[Shades]

Have a mate who is part of our wider cycling gang; he’s taken early retirement and heard he was really frustrated with the Covid restrictions as he has a small holiday flat in Germany and can’t pursue his various plans.  My comment was why hadn’t he gone out on some long rides etc; then I was told he’d stopped, because he was sick of UK roads (safety), and was just going to cycle when he’s out in Germany (which he always raves about).  I was initially bemused but then, having almost being totalled on 2 rides recently (oncoming driver speeding on a lane and another speeding/not paying attention whilst I was trying to turn right off an A road; I’ve really lost my nerve when trying that manoeuvre), I kind of sympathised.  Realised that pre-WFH etc a lot of my miles were commuting on the Bristol/Bath bike path and quiet urban roads, so I was probably slightly cossetted.  I generally steer clear of A roads but, mid-week especially, the roads are like the wild-west post lockdown.  Apart from group rides I’ve now got front/back cameras so I could hardly criticise my mate for just being aware of his own mortality.

Topic

[hawkinspeter]

Captain Badger wrote:

hirsute wrote:

Got one of these recently https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/accessories/cateye-bm45-bar-end-mirror/

HP also has one

Thanks for the recommendation. How have you found it to use? 

I think it’s great. Been using it for IIRC a couple of years and once you’ve got it in just the right place, a quick glance down can give you an idea of what’s behind you. I use it for general situational awareness and more specifically for when I’m planning a rightwards maneouvre – if it looks clear, you can then do a shoulder check to make sure.

What I’ve found with handlebar mirrors is that you really need to get the position absolutely correct for them to be effective and the Cateye allows easy adjustment (tap/bump it to move it a little bit) whilst riding. As it’s on the end of the handlebar, I often inadvertently move it whilst locking up the bike etc. so it’s great to be able to notice that it’s not right whilst riding and get it back in the most useful position within a few seconds.

[Captain Badger]

hirsute wrote:

Got one of these recently https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/accessories/cateye-bm45-bar-end-mirror/

HP also has one

Thanks for the recommendation. How have you found it to use? 

[Hirsute]

Got one of these recently

Got one of these recently https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/accessories/cateye-bm45-bar-end-mirror/

HP also has one

[Captain Badger]

wtjs wrote:

The police have done their usual ” we may do one of these 4 things” As usual I’ve asked for clarification, and stated that I believe that this is intimidation and not a victimless crime.

1. When they won’t tell you, it means they have ‘had a word with the driver’, unless they couldn’t be bothered.
2. It is intimidation. It’s just that the police either don’t care, or think you deserve all you get for ‘disrespecting motorists’.
3. I had photographic evidence of driver of Transit GU69 UUL stopping on the A6 at the Garstang lights, reversing back towards me, then threatening to ‘sort me out’ for filming people crashing red lights. As usual in Lancashire, no response to online incident report.
4. I just had a Cycling Mikey indication- he’s done it again with a 6 month disqualification and a big fine, but the Met makes Lancashire Constabulary look like the hopeless See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil merchants they are.

That must be so frustrating, I’ve seen you post about this on a few occasions. My experience with Herts is that they do follow through with what they say, it’s just hard to get specific confirmation. With pushing I’ve had copies of letters they’ve forwarded in the past, and there’s a couple of friendly coppers in the office who will go through stuff if you call in, so I’m inclined to believe them that they have taken action. So as frustrated as I am, I can imagine how infuriating your situation is

[Captain Badger]

HoarseMann wrote:

HoarseMann wrote:

I’ve had a couple like this over the years, so can sympathise. One saw me hang the bike up for 6 months and the other 9 months. Back on it now though and cameras every ride.

I try not to react to these incidents now, but it’s tough if the adrenaline puts you in fight/flight mode. Even raising a hand or shaking your head in disapproval risks escalating the situation and you really don’t know the state of mind of the person you are dealing with.

One of my coping strategies is to be hyper aware of all that’s going on, using a mirror to keep tabs on vehicles approaching from the rear. Trying to predict poor driving and feeling like I’m more in control if I was expecting it. Submitting only the worst incidents to the police, for what it’s worth.

It’s rarely constructive replying back to any verbal abuse. You’re unlikely to end up in a civilised debate or change their view/behaviour in that moment. They’re looking for a reaction, so don’t give them one.

Thanks HM, yes you’re right. Have been considering use of mirror for a while. It’s a good shout, take some of the surprise away, flatten out the adrenaline peak.
You’te right about the reaction too, a technique I must master.

[HoarseMann]

I’ve had a couple like this

I’ve had a couple like this over the years, so can sympathise. One saw me hang the bike up for 6 months and the other 9 months. Back on it now though and cameras every ride.

I try not to react to these incidents now, but it’s tough if the adrenaline puts you in fight/flight mode. Even raising a hand or shaking your head in disapproval risks escalating the situation and you really don’t know the state of mind of the person you are dealing with.

One of my coping strategies is to be hyper aware of all that’s going on, using a mirror to keep tabs on vehicles approaching from the rear. Trying to predict poor driving and feeling like I’m more in control if I was expecting it. Submitting only the worst incidents to the police, for what it’s worth.

It’s rarely constructive replying back to any verbal abuse. You’re unlikely to end up in a civilised debate or change their view/behaviour in that moment. They’re looking for a reaction, so don’t give them one.

[wtjs]

The police have done their

The police have done their usual ” we may do one of these 4 things” As usual I’ve asked for clarification, and stated that I believe that this is intimidation and not a victimless crime.

1. When they won’t tell you, it means they have ‘had a word with the driver’, unless they couldn’t be bothered.
2. It is intimidation. It’s just that the police either don’t care, or think you deserve all you get for ‘disrespecting motorists’.
3. I had photographic evidence of driver of Transit GU69 UUL stopping on the A6 at the Garstang lights, reversing back towards me, then threatening to ‘sort me out’ for filming people crashing red lights. As usual in Lancashire, no response to online incident report.
4. I just had a Cycling Mikey indication- he’s done it again with a 6 month disqualification and a big fine, but the Met makes Lancashire Constabulary look like the hopeless See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil merchants they are.

[Captain Badger]

kil0ran wrote:

kil0ran wrote:

My sympathies. Sounds very similar to the incident that made me give up (& my missus is in the same camp as Mrs Badger re where I’m likely to end up giving scrotes a mouthful) I had a couple of sleepless nights over mine and it’s stuck around too. Fortunately it was just before the start of the summer school holidays so very quickly I had plenty to distract me.

Thanks mate, not just me then. Don’t know why this one’s had such an effect.

Police got back in touch to say they’re taking action, but as usual aren’t specifying what. Still it’s something

[kil0ran]

My sympathies. Sounds very
My sympathies. Sounds very similar to the incident that made me give up (& my missus is in the same camp as Mrs Badger re where I’m likely to end up giving scrotes a mouthful)
I had a couple of sleepless nights over mine and it’s stuck around too. Fortunately it was just before the start of the summer school holidays so very quickly I had plenty to distract me.

[Captain Badger]

Having just put in a

Having just put in a complaint to Herts police over intimidation that happened to me last night, Mrs Badger and I were discussing this very topic whilst back at the sett.

Mrs Badger is concerned that my usual policy of giving these idiots a mouth full is going to end with me in hospital or worse. She no longer rides on the road, in spite of using a bike to get around from the age of 12 till well after uni. She wants to ride but is literally too scared – btw, she’s hardly a shrinking violet.

Last night’s incident was hardly the worst I’ve ever received, usual shit about get on the “cycle lane”, and “I pay tax”, with a close pass, pushed towards the gutter, and brake check.

I was much more shaken up than usual, angry but also frustrated and sad – I was just trying to go to a facking violin lesson FCS (there’s an image, a fiddling badger…. make of that what you will). 

The police have done their usual ” we may do one of these 4 things” As usual I’ve asked for clarification, and stated that I believe that this is intimidation and not a victimless crime. As usual I don’t expect clarification without going round the houses (in the past I’ve called into herts and they’ve talked over the phone, but I shouldn’t need to do that).

But I’m tired. I just want to get where I want to go without using a car, but the constant low-level bullying (and sometimes straight out intimidation, threats and attempted assault) is starting to take its toll. What should have been a 10-minute journey has now been an incident and an upload, and has been on my mind now for 12 hours. I don’t want to have to don a go pro every facking ride – It’s literally less than 3 miles, under 15mins. The only reason to do so is that the level of bullying,  intimidation and risk to health is significant.

[Captain Badger]

TheBillder wrote:

TheBillder wrote:

Sad to read that. I think that one way to cope is just to assume sometimes that this stuff will happen and let it wash. You can’t always be on the front line all the time. Some days I get furious and shout and wave. Other days I just count the incidents or give myself a pat on the back if I spot one before it happens. This is not giving up, it’s just realising that constant stress isn’t good for you, and you have a limit. A few days of zen cycling like Ogmios’ driving could help?

Thanks dude. You are right of course. I’m in awe of folk who are able to keep a calm commentary when in the middle of these incidents. Strangely, am more than capable of this when in my car – probably as the issue is less frequent with little danger to lidfe invovled.

Yeah, love Ogmios, could watch his vids for hours

[TheBillder]

Sad to read that.
Sad to read that.

I think that one way to cope is just to assume sometimes that this stuff will happen and let it wash. You can’t always be on the front line all the time. Some days I get furious and shout and wave. Other days I just count the incidents or give myself a pat on the back if I spot one before it happens.

This is not giving up, it’s just realising that constant stress isn’t good for you, and you have a limit. A few days of zen cycling like Ogmios’ driving could help?

[David9694]

Let’s not be “driven” off the

Let’s not be “driven” off the the roads. Very well put, Matthew. I’m more concerned about the unseen many who don’t even start. Turn up at a country park and see families hauling bikes by car, longing to cycle somewhere safely. 

I’m fortunate in that I can chose when I cycle, although I mostly limit myself to about three principal routes. Weekday mornings when I’m not working are great, as as early evenings at this time of year – drivers have all gone home.

Have started running a cheaper camera in recent weeks. Currently I’m as concerned about cars I meet running me off the road as I am about close passes. 

[kil0ran]

I agree with you and realise

I agree with you and realise that I’m still dealing with the trauma of the road rage attack which could easily have killed me on my 50th birthday. Logic doesn’t come into it when you’re traumatised, and I did try the “just get back on the horse” approach but it didn’t work for me. Handed over my last road bike today – a bike I specced, assembled, and upgraded myself, paying attention to every little thing. A bike I thought I’d never sell. And as the new owner wheeled it away I didn’t feel any doubt or regret. Possibly a soupçon of relief but to be honest I didn’t feel anything at all, other than the possibilities offered by the grand in my pocket – a shiny new Scottish hardtail frame arrives on Monday for me to build.

I really hate that I’ve not been able to deal with the road rage attack and effectively I’ve let the bastard win but I was so close to not coming home from that ride.

[matthewn5]

I think this is all too

I think this is all too pessimistic. The statistics are very clear: cycling is less hazardous per hour than walking (marginally), and we’d all walk without a second thought. More importantly, the dangers of NOT cycling – inactivity, obesity, heart disease, cancer, dementia – are much higher than the ‘danger’ of cycling. David Rojas-Rueda’s study* estimated benefits as 77 times higher than the risks; others have since found similar results. We have an syndemic of inactivity in Britain!

I cycle on roads and have done since the 1960s. I see a few close passes, but what really strikes me is how careful and courteous most drivers are, holding back until a suitable place to overtake, often quietly without me even noticing they’re behind. In return I let drivers turn in front, sometimes pull over and let them past if there’s a safe place to do so, and always give them a wave when they pass wide. Yes there are idiots, but they’re a minority.

My hunch is the relentless pressure of YouTube ‘close pass’ videos with their aggro and hype is building up a false picture of the reality of cycling on the road. Having a camera I expect makes some of the authors feel the need to post footage just to keep their viewing numbers up, when many of the passes are normal and unremarkable. I’m probably doomed now I’ve said this, but really, in the UK the benefits outweigh the risks by a huge factor, and we have so many quiet lanes all over the country, it’s not hard to find a nice route leading to where you want to go, and the gradual increase of segregated lanes and quiet back routes in cities helps keep cycling hugely pleasurable.

*https://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d4521.short

[Author]

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