Tales from today's commute....

[ianrauk]

First commute this year in short sleeves - I'm a liking it....

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Not my commuting tale, but someone else's. I don't normally post other cyclists' videos, but this one has me feeling pretty angry, and I think it deserves all the publicity it can get. It was on Collins St, in Melbourne, Australia. On this street, the so-called "bicycle lane" is only about 60-70cm wide, and is probably the worst possible route for bicycle commuting. Some cyclists still use it, though, because they can't see any suitable alternative, or because of where they work, etc.

 

[glenn forger]

scumbag fatty kob end. Hits a woman and walks off.

 

[Chris Swift]

Did you intend to post a link there?

No lol tiredness I assume got the better of me lol

 

[Kiwiavenger]

I decided to drop something off to a customer that is 8 miles from my house, the ride there was riddled with potholes, gravel etc so I decided to detour home adding an additional 14 miles

Need to book the bike in at the lbs to get the gearing sorted as was jumping slightly on the hills .

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Not my commuting tale, but someone else's. I don't normally post other cyclists' videos, but this one has me feeling pretty angry, and I think it deserves all the publicity it can get. It was on Collins St, in Melbourne, Australia. On this street, the so-called "bicycle lane" is only about 60-70cm wide, and is probably the worst possible route for bicycle commuting. Some cyclists still use it, though, because they can't see any suitable alternative, or because of where they work, etc.

Now I feel a bit less angry on her behalf, because this is getting excellent publicity!

The Age newspaper, Melbourne

The Sydney Morning Herald

.. and several Facebook pages, bicycle user groups, etc., i.e. it's going "viral", so to speak.

 

[Chris Swift]

Cannot believe I saw a school girl around the ages of 13 cycling down a dual carriage way in Coventry this morning around 7am - No lights on (I no its light at this time of day but id still have lights on bike) no helmet, cycling in all in black including a black rucksack..... what are the parents of this child thinking? what was the child thinking?

Its a 50MPH road but most people do 60-70 down hear!

 

[PJ79LIZARD]

Finally decided to sort out the annoying rattling sound I have been experiencing the last month. Took my lights and spoke reflectors off and put them away for the autumn. Gave the bike a good clean and replaced the chain. Silent smooth commute this morning, sun out shades on ace, now watch it hiss down!

 

[morrisman]

Cannot believe I saw a school girl around the ages of 13 cycling down a dual carriage way in Coventry this morning around 7am - No lights on (I no its light at this time of day but id still have lights on bike) no helmet, cycling in all in black including a black rucksack..... what are the parents of this child thinking? what was the child thinking?

Its a 50MPH road but most people do 60-70 down hear!

So she is to be decried for riding a bike with no lights when it's not dark, not wearing a helmet, her choice, on a road you don't think is suitable but she seemed happy enough to cycle on. I expect she was thinking, 'well atl east I'm getting some exercise and not demanding by parents drive me to school thus creating one more car on the road that is not needed'.

 

[BSRU]

Good 50km ride in, with two spells of very light drizzle within the first 20km.
Unusually several cockwomble drivers this morning.

 

[Beebo]

I was pootling along in a world of my own when I was overtaken by a tandem with no stoker.
I couldnt give chase as I would have looked like a total nob, so just let it go.
Respect to the guy he was going quite quick on what must have been a heavy bike.

 

[fossyant]

Ist day back and feeling knackered - nothing like an extended commute to wake oneself up (did 14 miles rather than a short 7).

Barely 2 miles into the ride when I encountered a real nobber. Filtered past standing traffic two lanes deep, lights started to change so nipped into inside lane in front of a stationery golf. He didn't like this so then sounded his horn. I accellerated away with the traffic, and was a good 300 yards down the road cruising at about 25 mph before he passed. As he came past, he shoved his finger up at me, then swerved into the curb right in front. I just waved manically at him.

Left it at that, next set of lights, the driver had wound his window down, and shouted out 'Next time I'll run you over'. I'd ridden past at this time, so stopped, rolled back slightly, turned and said "No you won't mate, you'll feck off". I then carried on to the traffic lights. Yet again, I was some few hundred yards down the road before he passed. Not a peep out of him this time.

So Mr Black Golf TDI registration MF63 NPV, your cards are marked. I'll be keeping an eye on you. One more Mr Angry incident and I'll be on to the cops ! You obviously do some of the same route as me, and I'll no doubt be passing you again !

 

[Chris Swift]

So she is to be decried for riding a bike with no lights when it's not dark, not wearing a helmet, her choice, on a road you don't think is suitable but she seemed happy enough to cycle on. I expect she was thinking, 'well atl east I'm getting some exercise and not demanding by parents drive me to school thus creating one more car on the road that is not needed'.

[/U]

No not at all - I was just gob smacked as the lack of safety precautions taken, I would not let my child cycle this way never mind myself.
Full respect for her to exercise and not get lift by her parents.....

I have always been into cycling weather its mountain biking downhill or just cycling in general, however I'm fairly new to road cycling and felt that the younger generation should be taught a bit more safety.

Their is a nice chap on her called veteran I think, he lives in Holbrook's in Coventry and I don't even think he would cycle down this road.

Sorry for expressing what I seen it clearly offended some of you!
[/URL]

 

[martinclive]

Classic this morning
Traffic slow - cycle lane moving fine - car A on the main road pauses to let car B out of side road - car B pulls out because car A is in charge of the universe and the cyclist coming down the cycle lane has no right to live

Braked and avoided - passed car B 15 seconds later and gave a wagging finger (was quite pleased with my self control)

 

[Frood42]

Idiot in an Audi last night decided to try and floor it past me (as I was going past another cyclist and approaching a pinch point), of course as I had taken a strong position he didn't have the room to barge through and had to brake, and of course came the obligatory use of the horn, despite the fact it was his crappy driving which could have caused an accident.

There is no room for both cars and bicycles through that pinch point so I have no idea what he was thinking... I suspect he wasn't.
I wish there was someway we could remove these "people" from the roads, I mean those who cannot look ahead or plan properly when driving, it really isn't that hard.

Romford Rd again...

Despite that, a good ride last night.
.