Near Misses Volume 2 (So close you can feel it)

Chiparus

magicbastarder wrote: »

Btw, why are you writing speed limits in metres per second? This is not how speed limits are expressed.

And FWIW, quoting a speed limit of 100km/h is suggesting a road that very few cyclists commute on in the dark. And almost certainly not the one in the post which led to this exchange.

Because thats how quick a car could catch up with a cyclist , far worse to have a light that is too dim to see than have a light that is too bright when you are immediatly behind them, but can be seen clearly by a driver from a few hundred meters away.

Again this cyclist with the bright light may be travelling to a place that is dark and where cars travel at 100kmph ( or 28m/s)or even a road where the speed limit is higher ( certain dual carriageways ).

Chiparus

VonLuck wrote: »

He's on a bicycle, he's not the T-1000 from the Terminator.

Clearly on a bike he could have never caught up with another cyclist - my bad.

BoardsMember

Chiparus wrote: »

No not really , chase after someone especially a female , on a bike or other wise to give out to them sounds pretty threatening.

I think that says more about you than me, to be honest.

Chiparus

Hairy Japanese BASTARDS! wrote: »

Why do cyclists advocate "using the lane" and take a position on the middle of the road?

I'm new to cycling. I told a coworker that I was squeezed a few times because I keep left and she told me to be assertive and take a position centre of the lane.

I might try this next time. How will this force car drivers to overtake with 150 cm though? They can still easily squeeze by.

I'd also be scared of getting rammed if some clown is glued to their phone and not paying attention.

The 1.5 metres was hammered into me by my driving instructor when I started driving 12 years ago so I've always done it even before those ad campaigns regardless of what position the cyclist was in. I was always told to imagine the cyclist was a full sized car, if you can't safely overtake by crossing the other side of the road, then don't overtake at all.

It is recommended in the ROTR.

Think I recall this one being posted here , €120 fine and 3 points was the outcome.

https://irishcycle.com/2020/06/07/e120-fine-and-3-penalty-points-for-another-irish-motorist-unwilling-to-give-cyclists-space/

BoardsMember

Saw one the other day. Closed my eyes as I was sure it wasn't ending well. I'm coming up Terenure Road north, I am stopped in my car waiting to turn right onto Eaton Road.

Oncoming are 2 cyclists, and they are overtaking a delivery van parked about 30 yards in front of me, on the same side as the cyclists. My plan was to wait for the cyclists to pass as they are too close and are moving fast.

Behind the cyclists a white van decides to overtake them at speed, giving them all of a foot clearance I'd say, as they are broadside of the delivery van. He leans on the horn, as if they did something wrong. And while remonstrating with them, eventually turns and sees he's about to hit me nearly front on. He swings in at the last second.

On a positive note, I had a very pleasant and uneventful cycle with my son today, all drivers on their best behaviour.

magicbastarder

magicbastarder wrote: »

unfortunately the video cuts off just as the interesting bit starts.

Yeah the longer version was definitely posted on here at the time, if I remember the van nearly does him in aswell maybe.

Hairy Japanese BASTARDS!

I popped out for a quick 10k, round cycle. I was taking the lane with traffic coming on the other side.

A white transit van flew up behind me, well in excess of the 60 km/h limit blaring the horn, nearly skimming my handlebar and almost scraping off oncoming traffic.

I nearly sh1t myself. I appreciate I was blocking traffic more than an experienced faster cyclist.

These things would discourage people from taking up cycling.

07Lapierre

Hairy Japanese BASTARDS! wrote: »

I popped out for a quick 10k, round cycle. I was taking the lane with traffic coming on the other side.

A white transit van flew up behind me, well in excess of the 60 km/h limit blaring the horn, nearly skimming my handlebar and almost scraping off oncoming traffic.

I nearly sh1t myself. I appreciate I was blocking traffic more than an experienced faster cyclist.

These things would discourage people from taking up cycling.

The fact that cars were able to squeeze by suggests you weren't out far enough. When you take the lane, you must take it completely. It takes balls/confidence to do this...practice makes perfect.

kenmm

07Lapierre wrote: »

The fact that cars were able to squeeze by suggests you weren't out far enough. When you take the lane, you must take it completely. It takes balls/confidence to do this...practice makes perfect.

Indeed - someone recently suggested this video,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJHXzt7TC2k

It explains things well to drivers, but shows primary quite well

(Careful, bad shirt)

07Lapierre

kenmm wrote: »

Indeed - someone recently suggested this video,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJHXzt7TC2k

It explains things well to drivers, but shows primary quite well

(Careful, bad shirt)

Not going down too well in the motors forum!

kenmm

07Lapierre wrote: »

Not going down too well in the motors forum!

Usual sh!t show - the mere mention of a bicycle is a red rag to some. Same as how some here are quick to lump all drivers together.

Hairy - hope you are ok, it can be unnerving when someone is booting it and "surprise attack" approaches, but if it was a dodgy bit of road, taking full primary is the way to go (but won't necessarily stop the beeping).

07Lapierre

Worth mentioning too that taking the lane should only be done in certain circumstances.

3 Examples:

if there are parked cars on the left side of the road.
If there is a "pinch point" (traffic island) ahead.
If your approaching a junction and intend turning right.

But if your cycling along a road that has no junctions, no parked cars and your simply taking the lane to prevent traffic overtaking...well you know what happens.

It also helps if you can ride at pace and if the traffic behind can see why you are taking the lane.

Even when you do all this, you'll still get muppets honking horns and driving aggressively.

Hope this helps.

The recommended position on the road for a bike is 0.75m or roughly arms length from the left or in line with passenger side wheels of a vehicle (I hate referencing RSA guidelines) . Keeps you away from drains and debris etc. Sometimes you need to take a bit more space such as on a bendy road I'll keep out a bit more than that so I'm seen sooner by drivers as they round the bend or as mentioned parked cars etc.

07Lapierre

magicbastarder wrote: »

damn, they closed the thread.

Can't believe a guy driving a Civic Type R couldn't overtake a van and a few cyclists! Drivers today are too soft! In my day we overtook anything and everything! .

I missing being passed into a head wind with their passenger window rolled down and being asked if I want a tow. Haven't had that happen in a fair few years but I've taken them up a few times when asked

John Hutton

Just on people beeping behind you, it used to really stress me and make me flustered, until I realised that it's a good thing, it means they can see me and won't squash me

CramCycle

07Lapierre wrote: »

Can't believe a guy driving a Civic Type R couldn't overtake a van and a few cyclists! Drivers today are too soft! In my day we overtook anything and everything! .

I could do it in an Opel Kadett back in the day, I really think that we should start removing licences from people whose posts on social media clearly imply they can't drive

Deleted User wrote: »

I missing being passed into a head wind with their passenger window rolled down and being asked if I want a tow. Haven't had that happen in a fair few years but I've taken them up a few times when asked

I used to love it, in my youth a young lad on a Massey Ferguson, a 165 or 185 was great as they'd overrev in 3rd gear so you could just coast behind. I get the odd DB driver who gives the nod and slows enough to tag on and then gradually accelerates. I love it.

BoardsMember

magicbastarder wrote: »

i mentioned a case yesterday where me and my wife were being blown at by asshole drivers; thankfully i had her prepared; if someone blows the horn at you, react as if you think they're being friendly. big smiles, thumbs up, you name it. wave at them. if you keep your cool and they don't, they won't thank you for it at the time, but in maybe 20% (or insert your own guess) of the time, they might think when they've cooled down, AITA?
(young person speak for 'am i the asshole?')

There's a danger this could be construed as trying to wind the driver up, potentially putting you at more risk. That said, I am more inclined to do this type of thing when in city traffic, not sure why.

When out for a proper spin I tend to try to be a "better citizen", I'm more conscious of the "us versus them" mentality. I tend to just hold a hand up, which can be interpreted as a number of things: sorry but I am not moving/can't move, hang on there, stop etc. But it is less inclined to escalate than waving & smiling to someone who is already annoyed.

kenmm

magicbastarder wrote: »

i'd be tempted to start a poll in the cyclists forum to see how many of us are drivers, but there's no option to limit it to 'regulars' of the cycling forum so no way to keep the poll honest.

but i'd wager 90%+ of the people on here are also drivers.

Of course!

Me - I'm a person that used the roads and most (all) of the skills that make me a good (in my opinion ) driver apply to cycling, and vice vesra. There are a few situations that are unique to either vehicle, but in general its awareness and hazard perception and that doesn't matter what you are moving in/on.

kenmm

magicbastarder wrote: »

if someone blows the horn at you, react as if you think they're being friendly. big smiles, thumbs up, you name it. wave at them.

Better just all out ignoring them (assuming of course you have checked they aren't one of the 0.1% of people that use the horn to alert you to something genuinely useful).

Waving sarcastically could be read as passive aggressive and may escalate a situation (not saying I haven't done it, nor lost the rag and gave chase or other stupid reactions to idiots..)

07Lapierre

Mc Love wrote: »

I'd like to add an example to this:

Better to ride (IMHO) in primary on roads that a have a single white line and situated on blind bends. I do this for my own safety as well as oncoming traffic as well as the impatient gowls behind me

My commute brings me along this road and I do the same as you at the solid white line sections and as i approach the junction with the Malahide Road. Its almost automatic/instinctive now as i've been doing it for years. But I still get the odd close pass/shave. People just don't like having to slow down for any reason!

07Lapierre

5uspect wrote: »

The road was about 7km! SEVEN! He would have to drive at 30 km/h for a whole four minutes! The horror.

I've yet to be stuck behind any "Traffic" for that length of time! I'd love to know what road he was referring to.

AndrewJRenko

Deleted User wrote: »

The recommended position on the road for a bike is 0.75m or roughly arms length from the left or in line with passenger side wheels of a vehicle (I hate referencing RSA guidelines) .

The RSA also advise cyclists to 'take the space you need to cycle safely. You are as entitled to your road space as any other road user.'.

kenmm

Chips Lovell wrote: »

The other circumstance where primary is appropriate is when you're keeping pace with the vehicle in front of you.

This one seems to ind me up the most, when people try to overtake, not realising I am going "slow" because the cars 2 seconds in front of me are going at that pace. Some people see bike and don't look ahead/ beyond at all.

CramCycle

kenmm wrote: »

This one seems to ind me up the most, when people try to overtake, not realising I am going "slow" because the cars 2 seconds in front of me are going at that pace. Some people see bike and don't look ahead/ beyond at all.

The number of times I have had a car attempt an overtake only to realise that there isn't space in front of me after they start. It is insanity. I thought we were all taught to look ahead to 2 or 3 cars in front to prepare or unexpected changes of behaviour. Alot of drivers can only see the vehicle in front and I find it bizarre.

kenmm

I keep saying it - but general observation skills / hazard perception (or lack of) is the biggest issue we have on the roads these days.

There was even someone posting a clip about a slow cyclist winding through a housing estate a few weeks back (The cyclist was following a car for most of it), but I see the video has now been removed..
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=112881062&postcount=1403

kenmm

And that goes for everyone btw - cyclists, drivers, peds, scooters, horses (but they tend to wear blinkers so can forgive them..)

My dad was always of the view that he's a better driver because he cycles and he's a better cyclist because he drives. It'd tend to share that view to a degree.

WashYourHands

I saw a cyclist (young, 18-20) do a close pass on another cyclist (deliveroo cyclist) today. I was shocked at the speed the young cyclist was doing up the hill and how close he got to the deliveroo cyclist!

Hairy Japanese BASTARDS!

Not the worst but still too close for my liking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcIXotNvOIU

Acquiescence

CramCycle wrote: »

I thought we were all taught to look ahead to 2 or 3 cars in front to prepare or unexpected changes of behaviour. Alot of drivers can only see the vehicle in front and I find it bizarre.

Years back when myself and the better half started going out I always found it odd how many distinct steering inputs she used on any sort of bend. I discovered she was basically looking just ahead of the bonnet.

Fully licenced and had received a decent amount of professional instruction.

Pinch Flat

Seth Brundle wrote: »

Sent to me via WhatsApp (neither driver nor cyclist is me )...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVmLNWoEcp4

Jesus that was close. :eek:

Etc

magicbastarder wrote: »

why was the cyclist trying to avoid the checkpoint?

Possibly to far from home

Effects

magicbastarder wrote: »

why was the cyclist trying to avoid the checkpoint?

I've noticed a lot of cyclists turnaround when they spot a Garda checkpoint during lockdown.
I'm sure lots of people flaunt the rules, cyclists just stick out more.

kennethsmyth

MojoMaker wrote: »

If that's as bad as it ever gets for you, you'll be fine.

That is pretty normal. It's the fcukers that don't make *any* attempt to move to the right you're going to come to hate.

Thing is however, if that is the road just before the railway station in Rush then he is going over a blind hill that leads to a hump bridge and over a single white line. He's still an idiot - and thats from a car driver that drives that road.

Hairy Japanese BASTARDS!

kennethsmyth wrote: »

Thing is however, if that is the road just before the railway station in Rush then he is going over a blind hill that leads to a hump bridge and over a single white line. He's still an idiot - and thats from a car driver that drives that road.

Me or the car driver ??? :O :pac:

Hairy Japanese BASTARDS!

kennethsmyth wrote: »

Thing is however, if that is the road just before the railway station in Rush then he is going over a blind hill that leads to a hump bridge and over a single white line. He's still an idiot - and thats from a car driver that drives that road.

Is that worth reporting?

kennethsmyth

Hairy Japanese BASTARDS! wrote: »

Me or the car driver ??? :O :pac:

The driver.

kennethsmyth

Hairy Japanese BASTARDS! wrote: »

Is that worth reporting?

Up to the cyclist, but I know that road well and the car driver would of had nowhere to go other than on top of the cyclist if a car came other way as he’d only see it last second with the blind hill

MrMiata

Had someone beep at me for the first time today.

Just outside of my house after doing a quick loop, some women beeped at me.

She beeped, rolled down the window and got up beside me to shout 'move over', because I wasn't wedged up into the bushes.

Just to make it even better, she did this as she overtook me coming up to the crest of a blind hill, which lead down to a sharp corner.

So she was shouting at me for not letting her overtake me on a blind and dangerous hill.. her solution was to go on the wrong side of the road, roll down her window and shout at me..

I know that road very well, it is absolutely lethal, cars have clipped one another coming over that hill just by being too close to the centre of the road..
I don't know what she was thinking..

Hairy Japanese BASTARDS!

So that's one less cyclist on the road and one more car driver clogging up the roads or bus user taking a scarce seat.

My partner, who's very passive and timid as it is was out cycling with me. She was practicing her 10 k into work and I was showing her how to take the lane and cycle defensively.

She built up her courage after a few cycles she took the outside position. A car driver flew by within inches blaring the horn and the passenger roaring obscenities out the window.
It'll take some convincing to get her out again.

Thanks dickhead. No cam footage unfortunately

Reality_Check1

Cycling today a lady pulled into the cycle lane about 10m ahead of me so I had to bail into the back of her car (other options were into a wall or out onto the road).

Couldn't get one of my cleats free in time so went down harder than I would have liked

She drove off and I was too disorientated to get a reg. Thank you to the kind cyclist who stopped to make sure I was ok!

tnegun

Was out with the kids today and didn't bring the camera, we're family of 6 cycling and I stick with the eldest 3 and my OH the youngest who's 5. Its cycle lanes and hard shoulder mostly but there's one stretch where its on road and particularly narrow so myself and the OH take the lane keeping the kids on the inside.
I didn't notice but she'd fallen behind a few 100m and this ar$e can't wait the 60 secs it will take for her to clear it and pull into the hard shoulder and starts beeping scaring the life out of the youngest. Then squeezes past with the passenger hurling abuse at them I heard the beeping but had no idea what happened so didn't note the reg. Poor thing doesn't ever want to cycle again, it will pass but some people are such ar$eholes :mad::mad:

work

Sad reading the close passes today. I think a lot of the momentum gained will now be lost with the traffic back. Hope a bit of investment will help. If we cannot get kids and ladies and the nervous out we are failing!

Effects

Thinkingaboutit wrote: »

When the lockdown was heaviest, I was left alone when using the bike. I find cyclists are less noticeable, which honestly can be a problem on our once again crowded roads.

But back when the rules were 2km radius, and brief exercise, you could clearly spot the people fully decked out, two water bottles, who were going farther than they should. They might have been left alone, but probably didn't want to take the chance.

CramCycle

Seth Brundle wrote: »

I didn't breach the 2km or 5km boundaries often putting in decent distances. With the hot weather back then, I'd often have two bottles.

I was commuting daily in my sexy sexy lycra, not everyone in lycra is off up the mountains for a long spin either.

sy_flembeck

Seth Brundle wrote: »

I didn't breach the 2km or 5km boundaries often putting in decent distances. With the hot weather back then, I'd often have two bottles.

Yep, same here

micar

Duckjob wrote: »

The most infuriating thing about videos like that is how utterly pointless the f**kology pulled by the driver is . Passing you so dangerously only to have to stop behind other cars 50 yards later and have you end up in front again anyway..

Becasue there is a complete inability by some motorists to read the road ahead.

They only see what's straight in front and nothing further.

Pinch Flat

micar wrote: »

Becasue there is a complete inability by some motorists to read the road ahead.

They only see what's straight in front and nothing further.

ya end of your bonnet is about as far ahead as most drivers look. I remember seeing a news clip about a pile up in heavy fog ion the Naas Rd a few years back. they interviewed some wet brain who said it was someones fault (AA road watch, Gubberment) fault for not issuing warnings. I would have thought not being able too see more than 6 feet in front of you was warning enough. But shows the sheer stupidity of some people behind the wheel.