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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2021 9:41:17 GMT
ah.. but on the other hand there are plenty of bad bus drivers out there, I see them all the time. Worse one was early morning (6 am empty roads) I was giving one of my sons a lift to work, his car was off the road at the time. I was driving through Harrow(30mph road) and gave way for a paperboy on his bike out on his deliveries who was crossing the road on a pedestrian crossing. He began to cross in front of me when I clocked rapid movement in my driver's door mirror, saw a large red thing moving fast, and just had time to sound the horn to alert this kid who stopped crossing alarmed first at my horn and then by this double-decker bus charging literally inches from his front wheel at what I would guess was over 50mph. There are plenty of drivers out there in all walks of life who should never be allowed on the road, don't even get me started on trucks...lol I agree about learning from riding bikes, personally, I think the roads would be much safer if everyone was forced to do at least 2 years on a bike before being allowed near more than 2 wheels. I also used to ride my RD250 in snow and sheer ice, you learn how to read road conditions on a bike... Pete
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lesstoneuk
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Retired Omnibus navigation & velocity adjustment technician
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Post by lesstoneuk on May 17, 2021 16:21:27 GMT
ah.. but on the other hand there are plenty of bad bus drivers out there, I see them all the time. Worse one was early morning (6 am empty roads) I was giving one of my sons a lift to work, his car was off the road at the time. I was driving through Harrow(30mph road) and gave way for a paperboy on his bike out on his deliveries who was crossing the road on a pedestrian crossing. He began to cross in front of me when I clocked rapid movement in my driver's door mirror, saw a large red thing moving fast, and just had time to sound the horn to alert this kid who stopped crossing alarmed first at my horn and then by this double-decker bus charging literally inches from his front wheel at what I would guess was over 50mph. There are plenty of drivers out there in all walks of life who should never be allowed on the road, don't even get me started on trucks...lol I agree about learning from riding bikes, personally, I think the roads would be much safer if everyone was forced to do at least 2 years on a bike before being allowed near more than 2 wheels. I also used to ride my RD250 in snow and sheer ice, you learn how to read road conditions on a bike... Pete In no way am I apologising or excusing the actions of that bus driver in not checking occupancy of the pedestrian crossing but...... BUT..... Its also as much a responsibility for the paperboy to check the road is clear. As for truck drivers..... Oh dear God. Those ones that decide to overtake then take the next five miles side by side. Me, if I'm being overtaken by a lorry will ease off the throttle so said lorry effs off out my way. I certainly agree with compulsory bike riding, it'll wise up thousands.
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jem
Elder Statesman
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Post by jem on May 17, 2021 16:47:11 GMT
Well if it was compulsory for everyone to ride a bike for 2 years first, it would certainly get the population down to a more manageable level!!
Jam
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lesstoneuk
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Post by lesstoneuk on May 17, 2021 19:59:41 GMT
Well if it was compulsory for everyone to ride a bike for 2 years first, it would certainly get the population down to a more manageable level!! Jam Don't you just love those cyclists that ride along a main road, holding large vehicles to ransom even though there is a cycle track not 15 yards away or those that are colour blind and cannot see a red traffic light or those that ride on the pavement.
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Post by ettingtonliam on May 17, 2021 20:08:25 GMT
Maybe we should have a return to the Cycling Proficiency Test which we did at Junior school in the 1950s. There were lessons in bike riding, maintenance and the Highway Code, finishing up with a test supervised by the local policeman. If you passed, you got a pennant which fitted onto the front mudguard. Severe repercussions befell anyone caught riding without lights! By the way, why don't bikes have to have bells on them any more as an audible warning of approach? They used to be a standard fitting, but not any more apparently.
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JonL
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WWSME (Wiltshire)
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Post by JonL on May 17, 2021 20:43:39 GMT
An audible warning is still mandatory, it's just not enforced, just like reflectors.
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smallbrother
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Post by smallbrother on May 17, 2021 22:44:30 GMT
Well if it was compulsory for everyone to ride a bike for 2 years first, it would certainly get the population down to a more manageable level!! Jam Don't you just love those cyclists that ride along a main road, holding large vehicles to ransom even though there is a cycle track not 15 yards away or those that are colour blind and cannot see a red traffic light or those that ride on the pavement. My wife is a 100 mile a day cyclist and the reason they don't go on the cycle path is because of debris that the thin road tyres cannot cope with. She and her mates double up on approaching blind bends to stop drivers chopping in so close they are within 2-3 inches of her handlebars. She has a good selection of swear words to hurl back at those who wind down their windows to shout foul abuse at a bunch of girls enjoying the open road. They all own cars so all pay road tax. They plough along at an average speed of about 14mph in hilly South Wales, which is going some. They are not burning petrol/diesel, they obey the Highway Code, they do this on weekends and evenings not the rush-hour, but they are in the wrong? Pete.
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dscott
Elder Statesman
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Post by dscott on May 18, 2021 0:24:12 GMT
Doncaster BUSES 1 White car with Naughty Driver 0 Goal posts (The sign) Not Big enough!!! We may need a new sign. Yes I sneaked out of the Queue for Doncaster and took it. I have great respect for big things on the road. David, and Lily holding the space in the Queue.
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lesstoneuk
Part of the e-furniture
Retired Omnibus navigation & velocity adjustment technician
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Post by lesstoneuk on May 18, 2021 1:08:52 GMT
Maybe we should have a return to the Cycling Proficiency Test which we did at Junior school in the 1950s. There were lessons in bike riding, maintenance and the Highway Code, finishing up with a test supervised by the local policeman. If you passed, you got a pennant which fitted onto the front mudguard. Severe repercussions befell anyone caught riding without lights! By the way, why don't bikes have to have bells on them any more as an audible warning of approach? They used to be a standard fitting, but not any more apparently. I'll give my nephew full credit, he's 15 now, but for a couple of years now he has done all his own maintainence, repairs and upgrades. From changing pedals to regreasing thrust bearings and dismantling suspension units. Whenever I taught him something, I'd ask "why do you think it was done this way or why are there left and right hand threads" .
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Post by ettingtonliam on May 18, 2021 11:15:08 GMT
My wife is a 100 mile a day cyclist and the reason they don't go on the cycle path is because of debris that the thin road tyres cannot cope with. She and her mates double up on approaching blind bends to stop drivers chopping in so close they are within 2-3 inches of her handlebars. She has a good selection of swear words to hurl back at those who wind down their windows to shout foul abuse at a bunch of girls enjoying the open road. They all own cars so all pay road tax. They plough along at an average speed of about 14mph in hilly South Wales, which is going some. They are not burning petrol/diesel, they obey the Highway Code, they do this on weekends and evenings not the rush-hour, but they are in the wrong? Pete. Are you telling us that your dear wife goes out with a bunch of sweary cyclists who bunch up to prevent faster following traffic from passing them? Isn't that in itself a breach of the highway code, or at least, good manners?
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2021 11:26:35 GMT
Don't you just love those cyclists that ride along a main road, holding large vehicles to ransom even though there is a cycle track not 15 yards away or those that are colour blind and cannot see a red traffic light or those that ride on the pavement. My wife is a 100 mile a day cyclist and the reason they don't go on the cycle path is because of debris that the thin road tyres cannot cope with. She and her mates double up on approaching blind bends to stop drivers chopping in so close they are within 2-3 inches of her handlebars. She has a good selection of swear words to hurl back at those who wind down their windows to shout foul abuse at a bunch of girls enjoying the open road. They all own cars so all pay road tax. They plough along at an average speed of about 14mph in hilly South Wales, which is going some. They are not burning petrol/diesel, they obey the Highway Code, they do this on weekends and evenings not the rush-hour, but they are in the wrong? Pete. I have to say that cyclists on country roads frighten the life out of me, personally, they should be banned... You can not see far enough ahead when driving down country roads, they twist and turn with high hedges on either side which conceal any cyclists who may be there. A horse and rider you can see, or should I say, an alert driver should see but a pushbike you can not? Some of these roads are national speed limits, and some fools out there will hurtle into a blind bend with no thought of what might be there? It just seems too dangerous to me and them you have the total morons who ride their bikes in the dark? ?
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on May 18, 2021 11:49:35 GMT
My wife is a 100 mile a day cyclist and the reason they don't go on the cycle path is because of debris that the thin road tyres cannot cope with. She and her mates double up on approaching blind bends to stop drivers chopping in so close they are within 2-3 inches of her handlebars. She has a good selection of swear words to hurl back at those who wind down their windows to shout foul abuse at a bunch of girls enjoying the open road. They all own cars so all pay road tax. They plough along at an average speed of about 14mph in hilly South Wales, which is going some. They are not burning petrol/diesel, they obey the Highway Code, they do this on weekends and evenings not the rush-hour, but they are in the wrong? Pete. I have to say that cyclists on country roads frighten the life out of me, personally, they should be banned... You can not see far enough ahead when driving down country roads, they twist and turn with high hedges on either side which conceal any cyclists who may be there. A horse and rider you can see, or should I say, an alert driver should see but a pushbike you can not? Some of these roads are national speed limits, and some fools out there will hurtle into a blind bend with no thought of what might be there? It just seems too dangerous to me and them you have the total morons who ride their bikes in the dark? ? I was always taught that you should be able to stop within the distance you can see. I've driven that way for nearly 50 years and never hit anything yet. Pete.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2021 11:53:13 GMT
I have to say that cyclists on country roads frighten the life out of me, personally, they should be banned... You can not see far enough ahead when driving down country roads, they twist and turn with high hedges on either side which conceal any cyclists who may be there. A horse and rider you can see, or should I say, an alert driver should see but a pushbike you can not? Some of these roads are national speed limits, and some fools out there will hurtle into a blind bend with no thought of what might be there? It just seems too dangerous to me and them you have the total morons who ride their bikes in the dark? ? I was always taught that you should be able to stop within the distance you can see. I've driven that way for nearly 50 years and never hit anything yet. Pete. But that doesn't work on some country roads Pete if so cars would be travelling at walking pace... Have you ever seen how the police train their drivers on country roads, it's bloody terrifying and plain stupid....taking most bends on the wrong side of the road at speed???
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on May 18, 2021 12:01:40 GMT
Are you telling us that your dear wife goes out with a bunch of sweary cyclists who bunch up to prevent faster following traffic from passing them? Isn't that in itself a breach of the highway code, or at least, good manners? I did say it was in response to foul language, invariably from red faced men. You are allowed to double up but not more than 2. Discourages trying to overtake when it isn't safe. My wife also waves drivers through (when safe) to try and help them overtake safely and to minimise delay. Pete.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on May 18, 2021 12:04:41 GMT
I was always taught that you should be able to stop within the distance you can see. I've driven that way for nearly 50 years and never hit anything yet. Pete. But that doesn't work on some country roads Pete if so cars would be travelling at walking pace... Have you ever seen how the police train their drivers on country roads, it's bloody terrifying and plain stupid....taking most bends on the wrong side of the road at speed??? Appropriate speed is the key. Maybe that's why others crash and I don't!?! Pete.
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JonL
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WWSME (Wiltshire)
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Post by JonL on May 18, 2021 12:07:48 GMT
I have a feeling this thread is just going to descend into bad feeling all round.... There have been a couple like this lately. We are all motivated/scared by/enthused by/infuriated by very different things, and I doubt anyone will come away from this feeling like their minds have been changed by what they have read here!
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2021 12:17:00 GMT
But that doesn't work on some country roads Pete if so cars would be travelling at walking pace... Have you ever seen how the police train their drivers on country roads, it's bloody terrifying and plain stupid....taking most bends on the wrong side of the road at speed??? Appropriate speed is the key. Maybe that's why others crash and I don't!?! Pete. Ah.. appropriate speed is always the key to a healthy life...that doesn't always mean plodding along like an old man, even though that's how my wife describes my driving these days. Being a 'driver' type of person I drive fast cars, very fast cars, and have driven at very high speeds, well over double our own speed limit while on the continent. Speed doesn't kill, inappropriate speed kills and I say this as someone who not only drives fast but also has an exemplary driving record as the condition of my car prooves and my max no claims insurance bears witness too... Pete
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Post by ettingtonliam on May 18, 2021 12:21:55 GMT
We are rather getting away from 'Buying a small car' aren't we?
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2021 12:24:36 GMT
sorry chaps.. I shall cease...
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jem
Elder Statesman
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Post by jem on May 18, 2021 16:06:36 GMT
I think that it is rather good to have a bit of a rant, providing that it is friendly
Jem
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