This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Secondly because of the loss of control, they're losing half of their breaking power and a large amount of their ability to steer.

Breaking power is not evenly split about front and rear. It's aprox 70% front and 30% rear. If you're going to pedant you have to pedant properly...

Its not illegal to read a book and ride a bike, but it's a stupid thing to do that put others at risk.

Yes, or their distraction due to having had erectile distinction that morning. Or the niggling plaque buildup up in a major brain blood vessel that leads to an aneurysm. Or the unseen crack in the BB shell that leads to failure. Or the lack of cycle training. Or their eyes wandering to check out the sweet 80s campag groupset on that Mercian. Or DASing in response to a well meaning forumenger.

Fair point, but it could actually be more than half depending which hand you have the phone in.

erectile distinction

For when erections are not just pass/fail.

At least in London though it seems to have become a much bigger issue very recently because of the number of deliveroo, etc riders who are interacting with their phone whilst riding as part of the job.

It's a recent thing so not sure how indicative historical stats would be.

I agree that it's not as big an issue as car drivers on phones but it is still disconcerting to ride near these people.

I think it probably is illegal to read a book and ride, in a manner which is dangerous, careless or inconsiderate.

As it is to use your phone or any of the other things I mentioned up there.

So, by all means call out inconsiderate or careless or dangerous riders if you feel the need to do so. Don't just call out phone users, or book readers.

The former is hard to decide upon since it subjective. How careless? Is it dangerous? If someone actually endangers or fails to care about, or consider, YOU, then have a go at them. Otherwise, mind your bees wax.

I'd like to point I don't 'have a go' at anyone. I always try and be as polite as possible as say 'if you need to use your phone you should pull over' I don't shout, I don't swear, I just offer some sensible advice. In the same way I'd mention to someone if they're lights weren't on.

Lights not on is illegal. Phone isn't.

Why not politely say something, like "You are weaving across the lane and endangering me by cutting me up with no warning and little space. Maybe it is because you are using your phone?"

If you can form the phrase with an actual, objective, danger at the front then it would probably be worth saying. Otherwise it's just your opinion on how someone else should conduct themselves. In my view it is the same as a car user being annoyed at a cyclist in primary position.

Why not politely say something, like "You are weaving across the lane and causing endangering me. Maybe it is because you are using your phone?"

I'll happily 'update' my go to phrase, but I suspect what ever I say you would tell me to mind my own business.

Not my point.

If someone endangers you, call them out for endangering you.

If they are using their phone whilst cycling safely, then so what?

But yeah, let's agree to disagree.

If someone endangers you, call them out for endangering you.

If they are using their phone whilst cycling safely, then so what?

In my opinion the two are mutually exclusive, you cannot cycle safely whist using a phone, but that is just my opinion.

But yeah, let's agree to disagree.

Happily.

In my view it is the same as a car user being annoyed at a cyclist in primary position.

The two aren't really equivalent, there are good reasons to cycle in primary related to your safety as a cyclist (controlling the overtaking, avoiding being squeezed, etc).

I struggle to think of reasons why cycling whilst looking at your phone would be safer but it's pretty easy to make the arguments why it is less safe.

Indeed, it is possible to make those arguments. But they are conjectural. It's your view of whether what they are doing is safe or not.

Plenty drivers think that cyclist riding "in (primary) the middle of the road" makes them more likely to be run over, as well as aggravating them.

Plenty of people think that riding without a helmet is unsafe.

Plenty of people think that riding without hi-viz on is unsafe.

Plenty of people think that riding with headphones in is unsafe.

Plenty of people think that riding on the road, rather than a segregated bike path is unsafe.

Plenty of people think that riding a full suspension mountain bike in the road and pulling wheelies in the lane is unsafe.

Sorry, you've lost me there..?

When someone makes genralizing comments about "all cyclists":

"I still haven't forgiven you drivers for killing Princess Diana."

What if you want to gram your commute? That’s a lot of content to lose from your story.

In my opinion the two are mutually exclusive, you cannot cycle safely whist using a phone, but that is just my opinion.

I agree with you about people pissing around with phones on busy roads, not paying attention is not safe and I too get wound up by "professional" riders i.e. uber eats / deliveroo riding like dicks.

However the statement above is far to general and comes across as a bit whiny. Wireless bluetooth headphones etc are fine to use phone and drive so also cycle. It also greatly depends where you are, I do occasionally ride over a mile locally without touching the bars and might pull my phone out for a text but I know the area well and it's quiet. I would not behave like that if I was leaving my hood and heading into town. I also like to pull on my helmet for longer rides. Especially when it's cold. Euph.

Close pass today after a failed overtake, reckon the guy was way under a metre. Have it on camera and the police supposedly investigate up here if you pass the footage to them. Hopefully some good comes of it - will call them up tomorrow.

It also greatly depends where you are

I'm commuting through central london not rural Kent.

Saw a guy pushing his bike into Tottenham Hale this morning. Brakeless single speed (not fixed) with a polished wooden handlebar, no grips, no brakes. Guess it might've had a coaster brake?

Maybe his brakes got swiped and he was on his way to buy new ones?

Plenty of people are wrong about many things. Still doesn't make riding a bike while not looking where you're going a good idea, either for you or those around you.

I agree with you that it may not be a "good idea" but I am debating whether it is something that warrants a verbal intervention from a stranger. Not whether it is a "good idea".

Does anyone else notice a marked decline in driving standards at this time of year? It's like the half-light really catches people out. I've had three drivers pull out on me or turn across my path in the past couple of weeks - this is despite two front lights (one wide angle) and a retina searing jersey / sock combo.

Seems to happen every year, and always makes me wonder about putting the bike away until full-dark!