NFR - Driving

[blingo]

Worse than the cyclists are those electric scooters. You simply can't see them in the dark.

[H4usuallysitting]

Worse than the cyclists are those electric scooters. You simply can't see them in the dark.

The privately owned one's are completely illegal....they cant be insured... I'd also ban the rental one's - untill helmet's, hi viz, light's & insurance were compulsory

[RaySmith]

When the car hit me, it was  quiet rural road, entering a village with a school and  SLOW and 'caution children' signs and speed bumps,
curving round to the right, with another intersecting road  on the left, with a white line across it, indicating my right away.

But I checked as I crossed, and nothing was visible. As I was turning into the right hand bend, I heard a vehicle and hurried to tried to get across into the side of the road, but the  car, a private  minicab, hit my back wheel straight on, destroying it, but I was very lucky.

It was  daylight, and how he  didn't see me I don't know - had to have been on his phone, as minicab drivers often are, taking bookings as they drive - I know because I use them a lot.

You're driving up a straight road with no traffic, clear day, and there is a cyclist  sideways on with right of way ahead of you, with a flashing back light and fluorescent jacket - and you don't see him!

Similarly  in the bus incident, it was a clear stretch of main road, no other traffic, the bus driver couldn't possibly avoid seeing me, and my flashing back light.

He came past with about two inches to spare,  because the road  narrowed for a traffic island, just as I was blinded by the sun, but he only had to hold back a couple of seconds and I would  have been past the  island, and he could have had plenty of space to pass me.

They want  more people to cycle for obvious reasons - gridlock, environment, health of the population, etc,. but don't do anything about making the roads safe, like in Holland or Denmark for instance.
Now the roads are  more dangerous than ever - look at figures for cyclists and pedestrians killed.

I grew up at a time when there were more bikes on the road locally in SE London where I grew up, than cars, and I can't drive and don't own  a car.

The bicycle is a legitimate mode of travel here.

Have a nice day.

[f321ffc]

Highway Code change's....not sure how that's going to work in London - it's a free for all...

All comes into force this weekend, still no provision for privately owned e scooters

I'm guessing Devon roads will be calmer...that is - until I arrive

How's the move to Devon going mate?
Drove up from Newton Abbot yesterday nic eeasy drive up but had to call in to Putney ☹️ 3/4 hour to get down Putney high st no wonder I prefer away games.

[SP]

Highway Code change's....not sure how that's going to work in London - it's a free for all...

All comes into force this weekend, still no provision for privately owned e scooters

I'm guessing Devon roads will be calmer...that is - until I arrive

How's the move to Devon going mate?
Drove up from Newton Abbot yesterday nic eeasy drive up but had to call in to Putney ☹️ 3/4 hour to get down Putney high st no wonder I prefer away games.

The traffic was awful yesterday with multiple disruptions & road works. The way things are going I think everyone will have to park on Putney Heath.

[H4usuallysitting]

Highway Code change's....not sure how that's going to work in London - it's a free for all...

All comes into force this weekend, still no provision for privately owned e scooters

I'm guessing Devon roads will be calmer...that is - until I arrive

How's the move to Devon going mate?
Drove up from Newton Abbot yesterday nic eeasy drive up but had to call in to Putney ☹️ 3/4 hour to get down Putney high st no wonder I prefer away games.

Looking like February for the move - will apply for a Taxi licence.....all being well, work part time & drink Tribute - but not at the same time..... It's going to be an interesting time.... Been looking at visiting the cottage....park at Barnes and wander down....

[ianthailand]

Highway Code change's....not sure how that's going to work in London - it's a free for all...

All comes into force this weekend, still no provision for privately owned e scooters
I'm guessing Devon roads will be calmer...that is - until I arrive

Highway Code change's....not sure how that's going to work in London - it's a free for all...

All comes into force this weekend, still no provision for privately owned e scooters

I'm guessing Devon roads will be calmer...that is - until I arrive

The crazy cab driver increases Devon's insurance rates by 50%.

I do like a U-turn

The crazy cab driver increases Devon's insurance rates by 50%.

I do like a U-turn

As long as you don't make a Ewe turn, a bit close to Wales in Devon and all those sheep.

I couldn't make a ewe turn, but I reckon I could make it's eyes water

Bragging again Blingo. Put the wellingtons away.

[ianthailand]

Highway Code change's....not sure how that's going to work in London - it's a free for all...

All comes into force this weekend, still no provision for privately owned e scooters

I'm guessing Devon roads will be calmer...that is - until I arrive

How's the move to Devon going mate?
Drove up from Newton Abbot yesterday nic eeasy drive up but had to call in to Putney ☹️ 3/4 hour to get down Putney high st no wonder I prefer away games.

Looking like February for the move - will apply for a Taxi licence.....all being well, work part time & drink Tribute - but not at the same time..... It's going to be an interesting time.... Been looking at visiting the cottage....park at Barnes and wander down....

Best of luck mate. It will take years off you. Best years of my life since i retired, 23years ago last 12 in Thailand.

[H4usuallysitting]

Highway Code change's....not sure how that's going to work in London - it's a free for all...

All comes into force this weekend, still no provision for privately owned e scooters

I'm guessing Devon roads will be calmer...that is - until I arrive

How's the move to Devon going mate?
Drove up from Newton Abbot yesterday nic eeasy drive up but had to call in to Putney ☹️ 3/4 hour to get down Putney high st no wonder I prefer away games.

Looking like February for the move - will apply for a Taxi licence.....all being well, work part time & drink Tribute - but not at the same time..... It's going to be an interesting time.... Been looking at visiting the cottage....park at Barnes and wander down....

Best of luck mate. It will take years off you. Best years of my life since i retired, 23years ago last 12 in Thailand.

Cheers Ian....been looking at flights to Bahtland - but everything is so confusing... sandbox rules or something....for someone that isn't the cleverest (me), I don't understand any of it ..will pop into Trailfinders & see if they can shed some light..... I get confused when someone jumps in the cab & pays by using their watch..... How's the local & bigger economy?.... London hasn't been London since 2019.... there's no pattern's anymore... I pick up people that work from home & 90%+ of them aren't going to change - they'd rather change job's.... I'm hearing lot's of rumours about the future of Canary Wharf.... In my trade if you want a new hybrid 6 seater cab, with finance it's around £84k....so, you spend 3 year's of your life studying the knowledge (not earning a penny), then when you get your badge you lumber yourself with £84k debt, plus insurance, maintenance etc before you can buy yourself a sandwich - let alone a mortgage & household bill's

[ianthailand]

Highway Code change's....not sure how that's going to work in London - it's a free for all...

All comes into force this weekend, still no provision for privately owned e scooters

I'm guessing Devon roads will be calmer...that is - until I arrive

How's the move to Devon going mate?
Drove up from Newton Abbot yesterday nic eeasy drive up but had to call in to Putney ☹️ 3/4 hour to get down Putney high st no wonder I prefer away games.

Looking like February for the move - will apply for a Taxi licence.....all being well, work part time & drink Tribute - but not at the same time..... It's going to be an interesting time.... Been looking at visiting the cottage....park at Barnes and wander down....

Best of luck mate. It will take years off you. Best years of my life since i retired, 23years ago last 12 in Thailand.

Cheers Ian....been looking at flights to Bahtland - but everything is so confusing... sandbox rules or something....for someone that isn't the cleverest (me), I don't understand any of it ..will pop into Trailfinders & see if they can shed some light..... I get confused when someone jumps in the cab & pays by using their watch..... How's the local & bigger economy?.... London hasn't been London since 2019.... there's no pattern's anymore... I pick up people that work from home & 90%+ of them aren't going to change - they'd rather change job's.... I'm hearing lot's of rumours about the future of Canary Wharf.... In my trade if you want a new hybrid 6 seater cab, with finance it's around £84k....so, you spend 3 year's of your life studying the knowledge (not earning a penny), then when you get your badge you lumber yourself with £84k debt, plus insurance, maintenance etc before you can buy yourself a sandwich - let alone a mortgage & household bill's

Bloody hell that's tough. Glad i worked for BP and just turned up for and they paid me. With regard to the sandbox (i thought someone had bought a new kitten) i must admit i don't know what it entailed but, i believe it is being relaxed or stopped. Thailand need tourists as much of it's economy is based on it. Plenty of Vlogs re Thailand on the internet with lots of tourist info. Best of luck. New house, holidays in Thailand, going part-time. Never met a poor bookie or cab driver!!!!

[Craven Mad]

I really think some people who only ever drive should give cycling a go - experience what it's like to ride without mirrors, or a seatbelt, or a metal shield around you, whilst an aggressive driver whips past unforgivingly and nearly takes you out. As someone who does both, I know that being a victim of road rage while I'm driving could t bother me less; having an angry driver behind you when you're on a bike becomes a life-threatening event - and it's hard to understand that feeling until you've experienced it.

I'm not saying that there aren't annoying cyclists out there - like all walks of life, there are wronguns everywhere - but the lack of empathy some people behind the wheel of a car show to those on a bicycle is quite shocking. At worst, you've been slowed down by a minute or two - it really isn't worth the stress, or putting someone else in danger with your anger...

[H4usuallysitting]

I really think some people who only ever drive should give cycling a go - experience what it's like to ride without mirrors, or a seatbelt, or a metal shield around you, whilst an aggressive driver whips past unforgivingly and nearly takes you out. As someone who does both, I know that being a victim of road rage while I'm driving could t bother me less; having an angry driver behind you when you're on a bike becomes a life-threatening event - and it's hard to understand that feeling until you've experienced it.

I'm not saying that there aren't annoying cyclists out there - like all walks of life, there are wronguns everywhere - but the lack of empathy some people behind the wheel of a car show to those on a bicycle is quite shocking. At worst, you've been slowed down by a minute or two - it really isn't worth the stress, or putting someone else in danger with your anger...

Where's the best place to cycle

[H4usuallysitting]

When the car hit me, it was  quiet rural road, entering a village with a school and  SLOW and 'caution children' signs and speed bumps,
curving round to the right, with another intersecting road  on the left, with a white line across it, indicating my right away.

But I checked as I crossed, and nothing was visible. As I was turning into the right hand bend, I heard a vehicle and hurried to tried to get across into the side of the road, but the  car, a private  minicab, hit my back wheel straight on, destroying it, but I was very lucky.

It was  daylight, and how he  didn't see me I don't know - had to have been on his phone, as minicab drivers often are, taking bookings as they drive - I know because I use them a lot.

You're driving up a straight road with no traffic, clear day, and there is a cyclist  sideways on with right of way ahead of you, with a flashing back light and fluorescent jacket - and you don't see him!

Similarly  in the bus incident, it was a clear stretch of main road, no other traffic, the bus driver couldn't possibly avoid seeing me, and my flashing back light.

He came past with about two inches to spare,  because the road  narrowed for a traffic island, just as I was blinded by the sun, but he only had to hold back a couple of seconds and I would  have been past the  island, and he could have had plenty of space to pass me.

They want  more people to cycle for obvious reasons - gridlock, environment, health of the population, etc,. but don't do anything about making the roads safe, like in Holland or Denmark for instance.
Now the roads are  more dangerous than ever - look at figures for cyclists and pedestrians killed.

I grew up at a time when there were more bikes on the road locally in SE London where I grew up, than cars, and I can't drive and don't own  a car.

The bicycle is a legitimate mode of travel here.

Have a nice day.

While stationary sitting on a Taxi rank reading my paper & smoking my pipe I've been hit by 3 buses, twice in the same year & once a couple of year's back...all 3 time's I was told by the bus drivers that they didn't see me..... On the Calie Road, stopped at a zebra crossing ( yep, there are zebra's in North London)....my cab is then hit from behind and I'm being pushed up the Calie Road by an articulated lorry.... Same answer... didn't see me.... Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to prove any point - but people are sometimes oblivious to their surroundings.....not saying it's wrong or right..... In my opinion all road users should take advanced driving tests....look at (so called) smart motorways - they frighten the living daylights out of me

[H4usuallysitting]

Highway Code change's....not sure how that's going to work in London - it's a free for all...

All comes into force this weekend, still no provision for privately owned e scooters

I'm guessing Devon roads will be calmer...that is - until I arrive

How's the move to Devon going mate?
Drove up from Newton Abbot yesterday nic eeasy drive up but had to call in to Putney ☹️ 3/4 hour to get down Putney high st no wonder I prefer away games.

Do you get down the cottage regular

[Craven Mad]

I really think some people who only ever drive should give cycling a go - experience what it's like to ride without mirrors, or a seatbelt, or a metal shield around you, whilst an aggressive driver whips past unforgivingly and nearly takes you out. As someone who does both, I know that being a victim of road rage while I'm driving could t bother me less; having an angry driver behind you when you're on a bike becomes a life-threatening event - and it's hard to understand that feeling until you've experienced it.

I'm not saying that there aren't annoying cyclists out there - like all walks of life, there are wronguns everywhere - but the lack of empathy some people behind the wheel of a car show to those on a bicycle is quite shocking. At worst, you've been slowed down by a minute or two - it really isn't worth the stress, or putting someone else in danger with your anger...

Where's the best place to cycle

Anywhere with a cycle lane!

Denmark and Belgium have been the best places for me - even their cities are great to cycle in.

I used to commute on a bike in London and each day was hair raising.

I'm pleased with the updates to the Highway Code, but really think both sides (cyclists and dricers) could do more to be understanding...