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How was your cycle commute?

Shit , that doesn't sound good :( Picking up from Met Traffic on @MPSRTPC

St John Street closed due to collision. Will be closed for a few hours. Traffic not flowing west on Clerkenwell Road from A1 Goswell St whilst we investigate this collision

In less interesting commute news, I wore long tights today for the first time this year, and silk glove liners.
 
ringo said:
Cyclist very badly injured in Farringdon near Mount Pleasant after a collision with a skip lorry. Air ambulance has just left :(
Click to expand...

From the Standard: Witnesses had suggested the victim was a cyclist but police confirmed a pedestrian was injured.
Still nasty, mind you.
 
There's been quite a few incidents around that area, not far from Ludgate where there's been a couple of deaths and the Clerkenwell Rd/A1 crossroads where there was another. Roads could be a lot better and slow traffic a bit more, although that might be nothing to do with this case. Hope they're OK.
 
Just been given a rack and panniers for my bike. It's nice not having the weight on my back, but it certainly changes how the bike handles, and I'm a little paranoid that I might misjudge the distance between vehicles and get stuck.
 
Totally failed to capitalise on the 17mph tail wind this morning for my commute, forgot that I'd left my cycling shoes in the office on Friday so had to ride it in my decorating trainers. Not even a solitary third best. Bike also feels like shit at the moment (as does the rider a bit), suspect the moving bits need a good clean.
 
What is the law regarding motor vehicles and indicating? It it now just an option if you're in the 'correct' lane? Loads of motorista don't seem to think it necessary to indicate left if the lane is left turn only or even if it is left/straight. Some don't even think it necessary when turning right. :mad:
 
Orang Utan said:
What is the law regarding motor vehicles and indicating? It it now just an option if you're in the 'correct' lane? Loads of motorista don't seem to think it necessary to indicate left if the lane is left turn only or even if it is left/straight. Some don't even think it necessary when turning right. :mad:
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When you're learning to drive, you get taught only to signal if someone is around to benefit from seeing your signal. Bit of a flaw imo.
 
Blagsta said:
When you're learning to drive, you get taught only to signal if someone is around to benefit from seeing your signal. Bit of a flaw imo.
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Really? I'd wrongly assumed that you're always supposed to indicate when you turn, whether anyone's about or not and even if you're in a lane that only allows you to go one way.
 
Orang Utan said:
Really? I'd wrongly assumed that you're always supposed to indicate when you turn, whether anyone's about or not and even if you're in a lane that only allows you to go one way.
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No. Can't remember what the Highway Code says though. Although road positioning is considered a signal also.
 
Updated my 1986 Peugeot to 1987 spec with the addition of some NOS Shimano 105 (1050) 6sp mechs and shifters. Going from friction shifting to indexed is some difference, this stuff is so far ahead of 80's euro components its embarrassing - it feels bang up to date and the front mech is the best I've ever used on any gruppo, ever. Tick tick tick>shumm and its in and it aint going anywhere.
 
Highway Code says

You should always

  • give clear signals in plenty of time, having checked it is not misleading to signal at that time
  • use them to advise other road users before changing course or direction, stopping or moving off
  • cancel them after use
  • make sure your signals will not confuse others. If, for instance, you want to stop after a side road, do not signal until you are passing the road. If you signal earlier it may give the impression that you intend to turn into the road. Your brake lights will warn traffic behind you that you are slowing down
  • use an arm signal to emphasise or reinforce your signal if necessary. Remember that signalling does not give you priority.
Should means its advised but not a legal requirement iirc.

Driving instructors tend to (ime - from my viewing learning to drive vids on You Tube and from my own experiences of currently learning to drive) state that signalling is only necessary when someone will benefit.
 
Must be different from instructor to instructor, then. Personally I'd say it was best practice to indicate every time, if only to try to make it a natural part of driving/manoeuvres.
 
Onket said:
Must be different from instructor to instructor, then. Personally I'd say it was best practice to indicate every time, if only to try to make it a natural part of driving/manoeuvres.
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Oh yeah, I agree a signal should be given at all times, its certainly something I try and do.
 
Onket said:
I was taught to always signal.
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When I was learning for my advanced driving test I was often asked by my instructor "who are you indicating for?".

Simply hitting the indicator stalk does not mean you've taken effective observation. If there's no other traffic or pedestrians then why indicate? i.e. sometimes *not* indicating is the appropriate thing to do
 
a_chap said:
When I was learning for my advanced driving test I was often asked by my instructor "who are you indicating for?".

Simply hitting the indicator stalk does not mean you've taken effective observation. If there's no other traffic or pedestrians then why indicate? i.e. sometimes *not* indicating is the appropriate thing to do
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My answer as a pedestrian and cyclist is that you're not infallible as a driver. Sometimes you won't see someone who may benefit.
 
Onket said:
I wasn't advocating indicating instead of observing, etc.
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Pickmans, OU, Blagsta - not wishing to spoil a beautiful friendship but...

Indicating should be something you *think* about doing - it should not be "automatic". The same goes for the speed you drive at, your road position, your lights, etc
 
a_chap said:
Pickmans, OU, Blagsta - not wishing to spoil a beautiful friendship but...

Indicating should be something you *think* about doing - it should not be "automatic". The same goes for the speed you drive at, your road position, your lights, etc
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Yes of course. But you know and I know that this is not the reality of how many people drive. People are not infallible.
 
Blagsta said:
My answer as a pedestrian and cyclist is that you're not infallible as a driver.
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As a pedestrian and a cyclist I think it is *essential* that pedestrians, cyclists and drivers realise that drivers are not infallible.

Assuming that a driver is infallible is bound to end in tears don't you think?
 
Also, I nearly got taken out by motorcyclists twice this week. One undertook me as I was pulling to the right of a lane to overtake a parked dustbin lorry. The other went over a thick white line into the green bike lane in front of me cos there was no room for him to overtake on the outside. Both out of order, right? They both should have hung back and waited, shouldn't they?
 
a_chap said:
When I was learning for my advanced driving test I was often asked by my instructor "who are you indicating for?".

Simply hitting the indicator stalk does not mean you've taken effective observation. If there's no other traffic or pedestrians then why indicate? i.e. sometimes *not* indicating is the appropriate thing to do
Click to expand...
What is the disadvantage of signaling when no one is around to see it?
Obvious on a bike, but in a car? I can't see one, so I think you signal all the time regardless.
 
Orang Utan said:
Also, I nearly got taken out by motorcyclists twice this week. One undertook me as I was pulling to the right of a lane to overtake a parked dustbin lorry. The other went over a thick white line into the green bike lane in front of me cos there was no room for him to overtake on the outside. Both out of order, right? They both should have hung back and waited, shouldn't they?
Click to expand...
Yes they should, undertaking is only legal for motor vehicles in close to stationary traffic, and assuming you mean a solid rather than broken/dashed white line, the other one shouldn't have been in the lane at all, if it's a broken line they should have waited for you
 
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