Whinging cyclist video gets response it deserves

From other cyclists.

I like the comment about the 'Smug Zone' that surrounds some cyclists.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/...s-video-144564

On Sat, 15 Nov 2014 09:54:25 +0000, Mrcheerful
wrote:

From other cyclists.

I like the comment about the 'Smug Zone' that surrounds some cyclists.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/...s-video-144564


Given that the article is in cycling weekly I am pleasantly surprised how
nearly every person making a comment says that the cyclist is a tosser and the
bus driver did nothing wrong.

On 15/11/2014 09:54, Mrcheerful wrote:

From other cyclists.
I like the comment about the 'Smug Zone' that surrounds some cyclists.
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/...s-video-144564

What was the problem?

The cyclist had just moved over into the nearside lane and the bus
passed him in the offside lane.

Are no vehicles allowed to pass a cyclist at all, even in another,
clearly-marked, traffic lane?

If so, what's the point of the lane marking?

Mrcheerful wrote:
From other cyclists.

I like the comment about the 'Smug Zone' that surrounds some cyclists.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/...s-video-144564

I do not understand why there appears to be the assumption that the bus
should give way to the cyclist. If the cyclist feels that there is a
potential threat to his safety, why does he not give way, or wait until the
bus has passed? Perhaps there is a need to be more proactive - or, from
seeing the whole video, perhaps the cyclist needs a means to see what is
going on behind him.

--
Iain

Phil W Lee wrote:
"Iain" considered Tue, 18 Nov 2014 21:04:51 -0000 the
perfect time to write:

Mrcheerful wrote:
From other cyclists.

I like the comment about the 'Smug Zone' that surrounds some
cyclists.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/...s-video-144564

I do not understand why there appears to be the assumption that the
bus should give way to the cyclist. If the cyclist feels that there
is a potential threat to his safety, why does he not give way, or
wait until the bus has passed? Perhaps there is a need to be more
proactive - or, from seeing the whole video, perhaps the cyclist
needs a means to see what is going on behind him.

Maybe the Highway Code might provide some basic understanding.

Yes - had the cyclist known that the bus was also approaching the pinch
point, and felt uneasy that the cycle lane was not wide enough for him to
pass through, maybe he should had waited for an appropriate timing with the
traffic.

--
Iain

On Tue, 18 Nov 2014 21:04:51 -0000, "Iain" wrote:

Mrcheerful wrote:
From other cyclists.

I like the comment about the 'Smug Zone' that surrounds some cyclists.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/...s-video-144564

I do not understand why there appears to be the assumption that the bus
should give way to the cyclist. If the cyclist feels that there is a
potential threat to his safety, why does he not give way, or wait until the
bus has passed?

There would be little chance for "compo" if they did that.

On Wed, 19 Nov 2014 04:46:47 -0000, Iain wrote:
Phil W Lee wrote:
"Iain" considered Tue, 18 Nov 2014 21:04:51 -0000 the
perfect time to write:

Mrcheerful wrote:
From other cyclists.

I like the comment about the 'Smug Zone' that surrounds some
cyclists.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/...s-video-144564

I do not understand why there appears to be the assumption that the
bus should give way to the cyclist. If the cyclist feels that there
is a potential threat to his safety, why does he not give way, or
wait until the bus has passed? Perhaps there is a need to be more
proactive - or, from seeing the whole video, perhaps the cyclist
needs a means to see what is going on behind him.

Maybe the Highway Code might provide some basic understanding.

Yes - had the cyclist known that the bus was also approaching the pinch
point, and felt uneasy that the cycle lane was not wide enough for him to
pass through, maybe he should had waited for an appropriate timing with the
traffic.

I can't find the bit in my copy that says a vehicle should give way to
the vehicle that is behind them - can any of you that feel so certain
it's in there provide a rule number, thanks.

Having said which, despite the tone in this thread, I note that none
of the comments from cyclists on the website actual criticise the
driver at all. Several strongly criticise the web site for pretending
the video shows a serious incident or claiming teh bus driver was
badly in the wrong.

regards, Ian SMith
--
|\ /| no .sig
|o o|
|/ \|

On 20/11/2014 07:18, Ian Smith wrote:
On Wed, 19 Nov 2014 04:46:47 -0000, Iain wrote:
Phil W Lee wrote:
"Iain" considered Tue, 18 Nov 2014 21:04:51 -0000 the
perfect time to write:

Mrcheerful wrote:
From other cyclists.

I like the comment about the 'Smug Zone' that surrounds some
cyclists.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/...s-video-144564

I do not understand why there appears to be the assumption that the
bus should give way to the cyclist. If the cyclist feels that there
is a potential threat to his safety, why does he not give way, or
wait until the bus has passed? Perhaps there is a need to be more
proactive - or, from seeing the whole video, perhaps the cyclist
needs a means to see what is going on behind him.

Maybe the Highway Code might provide some basic understanding.

Yes - had the cyclist known that the bus was also approaching the pinch
point, and felt uneasy that the cycle lane was not wide enough for him to
pass through, maybe he should had waited for an appropriate timing with the
traffic.

I can't find the bit in my copy that says a vehicle should give way to
the vehicle that is behind them - can any of you that feel so certain
it's in there provide a rule number, thanks.

Having said which, despite the tone in this thread, I note that none
of the comments from cyclists on the website actual criticise the
driver at all. Several strongly criticise the web site for pretending
the video shows a serious incident or claiming teh bus driver was
badly in the wrong.


It was a serious incident. The bus driver clearly didn't give enough
space to the cyclist. As bad driving goes I would put that in a similar
level to drunk driving.

I avoid many roads with pinch points because of drivers who overtake
dangerously close.

It is also worth considering statistics that show cyclists are many
times more likely to be killed when involved in a collision with
professionally driven vehicles taxis, vans etc rather than normal cars.
I suspect one of the reasons for this is professional drivers confident
in their ability to drive through small gaps overtake dangerously close
and fast.

Even if the driver has calculated the small gap correctly, cyclists do
swerve to the side to avoid rocks, potholes etc and this should be taken
into account when overtaking. Like anti tailgating policies take into
account sudden braking.

The idea that cyclists should give way to behind seems a common theme
amongst dangerous drivers.

On 20/11/2014 07:18, Ian Smith wrote:
On Wed, 19 Nov 2014 04:46:47 -0000, Iain wrote:
Phil W Lee wrote:
"Iain" considered Tue, 18 Nov 2014 21:04:51 -0000 the
perfect time to write:

Mrcheerful wrote:
From other cyclists.

I like the comment about the 'Smug Zone' that surrounds some
cyclists.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/...s-video-144564

I do not understand why there appears to be the assumption that the
bus should give way to the cyclist. If the cyclist feels that there
is a potential threat to his safety, why does he not give way, or
wait until the bus has passed? Perhaps there is a need to be more
proactive - or, from seeing the whole video, perhaps the cyclist
needs a means to see what is going on behind him.

Maybe the Highway Code might provide some basic understanding.

Yes - had the cyclist known that the bus was also approaching the pinch
point, and felt uneasy that the cycle lane was not wide enough for him to
pass through, maybe he should had waited for an appropriate timing with the
traffic.

I can't find the bit in my copy that says a vehicle should give way to
the vehicle that is behind them - can any of you that feel so certain
it's in there provide a rule number, thanks.

Well, there's...

168
Being overtaken. If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a
steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle
pass. *Never* *obstruct* *drivers* *who* *wish* *to* *pass*. Speeding up
or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous.
Drop back to maintain a two-second gap if someone overtakes and pulls
into the gap in front of you.

169
Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a
large *or* slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if
necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.

Having said which, despite the tone in this thread, I note that none
of the comments from cyclists on the website actual criticise the
driver at all. Several strongly criticise the web site for pretending
the video shows a serious incident or claiming teh bus driver was
badly in the wrong.

Quite so.

On 20/11/2014 07:39, Nick wrote:
On 20/11/2014 07:18, Ian Smith wrote:
On Wed, 19 Nov 2014 04:46:47 -0000, Iain wrote:
Phil W Lee wrote:
"Iain" considered Tue, 18 Nov 2014 21:04:51 -0000 the
perfect time to write:

Mrcheerful wrote:
From other cyclists.

I like the comment about the 'Smug Zone' that surrounds some
cyclists.

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/...s-video-144564

I do not understand why there appears to be the assumption that the
bus should give way to the cyclist. If the cyclist feels that there
is a potential threat to his safety, why does he not give way, or
wait until the bus has passed? Perhaps there is a need to be more
proactive - or, from seeing the whole video, perhaps the cyclist
needs a means to see what is going on behind him.

Maybe the Highway Code might provide some basic understanding.

Yes - had the cyclist known that the bus was also approaching the pinch
point, and felt uneasy that the cycle lane was not wide enough for him to
pass through, maybe he should had waited for an appropriate timing with the
traffic.

I can't find the bit in my copy that says a vehicle should give way to
the vehicle that is behind them - can any of you that feel so certain
it's in there provide a rule number, thanks.

Having said which, despite the tone in this thread, I note that none
of the comments from cyclists on the website actual criticise the
driver at all. Several strongly criticise the web site for pretending
the video shows a serious incident or claiming teh bus driver was
badly in the wrong.


It was a serious incident. The bus driver clearly didn't give enough
space to the cyclist. As bad driving goes I would put that in a similar
level to drunk driving.

I avoid many roads with pinch points because of drivers who overtake
dangerously close.

It is also worth considering statistics that show cyclists are many
times more likely to be killed when involved in a collision with
professionally driven vehicles taxis, vans etc rather than normal cars.
I suspect one of the reasons for this is professional drivers confident
in their ability to drive through small gaps overtake dangerously close
and fast.

Even if the driver has calculated the small gap correctly, cyclists do
swerve to the side to avoid rocks, potholes etc and this should be taken
into account when overtaking. Like anti tailgating policies take into
account sudden braking.

The idea that cyclists should give way to behind seems a common theme
amongst dangerous drivers.

It's a common theme in the Highway Code that the operators of
slow-moving vehicles have certain responsibilities:

168
Being overtaken. If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a
steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle
pass. Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving
unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. Drop back to
maintain a two-second gap if someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in
front of you.

169
Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a
large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if
necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.