The Saga of Sefton Cycle Lanes

[Stuartli]

Yes, braking is a valuable tool in the cyclists possession.

Your incredible stupidity continues unabated. Braking is "a valuable tool" for EVERY road cycle or vehicle user....

[sandGroundZero]

Review of The Highway Code to improve road safety
for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders


Table of proposed changes to The Highway Code

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I myself sometimes make 'manoeuvres without warning', due needing to avoid a deep pothole/particularly bad road defect. Of course, I do have my ears open for following traffic and will look round (if there's time to) before swerving out....That a rider may have to dodge something that the driver behind is unaware of, is one good reason why leaving a 1.5m+ overtaking clearance is wise.

Could you imagine this being a statement of defence in court.
3 main rules of 2 wheels = look back, look back and look back. Should you not use brakes and stop instead of swerving out into traffic without looking?, overtaking cycles at 1.5m means driving on the other side of the road or 2.5m out from the curb.
“I myself sometimes make 'manoeuvres without warning'”, It would cost a lot to chisel that on a headstone .my front and rear dash cam cost me £35, money well spent.

…sums a problem

namely pedestrians, bicyclists and motor vehicle operators sometimes ignore conventions designed for their safety and the safety of others because they can (and get away with it).

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The principle that heavier, more powerful and consequently potentially more destructive road users vehicles have a responsibility of care for their more vulnerable fellow travellers is more honoured in the breach than in the observance.

1. Good driving requires that road users anticipate unexpected manoeuvres.
2. For their benefit, every road user should have a video record of their journeys.

[MICK/GILLY]

Yea I get it, I am always looking out for cyclists on my inside when turning left or pedestrians running out past busses in front of me as the lights change, I am quite paranoid or experienced enough to get that but how many times have you been behind a cyclist and they have been weaving in and out around parked cars without looking behind them and then suddenly they (without looking) decide to go right into the centre of the carriageway in front of you to turn right and then just turn, sometimes they may signal after they have moved over sometimes not .

Yea predict the unpredictable, expect the unexpected maybe cars should be fitted with crystal balls as standard .

[MICK/GILLY]

Yes, braking is a valuable tool in the cyclists possession. For it to be effective whenever bad defects appears ahead, requires enough stopping distance (which of course depends on a bikes speed).

However, expecting every rider to spot every hole in time and 'slam on', then wait at the side e.g. for traffic to clear, at every pothole is asking a lot. After all, there may be no traffic behind, so stopping at every hole (if that's what you're hinting at) would be extremely time-consuming!

Myself, I scan the surface well head constantly, invariably moving out into the centre of the lane in good time. I may remain in the centre for some distance, depending on length of any particular series of defects. Whilst traffic behind might not appreciate my doing so, it does keep me safe. Having said that, I can still get caught out on occasions (e.g. going fast downhill) and will have to swerve at the last moment.

Paragraph one ..don’t go too fast, if you want to go fast get a motorbike .

Paragraph two..be aware of following vehicles, road surfaces and conditions, ride sensibly, safely and stop to let traffic pass if you need to, it’s no good blaming an accident on a pothole as someone else’s fault. If you need to stop to let traffic pass then do so it’s not a race and you could spend more time waiting in AE or the spinal unit .

Paragraph three. .be aware of your surroundings especially what is behind you, look back before and after a manoeuvre and don’t surprise or hinder other road users by blocking their path or unexpectedly swerving in front of them.
And remember you are not a real vehicle you are only on a bit of twig thin metal with weak wheels that you could lift above your head with one hand and very vulnerable . So be careful and stay safe .

[sandGroundZero]

Yea I get it, I am always looking out for cyclists on my inside when turning left or pedestrians running out past busses in front of me as the lights change, I am quite paranoid or experienced enough to get that but how many times have you been behind a cyclist and they have been weaving in and out around parked cars without looking behind them and then suddenly they (without looking) decide to go right into the centre of the carriageway in front of you to turn right and then just turn, sometimes they may signal after they have moved over sometimes not.
Yea predict the unpredictable, expect the unexpected maybe cars should be fitted with crystal balls as standard .

1. don’t go too fast, if you want to go fast get a motorbike
2. be aware of following vehicles, road surfaces and conditions, ride sensibly, safely and stop to let traffic pass if you need to, it’s no good blaming an accident on a pothole as someone else’s fault. If you need to stop to let traffic pass then do so it’s not a race and you could spend more time waiting in AE or the spinal unit .
3. be aware of your surroundings especially what is behind you, look back before and after a manoeuvre and don’t surprise or hinder other road users by blocking their path or unexpectedly swerving in front of them.

…And remember you are not a real vehicle you are only on a bit of twig thin metal with weak wheels that you could lift above your head with one hand and very vulnerable . So be careful and stay safe .

Typically, motor vehicle operators presume priority over road users they deem to be obstructing their privileged progress. Few things irk them more than a confident cyclist claiming roadway.

Cyclists must be looking ahead for dangerous road surfaces; looking behind for motor vehicles; and otherwise be omniscient vis-à-vis motorised carriages (lest they be crushed!)

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Table of proposed changes to The Highway Code

Hierarchy of Road Users
The ‘Hierarchy of Road Users’ is a concept that places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy. The hierarchy does not remove the need for everyone to behave responsibly. The road users most likely to be injured in the event of a collision are pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists, with children, older adults and disabled people being more at risk.

[local]

For confident think stupid, I know that on my bike confidence does not even up the risk
The same as on foot I am risk averse and avoid all vehicles I do not want my "rights" to lead me too a severe injury or death.

In my car whatever my "rights" I avoid contact and risk preferring to slow down or stop just as on my bike

[The PNP]

Typically, motor vehicle operators presume priority over road users they deem to be obstructing their privileged progress. Few things irk them more than a confident cyclist claiming roadway.

Unfortunately, that is so often the case. Although there are those who drive to a higher standard, holding well back till there's a safe opportunity to pass with care....A pity all
motorists can't be that good.

[sandGroundZero]

For confident think stupid, I know that on my bike confidence does not even up the risk

…confident = stupid may be appropriate for you, local .

…but not generally.

The same as on foot I am risk averse and avoid all vehicles I do not want my "rights" to lead me too a severe injury or death.
In my car whatever my "rights" I avoid contact and risk preferring to slow down or stop just as on my bike

Your regular allusions to your cycling never fail to conceal your (all too prevalent) bias, evident among many motorized road users, namely that bicyclists are low in the heirarchy of road users; a nuisance to be suffered by motorists. I trust you will absorb the

Table of proposed changes to The Highway Code

…evidently those are intended for road users like yourself.

[MICK/GILLY]

For confident think stupid, I know that on my bike confidence does not even up the risk
The same as on foot I am risk averse and avoid all vehicles I do not want my "rights" to lead me too a severe injury or death.

In my car whatever my "rights" I avoid contact and risk preferring to slow down or stop just as on my bike

I agree with this.

My previous statements are just common sense and obvious safety tips to stay alive mostly gained from motorcycle training courses and compulsory knowledge for any vehicle test . .

[sandGroundZero]

I agree with this.
My previous statements are just common sense and obvious safety tips to stay alive mostly gained from motorcycle training courses and compulsory knowledge for any vehicle test . .

Too many motorists' "common sense " amounts to relegating bicyclists to the gutters, or worse. Small wonder some adult cyclists never progress beyond riding on the footpath.

[MICK/GILLY]

Too many motorists' "common sense " amounts to relegating bicyclists to the gutters, or worse. Small wonder some adult cyclists never progress beyond riding on the footpath.

Well said, I totally agree, common sense at last . Now if I had said that I would have got abuse for it .

[The PNP]

Well said, I totally agree, common sense at last . Now if I had said that I would have got abuse for it .

Taking to the pavement is in fact an 'unofficial' right of every cyclist, when done out of fear of traffic.....Chief Constables were instructed by Govt to permit it, providing it's done with regard to other users, i.e. peds.

[MICK/GILLY]

Well you will live longer on the pavement, I agree and support your statement. The phrase “too many motorists “ just translates into the general consensus or that’s what every motorist thinks. .

[The PNP]

Well you will live longer on the pavement, I agree and support your statement. The phrase “too many motorists “ just translates into the general consensus or that’s what every motorist thinks. .

In my experience, when riding (responsibly) on a pavement, the Police here are happy enough leave you alone, except for thronged areas like Lord Street....Ride on the pavement there at your peril!

Having said that, there are very few places in the area where I feel the need to use a pavement anyway. Where I do exercise that 'right', is on fast (50-60mph) out of town A-roads. I'll choose a quiet back route away from that type of road whenever possible, but sometimes there's no choice, e.g. riding from Preston towards Warton on A563/A584.

[sandGroundZero]

Too many motorists' "common sense" amounts to relegating bicyclists to the gutters, or worse. …

Well you will live longer on the pavement, I agree and support your statement. The phrase “too many motorists “ just translates into the general consensus or that’s what every motorist thinks. .

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"The (so-called) 'common sense ' of too many motorists amounts to relegating …"

— NOT "the general consensus"; NOT "that's what every motorist thinks" — but certainly, enough motorists to make bicycling unnecessarily hazardous!

…and off-putting for millions who might benefit from bicycling their local journeys.

Anyone who thinks relegating cyclists to the gutters, or the footpaths, resolves the dangers for cyclists; or that that settles the disputes that crop up endlessly in this forum is clearly part of the problem.