So who is in the wrong here?

First topic message reminder :

"This is the moment an angry cyclist kicks out at a passing car for getting to close - but viewers were divided over who was in the wrong.  
The incident happened last Wednesday June 26, at around 7pm on Kings Avenue in Brixton, south London and was caught on film by a driving instructor's dash cam.
The instructor, who wishes to remain anonymous, posted the footage online and said: 'Who's side are you on?'"

There is a video on the link.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7223669/Cyclists-lash-Peugeot-think-driver-got-close-tried-overtake.html

Maddog wrote:

Syl wrote:

There was no cycle lane there and it's illegal to ride a bike on the pavement here.

The odd thing is people are encouraged to cycle, take public transport or walk when possible rather than take the car, yet there are very few cycle lanes in many parts of the country.

So a cyclist can't take the lane?  

I thought you meant take the cycle lane....you mean take primary position on the road?
Yes they can legally do that Maddog, though most dont, in some circumstances they are actually advised to do so.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2011/aug/01/cyclist-take-the-lane

Syl wrote:

Maddog wrote:

So a cyclist can't take the lane?  

I thought you meant take the cycle lane....you mean take primary position on the road?
Yes they can legally do that Maddog, though most dont, in some circumstances they are actually advised to do so.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2011/aug/01/cyclist-take-the-lane

Yes, that's what we I do.  It makes you more visible and keeps you from getting hit by mirrors.

Then, when it looks good I'll scoot over and wave a car by, unless there are multiple lanes going the same direction as me.  

We don't have many bike lanes and the ones we have usually end up fill of debris. I use them to allow cars to pass and then I pop back in the lane usually.

Maddog wrote:

Syl wrote:

I thought you meant take the cycle lane....you mean take primary position on the road?
Yes they can legally do that Maddog, though most dont, in some circumstances they are actually advised to do so.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2011/aug/01/cyclist-take-the-lane

Yes, that's what we I do.  It makes you more visible and keeps you from getting hit by mirrors.

Then, when it looks good I'll scoot over and wave a car by, unless there are multiple lanes going the same direction as me.  

We don't have many bike lanes and the ones we have usually end up fill of debris. I use them to allow cars to pass and then I pop back in the lane usually.

People do use cycle lanes here if they are available, but often they are not available.
As seen on this thread, a lot of motorists have zero tolerance for cyclists, I stopped cycling a few years ago because  it was happening more and more where drivers were driving so close to me I was almost in the gutter.
So I dont blame you taking prime position in some circumstances, it's a lot safer.

Syl wrote:As seen on this thread, a lot of motorists have zero tolerance for cyclists...

The feeling is more than mutual, Syl. Bicyclists have zero tolerance for anyone else. Crosswalks in California are supposed to be inviolable. Yet bicyclists ignore them more often than not.

It seems to me that bicyclists are to pedestrians, as cars are to bicyclists. Yet bicyclists are as cavalier toward pedestrians, as they claim cars are to them. They buzz them, ignore the law, and very often smack right into them. Inevitably, the bicyclists look back over their shoulder and yell obscenities about their rights (even when in the wrong).

I think bicyclists have acquired the victim-posturing syndrome in the discussion. That's my opinion, as an avid cyclist myself.

cyclists???? put em on the "general licence". Bloody menaces

Syl wrote:

Maddog wrote:

Yes, that's what we I do.  It makes you more visible and keeps you from getting hit by mirrors.

Then, when it looks good I'll scoot over and wave a car by, unless there are multiple lanes going the same direction as me.  

We don't have many bike lanes and the ones we have usually end up fill of debris. I use them to allow cars to pass and then I pop back in the lane usually.

People do use cycle lanes here if they are available, but often they are not available.
As seen on this thread, a lot of motorists have zero tolerance for cyclists, I stopped cycling a few years ago because  it was happening more and more where drivers were driving so close to me I was almost in the gutter.
So I dont blame you taking prime position in some circumstances, it's a lot safer.

I have talked to cops that don't know the law. Texas is not really that bike friendly but luckily I live in Ft Worth where our nearly 70 year old mayor is often seen riding her bike. The cops leave us alone while doing "Idaho Stops", and won't tolerate motorists being dicks to us.

Victorismyhero wrote:
cyclists???? put em on the "general licence". Bloody menaces

And if that cyclist already happens to have a truck licence or better ?

I know some cyclists can be ignorant, one banged into my shoulder a couple of years ago when he was riding on the pavement not the road, my friend who was walking in front had already stepped into the road to let him pass, so I do know that some cyclists have a really bad attitude towards other drivers and pedestrians alike.

However, as I said, this thread really shows up the way some drivers feel about cyclists too.
Like it or not they have legal rights when on the road, they even have some road rights car drivers dont have, (and are often unaware of) like undertaking, riding two abreast, and taking prime position on the road, and imo this riles people when they are in a car.

In the op it was the motorist who created the danger by veering too close to the bikes not the other way round, his pride was probably hurt because the bikes travelled faster than he/she did.

Syl wrote:I know some cyclists can be ignorant, one banged into my shoulder a couple of years ago when he was riding on the pavement not the road, my friend who was walking in front had already stepped into the road to let him pass, so I do know that some cyclists have a really bad attitude towards other drivers and pedestrians alike.

However, as I said, this thread really shows up the way some drivers feel about cyclists too.
Like it or not they have legal rights when on the road, they even have some road rights car drivers dont have, (and are often unaware of)  like undertaking, riding two abreast, and taking prime position on the road, and imo this riles people when they are in a car.

In the op it  was the motorist who created the danger by veering too close to the bikes not the other way round, his pride was probably hurt because the bikes travelled faster than he/she did.

I read an article in a British publication a few months ago about the number if people who get hostile simply at the sight of cyclists.  

Then there is the whole dogs vs cyclist dynamic.  I wish someone would tell the dogs that I really like dogs.  

I did my 45 miles yesterday and am happy to report it was incident free. But it was with a group which usually helps.

Maddog wrote:

Syl wrote:I know some cyclists can be ignorant, one banged into my shoulder a couple of years ago when he was riding on the pavement not the road, my friend who was walking in front had already stepped into the road to let him pass, so I do know that some cyclists have a really bad attitude towards other drivers and pedestrians alike.

However, as I said, this thread really shows up the way some drivers feel about cyclists too.
Like it or not they have legal rights when on the road, they even have some road rights car drivers dont have, (and are often unaware of)  like undertaking, riding two abreast, and taking prime position on the road, and imo this riles people when they are in a car.

In the op it  was the motorist who created the danger by veering too close to the bikes not the other way round, his pride was probably hurt because the bikes travelled faster than he/she did.

I read an article in a British publication a few months ago about the number if people who get hostile simply at the sight of  cyclists.  

Then there is the whole dogs vs cyclist dynamic.  I wish someone would tell the dogs that I really like dogs.  

I did my 45 miles yesterday and am happy to report it was incident free. But it was with a group which usually helps.

You must be fit, the most I ever managed was a 50 mile round trio and I had to stay in bed the next day I was aching so much.

Syl wrote:

Maddog wrote:

I read an article in a British publication a few months ago about the number if people who get hostile simply at the sight of  cyclists.  

Then there is the whole dogs vs cyclist dynamic.  I wish someone would tell the dogs that I really like dogs.  

I did my 45 miles yesterday and am happy to report it was incident free. But it was with a group which usually helps.

You must be fit, the most I ever managed was a 50 mile round trio and I had to stay in bed the next day I was aching so much.

Like anything, you have to practice.