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Cycling on Dual carriageways at night without decent lighting =inviting death
I was driving along a dual carriageway last night in my 4x4 and towing
a trailer with a horse in it and doing approx 50mph in the inside lane. As I approached the apex of a bridge over a motorway, I saw this fuzzy white object oscillating a little way out from the kerb in my lane, then I realised that this fuzzy white object was some small reflective strips on the jacket of a cyclist, and just below his seat was a very dim red rear light which was only visible as I actually passed by him and no rear reflector. He was barely moving (probably about 10mph) and I had to swerve out in to the outside lane to avoid hard braking to avoid him (Hard braking or swerving is very much to be avoided when moving standing 1/2 tonne animals in any form of transport). If I had been distracted for any other reason, had another vehicle been along side me at the time, or had he needed to swerve himself to avoid a pothole, he would have probably ended up under my wheels. Mine is not a 40 tonne lorry, but the idiot put himself in such a dangerous situation, I am amazed that he wasn't taken out by someone else. The annoying thing is that there is a single carriageway road which runs adjacent to this dual carriageway and is the old road between the roundabouts at the ends of the same road - he was just too lazy to take it as there are a few sets of traffic lights on it. Riding Dual carriageways (with 70mph limits as this is) without lights has to be one of the most stupid things I've seen for a while. It was much closer a call than this idiot cyclist probably appreciates ! |
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#2
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Cycling on Dual carriageways at night without decent lighting =inviting death
ash wrote:
The annoying thing is that there is a single carriageway road which runs adjacent to this dual carriageway and is the old road between the roundabouts at the ends of the same road - he was just too lazy to take it as there are a few sets of traffic lights on it. How do you know he was lazy? Maybe he was doing it for the same reasons it was put there for, to by-pass a multitude of potential obstructions, including, but not exclusively, traffic lights. The same reasons other road users use it, maybe? I know a similar place, A610 past Eastwood and Kimberley in Nottingham and regularly used it on bike, car, truck and other vehicles for exactly the reasons it was built .. faster, smoother, easier ... sod-all to do with laziness. Cycling is not a cure for laziness, it requires some little effort. -- Paul - xxx |
#3
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Cycling on Dual carriageways at night without decent lighting = inviting death
ash wrote:
I was driving along a dual carriageway last night in my 4x4 and towing a trailer with a horse in it and doing approx 50mph in the inside lane. As I approached the apex of a bridge over a motorway, I saw this fuzzy white object oscillating a little way out from the kerb in my lane, then I realised that this fuzzy white object was some small reflective strips on the jacket of a cyclist, and just below his seat was a very dim red rear light which was only visible as I actually passed by him and no rear reflector. He was barely moving (probably about 10mph) and I had to swerve out in to the outside lane to avoid hard braking to avoid him (Hard braking or swerving is very much to be avoided when moving standing 1/2 tonne animals in any form of transport). If I had been distracted for any other reason, had another vehicle been along side me at the time, or had he needed to swerve himself to avoid a pothole, he would have probably ended up under my wheels. Mine is not a 40 tonne lorry, but the idiot put himself in such a dangerous situation, I am amazed that he wasn't taken out by someone else. The annoying thing is that there is a single carriageway road which runs adjacent to this dual carriageway and is the old road between the roundabouts at the ends of the same road - he was just too lazy to take it as there are a few sets of traffic lights on it. Riding Dual carriageways (with 70mph limits as this is) without lights has to be one of the most stupid things I've seen for a while. It was much closer a call than this idiot cyclist probably appreciates ! people wonder why cyclists are often the victims of hit and runs: the driver could not see them in time to avoid them. Most cyclists are the authors of their own misfortunes. |
#4
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Cycling on Dual carriageways at night without decent lighting =inviting death
On Jan 9, 11:08*am, ash wrote:
I was driving along a dual carriageway last night in my 4x4 and towing a trailer with a horse in it and doing approx 50mph in the inside lane. As I approached the apex of a bridge over a motorway, I saw this fuzzy white object oscillating a little way out from the kerb in my lane, then I realised that this fuzzy white object was some small reflective strips on the jacket of a cyclist, and just below his seat was a very dim red rear light which was only visible as I actually passed by him and no rear reflector. He was barely moving (probably about 10mph) and I had to swerve out in to the outside lane to avoid hard braking to avoid him (Hard braking or swerving is very much to be avoided when moving standing 1/2 tonne animals in any form of transport). If I had been distracted for any other reason, had another vehicle been along side me at the time, or had he needed to swerve himself to avoid a pothole, he would have probably ended up under my wheels. Mine is not a 40 tonne lorry, but the idiot put himself in such a dangerous situation, I am amazed that he wasn't taken out by someone else. The annoying thing is that there is a single carriageway road which runs adjacent to this dual carriageway and is the old road between the roundabouts at the ends of the same road - he was just too lazy to take it as there are a few sets of traffic lights on it. Riding Dual carriageways (with 70mph limits as this is) without lights has to be one of the most stupid things I've seen for a while. It was much closer a call than this idiot cyclist probably appreciates ! I had a similar experience some years ago on a 30 mph town road, driving a car on a foul, dark night with driving rain, where trees on either side of road reduced effectiveness of street lighting. I was aware of red lights on the road ahead which were tail lights of vehicles at traffic lights ahead. However, one light wobbled a wee bit and I was glad I, as usual, eased off the accelerator when there was any doubt. Turned out to be a cyclist waiting just ahead of me in the middle of the road to do right turn. Apart from the wee red light his dark bike, jacket, hat and backpack were near to perfection in comouflage. Sometimes the legal minimum in lighting just isn't enough for safety. Some interest in self-preservation can help. Toom |
#5
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Cycling on Dual carriageways at night without decent lighting=inviting death
On Jan 9, 12:24*pm, "Paul - xxx" wrote:
ash wrote: The annoying thing is that there is a single carriageway road which runs adjacent to this dual carriageway and is the old road between the roundabouts at the ends of the same road - he was just too lazy to take it as there are a few sets of traffic lights on it. How do you know he was lazy? Maybe he was doing it for the same reasons it was put there for, to by-pass a multitude of potential obstructions, including, but not exclusively, traffic lights. *The same reasons other road users use it, maybe? I know a similar place, A610 past Eastwood and Kimberley in Nottingham and regularly used it on bike, car, truck and other vehicles for exactly the reasons it was built .. faster, smoother, easier ... sod-all to do with laziness. *Cycling is not a cure for laziness, it requires some little effort. -- Paul - xxx Just because you or I or anyone else has a legal right to do something doesn't absolve us of our own personal responsibility to not deliberately put ourselves in danger :- by riding at 10mph in the dark with ineffective lights on what is effectively a 2 lane motorway. We keep horses and take them out on the roads occasionally, but always with High Viz reflective gear during the day, and always avoid the busier roads. I would never dream of taking an animal onto this road, as it would put both myself, the animal and other road users in danger to do this. I see little difference in risk to others by actions like this or from the bloke on the bike in the dark. Sometimes, being self righteousness is just not enough to be right. A bit of common sense goes a long way as well. |
#6
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Cycling on Dual carriageways at night without decent lighting =inviting death
ash wrote:
On Jan 9, 12:24 pm, "Paul - xxx" wrote: ash wrote: The annoying thing is that there is a single carriageway road which runs adjacent to this dual carriageway and is the old road between the roundabouts at the ends of the same road - he was just too lazy to take it as there are a few sets of traffic lights on it. How do you know he was lazy? Maybe he was doing it for the same reasons it was put there for, to by-pass a multitude of potential obstructions, including, but not exclusively, traffic lights. The same reasons other road users use it, maybe? I know a similar place, A610 past Eastwood and Kimberley in Nottingham and regularly used it on bike, car, truck and other vehicles for exactly the reasons it was built .. faster, smoother, easier ... sod-all to do with laziness. Cycling is not a cure for laziness, it requires some little effort. -- Paul - xxx Just because you or I or anyone else has a legal right to do something doesn't absolve us of our own personal responsibility to not deliberately put ourselves in danger :- by riding at 10mph in the dark with ineffective lights on what is effectively a 2 lane motorway. We keep horses and take them out on the roads occasionally, but always with High Viz reflective gear during the day, and always avoid the busier roads. I would never dream of taking an animal onto this road, as it would put both myself, the animal and other road users in danger to do this. I see little difference in risk to others by actions like this or from the bloke on the bike in the dark. Sometimes, being self righteousness is just not enough to be right. A bit of common sense goes a long way as well. many cyclists are dead right. |
#7
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Cycling on Dual carriageways at night without decent lighting= inviting death
On 09/01/2011 11:08, ash wrote:
I was driving along a dual carriageway last night in my 4x4 and towing a trailer with a horse in it and doing approx 50mph in the inside lane. As I approached the apex of a bridge over a motorway, I saw this fuzzy white object oscillating a little way out from the kerb in my lane, then I realised that this fuzzy white object was some small reflective strips on the jacket of a cyclist, and just below his seat was a very dim red rear light which was only visible as I actually passed by him and no rear reflector. He was barely moving (probably about 10mph) and I had to swerve out in to the outside lane to avoid hard braking to avoid him (Hard braking or swerving is very much to be avoided when moving standing 1/2 tonne animals in any form of transport). If I had been distracted for any other reason, had another vehicle been along side me at the time, or had he needed to swerve himself to avoid a pothole, he would have probably ended up under my wheels. Mine is not a 40 tonne lorry, but the idiot put himself in such a dangerous situation, I am amazed that he wasn't taken out by someone else. The annoying thing is that there is a single carriageway road which runs adjacent to this dual carriageway and is the old road between the roundabouts at the ends of the same road - he was just too lazy to take it as there are a few sets of traffic lights on it. Riding Dual carriageways (with 70mph limits as this is) without lights has to be one of the most stupid things I've seen for a while. It was much closer a call than this idiot cyclist probably appreciates ! Not been on the A9 recently have you? |
#8
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Cycling on Dual carriageways at night without decent lighting =inviting death
On Jan 9, 8:28*pm, Marc wrote:
On 09/01/2011 11:08, ash wrote: I was driving along a dual carriageway last night in my 4x4 and towing a trailer with a horse in it and doing approx 50mph in the inside lane. As I approached the apex of a bridge over a motorway, I saw this fuzzy white object oscillating a little way out from the kerb in my lane, then I realised that this fuzzy white object was some small reflective strips on the jacket of a cyclist, and just below his seat was a very dim red rear light which was only visible as I actually passed by him and no rear reflector. He was barely moving (probably about 10mph) and I had to swerve out in to the outside lane to avoid hard braking to avoid him (Hard braking or swerving is very much to be avoided when moving standing 1/2 tonne animals in any form of transport). If I had been distracted for any other reason, had another vehicle been along side me at the time, or had he needed to swerve himself to avoid a pothole, he would have probably ended up under my wheels. Mine is not a 40 tonne lorry, but the idiot put himself in such a dangerous situation, I am amazed that he wasn't taken out by someone else. The annoying thing is that there is a single carriageway road which runs adjacent to this dual carriageway and is the old road between the roundabouts at the ends of the same road - he was just too lazy to take it as there are a few sets of traffic lights on it. Riding Dual carriageways (with 70mph limits as this is) without lights has to be one of the most stupid things I've seen for a while. It was much closer a call than this idiot cyclist probably appreciates ! * Not been on the A9 recently have you? About 400 miles from me so unlikely. |
#9
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Cycling on Dual carriageways at night without decent lighting= inviting death
On 09/01/2011 21:16, ash wrote:
On Jan 9, 8:28 pm, wrote: On 09/01/2011 11:08, ash wrote: I was driving along a dual carriageway last night in my 4x4 and towing a trailer with a horse in it and doing approx 50mph in the inside lane. As I approached the apex of a bridge over a motorway, I saw this fuzzy white object oscillating a little way out from the kerb in my lane, then I realised that this fuzzy white object was some small reflective strips on the jacket of a cyclist, and just below his seat was a very dim red rear light which was only visible as I actually passed by him and no rear reflector. He was barely moving (probably about 10mph) and I had to swerve out in to the outside lane to avoid hard braking to avoid him (Hard braking or swerving is very much to be avoided when moving standing 1/2 tonne animals in any form of transport). If I had been distracted for any other reason, had another vehicle been along side me at the time, or had he needed to swerve himself to avoid a pothole, he would have probably ended up under my wheels. Mine is not a 40 tonne lorry, but the idiot put himself in such a dangerous situation, I am amazed that he wasn't taken out by someone else. The annoying thing is that there is a single carriageway road which runs adjacent to this dual carriageway and is the old road between the roundabouts at the ends of the same road - he was just too lazy to take it as there are a few sets of traffic lights on it. Riding Dual carriageways (with 70mph limits as this is) without lights has to be one of the most stupid things I've seen for a while. It was much closer a call than this idiot cyclist probably appreciates ! Not been on the A9 recently have you? About 400 miles from me so unlikely. I ask because it seems that some of the drivers that use the A9 seem to share your idea that anything with less 20W of light is "impossible" to see and yet they don't need to slow down. http://www.realradio-scotland.co.uk/...eath/rhslpzrv/ Once you realised that the road you were on might have road users ( let alone trees, branches, horses, cows, concrete blocks, steel girders etc...) that weren't visible from hundreds of yards, you did slow down, didn't you? It's worrying that you coudn't slow down enough to stop (or even slow down enough to drop behind another vehicle) in the distance that you could see to be clear, and yet you think that that was someone else's fault. |
#10
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Cycling on Dual carriageways at night without decent lighting =inviting death
On Jan 9, 9:32*pm, Marc wrote:
On 09/01/2011 21:16, ash wrote: On Jan 9, 8:28 pm, *wrote: On 09/01/2011 11:08, ash wrote: I was driving along a dual carriageway last night in my 4x4 and towing a trailer with a horse in it and doing approx 50mph in the inside lane. As I approached the apex of a bridge over a motorway, I saw this fuzzy white object oscillating a little way out from the kerb in my lane, then I realised that this fuzzy white object was some small reflective strips on the jacket of a cyclist, and just below his seat was a very dim red rear light which was only visible as I actually passed by him and no rear reflector. He was barely moving (probably about 10mph) and I had to swerve out in to the outside lane to avoid hard braking to avoid him (Hard braking or swerving is very much to be avoided when moving standing 1/2 tonne animals in any form of transport). If I had been distracted for any other reason, had another vehicle been along side me at the time, or had he needed to swerve himself to avoid a pothole, he would have probably ended up under my wheels. Mine is not a 40 tonne lorry, but the idiot put himself in such a dangerous situation, I am amazed that he wasn't taken out by someone else. The annoying thing is that there is a single carriageway road which runs adjacent to this dual carriageway and is the old road between the roundabouts at the ends of the same road - he was just too lazy to take it as there are a few sets of traffic lights on it. Riding Dual carriageways (with 70mph limits as this is) without lights has to be one of the most stupid things I've seen for a while. It was much closer a call than this idiot cyclist probably appreciates ! * *Not been on the A9 recently have you? About 400 miles from me so unlikely. * I ask because it seems that some of the drivers that use the A9 seem to share your idea that anything with less 20W of light is "impossible" to see and yet they don't need to slow down. http://www.realradio-scotland.co.uk/...istraught-at-a... Once you realised that the road you were on might have road users ( let alone trees, branches, horses, cows, concrete blocks, steel girders etc...) that weren't visible from hundreds of yards, you did slow down, didn't you? It's worrying that you coudn't slow down enough to stop (or even slow down enough to drop behind another vehicle) in the distance that you could see to be clear, and yet you think that that was someone else's fault. The road is arrow straight with no trees within 100-150 ft of the road on either side along its entire length, 4 miles long, connecting a city to a town, and both to a motorway which runs between them. There is nowhere that a horse or cow could get onto it either. As for concrete blocks and steel girders, when was the last time you had to brake to a standstill to avoid them in the road on a dual carriageway ? (be honest now) He had no lights, wearing dark clothing and was on the top of an unlit motorway bridge as well as being well out in the carriageway forcing all to swerve into the other lane around him. I make no bones about the fact if I could not have moved over with such short notice he would have been under my wheels. I'm glad you appreciate what a bloody dangerous a position he put himself in. The same goes for when I am slowing down for junctions or roundabouts and cocks come past me in their cars and then jump into the sensible braking distance I've given myself forcing me to brake far harder than I really want to. The difference is that they have crumple zones, and cyclists don't. It is worrying that someone who is effectively invisible riding in the 'primary position' and moving at barely above walking pace on a 70mph road (which I was nowhere near) would consider it a sensible thing to do - or even of you to think that a 5 tonne car and trailer setup or HGV which takes a lot more stopping can pull up on a sixpence. I would say I had max 150ft when I clocked him to actually passing him due to his stealth outfit (or about 3 seconds) - I also have HID gas discharge lights on the car which are very very bright and his reflective strips looked dirty/old and they barely reflected back. The stopping distance for a regular car doing 70 mph legally on this road is 315ft (my legal speed there towing was actually 60mph) Any heavy vehicle will have a substantially longer braking distance. These roads are 'bypasses' built to carry lorries and large volumes of traffic and thus relieving the smaller roads of their burden and making them much more pleasant and less congested - ideal for cyclists, horse riders and the people who's houses they run past. There is a clue in the word 'bypass' ! He was breaking the law by having ineffective lights and you seem to think that it was OK by use the old chestnut 'stop within the distance you see to be safe' to justify it. He was a cock who put others (me, my family and others on the road) in danger for his idiotic actions. How about condemning his actions as yourself claiming to be some sort of responsible road user or is that a bit too much to ask ? |
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