Is it time to start calling out bad cyclists?

True Bobs but primary position on road still only gives you a foot or so at 30mph to see someone step from the gaps betwixt a parked car or off a bus. You can slow down rapidly but then have to assume the driver behind you will do the same and then you also assume that this is in the best possible conditions rather than an icy evening.

True Bobs but primary position on road still only gives you a foot or so at 30mph to see someone step from the gaps betwixt a parked car or off a bus. You can slow down rapidly but then have to assume the driver behind you will do the same and then you also assume that this is in the best possible conditions rather than an icy evening.

if the conditions are that poor, then you shouldn't be travelling at 30mph.

Whilst speed limits don't strictly apply to bikes, it should still be remembered that they are a maximum, and not a suggestion of a safe speed to travel at.

Jeez, it is a balancing act and it requires all road users to be responsible for both their own safety and tthe safety of those around them. It mostly works but like everything there are always some numpties that throw a spanner into the works be it a motorist, a cyclist or a pedestrian.

Heading north this morning towards Old Kent Road along the old Peckham canal route, ahead of me are two cyclists (about 10 metres in front) and ahead of them (about another 10 metres) a man and young child on foot crossing the path just before where the Peckham Hill Street bridge also crosses the path. Anyhow, cyclist two is gaining on cyclist one and decides to cut round his left-hand side before the bridge, taking him directly into a collision course with the two pedestrians. He starts the manoeuvre then seems to spot the man and child for the first time and cuts hard right contacting with cyclist one side by side. The two then swerve left and right locked together for a bit before cyclist two breaks clear clipping the front of cyclist one who finally ends up on the ground. Crappy manoeuvre, but what really annoyed me was that cyclist two was all set to continue to ride away leaving the first guy on the ground. I shout after him and he reluctantly comes back to the scene where cyclist one is now flat on ground holding his right hand and groaning in pain. Cyclist two is pretty nonchalant about the whole thing, like “it’s just one of those things, nothing he could do about it”. The guy on the ground is still in shock and pain, whilst cyclist two is busy making his excuses and he then decides there’s nothing more for him to do here so makes a few platitudes and leaves. I now feel I should have made him wait longer, and have spent all day pissed off about his lack of concern and for the injury he’d caused. Don’t know what the outcome was, sent cyclist one on his way home on foot (since he said he only lived nearby) to go and have his wrist checked out (looked like it could be a fracture) but really goes to show there are plenty of idiots out there who exercise little or no anticipation of risk, whether on foot, on two wheels or four.

Was a numpty the other day and stepped out in front of one of my eldest's school mates on his brand spanking new GT racer.

Nobody hurt and I did apologise profusely but that dont excuse the fuckwittery of it.

peds who claim a right to cross wherever and whenever they like

not saying that it's sensible or not-annoying for pedestrians to do this, but i think they do have the right to. my driving instructor always used to tell me that the second that a pedestrian stepped onto the road, they had priority. seeing as how you're not allowed to go on pavements as a non-ped, this basically means that peds always have priority in any situation where you might come across one, no?

I sometimes find pedestrians infuriating but we should look out for the more vulnerable road users.

If you are in primary position you should have a better perspective of what is happening at the side of the road. Additionally by taking the lane it means you have space in the lance to make emergency manoeuvres either to the left or right.

If you are traveling close to parked vehicles your speed should be reduced to improve your chances of avoiding someone stepping out in front of you.

Speed ought to be moderated according to the conditions, so if it is wet, then travel more slowly.

Baz, from your description it sounds as if you tend to cycle in 2ndary position or even closer to the kerb, for clarification the following has been lifted from http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/cycletraining/article/ct20110110-cycletraining-Bitesize-Bikeability--Part-4--On-Road-Positioning-0

**Understanding Primary Road Position **
The primary road position is that of the general flow of traffic (ie in the centre of the lane). Contrary to what inexperienced cyclists may think, this is where they are often safer, as it is where they can most easily see and be seen. Trainees should be encouraged to think like a driver of a vehicle, and if in doubt position themselves where a vehicle would be.
Riding in the primary position is sometimes called taking the lane as the cyclist takes the position normally taken by the motorist, who is thus prevented from attempting to overtake.
When riding in the primary position, trainees should travel at a reasonable speed, as part of the traffic flow. If, however, traffic is building up behind them and the road ahead is clear, they may wish to move to the secondary position to avoid obstructing other road-users unnecessarily.

Understanding Secondary Road Position
The secondary road position (roughly 1 metre to the left of the traffic flow and not less than 0.5 metres to the edge of the road) may be appropriate if the road is wide enough to allow safe overtaking, and the rider’s safety is not reduced by riding in this position.
The correct choice of road position can be used to help riders affect driver behaviour, in order to help avoid collisions with other road users, or to avoid them having to brake suddenly. The secondary position is a useful position on most minor roads where there are few parked vehicles on the carriageway, and is particularly appealing to beginners as it leaves them closer to the perceived safety of the pavement.

Additionally by taking the lane it means you have space in the lance to make emergency manoeuvres either to the left or right.

Is this called the livestrong method?

I hate it when I want to get up in the morning and there is some fucking pedestrian standing next to my bed. Going "oooh, I'm more vulnerable, give way, give way". No,* I *am more vulnerable, I am wearing my jammies and I need a piss. And more to the point, what are you doing in my house?
You can't always blame taxi drivers, that's what I think.

and remember kids ^^^ all of which is immeasurably improved with the addition of headphones!

I hate it when I want to get up in the morning and there is some fucking pedestrian standing next to my bed. Going "oooh, I'm more vulnerable, give way, give way". No,* I *am more vulnerable, I am wearing my jammies and I need a piss. And more to the point, what are you doing in my house?
You can't always blame taxi drivers, that's what I think.

I would like this to have been said in the House of Lords, word for word. Perhaps punctuated with a belch.

I hate it when I want to get up in the morning and there is some fucking pedestrian standing next to my bed. Going "oooh, I'm more vulnerable, give way, give way". No,* I *am more vulnerable, I am wearing my jammies and I need a piss. And more to the point, what are you doing in my house?
You can't always blame taxi drivers, that's what I think.

wonderful.

Technically...
we wouldn't have any road accidents if it was that simple

I wanna live in a world where the rigid look after the squishy

To that end I will ride stupid slow if there is any chance a ped will get under my wheel before I can stop

That means it takes me c10 mins extra to get to work than it would if I rode like everyone else's job is to get out of my way

I am ok with that

Everyone is shit.

Doesnt everyone just go as fast as the car in front on them if going?

my driving instructor always used to tell me that the second that a pedestrian stepped onto the road, they had priority.

This is the way I understand it as well, but I spent about 15 minutes googling yesterday and couldn't find anything in the Highway code to support the concept. I guess it's not in the HC because it's dangerous and not encouraged, but I do definitely have the idea in my head that all pedestrians have right of way the moment they set foot on a road regardless of where they do it. And I don't think it's something that I've just made up in my head, either, I'm certain that it's something 'official'. Just can't find the actual words.

CSB :/

Agreed... there is definitely a large swathe of the cycling community - I suspect many on here - who seem to think that

Speed limit = 30 mph
Max speed in city by bike = 15-30 mph
QED - it is safe to go as fast as you can at all times.

Sarcastic voice But I thought that speed limits meant that is the speed you HAVE to travel at.

I thought it was a minimum...?

I hate it when I want to get up in the morning and there is some fucking pedestrian standing next to my bed. Going "oooh, I'm more vulnerable, give way, give way". No,* I *am more vulnerable, I am wearing my jammies and I need a piss. And more to the point, what are you doing in my house?
You can't always blame taxi drivers, that's what I think.

Must spread rep.

not saying that it's sensible or not-annoying for pedestrians to do this, but i think they do have the right to. my driving instructor always used to tell me that the second that a pedestrian stepped onto the road, they had priority.
That's my policy up to the point where swerving or attempting an emergency stop would cause one or both of use to go hurtling down the road and end up at A&E or under a car. I barked at pedestrians twice this year as they were stepping out, giving them a fright I'm sure. Didn't like it but it was the right thing to do in the circumstances.

Basically its about a bit of give and take from everyone, consideration from everyone - including peds and cyclists.
This

Kings Road 7.15am: I am in the cycle lane with a car next to me.
Fucking nodder pulls out of a side road about 10m in front of me.
I can't overtake him owing to the car so just apply the brakes quite hard. No drama.
BUT...
As I overtake him after the car passes I ask "why don't you look before you pull out?".
He replies, "I DID LOOK!" in a highly indignant voice.

Similarly had a car passenger exit INTO the empty bus lane from the queue her car was in and I scream "NEXT TIME LOOK!" as I narrowly miss her dashing in front of me.
Response - "I DID LOOK!"

W.T.F?
This, apparently standard, reply makes me want to kick the cretins in the balls/gash as appropriate.

I mean IF YOU FUCKING LOOKED WHY DID YOU THEN PUT YOUR FAT STATIONARY ARSE RIGHT IN FRONT OF 100kgs moving at 20mph (with a tailwind).

Frankly I prefer a good old-fashioned SMIDSY. At least they apologise and recognise they are in the wrong.
I feel better now, thanks.

and I scream "NEXT TIME LOOK!"

You're doing it wrong; they all claim that they looked. Shout "NEXT TIME, SEE!" to cut off that argument :-)

I don't like broadcasting negativity like this but i really need to get this off my chest. Apologies if i lower your mood:

Should I have said something to the irascible cunt who intentionally rode into a teenage girl leading her little sister by the hand across a road in Covent Garden last night?
Yes they jaywalked but the cyclist had more than enough time to stop. As it happened, he slowed to a crawl and gently steered into the girl – he had to turn very slightly to the left to do so.
I'm certain this was intentional and done as a statement of sorts.
She looked pretty shocked, and more so by his "wake the fuck up" outburst at her.
It was his swearing and muttering as he rode away that convinced me to keep my mouth shut.
His utility bike/commuter gear may have ben expensive but he is obviously a damaged and bitter cunt who would only respond badly to an admonishment.
I can't help thinking that he wouldn’t have behaved the same way if it had been me or someone similar to me crossing that road.
Fucking bully, I've never wished harm on another cyclist but I hope something horrible happens to you.

mao, can you just clarify, what type of bike was the guy riding was it titanium? Was he wearing Rapha? Did he have a cravat?

Hee lol

After reading all this talk about pedestrians this morning I knocked one down (actually I think two like dominoes but I'm not certain since I went down as well) for the first time this evening.

Going down Oxford St, no traffic ahead of me, I was coming up to the lights before John Lewis, which had been green for me for the whole time I was approaching them (as confirmed by another ped who joined in the post collision discussion) when a family(?) walked into the road at the crossing without looking at all. I shouted - which they ignored - and braked as hard as I could but didn't manage to avoid hitting one of them.

I feel that it was at least equally my fault though as I know people often pay no attention to the road there and I hadn't realised it was already wet and so hadn't slowed down accordingly, so I guess I'm calling myself out. WAC. I will take more care around fragile peds in future.