- She opened a door in front of a cyclist.
- Apologised and said it was totally her fault.
- Was "forgiven" by the cyclist.
And it makes front page of our national broadcaster's website. (who in God's name bothered to ring them?)
The obvious truth then is that the country doesn't really have any significant problems if that's what makes headlines.
That or the BBC has got its head up its tabloid butt.
Last edited by: No FM2R on Thu 2 May 13 at 18:47
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The cyclist was obviously riding too close to the parked car, why did she apologise, she should have asked for his insurance details in case her door was damaged.
Hardly headline national news but the BBC will always try to keep left wing politicians in the publics mind. No such thing as bad publicity?
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>> The cyclist was obviously riding too close to the parked car, why did she apologise,
>> she should have asked for his insurance details in case her door was damaged.
>>
Not necessarily. I would guess that she didn't check her mirror or look behind before opening the door; a must in an urban environment. She apologised, quite rightly, because it was her fault.
I wonder what the Mayor will have to say about it? ;-)
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And if he'd been riding out clear of the door zone there'd be folks here saying he was getting in the way of the cars.
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>>he obvious truth then is that the country doesn't really have any significant problems if that's what makes headlines.
Or perhaps the contrary!
It's certainly more of a "plane didn't crash" story than a "man bites dog" one.
I do try not to troll, but truth to tell I wondered who would be the first to blame the cyclist.
I didn't expect it to be ON, so I suspect him of being droll and spoiling my trap. Serves me right for being naughty.
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Me troll? I call it encouraging discussion. If you prefer we could always do mud flaps, floor mats, or winter, or is it summer yet tyres again. Or of course there is always monthly screenwash dilution rates. :-)
Last edited by: Old Navy on Thu 2 May 13 at 20:47
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The "Four wheels good, two wheels bad" posts every other thread are getting just a little bit wearing it has to said. However, it's a free-ish country so whatever erm, floats folk's boats I suppose...
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>> The "Four wheels good, two wheels bad" posts every other thread are getting just a
>> little bit wearing it has to said. However, it's a free-ish country so whatever erm,
>> floats folk's boats I suppose...
Ah, I see what you've done.
When you tried to type in bike4play...you typed in car4play instead.
Easy mistake to make ;)
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>> Me troll? I call it encouraging discussion.
I said droll, not troll. I took the blame for that ;-)
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>> >> Me troll? I call it encouraging discussion.
>>
>> I said droll, not troll. I took the blame for that ;-)
>>
Don't worry, after too many years in the RN I can survive any abuse allowed here. :-)
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>> I do try not to troll, but truth to tell I wondered who would be
>> the first to blame the cyclist.
>>
>> I didn't expect it to be ON,
Well it'd be either him or Westpig....
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Bromp/Humph,
ON said it was the cyclists fault, Harleyman said it was Ms. Hodge's fault. Nobody else commented on fault or blame.
Are we being just a tad sensitive this time? Because the thread seems(ed) somewhere between balanced and disinterested in blame.
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Mark,
In general terms I agree this is a non story but.....
ON and I have previous with each other about cycling. I struggle slightly with his blame the cyclist line here and other stuff he's posted which blames cyclists for getting in way of cars.
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Thu 2 May 13 at 22:28
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Road Vehicle Regulations Reg.105 – “No person shall open, or cause, or permit to be opened, any door of a vehicle on a road so as to injure or endanger any person”
• The points to prove are as follows:
1. There was a vehicle on a road
2. The person (accused) opened (or caused or permitted to be opened) any door of the vehicle
3. Injury or danger was caused to some person
• The person need not be the driver (they could be a passenger, or even unconnected with the vehicle)
• For this offence, actual danger must be shown (likely danger is not enough)
• You may issue an FPN(N), or report for process (depending on the circumstances)
(FPN £30 I think, but not endorsable)
Last edited by: Lygonos on Fri 3 May 13 at 01:36
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Given her well-documented two-faced approach to things in general, I'm surprised she missed seeing him.
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OK how about this one,
Last Sunday afternoon I was driving to St Andrews along the A914 between Glenrothes and Cupar. Shortly after joining this road there was a “Warning cyclists” sign on the roadside. Some miles further on, on rounding a bend I was confronted by a motor cycle with multiple orange strobe lights on the wrong side of the road waving me to the left. There was a raised grass verge so my only option was to stop rapidly from 50mph, (limit 60). The motor cyle was followed by a car with an orange strobe roof bar sradling the solid double white line. This was followed by about 50 cyclists taking up two thirds of the width of the road, they had to move over to pass me and the traffic behind me. The cyclists were followed by another two or three cars with orange strobes and and a queue of at least a couple of miles of slow moving traffic and sraggling cyclists. There were a couple of other motor cycles once again with strobe lights, at least one of which I saw on the wrong side of double white lines at high speed. It only delayed me for a few minutes, not a problem, but in my opinion it was not safely conducted, bearing in mind it was a fast, narrow, rural road and certainly would have caused a lot of frustration to following motorists.
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As someone who has been a motorcycle escort on cycle races (That what the event you passed was ON) I'll have to sadly agree that a huge problem on these events is caused by riders crossing the centre line, something British Cycling try to clamp down on but tends to be ignored by race organisers. The escorts should be obligated to report all riders who do this and stop the event immediately if it happens enmass. . As for the escorting motorcyclists, at least one should be far enough ahead of the race so as not to catch approaching traffic by surprise.
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I thought racing was banned on UK roads?
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Not for cyclists. I believe they are termed 'time trials' not racing.
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>> Not for cyclists. I believe they are termed 'time trials' not racing.
We did all this a while ago.
A time trial is a ride against the clock. Riders set off at intervals and complete the course alone. Such rides are little different from a solo rider pushing it some and have long been permitted on UK roads.
What ON appears to have encountered is a road race. IIRC the holding of these races on public roads is a more recent concession. They'll generally be escorted by cars and motorcycles so as to protect riders and other traffic from too much conflict with one another.
RR, who has in interest in competitive diciplines, will know far more than an ageing tourist/miltant commuter llike me.
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Fri 3 May 13 at 13:04
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>> >> Not for cyclists. I believe they are termed 'time trials' not racing.
>>
>> We did all this a while ago.
>>
>> A time trial is a ride against the clock. Riders set off at intervals and
>> complete the course alone. Such rides are little different from a solo rider pushing it
>> some and have long been permitted on UK roads.
It's a racing by another name. A time trail is a form of racing against the clock rather than a another person. I'm not arguing they should be banned or what not, although I do find them a PITA, just that it's one version of racing.
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>> It's a racing by another name. A time trail is a form of racing against
>> the clock rather than a another person. I'm not arguing they should be banned or
>> what not, although I do find them a PITA, just that it's one version of
>> racing.
Whatever.
We did this pretty extensively a month ago and all got a bit silly. I'm not repeating the exercise.
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>> >> It's a racing by another name. A time trail is a form of racing
>> against
>> >> the clock rather than a another person. I'm not arguing they should be banned
>> or
>> >> what not, although I do find them a PITA, just that it's one version
>> of
>> >> racing.
>>
>> Whatever.
>>
>> We did this pretty extensively a month ago and all got a bit silly. I'm
>> not repeating the exercise.
>>
I'm not saying to wind anyone up. To me it's same thing, it would meet the defination of racing. Racing can include against the clock, it need not involve competition against another person. Hence the common term 'race against the clock'.
I don't think I saw that one, I'm a bit 'on and off' here. Like I said I'm not having a dig and if this was redone before, I'm just late to the chat.
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Sorry Sooty. I mistakenly recalled you as a contributor to the previous thread:
www.car4play.com/forum/post/index.htm?t=13436&v=t
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>> What ON appears to have encountered is a road race. IIRC the holding of these
>> races on public roads is a more recent concession.
>>
The "recent concession" being somewhere in the 1940s. I was riding these things in about 1970 and there were far more then than there are now.
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Its like deja vu all over again! Although I always prefer it the first time.
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Crazy to *do* it. If your mind is focussed on that extra half second, you'll be more likely to take a risk than if you are driving normally. If you're racing (time trialling), you're not exactly thinking about your surroundings are you.
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This time I have no intention of reigniting the car / cycle war.
I had the impression that the escort for the event I came across were bullying their way against the oncoming traffic. It could have been done far better, a few flashing orange lights give you no priorities or the right to break the law. The cyclists were not the problem, (for me anyway).
Last edited by: Old Navy on Fri 3 May 13 at 15:17
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ON, I wonder what would have happened should you not chosen to move over? Bit of a stand off I suppose.
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ON, you're lucky you don't live down in leafy Surrey.
The Olympics road-race last year was a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience, and thoroughly enjoyable to spectate too, as you had the worlds top cyclists.
But now they want a similar race every year! They've planned one for August and there has been much upset from residents and businesses alike as it will severely curtail movement and trade on that day as many roads will be closed. We will be completely surrounded by the race route which will make any journeys that day difficult or impossible.
I don't think the general public will want their lives interfered with by a minority to such an extent, and I wouldn't be surprised if the local's patience is tested too far.
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You'd think if it's that popular, they'd do what motorised competitors do and hire a race track.
At least there'd be no complaints about noise from the residents near Mallory Park.
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Another way of looking at it Boxter is that it's just another sporting event.
Anybody who lives near a Premiership ground has movement and trade curtailed for one or two days every fortnight.
Even here in Northampton you'd be wise to consult Cobblers and Saints fixture lists before venturing into town on a Saturday. Getting quite sticky round Sixfields on Wednesday eve on account of Cobblers v Burton play off semi.
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>>I don't think the general public will want their lives interfered with by a minority to such an extent, and I wouldn't be surprised if the local's patience is tested too far.>>
I don't think one local will be able to make much of a stand...:-)
Margaret Hodge was in the wrong. Perfectly simple and straightforward. No excuses.
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>> Margaret Hodge was in the wrong. Perfectly simple and straightforward. No excuses.
Yes, and she admitted it and apologised immediately.
We've all done it or nearly done it. If you haven't you've done little urban driving.
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>> This time I have no intention of reigniting the car / cycle war.
>>
>> I had the impression that the escort for the event I came across were bullying
>> their way against the oncoming traffic. It could have been done far better, a few
>> flashing orange lights give you no priorities or the right to break the law. The
>> cyclists were not the problem, (for me anyway).
>>
The official Motorcycle Escort Group have "Lollipop Powers", they can hold other traffic till the race has passed.
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>> The official Motorcycle Escort Group have "Lollipop Powers", they can hold other traffic till the
>> race has passed.
>>
The ones I came across were in my opinion a bunch of aggressive wannabe traffic cops, without the skill or experience to come close to a well conducted escort.
Last edited by: Old Navy on Fri 3 May 13 at 18:25
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>> aggressive wannabe traffic cops
Exactly. There's nothing more fun than behaving like the Queen's outriders.
Years ago helped move several hundred sheep on foot down a mile or so of A29. My function was to drive in front of the bleating horde in my very beaten-up VW Variant, down the wrong side of the road with main beams on to force stuff coming the other way to pull in and wait for the stampede to pass. Chaps, dogs and a couple of other vehicles at the back scooping up strays and stopping the sheep from swerving into tasty-looking gardens and fields en route.
Jolly good fun that was. Loved it. Exercise of specious, probably illegal second-hand power of the sort enjoyed by post office clerks and so on in third world towns.
Last edited by: Armel Coussine on Fri 3 May 13 at 20:09
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>> Well it'd be either him or Westpig....
>>
Yawn....
It's the tits in life I don't like. So those who ride cycles and are tits, motorcycles, cars, lorries, all of them.
If they are sensible, polite, think of other people other than themselves..then they aren't on my radar. Selfish, arrogant, rude, etc..then they are.
....and that's all I've ever posted on the subject matter.
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Round about here, these so called ' Lollipop powers ' seem to extend to black Honda Civics, BMWs and Mercs on very low profile tyres escorting the horse drawn hearses.
Quite often seen them swerve in front of the traffic waiting at the lights so the hearse didn't gotst to stop.
Respect, man !
Ted
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I guess the one potential gain is the publicity. Might just make a few people think about opening doors more carefully.
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>> I guess the one potential gain is the publicity. Might just make a few people
>> think about opening doors more carefully.
>>
Or it might make BBD think about Margaret Hodge...
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Widow, so no complication there!!
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Margaret Hodge 'doors' cyclist - No FM2R
