Nice Cycling #11 | Having To Survive 

Cheers for noticing this, I'm also trying to keep a calm voice despite a slight fear of horses

Didn't know this. Another school day!

I wondered why the rider did that. Thank you. Always learning even though I have been cycling for 50 years.

About to make a comment about that myself! Very nicely done cyclist.

And is that camera or a light on the right drop bar? The rider is either marking a point on the recording, or switching off a (flashing?) light. If it's the latter, that's a good move and suggests regular interaction with horses. Flashing lights, flappy jackets, or simply approaching silently from behind can all cause problems for horses and riders.

And the same can be said of motorists!

I always do this. The longer vehicles are stuck behind you the greater the chance one of them will get frustrated and attempt something silly and put me in danger. If the opportunity presents itself to pull in and let them pass I will take it every time.

Thanks. This, and the following one, were my clips. The tractor had followed me very courteously for a few hundred yards, and this was the earliest opportunity to pull over.

I had a tractor pull over to let me past on the bicycle the other day, works both ways!

Very true, but remember many cyclists have that "Because I can" or "Because I don't have to" attitude.

@@goodyeoman4534 I find lots of road users have that attitude these days, regardless of their choice of transport. Such a shame as it just doesn't have to be like that.

Good spot.

Thanks for sending in! Because I get so many sometimes it takes a little while for peoples clips to feature.

Fair point, generally if I'm seen/ heard it all gets worked out. In this situation she didn't comprehend me but I was happy to go by having judged that she wasn't about to step towards me. An improvement here would also be to church my six to see if the bus stop would be a useable escape route but at that speed I can stop on a penny.

@@cyclecam6328 yep, I think "on your left/right" is fine in a cycling event or group riding, but your random lady in the street is going to be WTF? Also, she has a walking stick, she might be slow at walking, but lightning fast at sticking that through your front wheel! (actually, that's another point, I tend to aim for the side away from a walking stick, dog, bag etc., not always possible or necessary though!) Your speed was fine in terms of stopping if you needed too. But what I find is some pedestrians are very easily startled, so you've got to try and not creep up on them (even though they really ought to be expecting to encounter a cyclist on a cycle path!). It's difficult though, especially when they're using headphones or are hard of hearing. Sometimes you can't win, I scared the cr@p out of a dog walker the other day. I actually started laughing as it was absurd; they were on the opposite side of the road, at least 3-4 metres away and swung round with an expression of shock and horror. Gave me the icy stare of death, then knelt down to comfort their 'traumatised' dog!

@@shm5547 Racing life is where I got the habit from, at least I don't tap people's flanks anymore like in a crit race. The death stares when you've done all you reasonably can are a sight to behold.

Contrariwise, I find pedestrians react more favourably to "passing on your left" than they do to a bell.

I consider it more polite to speak to pedestrians, but a few times now, I have had a "Use your bell" response. A bell isn't a legal requirement but merely recommended in the Highway Code. Also, those with headphones on can be a real nuisance being totally oblivious to their surroundings.

We're in Devon, but not too uncommon. 10% make 90% of a stereotype.

would've been a goner had that been a car

The elderly woman driving was reported by myself (the cyclist), I got an email response back saying “positive action taken”.

Someone else who knows the difference between practical and practicable.... :thumbs up:

Yes, you don't have to but best flow for everyone and having a more pleasant ride means that one should. In just the same way, a motorway doesn't have to tuck in to help me filter in traffic but it's appreciated when they do.

You don't but its just common courtesy if you can save 10 people a few minutes each if you pull over for 30s yourself. I do it if I am on a road I know doesn't have safe overtaking spots for a long time and I am going slowly. Doesn't cost me anything really and its just nice to do. Like when you let people out of a side road when you don't have to. I agree that it shouldn't be an expectation and that 95% of the time I am on roads where no one is likely to be held up for more than 30s to a minute and I am travelling quite fast. That other 5% of the time though I am happy to let faster traffic past. Often Its literally a case of slowing, moving in to the side and waving them past. Takes 5s.

@@mctrials23Top drawer stuff. Myself, I've changed practice from a wave to a thumbs up, sometimes after a left signal. I don't want ambiguity that the responsibility to overtake safely is with them.

@@cyclecam6328 As is always the case with cycling, its not quite as simple as it seems. Its not an absolute when cyclists should probably move over and if cyclists are constantly doing it every time a few cars end up behind us then drivers will feel entitled to it. They shouldn't but they will. Read the comments on any cycling videos of close passes and you will see drivings whinging that cyclists shouldn't be there. Should always let cars past etc. Its a tricky balance.

@@mctrials23 they're a depressing read but worth knowing what's out there. I call the skill 'Managing traffic flow'.

I had a flashing light on and you can see the driver didn’t look in my direction.

Thanks for the compliment! I take pride in doing things well: being safe, being considerate and making progress in that order. I think things can get better- I'm like this because others set a good example to me.

@@cyclecam6328 I also try to cycle like this. It’s always good to be the change you want to see in others

You've sent in plenty of clips that will feature going forward! Thanks Matt!

@@AshleyNeal-JustCycling I’m happy to support your channel Ashley, have a great weekend.

@@AshleyNeal-JustCycling Another issue with Matts clip is following the focus pulling out in front, the visibility of Matt to the other cars is obscured. Hard to to tell if he did it but I would have slowed to create space for braking and to show my presence to the cars still waiting to join.

@@markgambrillwith the camera position, the view from my perspective is very different from that of the camera that is mounted just below the handlebars. I could see the vehicles that were waiting to enter the roundabout and made eye contact with them whilst using an arm signal. 😊

@@MattCantor21 I did wonder if real life was more obvious than how I explained it. I also watched it again a couple of times after posting and the period you are "hidden" is very short.

With the stick armed lady? I hopped on the path so I could have my drink in peace. Some paths are fine, most are not useful to me. This one is a good one and typically pedestrian sparse.

The best kind of beep

Yep

It definitley was!

I don't think thank you beeps are a good idea, they could be misinterpreted as aggression - since that's why most people use their horn nowadays. Previously I've pulled into a bus stop to let a lorry past who had been tailing me for a while and the driver gave a beep - initially I has no idea why he was doing it, but I looked at the window and his passenger was giving me a thank you wave. As a cyclist, I'd prefer to assume they were grateful, rather than being beeped at.

@glenn1534 only by you . Even if it was aggressive it's only an issue if you let it be an issue

The driver of the white Ford Focus was reported to the police, I got a reply back saying “positive action taken”.

@@MattCantor21 Fantastic news

Thanks for your feedback, I'm the cammer. With the early stop there is no following traffic and it's also not needed to signal if there is no-one who benefits from seeing it. That a car might move off has occured to me and I'm capable of handling the situation should one start to move. I think that was a fair way to handle the pedestrian and blind bend. Ideally I would have liked a better view of the corner hence my speed is low. I decided not to take a far left position then move central as I felt this could confuse the pedestrian into stepping right. Reading the road it's very unlikely someone will come though (there's no sound of one) but if a clown on a bike is blasting through I'd rather they hit me and not the older chap.

@@cyclecam6328 I have seen people say the same thing about not indicating if no one will benefit. I cannot be bothered to respond to that. As for a vehicle not coming, caution is the better part of valour and while I understand the comment about the old chap, I still think you were positioned badly. Thank you for replying

@@radishpea6615 That's quite alright. Ashley's done a video about indication and I agree with his position. I would say awareness trumps caution. This is how a practice emergency stop on a driving test can safely be done. There was a benefit to slowing early as it communicates info to others of intentions and so improves flow.

@@cyclecam6328 No problem but like Ashely you are relying on yourself having spotted everyone and then assessing if they would benefit. If you hang on every word Ashley says, more fool you. He does talk some good stuff but you do need sometimes to watch his videos very closely and listen to what he says, you may find some stuff that is mmmm lets say "open to discussion"

@@cyclecam6328 and did you watch the video where the vehicle in front and I think in the lane to the left not 100% sure, indicated left but he still did not make a move acting with caution instead?

How do you know it isn't a shared footway? There will often be a sign every so often, not enough clip to suggest there wasn't a sign further back or ahead.

err, it is?! The vast majority of cyclists will ride like this.

It is the norm from my experience. About the same percentage of bad cyclists as bad drivers I would say.

@@2669mjc I'd say bad cyclists are far fewer as a percentage than bad drivers. Certainly where I live, I am struggling to think of an example of a bad cyclist. Whereas just today, I've see a motorcyclist pull a wheelie across a pelican crossing, several aggressive tailgating motorists and several on their phones, including one just now, reversing out onto a main road, in the dark, with a lit up phone in their hand.

​@@2669mjcYep. And casualty figures would suggest that you're much better off with the idiot on a bike than behind the wheel of a car.

​@@shm5547You're probably right as far as adults are concerned.... Most adults cycling will have better road awareness in general I would say... Factor in kids and idiot youths on bikes and the unskilled cyclist population rises greatly. Not saying that's a bad thing... If rather them be on a bike than behind a steering wheel!

She was already in the junction so it was necessary to do something. With her mobility it was best to give her confidence to have the road space and not worry about me. I think it was the correct place to stop for this situation and was safe to do so with my 'six awareness'

@@cyclecam6328 Alright, I think I understand, but I don't think it should be applauded, since you could keep momentum by going 1m wide around the back of her. You stopped in a car position haha, away from the curb. Basically what I'm saying is you aren't 2m wide and 4m long, so you can cycle about 1m behind her without problem. To my experience, you're just stopping for no reason.

Because the rider can't see their horse leaving it behind & horses have been around for longer than other road users.

The white bike is an ex demo which I got at 50% discount for £950 and the black one was £680. Not crippling considering they are used often though the maintenance time is a bit galling. I find a bell unnecessary where my voice usually suffices. For the hard of hearing the high pitch of a bell isn't as audible as low tones and I feel it's more polite for everyone else.

I'm also rarely on shared use paths where a bell is most useful.

Sorry, but bells are the worst invention ever. They are nothing more than a quiet imitation of a car's horn. A car needs a (louder) horn because it needs to be heard from further & the vehicle itself is louder. You won't hear the driver's voice if the windows are closed. The cyclist used their voice well & this is important. You can say a lot more than just beep or ding. I clearly heard a call of "on your right". This gave the pedestrian a chance to react much more quickly than by turning their head & working out where the bike was going before reacting (which they would have to do after hearing a bell & by that time, you would have closed the gap significantly, increasing risk). Many pedestrians wear headphones now anyway. They will not hear a bell but you can always raise your voice if necessary. We all have a voice. It is the best form of communication from a riding position & you don't even need to move your hand to use it.

@@cyclecam6328 I agree. Your voice is infinitely better than a bell (as I have described elsewhere). I heard you use your voice well too.

I wish it were true. It's true you can lower risk and create a friendly encounter, but unfortunately there will always be a driver who's going to close pass you or react aggressively to your very presence.

Not sure what cyclist at 5:35 did wrong?

@@grahambonner508 In all my years of cycling, it ain't happened to me. Why because I understand that I must share the road and cars are generally faster than me. So I move over at the earliest opportunity. Pretty much a lot like those in this video. Many just don't do that at all. Which is where the main issues come from. Some car drivers do the same also and just keep coming, block up the road when there is a space to pull into to allow others to flow. All users need to share the road and I learnt from a young age being in big trucks with my dad, good etiquette and discipline. It is a shame many are just are so self-centred and cause issues, that if they did have a different perspective, would make life easier for themselves as well as others.

Completely untrue.

@@Denali1600 Did someone suggest they did?

Au contraire! The drops gives the best position for firm controlled braking and steering. On the hoods gives slightly better visibility and hip comfort

I say small point as in this instance, the junction wasn't especially busy so he should have been safe this time

If I was in the outside lane going around the roundabout (lane 1), the vehicles in the exit that the white vehicle that pulled in front of me came out of would of thought I wasn’t going any further around the roundabout, that would potentially put myself at risk by not using the roundabout in the correct manner. From the point I entered the roundabout I was taking the last exit, so using lane two was necessary.

@MattCantor21 nope, you can mitigate the risk of confusion by indicating with your arm that you are not intending to exit. Plus you can say the same for any car using lane 1 to miss the first exit and carry on straight over the roundabout. That's why cars should wait until they know the way is clear until they merge onto the roundabout

@@seananglish3320 well at the end of the day I had a bright flashing light, high visibility vest and was using arm signals and the driver of the white vehicle didn’t observe the roundabout properly (didn’t even look).

1:32 a shared path

As long as the cyclist isn't being inconsiderate what's it really matter? Less stressful keeping out of the way of traffic.

I assumed it was a shared path. However, of more cyclists followed that guys example, cycling on the pavement wouldn't be an issue.

@@ClarkDroneFilms First clip.

Even so, look at the road that they would have to cycle on. Narrow and 40mph. If you feel the need to cycle on the pavement, you should do it like the first viewer, considerately and carefully.

I think a lot of the permanently indignant (ie. Daily Mail readers) are under the impression the penalties will be at least double those for drivers.

Ridiculous isn't it?!

@@PedroConejo1939A road safety police chief has commented that too many driving offences are treated far too leniently in another article. This though isn’t gathering the same attraction except for the woe is me and the war on motorists.

There is a charge of "wanton or furious cycling" which should be pretty comprehensive, but the police seem unwilling to enforce it, possibly because the courts are too lenient to uphold it.

@@TheRip72 Charlie Alliston got done for that and it resulted in an 18 month custodial sentence. Quite a weighty sentence considering what most drivers will get: "The most common outcome for offenders sentenced for causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving in 2020 was a suspended sentence (39 per cent), closely followed by immediate custody (31 per cent). A quarter (25 per cent) of offenders were given a community sentence, 4 per cent received a fine and 1 per cent were ‘Otherwise dealt with’. The statutory maximum for this offence is 5 years’ custody. The ACSL in 2020 for causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving was 12 months. Of those sentenced to immediate custody, nearly three quarters (73 per cent) received a sentence of up to and including 1 year, and just under a fifth (19 per cent) received 1 to 2 years." (source: sentencing council)

Shared path, see the pavement markings 1:32

@@ClarkDroneFilms good catch. More clearly displayed around me, marks like every 5 meters or so.

Home Office guidelines issued in 1999 make an allowance for pavement cycling depending on the road environment and behaviour of cyclist. The police can still fine them if they are cycling like a loon.

It was a 40mph road and we all know how drivers feel when they come up behind a cyclist. At least the path is mostly empty and the cyclist is being respectful.