CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!

  1. piosad
    Member

    The nursery drop-off is a real struggle. My way from school to nursery is ~150 yards on a road before a right turn, and every single day is a gamble as to whether I should take primary and get engine-revved/sworn at for the audacity or stick to the gutter and then wait, sometimes for minutes, for a gap, because important people are in a hurry. At home time I need to turn right from the driveway and the lights are just close enough for the place to be where the tail of the queue is. My estimate of people letting me out rather than powering forward to join the queue is one out of twenty.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  2. Frenchy
    Member

    At home time I need to turn right from the driveway and the lights are just close enough for the place to be where the tail of the queue is.

    Long shot, but you could try asking the council to add a "KEEP CLEAR" box?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  3. SRD
    Moderator

    thanks all, espcially for not telling me 'he ought to be on the pavement'. trust me, this is one 6yo you don't want to encounter on a pavement. he wants to be peter sagan, but he's more like nacer bouhani.

    did i mention all the parents parked on 'keep clears' at st peter's? one parent or grandparent was parked there. totally stopped, and when micro and I were trying to get onto the road, yelled at hime to stop. because there was a car coming around the corner that micro couldn't see --- BECAUSE HE WAS PARKED THERE. when i pointed this out (I had in fact seen the car coming, and knew micro wouldn't swing out in front of it) told me 'it's okay, i'm just dropping off' . to which I pointed out that it says 'keep clear' for a reason.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  4. Greenroofer
    Member

    @SRD - I don't think you'll ever get anyone on CCE saying he should be on the pavement.

    The sense of entitlement you describe is exactly what I experienced this morning too. The big Audi that couldn't be bothered to slow for me radiated entitlement.

    I could afford a big Audi, but I choose to ride a bicycle. I'm no less 'entitled' than they are.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  5. Frenchy
    Member

    On way to Spokes hustings last night - woman came very close to dooring the cyclist in front of me. May report to police.

    On way back from Spokes hustings last night - taxi driver gleefully entering the ASL box on a red light at Newington Road/Salisbury Place junction. Will report to council.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  6. dessert rat
    Member

    The Banksman who got bored waiting for a gap in the rush hour traffic on Porty High street this morning and signaled the skip lorry to reverse into the gap I was occupying.

    I held my line and made him stop the reversing lorry.

    Apparently he had priority – who knew ??

    Posted 7 years ago #
  7. Stickman
    Member

    31 bus driver jumped the red light at Haymarket this morning.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  8. Frenchy
    Member

    Not sure I'll bother reporting the woman almost dooring the cyclist in front of me on Thursday.

    Video:

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    Posted 7 years ago #
  9. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Today's rubbish driving was brought to you by the gentleman who had evidently forgotten his driving instructor's maxim, "Tar and tyres", for the amount of space you leave to the vehicle in front when you approach the end of a queue.

    I know this because he drove into the back of the torpedo while I was waiting at a red light.

    I was already riled from a (moments) earlier contretemps, and gave him a damn good lecturing. He actually apologised.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  10. Frenchy
    Member

    Have you considered making your bike easier to see?

    Maybe by making it bright red and a really unusual shape?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  11. Frenchy
    Member

    Left work before 5 today, and encountered a far higher rate of poor driving than normal.

    I slowed down to let a bus out, and the driver behind me thought he'd take the opportunity to overtake. Only problem was the oncoming traffic, which meant he didn't get past me, let alone the bus.

    Then a woman overtook me going downhill on a 20mph street; I was doing 22mph at the time. Caught up and filtered past her at the traffic lights. She left me plenty of room, to be fair, but wasn't so kind to the oncoming cyclist.

    Taxi driver undertook me when I was in the right filter lane to turn into Morrison's on Gilmerton Road, then stopped in the ASL box. Filtered past her at the red light. She managed to avoid driving over the white line when we left the car park, possibly only because I was already waiting in the ASL box.

    Overtaken and then immediately cut off by a number 3 bus going up Gilmerton Road. Twice.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  12. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    A mad snarl-up on Candlemaker Row of buses, six wheel coaches, HGVs and a prison wagon. Intractable gridlock.

    Lots of horn-hooting including the guy in front of me in a black Golf. I'd have been more discreet if I was skinning up at the wheel.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  13. Rob
    Member

    Some everyday ignoring of signed priorities and cyclist position:

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    I suspect he wanted to treat it as two lanes and have me wait in the pinch point to turn behind him.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  14. Frenchy
    Member

    Driver of PHC would have been cutting it a bit fine with the size of the gap in oncoming traffic as he turned right from Melville Drive onto Summerhall even if it hadn't been an ambulance that was coming the other way.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  15. Frenchy
    Member

    Taxi driver tailgating me down Dalkeith Road. Will be reporting to council.

    Then a driver coming up a bit fast behind me as I took the lane through a pinch point. But, stopped at the traffic lights soon after, he wound down his window and apologised! Made my day, which probably says more about my low expectations of driving standards than anything else.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  16. SRD
    Moderator

    'Crowe plumbing and heating' van drove aggressively at me while sounding horn because I dared to take primary approaching and leaving Polwarth roundabout.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  17. Stickman
    Member

    Driver of a Lothian 12 bus sped straight through a red at one of the Drumbrae crossings.

    Second time in a week that I've had to report a Lothian driver jumping a red.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  18. chdot
    Admin

    "

    Crowe Plumbing & Heating ltd are a well known reliable company based in Edinburgh which works throughout central Scotland. Our expert engineers are friendly

    "

    https://www.croweplumbing.co.uk

    Posted 7 years ago #
  19. Stickman
    Member

    The driver of the pick-up truck who didn't want to wait behind one other car, so drove over the pavement at Station Road to turn left. The "Highway Maintenance" branding added a certain irony.

    Followed shortly afterwards by the driver who felt that heading straight into low blinding sun wasn't challenge enough so was texting on her phone.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  20. Klaxon
    Member

    Holyrood Park: Overtaken at 35-40 while holding primary and indicating right to go up the hill. Big blast on the horn to let me know who's boss.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  21. Rob
    Member

    How well defined do you think this desire line would have to be before they join the cycle lane up to the bottom of the hill?

    I used to enjoy laps of Arthur's Seat (especially when the gate was shut), but that last stretch is thoroughly unpleasant. Annoyingly, the pavement is a better/safer option for cycling than the cycle lane is.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  22. dessert rat
    Member

    Transit SL10 0WE - Robb Reinstatement Ltd

    0820 this morning, South Bridge, just after crossing the Royal Mile, deliberately drove at me trying to push me in to the path of a parked car. Contact made.

    amongst other things ... "i shouldnt be on the #### road" and I "was in his way".

    a delightful start to the week.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  23. GDR
    Member

    Couple of days ago heading down Queens Drive. Car in front was observing the 20mph limit which is painted all over the road. Car behind races up behind me and then does a double overtake of myself and car in front. Then gets caught at a tailback at the roundabout at Queens Gait. I pull up next to him to point out that it is a 20 mph limit. Looks completely blank. I point out that it is painted in large white letters on the road. Still blank. Similar story last week with a close pass heading east past Seton Sands holiday park. Big yellow sign saying no overtaking cyclists at islands. True to form car squeezes past at speed. Catch her up at temporary lights at Longniddry Bents. "I did not realise" was the lame response. Both drivers were best described at elderly. Anyone else find that elderly drivers are becoming more of a hazard?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  24. Frenchy
    Member

    @Iain McR - report to the police?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  25. dessert rat
    Member

    @ Frenchy - what is the mechanism for reporting ? as I dont know.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  26. Frenchy
    Member

    You can either go to a police station, phone 101 or fill in the Contact Us form here: http://www.scotland.police.uk/contact-us/contact-us-form

    Say you want to report an incident of dangerous driving/assault. If you got to the station, you may be asked to make a report there and then, or you may be offered an appointment. If you phone or fill in the form, you will most likely be offered an appointment. Appointments mean that a couple of police officers will come to your house to take the statement at a convenient time (I imagine they can meet you somewhere else too, if you'd prefer).

    You should do this as soon as practicable as the police are apparently required to notify the owner of the vehicle of intention to prosecute within 14 days.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  27. geordiefatbloke
    Member

    @Iain McR

    In a recent incident I had, I got joy from emailing my local Community Police Team directly - I think I got the email from the police scotland website http://www.scotland.police.uk/, enter your postcode, then select your ward, the CPT email should be there.

    Posted 7 years ago #
  28. chdot
    Admin

    "I got joy from emailing my local Community Police Team directly"

    Didn't realise they were encouraging contact by email, seems so!

    "

    Edinburgh South East (@EdinPolSE)
    10/02/2017, 08:04
    We'll be out doing road safety checks this evening around the south in response to emails you've sent us. Updates later #OpSwitchback

    "

    Posted 7 years ago #
  29. ivangrozni
    Member

    Got clipped by a car this evening when I was leaving Livingston for the commute back to Edinburgh. The car turned blindly into an estate (on the wrong side of the road) - accelerating to make a gap in the traffic. I was on the opposite side of the road and she seemed to be make a direct line for me. I somehow managed to get my front wheel past and around the front of her car and she only made contact with my rear wheel. Luckily I also managed to unclip and get my feet under me - so could walk away unscathed. Initially I was more concerned about the condition of the bike but after peeling off my rear mudguard it seems ok too.

    She initially fled the scene (accelerated!)but came back down after 2 minutes - at this point I was still sussing out the condition of the bike. I took a quick photo of her reg and this was the cue for aggression and threats ("I'll get you DONE if you don't delete that photo").

    I reported to the police at this point as she was getting more and more aggressive. While waiting for police she was still having goes at me about "road tax", "high-vis", "reflectors", "cycling infrastructure". I invited her to Pedal on Parliament - not sure the message got through. Police arrived 5 mins later... dealt with the situation well - gave her a lecture on the highway code, vehicle tax, how to drive and offered to help me sort the bike out ("we're both cyclists too").

    As accidents go I'm pretty happy I could walk away and the bike seems still road worthy. Anything I should check for on the bike? Frame alignment? Drop-out alignment?

    Posted 7 years ago #
  30. Frenchy
    Member

    I invited her to Pedal on Parliament
    Nice.

    Anything I should check for on the bike?
    Get a bike shop to look over it. Send her insurance company the bill.

    Posted 7 years ago #

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