No other vehicles on the roads at the time. All relatively quiet estate roads.

 

I think that quiet of bicycles is the problem. It's astonishing how many rely upon their hearing to cross roads.

 

I think this arose during the decades when cycling was at a very low ebb but cars had increased enormously in number, so their ears became a pretty good indicator of the road being clear to cross.

 

They are going to get a shock soon though with all the quiet electric cars coming onto the roads now. Already there's three quarters of a million of them on Britains roads.

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I think that quiet of bicycles is the problem. It's astonishing how many rely upon their hearing to cross roads.

 

I think this arose during the decades when cycling was at a very low ebb but cars had increased enormously in number, so their ears became a pretty good indicator of the road being clear to cross.

 

They are going to get a shock soon though with all the quiet electric cars coming onto the roads now. Already there's three quarters of a million of them on Britains roads.

.

 

Great point and something I've been wondering about for a time.

 

I remember watching a TV programme about electric trams and trolleybuses back in the 1940's/50's/60's sort of time, and how they were known as "the silent death" due to the number of people who stepped into their path and were killed or badly injured.

 

You're probably right about the pedestrians. They just don't look.

You're probably right about the pedestrians. They just don't look.

They do look; but it's their phones they are looking at.

 

Maybe the answer is an app that warns people of approaching traffic?

They do look; but it's their phones they are looking at.

 

Maybe the answer is an app that warns people of approaching traffic?

 

4g/5G connected Car LIDAR sometimes can't see cyclists but if it could, maybe everyone could be forced by law to wear LIDAR helmets? Or phone GPS accurate to 1cm like the military have, warning of phones approaching on a collision trajectory? The privacy lot wouldn't like it. Bald people might prefer discreet and stylish LIDAR toupees.

Edited March 2, 20224 yr by I893469365902345609348566

Great point and something I've been wondering about for a time.

 

I remember watching a TV programme about electric trams and trolleybuses back in the 1940's/50's/60's sort of time, and how they were known as "the silent death" due to the number of people who stepped into their path and were killed or badly injured.

 

You're probably right about the pedestrians. They just don't look.

 

"Stop! Look! Listen!" is for kids, apparently. The Green Cross Man's message died with David Prowse.

They do look; but it's their phones they are looking at.

 

Maybe the answer is an app that warns people of approaching traffic?

 

"Stop! Look! Listen!" is for kids, apparently. The Green Cross Man's message died with David Prowse.

 

We just need bicycles to make a noise.

 

As kids long, long ago, we used to use a bit of a cigarette packet stuck to a chainstay or seatstay and butting into the spokes.

 

That made a sort of motorcycle like sound as the passing spokes flipped the cardboard.

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We just need bicycles to make a noise.

 

As kids long, long ago, we used to use a bit of a cigarette packet stuck to a chainstay or seatstay and butting into the spokes.

 

That made a sort of motorcycle like sound as the passing spokes flipped the cardboard.

.

 

That's a good solution! How many packs did you get through a day? Was there a preferred brand? Were the Benson and Hedges packets better than Marlboro, or did they all use the same cardboard and design? Could you discern by noise what brand of fake motorbike was approaching?

That's a good solution! How many packs did you get through a day? Was there a preferred brand? Were the Benson and Hedges packets better than Marlboro, or did they all use the same cardboard and design? Could you discern by noise what brand of fake motorbike was approaching?

 

We didn't care much but most fags then were Woodbines made by Wills. They were cheap. B & H and Marlboro were much later, in the Woodbines days the other brands were such things as Players Navy Cut, Senior Service, Craven A and Capstan Full Strength. Craven A had a sort of semi filter and were mostly smoked by women. Real men didn't use filtered cigarettes, they took their smoke neat. Capstan Full Strength packets were brown printed to illustrate the colour of their users lungs.

 

The cardboard lasted well in the dry weather we used to enjoy before we wrecked the climate. Now the weather is just grey and soggy nearly all the time.

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Edited March 2, 20224 yr by flecc

I found it better to mount a strip of Meccano on the seat tube, pivoted so that it could be moved to click against the chain ring as required. Not only was this louder and more durable than the cigarette packet method, it also meant that changing gear altered the sound. This gave a much more 'realistic' engine noise

There's this which might not impact range too much, could inspire ridicule:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turbospoke-TS004-Exhaust-System/dp/B01DZXE8PG/

 

Plain version:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/EVTSCAN-Muffler-Exhaust-System-Bicycle/dp/B097BS3J48/

If I can bear the loss of peace and quiet, I might simply try adding a couple of thick zipties to the forks instead, because that particular noise maker adds drag:

 

 

 

The product advert -

 

This thread is being monitored, they are on their way

 

This thread is being monitored, they are on their way

 

 

I'm getting flashbacks it's like 'Nam man, like 'Nam! BEWARE OF BADGERS!!! :eek:

Edited March 2, 20224 yr by I893469365902345609348566

For the edification of any young flibbertigibbet kno' nowts, the original.

 

For the edification of any young flibbertigibbet kno' nowts, the original.

 

 

Depite my recent wrist breakage incident, I was saddened to see this dead badger about an hour ago. No, I don't recognise it. I'll see if the Council will collect this unfortunate animal for safe disposal, BE AWARE OF BADGERS!

 

Just going back to this topic - and with emphasis on that case of the driver who was fined for being slightly over the white line and too close to a cyclist coming in the opposite direction, who was nearly in the middle of the road while going past a stationary vehicle.

 

One thing which is not legislated for on any level, as far as I can see, is the situation I've been in several times recently, where I'm going down a road with many cars parked on both sides, thus narrowing the total available road space. As a consequence there is only a very narrow gap between me and a car coming in the opposite direction. That situation is not the fault of either of us, but the net effect is identical to the one where the driver got a fine.

 

I will say I've not felt in any danger on any of the occasions, as both me and the cars have passed in straight line parallel, with sufficient space to avoid a collision. Obviously the speeds were not very fast, but the situation effectively identical and could be repeated several times on the same stretch, and over many days.

Edited May 13, 20223 yr by passionate off roader

Just going back to this topic - and with emphasis on that case of the driver who was fined for being slightly over the white line and too close to a cyclist coming in the opposite direction, who was nearly in the middle of the road while going past a stationary vehicle.

 

One thing which is not legislated for on any level, as far as I can see, is the situation I've been in several times recently, where I'm going down a road with many cars parked on both sides, thus narrowing the total available road space. As a consequence there is only a very narrow gap between me and a car coming in the opposite direction. That situation is not the fault of either of us, but the net effect is identical to the one where the driver got a fine.

 

I will say I've not felt in any danger on any of the occasions, as both me and the cars have passed in straight line parallel, with sufficient space to avoid a collision. Obviously the speeds were not very fast, but the situation effectively identical and could be repeated several times on the same stretch, and over many days.

 

Could this driver be fined? I thought we were all going to end up colliding. I have his number plate in a second video

 

Could this driver be fined? I thought we were all going to end up colliding. I have his number plate in a second video

 

 

Definitely yes. Not ensuring there was adequate space to pass is Driving without Due Care and Attention, and your video is a clear cut case of that happening to you.

 

It's pity the number plate is in a second video, since that weakens the identification evidence.

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Definitely yes. Not ensuring there was adequate space to pass is Driving without Due Care and Attention, and your video is a clear cut case of that happening to you.

 

It's pity the number plate is in a second video, since that weakens the identification evidence.

.

 

How do I get this driver fined?

 

That video on youtube was brightened a bit, but I have the original stored on my computer. It's 3.5gb in size and far too long to email. It also contains footage of me stopping to pee.

 

My camera doesn't record correct date and time info, would that matter? All videos files have a listed creation date in 2018 or something.

 

On the original footage his number plate is clearly visible as he passes by. The truck driver had to avoid a parked car, which is why there was very little room on my side of the road.

 

This video is also edited, but has a screenshot of the original video which clearly shows that driver's number plate, at the end of the video

 

I think is was more possible "carelessness" and due care and attention, The driver should because of the hierarchy, give way to you as a cyclist.

 

How do I get this driver fined?

 

You might not be able to "fine" per se, but you should check with your local constabulary, to see if they have a video evidence route for possible prosecution, email address and email the a link to YT - Be aware you may be called upon to testify in extreme cases so make sure you (& your bike) is above reproach.

How do I get this driver fined?

 

As PC2017 says, ask at your police station if the want to take action. In most instances they don't and have been widely criticised for that. I can understand it though, cases are more certain if brought with police officer's evidence.

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Edited May 13, 20223 yr by flecc

I believe some police forces have adopted a "Rat on a dangerous driver" policy with the aim to address the increased number of "caught on cam" incidents. With the uptake & accessibility to HD video equipment, it also acts as a self fulfilling prophecy, drivers who feel they could be caught doing misdeeds may be less inclined to drive recklessly or with more due care and attention.

Could this driver be fined? I thought we were all going to end up colliding. I have his number plate in a second video

 

 

Yeah, that was obviously extremely dangerous. Especially to the car driver ironically enough. If his gamble hadn't worked out, I reckon that in the split millisecond where it became obvious that they were going to collide, you might well have been able to take evasive action by virtue of lower speed and nimbleness. Hopefully you would have avoided the high speed pushback of the car in your direction.

 

Don't know. Just a theory as it plays out in my mind's eye. Probably completely wrong.

One second elapses (tops) from overtake to brake and then into what would have been your area. There's absolutely no room for error by any of the 3 vehicles involved. It wasn't skillful - it was luck that nobody got hurt.

 

The driver needs educating - not necessarily punishing, and a 'driver aware' course or similar would achieve that, so it's worth pursuing if you have the patience.