gloomytrousers.co.uk

The world of cyclists, motorists and pedestrians

Just a few observations written from the point of view of a cyclist (innumerable near misses, one bump with a car, and one spill due to a pedestrian not looking) who drives occasionally, and a driver who cycles occasionally. We'd like to think it's all common sense, but unfortunately common sense doesn't seem to be all that common! Any suggestions, comments or additions are welcome.

Please note that this is all our own opinions and shouldn't be taken as legal advice; however, we have checked our Highway Code!

Motorists

Please remember that you are in a big tin box, and that in any 'disagreement' between you and a cyclist, the cyclist will come off a lot worse. Therefore, you have a responsibility to drive your vehicle in a safe and considerate manner towards cyclists. The main point is in most situations it is considerate to give cyclists time and room.

Give cyclists room: The Highway Code says that when overtaking you should give cyclists at least as much room as you would give a car. This is because: a) cyclists are prone to wobbing around a bit, particularly at low speed or in high winds; b) they may move out to avoid a pothole, puddle, broken glass or cans etc; c) your slipstream may cause them to wobble; and d) because it's very scary to have a car whip past 2 feet away at 60mph (please consider slowing down as you overtake too)!
Plan ahead before overtaking: Following on from the last point, it's amazing how often motorists overtake cyclists when there is insufficient room to do so (i.e. when there's oncoming traffic or parked cars), or when they can't see far enough to do so safely (think: what happens if a car comes round that corner whilst I'm overtaking this cyclist?). Wait until you can see that there is a sufficient gap in the oncoming traffic; this may mean (heaven forbid!) actually slowing down to the same speed as the cyclist and waiting behind them. If you think ahead about the manoeuvre as soon as you see the cyclist, you will see that you don't need to slow down drastically, just hang back a bit and time it so there is a gap in the oncoming traffic as you get to them. Slowing down won't cost you much- it will only add a few seconds to your journey time.
Look before you turn: For goodness sake, check before you turn off left (or right, if you drive on the right in your country). Look over your left shoulder and in your left-hand wing mirror so you don't end up with a bike embedded in your passenger-side door as you make the turn. Yes, a non-suicidal cyclist won't try to undertake if you are indicating, but I have had many motorists overtake me, slow down and then turn left immediately in front of me. Not nice.
Don't stop in advance stop boxes: If a set of traffic lights has an advanced stop box for cyclists (with a bike painted in it, and often painted green or red) it is illegal (not to mention inconsiderate and dangerous if there is already a bicycle in it!)for you to stop in it. It is there for the safety and protection of cyclists. If you do this, don't be surprised if a cyclist pulls in front of you then takes their time moving off when the lights go green. Illegal, but it does make a point.
Look before you give up your right of way: This is particularly a problem when traffic is slow-moving - often you may stop and let somebody out if they're waiting at a junction. Whilst this is all well and good, don't forget that a somebody cycling up the inside of you has right of way over the person you're about to let out. Check before you let anyone out - cyclists hate losing that momentum that they've sweated to build up, and obviously if somebody pulls out too close they may not stop in time! Of course, if somebody lets you out of a junction, check that it's safe to proceed before doing so. Update: I got knocked off my bicycle this week by someone not looking before they turned right across queuing traffic. I wear a high visibility vest, have plenty of lights and reflective bits and pieces. Not seeing is no excuse - it's more a case of not looking.
Don't park in bike lanes: It's illegal to park in a bike lane if it has a solid line, even if it's only for a minute. Even if the line is dashed, parking in it forces cyclists out into the traffic that the lane is there to protect them from. Please don't park immediately before or after a cycle lane either; it may not be illegal but it is inconsiderate.
Don't drive in bike lanes: They are for cycles, dummy - to protect them from other traffic. Again, it is illegal to do so if the line is solid.
Don't drive in the gutter: If you're stopped at traffic lights, a junction, in a traffic jam or traffic is slow moving, it doesn't mean that cyclists should be forced to go at the same speed. Assuming to road is wide enough to allow it, leave 2-3 feet for cyclists to go past on the inside - it doesn't cost you anything any it makes their lives just that little it easier.
Don't open your car door into moving traffic: If you are getting out of your car please for goodness sake don't open the driver's door into moving traffic. It is a bit uncomfortable to climb across and get out the other side, but then there is no chance of injuring that cyclist who will have to swerve into faster moving traffic or hit your car door if you do open it. Even if you do see a cyclist a long way off wait until they've passed or just get out the other side. From a cyclist's perspective this is a very scary thing to happen to you in heavy traffic.
Let cyclists who are indicating right actually turn right: If you have room to slow down a little and let out a cyclist who is indicating right, do so. It might be the only way they'll ever get where they want to go in heavy traffic! If a cyclist is indicating right, has looked, and is already moving over, don't overtake them. Would you overtake a car that is signalling right?
Leave plenty of time for your journey: That way, you are less likely to feel stressed when you have to slow down a teeny bit for any reason, and will proably do yourself and every body else a favour.
Consider leaving the car at home: If your journey is very or fairly short consider walking or cycling. It is much better for you, kinder to the roads, doesn't create extra pollution or congestion. And you save on car parking and petrol (and these days, congestion charges)! Shockingly, most car journeys are around only 2 miles long.

Pedestrians

Pedestrians often appear to cyclists (and drivers, for that matter) to behave like a flock of not-very-bright sheep, wandering around in their on little cloud without regard to what's going on around them. That's OK, if you're on the pavement, but...

Look before you step out into the road: Just because traffic is stopped, or you can't hear anything coming, doesn't mean that a cyclist isn't about to whizz past two feet away from your elbow at 15mph! Look before you step off the pavement to go around somebody (this is the time when most people don't look) and before you cross the road every time. If you step out in front of a cyclist, they may well either: a) run into you; b) be forced to swerve out into faster-moving traffic; or c) swerve/brake so sharply that they fall off (been there, done that- it's no fun either). Given the choice, most would prefer to do a - its value as a teaching technique should not be underestimated, and it gives them the softest landing!
Please don't walk in the cycle lane if it shares the pavement: Kind of self explanatory. Wouldn't you be cross if a cyclist was on the pedestrian part of the pavement? It constantly amazes me how many visitors to York stroll along a lane marked with a lot of little bicycles.
Don't deliberately jump in the road in front of a cyclist: Not even if they are wearing visibility gear and you think it would be funny. Especially not if there's other traffic around and it forces them to swerve out towards it.

Cyclists

Although we all know that it's in cyclists' best interests to ride defensively and safely (since they're usually the ones who would come off worst in any accident), there are a few things that will help other road users not see you as the enemy.

Don't jump red lights: Red lights (and most other rules of the road, for that matter, such as one-way streets) apply to you as much as any car. Please wait at red lights, it's dangerous not to (think about it, fool, somebody else's light is green), it gives all cyclists a bad name if you don't, and some motorists will take any excuse they can get to hate you. This includes going onto the pavement to skip the red light - this is illegal too.
Stop at the stop line: At a red light, you must stop behind the line - don't go over it. This particularly irritates me when I see it at a set of lights that has a cycle box - this box is for your safety, so please use it. Again, don't give motorists an excuse to hate you - they're comparatively safe.
Don't abuse motorists unless they deserve it: It's acceptable to swear if some pillock has done something blatantly stupid. But it's more useful to make sure the offender is aware of why you're fuming at them - then they're less likely to do it again - than to leave them thinking "why was that bloody cyclist swearing at me? Bloody cyclists, mutter mutter..."
Pedestrianised areas: Pedestrianised areas often means no bikes too - get off and push!
Use lights: When it's dark (or gloomy) use lights. It is a legal requirement to have both front and rear reflectors and lights when it's dark, and besides that it's idiotic not to. Note that a flashing/strobing light on its own isn't legal; you must have a continuously-on light too (but an additional flashing light does help you to be seen). It's also a good idea to use lights when it's raining - it makes you more visible through the rain on a driver's windscreen. Something fluorescent is a good idea; reflective stuff is good if it is dark. Be aware thought that it doesn't matter how visible you are, it doesn't help if someone just doesn't look.