Doubling Up On Road

[Bicycle]

Quote: "Perhaps this is the solution then. If all roads are marked up like this then there won't be any cyclists getting in the way of drivers. And vice versa. And cyclists could quite happily ride n abreast without annoying any poor drivers."


Indeed, but what about the noddy-headed dawdlers who bunch up for a chat and hold back the keener riders who want to ride at a reasonable pace?

Cripes!!

Is there such a thing as deja ecrit?

 

[VamP]

For example I tow a large trailer quite a lot and you would be amazed how many people will pull into the gap in between my vehicle and the one in front of me as I approach a junction or a line of stationary traffic. Although it may seem that I am leaving quite a large gap, I need this space as my stopping distance is much increased due to the added weight and once or twice I have had to work quite hard to prevent myself running into the back of them. Also when moving out to the centre of the road, left indicator on to negotiate a tight corner has lead to some bright sparks deciding to try and pass me on the inside leaving us both stationary with nowhere to go.

Totally. Don't get me started as this a pet hate of mine.

I tow a horse trailer a lot, and not only is your braking distance longer due to the weight of the trailer, you simply CANNOT brake sharply unless you want to turn your beloved LARGE animal into sausage.

The percentage of people who simple fail to grasp that possibility, and think simply of the fortuitous gap that has appeared for them to dive into.

 

[montyboy]

[QUOTE 1589144"]
That's not a point though. It's an opinion based on a misunderstanding.
[/quote]


And what in your view is the misunderstanding?

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Ah, now I see you aren't an enthusiast

The "M-series" cars will be the "M sport" versions - utterly pointless sheep in sheeps clothing cars.

Estate Agents wouldn't but proper versions.

I'm not an enthusiast. I used to work in insurance and I know that the m-series is the most expensive non-performance car to insure.

And that most insurers won't cover a BMW that has had the M-series kit added to it.

 

[VamP]

It's a shame-those cars used to be driven by enthusiasts. And they are good cars too. These days they are mostly driven by knuckle draggers.

At most of the trackdays I used to attend the first off would be a ScobbyEvo variant.

Closely followed by a Skyline

 

[VamP]

And that most insurers won't cover a BMW that has had the M-series kit added to it.

Now that's just bollox...

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Now that's just bollox...

At the intermediary I used to work at, as soon as you added that, the system went mental!

To be fair, most of the underwriters we worked with wouldn't insure any mods apart from alloy wheels.

BTW, this is not to say I agree with them. I hated that job, because it basically consisted of charging people as much money for as much minutiae as humanly possible.

 

[snorri]

Many motorists would i am sure raise the point of how much they pay in road tax and why they would expect to have the first priority to use them.

Only these motorists keen to prove they have a good sense of fun and humour would make such claims.

 

[montyboy]

I'm not an enthusiast. I used to work in insurance and I know that the m-series is the most expensive non-performance car to insure.

And that most insurers won't cover a BMW that has had the M-series kit added to it.

M series kits are not added, its a model variation and accounts for about half of the production run.

My company has about 120 company vehicles many of which a m series 3's and they are no more expensive to insure than the alternative models

Perhaps you are thinking of the m3 m5 etc, which are indeed in the higher and specialist insurance bracket because of cost and performance but usually because they get nicked!

 

[VamP]

Fair point . In not averse to upsetting motorists perse , ie - with good cause - if the only way to hold a sportive and be able to reasonably assure the safety of cyclists (and motorists) would be to close the road for a short while then i would wiegh up all the pros and cons and make an informed decision. May be feasible subject to alternative routes for traffic, particularly on a road like bodmin that im guessing if closed for a couple of hours isnt going to bring the country any closer to economic collapse than it allready is.
(I am averse to upsetting motoristsnunecessarily just for some misguided militany cycling ideology)
Thinking about it if these sportives are 100 miles long then that would mean closing alot of roads so if might not be feasible unless it is a circuitous route like round bodmin moor.

You really have no idea, do you?


Closing roads for a Sportive just try to visualize the costs involved. Even Fred Whitton, arguably the best placed sportive for road closures (due to it's popularity, and dangerous nature of some of the descents) has failed to make any inroads into that particular area.

Most actual races are held on open roads, closing roads in the UK is a major, major undertaking. Surrey Classic this year is a great example of what we're talking about. Thousands of people involved.

Obviously sportives aren't races, but a lot of participants treat them thus, and the standard of riding is often shocking. I guarantee any Sunday group ride is far far better behaved and organised than pretty much any sportive. Should sportives be banned? Absolutely not.

Should you get out more, and maybe sample that cornerstone of British cycling, the Sunday club ride, before casting stones? Absolutely yes.

 

[Origamist]

You really have no idea, do you?


Most actual races are held on open roads, closing roads in the UK is a major, major undertaking. Surrey Classic this year is a great example of what we're talking about. Thousands of people involved.Obviously sportives aren't races, but a lot of participants treat them thus, and the standard of riding is often shocking.

I guarantee any Sunday group ride is far far better behaved and organised than pretty much any sportive. Should sportives be banned? Absolutely not.

Should you get out more, and maybe sample that cornerstone of British cycling, the Sunday club ride, before casting stones? Absolutely yes.

Indeed and look how it was reported:

Olympic bike race causes mass traffic jams in London
http://www.tntmagazine.com/tnt-toda...-race-causes-mass-traffic-jams-in-london.aspx

Freecyclist should be careful what he wishes for, if he does not want to upset and inconvenience motorists...

 

[MissTillyFlop]

M series kits are not added, its a model variation and accounts for about half of the production run.

My company has about 120 company vehicles many of which a m series 3's and they are no more expensive to insure than the alternative models

Perhaps you are thinking of the m3 m5 etc, which are indeed in the higher and specialist insurance bracket because of cost and performance but usually because they get nicked!

They can be added as a modification to a none m-series car.

http://vehicles.vivastreet.co.uk/car-parts+kilmarnock-ka1/bmw-3-e30-m3-wide-bodykit/21465677

 

[Origamist]

M series kits are not added, its a model variation and accounts for about half of the production run.

My company has about 120 company vehicles many of which a m series 3's and they are no more expensive to insure than the alternative models

Perhaps you are thinking of the m3 m5 etc, which are indeed in the higher and specialist insurance bracket because of cost and performance but usually because they get nicked!

I warned you Monty! It's Moomin time...

If anyone has the two mugs on the top tier and wants to sell them, let me know.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

I warned you Monty! It's Moomin time...

If anyone has the two mugs on the top tier and wants to sell them, let me know.

I want your mugs!

 

[montyboy]

[QUOTE 1589152"]
Several misunderstandings in fact.

• There's no such thing as Road Tax
• VED doesn't pay for the roads
• Powered vehicles do not have priority on roads, regardless of what they have to pay to be able to operate the machinery. In reality, it's pretty much the case that big must give way to small - most vulnerable takes proirity.

[/quote]


I think there is such a thing, Road Tax, Road Fund License, VED call it what you will but we know the item to which we refer.

Road tax doesnt pay for the roads but it was originally intented to and it is only more latterly that politicians have transformend it into the cash cow that it is. Perhaps if it was we would have better quality and safer roads than we currently enjoy.

I didnt suggest that powered vehicles had or should have a priority. I merely said that some would feel that those who were directly contributing toward the cost of the road network shouldnt be excluded from its use by those not directly contributing.

My own view is that it would be a mistake to close the roads for such an event and properly managed there really should be too much of a problem and only minor inconvinience.