BBC articles series on cycling

[esullivan]

Just pointing out that the BBC seems to be running a series on cycling safety lately that we might find interesting. Before you scream OFF TOPIC, I think these are relevant to motorbikers, even if we aren't mentioned. Today's installment, for example, points out the statistical insignificance of hi-vis (unless it says "police" or "polite" on the back), and that cars seemed to take greater risks with cyclists who appear to be better protected (i.e., wearing helmets).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29894590

I've noticed a more casual attitude toward my safety from fellow road users when I'm dressed like a chupa chups than when I'm dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans, but I thought it was my imagination. The idea seems to have some evidence behind it.

Yesterday's article on the same theme:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29878233

What was interesting about that one was how much more dangerous motorcycling is compared with cycling (see linked DfT stats -- TL/DR: it's many, many times more dangerous). In London, we get the opposite impression because we only hear about cyclists getting off'd by lorries. Motorcyclists don't count.
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[Rogerborg]

Fairly well balanced. Looool that even professional pedalists still don't really believe Walker's (actual, measured) results that riding further out gets you squeezed more, although they'll happily cherry pick the part about lids.

https://bamboobadger.blogspot.co.uk/2009/03/bicycle-overtaking-and-rebuttals.html


I wouldn't call motorcycling "many, many times" more dangerous.

x3.5 killed, x1.8 seriously injured, per mile.

I'll have to ride 539,665 miles to get my first serious injury, and 8,403,361 before I die. You lot can help out by getting yourselves mashed up sooner, I think that's how statistics work.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[thx1138]

I remember back when I was a posite guys coming up to 40+ years service and retirement, being made to wear cycle helmets for the last few months of their time, despite leading a relatively death free life up until that point

in fact, I think at around 6.30am I pedalled my postie bike at 30 mph down hill with 15kilos of mail on the front, I don't get up to that speed on the 125 in my town.

[Ste]

How far out to ride from the kerb is variable dependant on the road and the amount of other traffic. Riding out from the kerb is safer as it gives you some space to play with when someone does overtake you too close for comfort and if you move over a bit when there's a vehicle behind you then that helps to keep everyone happy.

One thing I have noticed over the years is that the if you're riding relatively quickly then people give you more room when overtaking then they do when you're going slowly.

From those BBC articles I'd say that the not wearing headphones idea is significant. If you're riding along a meter out from the kerb and you've got headphones on then you've got so much less awareness of what's going on around you, about the only thing of interest is what's approaching from behind you.

Looking out for your own safety is important and you don't achieve that by pissing however many tons of metal is behind you that's wanting to go faster and wanting to not look at your sexy lycra arse.

[Rogerborg]

[thx1138]

I hat to pedal slowly. My bicycle psyche has two speeds, stopped and absolutely hell for leather flat out.

[Ste]

[stinkwheel]

Cyclists could also help themselves by not attempting to direct the traffic behind them. Most of them have no concept of the room it takes to safely pass them or where an appropriate overtaking site is.

I had one today on a narrow B-road I know very well who almost agressively waved me past him at a point where I know for an absolute fact he couldn't see more than two car lengths ahead of him.

I duly ignored both his signals and the dirty look over his shoulder I got for doing so and was rewarded seconds later by a car appearing from the other direction. Had I given his signals any creedence whatsoever, I'd have had a massive head-on and he'd have landed up pulped between a vito van and a six foot high drystone wall (just enough room for two cars to pass there without clipping mirrors, not even near to there being enough for a cyclist as well).

He's not the first one to pull that kind of shit either. I just ignore the fuckers and pass when I'm ready.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[thx1138]

cyclists that wobble about and give redundant hand signals, much better just to look over shoulder then move across, instead of wobbling about with arm flapping

[WD Forte]

I'm glad they pointed out the Highway code bit
"You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129"

The self righteous assholes still ignore it round here
and give me dirty looks if I dont jump out their way
Walked up the local shop 100 yards away yesterday and had to dodge
5 cycling assholes on the way.

The thing is when driving or riding I have never had an incident with a cyclist I try to be solicitous towards them and they don't piss me off at all, but when I want to saunter up the shops the fuckers are everywhere but the road !.
came out of Morrisons this evening and saw a cyclist do stoppie
to avoid folk walkin out of the door
I hate them all with a vengeance and wish them under buses.
https://s2.quickmeme.com/img/04/0404ad07eab19bed089f0e6fdfb25aba47ac73584074927c1441a0a8aa69cf63.jpg
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bikers smell of wee

[stinkwheel]

[thx1138]

Kid crashes bicycle live on telly, at bicycle safety event.

https://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ac5_1415349898

[Rogerborg]