Scratchy

Most recent activity

• Experiences of Cycle Training

  in National Standard Cycle Training • 12 years, 10 months

  

  Will and I also agreed that level 3 shouldn't be called 'Cycle Training' but 'Advanced Cycling' or something a bit more sexy perhaps?

  Why?

• Becoming a Cycle Trainer

  in National Standard Cycle Training • 13 years, 1 month

  

  They might do though- even if their scheme is not Bikeability accredited I would imagine they use national standards and national standard trained instructors.

• Becoming a Cycle Trainer

  in National Standard Cycle Training • 13 years, 1 month

  

  being a confident rider, having good communication skills and around 4 or 5 hundred pounds
  You might be able to NOT pay the 4/5 hundred quid - some councils will pay for your training course in return for your working X number of courses for them. This will help you gain experience and this is what will help you to pass your final assessments.

• Shared road space

  in Improving Public Spaces • 13 years, 1 month

  

  i.e. it would be nonsense to suggest that you should always attempt it at night, or through tinted car windows, etc.

  The thing is, I DO successfully use "eye contact" in those situations where you cant see the persons face at all- a driver behind a tinted window can still see you even if you cant see them.

  As Bagheera said earlier, it's more the philosophy of communication rather than the actual eye contact with the driver that has the effect of asserting your rights on the road. I sometimes turn my head to the left towards a driver in a side road, but am actually looking straight ahead- they think I am looking at them and give way whilst I am actually watching something else that is going on up ahead and clocking them in my peripheral vision. I also find that, if I am wearing sunglasses (or a peak cap) it seems easier to make the eye contact, as the movement of my head is much more obvious. Glancing over your shoulder with a peak cap on seems to have a greater effect than without. Looking at a driver (who you cant even see) at night, whilst wearing a peak cap, seems to have the effect of making eye contact as they catch the movement of your head in their eye.

  As for Shared Space environments- roads ARE supposed to be shared space already, just the power balance is up the spout.
  Engineered Shared Space environments do seem to address this power imbalance as the removal of kerbs and the seperation between the road and pavement, makes pedestrians feel more at ease, they make LESS eye contact. Some might call SS a "riskier environment" because there is less seperation between "incompatible" types of vehicle. But in this case the higher risk seems to put the onus back on the driver (perpetrator) to avoid collision rather than the pedestrian (victim) because the driver feel more on edge and their natural instinct to not plough into anyone kicks in.
  Shared Space also makes life less conflicted between pedestrians and cyclists- apparently there is more conflict (aggression, confusion and crashes) where there is a shared path with a big fat white line down the middle than in the same sized space with no divider line. People seem to actually be able to muddle along together in "shared space" and the pedestrians dont get all up in arms about cyclists being in"their" space.
  The question is, does it work just because it is a bit new and people aren't used to functioning in that environment? Will people get used to it eventually and everything returns to how it currently is?

• Can anyone ride a bicycle?

  in National Standard Cycle Training • 13 years, 3 months

  

  In short, yes he can learn to ride a bike. A good professional instructor will no doubt be able to teach him, should HE want to learn. There are plenty of techniques that they will be able to identify for him, once they have seen him such as those mentioned- pedalling constantly, looking ahead and, by far the most confidence inspiring= learning how to stop effectively.

  check your local council website for "cycle training" and book up a lesson- if he lives in Hackney I can arrange it for him. For Free.

• Forumengers actually affected by the riots (London and elsewhere)

  in General • 13 years, 4 months

  

  1. nuknow--trapped in his flat in Lower Clapton while a riot was going on right outside
     
  2. metrocammell--his lovely pizzeria was attacked and looted
     
  3. el_squire--his shop was looted
     
  4. The Stylist--victim of bikejacking
     
  5. fixbmx--his shop was looted (Manchester)
     
  6. MinhDinh--has helped his sister's boyfriend defend his shop
     
  7. rodabod--had a brick thrown at his (metal-shuttered) window
     
  8. Scratchy sent home early from work on Tuesday- that cost me £100
     
• Herne Hill track resurfacing - webcam

  in Track Cycling and Velodromes • 13 years, 4 months

  

  Have they actually put a lane divider line down the middle of the track?? Has anyone told them its not a road....are we gonna see double yellow lines round the inside and a disabled parking bay on it soon?

• Who would you like to sponsor Bikeability?

  in National Standard Cycle Training • 13 years, 6 months

  

  Why the need for corporate sponsorhip at all?

  Bikeability is an inexpensive scheme given the benefits it creates and the governments own research shows that investment in cycling has a return of something like £7 for every £1 invested. The benefits come in the form of health benefits to cyclists, health benefits to non cyclists by way of environmental improvements, increased safety on the road for cyclists and all other vulnerable road users, increased spending in town centres and high streets (cyclists spend £1 MORE when they go shopping on average than any measley fat car driver), less congestion etc etc etc. I dont want to embarrass users of other forms of transport by going on!

  Not to mention the flogging off of every child's innocent brains to any old company who wants to market their product....Bikeability IS a marketing campaign in its own right, for the National Standards for cycle training....its like cosindering getting Coca Cola to sponsor your marketing campaign for Aquafresh toothpaste....

• Protecting The Most Vulnerable

  in National Standard Cycle Training • 13 years, 6 months

  

  The driver in the scenario needs to wait. You have priority in this situation as they are coming into your side of the road to overtake so make it look like you know that is the case by moving out and putting yourself in the middle of the available space between the parked cars on your side and the cyclist. This communicates "there isn;t enough space here for your car mate" which is better than "there might be enough space for your car if you just give it a go".
  The driver will either make a brain/eye/hand connection and wait or it will flick a switch in their brain and they decide to make a bulls eye of you and try and kill you on purpose, driving off and laughing afterwards.....this is pretty unlikely though. You can maintain your position until they slow down at which point you can move back over to within the car door zone and proceed slowly- being the car door zone isn't so dangerous at low speed after all. Give them a broad smile in appreciation of their humanity and carry on.
  They might carry on regardless- it does indeed happen so be ready with a handy swerve....you can handle it and if you cant then go and practise some swerves (have you had a cycle training lesson?). Try and leave making an assumption than rather than trying to kill you the driver isn't very good at driving and doesn't have the skills to judge their own size and speed and the effect this has on vulnerable road users, who they dont realise exist. Worrying of course, but better than thinking the world is full of people who are intent on killing you which tends to make you miserable and aggressive and you wont make the best decisions the next time you have a similar situation.
  In other words, be assertive rather than submissive.

• 2011-04-16 Sat 9pm - London Marathon Ride

  in Rides & Races • 13 years, 11 months

  

  1. Bearfoot
     
  2. WjPrince - first forum ride.
     
  3. BenJam
     
  4. Sumo
     
  5. hartxander
     
  6. pt
     
  7. TheorySwine
     8.'riva
     
  8. skydancer
     
  9. Hobo
     
  10. b&d
      
  11. skive
      
  12. superjoe +southwest fixie massive
      
  13. Lynx (bike unsure)
      
  14. Scratchy