horse. When I caught up with him I noticed that his wreck of a bike had no chain.  He had travelled towards the lights downhill so I suppose he went straight through them because he didn’t have any brakes either! For safety he relied on a large fluorescent red overcoat.

I may have it on camera, but only from a distance. I wonder what Grant Shapps would make of it?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Touche on 09 April, 2023, 05:48:44 pm
Multiple Dicks.
I had to be in Westminster just after 5am today and although I usually avoid riding into town the train service was not available so rode up.
Left home just after 4am and managed two turns onto a local main road then was promptly tailgated by a bloody private hire minicab who then decided that overtaking me required driving on the wrong side of the central bollards. He nearly crashed into a vehicle coming the other way in his haste to get past me. There were only two bollards covering 30 metres max.
Then for good measure in the 23K journey to town four more close passes and one total fail to spot me at a roundabout while crossing Blackheath requiring swift avoiding action. All of them private hire minicabs.
Apparently being 6ft tall in a bright yellow new reflective Altura jacket and one flashing light and one non flashing light front and rear is clearly not enough. ( Two lights each end )
Now home after a mixed bike and train journey without more incident and researching bike cams.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rogerzilla on 12 April, 2023, 03:04:38 pm
https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/23449835.police-pull-cyclist-m5-gloucestershire/#comments-anchor

Has our FNRttC man got a new job?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 06 May, 2023, 12:26:02 pm
Youth wearing a hoodie who pulled straight out a side road without looking to see what was coming.  A hybrid at 20mph on electric makes very little sound and I suspect he thought because he could hear nothing, it was safe to go.  I resisted the temptation to blast the horn at him!

Even cats sitting in the middle of the road don't hear me approach and get a shock when I am very close.  A bell, like a tram, would be handy.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Peter on 06 May, 2023, 01:08:06 pm
They are available from places like shops.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: andyoxon on 15 May, 2023, 09:44:53 pm
The driver approaching from behind as I was cycling up a hill, who very nearly rammed me at speed.  I heard car swerve, and pass very close.  The rear video is shocking, quite shaken by it - driver on a collision course, extremely late move & close pass around me.  That was nearly it.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 05 June, 2023, 05:52:01 pm
Chap on a road bike this morning. I was following him through the village. We were behind a car which was behind a learner. A fairly timid learner, but we all have to start somewhere.
Coming up to a blind left hand corner, no pavement on the left, chicane just round the corner, he decides to overtake both cars and to pass the large van (catering company delivering to one of the pubs) which was coming the other way. He passed that on the wrong side, so going right onto the other side of the road.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Basil on 05 June, 2023, 06:03:59 pm
^ probably drives like that as well.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: JellyLegs on 08 July, 2023, 11:50:41 pm
Approaching midnight last night, leaving Bishops Stortford in the car.  I come up behind a cyclist with a single led rear light, dark clothing , no reflectors, really wasn’t enough to ensure he was seen on the unlit road.  Prepare to pull around him when I spot movement on the other side of the road.  Cyclist totally sans lights of any kind heading towards me.  When I finally pass cyclist one, I look in the rear view mirror, no front light at all.  I don’t understand why they risk it when perfectly good lights can be had for less than a tenner.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 09 July, 2023, 11:43:24 pm
"I don't need light because I don't ride at night" + "oops is that the time?".
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 09 July, 2023, 11:52:17 pm
They don't need lights the same way they don't need luggage or chain lube.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 15 July, 2023, 07:58:25 am
Ah the young lad cycling along the path on his phone paying about zero attentions to what's in front of him. Due to him being fairly young. Probably 12/13 didn't get the usual fog horn oi to start with, I decided to just move onto grass as runnpast (we were heading towards each other) but then he veered toward me. He nearly fell off when I gave an oi watch out

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 17 July, 2023, 02:38:33 pm
Yes, the big red lorry went through a red light, because it was a fire engine with its blinkenlights and woowoo going.  You, however, are riding a Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle with neither woowoo nor blinkenlights, which means you stop.  So I'm sorry if you had to stop suddenly for my Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle going through a green light, but, no, actually I'm not even a little bit sorry.

Dick.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 July, 2023, 04:24:20 pm
Yes, the big red lorry went through a red light, because it was a fire engine with its blinkenlights and woowoo going.  You, however, are riding a Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle with neither woowoo nor blinkenlights, which means you stop.  So I'm sorry if you had to stop suddenly for my Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle going through a green light, but, no, actually I'm not even a little bit sorry.

Dick.
You've made a mistake there. It's clear that only one of the Mountain Bicycles belonged to a Perfectly Good Gentleman.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 18 July, 2023, 01:04:07 pm
Yes, the big red lorry went through a red light, because it was a fire engine with its blinkenlights and woowoo going.  You, however, are riding a Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle with neither woowoo nor blinkenlights, which means you stop.  So I'm sorry if you had to stop suddenly for my Perfectly Good Gentleman’s Mountain Bicycle going through a green light, but, no, actually I'm not even a little bit sorry.

Dick.
You've made a mistake there. It's clear that only one of the Mountain Bicycles belonged to a Perfectly Good Gentleman.

Maybe the bike is suitable to be a pggmb but alas its being ridden by a imperfect gentleman or indeed a ruffian
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rogerzilla on 20 July, 2023, 09:54:50 am
https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/23665798.knifeman-caught-electronic-bike-stole-tracker/

Lols.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 23 July, 2023, 08:25:42 am
Ah young lad out on his bike yesterday morning. He passed me just as started to run up the ramp of a railway bridge. See him dragging feet on way down other side and realised one brake didn't seem to be connected and one lever was blocked by item of optional cycling headwear which can't be named for fear if this getting moved
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Ham on 12 August, 2023, 08:41:53 pm
Crossing the road at Stratford today with multiple litte'uns in buggies and under tow, we wait for the crossing and are about to cross when three (count 'em) cycle riders blast past inches from us. I let fly with a VERY LOUD vocal assessment of these folk. "What did you call them, grandad?" Thomas, I called them lost souls. LOST souls. They made some wrong choices in life, so I called them lost souls.

I think I deserve some points for thinking on my feet?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 09 September, 2023, 02:41:50 pm
It's luverly here in Ostend. It's hotter than a hot place. The promenade is packed with strolling families, grannies on omafiets, and grandads on e-omas. Old ladies have got their slowly melting handbag-dogs tucked under their ample bosoms, and everyone is gently rubbing along (not literally - too hot for any of that) nicely.
So my European DOTD goes to the cycle club in matching strip who decided to try to blast through the lot of us, at silly kph.
I think one of the riders may have had a bit of a flemish dressing down from a flamard-with-tattoos. Good.

Sent from my moto g22 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: markcjagar on 09 September, 2023, 06:13:41 pm
me, today. I misjudged the bike handling skills of an oncoming cycle on a narrow path and should've slowed more, she caught herself, both feet down "SHIT!"

no harm, no foul but I could've been better.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 September, 2023, 02:10:11 am
In some remote parts of USAnia cyclists are permitted to ride on the shoulder of Interstate highways.  Oregon's Willamette Valley is nowhere near remote enough.  So what the muddy flip was that chap doing not only on the northbound side of I-5 near Salem but actually on the central reservation, or "median" as the natives call it ???
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 01 October, 2023, 04:09:27 pm
Riding home with rabble earlier, we use a wide quiet path instead of a busy road for a couple of hundred metres to make the ride much more pleasant

Cross over crossing onto said path and suddenly notice a young lad on a bike right behind me. I said sorry as thought I'd just missed him watching kids across the road. He then shot off on his ebike and forced past my wife and kids before nearly crashing shooting across a road.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Flâneur on 13 October, 2023, 02:42:57 pm
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bus-lane-trap-st-ives-cambridgeshire-b2429308.html

"Furious motorists complain their cars are being wrecked by bus lane ‘trap’". It's been there 12 years and is a well-signed big FO hole in the road. DOTDs, all of them.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Regulator on 13 October, 2023, 02:55:36 pm
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bus-lane-trap-st-ives-cambridgeshire-b2429308.html

"Furious motorists complain their cars are being wrecked by bus lane ‘trap’". It's been there 12 years and is a well-signed big FO hole in the road. DOTDs, all of them.

Absolutely!

I had a great one yesterday...

An Audi 4Xwankpanzer came zooming up behind me, tailgating before overtaking at well over the speed limit.  Did the same to the car in front of me but, as he tried to overtake, on went blue lights and a siren.  As I passed them a short while later a uniformed police occifer was climbing out of the unmarked car and walking back to the Audi.

Instant carma!   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 October, 2023, 03:09:27 pm
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bus-lane-trap-st-ives-cambridgeshire-b2429308.html

"Furious motorists complain their cars are being wrecked by bus lane ‘trap’". It's been there 12 years and is a well-signed big FO hole in the road. DOTDs, all of them.

Absolutely!

I had a great one yesterday...

An Audi 4Xwankpanzer came zooming up behind me, tailgating before overtaking at well over the speed limit.  Did the same to the car in front of me but, as he tried to overtake, on went blue lights and a siren.  As I passed them a short while later a uniformed police occifer was climbing out of the unmarked car and walking back to the Audi.

Instant carma!   :thumbsup:
Wrong thread!!!

But I'll overlook that because your story made me smile.  :D
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Regulator on 13 October, 2023, 03:21:27 pm
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bus-lane-trap-st-ives-cambridgeshire-b2429308.html

"Furious motorists complain their cars are being wrecked by bus lane ‘trap’". It's been there 12 years and is a well-signed big FO hole in the road. DOTDs, all of them.

Absolutely!

I had a great one yesterday...

An Audi 4Xwankpanzer came zooming up behind me, tailgating before overtaking at well over the speed limit.  Did the same to the car in front of me but, as he tried to overtake, on went blue lights and a siren.  As I passed them a short while later a uniformed police occifer was climbing out of the unmarked car and walking back to the Audi.

Instant carma!   :thumbsup:
Wrong thread!!!

But I'll overlook that because your story made me smile.  :D

Not the wrong thread...  the driver was being a dick.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tom_e on 13 October, 2023, 03:22:20 pm
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bus-lane-trap-st-ives-cambridgeshire-b2429308.html

"Furious motorists complain their cars are being wrecked by bus lane ‘trap’". It's been there 12 years and is a well-signed big FO hole in the road. DOTDs, all of them.

I find it amusing, and I think most other locals agree.  But if you're used to ignoring signs and getting away with it then maybe it does make you 'furious'.   ;D

The second pic in the article shows one who's gone through the junction down the right hand side of the road too.  I'm sure they had an innocent explanation for that also.

I guess you could have a number plate camera there instead, but I'm sure some people would then complain it was a trick to get money from hard working motorists.  I think it's more entertaining this way.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 13 October, 2023, 03:23:14 pm
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bus-lane-trap-st-ives-cambridgeshire-b2429308.html

"Furious motorists complain their cars are being wrecked by bus lane ‘trap’". It's been there 12 years and is a well-signed big FO hole in the road. DOTDs, all of them.

Absolutely!

I had a great one yesterday...

An Audi 4Xwankpanzer came zooming up behind me, tailgating before overtaking at well over the speed limit.  Did the same to the car in front of me but, as he tried to overtake, on went blue lights and a siren.  As I passed them a short while later a uniformed police occifer was climbing out of the unmarked car and walking back to the Audi.

Instant carma!   :thumbsup:
Wrong thread!!!

But I'll overlook that because your story made me smile.  :D

Not the wrong thread...  the driver was being a dick.
Conventionally this thread is for cycle-dicks, motor-dicks get put into the Vroom ghetto.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 14 October, 2023, 10:41:30 am
^ True.

At the same time many of us commuters never post on Vrooom, so share the DotD here, whatever their choice of vehicle.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: LittleWheelsandBig on 14 October, 2023, 11:09:34 am
Still wrong
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: TimC on 15 October, 2023, 09:24:49 am
Is it so difficult to find the ‘Today’s Motoring Moron’ thread? (Hint: clicky (https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=63751.0)).
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: fd3 on 15 October, 2023, 05:31:17 pm
When you never go onto the Vroom sub?  Yes.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 10 November, 2023, 06:46:45 pm
Wandered round to local shop for a few beers, first nearly DOTD wad the domino's delivery cyclist who hadn't properly deployed his stand so his bike nearly fell over while being loaded. Luckily for him I was walking past so grabbed the handle bars

And today's DOTD the person cycling along path with front light  straight into my eyes so couldn't even see who was on bike and no rear light once they'd gone past me
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: cycleman on 11 November, 2023, 07:19:17 pm
Today's dotd is a unlit mtb cyclist heading towards on the wrong side of the road who told me to watch where I was going  :o. I informed him that I was watching where I was going or he would be picking tarmac out of his teeth  ::-)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SteveC on 14 November, 2023, 06:43:37 pm
Classic one this evening. Unlit NSL road, with puddles and debris. What looked like a BMX bike, with the only light being a white one attached to a back pack, so as well as being the wrong colour, it was bouncing around all over the place, most confusing. As well as the lack of lights, there were no pedal reflectors, no other reflectors and, of course, the rider was in dark clothing.
That road is not particularly fun to ride on with decent kit. It's my commute (although I'm going the other way when it's dark) and back in the day when my lighting was not so reliable1, I've had some very uncomfortable moments in the gloom.

1: I've never had a complete failure, but a fading Ni-Cad was close enough.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: JellyLegs on 24 November, 2023, 09:34:20 pm
I nominate the gent riding the totally unlit MTB along the minor road through Bacon End this evening whilst wearing a dark coat and swinging a carrier bag with unknown contents around.  Luckily for him, his lack of lights and reflectors was not enough to stop the Tesco bag for life design glinting slightly in the light of my front bike light as he wobbled violently across my path because up until that point I hadn’t seen him.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: pumpkin on 28 November, 2023, 12:42:07 pm
E-scooterist this am darting out across the main road. how the oncoming car missed him I don't know but it did (luckily)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 November, 2023, 12:53:26 pm
On Sunday morning a group of half a dozen of us were standing on the pavement on the left-hand side of the Portway, geeking at the geology on the other side of the road:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EPwuoupwsum5yD5Y7

A mamily (middle-aged man in luminous yellow) on an mtb, coming towards the camera, honked his displeasure as we were too slow to disperse for his liking, admiring as we were the buckling strata of red sandstone under the mass of grey limestone. A minute later, he doubled back so he could honk again (he had a big bulb horn on his bars) and tell us to "Fucking get out of the way". 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 28 November, 2023, 01:20:11 pm
If you're going to honk a clown horn while dressed as a space lemon, you really ought to have a sense of humour...
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: grams on 28 November, 2023, 01:23:59 pm
Years ago I bought a cheapo motorbike horn to use on my bike. It lasted exactly one ride because I could feel myself turning into the kind of angry arsehole that has a horn on their bike.

(cameras have some of the same effect)
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: markcjagar on 28 November, 2023, 08:08:57 pm
On Sunday morning a group of half a dozen of us were standing on the pavement on the left-hand side of the Portway, geeking at the geology on the other side of the road:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EPwuoupwsum5yD5Y7

A mamily (middle-aged man in luminous yellow) on an mtb, coming towards the camera, honked his displeasure as we were too slow to disperse for his liking, admiring as we were the buckling strata of red sandstone under the mass of grey limestone. A minute later, he doubled back so he could honk again (he had a big bulb horn on his bars) and tell us to "Fucking get out of the way".

I encountered someone who matches that description at the Bristol of the path from Bath in July, we were blocking the path but getting out the way before he was close enough for it to be a problem. His similar outburst was met with laughter.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: tom_e on 29 November, 2023, 11:38:33 am
Years ago I bought a cheapo motorbike horn to use on my bike. It lasted exactly one ride because I could feel myself turning into the kind of angry arsehole that has a horn on their bike.

(cameras have some of the same effect)

Sounds familiar.  I had an additional bright light on the handlebars at one point, and I found myself waiting for car drivers to leave their headlights on full beam so that I would turn it on in return.  Once I realised I was behaving like that I decided to take the light off instead.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 29 November, 2023, 05:24:44 pm
"Poop-poop!" and all that.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Gattopardo on 29 November, 2023, 05:32:45 pm
Why can't London motorists keepoff their phones?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: pumpkin on 05 December, 2023, 10:30:10 am
Why can't London motorists keepoff their phones?

Why can't motorists keepoff their phones? FTFY

Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: The Family Cyclist on 05 December, 2023, 09:28:00 pm
Possibly me, cycling to work this morning and a vans entering the roundabout I'm approaching so they have ROW, nay bothers I'll give it some beans and be out their way before they cross the roundabout. Oh bugger they're going round the roundabout and leaving at same exit as me. Bearing in mind I'd cut it fine they're behaviour was exemplary and they passed nice and wide
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Deano on 11 December, 2023, 09:08:30 pm
Special shout out to the rider going down my street with one of the most outrageously dazzling front lights I've ever seen, but no rear light. 
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2023, 10:20:58 am
Can we put pedestrians in here? I nominate the one who stepped off the kerb right in front of me while looking the wrong way. I just managed to emergency stop before hitting him and to my surprise, the word that I reflexively bellowed was "IDIOT!" which caused him to turn his head and look at me as if he still couldn't see me. I think he was a Chinese student, but that's probably not why he was looking the wrong way; it's a one-way street with contraflow cycle lane. I've never felt entirely comfortable with this concept.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 December, 2023, 12:23:03 pm
Had to ding my bell at the local USAnian Car Nut just now as he crossed the road under the influence of Vic Edelbrock, though he did say sorry.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: rogerzilla on 01 January, 2024, 07:11:59 am
A MAMIL with all the gear heading off down my road at 0630 with just a weak rear light and no front light at all.  Sunrise is at 0813.  Still, he was wearing a helmet, so he's invulnerable.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 06 January, 2024, 10:30:19 am
Can we put pedestrians in here? I nominate the one who stepped off the kerb right in front of me while looking the wrong way. I just managed to emergency stop before hitting him and to my surprise, the word that I reflexively bellowed was "IDIOT!" which caused him to turn his head and look at me as if he still couldn't see me. I think he was a Chinese student, but that's probably not why he was looking the wrong way; it's a one-way street with contraflow cycle lane. I've never felt entirely comfortable with this concept.

I'd nominated the designer of that concept.  There's one I use in Oxford, but I treat it as if I was riding down a fully pedestrianised street - the pedestrians haven't seen me.  I only use it to avoid two moronic sets of traffic lights.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 06 January, 2024, 10:33:56 am
We've just been reassigned to a different parliamentary constituency, so democratic that if you pinned the right colour rosette on a monkey it would get elected (actually that might have happened).  They posted their political newspaper through our door, so I thought I would see what messages my new MP wanted to present.  One of them caught my eye - from a local councillor.

"We believe you should be able to go where you want, when you want, in the vehicle you want."
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 January, 2024, 10:52:53 am
Can we put pedestrians in here? I nominate the one who stepped off the kerb right in front of me while looking the wrong way. I just managed to emergency stop before hitting him and to my surprise, the word that I reflexively bellowed was "IDIOT!" which caused him to turn his head and look at me as if he still couldn't see me. I think he was a Chinese student, but that's probably not why he was looking the wrong way; it's a one-way street with contraflow cycle lane. I've never felt entirely comfortable with this concept.

I'd nominated the designer of that concept.  There's one I use in Oxford, but I treat it as if I was riding down a fully pedestrianised street - the pedestrians haven't seen me.  I only use it to avoid two moronic sets of traffic lights.
Yes, it's a dodgy concept. And yet it's surprisingly popular with (at least some) cyclists and cycling campaign groups. I think it can work well when it allows cycle access to an area or avoiding what would be a laborious one-way system, but design is (as always) important. There's a narrow bridge here with a gurt barrier between the one-way car section and the two-way bikes and pedestrians section, and it works well because you're effectively riding in a constricted but short pedestrian zone. People walk in front of you but not in a sudden way. The "barrier" is actually a structural part of the bridge for Victorian engineering reasons but it functions as a barrier too.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 January, 2024, 10:53:21 am
We've just been reassigned to a different parliamentary constituency, so democratic that if you pinned the right colour rosette on a monkey it would get elected (actually that might have happened).  They posted their political newspaper through our door, so I thought I would see what messages my new MP wanted to present.  One of them caught my eye - from a local councillor.

"We believe you should be able to go where you want, when you want, in the vehicle you want."
Do they actually mean it?
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: markcjagar on 06 January, 2024, 11:11:27 am
Can we put pedestrians in here?

If we are, I nominate the older fella who after looking right at me whilst I was indicating left (by very obviously sticking my arm out) still stepped into the road. This caused braking and I nearly got rear ended by the moton who was following too close, again, whilst I was very obviously indicating that I was turning left.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 06 January, 2024, 12:25:34 pm
Can we put pedestrians in here? I nominate the one who stepped off the kerb right in front of me while looking the wrong way. I just managed to emergency stop before hitting him and to my surprise, the word that I reflexively bellowed was "IDIOT!" which caused him to turn his head and look at me as if he still couldn't see me. I think he was a Chinese student, but that's probably not why he was looking the wrong way; it's a one-way street with contraflow cycle lane. I've never felt entirely comfortable with this concept.

I'd nominated the designer of that concept.  There's one I use in Oxford, but I treat it as if I was riding down a fully pedestrianised street - the pedestrians haven't seen me.  I only use it to avoid two moronic sets of traffic lights.
Yes, it's a dodgy concept. And yet it's surprisingly popular with (at least some) cyclists and cycling campaign groups. I think it can work well when it allows cycle access to an area or avoiding what would be a laborious one-way system, but design is (as always) important.

IIRC the PushBikes line on the subject is that two-way streets with "no entry (except cycles)" are preferable to contraflow cycle lanes, and that the concept only works if it's the default for an entire area, so that road users get used to it.

This makes sense, but with low volumes of cyclists you still have the risk of motorists thinking you're breaking the rules (IIRC clarion got assaulted for this) and city centres are always going to be full of pedestrians who've never driven/cycled around the area and are oblivious to road signs.

On the gripping hand, you're only going to increase the volume of cyclists if you do something to make the roads easier to cycle on, so it's better than an impenetrable maze of one-way streets, or (arguably) having everything jammed up with two-way motor traffic.  I think a better solution is to reduce the motor traffic with modal filters and removing parking, but that would be politically courageous.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: CrazyEnglishTriathlete on 06 January, 2024, 12:52:38 pm
We've just been reassigned to a different parliamentary constituency, so democratic that if you pinned the right colour rosette on a monkey it would get elected (actually that might have happened).  They posted their political newspaper through our door, so I thought I would see what messages my new MP wanted to present.  One of them caught my eye - from a local councillor.

"We believe you should be able to go where you want, when you want, in the vehicle you want."
Do they actually mean it?

I decided that it gave me carte blanche to ride anywhere I want at any speed I want and when he is stuck behind my in (probably his monstrous Range Rover) I could remind him that I was following the desires of his campaign literature.  After all my bicycle is deemed a vehicle.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 January, 2024, 06:48:51 pm
We've just been reassigned to a different parliamentary constituency, so democratic that if you pinned the right colour rosette on a monkey it would get elected (actually that might have happened).  They posted their political newspaper through our door, so I thought I would see what messages my new MP wanted to present.  One of them caught my eye - from a local councillor.

"We believe you should be able to go where you want, when you want, in the vehicle you want."
Do they actually mean it?

I decided that it gave me carte blanche to ride anywhere I want at any speed I want and when he is stuck behind my in (probably his monstrous Range Rover) I could remind him that I was following the desires of his campaign literature.  After all my bicycle is deemed a vehicle.
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 06 January, 2024, 06:52:35 pm
Can we put pedestrians in here? I nominate the one who stepped off the kerb right in front of me while looking the wrong way. I just managed to emergency stop before hitting him and to my surprise, the word that I reflexively bellowed was "IDIOT!" which caused him to turn his head and look at me as if he still couldn't see me. I think he was a Chinese student, but that's probably not why he was looking the wrong way; it's a one-way street with contraflow cycle lane. I've never felt entirely comfortable with this concept.

I'd nominated the designer of that concept.  There's one I use in Oxford, but I treat it as if I was riding down a fully pedestrianised street - the pedestrians haven't seen me.  I only use it to avoid two moronic sets of traffic lights.
Yes, it's a dodgy concept. And yet it's surprisingly popular with (at least some) cyclists and cycling campaign groups. I think it can work well when it allows cycle access to an area or avoiding what would be a laborious one-way system, but design is (as always) important.

IIRC the PushBikes line on the subject is that two-way streets with "no entry (except cycles)" are preferable to contraflow cycle lanes, and that the concept only works if it's the default for an entire area, so that road users get used to it.

This makes sense, but with low volumes of cyclists you still have the risk of motorists thinking you're breaking the rules (IIRC clarion got assaulted for this) and city centres are always going to be full of pedestrians who've never driven/cycled around the area and are oblivious to road signs.

On the gripping hand, you're only going to increase the volume of cyclists if you do something to make the roads easier to cycle on, so it's better than an impenetrable maze of one-way streets, or (arguably) having everything jammed up with two-way motor traffic.  I think a better solution is to reduce the motor traffic with modal filters and removing parking, but that would be politically courageous.
Modal filters and scarce parking are definitely the way to go.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Kim on 06 January, 2024, 08:06:19 pm
Birmingham's attempt at modal filtering (https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20013/roads_travel_and_parking/2032/birmingham_transport_plan/6) seems to have evaporated.  Or at least they gave up putting the filter at the end of Wrentham Street back when the taxi drivers kept moving it - I haven't spent enough time in the city centre to vouch for any of the other ones.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: SoreTween on 08 January, 2024, 05:19:59 am
We've just been reassigned to a different parliamentary constituency, so democratic that if you pinned the right colour rosette on a monkey it would get elected (actually that might have happened).  They posted their political newspaper through our door, so I thought I would see what messages my new MP wanted to present.  One of them caught my eye - from a local councillor.

"We believe you should be able to go where you want, when you want, in the vehicle you want."
Do they actually mean it?

I decided that it gave me carte blanche to ride anywhere I want at any speed I want and when he is stuck behind my in (probably his monstrous Range Rover) I could remind him that I was following the desires of his campaign literature.  After all my bicycle is deemed a vehicle.
Sorry but no, that freedom does not apply to you. The telling word from your rosette adorned monkey is 'in'. Perhaps you should write and ask if to rephrase to the less discriminatory "..., by whatever vehicle you choose."
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Mr Larrington on 08 January, 2024, 11:43:36 am
We've just been reassigned to a different parliamentary constituency, so democratic that if you pinned the right colour rosette on a monkey it would get elected (actually that might have happened).  They posted their political newspaper through our door, so I thought I would see what messages my new MP wanted to present.  One of them caught my eye - from a local councillor.

"We believe you should be able to go where you want, when you want, in the vehicle you want."
Do they actually mean it?

I decided that it gave me carte blanche to ride anywhere I want at any speed I want and when he is stuck behind my in (probably his monstrous Range Rover) I could remind him that I was following the desires of his campaign literature.  After all my bicycle is deemed a vehicle.
Sorry but no, that freedom does not apply to you. The telling word from your rosette adorned monkey is 'in'. Perhaps you should write and ask if to rephrase to the less discriminatory "..., by whatever vehicle you choose."

Or get a velomobile.
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: matthew on 08 January, 2024, 11:57:04 am
We've just been reassigned to a different parliamentary constituency, so democratic that if you pinned the right colour rosette on a monkey it would get elected (actually that might have happened).  They posted their political newspaper through our door, so I thought I would see what messages my new MP wanted to present.  One of them caught my eye - from a local councillor.

"We believe you should be able to go where you want, when you want, in the vehicle you want."
Do they actually mean it?

I decided that it gave me carte blanche to ride anywhere I want at any speed I want and when he is stuck behind my in (probably his monstrous Range Rover) I could remind him that I was following the desires of his campaign literature.  After all my bicycle is deemed a vehicle.
Sorry but no, that freedom does not apply to you. The telling word from your rosette adorned monkey is 'in'. Perhaps you should write and ask if to rephrase to the less discriminatory "..., by whatever vehicle you choose."

I agree, I would like to travel to his nextdoor neighbour in an F35-C, would he be so kind as to approve the construction of a landing pad please, oh and I'm sorry about the noise when I take off at Audax o'clock.  :demon:
Title: Re: DOTD
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 25 January, 2024, 09:05:55 pm
The guy on the e-bike on the path alongside Temple Way, who slalomed in between almost stationary me and the almost stationary pedestrian I was almost stopping at the zebra for.