Labour MP Margaret Hodge floors cyclist whilst talking on mobile phone

On Sun, 05 May 2013 16:29:44 +0100, Dave- Cyclists VORC
wrote:

snip


Who do you think might be to blame? Clue; it begins with 'cy' and ends
in 'ts'.



Don't you mean : begins with "c" and ends with "ts"?

On May 5, 7:55*pm, JNugent wrote:
On 05/05/2013 15:43, Squashme wrote:









On May 4, 10:03 pm, JNugent wrote:
On 04/05/2013 21:52, Squashme wrote:

On May 4, 3:46 pm, JNugent wrote:
On 04/05/2013 11:40, Squashme wrote:

On May 3, 8:46 pm, JNugent wrote:
On 03/05/2013 20:34, Dave- Cyclists VORC wrote:

On 03/05/2013 11:53, CJB wrote:
Labour MP Margaret Hodge accused of flooring cyclist with her car door
while talking on mobile phone
Cyclist clearly failing to use observation, anticipation & hazard
awareness skills.
He should have been charged with criminal damage to the car door.

It *is* odd that cyclists expect sufficient clearance when being
overtaken that they can perform a deviation in course as wide as they
choose (the "wobble") and still not be hit even when they suddenly veer
into the path of overtaking traffic, whilst on the other hand, they (or
some of them at least) cannot be trusted to do a simple thing like stay
a few feet away from the offside of a stationary passenger vehicle where
disgorging of its occupants (with always at least one alighting from the
offside) is easily prdictable and whose occupants can actually be seen
(by those who can be bothered to look).

I typically travel along highways faster than a cyclist would and could
therefore claim that I need even more notice of a vehicle door being
opened in my path, yet in probably something approaching a half million
miles of driving in urban areas, I have never even come close to hitting
a vehicle's opening or opened door, or an emerging vehicle occupant.

On May 5, 4:29*pm, Dave- Cyclists VORC
wrote:
On 05/05/2013 15:43, Squashme wrote:







On May 4, 10:03 pm, JNugent wrote:
On 04/05/2013 21:52, Squashme wrote:

On May 4, 3:46 pm, JNugent wrote:
On 04/05/2013 11:40, Squashme wrote:

On May 3, 8:46 pm, JNugent wrote:
On 03/05/2013 20:34, Dave- Cyclists VORC wrote:

On 03/05/2013 11:53, CJB wrote:
Labour MP Margaret Hodge accused of flooring cyclist with her car door
while talking on mobile phone
Cyclist clearly failing to use observation, anticipation & hazard
awareness skills.
He should have been charged with criminal damage to the car door.

It *is* odd that cyclists expect sufficient clearance when being
overtaken that they can perform a deviation in course as wide as they
choose (the "wobble") and still not be hit even when they suddenly veer
into the path of overtaking traffic, whilst on the other hand, they (or
some of them at least) cannot be trusted to do a simple thing like stay
a few feet away from the offside of a stationary passenger vehicle where
disgorging of its occupants (with always at least one alighting from the
offside) is easily prdictable and whose occupants can actually be seen
(by those who can be bothered to look).

I typically travel along highways faster than a cyclist would and could
therefore claim that I need even more notice of a vehicle door being
opened in my path, yet in probably something approaching a half million
miles of driving in urban areas, I have never even come close to hitting
a vehicle's opening or opened door, or an emerging vehicle occupant.

On 06/05/2013 00:30, Squashme wrote:
On May 5, 7:55 pm, JNugent wrote:
On 05/05/2013 15:43, Squashme wrote:









On May 4, 10:03 pm, JNugent wrote:
On 04/05/2013 21:52, Squashme wrote:

On May 4, 3:46 pm, JNugent wrote:
On 04/05/2013 11:40, Squashme wrote:

On May 3, 8:46 pm, JNugent wrote:
On 03/05/2013 20:34, Dave- Cyclists VORC wrote:

On 03/05/2013 11:53, CJB wrote:
Labour MP Margaret Hodge accused of flooring cyclist with her car door
while talking on mobile phone
Cyclist clearly failing to use observation, anticipation & hazard
awareness skills.
He should have been charged with criminal damage to the car door.

It *is* odd that cyclists expect sufficient clearance when being
overtaken that they can perform a deviation in course as wide as they
choose (the "wobble") and still not be hit even when they suddenly veer
into the path of overtaking traffic, whilst on the other hand, they (or
some of them at least) cannot be trusted to do a simple thing like stay
a few feet away from the offside of a stationary passenger vehicle where
disgorging of its occupants (with always at least one alighting from the
offside) is easily prdictable and whose occupants can actually be seen
(by those who can be bothered to look).

I typically travel along highways faster than a cyclist would and could
therefore claim that I need even more notice of a vehicle door being
opened in my path, yet in probably something approaching a half million
miles of driving in urban areas, I have never even come close to hitting
a vehicle's opening or opened door, or an emerging vehicle occupant.

It's a mystery that motorists manage to see cars, isn't it?

This issue is nothing to do with "motorists"

Oh, I see. It's the cyclists who open the doors is it?

It is (some) cyclists who fail to see the doors, possibly - nay,
probably - because they are not looking far enough ahead.

It is (some) motorists who fail to see the cyclists, possibly - nay,
probably - because they are not looking behind at all.

The cyclists do not bring the doors with them. The motorists are
surely not opening their doors expecting that they don't have to look
behind, or are they?

I've never even come close to hitting a door opened in front of me. And
that's in something in the order, over more than four decades, of about
a half-million urban miles. I'm not counting extra-urban distance at all.

If I can achieve such a record (and it's nothing the slightest bit
unusual), why can't you, or any other cyclist?


And how many suddenly opened doors is that?

Lost count.

But I have never hit one, for a variety of different reasons in a
variety of different road conditions.

Sometimes, it's because I have stopped and *waited*. More cyclists ought
to try that one. It works well in preventing collisions in all sorts of
traffic situations.

On May 6, 8:48*am, JNugent wrote:
On 06/05/2013 00:30, Squashme wrote:









On May 5, 7:55 pm, JNugent wrote:
On 05/05/2013 15:43, Squashme wrote:

On May 4, 10:03 pm, JNugent wrote:
On 04/05/2013 21:52, Squashme wrote:

On May 4, 3:46 pm, JNugent wrote:
On 04/05/2013 11:40, Squashme wrote:

On May 3, 8:46 pm, JNugent wrote:
On 03/05/2013 20:34, Dave- Cyclists VORC wrote:

On 03/05/2013 11:53, CJB wrote:
Labour MP Margaret Hodge accused of flooring cyclist with her car door
while talking on mobile phone
Cyclist clearly failing to use observation, anticipation & hazard
awareness skills.
He should have been charged with criminal damage to the car door.

On 06/05/2013 10:52, Squashme wrote:

On May 6, 8:48 am, JNugent wrote:
On 06/05/2013 00:30, Squashme wrote:
On May 5, 7:55 pm, JNugent wrote:

[ ... ]

I've never even come close to hitting a door opened in front of me. And
that's in something in the order, over more than four decades, of about
a half-million urban miles. I'm not counting extra-urban distance at all.

If I can achieve such a record (and it's nothing the slightest bit
unusual), why can't you, or any other cyclist?

And how many suddenly opened doors is that?

Lost count.

So a large number of careless motorist idiots.

On the contrary, a very, very, very small number (tending to zero and
those mainly in close-quarters situations such as maneouvring in
car-parks). I didn't count them, that's all.

Should I have?

But I have never hit one, for a variety of different reasons in a
variety of different road conditions.

Sometimes, it's because I have stopped and *waited*. More cyclists ought
to try that one. It works well in preventing collisions in all sorts of
traffic situations.

Did you make emergency stops?
Did you take split-second evasive action?

Not that I can remember. I've always been proceeding at an appropriate
speed, on an appropriate course (these will vary by location and
road-type) and maintaining an appropriate level of awareness and
preparedness whilst keeping a proper and adequate lookout.

Try it.

It works.

I guarantee it.

On May 6, 11:13*am, JNugent wrote:
On 06/05/2013 10:52, Squashme wrote:

On May 6, 8:48 am, JNugent wrote:
On 06/05/2013 00:30, Squashme wrote:
On May 5, 7:55 pm, JNugent wrote:

[ ... ]

I've never even come close to hitting a door opened in front of me. And
that's in something in the order, over more than four decades, of about
a half-million urban miles. I'm not counting extra-urban distance at all.

If I can achieve such a record (and it's nothing the slightest bit
unusual), why can't you, or any other cyclist?

And how many suddenly opened doors is that?

Lost count.

So a large number of careless motorist idiots.

On the contrary, a very, very, very small number (tending to zero and
those mainly in close-quarters situations such as maneouvring in
car-parks). I didn't count them, that's all.

So very little relevant experience.


Should I have?



But I have never hit one, for a variety of different reasons in a
variety of different road conditions.

Sometimes, it's because I have stopped and *waited*. More cyclists ought
to try that one. It works well in preventing collisions in all sorts of
traffic situations.

Did you make emergency stops?
Did you take split-second evasive action?

Not that I can remember. I've always been proceeding at an appropriate
speed, on an appropriate course (these will vary by location and
road-type) and maintaining an appropriate level of awareness and
preparedness whilst keeping a proper and adequate lookout.

Try it.

It works.

I guarantee it.

Then you have no relevant experience.

On 06/05/2013 11:18, Squashme wrote:
On May 6, 11:13 am, JNugent wrote:
On 06/05/2013 10:52, Squashme wrote:

On May 6, 8:48 am, JNugent wrote:
On 06/05/2013 00:30, Squashme wrote:
On May 5, 7:55 pm, JNugent wrote:

[ ... ]

I've never even come close to hitting a door opened in front of me. And
that's in something in the order, over more than four decades, of about
a half-million urban miles. I'm not counting extra-urban distance at all.

If I can achieve such a record (and it's nothing the slightest bit
unusual), why can't you, or any other cyclist?

And how many suddenly opened doors is that?

Lost count.

So a large number of careless motorist idiots.

On the contrary, a very, very, very small number (tending to zero and
those mainly in close-quarters situations such as maneouvring in
car-parks). I didn't count them, that's all.

So very little relevant experience.

I thought you said "careless motorist idiots"?

I really don't encounter many people opening doors in my path such that
I cannot stop or divert in time.

Should I have?

But I have never hit one, for a variety of different reasons in a
variety of different road conditions.
Sometimes, it's because I have stopped and *waited*. More cyclists ought
to try that one. It works well in preventing collisions in all sorts of
traffic situations.

Did you make emergency stops?
Did you take split-second evasive action?

Not that I can remember. I've always been proceeding at an appropriate
speed, on an appropriate course (these will vary by location and
road-type) and maintaining an appropriate level of awareness and
preparedness whilst keeping a proper and adequate lookout.

Try it.
It works.
I guarantee it.

Then you have no relevant experience.

You have an odd approach to problem-solving, don't you?

Instead of listening to those who know how to analyse and deal with the
problem, you prefer to take advice from those who clearly don't.

Weird.

On May 6, 11:57*am, JNugent wrote:
On 06/05/2013 11:18, Squashme wrote:









On May 6, 11:13 am, JNugent wrote:
On 06/05/2013 10:52, Squashme wrote:

On May 6, 8:48 am, JNugent wrote:
On 06/05/2013 00:30, Squashme wrote:
On May 5, 7:55 pm, JNugent wrote:

[ ... ]

I've never even come close to hitting a door opened in front of me.. And
that's in something in the order, over more than four decades, of about
a half-million urban miles. I'm not counting extra-urban distance at all.

If I can achieve such a record (and it's nothing the slightest bit
unusual), why can't you, or any other cyclist?

And how many suddenly opened doors is that?

Lost count.

So a large number of careless motorist idiots.

On the contrary, a very, very, very small number (tending to zero and
those mainly in close-quarters situations such as maneouvring in
car-parks). I didn't count them, that's all.

So very little relevant experience.

I thought you said "careless motorist idiots"?

I really don't encounter many people opening doors in my path such that
I cannot stop or divert in time.


But motorists manage to hit quite a few pedestrians (and cyclists) who
come off the pavement heedlessly and suddenly. Are the motorists to
blame?


Should I have?
But I have never hit one, for a variety of different reasons in a
variety of different road conditions.
Sometimes, it's because I have stopped and *waited*. More cyclists ought
to try that one. It works well in preventing collisions in all sorts of
traffic situations.

Did you make emergency stops?
Did you take split-second evasive action?

Not that I can remember. I've always been proceeding at an appropriate
speed, on an appropriate course (these will vary by location and
road-type) and maintaining an appropriate level of awareness and
preparedness whilst keeping a proper and adequate lookout.

Try it.
It works.
I guarantee it.
Then you have no relevant experience.

You have an odd approach to problem-solving, don't you?

Instead of listening to those who know how to analyse and deal with the
problem, you prefer to take advice from those who clearly don't.

Weird.


Don't kid yourself. You don't know enough to analyse and deal with the
problem, and your motorists-can-do-little-wrong bias (and JNugent-is-
even-better-than-other-motorists) prevents you from being much use.

On 06/05/2013 13:37, Squashme wrote:

On May 6, 11:57 am, JNugent wrote:
On 06/05/2013 11:18, Squashme wrote:
On May 6, 11:13 am, JNugent wrote:
On 06/05/2013 10:52, Squashme wrote:
On May 6, 8:48 am, JNugent wrote:
On 06/05/2013 00:30, Squashme wrote:
On May 5, 7:55 pm, JNugent wrote:

[ ... ]

I've never even come close to hitting a door opened in front of me. And
that's in something in the order, over more than four decades, of about
a half-million urban miles. I'm not counting extra-urban distance at all.

If I can achieve such a record (and it's nothing the slightest bit
unusual), why can't you, or any other cyclist?

And how many suddenly opened doors is that?

Lost count.

So a large number of careless motorist idiots.

On the contrary, a very, very, very small number (tending to zero and
those mainly in close-quarters situations such as maneouvring in
car-parks). I didn't count them, that's all.

So very little relevant experience.

I thought you said "careless motorist idiots"?
I really don't encounter many people opening doors in my path such that
I cannot stop or divert in time.

But motorists manage to hit quite a few pedestrians (and cyclists) who
come off the pavement heedlessly and suddenly. Are the motorists to
blame?

Not usually.

One does not expect people to ride bicycles off the footway onto the
carriageway (for more than one reason). One does not expect pedestrians
to suddenly move from the footway onto the carriageway because our
road-use conventions are different. Pedestrians are one thing, but there
is absolutely no reason why cyclists should move "heedlessly" from the
footway onto the carriageway.

Should I have?

But I have never hit one, for a variety of different reasons in a
variety of different road conditions.
Sometimes, it's because I have stopped and *waited*. More cyclists ought
to try that one. It works well in preventing collisions in all sorts of
traffic situations.

Did you make emergency stops?
Did you take split-second evasive action?

Not that I can remember. I've always been proceeding at an appropriate
speed, on an appropriate course (these will vary by location and
road-type) and maintaining an appropriate level of awareness and
preparedness whilst keeping a proper and adequate lookout.
Try it.
It works.
I guarantee it.

Then you have no relevant experience.

You have an odd approach to problem-solving, don't you?
Instead of listening to those who know how to analyse and deal with the
problem, you prefer to take advice from those who clearly don't.
Weird.

Don't kid yourself. You don't know enough to analyse and deal with the
problem,

I've done alright so far.

Is my luck about to change after 40+ years?

and your motorists-can-do-little-wrong bias (and JNugent-is-
even-better-than-other-motorists) prevents you from being much use.

My experience in never having hit an open or opened car door is matched
to perfection by that of millions of other drivers and is in no way to
be seen as out of the ordinary.

That is a point which I and others have been making some efforts to
point out over several postings. You seem unable to fathom th simple
facts of the matter.

BTW: "Motorists" (I assume you mean drivers) certainly can do wrong. But
hitting opened car doors is not something they do very often (and
whether wrongly or not).