"Ello John dya drive a motor"

[Puffin]

"Ello John Gotta New Motor?"

My take is that cars interest me less and less as a transportation medium.....maybe as a fun drive with the top down on clear roads but commuting in rush hour traffic leaves me cold.

There are bad cyclists just as there are plenty of bad drivers. I was thinking recently about drivers who seem to panic and get over safe when they see a cyclist. They hold back for ages not wanting to pass as if they cant judge what the hells going on or realise there is plenty of space to pass quickly and be on their way. Just as dangerous in my view as they ramp up the tension for me and impatient drivers behind them

A key point is the need for a passive cycling technique....not cycling like I own the road. Im never going to win against motor vehicles so I see no point in a racing bike and asserting myself on busy roads. There is a fine balance that comes with experience.

I have also noticed a rise in angry or very aggressive drivers...maybe it was always that way but the clogged up roads and cost of motoring has seemed to bring out a real road rage where these people think they are the moral guardians of the road system.

To be fair there are cyclists like that as well and it doesnt get anywhere but anger, assault and you tube videos

The deep issues are a road system that cant cope and car ownership ingrained in our culture. I get confused about it because I would love to drive my MX5 on clear roads.

The real answers are things that nobody seems prepared to deal with yet

Spot on Martin. Surrey's roads are probably far more clogged than Cheshire's?

Aggression, arrogance, me me me behaviour is prevalent everywhere, but when they are in charge of a lethal weapon it gets scary. I cycle sensibly but the antics of other road users beggars belief and is what makes cycling dangerous (leaving out the kamikaze TdeF style idiots who are a danger to themselves) Timid overtakers are often those that have zilch spatial awareness and/or road sense and are a danger to everyone.

Cars get bigger with every new model and in comparison to cars of the 70's when I first started driving, the most humble hatchback is far more powerful than anything around then, save big Jags/Mercs/ specialist sports cars.

[Minstrel SE]

Yes I have been thinking about this for a while and timid overtakers are a problem. Im not having a go at courteous driving but drivers who seem to have no spatial awareness or confidence with their vehicle. They seem to see a bike, go into confused mode and start dithering even though there is a clear run at overtaking. They may initially slow down which is fine but half a mile later they are still unsure what to do

To be fair most drivers give enough room when overtaking but I generally dont worry about it. I dont act like a scared cyclist but I have a sixth sense of whats coming past and if they are going to brush past me. An artic lorry will make me wary and one brushed past me the other day. I will sometimes pull off the road to avoid larger vehicles

Ive seen drivers where the driving line is with nearside wheels on the kerb lines. On any trip I see lots of driving behaviour because they are all passing me.

Most drivers are fine but there are plenty who have a driving licence but dont seem fully in control of a car

[Puffin]

Yes I have been thinking about this for a while and timid overtakers are a problem. Im not having a go at courteous driving but drivers who seem to have no spatial awareness or confidence with their vehicle. They seem to see a bike, go into confused mode and start dithering even though there is a clear run at overtaking. They may initially slow down which is fine but half a mile later they are still unsure what to do

To be fair most drivers give enough room when overtaking but I generally dont worry about it. there are plenty have a driving licence but dont seem fully in control of a car

Same here. You have to cycle on all roads and get on with it. If you get scared you shouldn't be cycling. In the case of those who seem not to be fully in control of the car, it is the car driving/controlling them, not vice versa. A lot of people around here (and I make no reference to either male or female of any age...cough cough) may be those that have lost a wife/husband/partner and need to get to the shops or elsewhere and use a car. I will say no more.

[mad-moon]

Yes I have been thinking about this for a while and timid overtakers are a problem. Im not having a go at courteous driving but drivers who seem to have no spatial awareness or confidence with their vehicle. They seem to see a bike, go into confused mode and start dithering even though there is a clear run at overtaking. They may initially slow down which is fine but half a mile later they are still unsure what to do

To be fair most drivers give enough room when overtaking but I generally dont worry about it. I dont act like a scared cyclist but I have a sixth sense of whats coming past and if they are going to brush past me. An artic lorry will make me wary and one brushed past me the other day. I will sometimes pull off the road to avoid larger vehicles

Ive seen drivers where the driving line is with nearside wheels on the kerb lines. On any trip I see lots of driving behaviour because they are all passing me.

Most drivers are fine but there are plenty who have a driving licence but dont seem fully in control of a car

so pull in and let the unsure driver pass you...as you do with the lorries...and stop the build up of traffic behind you.....and the ensuing road rage that comes with it.....that would be riding properly if you ask me...As to your other point..it amazes me how some people do get a license to drive a car..

[struth]

I rode a bike for a few years before my disability but not on main roads. Far to risky especially buses and lorries. I have I cycled on cycle paths and on quiet areas.

[Minstrel SE]

so pull in and let the unsure driver pass you...as you do with the lorries...and stop the build up of traffic behind you.....and the ensuing road rage that comes with it.....that would be riding properly if you ask me...As to your other point..it amazes me how some people do get a license to drive a car..

Oh I do after a while but I shouldnt have to. I dont get too worked up but the longer they are dithering about it can lead to rash decisions at the wrong time.

Im just commenting that the car seems to be taking them for a drive rather than being fully in control...dangerous for other car users...There seems to be more than the odd one....I think a lot of people cant really drive to any satisfactory standard.

It seems to be mainly elderly or middle aged drivers where the test is a distant memory. Maybe they dont drive much but always seem to have the money for a new car I dont know...maybe I cant generalise

I didnt drive for years but I went back to a driving instructor to get brush up lessons and a full appraisal. The basics are there but you do get rusty until getting back into the swing of things. My eyes are getting worse in all sorts of ways and although I do check with my opticians it seems to be quite lax what is suggested for driving requirements.

Maybe there should be refresher tests. My Grandad was driving long after he was fully capable of doing so.

[Len Co]

Maybe there should be refresher tests. My Grandad was driving long after he was fully capable of doing so.

Are you a member of the Royal Family by any chance?