This morning's commute and other commuting stories

I mean I can understand people forgetting about stuff like bikes on their roof because it's not their normal setup, we all forget things - though sometimes it has more severe consequences. But professional drivers should theoretically be more aware... one would hope.

Well he did get nearly all the way in. I reckon its close and he's maybe been through there before loaded without issue

"More aware" or perfect?

Even if they are "more aware" then things like this will still happen, just less often. I don't expect "professional drivers" to be perfect.

I'm yet to be convinced that the term 'professional drivers' indicates anything at all in terms of skill/awareness/road craft/courtesy/general common sense when driving. Everyone on the road, cyclists included, is just a fallible bag of organs hopefully making good decisions most of the time. But that lorry - ha.

Professional only means paid to do that specific activity. Not that they're better at it than anyone else

Absolutely, I agree - it can just sometimes seem that being one means you must be an awesome driver, so people might think that because they are a professional driver, whatever they do and their interpretation of the road must be correct.
Anyway, this morning's commute - crisp and chilly with a warming sun, excellent bus driver behind me up a hill, looking forward to ever lighter evening rides home.

Well the fact remains that he is significantly beyond the height limit. The largest vehicle I've seen go through there, the standard version of the Merc Sprinter van, is already ~2.35m, this is certainly a good bit more. You don't need to be 'perfect' to avoid simple things like "don't try to drive through bridges that are too low".

I think professional driver just means that they drive so much that they pay less attention to what's happening.

Father of the year RLJ'ing his was through Kentish town on an electric scooter with a tiny child clinging on to the bar, with no helmet on her.

Also major incident at baker Street / Euston hopefully no one hurt. Seems to be a result of the new two way system.

hangover and bad close pass experience yesterday meant i didn't fancy the bike this morning. stopped off for a greggs breakfast roll and heavily sugared flat white. late for work, feeling fabulous, no regrets.

Someone outside Surrey Quays station this morning appeared to move over into my lane even though their's was empty to close pass me. Think I'd rather believe they did it on purpose to punish me for something I had unwittingly done than they weren't paying attention (checking mobile maybe) and just veered that far across the lanes??

If you apply Hanlon's Law, it's more likely to be the latter - 'never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity'

probably my fault, i was more than 6 inches away from the kerb without my helmet/hi viz on!

although the sunshine was lovely this morning, i do get a bit nervous riding in at this time of year due to the low angle which could easily lead to drivers hitting me from behind and using the old 'sun was in my eyes' get out of jail card.
rear light on super flashy bright mode to try and mitigate.

Father of the year RLJ'ing his was through Kentish town on an electric scooter with a tiny child clinging on to the bar, with no helmet on her.

I see those scooters, which are fast, all the time now. There doesn't yet seem to have been any enforcement. Their use in any public space is completely illegal.

Also major incident at baker Street / Euston hopefully no one hurt. Seems to be a result of the new two way system.

Can you say more about what seems to have happened?

Their use in any public space is completely illegal.

Was wondering about that actually. So they don't fall under the same category as ebikes, where it's legal as long as they're limited to 15mph and can be propelled by the person (ie by pushing)?

Edit - just read up on it. Seems a bit arbitrary that they're illegal just because of their classification as a 'Personal Light Electric Vehicle'.

https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/buying-advice/gadget/electric-scooter-law-uk-3668712/

Only on private land.

TBH, I completely missed a fellow cycle commuter entering a roundabout straight ahead of me this morning. He was turning right, I was turning left, so we were both going for the same exit. I just didn't see him against the glare, and long shadows.

All was fine, we were both taking tight lines, so he exited in the middle of the lane, I exited near the curb, but I felt a bit of dick as he had right of way and probably thought it was a bit of an aggressive move from me.

We've all got to take it easy and concentrate, even when you're marveling at the blue sky and birdsong.

I see those scooters, which are fast, all the time now. There doesn't yet seem to have been any enforcement. Their use in any public space is completely illegal.

Literally an accident waiting to happen.

Can you say more about what seems to have happened?

Just police and CPSOs everywhere and the road closed. The two way project has wardens everywhere, but obviously it didn't help. I really hope the ped recovers.

(not my photo)

https://www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/baker-street-traffic-bus-crash-15893517

Thanks, hope she recovers.

For the record, two-way operation is far safer than one-way operation.

i've seen a guy on an electric moped similar to this recently, without numberplates etc.
https://www.funbikes.co.uk/p7836_funbikes-road-legal-red-electric-fat-wheel-cruiser-scooter
i guess some sellers are leaving it up to the consumer to register with dvla...

Do kind of want...

Lost my front clip-on light due to "clip not bothered today", shattered on the road so no use going after it. Bye bye cateye...

In Belfast the place is full of Cycling Safety posters on buses/bus stops with pleasant slogans such as "Please leave 1.5 meter for overtaking, it keeps us both safe" and "Indicating helps everyone" complete with happy cyclists.

NI may be full of melter politicians, but the road safety campaigns here are quite decent.

Trying to find the posters isn't as easy :/

Much better than south of the border.

In Dublin we get: cyclists light up!

Nothing about driving legally which would be nice given how cuntish the cab drivers are.

And the "1.5 meter overtaking" originated Down South, so it's strange you don't get a good campaign up there.

The Facebook comments on any campaign as the usual "insurance and road tax" nonsense, but the PSNI in Belfast is actually really good on cycling.

They took my complaint serious and warned me when my rear light was not visible [i had one but it was hidden by something by accident] instead of just driving by and not giving a hoot.

The local cycling groups (bikefast) and the UK sustrans campaigns are talking a lot of the council/MLAs. So even though they get things wrong still, the grassroots input from cyclists seems to work well. Dunno how much of a say / ear they get in Dublin.

Also, taxi drivers = plague, though the Belfast ones have wisened up a lot. Now BMW/audi/chelsea tractor drivers are still reliable close passers ;)