Welcome to the forum
The sort of ignorant thinking we are up against
We get complaints from time to time, just had this one...
"I believe Im correct in saying the Highway Code states Cyclist must ride in single file yet week after week they ride 2 or 3 abreast, do I assume none of your members have past a Cycling proficiency Test.
Can you imagine how a driver of a car would feel if he/she was involved in an accident with one of your members due to poor road sense on the cyclist part.
You all appear adults yet don't act it putting other road users at risk.
I realise your not the only club using this area and will also be contacting them"
What really made me angry was the line.... "Can you imagine how a driver of a car would feel if he/she was involved in an accident with one of your members due to poor road sense on the cyclist part".....probably not as bad as the family of the dead/maimed cyclist i shouldnt think.
Anyway, make sure you all concentrate when group riding, 2 tidy lines, be polite and stay safe. I am more fearful riding the roads now than i have ever been in 30 years of riding. I fear for where it may end.
"I believe Im correct in saying the Highway Code states Cyclist must ride in single file yet week after week they ride 2 or 3 abreast, do I assume none of your members have past a Cycling proficiency Test.
Can you imagine how a driver of a car would feel if he/she was involved in an accident with one of your members due to poor road sense on the cyclist part.
You all appear adults yet don't act it putting other road users at risk.
I realise your not the only club using this area and will also be contacting them"
What really made me angry was the line.... "Can you imagine how a driver of a car would feel if he/she was involved in an accident with one of your members due to poor road sense on the cyclist part".....probably not as bad as the family of the dead/maimed cyclist i shouldnt think.
Anyway, make sure you all concentrate when group riding, 2 tidy lines, be polite and stay safe. I am more fearful riding the roads now than i have ever been in 30 years of riding. I fear for where it may end.
Comments
Stuart
Tim...I agree, but we all know of cyclists who don't take notice of the highway code. This motorist is simply simple. We have to make allowances for those who only see it from their perspective.
As Tim says...let's just do our best to be disciplined and not give them the excuse. Roll on the continental law where any accident involving car and cyclist ALWAYS holds the car in the wrong.
So, you're complaining motorist is not correct in their beliefs.
Send him/her this link and suggest he/she gets their facts straight!
http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/motoring/the-highway-code/59-82-rules-for-cyclists.htm
Diplomacy was never my strong point!
Cycling Proficiency Test was renamed 'Bikeability' in 2007, so, obviously, most of our younger members haven't passed it or for that matter, heard of it.
I had a quite polite and balanced email back. I think he has been behind us on the Kneesworth to Meldreth road and i suspect has encountered a less than disciplined group.
A lot of people are wrong in their views of the rules of the road but we can help ourselves by being tidy, disciplined and organised. We must do it right and take the moral high ground.
Its also a good idea to have a look at the highway code to remind ourselves of our obligations as well as how we are supposed to be treated. Its good to know the code in cases of arguments.
Geoff, i long for the day when the law is more in line with the rest of Europe, but it aint happening anytime soon and until then, as so many recent cases have shown you are more or less contributorily negligent by simply being on a bike.
There is some about but its local, patchy and something of an afterthought. Ill look into that at some point.
If he adheres to this discipline I am confident that good or bad group discipline will have no impact on him.
As the RTA also makes it clear an overtaking vehicle has to keep clear, he has good reason to be concerned.
Alistair
I was out the other week on my tricycle, yep I get the Pee taken out of me from the lads at work and tend to ride it in the winter when it's icy as I can't fall off, as I go to work at 5:30am. Anyway I was having a discussion with my wife and explaining to her how courteous motorists are when I'm on my trike compared to my road bike, i.e. tooting their horns and waving, my thirteen year old lad said, Dad their not being courteous, they think your a spastic( please note this is not intended to offend anyone with disabled people) My pennies worth, I really don't understand motorists I get the road tax issue, Doh..Top tip, Dress your bike up as a horse or a tractor you will be trouble free trust me.
Shelton
^^ like the horse idea
Do you think it would help matters if club riders all had one of these bike-horse hybridisers?
http://www.trotify.com
Time for bed!
I was almost run off the road by an oncoming pick-up a few weeks ago cycling through Steeple.
When I put my hand up to say 'what are you doing' I was greeted by both driver and passenger giving me a one fingered wave (although, I am assuming they had all 5 fingers to start with!)
Best keep it tight and keep it safe
And when singling out it helps if you obey the rule whereby the inside rider goes in front of the outside rider.
Just a note from me (ken taught me diplomacy so some of you can guess how this is gonna go!!)
Anyway, as stated above by some, the law states no more than two abreast etc etc but with regard to Bikeability (new CPT) I happen to be a Bikeability instructor AND teach the ambulance service emergency response cycling and some of the drivers I see when training responders is ridiculous! I sometimes have blue lights and sirens going and still they drive "disrespectfully".
Part of the Bikeability course is about "commanding your lane" which in essence is about making yourself car sized to drivers don't push their luck!
But also as above post point out, please keep a tight group and try be be beyond criticism in your actions and riding.
Be safe out there chaps and chapettes!
Stu
(Geoff - maybe can chat about organising a taster Bikeability??)
A bikeability course is a great idea. As you say a better understanding of primary and secondary road position and knowing when to command your space to take the descision of whether to risk your life away from the driver would be really useful.
Well have a chat sometime.
happy to chat over ideas Stu, but Tim is more on the spot so go with it.
Mark Wyer and I are the only club members to my knowledge who have B.C. ride leader status. This teaches you to stay wide of the double line up front and at back if two on a ride. As Stu points out this makes you the target rather than the other riders. It requires confidence to stay wide to protect the rest of the group. They also stress the need to single out when appropriate. Two up is the norm for a group ride so keep it tight and hang the numpties who clearly don't know the highway code.
Stay safe.
Have sent you an email.
Ta
Stu