Stupidity of other road users

[Orraman]

This other road user was sufficiently aware to remove the evidence.

Berwick Advertiser July 17 08

Hit and run driver hunted.
A man in his twenties suffered broken pelvis and shoulder but stable.
He was wearing a yellow reflective bib and was last seen riding a silver mountain bike, which has not been found, despite several searches

There was no further information in this week's edition.

Dave

[Jim Taverner]

Hello,
Being a cyclist of 60 odd years, I always use a tyre pump (handily clipped to the cross tube) to ward off errant motorists (not so much of a problem in my youth), delinquents and the odd canine. This was a method advocated by the cartoon character 'Baz' in Cycling magazine. Lovely days! But, I do think that a few of the modern breed of cyclists don't do the rest of us any favours. The red light thing is guaranteed to antagonize motorists and why is it that so few cyclists use a bell to warn when overtaking (particularly on duel use pathways). I am amazed that more accidents to pedestrians aren't reported. Anyway, rant over. I do enjoy reading all your posts.

Jim

[flecc]

I agree on all those Jim. Unfortunately the majority of bikes don't even have bells on them, despite being sold with them by law.
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[Erik]

Originally Posted by flecc

I agree on all those Jim. Unfortunately the majority of bikes don't even have bells on them, despite being sold with them by law.
.

I find that other cyclists have forgotten what a bell signal means, and keep on blocking the path, so I have to balance on the curb when passing them.

When I'm out with my four year old son on his little bike, the Lycra fraction whoosh by without any bell warning.

What's wrong with people? The ring of a bell is a polite way of signalling "could you please move to the side, I wish to overtake you?", not like a car's horn.

[JohnInStockie]

I think thats long forgotten in the mists of time now, I know of no other cyclist I know that uses a bell, the vast majority scoff at their presense !!

[WALKERMAN]

Originally Posted by JohnInStockie

I think thats long forgotten in the mists of time now, I know of no other cyclist I know that uses a bell, the vast majority scoff at their presense !!

A couple of years ago we were walking along the waterfront in San Diego, California and a cyclist came up from behind us and rang his bell. He said 'Excuse me sir, I'm passing on your right'. I was astonished with this approach and very impressed. If only respect and good manners could be found in the U.K.
Respect is much more obvious over there in the U.S.
I don't understand where we in the U.K. have gone wrong.

[flecc]

Originally Posted by WALKERMAN

A couple of years ago we were walking along the waterfront in San Diego, California and a cyclist came up from behind us and rang his bell. He said 'Excuse me sir, I'm passing on your right'. I was astonished with this approach and very impressed. If only respect and good manners could be found in the U.K.

Not completely absent here Walkerman, here's a paragraph from my Torq website:

"So how do I avoid the bell giving annoyance on dual use pavements? Quite simply, I slow to near walking pace as I ring the bell, then as the person looks round and steps away, I smile and say "Thank you, sorry to disturb you". The response is always friendly, often with favourable comment, such as on one occasion when a lady said "Thank you for using your bell". It doesn't get better than that, pedestrians and bikes can exist in perfect harmony with a little effort."
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[Saddlesore]

Yes I think flecc's advice is the best when it comes to warning pedestrians of your approach and its one I've always adopted and generally the response is friendly. The only time I won't use my bell is when passing horses and try to give them a wide a berth as possible so they have plenty of time to see me before I get alongside which generally avoids startling them and don't use the motor either in case the whine upsets them.

I personally would never wear headphones on a bike as I rely on hearing as well as sight to remain safe and to judge situations - mind you I don't wear a helmet which you could argue negates my safety concerns.

As for yobs and the dross of today's society - just ignore them - the failure to get a rise out of you generally upsets them more than anything and at anyrate at my age (60) they might think I was deaf anyway!!

[Jim Taverner]

I think the problem is a general decline in basic manners. Unfortunately, if young cyclists don't receive a good example from parents etc., the future doesn't look bright. I received my early cycling education from members of my local cycling club. Not being involved with clubs for many years, I have no idea of the attitudes the present day clubs have to road manners (including warning of approach). Maybe some younger members of the forum might enlighten us. The example Waterman describes in San Diego need not be a dream if the young are shown that it is not 'sissy' to ring a bell or be pleasant to other road users or is it wishful thinking.

Cheers,
Jim

[Hooligooner]

As a child I still remember one very near miss after being overtaken by a car who wished to turn left at the next junction.

Well, 30 years later and only a week back into daily cycling I can confirm that this still happens.

I was on the fastest part of my commute to work, a short down-hill section on which I'm freewheeling up to 25 mph, when a very large estate car cruised past already indicating left as he did so (thanks for the warning!).

Unfortunately for him he was turning into a car-park, so had no escape after I had controlled my skid and turned in after him.

Fortunately for him the first words out of his mouth were "Very sorry about that..."