“The AA aren’t advising people not to drive”: Cyclists react to British Cycling’s state funeral advice; Drivers blast lorry-drafting cyclists; Riding primary: more harm than good?; NI minister “reneged” on active travel; Kangaroos + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
“The AA aren’t advising people not to drive”: Cyclists react to British Cycling’s state funeral guidance
As you all probably know by now, British Cycling moved swiftly yesterday evening to remove a somewhat controversial piece of advice, placed on its website shortly after Queen Elizabeth II’s death on Thursday, which “strongly recommended” that all cyclists in Great Britain should avoid riding their bikes during Monday’s state funeral.
The national governing body’s rapid U-turn on Bank Holiday leisure cycling – which only came after a furious online backlash, of course, and doesn’t apply to extremely disrespectful club rides – has nevertheless failed to appease cyclists across the country, many of whom believe that the “damage was done” following the initial ‘advice’.
> British Cycling removes advice telling members not to ride during funeral for Queen Elizabeth II
This evening, we’ve revised our guidance for cycling events and activities on Monday 19 September.
Read more: https://t.co/Q5vG08Fcdj pic.twitter.com/ti0lAcPJi1
— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) September 13, 2022
To kick things off this overcast Wednesday, I thought I’d round up some of the reaction to British Cycling’s mark of respect/PR disaster.
Under our story yesterday, road.cc reader Mark Skinner summed up the general feeling within the cycling community to the governing body’s advice, writing: “I’m looking forward to the RAC’s ‘guidance’ telling motorists not to drive.”
eburtthebike concurred, describing British Cycling’s decisions as “utterly absurd, complete twaddle and well beyond their remit.
“This is just pandering to the jingoistic populist patriotic DM reading elements in society and will gain absolutely no respect from anyone.
“The Queen was the patron of Cycling UK and they have made no such comment, so I’m grateful I’m a member of them, not BC.
“Has the RAC or AA suggested that nobody drive at those times?”
Steve K, alluding to the viewpoint that the advice was based on the potential for backlash against cyclists seen riding outside on Monday, asked: “Surely anyone who might be hostile to cyclists riding at the time of the funeral will themselves be inside watching the funeral, so unaware of any cyclists out and about?”
On Twitter, where one user memorably described the advice as “worthy of the Stasi”, the reaction was as equally bemused:
This is so weird. Lots of people will need to use their bike to get to work etc. how many more times do we need to say – bikes are transport, not just a hobby!
— Charlotte Baker (@charlie_baker23) September 13, 2022
This whole mess just shows that BC sees cycling as sport rather than transport. They had to be schooled on this. https://t.co/Vg6QNLvP5W
— A Critique of Pure Treason (@SpacePootler) September 14, 2022
Meanwhile, at least one ‘car free day’ has been cancelled, because of it. Makes no sense at all.
— Chris Hopkinson (@chromaphotog) September 13, 2022
This is dangerously stupid from British Cycling. They’ve just told every flagshagging driver that anyone on a bike at that time is an unpatriotic rebel.
— Gordon Struth (@gordon_struth) September 13, 2022
How many senior people signed off the original guidance? What remains is ridiculous enough but did they think they could command everyone who owns a bike to leave it alone? Anyone riding is getting even more grief from drivers on Monday now.
— Julian Burke (@JoolsBurke) September 13, 2022
Actually its even worse because having put the original message, people with an anti-cycling viewpoint will see it as an excuse to villify anybody out cycling on Monday – the retraction does nothing to change that
— Paul Sheen (@sheenyp1970) September 14, 2022
And, finally, on a lighter (if slightly obvious) note:
But, but I thought Queen wanted to ride their bicycle? pic.twitter.com/1bXF9pTrbp
— Spiderkebab (@spiderkebab) September 13, 2022
‘Why don’t cyclists use the cycle lanes?’, part 1,386
BMW (what else?) dangerously parked on one of the fastest parts of the N11 cycle lane where cyclists are often overtaking. Refuses to move – “go around”. @dublincycling @dlrcycling pic.twitter.com/btFt8t3X5G
— Steve (@SBInaShui) September 13, 2022
Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders winner Niki Terpstra announces retirement
Niki Terpstra, the winner of the 2014 edition of Paris-Roubaix and the 2018 Tour of Flanders, has announced that he will retire from professional cycling at the end of the season.
However, the 38-year-old TotalEnergies rider, who made the announcement on his Instagram page, has hinted that he will continue racing in 2023, perhaps in a different discipline.
“At the end of this season, I will retire from professional road cycling,” he said in the video.
“Ever since I was eight, I’ve been obsessed with cycling. I imagined cycling in the big races. I’ve managed to cycle them all and be victorious at my dream races.
“My career is filled with extreme highs and lows and, with everyone who has supported me, family, friends, fans, we can be proud of what we’ve achieved. I still love cycling and I will continue doing that but in a different way.”
After turning pro with Milram in 2007, the Dutch cobbled classics specialist spent the most successful years of his career in the colours of Belgian team Quick Step, where he enjoyed a spectacularly successful 2014 season, winning the Tour of Qatar, Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Queen of the Classics, Paris-Roubaix.
Despite another stunning year in 2018, which saw him take the E3 Harelbeke-Tour of Flanders double in the spring, Terpstra left Quick Step for TotalEnergies, where he failed to live up to his past successes despite the full backing of the French squad.
“Go do Worlds in Australia they said, it would be fun they said…”: Kangaroo takes out cyclist
First swooping magpies, now kangaroos targeting cyclists – No wonder Tom Pidcock didn’t fancy racing the road worlds in Australia this year…
Anyone adding this to your bingo card for the 🌈 #Wollongong2022 https://t.co/VAtWmmoYEc
— John Maguire 🇺🇦 (@velo_bristol) September 14, 2022
That is the reason rogla won’t compete for 🌈 shirt this year.
— Jure Bracun (@PharmaAsk) September 14, 2022
When a Rapha rider rides past you without saying anything. #justice @ginevragarga @100Climbs pic.twitter.com/LecA1IeYXN
— Embarrassed (@embarrassed45) September 14, 2022
While most cycling fans responded to the video by speculating (jokingly, I may add) about whether the potential of animal attacks was the real reason behind the absence of some top names from this month’s Wollongong worlds, one Spanish-speaking Twitter user noted the reckless nature of the kangaroo’s attempted overtake, where he pointed out that “the 1.5m distance was conspicuous by its absence”…
Pues el 1.5m brilla por su ausencia.
— Oscar Aguilera (@coqui10910) September 12, 2022
AbsoluteBlack or AbsoluteCharred?
Ah, now we know why AbsoluteBlack’s new disc brake pads (featured on yesterday’s blog) cost so much, it’s all starting to make sense…
Proper engineering, that.
“A classic case of ‘wear helmet, cannot think’”: Drivers criticise lorry-drafting cyclists
We’re heading across to Singapore this lunchtime, where a group of cyclists were filmed getting a sneaky draft from a lorry on the West Coast Highway, one of the Southeast Asian country’s major arterial roads:
Unsurprisingly, as the video was posted on Facebook, the drafting/foolhardy [delete as appropriate] cyclists have drawn the ire of some angry keyboard-wielding motorists.
One Facebook user blasted what he deemed “cyclists’ entitlement these days”, writing: “Lorry brakes, all bang on the lorry and get injured. Later they’ll ask for compensation from the lorry company.”
Another commenter described the situation as a “classic example of ‘wear helmet cannot think’”.
“Peanut brain, even my dog knows to never follow behind big trucks or containers,” typed one, while another said they would have “no sympathy for them when they get crushed”.
For those of you earnestly clutching your bingo cards, a Facebook user (not Grant Shapps) argued that it would be “fair for all drivers” if cyclists were forced to have number plates, so they can be summoned “next time they tailgate behind a vehicle or cycle dangerously”.
Someone was going to mention number plates at some point, even in Singapore where, incidentally, the country’s Senior Minister of State for Transport, Chee Hong Tat, ‘pulled a Shapps’ last year by suggesting that cyclists could require licences following a review of cycling safety laws…
“Astana’s biggest win of this season”
Astana’s biggest win of this season https://t.co/cBh8U97VwD
— Peter Cossins (@petercossins) September 14, 2022
Vino’s anonymous rap crew have only picked up two victories outside Kazakhstan in 2022, so will surely take any win they can get this year.
The rap was the high point who can forget “we’re pushing pedals for the gold medals”
— William Fotheringham (@willfoth) September 14, 2022
I’m not sure the Grammys ever got back to them, mind you…
Set your alarms…
Yeah this is gonna be a struggle. I might catch the TTs 😂 the elite RRs are gonna be tough #Wollongong2022 https://t.co/m7DIU0rkkv
— Tim Bonville-Ginn (@TimBonvilleGinn) September 14, 2022
Hands up, who’s going to attempt to watch every minute of every race?
No one? No one at all?
Sinn Féin minister “neglecting Northern Ireland’s future” and “locking us all into a fossil-fuelled dark age”, says Cycling UK
Cycling UK has criticised Sinn Féin MLA and Minister for Infrastructure, John O’Dowd, for appearing to renege on a pre-election pledge to introduce an Active Travel Act in Northern Ireland.
In the run-up to May’s Northern Ireland Assembly election, the cycling charity sought pledges from all candidates to support investment in cycling, walking and wheeling through the implementation of an Active Travel Act. This campaign secured the support of 53 percent of the elected MLAs, including Sinn Féin’s O’Dowd, who took over the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) role following the election, replacing the outgoing SDLP MLA Nichola Mallon in the devolved executive.
Cycling UK says that such an Act, mirroring similar ground-breaking legislation in Wales, would enshrine a commitment in government policy to enable more cycling and walking.
However, in a letter sent to Cycling UK by O’Dowd’s office last month, the minister pledged his commitment “to consider taking forward legislation to support active travel, not to an Active Travel Act per se.”
While the Assembly is currently in deadlock due to the DUP’s opposition to the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol, since taking office O’Dowd has approved two new road building projects and has guaranteed funding for a Greenway Project established by Mallon.
He has also decided to launch the third consultation in the space of a year concerning a trial cycle lane on the Limestone and Cavehill roads in Belfast, viewed by active travel advocates as key to delivering a proper cycling network in the city. However, those campaigners have been highly critical of the DfI’s approach to the project, which they say has been needlessly delayed through repeated consultations which fail to yield any new information.
Heading down to enjoy the #MaritimeFestival. The Cavehill Rd/Limestone Rd cycle lane can’t come soon enough 😁😁 pic.twitter.com/0rDMAx73k0
— Meg Hoyt (@Meghoyt1) September 4, 2021
In a statement released today, Andrew McClean, Cycling UK’s spokesperson in Northern Ireland, said: “Minister O’Dowd, who is responsible for our roads and the way we move, is dithering and locking us all into future car dependency. In rejecting his pre-election promise of support for an Active Travel Act he is neglecting Northern Ireland’s future as he locks us all into a fossil-fuelled dark age.
“Across Northern Ireland, we’re facing the burden of a cost-of-living crisis with driving an expensive necessity for many. Making cycling and walking more accessible gives us all a choice, a choice to make cheaper, healthier and more environmentally friendly trips for those local essential journeys.
“It’s baffling the Minister and his department can’t see the short and long-term benefits of encouraging more cycling and walking.”
While Cycling UK says they recognise that the current impasse at Stormont has made it more difficult to ensure progress on cycling and walking issues, the charity claims that active travel is still being ignored to the detriment of the residents of Northern Ireland.
“To date Cycling UK has received flimsy excuses as to why the Minister is doing nothing to help people travel cheaply,” said McClean.
“He’s signed off on new road schemes, so the very least he could do is begin scoping or beginning the consultation process on an Active Travel Act.”
road.cc makes Grieve Watch
Disrespecting the Queen is as easy as riding a bike. https://t.co/HabefWKNGR
— GrieveWatch (@GrieveWatch) September 13, 2022
Primary position: Does it do more harm than good?
Does riding in primary position – i.e. “in the centre of the leftmost moving traffic lane for the direction in which you wish to travel”, according to cycling skills manual Cyclecraft – do more harm than good?
> Monday moaning: Why don’t cyclists stick to the left of the lane?
Well, transport planner Dermot Hanney thinks so, and argued on Twitter this morning that pushing cyclists in general to adopt primary position on the roads only helps create friction with motorists and could potentially discourage less confident cyclists.
Here’s what he had to say:
Pushing primary position cycling as far as I’m concerned does more harm than good. I get the theory, it’s just that in practice it doesn’t work. Drivers get irate / it puts off less confident people cycling. It’s not a formula to lead to more cycling of all ages/abilities.
— Dermot Hanney (@HanneyDP) September 14, 2022
Most people cycling just want an easy life and an enjoyable ride but no matter how correct you are in taking primary position it invariably leads to conflict with drivers. I don’t really see a short term fix but longer term it needs to be removed as a design crutch/get out clause
— Dermot Hanney (@HanneyDP) September 14, 2022
If people want to take primary position cycling go ahead but I just don’t feel it should be pushed as only way to cycle on traffic heavy roads. Ultimately we need to speed up infra and design to stop it being a needed thing at all.
— Dermot Hanney (@HanneyDP) September 14, 2022
Hanney’s Twitter thread kicked off a rather interesting debate on the pros and cons of primary, featuring a wide variety of opinion on the subject:
I understand your point but cycling in the gutter encourages close passes and causes fatalities.
— CHIEF WIGGUM CYCLIST (@UKCYCLIST) September 14, 2022
It should really only be required for finite periods at specific locations – it’s not intended to be the default position cyclists should take in the road.
— StickyBottle.com 💚 🚲 (@sticky_bottle) September 14, 2022
Being a marshal, on numerous cycle rides, it is clear that ‘occasional cyclists’ ( who do not want to annoy car drivers) often cycle too close to car doors & move in and out around parked cars. Plus ride too far into the gutter. This is often more dangerous for them.
— EastbourneEcoTransport (@EcoTransportEB) September 14, 2022
If this is the only defensive option, then cycling levels will never increase. It’s a desperate tactic to avoid being run over.
— Mounsey. (@rosemeyer1939) September 14, 2022
Horses for courses.
At times, riding primary is absolutely necessary. It’s not a position that should be held, come what may, and it’s not something that should be binned either.
Teaching people when it’s necessary is key.
— Your Average Joe (@FrankleyMan) September 14, 2022
What do you think?
MVDP vs. Girmay, the second leg
Sure if this guy did his jacket up he’d be more aero..
Doubt he’ll make any waves in the peloton anytime soon #GrandPrixdeWallonie22 pic.twitter.com/NloFL9KeL8— John Maguire 🇺🇦 (@velo_bristol) September 14, 2022
A not-very-aero but still brutally effective Mathieu van der Poel renewed his springtime rivalry with Biniam Girmay, beating the 22-year-old Eritrean on the uphill drag to the line at this afternoon’s Grand Prix de Wallonie.
HUGE effort! What a win 🤩pic.twitter.com/m06DFQXshg
— Alpecin-Deceuninck Cycling Team (@AlpecinDCK) September 14, 2022
While both MVDP and Girmay look in ominous form ahead of next week’s road worlds in Wollongong (those two and Van Aert for the rainbow stripes? Now that’s a mouth-watering prospect), Dylan Teuns’ strong late attack – sniffed out in the closing metres, after breakaway companion Gonzalo Serrano sat on the wheel – proves that the new Israel Premier Tech rider will be one to watch out for in the upcoming autumn classics.
🇸🇰 #TourofSlovakia: Ethan Vernon (QST) wins the first stage in a tight sprint
🥉Giovanni Lonardi achieved a fantastic third place after a great job by the boys in blue
💪🏼Amazing job guys!! pic.twitter.com/9bJgXDdIQC— EoloKometaCyclingTeam (@EoloKometaTeam) September 14, 2022
Meanwhile, at the Tour of Slovakia, 22-year-old Brit Ethan Vernon added to yesterday’s prologue win with a sprint victory in the yellow jersey, ahead of Gleb Syritsa and Giovanni Lonardi.
Not too shabby for the Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl neo pro, who took his maiden professional win at the Volta a Catalunya in March.
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Latest Comments
This isn't a cycle lane - it's a shared use path (a service track with permitted shared use).
@the little onion Absolutely, we must get out of the mindset of just gratefully accepting whatever scraps we're offered which then end up underutilised because they're unsatisfactory and so used as arguments not to build more.
I’m in agreement with the Greens here. We need to actively push back against cycle infrastructure that doesn’t consider personal safety. In West Yorkshire, millions have been ploughed into resurfacing canal towpaths as shared pedestrian/cyclist infrastructure, yet plenty of men, and masses more men, feel distinctly unsafe when commuting at peak hours in winter, when it is dark. Plenty of bits are dodgy in daylight!
@stonechat Why not? Isn't that a bit like drivers moaning about 20mph limits? Sure, if you're a racer in training that could be limiting, but then you shouldn't be using cycle tracks for that anyway. Most commuters, shoppers and leisure cyclists ride around 15 mph anyway and rarely exceed 20 mph on the flat; the path is 16 miles long, so the difference between 15 mph and 20 mph even if you're riding the whole length (which most people won't be, of course) is 64 minutes versus 48 minutes, not enough to make a big difference in anyone's day. My most regular ride of around 16 miles is to my mother's house on heavy-traffic roads across southwest London; due to congestion, traffic lights et cetera it usually takes me about 50-55 minutes. If someone offered me a completely motor-traffic-free path for the whole distance on condition that I took an extra 10 minutes for the ride I'd bite their hand off!
I. Wouldn’t use a cycle lane with a 15mph limit
Perfectly enjoyable ceilidh music (and gone on my playlist for later) but somewhat disappointing that it's not actually Shands in the Hendrix stylee - I really want to hear *that* band now.
Yeah - it was more the bit about skipping queens I didn't get, seeding as there's as many of those as any of the others.
Clickbait headline much? As is often the case, the Greens oppose a lacklustre proposal in favour of something more fit for purpose (see "Affordable" housing vs Social housing) and the media report it as blunt oppose. I was on the LCC Womens' Network Freedom to ride ride a few years back in London and yeah, just because a cycle route is lit, it doesn't make it feel safe. Disappointing headline from RoadCC.
In which case can I recommend the Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience giving it some with the squeeze box on their "Foxy Laddie"?
@mdavidford Yes, equally spread but I think if I were Sepp Kuss (if only) I might be saying, "Hello? Only GT winner - in this very race to boot - and I get the lowest ranked card?"
36 thoughts on ““The AA aren’t advising people not to drive”: Cyclists react to British Cycling’s state funeral advice; Drivers blast lorry-drafting cyclists; Riding primary: more harm than good?; NI minister “reneged” on active travel; Kangaroos + more on the live blog”
Agree with the tweet quoted
Agree with the tweet quoted above, that this whole episode has demonstrated that BC see cycling from a sporting perspective rather than a transport perspective…
Er… isn’t that their remit?
Er… isn’t that their remit? For cycling in the broader sense try Cycling UK. (Member initially for 3rd party insurance and legal support reasons but happy to back them anyway!)
Fair enough. I’d sort of
Fair enough. I’d sort of assumed that BC and CUK were each trying to be national cycling organisations (“That’s the chapel I don’t go to!”).
chrisonatrike wrote:
Not according to their own website – “The organisation oversees all forms of cycling in Britain. Whether you are a competitor in one of the six sporting disciplines, (BMX, mountain bike, cyclo-cross, road, track and cycle speedway) a personal challenge rider, a commuter or a leisurely weekend rider, we are committed to helping you enjoy cycling.” I think a clear distinction of the type you suggest would be a good thing.
Glad British Cycling have
Glad British Cycling have seen sense. I can personally think of no better way of paying my respects than quiet reflection while passing through this beautiful countryside of ours on a bicycle.
Strangely I suspect the AA &
Strangely I suspect the AA & RAC will probably advise people not to drive into London on the day of the funeral,or where there are local arrangements, alot of towns & cities are setting up public screenings of the funeral. And there is already travel advice for use of the railways and from TfL for guidance during the mourning period.
I dont feel I need to be appeased by BC, because I was neither furious or outraged by their guidance, I simply noted it.
But there you go I often feel the reaction to exaggerate everything thousandfold for social media clicks is far more disrespectful than the initial error of judgement.
BC corrected the guidance very quickly, my advice would be just keep calm and carry on.
Awavey wrote:
You are quite possibly correct; however, the distinction is that any advice not to drive (or other travel advice) will no doubt be couched entirely in terms of practicalities – i.e. roads may be closed, trains may be busy, schedules may be changed etc (much like the advice given around other major events).
I very much doubt there will be any suggestion that the mere act of driving is somehow disrespectful or inappropriate during a period of mourning.
“the mere act of driving is (
“the mere act of driving is (…) disrespectful or inappropriate”
Words to live by 😉
Well as we are choosing to
Well as we are choosing to debate the since REMOVED advice to the nth degree, and seem to have totally lost the capability to interpret for ourselves and require everything to be spelled out.
I would argue the specific distinction you are making was not added as a qualifier to either the statement “Has the RAC or AA suggested that nobody drive at those times?” or “The AA arent advising people not to drive”
So how are we supposed to know that in this context those statements accept the AA & RAC will offer practical travel advice about not travelling ?
And since BC never explained the reasons for their initial,but since REMOVED, guidance, how can we assume it had anything to do with BC concerns about cycling being disrespectful or inappropriate during the specific times of the funeral, maybe they assumed there were practical reasons, ie roads may closed, schedules may be changed, much like the advice given around other major events…
And we are of course in the period of mourning now, and BCs guidance for that remains unchanged as far as I can tell, it was specific to the funeral.
Awavey wrote:
It was ridiculously ill-advised advice that should never have been conceived, never mind published.
But that it was published by an organisation that supposedly works on behalf of people who ride is very concerning.
Overreaction on social media (and road.cc comments section) is a sign of these fractious times but it is really, really unhelpful that BC may have provided fuel to people who have an irrational dislike of other people because they are riding bicycles.
OnYerBike wrote:
It’s just a matter of time until they cancel the funeral out of respect for the queen
hawkinspeter wrote:
I did see an article on a tabloid news site this morning, outraged about how one of the morning TV programmes was out talking to people queuing for the coffin and offering them doughnuts, and – and they were talking normally and even laughing, as if it was a normal queue rather than a sacred and holy event…
Well, we had to be
Well, we had to be respectfully behaved in 1987 to view the body of Mao Tse Tung through several inches of glass, and he’d been dead for 11 years. Didn’t even get to take a photo of the ghoulish green apparition before us.
Fair enough – Kim Il Sung is
Fair enough – Kim Il Sung is still president in North Korea so why should we be outdone?
Meanwhile, good news! The BBC
Meanwhile, good news! The BBC are going to run a livestream of the Queen’s coffin!
SimoninSpalding wrote:
Deadstream, surely?
hawkinspeter wrote:
I was going to say “Too Soon!” but it’s never too soon for quality black humour.
For some reason I am
For some reason I am envisaging an update every evening on BBC2 with Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan talking about the “highlights”.
What sort of updates are the
What sort of updates are the BBC expecting to see? It’s a box, in a big room, guarded by soldiers. It’s not like the box is going to open or something (“Surpriiiise!”, cries a laughing monarch to her disappointed son).
Too soon?
brooksby wrote:
I’ll probably spend my nineties working on the custom animatronics that will allow me (my corpse) to do this.
Perhaps a better question
Perhaps a better question would be; are the Ramblers Association telling people not to go on a hike?
The people who think nobody
The people who think nobody should go out on the 19th for anything pleasure related will not be out to see those that do go out, sounds like a kind of nirvana where you only meet people enjoying themselves.
With almost everything being
With almost everything being closed, it might be like lockdown, but with a more republican tinge…
Many top end cycling shoes –
Many top end cycling shoes – including Sidi, Bont, Lake, Vittoria and others – use kangaroo leather, perhaps Skippy has just been biding his time until the best in the world gather on his continent and now he will have his vengeance.
Hirzl use it for the palms on
Hirzl use it for the palms on their cycling gloves.
Sounds wonderful, providing grip even when wet.
But I don’t know if it will take the regular machine washing I have to give my cycling gear.
Meh. I draft lorries all the
Meh. I draft lorries all the time on my commute. I never get overlly close, but enough to benefit from the pull.
Sanshelmut wrote:
The perhaps not completely obvious danger is something in the road (tyre carcass, dead animal, brick, 6″ deep pothole) that the lorry can drive right over with no trouble at all, will suddenly appear in front of you from under the lorry. I hope you’re at least a few seconds back.
Aye, that’s very true and i’m
Aye, that’s very true and i’m aware of those problems (i just didn’t type them out). Some lorries (I live near a prominent cargo port) you can see fairly fair underneith them, I don;t go anywhere near the ones carrying loose materials (concrete lorries, waste metal recycling, hardcore, etc) and I know exactly where all the potholes are (even after they resurfaced it).
“Pushing primary position
“Pushing primary position cycling as far as I’m concerned does more harm than good. I get the theory, it’s just that in practice it doesn’t work. Drivers get irate…”
Drivers who get irate behind the wheel of a car are not fit to drive and should hand in their licence.
Re ‘Why don’t cyclists use
Re ‘Why don’t cyclists use the cycle lanes?’, part 1,386 , this section is part of my commute in Dublin , it’s a 6 lane dual carriageway , downhill section, easily 35-40 kph on bike . I occasionally come across cars pulled in there awaiting someone from a bus, or dropping off a family member. Most drivers in fairness stay out of the bike lane. Unfortunately there is no enforcement by the police , so the handful of offenders know there is v unlikely to be any consequence for them for parking up in the lane, and i am sure they think a “sure i’m only pulling in for a short while ” and a smile will placate any discommoded cyclist. I have given up challenging them , unless i have my 11 year daughter with me, when i absolutely will make the point on safety gorunds
To the geniuses who say
To the geniuses who say cyclists should stick to the left of the lane: shut up. There is a very simple reason Bikeability stage 2 (basically immediately you take a child and teach them to use the road) teaches them to use primary: it is essential for safety. Even if there are some cases where secondary position is recommended, primary position is required to perform basic manouvres safely (turning for example) and is recommended for others (approaching junctions, etc). Furthermore please check where secondary position is, because it’s not where you think it is!
RE primary position.
RE primary position.
This blog may be of interest: https://departmentfortransport.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/fuck-you-john-franklin/
My two cents: I would certainly agree that “it’s not a formula to lead to more cycling of all ages/abilities” and “we need to speed up infra and design to stop it being a needed thing at all.”
BUT, in the meantime, advocating primary position in certain circumstances, or at the very least a more assertive secondary position at all times (1m+ from the kerb) can improve safety and reduce close passes. I absolutely understand that some people feel uncomfortable taking an assertive position on the road, but in my opinion that discomfort is less than the discomfort that results from closs passes.
I would also say (again, solely on my annectodal experience) the fear that drivers will become irate if you take an assertive position is overblown, and if people tried it they would find they have, overall, a more positive experience.
I would be quite happy to
I would be quite happy to keep to the LHS of the road IF overtaking vehicles would give me enough space when overtaking and make allowance for the fact that I may want to avoid potholes. Afterall I don’t like having an impatient driver behind me anymore than they like being delayed by a cyclist.
However:-
If there is enough room for a Fiat Uno to overtake safely then a SUV will squeeze through.
If there is enough room for a SUV to overtake safely then a Transit will squeeze through.
If there is enough room for a Transit to overtake safely then a HGV will squeeze through.
etc.
Take Prime or Prime+ when you need to.
That bit of road to your left is your safety margin and escape route.
Who would have thought that
Who would have thought that Sinn Féin would prioritise something that burns well, creates smoke and sometimes kills people over cycling eh?
Who would have thought the
Who would have thought the DUP would be anti democratic? Obviously everyone knows they are brexthick but anti democratic too? Who would have thought it.
BIRMINGHAMisaDUMP wrote:
I thought I was on safe ground putting down what was the political wing of a terrorist group and is now seemingly not very pro cycling but you still found a way of making it about Brexit. Well done, kudos to you,