Today's rubbish driving... « CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum

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Today's rubbish driving...

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Started 13 years ago by Stepdoh
Latest reply from fergus
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LaidBack
Member

The joys of cycling on a Sunday.

Roads were quiet but we still upset one driver!

Dark red old style Volvo with reg ending BRL tried to overtake us between traffic islands. Only 100 feet to get by us on Nazca tandem and we were already at 19mph. So he came up alongside on the hashed bit of road (and for some odd reason didn't go round the wrong side of island!). Cue rapid braking followed by punishment pass with window down shouting some festive abuse at us. Nice.

Then after a run to Gosford we would the bike back into city centre to be greeted by the finest display of free for all parking I've ever seen. Again using middle of road. Also nice although the people doing this probably think it's clever enough. They are the majority and people riding bikes should just keep their opinions to themselves....

'Inventive' parking? by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr

Posted 8 years ago #
unhurt
Member

I noticed that parking last week on a school night. How come no-one is getting ticketed?

Posted 8 years ago #
jdanielp
Member

@LaidBack I spotted (and was partly thwarted in crossing the road efficiently by) that creative parking on my way back from town on foot earlier. A tour bus driver turning right from Chambers Street onto George IV Bridge was very cautiously entering the lane between all the parked cars.

Posted 8 years ago #
ih
Member

@unhurt @laidback I suspect (someone please correct me) that there is nothing illegal/ticketable about this parking on George IV Bridge unless the normal kerbside restrictions are applicable, which on Sunday, they aren't. Such is the mentality of many drivers that they will park wherever they think they can get away with it. There is an entitlement (granted merely through ownership of a vehicle) that they can occupy about 12 sq metres of public space wherever and whenever they want.

I believe that the only long term solution is to totally ban private vehicles from the vast majority of city and town centres, and I would extend that ban to residents as well. There is no intrinsic right to park your car on the highway.

Posted 8 years ago #
algo
Member

I posted some time ago in the bad parking thread about the parking attendants refusing to put tickets on double-parked cars and the police closing all incidents referring them to the parking attendants. It's absurd...

http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13785&page=3#post-199042

Posted 8 years ago #
wingpig
Member

Another taxi to report this morning, as its driver tried to overtake going up the Virgin Money Street of Light, which is narrower now than it was when it was the High Street because of all the boarded-off support pillars.

Posted 8 years ago #
dougal
Member

Classic SMIDSY just outside my flat. Riding up Leith Walk this morning when White Van Man came out of Dalmeny Street turning left without a hint of checking or slowing. I always give drivers a wide berth on junctions and today was one of those days where it saved me.

Posted 8 years ago #
Rob
Member

The driver who hesitated, then decided to play "follow the leader" through a pinch point on his way up McDonald Road. Let's just say I'm glad I have disc brakes.

Same place this morning. This time the driver (not following anyone else) went to give way (my priority) then changed his mind.

While I'm full on arse-hanging-out-rear-wheel-squirming braking trying not to scratch the front of his car, all he can do it point at the cycle lane.

Posted 8 years ago #
CJC
Member

all he can do it point at the cycle lane.

This happens to me frequently on McDonald Road. I try to take a super-primary position and sometimes stand-up to try to make myself bigger, in an attempt to stop cars pushing through.

As you say, they tend to just point and shout about the cycle lane. Which would be completely unsafe to use as they speed through.

Posted 8 years ago #
robyvecchio
Member

I was almost wiped out last night on Magdala Cres when a driver was driving head-on at me when he overtook a cyclist on primary coming the other way.
He parked near the Apex so I went back to ask him why He wanted to kill me. He tried to blame my light first (1400 lumens) then the other cyclist. Not even an apology.

Posted 8 years ago #
Rob
Member

This happens to me frequently on McDonald Road. I try to take a super-primary position and sometimes stand-up to try to make myself bigger, in an attempt to stop cars pushing through.

As you say, they tend to just point and shout about the cycle lane. Which would be completely unsafe to use as they speed through.

I also ride in primary as the gaps are way too narrow for car+bike, especially one moving over from the other lane.

Have you ever spoken to the police? Surely they care about drivers initiating games of chicken with bikes in the oncoming lane?

Posted 8 years ago #
CJC
Member

Two cases of poor driving by taxi drivers.

The first a black cab who overtook me on a narrow road, mounted the pavement and forced another driver to stop.

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The second a private hire that passed me too close and unnecessarily. It wouldn't have been that bad had he not called be a knob and an arsehole.

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Posted 8 years ago #
CJC
Member

Have you ever spoken to the police? Surely they care about drivers initiating games of chicken with bikes in the oncoming lane?

The police don't care. I reported someone intentionally driving into the back of me before (albeit at slow speed) and they did nothing about it (even with video evidence and a witness).

I did once report a taxi driver to the council. I got an email back a few weeks later saying:

"I refer to the above complaint and your recent correspondence with this office.

The taxi driver has been traced and interviewed, he was advised of the nature and details of the complaint and was shown the video clip that you supplied.

The driver was warned about future behaviour with regards to this incident. He has been advised that the circumstances of this incident have been attached to his driver record and may be referred to should he come to our attention in the future.

He apologised for his behaviour and accepted that advice given by Inspector Smith."

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Posted 8 years ago #
holisticglint
Member

@CJC this is a good example of infrastructure causing conflict.

It was easy for driver to justify to himself that the priority did not apply since there is clearly a cycle lane coming in the opposite direction which he was not in.

Obviously any reasonable person would understand that it was rubbish but infrastructure should not rely on the good intentions of others.

Posted 8 years ago #
Klaxon
Member

The stuff on McDonald road is so almost good, there's ample space, and I hope that properly linking Leith Walk with St Mark's Park happens quite quickly after the Leith Project.

Posted 8 years ago #
gembo
Member

Driven at by woman in white fiesta last night at the spot in Currie near the post office where the road comes up from Herriot watt. They drive at bikes all the time there, how else would they get to make the right turn.? Usually the road is wide enough for them to swing round without hitting you. But the driver had accelerated too fast to make the turn without actually hitting me, actually she might have hit the pavement too if she had not applied her brakes. At least after I pointed at my eyes then her car she had the grace to flash her rear lights in acknowledgement of her mistake. Unlike today when I was waiting in the correct lane at the Tron kirk for lights to change so I could roll down the Royal mile. Unfortunately the Matthew Clark delivery lorry was in the wrong lane, ie facing down the way but in the opposite lane. mx58 lfk. He attempted to get into the right lane by rolling over the top of me, which was very scary. But when asked what the feck he was doing he replied, I didn't see you, you dick. This annoyed me so phoned the company and also polis came to my work and took statement. Just in case same blind Matthew Clark driver who smashed his lorry into The pub Pivo last week.

Posted 8 years ago #
Rob
Member

Only the rear camera but you get the point:

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Posted 8 years ago #
gembo
Member

These people are driving straight at us in their weapons?

Posted 8 years ago #
algo
Member

Upsetting incident this morning taking 3 year old to nursery on the back of my bike. The white LWB LT van belonging to the fruit and veg shop on Argyle place was following us (well) down Marchmont Crescent, but when the bus in front stopped on Roseneath Street, I chose to overtake as there were quite a few people at the stop. The van then tailgated very close and sped up only just missing me as it overtook me overtaking the bus, to turn left a matter of yards later. I must admit both me and my passenger let out a fairly pathetic yelp at that point.

When it pulled in on Argyle place, I stopped to say (fairly calmly, without swearing) that it was very close only for the driver to deny it was close. More worryingly another shop member who was not in the van ran out and started shouted that I should watch what I say in an incredibly threatening manner. I pointed out I had my daughter with me and left as I couldn't really risk defending my position. I am still shaking a bit from that - not sure what to do about it as we shop in there all the time - which both the driver and angry man know well.

Posted 8 years ago #
chdot
Admin

How to lose customers...

Posted 8 years ago #
algo
Member

I'm not sure whether to go in later on my own and have a conversation about it or not... it could go two ways. What's upsetting is that these are really nice folk in the shop - unfortunately it's not the first time their driving has been mentioned on here (3 times I think)...

Posted 8 years ago #
dougal
Member

"these are really nice folk"

To borrow from a famous tea-drinking, dressing-gowned adventurer:

Ah. This is obviously some strange usage of the word "nice" that I hadn't previously been aware of.

Posted 8 years ago #
algo
Member

I hear your point Arthur...

Posted 8 years ago #
559
Member

IMO, McDonald Road is terrible infrastructure, it got once after they built what is there now, which totally cultivates conflict.

Posted 8 years ago #
CJC
Member

I try to avoid using the full length of it as much as possible. There is too much conflict. I've changed my route to come through Bellevue so that I only have to go through one of the chicanes.

There is also a handy bike & pedestrian crossing at the junction with Bonnington Road, which I use to avoid waiting for a long time to get out of the junction.

The lights have a handy feature of giving me a gap ahead of the traffic too. I can usually get to the set of lights at the junction with Pilrig Street without any cars catching up with me.

Posted 8 years ago #
robyvecchio
Member

I tried Clarencing it last year, all I got was:

Thank you for your email, dated 9 September 2014, with your suggestions for changing the design of the priority traffic chicanes on McDonald Road.

Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention, we accept that the layout of the chicanes at 99 and 125 McDonald Road could be improved for cyclists and your suggestion for by-pass lanes is a potential solution.

To consider the feasibility of upgrading the chicanes at 99 and 125 McDonald Road, it will be necessary to undertake some initial investigations and designs which will be subject to a Road Safety Audit. We will also have to ascertain the budgetary implications of the suggested changes. It is our intention to carry out these assessments by the end of March 2015.

Although we can agree to investigate your suggestions please note that there is currently no budget available for the construction of these works. We will ensure this is considered for funding should the outcome of the initial assessments be acceptable and budget become available in future.

I hope that you find our response helpful.

Yours sincerely

Posted 8 years ago #
davidsonsdave
Member

Close passed on Infirmary Street last night by a driver trying to catch the green light at the junction with South Bridge. This light has a very short green phase which they missed by a mile but after a short stop, they decided to carry on regardless, turning left through the pedestrians crossing on the green man.

Posted 8 years ago #
duncans
Member

Attempted left hook overtake-and-turn-left maneuver foiled by use of Zound airhorn.

Followed by (shouted) "Get on the pavement!"

I remain slightly baffled by that.

Posted 8 years ago #
robyvecchio
Member

Truck did not see me nor giving me way until the last second coming from Coates Gardens.
Second time in three days of being reminded of my mortality.

Posted 8 years ago #
jdanielp
Member

The guy driving a white hatchbacky thing that undertook me on Gilmore Place at the section where the cars aren't usually parked all over the rather pointless cycle lane.

Posted 8 years ago #