Cycle lanes - It's dangerous to drive in them.

[MSTRS:Me]

Sermon concludes.

And it's not even Sunday...
You are correct...it's taken too long, but more and more of 'us' are thinking/saying the same sort of thing.

[Ixion]

I've spent time on 50s in the past and would like to do so again. They are great fun. But the paradox is that to ride a 50 effectively and safely you need to be a very experienced rider. Yet legislation pitches them at the least experienced.

[rastuscat]

Mopeds are great for experienced riders, as the riders skill makes up for the lack of oomph.

On that note, more powerful bikes make up for a lack of ability, coz they let you accelerate out of trouble. Go figure. What a paradox.

Back in the 1950s mopeds were great for commuting, coz the cars were going slower and there were far fewer of them. Now mopeds have to compete for road space with about 300% more cars, lots more traffic and far more drivers. So basically, they just don't cut it, meaning you have to be far more skilled to use one safely.

Trouble is, the law still thinks it's 1950. Go figure.

So there.

[Blackflagged]

Read between the lines, car drivers have a high proportion of fucking numpties, but theres heaps of them, easier to jump on the bandwagon and pick on motorcyclists and scooterists instead.

I don't see how its unsafe using a cycle lane, be fucking slow stuck behind the cyclists though

Ha Ha Exactly, Just remember how many cyclists are killed by car drivers, not looking! (The cause of most collision accidents).

[Spearfish]

The basic handling test doesn't teach road craft and the restricted doesn't test it. Untill that changes there is no real difference between a moped or biker in the early stages.

[KingJackaL]

Tell me about it. I'm a cyclist who didn't have a cycle last month because a van driver turned left through me (took out my rear wheel, it took far too long to sort the insurance etc). Had the motorbike to substitute though, so not too bad - but I'd never use a cycle lane on the motorbike.

Having said that (I race cycles, so I tend to be a hell of a lot faster than the average), I've had to pass quite a few scooters on cycle lanes before. It actually doesn't bother me, although I suspect I'm the exception because I'm also a motorbike rider (and I have enough power to pass them pretty quickly).


But yeah, the attitude in the first post annoys me. Basically, when you're on a cycle you 'should' give way when you've got the right of way. You 'should' be ready at any moment for cars to drive into you (while ignoring all their road rules). Basically the attitude is that yeah, sure - it's the cager in the wrong - but you should be careful! Patronizing BS IMO. But it's going to take a lot to change the culture...

[KingJackaL]

:? Double post...

[rastuscat]

Sorry you thought I was talking BS in the first post.

Basically I'm trying to get people to realise how dangerous it is riding in cycle lanes, before they finally learn the hard way. It seems you have learned the hard way, sorry to hear that, but pleased it didn't lead to serious injury.

I'm not suggesting that we get all shy and give way even when we don't have to. I'm just suggesting that we all recognise that it is dangerous to ride as if all the world cares about us, and that we prepare for the person who is going to fail to give way to us.

My personal habit if I know I'm in the right is to make full eye contact with the offending driver, and force my right of way. It's making eye contact, and making damn sure I'm not going to get hit, that makes me safe to force the right of way if it's mine.

It seems you and I aren't so far apart in attitude. I cycle for sport too, and ride my motorcycle for enjoyment and work purposes. I have a positive attitude to driving, in that I know the rules, and how to apply them defensively but assertively.

Stay upright.

[KingJackaL]

Agreed - you should ride defensively and consider the what if's always (and I tend to). But there's a fine line between that and drivers telling you off after they hit you because you should have been riding MORE defensively (been there, had that, tends to leave me speechless). You know, despite them being completely in the wrong having broken a string of road rules...