Cyclists! Why do they ride in the middle of the road?

[pritch]

This was originally published in a British motoring magazine. It is posted here because there is information therein that could enhance the safety of us as motorcyclists.
If, however, you haven't taken your meds, are a few sheep short in the top paddock, or just feel like a good rant, go for it.
http://www.motoring.co.uk/car-news/c...he-road-_62617

[imdying]

I never worry about cyclists, I'm bigger, heavier, and faster. One person is going to die should we come together, and it won't be me. That's not to say I have any intention of causing a cyclist harm, but should our stars ever cross, I live happy in the knowledge that they're the one that ends up fucked

[gjm]

I never worry about cyclists, I'm bigger, heavier, and faster. One person is going to die should we come together, and it won't be me. That's not to say I have any intention of causing a cyclist harm, but should our stars ever cross, I live happy in the knowledge that they're the one that ends up fucked

I'm sure I've seen a very, very similar posting from a car driver when discussing motorcyclists...

[James Deuce]

Was about to say that too. Do truck drivers have the same feeling about cars I wonder?

Only cars who have stopped mid-corner due to the dangers of cornering.

[BoristheBiter]

I never worry about cyclists, I'm bigger, heavier, and faster. One person is going to die should we come together, and it won't be me. That's not to say I have any intention of causing a cyclist harm, but should our stars ever cross, I live happy in the knowledge that they're the one that ends up fucked

yes

I'm sure I've seen a very, very similar posting from a car driver when discussing motorcyclists...

yes

Was about to say that too. Do truck drivers have the same feeling about cars I wonder?

and yes.

[R650R]

This was originally published in a British motoring magazine. It is posted here because there is information therein that could enhance the safety of us as motorcyclists.
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Not really relevant to NZ our roads are mostly wider. In the UK due to their style of housing, parked cars often block one side of many main streets and side lanes.
Even in a truck or car you have to take the commanding central position in centre of road approaching tight gap so other traffic knows whose going first etc. The rest of the time most cyclists/ cars and trucks keep a very tidy line to the far left other wise its goodbye wing mirror.
In NZ some cyclists ride in the middle of the road as they run high pressure race tyres unsuitable for road use that puncture easily. Their logic is that six months in intensive care ward at hospital is better than six mins changing a tube.
Most normal commuter cyclists and schoolkids etc keep left fairly well.

Was about to say that too. Do truck drivers have the same feeling about cars I wonder?

No, trucks are not as safe as car drivers think. It doesn't take much to lose your steer axle and maybe your brake system in head on crash. After that your in the front seat of a 44ton roller coaster that is taking random ride into roadside scenery like trees and cliffs etc. You never hear a news headling of car crosses centre line and kills truck driver as its too many words to explain properly to joe public but it happens.

[Voltaire]

Pedestrians ...whats all that about....

Might have to fish my election form out of the bin so I can vote Labour to keep friggin trucks in the left lane where they belong and have no rego on my trailer. Finally some policies

[R650R]

Pedestrians ...whats all that about....

Might have to fish my election form out of the bin so I can vote Labour to keep friggin trucks in the left lane where they belong and have no rego on my trailer. Finally some policies

Good luck trying to enter the motorway at Takinini, drury, gillies, Newmarket etc... People don't realise how often courteous trucks move over approaching onramps to make space and conserve the momentum of everyone.
Then there's our screwed up spaghetti junction where you need to be in fast lane to exit hobson st, to go south from the north western etc...
There just about at capacity already and theres always a slow car in fast lane anyway, just more unworkable populist politics.

[James Deuce]

There just about at capacity already and theres always a slow car in fast lane anyway, just more unworkable populist politics.

Exactly and then you get the three lane motorways where lanes 1 and 2 are choked because some prostitute murdering Bulgarian truck driver decides that his speed governer gives him a 1km/h advantage over the truck in front and takes three days to overtake.

[SMOKEU]

In NZ some cyclists ride in the middle of the road as they run high pressure race tyres unsuitable for road use that puncture easily. Their logic is that six months in intensive care ward at hospital is better than six mins changing a tube.
Most normal commuter cyclists and schoolkids etc keep left fairly well.

Modern race tyres have a very good puncture belt inside them, so they're really light and have excellent puncture resistance. I know because I ride a modern road racing bike. The real issue is all the bumps on the side of the roads and stupid cagers opening their doors without looking.

But I'm no lycrafag so I don't hold up traffic any more than absolutely necessary.

[swbarnett]

Not really relevant to NZ

Bollocks. This describes exactly how I rode when I used to cycle commute. It's absolutely necessary for self preservation.

our roads are mostly wider.

While this may be true there are still plenty of roads that necessitate taking the 'primary position' on more than a few occasions.

[Gremlin]

Trucks coming from Aucklands NW motorway to southern becomes the fast lane. Some trucks stay in that lane past Greenlane etc. Sure, sometimes there is no room as all the cars are trying to pass it, but sometimes they're taking the piss.

Winner for me was yesterday. Passing through Wanganui from Paraparas to SH1, some winner in the feedthrough leaving Wanganui decides to STOP because there might be cars from the other way. If they'd maintained their speed, they would have come out in front.

Trucks overtaking each other is always a laugh... if you're in that mood...

[Mushu]

That article is a load of bullshit, I rode a pushbike for years and very rarely had to hold up traffic in any way. I recognized that holding up traffic in any way is dangerous to me and would be inconsiderate to force traffic to move at my speed when can't get anywhere near the limit.

Why is it that kids almost never cause these traffic issues while adults are happy to put themselves and other road users in danger despite the fact that the adults should be expected to be smarter and kids often have no alternative for transport.

I find it interesting that the article states that the laws on the subject have been in place since before 1900 (ie. before cars were mass produced and long before they were capable of the speeds that today's cars travel at) perhaps it's time to update the rules, my suggestion for rule #1 would be that a bicycle must give way to any vehicle that can attain the posted speed for a given road.

[imdying]

I'm sure I've seen a very, very similar posting from a car driver when discussing motorcyclists...

What of it? They are, of course, correct.

[swbarnett]

That article is a load of bullshit, I rode a pushbike for years and very rarely had to hold up traffic in any way.

What city did you ride in? I rode in Auckland in the '90s and found myself "holding up traffic" on numerous occasions. In particular while passing parked cars. I would ride out of the range of the doors after I saw a cyclist come off with a punctured lung from one. Also, there were a number of pinch points where the road was only just wide enough for the number of lanes provided. If I stayed to the left I would get passed within an inch. Slightest wobble on my part or misjudgement on theirs and I would've been history. "Holding up traffic" for a short time while you get past these pinch points doesn't even rate on the danger scale in comparison.

I recognized that holding up traffic in any way is dangerous to me

Parked car on the left, truck on the right and no room to avoid a car door swung in your face is not what I'd call safe.

and would be inconsiderate to force traffic to move at my speed when can't get anywhere near the limit.

I regularly hit 40kph on the flat so I don't think it's too much to ask the traffic to slow a bit for a short time. Afterall, it stops for lights, ped crossings etc.

Why is it that kids almost never cause these traffic issues while adults are happy to put themselves and other road users in danger despite the fact that the adults should be expected to be smarter and kids often have no alternative for transport.

Because kids have yet to be dragged out of the ignorance of their own mortality.

I find it interesting that the article states that the laws on the subject have been in place since before 1900 (ie. before cars were mass produced and long before they were capable of the speeds that today's cars travel at) perhaps it's time to update the rules, my suggestion for rule #1 would be that a bicycle must give way to any vehicle that can attain the posted speed for a given road.

And yet, as has already been pointed out, in all other modes of transportation the powered vehicle gives way to the unpowered one*.




The only exception I know of is that large ships have right of way over everything else in tight channels.