Did I do something wrong?

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Sam Kennedy

New Member
Location
Newcastle
On part of my cycle route today I had to cycle on a road for about 1/10th of a mile, which didn't seem to bad :girl:

But while I was cycling, a minivan sped past beeping. I don't know if they were just being idiots or if I was doing something wrong. I was cycling approx 9"-12" from the edge of the road, I thought the most you could go was 24"?

Who was at fault here? :whistle:
 
So long as you mean the left hand edge of the road, you were doing nothing wrong.
 

Will1985

Über Member
Location
South Norfolk
Sam Kennedy said:
I was cycling approx 9"-12" from the edge of the road, I thought the most you could go was 24"?
You need to read CycleCraft! A foot isn't nearly enough. You may as well be in the gutter. Go out as far as you feel it is necessary to be safe.

In Commuting they talk about primary position a lot which is where you sit at least in the middle of the lane, but this is more for riding in traffic.

On training runs I tend to ride at least 2 feet out partly because surface is so poor on the edge, but also this means I avoid drains and lots of potholes. The further out you ride, the more space you allow yourself to escape into if necessary.

Ignore drivers sounding off. Most of them don't know the Highway Code but think they do.
 

jimboalee

New Member
Location
Solihull
Are you sure the minivan wasn't a Blood Donor vehicle rushing between hospitals.
He might have been a 'mercy run' on his way to A&E. Who knows?

The van driver was in the right to signal to you he was driving at speed.

Riding 12" from the kerb, you could have increased that at the last moment and the van driver was warning you not to.
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
Will1985 said:
You need to read CycleCraft! A foot isn't nearly enough. You may as well be in the gutter. Go out as far as you feel it is necessary to be safe.

In Commuting they talk about primary position a lot which is where you sit at least in the middle of the lane, but this is more for riding in traffic.

On training runs I tend to ride at least 2 feet out partly because surface is so poor on the edge, but also this means I avoid drains and lots of potholes. The further out you ride, the more space you allow yourself to escape into if necessary.

Ignore drivers sounding off. Most of them don't know the Highway Code but think they do.

+1
9 inches sounds a bit close to the kerb... you will be bouncing over all the road debris and drains.
 

simon_brooke

New Member
Location
Auchencairn
Sam Kennedy said:
On part of my cycle route today I had to cycle on a road for about 1/10th of a mile, which didn't seem to bad :biggrin:

But while I was cycling, a minivan sped past beeping. I don't know if they were just being idiots or if I was doing something wrong. I was cycling approx 9"-12" from the edge of the road, I thought the most you could go was 24"?

Who was at fault here? :biggrin:

You were at fault for being too close to the edge of the road. It's extremely dangerous, and could get you killed. There are no highway code rules on road positioning specific to bikes; you may position yourself on the road as you see fit for your own safety. You should read Cyclecraft.

In general, use primary position (approximately the middle of the lane) where it would be dangerous to be overtaken in the same lane, for example when approaching parked cars or blind bends; use secondary position (approximately a quarter of the width of the lane out from the kerb) when it would be safe to be overtaken. Never crawl in the gutter, that's where people die.
 

I am Spartacus

Über Member
Location
N Staffs
Is this another wind up by someone....?
not about the blood wagon.. thats probably very true .. I had 3 pass me yesterday..

no .. I refer to the fact I thought the 'kid' was riding on the road.. but being held up by ARgoff technology.... but he aint ... I know from bitter experience that ARgoff technology falls to pieces over 28th bump
 

Wigsie

Nincompoop
Location
Kent
Jim is right, there are many reasons why you may get beeped that dont include doing something wrong, for some reason in this country we just see it as a rude jester to sound a horn.

As for your position, its ok but I would agree with others, Move out a little to avoid potholes, drains and to increase your visibility and your 'dominance' to other road users, I usually ride at least roughly where the cars left tire runs as its usually smoother and make drivers manouver round you rather than trying to squeeze past.
 
Wigsie said:
Jim is right, there are many reasons why you may get beeped that dont include doing something wrong, for some reason in this country we just see it as a rude jester to sound a horn.

As for your position, its ok but I would agree with others, Move out a little to avoid potholes, drains and to increase your visibility and your 'dominance' to other road users, I usually ride roughly where the cars left tire runs as its usually smoother and make drivers manouver round you rather than trying to squeeze past.
I was just going to post exactly the same thing about being where the left tyre of a car goes, but Wigsie beat me to it. So I'll just add that this does also give you somewhere to go to should some nutter come past too close.

And don't forget primary: if you want to try to prevent people overtaking 'cos it'd be too dangerous (as you approach a traffic island or other obstruction), move out to the middle of the lane: halfway between the kerb and the white line. But don't go too far .. cos then they try to come up the inside of you. :biggrin:

Cyclecraft is an essential read, as others have said. It explains all this stuff, and more, very well.
 

Arch

Married to Night Train
Location
Salford, UK
jimboalee said:
Are you sure the minivan wasn't a Blood Donor vehicle rushing between hospitals.
He might have been a 'mercy run' on his way to A&E. Who knows?

The van driver was in the right to signal to you he was driving at speed.

Riding 12" from the kerb, you could have increased that at the last moment and the van driver was warning you not to.

You are joking?

If the driver overtook properly, with enough room, any wobble or swerve wouldn't matter...

Anyway, +1 for reading Cyclecraft.
 

Arch

Married to Night Train
Location
Salford, UK
rich p said:
I often get beeped but I always assume they're admiring my pert little bottom.

Well, who wouldn't?

<edit for clarity> I'd like to make it clear, I've never actually seen richp's bottom...

I had a big 4x4 hoot as it passed me turning in to the estate this morning, I swore at him inwardly, and contemplated following him to his place of work, but then he hooted again at an oncoming car, so it's possible he was just hooting in greeting at people and had no idea how much it makes you bloody jump... Some people are just cocks.
 

I am Spartacus

Über Member
Location
N Staffs
For those who have become unaccustomed to walking on the pavement.. about a 1/3 of vehicles seem to love driving in the gutter these days, making really pleasant to be even a pedestrian on the pavement... not
 
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