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Post by Steph on Sept 25, 2013 15:44:33 GMT
So I haven't been cycling that long, but from both experience and the countless YouTube videos I've watched, I've got a pretty good handle on where I should be in the road. However there is one road near me that still confuses me. And since I cycle up/down it anywhere between 2 and 7-8 times a day, I'd like an opinion from others on where I should probably be. Instinct tells me to cycle down the middle of the gap (where I've marked in green) however when doing that I still get people passing me closely in both directions. But if I cycle near the kerb I never feel like drivers give me enough room. If I was there, that read car wouldn't be that much further over. Also, at the other end of this stretch of road there is a blind bend and a junction right on the bend meaning there are often cars sat just around the corner waiting to turn right, across the road. I always take a primary position round there no matter where I've been down the main stretch. Still had some stupid old woman go past me earlier today, only to then left hook me, grrrr. Where would you position yourself?
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Post by DelB on Sept 25, 2013 15:47:25 GMT
I generally cycle no more than a couple of feet from the kerb whenever I'm in traffic.
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Post by william39 on Sept 25, 2013 15:49:33 GMT
I stick to the kerbs unless there are traffic islands, in which case I move over to stop people trying to squeeze past.
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Post by Rocket on Sept 25, 2013 16:27:08 GMT
As a motorcyclist I had this discussion recently. We generally ride as per a car so would take up the whole of our side of the road. The on coming traffic is faced with the obstruction, parked cars, so they should give way. They would if a car was coming at them. I won't be pushed into the kerb and have my safety zone compromised. Often stop in the road to make my point.
Now as a cyclist you are insignificant and invisible to most. If you cycle too close to the kerb you have no further safety zone to bail into along with grids and increased puncture risks to contend with but you cannot argue with 1500Kg coming at you. In particular, Mr Important in his German vehicle.
Me, I would occupy a large portion of "my side" of the road making it clear very early that I want that space. Then you can always bail left into your safety zone if required. You have a right to be there so own it but be prepared. Collisions to be avoided.
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Post by Steph on Sept 25, 2013 18:38:58 GMT
As a motorcyclist I had this discussion recently. We generally ride as per a car so would take up the whole of our side of the road. The on coming traffic is faced with the obstruction, parked cars, so they should give way. They would if a car was coming at them. I won't be pushed into the kerb and have my safety zone compromised. Often stop in the road to make my point. Now as a cyclist you are insignificant and invisible to most. If you cycle too close to the kerb you have no further safety zone to bail into along with grids and increased puncture risks to contend with but you cannot argue with 1500Kg coming at you. In particular, Mr Important in his German vehicle. Me, I would occupy a large portion of "my side" of the road making it clear very early that I want that space. Then you can always bail left into your safety zone if required. You have a right to be there so own it but be prepared. Collisions to be avoided. That's usually what ends up happening. I'll take up enough room so they shouldn't really try to force their way through, but they usually do so I end up having to move over to the left. It does look like a reasonably wide stretch of road but it doesn't matter where I am it always feels like cars are way too close when they pass.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2013 19:56:38 GMT
For me it would depend how fast I was going. 18mph+ there I would take as much room as a car I think. Driveways,parked cars, turnings, pets and kids or whatever could appear.
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Post by Big Brother on Sept 25, 2013 20:06:07 GMT
Uphill and slow speeds I ride around a couple of feet from the kerb. No point antagonising drivers. Looking at the pictures, it looks a bit of a downhiller, i'd be looking at positioning myself just left of centre of the lane. I've as much right to be there as a car driver, especially when cycling at a decent speed.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2013 21:02:48 GMT
Unfortunately if it looks like there might be nearly just about enough space to squeeze through car and cyclist then the driver will take that chance. Cycling out in the road seems like a good idea as although it probably won't stop them it will at least force them right over then you have plenty of space to move into if they get too close for your liking.
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Post by captslog on Sept 25, 2013 21:22:12 GMT
That looks like a road I use in attenborough,
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Post by Steph on Sept 25, 2013 22:54:59 GMT
Coming the opposite way to the photo I cycle just outside the door zone, and give way to cars to coming towards me. Cycling the way the photo is taken I easily get up to 18+mph.
There are 2 access roads to rows of garages on the left side too.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2013 23:05:10 GMT
I would take a hard line and then think about tucking back in once it opens up a bit better, you're always gonna get the odd angry driver but such is life. Safety always comes first.
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Post by cocopops on Sept 26, 2013 6:34:44 GMT
Ill go with Rocket on this one, Take as much room as you can, that way you will always have a safe zone to run into..
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