[don_simon]

[quote quote=136224]This morning I passed two more cyclists between 5:30 and 5:45 who had no lights and wore dark clothing. Cars were suddenly braking as they came up to them and had obviously only seen them at the last minute. Mornings are now becoming much darker and one of these days an incident is inevitable. Let’s promote the dangers and offer solutions. Offer road safety advice and practical means for them to purchase lights at discount rates or on an interest free loan.

[/quote]
Fixed to avoid confusion.
Lights are the only item you can push for as it’s a legal requirement.
A helmet won’t help you see them in the dark and is of dubious safety benefit.
Hi-viz/reflectiveclothing is pure victim blaming and just a wish.

[don_simon]

[quote quote=135594]

How come motorists need to give cyclists a wide berth when they over take them but a cyclist can squeeze between a vehicle and the kerb to get to the front of a queue ?

[/quote]
I’m sure the Police will be all over filtering (which is legal) cyclists the very first time they kill a driver in their 1500kg metal boxes.
But that wasn’t a serious question though, was it?

[don_simon]

This type of thread usually descends into arguments pretty quickly, so I’ll put in a couple of points of fact which are beyond debate.
Cyclists are not obliged to wear helmets.
Cyclists are not obliged to wear reflective clothing ( it may or may not be a good idea though).
Cyclists are obliged to use lights when it is dark (as are drivers who also should indicate and pass cyclists safely).
The motorist is likely to get the blame, usually because they are at fault.
Cyclists are not obliged to use cycle paths (even if it is right nect to the road they are using).
Cyclists are not permitted to ride on pavements.
Cyclists are allowed to take up the primary position (middle of the carriageway). This is usually to protect themselves from damgerous overtakes.
Police forces are now starting to introduce penalties for unsafe passes, that is less than 1.5m distance.
It is a road.
It is to be shared by all.
No one has priority.
No one has greater rights.
They are paid for through general taxation and NOT VED.
Cycles do not cause congestion (other cars do).
It is safer for cyclists to ride in a bunch, rather than in single file (easieer to overtake)’
If you find you are being held up by cyclists, you can do a few things:
1. Chill.
2. Start your journey a couple of minutes earlier.
3. Buy a bike.
Finally, when I see car drivers behaving impeccably, they will be in a better position to criticise cyclists. They are not, the standard of driving in this country is appalling- perhaps we should address this first.
Until we get a better infrastructure we will have to share the roads.
Let’s do it nicely.
;)

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