Doubling Up On Road

[freecyclist]

for years I cycled in the gutter thinking I was being polite and safe and wondering why I got so many close passes at pinch points and near left hooks. I then read cycle craft and realised the reason was because I wasn't controlling my space. Over the years since I read and applied the message of the book my cycling has been a lot less hairy. It seems counter intuitive that driving in the middle of the road amongst faster traffic can be safer but it absolutely is. Most of my cycling is done in secondary for courtesy's sake as I am not a quick rider. However when the need arises I switch to primary. this is done at my discretion as previous experience tells me that some drivers are not overly concerned about my presence or safety unless I make them so. I am not overly concerned about holding up a driver as it a/ keeps me alive and b/ protects them from the guilt of injuring a person. A driver may mutter when they come across you riding primary but they won't run you over unless they are complete bastards. unfortunately riding in secondary they sometimes just don't see you

I respect your opinion rowan.
Where do you think cyclists should be in mentioned scenario.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

I respect your opinion rowan.
Where do you think cyclists should be in mentioned scenario.

If they can't work it out for themselves, possibly in a secure institution of some sort for their own personal safety.

Do you require this much guidance in every aspect of your life?

"But EXACTLY HOW far away from my fingers should the blade.... ouch!"

"But EXACTLY HOW cool should I make the bath water before I - ARGHGHHGHGHGHHG!!!!!!!"

 

[Glow worm]

Ok can you give a straight answer ???
No oncoming traffic.
Parked cars encroaching onto opposite lane.
Cars cannot overtake 100% completely in opposite lane but could comfortable overtake one third in cyclists lane and 2 thirds opposite lane.
Should cyclist adopt secondary thereby allowing motorists to go past
or
Should cyclist adopt primary thereby preventing motorists from going past.
Straight answer anybody - where on the road should cyclist be.
None of this "where its safe nonsense" where is safe ?

Its really very straightforward. The cyclist should position him/herself in the road where they feel safest and most able to control the potentially dangerous actions of motorists. Every circumstance will differ, that's why you have to use your own judgement according to each scenario - as has been pointed out numerous times by others. Your description above is meaningless because there could be any number of things to affect postioning such as central islands, buses, potholes, drain covers,peds and the like. As MTF rightly says above, if you don't feel able to use your own judgement according to each scenario, then no one can really help you.

 

[VamP]

Ok can you give a straight answer ???
No oncoming traffic.
Parked cars encroaching onto opposite lane.
Cars cannot overtake 100% completely in opposite lane but could comfortable overtake one third in cyclists lane and 2 thirds opposite lane.
Should cyclist adopt secondary thereby allowing motorists to go past
or
Should cyclist adopt primary thereby preventing motorists from going past.
Straight answer anybody - where on the road should cyclist be.
None of this "where its safe nonsense" where is safe ?

The position you describe gives about a two foot gap between overtaking car and cyclist in robust secondary? Unsafe overtake, I wouldn't attempt it. There's lots out there that would. Clearly you're one of them.

I get several overtakes like this every ride. Every once in a while it turns nasty, when the ''No oncoming traffic'' condition you describe suddenly changes. That's where being in a strong secondary helps, as it gives you manouvering space.

This should be totally obvious to anybody who cycles regularly. I think we are collectivelly headscratching as to what it is that you are actually trying to say.

 

[Glow worm]

This should be totally obvious to anybody who cycles regularly. I think we are collectivelly headscratching as to what it is that you are actually trying to say.

 

[cyberknight]

If they can't work it out for themselves, possibly in a secure institution of some sort for their own personal safety.

Do you require this much guidance in every aspect of your life?

"But EXACTLY HOW far away from my fingers should the blade.... ouch!"

"But EXACTLY HOW cool should I make the bath water before I - ARGHGHHGHGHGHHG!!!!!!!"

Having just scanned the 20 page thread i have to say Miss tillys posts were the ones i was looking forward to the most , certainly bought a smile to my face with every post .
Nothing else to add to the thread as others have said it all .

 

[benb]

Freecyclist, you've ignored my question twice. Please answer:

What is your opinion on cyclists that take primary approaching a pinch point?

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Freecyclist, you've ignored my question twice. Please answer:

What is your opinion on cyclists that take primary approaching a pinch point?

Dude. I think you might have to explain the term "pinchpoint" and quite possibly the term "cyclist".

 

[Origamist]

Dude. I think you might have to explain the term "pinchpoint" and quite possibly the term "cyclist".

Here's a visual aid:


View: http://www.youtube.com/user/MrOrigamist#p/u/27/Z2gehhELFZc

 

[raindog]

the thread from hell........

 

[Red Light]

Invariably accusing others of being a troll is just a cowardly and lazy way of trying to shut someone else up.

That's the classic troll response to being called a troll. QED.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

That's the classic troll response to being called a troll. QED.

But just HOW classic troll is it?!

 

[User16625]

You are misquoting what the highway code says. Is that to try to give some apparent validity to your erroneous point? HC rule 163 says: "give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car". That means, if you would give a car 9 feet in which to manoeuvre when you pass it, then you should give a cyclist 9 feet in which to manoeuvre when you you pass.

Your question has already been answered. No need to requote it in another way. The 9 feet (for arguments sake) that you give a car, you should also give a bicycle. As has already been said, the bicycle is much narrower so the same 9 feet of room between you and the bicycle will still leave you having to move to the right much less than you would have to with a car. 9 feet tho?! Thats the kind of space you would give a hungry polar bear if your unarmed.

 

[Bicycle]

How is the highway code on Scimitars?

If the Essex V6 is still in good condition and the chassis free from rot, there is little wrong with them as far as the HC is concerned.

Slightly stuck in a 70s timewarp, but in a delicious and beautiful way.

Should not be driven over the speed limit. Apart from that, they're fine.

 

[pepecat]

Ok can you give a straight answer ???
No oncoming traffic.
Parked cars encroaching onto opposite lane.
Cars cannot overtake 100% completely in opposite lane but could comfortable overtake one third in cyclists lane and 2 thirds opposite lane.
Should cyclist adopt secondary thereby allowing motorists to go past
or
Should cyclist adopt primary thereby preventing motorists from going past.
Straight answer anybody - where on the road should cyclist be.
None of this "where its safe nonsense" where is safe ?

Up to you.
Are there pot holes / drain covers / gravel etc in the gutter that you're trying to avoid?
Are you in the mood to pull over a bit so cars can get past and then pull back out, or do you want to potentially annoy drivers behind you and have them hoot at you?
I find cars don't generally go into the other lane 100% to overtake cyclists anyway - they are usually at least a third or a half in their own lane.

If you call primary the middle of the lane, then no, I personally wouldn't cycle in primary. I never do unless i'm approaching a junction / roundabout where i'm turning right, or need to make my presence 'known' to other drivers.