Considerate driver of the day

Nissan Navaro driver who was most courteous in Collier Row on my way back from Hog Hill. To the point of taking flak from other much less courteous drivers. Much obliged.

Cycling through the French countryside en route to Paris a couple of weeks back was a real eye opener. Aside from an almost complete lack of traffic, what there was with barely an exception was so generous in their patience and then care when overtaking that it has to be seen to be believed. Add to that the smiles, waves and cheers from so many cars and pedestrians alike it was a joy to behold.

My experience of France was quite different. I'd agree that most drivers seemed more patient than those in the UK, although the amount of space they gave when passing varied enormously. I'd go so far as to say I was passed closer than I felt comfortable with more frequently than back here, even when there was nothing coming in the other direction.

The other thing I noticed is that chosing to use the road rather than a cycle lane/path isn't at all acceptable. I'll admit to being in complete ignorance of the actual law, but riding through a small town I was beeped at more than once despite being at or near the 30kph limit. Granted, there are lots of very good segregated cycle paths, but in this case it was a very British strip of green paint along the pavement where the markings suggested you had to defer to traffic at every t-junction.

The biggest contrast I noticed between here and there was everyone cycling on pavements and through pedestrianised areas, a lot of them doing so with very little consideration for anyone on foot. I joined in, was great fun.

I had a cabbie swerve into my lane yesterday, the moment he actually saw me he apologised. I did not go 'spokalyptic on his ass.

I did not go 'spokalyptic on his ass.

Time to call out good cyclists thread>>>>>>>

Interestingly, the most considerate driver I have experienced in a long time was the London Metropolitan Police driving a BMW 4W. Due to travelling the same way and hitting all the same red lights we ended up travelling roughly alongside each other for about 7 miles or approx 15 minutes - from Old Street to Knightsbridge.
Copper was being a textbook example of cyclist friendly driving; staying well back when I overtook other cyclists or negotiated potholes etc. Overtaking me a couple of times, but always with a wide berth and only when it was safe to do so. The fact that due to traffic and traffic lights, police car and me crossed central london at the same average speed is also a textbook example that getting frustrated with cyclists "blocking your way" is bollox as it is overall road conditions that determine your travelling time, not 5 seconds spent behind a slower moving cyclist.

The copper must be a cyclist himself. I think things are gradually starting to move in our favour people.

In the summer I stopped at the lights just by the entrance to the Ritz.

There was a cabbie next to the Ritz Rolls Royce and I assumed he was stopping trying to pick up a fare.

I asked him whether I was in his way.

He said no and then we had a nice conversation. He asked me where I was riding to and was in awe at my response "Bloody hell mate, that would take ages!" " Sure you don't want to jump in my cab and I'll take your bike too for £30!".

The light turned red.

We said our goodbyes.

What a nice chap he was.

This thread is 531 SL (Extra Super Awesome).

Well done to the OP.

we ended up travelling roughly alongside each other for about 7 miles or approx 15 minutes - from Old Street to Knightsbridge.

You averaged about 28mph between Old Street and Knightsbiridge, stopping at red lights along the way? See if you can get 3 weeks off work next July, there could be an interesting opportunity coming your way.

Guy on a red scooter waved me in front heading onto Bayswater. Ta

A bunch of drivers just outside Harrogate were very patient with myself and buddy after he hit the deck (skidded out on a bit of plastic or something on the road) on a big roundabout. Could've been horrible, but everyone was great.

Further evidence for the North being a friendly place.

a man on a motorbike waiting to turn left at some traffic lights asked me if i was going straight ahead and if i wanted to go ahead of him.
cheers motorbike man.

I've recently noticed a few times that after overtaking a cyclist, the car behind me has either turned left in front of the cyclist, or almost turned left into them, luckily there hasn't been an incident, just a close call.

I've now taken to staying behind a cyclist if the car behind is indicating left just to ensure that they don't do anything stupid. If the car behind did cause an accident, it wouldn't be my fault, but I would feel like I could have done something.

Met a white sports car coming the other way down a narrow lane at the weekend. He didn't just stop, but he reversed back up the road to a better passing place. Treated me like a legitimate road user. Awesome.

This is a lovely thread

Swore at a man in a van today when he pulled up along me to apologise for almost cutting me up. Didn't realise how nice he was being until after I had given him the finger. I feel like an ass now.

:(

Bloke in a 20mph limit zone pulled over to let me pass because I was keeping pace with him.

Foreign plates on the car. I guess from somewhere in Europe who likes / understands cyclists!

Oh.

Win, BTW.

a scooter riding lady informed me that a crisp ten pound note was about to slip out of my back pocket as i rode up the col de charterhouse street*

thanks scooter riding lady.

*not a euph

Last night after leaving work - going East on Agar Grove is such a nightmare at that time as no one ever leaves enough room on the left and there just isn't enough room for the buses down that route. Much to my amazement, all 30 some odd cars left enough room for cyclists. I was able to whizz up to the front (at least that's what I'm going to believe!). It was breathtaking.

Middle of the road. It's much easier. Agar Grove is often a headache though, I agree.

The Google driverless car hits the road in California. Wasn't sure exactly where to put this, but I hope it's a considerate driver.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-23/google-carmakers-discuss-self-driving-cars-with-u-s-regulators.html

Swore at a man in a van today when he pulled up along me to apologise for almost cutting me up. Didn't realise how nice he was being until after I had given him the finger. I feel like an ass now.

I cut in front of a van full of builders from the right hand side southbound on City Rd, just as the lights were changing. They understandably sounded their horn at the same time as I was waving an apology and they pulled up alongside me smiling and giving me a thumbs up which gave me a warm and fuzzy.

Road users appreciating that we all do dumb shit sometimes but can admit it and not take the automatic defensive stance, plus learning from mistakes = a good thing.

Funny one this....

Just at the bottom of Rosebery avenue, a driver was having a should I go up here (to Angel), or carry straight on (to Old Street) and was pausing at the fork. The driver behind him started to toot which might be what caused him to pull the right without looking. He hit a cyclist but stopped and the cyclist was no more than knocked off bike and had to pull his bike up off the ground to avoid it getting bent. Could have been worse, but it wasn't.

Anyway, the guy who was leaning on his horn now had to wait while the two people involved sorted it out (I wonder if that will learn him?). The cyclist and the driver both got out / dismounted and were full of "dear oh dear" smiles. Numbers and apologies were exchanged and both got on their way with a handshake.

Sometimes it is just an accident. Just be pleased it wasn't worse, do the admin and get on with your day.

Good work guys.