Swerve out of the way or stay in primary?

[BentMikey]

Sure, everyone gets the odd close pass. The difference is in how you deal with it. I might give a shake of the head and get on with my day, whereas some cam-cyclists will sqeal loudly at the offending driver, read out the reg plate in a tone of flustered indignation, then go home and re-live the incident again and again online.

Why bring all that hassle on yourself?

Well, at least you've moved on from suggesting that it's only camera cyclists that have incidents. The hassle and reliving is only in your mind. Other people's minds can be quite different.

Consequences too, consequences to the driver directly via Roadsafe are incredibly satisfying, educational for both the driver and for me, and they bring change. I, again, give you D4N OK's overtake before and after.

My riding is almost pure peace and happiness, despite the occasional bit of bad driving. I wish you the same.

 

[Bicycle]

I just saw this thread during a dull part of MoTD.

I feel inclined to say the YouTube channel linked on the OP does seem in some ways slightly eccentric.

There are some snippets of driving that might irk me a little, but if one of my children took the poster's attitude onto the highway I'd be slightly embarrassed.

I get the impression that the OP may be using his YouTube channel as a means of identifying weaknesses in his own positioning. Further thought and study of the channel will be of much use to him.

I'd like also to suggest that winding one's neck in a little when negotiating traffic can help to keep everyone calmer and more rational.

At times there is an almost comical 'Angry Young Man' sketch trying to find its way onto the screen.

I was a motorcycle courier for a while in the 80s and have cycled in several countries for over 40 years. I get about quickly and have had my scrapes, but nothing like the number you seem to have, Mr. OP.

It's just a bicycle with a camera on it. Keep calm and get over it.

This is not the best advertisement for BikeCam YouTube channels.

 

[Matthew_T]

I have said on previous occasions that I understand that I shouldnt shout at every driver in the world who passes me closely but sometimes it gets away from me. The fact that I have a cam on doesnt encourage me to shout things or go up to drivers, it just reasures me that the incident has been filmed.

I agree that some of the incidents arent bad at all, just not what I would prefer, but people need to take into account that I am the only cyclist around who actually gets out and about on a daily basis. Yes there is a local cycling club with about 20 riders, but I have never seen any of them around town (apart from one on his commute home from the post office).

In summer I choose to ride around country roads because they are quieter and more enjoyable. But I prefer to ride nearer to home in the winter because I can go out in the evening and get some miles in. The weather is getting quite cold now so I will be opting for the TT instead of going out soon.

 

[gaz]

Okay.

1) This is described as a 'Must pass cyclist' incident, but it's nothing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgHzjl8DBwQ&feature=related

2) This is described as 'aggressive driving', but it's just a bloke getting a bit of wheelspin when moving off from a junction. Big deal.

http://www.youtube.c...feature=related

I wouldn't describe them as nothing incidences but I also wouldn't publish such videos.

I agree that some of the incidents arent bad at all, just not what I would prefer, but people need to take into account that I am the only cyclist around who actually gets out and about on a daily basis. Yes there is a local cycling club with about 20 riders, but I have never seen any of them around town (apart from one on his commute home from the post office).

There are several cycling clubs in my area, some with over 200 members, i never see them on the road.

 

[Matthew_T]

There are several cycling clubs in my area, some with over 200 members, i never see them on the road.

That proves my point. Drivers in my area are not cyclist literate but I have paid some compliments to drivers who have been patient and courteous towards me in the past.

 

[gaz]

That proves my point. Drivers in my area are not cyclist literate but I have paid some compliments to drivers who have been patient and courteous towards me in the past.

How does it prove your point? Just because you don't seem them, doesn't mean they aren't out on the roads on a regular basis.

 

[Matthew_T]

But they are never on the roads that I travel on and therefore are going to encounter less local drivers than who see me everyday.

 

[gaz]

But they are never on the roads that I travel on and therefore are going to encounter less local drivers than who see me everyday.

How do you know? Are you on all the roads you travel on everyday?

 

[Matthew_T]

How do you know? Are you on all the roads you travel on everyday?

Well on the last club ride I went on, everyone said it was too cold to go out and they just stayed in on the TT. I have got the number of one cyclist who would be keen to go out some time with me because he said he gets bored staying in on the TT. He is about my age and your height (over 6 foot).

As everyone in the club is local, I would expect to see at least one every once in a while but have never seen anyone at all.

 

[jig-sore]

looking through your clips you have a video of a van driver pulling away from a junction and spinning/squealing his front tyres.

you have given this the tittle "aggressive driving". WTF ???

 

[PK99]

looking through your clips you have a video of a van driver pulling away from a junction and spinning/squealing his front tyres.

you have given this the tittle "aggressive driving". WTF ???

You obviously have nor worked out yet : Matthew does not know how to judge either his own cycling or the driving of motorists he meets.

 

[Hip Priest]

Woah. Just re-read my comments from last night. Sorry for the arsey way in which I put my point across. I have been punished twice by the p-fairy today. Karma is a bugger.

 

[Matthew_T]

looking through your clips you have a video of a van driver pulling away from a junction and spinning/squealing his front tyres.

you have given this the tittle "aggressive driving". WTF ???

The fact is that there is no limit to what power you can put down on the road, but it is illegal to skid your tires in an agressive mannor.

If you watch the video carefully, the van clearly is impatient and in a hurry to get out of the junction just to go to the shops (he pulled into a DIY store after he turned without a signal).

 

[Jezston]

Before everyone gets too heavy on Matthew_T, it's worth mentioning he is only what, 17 or something? Correct me if I've got him confused with someone else.

 

[Dan_h]

Before everyone gets too heavy on Matthew_T, it's worth mentioning he is only what, 17 or something? Correct me if I've got him confused with someone else.

I agree with this, it is only experience that allows us to tell who is going where if any particular driver is likely to cut us up etc.

Also I find that a close pass (or any other "almost" kind of incident) depends a lot on me and my mood. If I am in a bad mood anyone coming less that 3 feet from me feels like a close pass... in a more relaxed mood someone skimming past with inches to spare will hardly register or perhaps just get a shrug and forgotten about.