London Cyclists

[wiicrackpot]

Are you a regular cyclist in London?, whats it like for you?, what do you think of the recent deaths and the proposed articulated lorry ban at peak times,
i think the problem is more deep routed in drivers minds but sometimes cyclists don't help themselves, dodging lights, diving on and off pavements,etc..etc..
most annoying of all not considering drivers when they ride 2 or 3 (which i witnessed the other day albeit briefly) abreast in single lane roads,
it gets drivers heckles up and create rash judgements in their actions which could be fatal.

[Lace'd Taste]

Yeh i read about the deaths, pretty awful, i think we had one up here in Teeside the other week. Whilst not being a cyclist in London I am an avid cyclist in my current home city of Newcastle. I like to think of myself as a safe cyclist, respecting the road and others around me, i will cross the odd red light for instance red lights purely for pedestrians when there are no pedestrians in sight, i also mount the pavement sometimes on busy roads if the weather is particular wet and windy. At the end of the day i've witnessed both stupid drivers and ridiculous cyclists and so neither side is to blame, it all boils down to the individual and his/hers perceptions of what is "safe".

Personally I'm used to drivers flying past me and overtaking whilst not giving me arms length room you just keep to your line and thats fine with me - if they're overtaking then they've obviously seen me and i think the biggest aspect is making drivers aware that your there - lights, reflectives etc (you don't have to do this by doubling up, as a cyclist this even winds me up a bit). Whilst I'm ok with that my girlfriend who has been cycling for 3 years now still gets a bit nervous and that aspect can be killer in my mind. Nerves can make you act jittery, you start looking behind your shoulder to see what the rumbling is behind you and before you know it you've veered into the middle of the road.

As a cyclist you need confidence on the road, wear a helmet and just follow the rules and as a driver you should be aware of cyclists around you and remember that as annoying as we can be we're just protected by a piece of styrofoam strapped to our heads.

[wiicrackpot]

Fair enough if the situation deems suitable to jump the odd lights like you've stated,
but the incessant jumping onto pavements and off to save stopping at lights just get up drivers noses,
i am an conscientious rider on the road but i have had maniac drivers deliberately passing me inches from my handle bars,
and fast enough to feel the pull of the draught when he has loads of room to pull out more to the middle of the road, :steam:
as for your GF's nervy manoeuvers, sometimes i think you're safer if you wobble a bit as drivers tend to give you more room,
clad yourself in Lycra,you are treated like a piece of shit.

[Lace'd Taste]

Yeh and at the end of the day you just overtake the pavements jumpers as soon as the light is green again. It is weird you mention how drivers treat cyclist differently depending on their apparel - i had a meeting with a local counsellor the other month who is basically head of anything cycle orientated in the city and she told me their was a study conducted in Holland that proved drivers drove safer around cyclist wearing plain clothes without helmets compared to that of cyclist fully kitted out, you just can't win!

[Puffin]

Yeh i read about the deaths, pretty awful, i think we had one up here in Teeside the other week. Whilst not being a cyclist in London I am an avid cyclist in my current home city of Newcastle. I like to think of myself as a safe cyclist, respecting the road and others around me, i will cross the odd red light for instance red lights purely for pedestrians when there are no pedestrians in sight, i also mount the pavement sometimes on busy roads if the weather is particular wet and windy. At the end of the day i've witnessed both stupid drivers and ridiculous cyclists and so neither side is to blame, it all boils down to the individual and his/hers perceptions of what is "safe".

Personally I'm used to drivers flying past me and overtaking whilst not giving me arms length room you just keep to your line and thats fine with me - if they're overtaking then they've obviously seen me and i think the biggest aspect is making drivers aware that your there - lights, reflectives etc (you don't have to do this by doubling up, as a cyclist this even winds me up a bit). Whilst I'm ok with that my girlfriend who has been cycling for 3 years now still gets a bit nervous and that aspect can be killer in my mind. Nerves can make you act jittery, you start looking behind your shoulder to see what the rumbling is behind you and before you know it you've veered into the middle of the road.

As a cyclist you need confidence on the road, wear a helmet and just follow the rules and as a driver you should be aware of cyclists around you and remember that as annoying as we can be we're just protected by a piece of styrofoam strapped to our heads.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts on the matter. I have been cycling for years and am also a Postie, so am out on the roads most days. I think that wearing "all the gear" suggests that the rider is an experienced one and should be more aware of how to ride on the road and not given so much consideration. Someone who is wearing jeans and an anorak and no helmet could be seen as a "non-pro" and likely to do something unpredictable.