Driving Standards

[SpookyFrank]

I do stop at reds though. Usually front and centre thereby preventing cars behind me overtaking from the stop.

This is what you're supposed to do. Newer cycle lanes will guide you into the middle of the lane at light-controlled junctions. You are also entirely within your rights to stay in a controlling position in the lane when not at a junction. In many situations this is the only safe place to ride anyway.

 

[Spymaster]

This is what you're supposed to do. Newer cycle lanes will guide you into the middle of the lane at light-controlled junctions. You are also entirely within your rights to stay in a controlling position in the lane when not at a junction. In many situations this is the only safe place to ride anyway.

Is it similar to the way you position your aircraft on the runway before take off SpookyFrank ?

 

[Proper Tidy]

This is what you're supposed to do. Newer cycle lanes will guide you into the middle of the lane at light-controlled junctions. You are also entirely within your rights to stay in a controlling position in the lane when not at a junction. In many situations this is the only safe place to ride anyway.

Yeah I know - when I started cycling again at about 30 I did that thing of trying to stay in gutter and realised it just meant dickheads would hit you with their wing mirrors without budging an inch or paying any attention to how fucking dangerous they were being. But also I'll take renewed pleasure in winding up dickheads who seem to think anything on public roads that isn't a motor with four wheels is an outrage

 

[Spymaster]

- when I started cycling again at about 30 ...

In 20 mph zones, no doubt.

 

[Proper Tidy]

In 20 mph zones, no doubt.

One of my proudest cycling moments was making a speed camera flash (it was down a small mountain, like fuck I'm fit enough to do anything close to 30mph on a flat)

 

[IC3D]

Imagine wearing a light so that you can be seen more easily. Thin end of wedge. Hell in a handcart etc.

If they're aware enough they might cause an accident by pelting along a packed thoroughfare perhaps they need to adhere to a standard and be required to possess a licence

 

[Poot]

If they're aware enough they might cause an accident by pelting along a packed thoroughfare perhaps they need to adhere to a standard and be required to possess a licence

When you're running across roads that are perpendicular to the pavement I'd say a light is exactly what you need, though, don't you find? Largely because some fuckers don't indicate. I'm getting one!

 

[IC3D]

Poot you're not supposed to run out into the road

 

[cupid_stunt]

It's as if the Green Cross Code has been totally forgotten.

 

[Poot]

Poot you're not supposed to run out into the road

I don't. It's the surprise left and right turns that get me every time. Indicators LITERALLY save lives.

 

[nick]

You think the ruling class are going to close all the roads. Because of people on bikes having a nice time. That's beyond ludicrous.

They are on 16 August - when I get to cycle right through the middle of London and back again on closed roads. I hope to have a nice time

 

[T & P]

It's as if the Green Cross Code has been totally forgotten.

Pedestrians in this country are nowadays practically actively encouraged by some campaginers to cross the road whenever and wherever the fuck they please, and without even the courtesy or common sense of a cursory look. It's as dangerous a policy as is preposterous IMO, yet you will have your head bitten off if you suggest they should bear some responsibility regardless of whether the law might dictate they have priority over motor vehicles on urban areas.

Every day I ride a bike (both pushbike or motorcyle) or drive a car in London I'm end up being a bit more inclined towards supporting the introduction of jaywalking legislation in cities, to be honest.

 

[Proper Tidy]

Pedestrians in this country are nowadays practically actively encouraged by some campaginers to cross the road whenever and wherever the fuck they please, and without even the courtesy or common sense of a cursory look. It's as dangerous a policy as is preposterous IMO, yet you will have your head bitten off if you suggest they should bear some responsibility regardless of whether the law might dictate they have priority over motor vehicles on urban areas.

Every day I ride a bike (both pushbike or motorcyle) or drive a car in London I'm end up being a bit more inclined towards supporting the introduction of jaywalking legislation in cities, to be honest.

What campaigners tell pedestrians to walk into the road willy nilly

 

[T & P]

More than one on these boards Not necessarily at official or organised campaign level, though exisiting legislation granting pedestrians de facto immunity from prosecution for non-malitious road incidents is very wrong IMO

Apparently peds have priority on cities, so if one decides to suddenly step onto a busy road, it's up to the cars to stop on time to avoid hitting them. And everything else, including basic physics and Newton's Laws of Motion, be damned.

 

[Proper Tidy]

I'm not convinced tbh

 

[Poot]

More than one on these boards

Who?!

 

[T & P]

Who?!

teuchter is one. But regardless of how many or few people here or elsewhere believe that, the fact remains that legislation in this coutnry regarding pedestrians actions and legal liabilities are in some aspects diametrically opposed to the approach in many European countries as well as in North America. I firmly believe that is causing more harm than good to pedestrian safety overall.

 

[SpookyFrank]

Pedestrians in this country are nowadays practically actively encouraged by some campaginers to cross the road whenever and wherever the fuck they please, and without even the courtesy or common sense of a cursory look.

These campaigns have escaped my notice entirely I have to say.

I would say that urban centres should be as pedestrianised as possible so that people can move around at leisure without fear of being run over, but obviously no sane person would recommend walking out into a road used by motor vehicles without looking. As I mostly travel by bike, people who jaywalk are risking my neck as well as their own.

It is however worth noting that the term, and concept, of 'jaywalking' arose from a campaign by motor vehicle manufacturers. Obviously highways predate motor cars by some millennia and pedestrians can with considerable justice claim that they were there first.

 

[Spymaster]

I would say that urban centres should be as pedestrianised as possible so that people can move around at leisure without fear of being run over ...

Unfortunately, pedestrianising areas gives no guarantee at all that people won't be run over. Cyclists routinely ride in them because of course, the rules don't apply to them.

 

[Proper Tidy]

Wonder what the death by RTA per 100k is in pedestrianised areas compared to roads with cars and that

 

[Spymaster]

Wonder what the death by RTA per 100k is in pedestrianised areas compared to roads with cars and that

"Peds don't get killed by cyclists in pedestrianised areas so it's ok for cyclists to ride in them"

Typical.

 

[Proper Tidy]

"Peds don't get killed by cyclists in pedestrianised areas so it's ok for cyclists to ride in them"

Typical.

Just trying to understand the relative risks and consequences

 

[Plumdaff]

Drove home behind a car whose driver was either drunk or something else weird was going on. Went through two red lights in front of me - not sure either junction has cameras - I caught up both times as they then meandered along at around 15 miles an hour with the right indicator on. Got the reg but is there any point reporting? Nothing will happen, will it?

 

[Spymaster]

Got the reg but is there any point reporting? Nothing will happen, will it?

Not now it won't. You should have reported him there and then.

 

[Plumdaff]

Not now it won't. You should have reported him there and then.

Lesson for next time. If it hadn't been the end of a 12-hour shift with no lunch break I might have been more willing to pull over to call.

 

[Saul Goodman]

Wonder what the death by RTA per 100k is in pedestrianised areas compared to roads with cars and that

Wonder what the death by RTA per 100k is in Omniplex cinemas compared to roads with cars and that.

I think your post is a good contender for silliest post of the year.

 

[Proper Tidy]

Wonder what the death by RTA per 100k is in Omniplex cinemas compared to roads with cars and that.

I think your post is a good contender for silliest post of the year.

There was that bloke who got trapped in a seat, grim story

 

[two sheds]

Not exactly a major point but indicative of the arrogant attitude of a lot of drivers:

Nearly all car drivers down here (Cornwall) acknowledge other car drivers when they give way. But I often walk the dog along road with no pavement and a curve so you can't see what's coming either direction. Any car I see coming either way I get into the side and off the road and stop to let them through. Nearly all van and lorry drivers acknowledge me but I'd say only a third of car drivers do.

 

[Saul Goodman]

Not exactly a major point but indicative of the arrogant attitude of a lot of drivers:

Nearly all car drivers down here (Cornwall) acknowledge other car drivers when they give way. But I often walk the dog along road with no pavement and a curve so you can't see what's coming either direction. Any car I see coming either way I get into the side and off the road and stop to let them through. Nearly all van and lorry drivers acknowledge me but I'd say only a third of car drivers do.

I always wave at people walking dogs, and sometimes stop to talk to them, if I like the dog.
I recently stopped to talk to the owner of a Husky that regularly comes to my house for a cuddle and a treat. He's an absolutely gorgeous dog, and I said to her "Next time he comes to my house, I'm kidnapping him and keeping him." It wasn't until I saw the look on her face that I realised what I'd said, and spent the next couple of minutes explaining that I wasn't a psycho dognapper, I was merely a neighbour who loved her dog.

 

[nick]