http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Two Wrongs Make a... Shrug... en Wed, 13 May 2026 03:08:03 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=3813#post-39946 Mon, 05 Sep 2011 09:16:33 +0000 Wilmington's Cow 39946@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Heading up the Royal Mile this morning a black Ford Galaxy driver parked on the opposite side in the opposite direction waits patiently for the cars to go past up the hill... Before pulling out to execute a 3 point turn right in front of me.</p> <p>I have no idea if he saw me, bit at the end of the first 'point' he waves in acknowledgement of the fact I've (had to) stop rather abruptly (into a trackstand, easier uphill).</p> <p>He pulls back to the second point, at which stage spidey sense tingles and a hi-vizzed to the hilt muppet hares past my right, then swerves left to go round the front of the car just as he starts to execute point 3 (i.e. drive forward again to head on up the road). 'Swerve' is no exaggeration, and he's a lucky boy that the driver was paying attention and hauled on the brakes just as he'd started to move forward (I guess he managed to see one cyclist out of 2 this morning).</p> <p>He looks at me, and I just... shrug. I tried to imbue it with 'yes-he-was-stupid-but-remember-you-pulled-out-without-looking-initially-so-aren't-really-any-better. I'm not sure how much of that came across.</p> <p>The reason I mention the hi-viz earlier is simply this. I'm happy for people to wear or not wear it as they see fit (just don't evangelise either way). But this guy was head-to-toe in hi-viz (including the 'hump' over his backpack) and so you have to assume, quite reasonably, that he was doing so as he believes it makes him visible and 'safer'. I always find it funny when someone dressed like that then rides in an utterly moronic manner. A bit like wearing a helmet then riding in the dark without lights. </p>