Suicidal Cyclists

**OwlHoot** · 18 November 2013, 10:56

Originally posted by Halo Jones View Post

So we went to the food show on Friday, (London Olympia) I drove in as wheelchairs & public transport don’t mix.

I remembered all the news saying 5 cyclists dead in 9 days & reminded myself to be vigilant, my overriding thought is now, only 5?

Bloody hell the car drivers are being careful !!

Disclaimer: yes I am generalising but from that 1 day; my experience was 9/10 motorbikes are sensible, 2/10 cyclists and 1/10 mopeds.

No idea what the solution is..

A lot of drivers in London also seem to have given up on the idea of indicating, which doesn't help (and might account for some of those cyclist deaths).

**Dallas** · 18 November 2013, 11:00

Its about the visibility, speed, position, decision making and communication from the cyclist.

Many are falling at the first point and therefore are doomed with the rest.

**DaveB** · 18 November 2013, 11:16

Inn the particular case of the Bow roundabout (the latest death, and two previous) the situation is made worse by the fact that up until they get to that roundabout the cyclists are riding on CS2 (big blue painted cycle path). As it enters the roundabout it's not obvious to cyclists where the correct route is, the marked cycle path stops halfway around the junction,you have to leave the cycle route to make certain turns and drivers are not necessarily aware that cyclists are in traffic with them, having seen CS2 painted down the road up to that point and assume that cyclists are still on the cycle route.

It's a god awful junction for anyone to use.

Yes, a lot of cyclists need to start using their heads and learning some proper road craft, but drivers also need to be more aware that there are other road users about who aren't in cars or lorries.

**hyperD** · 18 November 2013, 11:21

Agree DaveB. And let's not forget that there are one or two quite evil people out there, like this morning as I was slowly filtering through the traffic on the Ninja, I saw a guy look in his right mirror and deliberately move his car across the white line to stop me passing. He didn't and got a little tap on his roof.

**DaveB** · 18 November 2013, 11:30

Originally posted by hyperD View Post

Agree DaveB. And let's not forget that there are one or two quite evil people out there, like this morning as I was slowly filtering through the traffic on the Ninja, I saw a guy look in his right mirror and deliberately move his car across the white line to stop me passing. He didn't and got a little tap on his roof.

On one memorable occasion I was deliberately run into the gutter at a junction by a white van full of young lads, who laughed their arses off as they were doing it.

**SueEllen** · 18 November 2013, 11:34

100 cyclists were stopped on Vauxhall bridge this morning for failing to have lights and other things.

I don't know how long the operation last but near me they last about 3 hours.

**DaveB** · 18 November 2013, 11:36

Originally posted by SueEllen View Post

100 cyclists were stopped on Vauxhall bridge this morning for failing to have lights and other things.

I don't know how long the operation last but near me they last about 3 hours.

I which they'd do more of that. And catching the red light jumpers as well.

**MyUserName** · 18 November 2013, 11:38

Originally posted by hyperD View Post

Agree DaveB. And let's not forget that there are one or two quite evil people out there, like this morning as I was slowly filtering through the traffic on the Ninja, I saw a guy look in his right mirror and deliberately move his car across the white line to stop me passing. He didn't and got a little tap on his roof.

Retaliatory plumbing eh? Nice idea!

**ASB** · 18 November 2013, 11:44

See that blocking type attempt a fair bit.

Though also see a lot of filtering contrary to the rules specified in the highway code too.

Bit more patience from everybody would make everything a whole lot easier for everybody. Won't happen of course.

Suicidal Cyclists