Van drivers!!!

[steve50]

what is it with some van drivers, I was cycling along Wakefield rd in Halifax today, cars parked on my side of the road means I had to ride on the main carriageway instead of the cycle lane, traffic islands in the middle of the road means limited room for anything other than an average family car to get past me safely. Twice i had vans pass me so closely I had to pull my elbows in and ride within a couple of inches of parked cars, downright dangerous and bloody minded driving by the van drivers imo. Why couldn't they have held back a few more seconds so I could clear the parked cars and moved back into the cycle lane, it's not often I have cause to curse when I'm out on my bike but there were a few choice expletives fired in the direction of those van drivers today.
I feel better now, it helps to have a rant every now and then.

 

[Karlt]

Ride in the middle of the lane. Don't make it possible for them to squeeze by.

 

[classic33]

Important bank job maybe!

@steve50, you've had me checking my A-Z more than anyone of late. I know the roads, just don't bother with the names half the time.

 

[steve50]

Ride in the middle of the lane. Don't make it possible for them to squeeze by.

One of the van drivers sounded his horn at me today, very impatient character. I try to be a courteous road user whether I'm in the car or on the bike but I guess you can't please everyone. Patience is a virtue that some drivers just don't possess.

 

[Karlt]

One of the van drivers sounded his horn at me today, very impatient character. I try to be a courteous road user whether I'm in the car or on the bike but I guess you can't please everyone. Patience is a virtue that some drivers just don't possess.

Unfortunately so. However, given the choice between a dangerous pass and a twat leaning on the horn I'll take the latter.

 

[classic33]

One of the van drivers sounded his horn at me today, very impatient character. I try to be a courteous road user whether I'm in the car or on the bike but I guess you can't please everyone. Patience is a virtue that some drivers just don't possess.

It's also a shortcut though. Which doesn't help. Doesn't excuse it by any means, but doesn't help.

 

[Bianchi boy]

I"ve heard fines and points on license for faulty tyres will be introduced in about 3 months time, Maybe they could do the same for close passes on cyclists as well, if you have a helmet/bike camera as evidence,

 

[classic33]

I"ve heard fines and points on license for faulty tyres will be introduced in about 3 months time, Maybe they could do the same for close passes on cyclists as well, if you have a helmet/bike camera as evidence,

There's a building on that road that has cameras covering more than just the building.

 

[steve50]

I"ve heard fines and points on license for faulty tyres will be introduced in about 3 months time, Maybe they could do the same for close passes on cyclists as well, if you have a helmet/bike camera as evidence,

i do have a camera and a little footage of one of the vans passing but I have mounted the camera on the handlebars so the footage is of the van once it has passed me. Perhaps I should mount the camera back on my helmet.

 

[classic33]

Any name? And is it a local one?

 

[steve50]

I'm not sure, one van was navy blue but didn't get chance to see what was written on it, the second van was some double glazing outfit advertising security glass but as i say the footage was pretty crap so nothing clear.

 

[doog]

Im finding these Tesco/ Asda / Sainsbury home delivery drivers to be lacking in the grey matter stakes....more than most. Closely followed by school run mums.

 

[NorthernSky]

how do folk react to dangerous drivers? i had a fella pass me within a foot going a fair speed. not sure if he was squeezing past or just being a **** and not giving me room when the road was clear for overtaking
it frightened and angered me, and i angrily pointed at him.
he probably thought i gave him the finger, as he slowed down up ahead and would have probably confronted me, but eventually drove on.
was i right to blow up a little i asked myself afterward

 

[steve50]

For the most part I would advise you not to react, as cyclists we are vulnerable, to react to some jackass doing a close pass is futile as most of the time they carry on regardless,driving in their own sweet time without a second thought for the guy on the bike.
If you do react there is a chance the driver of the vehicle might also react and pull over to remonstrate with you, now if we were all gentlemen and believed that fisticuffs was out of the question this would not be a problem BUT that as a rule is not the case and invariably the cyclist comes off the worst so in answer to your question, yes it is ok to blow up a little but do it without verbal expletives (that they might hear) or sending hand signals to the offending driver, its really not worth it.

 

[classic33]

Depends on how close and how often on the same stretch of road for me.
Do it too often and it'll end with a slap/bang on the side of the van. Company vans require an explanation of the damage caused.

If I'm able to reach the van without having to straighten my arm, then they're too close.