Lorry and bike 'can share road'
- Thread starter Jake
- Start date
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I've taken part in just such an exercise, sat in the cab of a lorry and seen for myself what I knew already; that the driver has a very restricted view of the road which means that he can't avoid squashing cyclists because he doesn't know that they're there.
To me this proves that lorries and bikes can't share the road.
To me this proves that lorries and bikes can't share the road.
wafflycat
New Member
- Location
- middle of Norfolk
dondare said:
Funny that. Around me the HGV drivers are generally knights of the road and we share the roads well. They don't overtake unless safe to do so. They give me a wide berth when overtaking, and don't pull back in until they are properly past me. I'll give a thank you wave when I see the reflection of the driver in his wing mirror and he'll give a friendly flash (*snork*) of his indicators. Plus, if it's a particulalry narrow lane, I will willingly pull in to the side, when safe to do so, to allow the HGV past me. Once again this will get a 'thank you' from the driver - usually a friendly wave.
My parents have a house in Norfolk and I've been up there a few times with the bike and I have to say I agree.
Also, the roads are much better quality and smoother ( although I think that's about how little traffic uses the roads up there).
Maybe it's cos I live in London but going out for a couple of hours in Norfolk - you can go without seeing a traffic jam, a set of traffic lights, people swearing at you, people getting rather close on the overtakes etc etc.
Also, the roads are much better quality and smoother ( although I think that's about how little traffic uses the roads up there).
Maybe it's cos I live in London but going out for a couple of hours in Norfolk - you can go without seeing a traffic jam, a set of traffic lights, people swearing at you, people getting rather close on the overtakes etc etc.
wafflycat
New Member
- Location
- middle of Norfolk
wlc1 said:
You don't cycle on the same ones as I do...
wafflycat
New Member
- Location
- middle of Norfolk
Ah yes... KL - I avoid cycling in or too close to KL. I'm further east right in the middle of the county and my cycling tends to be up to the north and the coast, or over towards Norwich.
Twenty Inch
Guru
- Location
- Behind a desk
Lorries are badly designed for driving around narrow crowded city streets. They're designed for the big open road. That's one of the problems. There's also driver attitude. I had one behind me today who behaved impeccably for half-a-mile, and then blew it all by trying to overtake where the road narrowed from the kerb, and there was a traffic island in the middle of the road. I had to wave him back and make faces as there was no way it was safe. I don't know why - perhaps he got impatient or didn't see the island or something. Anyway, it didn't get him very far as I caught up with him at the next queue 400 metres further on.
What concerns me is the City of London has the worst provision for cycling within the M25 and will certainly be up there in the lack of provision stakes countrywide
OK so they do have a number of problems such as a medieval street layout and way to many motor vehicles.
However if the truth be told the City Police would really love to get rid of all the cyclists if they had the option.
Until those in power in the City actually start putting in real cycle lanes, setting up a proper east/west and north/south cycle route and putting in many more secure cycle parking areas and doing something about the den cycle of thieves in Brick Lane (which is just outside their remit) only then will it be deemed as them taking serious consideration. In the meantime they are just ticking boxes.
How about a single entry/exit rule for HGV's to the City. So that HGV's have to enter and exit the City via the same route, so that the City is not used as a transit area.That would reduce the traffic noticeably without adding substantial costs to the haulage industry. Due to the 'Ring of Steel' it would be pretty easy to administer as all vehicles (including cyclists) are photo'd as you enter the City.
OK so they do have a number of problems such as a medieval street layout and way to many motor vehicles.
However if the truth be told the City Police would really love to get rid of all the cyclists if they had the option.
Until those in power in the City actually start putting in real cycle lanes, setting up a proper east/west and north/south cycle route and putting in many more secure cycle parking areas and doing something about the den cycle of thieves in Brick Lane (which is just outside their remit) only then will it be deemed as them taking serious consideration. In the meantime they are just ticking boxes.
How about a single entry/exit rule for HGV's to the City. So that HGV's have to enter and exit the City via the same route, so that the City is not used as a transit area.That would reduce the traffic noticeably without adding substantial costs to the haulage industry. Due to the 'Ring of Steel' it would be pretty easy to administer as all vehicles (including cyclists) are photo'd as you enter the City.
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
Brains said:
Cycle parking yes, definitely, but cycle lanes? I can't imagine anything worse for cycling and more calculated to discourage it and increase the danger to us.
wafflycat
New Member
- Location
- middle of Norfolk
I *loathe* cycle lanes
Blackandblue
New Member
- Location
- London
wafflycat said:
+1
