What cyclists have to put up with..

[wednesday1]

Out of interest, how did he end up to the left of you?

 

 

I was about to pass him.

[Cyclone]

He should have signalled earlier then... He should also have been in the centre of the carriageway so you could only pass if the other side of the road was clear.

[Tony]

Though with the way that many motorists drive around bikes you could hardly blame a cyclist for keeping left even if it's more dangerous.

 

wedneaday1, the highway code says that motorists should expect cyclists to change direction unexpectedly. It also says that you shouldn't use your horn as you did.

 

None of that absolves the cyclist of any blame that they may (or may not) hold but a little more consideration and care makes everyone's day pass better and more safely. Some cyclists are idiots, all cyclists make mistakes, but in a crash they are the one that gets the injuries or worse... no matter how right the motorists was (or thinks they were). A bit more patience and plenty of space around bicycles helps everyone.

[jongo]

Though with the way that many motorists drive around bikes you could hardly blame a cyclist for keeping left even if it's more dangerous.

 

wedneaday1, the highway code says that motorists should expect cyclists to change direction unexpectedly. It also says that you shouldn't use your horn as you did.

 

None of that absolves the cyclist of any blame that they may (or may not) hold but a little more consideration and care makes everyone's day pass better and more safely. Some cyclists are idiots, all cyclists make mistakes, but in a crash they are the one that gets the injuries or worse... no matter how right the motorists was (or thinks they were). A bit more patience and plenty of space around bicycles helps everyone.

 

 

Without indication?

 

A blast of the horn is needed to alert people of danger, this cyclist by the sound of it was in/causing a dangerous situation.

[Tony]

Without indication?

Yes.

A blast of the horn is needed to alert people of danger, this cyclist by the sound of it was in/causing a dangerous situation.

Since we weren't there we'll never know but it reads as though the bike was in front of the car and so the horn was used as a chastisement.

 

 

 

Perhaps you could brush up on your Highway code before advising others on it?

[DragonofAna]

Yes.

Since we weren't there we'll never know but it reads as though the bike was in front of the car and so the horn was used as a chastisement.

 

 

 

Perhaps you could brush up on your Highway code before advising others on it?

 

Doesn't the highway code say that you should use your horn to alert other road users of your presence - which is what a driver does when a cyclist pulls out without signalling - notifying the cyclist that there are other road users.

[Tony]

Brakes are traditionally more effective at preventing crashing into the vehicle in front.

[DragonofAna]

Brakes are traditionally more effective at preventing crashing into the vehicle in front.

 

Is that what it says in the highway code? I must have looked at the wrong edition.

 

And as to the post earlier by Splodgy Al - "Did the cyclist put your life in danger?"

 

The cyclist put himself in danger, but the driver of the car would have suffered the consequences so what was the point of the question?

[Tony]

No, the HC says horns are for warning others of your presence. It does not say that they are remonstrating with other road users and from wednesday1's post he / she was remonstrating, because as we know the brakes work better than a horn at preventing accidents with a vehicle in front of you.

 

Pick holes in that statement all you like but as I said, we weren't there and I know how many drivers behave towards cyclists and we both know that drivers use the horn to remonstrate when they should be using the brakes.

 

The Institute of Advanced Motorists even advise not to use your horn around cyclists Here's their advice again:

 

SHARING THE ROAD WITH CYCLISTS

Cyclists all travel at different speeds and have different levels of road experience. As a driver, you will need to take care to judge their speed as well as the road and weather conditions from the cyclist's point of view. Remember too that some cyclists, particularly younger ones, have never driven a car, and so don’t recognise the problems that they can cause car drivers. In an accident involving a car and a cyclist, whoever is to blame the cyclist will always be the more vulnerable to a serious injury. The following tips for motorists have been prepared with the National Cycling Strategy Board to avoid adding to the 2,500 cyclists killed or seriously injured each year.

 

 

Cyclists don’t have steel armour round them like we do. Passing them at speed within a foot of their elbow may feel perfectly safe from where you are, but it is very disconcerting when you are the cyclist.

 

Sounding your horn when you are close will startle them, maybe into swerving in front of you. They will usually be aware of you already! Slow down around cyclists and drive smoothly. Keep within the speed limit.

 

In traffic, make sure that you don’t cut up a cyclist who is about to pass you on the near side. Don't try to cut across a cyclist when you need to turn left at a junction. Wait behind the cyclist until the cyclist has either turned left or passed the junction.

 

Park with care and prevent any passengers from opening a door until you are sure that there is no cyclist coming up on either side. Likewise, check over your shoulder to see there’s no cyclist approaching before opening the driver’s door

 

Cyclists are advised to take a prominent position in the road well ahead of any manoeuvre to ensure they are in the right place at the right time. If they ride in the middle of the road it is probably not to obstruct your path, but to ensure that they are seen by you and by other motorists. Cyclists often ride at some distance from the kerb to avoid drains and potholes and to discourage motorists from squeezing them on narrow roads. It is not in their interest to delay motorists deliberately. Remember too that their ability to signal is limited compared to ours, so try to anticipate what they might do from the position they have taken on the road. Please be patient.

 

Advanced stop lines are for cyclists alone and should be respected, so leave the space between the two sets of stop lines empty, whether or not cyclists are occupying it when you arrive.

 

Be aware of where cycle lanes terminate, because this often means road space is more scarce and that in turn can make a cyclist more vulnerable.

 

Give young riders even more space than older ones; both old and young riders may swerve suddenly to avoid debris or potholes, but young people are more prone to forget your presence when they do.

 

Remember to use all your mirrors with extra care before changing direction when there are cyclists about. There might be a cyclist in your blind spot. Pay particular attention on roundabouts, as many accidents to cyclists happen at these junctions. Always signal at roundabouts.

 

Finally, every motorist has seen some irresponsible cyclists use the pavement, road and zebra crossings, seemingly at random. This is not only dangerous for pedestrians but unlawful, and the police can and do issue penalty notices for such offences. The police take a serious view of such careless or dangerous cycling, particularly when it puts other road users at risk. Responsible motorists give such irresponsible cyclists a wide berth.

[DragonofAna]

No, it says horns are for warning others of your presence. It does not say that they are remonstrating with other road users and from wednesday1's post he / she was remonstrating, because as we know the brakes work better than a horn at preventing accidents with a vehicle in front of you.

 

Pick holes in that statement all you like but as I said, we weren't there and I know how many drivers behave towards cyclists and we both know that drivers use the horn to remonstrate when they should be using the brakes.

 

Nah! Not picking holes. I have never used my car horn. Never had to as I have always been pretty good at judging when someone is going to do something idiotic. As for cyclists - having been one for many years and had countless accidents - I am always very careful when passing them.

 

Just thought I would point out that the horn is there for the purpose it was used on that one occasion in my opinion.