CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!

Today's rubbish driving...

(11251 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by Stepdoh
  • Latest reply from neddie
  • This topic is sticky

  1. Sybot
    Member

    A truck passed straight through a red light at the Nicolson Street/E Crosscauseway crossing, almost hitting me as I started crossing. It's a good thing I take that junction carefully anyway because of the tendency for drivers to jump the queue on a red to turn down W Crosscauseway. Didn't really get a chance to see the reg/company.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  2. Noggin
    Member

    Had a TNT driver in a hire van drive into the side of me (slowly, petulantly) as I filtered back into the left hand lane after traffic started moving again whilst I was filtering up to the ASL at Palmerston Place turning into Chester Street last Wednesday. Parked my bike on the front of his van and had a word but he was angry at me. Noticed his TNT badge around his neck and he got alarmed when I pointed that out. He reversed so my bike fell in the road and drove around me to get away! Technically, leaving the scene of an accident without leaving his details. Reported to TNT who've traced him and might do something, we'll see, eh?

    Posted 6 years ago #
  3. Everyone who sees buses roll into ASLs when they have plenty of opportunity to stop before entering them (or who roll into them when they're empty just to get closer to the lights) needs to report them to Lothian Buses.

    When they were publicising their roadshow on cycling safety at the airport the other week, I asked them to ensure they also reminded their own drivers that ASLs were not for buses. It seemed to come as a surprise to Lothian Buses, and I'm not sure they believed me that it was a common occurrence with their buses & drivers.

    Perhaps if they started getting more complaints / evidence that it happens regularly, they might start reminding drivers of the law regarding ASLs.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  4. amir
    Member

    Close pass from police van near the council buildings in Dalkeith. Perhaps because the driver couldn't see around the LH bend enough to be sure that no one was coming the other way. A few yards later it got stuck in a queue for the traffic lights.

    At a roundabout a well dressed tearaway in an Astra decided that he'd pass me (to the right) despite then turning left at the first exit. I was wanting to go straight. It wasn't a big roundabout.

    Another close pass on a very wide road from an Allans coach going pretty quickly. About a minute later another Allans passed giving good clearance. Perhaps the first always arrives first in order to have time to read the newspaper.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  5. fimm
    Member

    Nasty, nasty close pass from a blue car (might have been a Ford Focus) on the A70. I knew it was there and thought the driver had time and space for a dubious but the sort of thing you have to get used to pass. Instead they came past without apparently deviating from their line at all. I let out a yell and some naughty words may have passed my lips.

    Credit to the nice woman driving the car behind who seemed to realise that I was unhappy with the pass and held off coming by herself until I stopped gesturing and got back to cycling.

    I wish I had a camera at moments like these, but Boyfriend of Fimm wouldn't be happy.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  6. chdot
    Admin

    "but Boyfriend of Fimm wouldn't be happy"

    You mean he wouldn't like to hear you swearing?

    Posted 6 years ago #
  7. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    A truck passed straight through a red light at the Nicolson Street/E Crosscauseway

    That junction now appears to be a free for all. Must be something about the phases of the lights/moon.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  8. fimm
    Member

    @chdot nah, he thinks all camera users ride around deliberately annoying drivers in order to increase their YouTube hits...

    Posted 6 years ago #
  9. Frenchy
    Member

    If only it were possible to have a camera and yet not upload the footage ;)

    Posted 6 years ago #
  10. fimm
    Member

    Indeed. I'm not saying I agree with him!

    Posted 6 years ago #
  11. chdot
    Admin

    "If only it were possible to have a camera and yet not upload the footage ;)"

    Well that's the current police advice...

    Posted 6 years ago #
  12. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    anti-IWRATS must be enjoying playing with the buses in her universe.

    Hello,

    I was cycling north on Kirk Brae at 13h55 on the 24th of May 2017 when I'm sorry to say I had to swerve at quite high speed to avoid one of your buses driving straight at me.

    The number 31 bus in question was overtaking a southbound cyclist, and, to his credit, was giving him the correct passing distance. This involved him crossing into the southbound lane in which I was traveling. Kirk Brae is quite steep southbound and I was going quite fast, resulting in me closing with the oncoming bus at around 50mph. Had a collision occurred it would likely have been fatal for me. The rules on overtaking are set out in Rules 162 to 169 of the Highway Code;

    Before overtaking you should make sure the road is sufficiently clear ahead

    DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example when you would force another road user to swerve or slow down

    There are two reasonable explanations for your driver's behaviour;

    1) He did not see me.
    2) He saw me but expected me to adapt my road position to his manoeuvre.

    Explanation 1) would be very worrying. From your CCTV you will see that I am wearing a luminous green jacket. I am also in an assertive primary position in my lane. This can actually be so unexpected that drivers reject the evidence of their eyes and refuse to see cyclists in this position.

    Explanation 2) seems more likely and is only slightly less worrying. Your driver may have thought I had no reason to be traveling at 25mph in the outside of my lane but that frankly is not a judgment for him or her to make.

    In any case I wonder if you can discuss this with your driver and, whilst praising him for the wide berth he gave the other cyclist and expressing sympathy with him for the doubtless frustrating slow speed of uphill cyclists on Kirk Brae, ask him to review his overtake with an eye to improving his road craft?

    Many thanks in advance,

    IWRATS

    Posted 6 years ago #
  13. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    Just passed through Fountainbridge - small car appeared to have smashed into the temp barriers at the non-school building site, ripping one of its wheels off (!) & blocking eastbound traffic. Motor CHAOS both ways as they are laying the final tarmac at Boroughmuir today as well. Bikes can get through!

    Posted 6 years ago #
  14. algo
    Member

    I passed the scary aftermath of a car having hit the wall on the south-west corner of the junction with Kilgraston Road and Blackford Road the other day - it had clearly hit it with some force - there is still some stone missing in the wall. Not a pretty sight, but I don't think anyone was hurt - I'd definitely estimate the speed of the car to be well in excess of 20mph looking at the state of it.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  15. Rosie
    Member

    Just saw this on twitter - can't copy the whole tweet:-

    "Emailed a haulage firm to say the lorry driver overtook me perfectly and respected space for cyclists. Got a reply saying he'll get a bonus!"

    Not a bad idea to get in touch with companies whose drivers have been especially considerate.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  16. Frenchy
    Member

    Close pass from driver of Transit van on Cluny Gardens. They then immediately turned left, forcing me to brake.

    Followed by a textbook pass from the driver of a Murray Moves van, complete with "Cyclists - Stay Awesome" sticker. I believe the owner is of this parish? Thanks!

    Posted 6 years ago #
  17. jules878
    Member

    9.40pm Sunday eve.

    On West Maitland St heading towards town.

    Driver of ilvery hatchbacky vehicle - SD 52 CHY - had two thirds of her car in front of AdVange Stop Zone. Not clear why this was required. There were a few cars about, but not queuing traffic which left her stranded there.

    I arrived in ASZ behind her, but then noticed she was reversing backwards.

    Thankfully driver did catch sight of me before any damage was done. (I did have one solid and one flashing lights on front of bike so I guess that helped.(

    Posted 6 years ago #
  18. jonty
    Member

    If there's one thing worse than cars being in ASZs, it's cars reversing out of ASZs! Same goes for pedestrian crossings.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  19. piosad
    Member

    Lorry driver going up Ashley Terrace stopped by the lollipop lady was so horrified by the idea of standing still for a few seconds that he turned right into Cowan Rd to go round the school (and presumably get stuck waiting for the right hand turn out of Ashley Drive?) passing the crossing kids uncomfortably close on his left side.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  20. chdot
    Admin

    "

    An 81-year-old Fairfax man is facing a felony hit-and-run charge after he allegedly struck a bicyclist with his Rolls-Royce in San Rafael.

    "

    http://www.marinij.com/article/NO/20170516/NEWS/170519833

    Posted 6 years ago #
  21. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Impressively poor driving this morning from a Scottish Gas representative.

    Close pass to me, in order to reach the queue seconds sooner, then impatiently swerved into the right-turn lane leading to the Calder Road roundabout. In doing so he cut up the van driver behind who had to swerve into the opposite carriageway, causing an oncoming driver to sound their horn. Scottish Gas man retaliated with his horn, then went straight at the roundabout instead.

    Scottish* Gas has received a letter of disapproval.

    * That is, British. Other variations of indy-related livery are available, presumably.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  22. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    Radge in a small white car was abusing a cyclist in the ASL outside Polwarth church. Storm in a teacup over filtering, I surmised. Cyclist was giving as good as he got. Couldn't quite see if the subsequent pass was of the punishment variety. Car reg was SB10RAU if anyone needs it.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  23. unhurt
    Member

    Argh. What a day for cycling. Left early as have a horrible headache, and saw a young guy doored by a white van on Causewayside right across from me. Front wheel mangled, very luckily he was up on his feet at once - though two other folk plus me stopped on bikes and made him sit for ten minutes. And get the driver's details. Who was 100% in "sorry mate, just didn't see you" mode. Then afterwards realised I should have given him my contact details in case bike shop or Dr find more extensive damage than he thinks (encouraged him to visit both).

    Posted 6 years ago #
  24. Stickman
    Member

    A car then a van sped through a red light at the pedestrian crossing on West Granton Street. A woman with a pram had started crossing and had to jump back to avoid being hit - it was ***** close. I waved my arms at the van driver and got an angry sound of the horn in response.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  25. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Free for all on Braid Road. Massive faux by four overtook and immediately half-parked but I let it go with a mild curse into his window as I passed then a BMW launched out of Comiston Place causing me to retreat from primary to avoid a collision.

    The BMW parks up I will not let it go. Guy winds down the window, apologises, accepts it was wrong and says all the parking made him do it. No harm done this time says I, baffled and off up the hill I went.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  26. Frenchy
    Member

    @unhurt - perhaps worth reporting to the police? Doored cyclist will hopefully do so, and police should be able to put you in contact if necessary.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  27. neddie
    Member

    Young lad in blue Corsa type thing trying to do a Dukes of Hazzard style jump over Viewforth bridge. Was speeding of course

    Posted 6 years ago #
  28. unhurt
    Member

    @Frenchy not sure he will. I wanted to suggest it at the time but the driver was all "sorry mate" and kept shaking his hand (???); lad was embarrassed and insisting he was fine in that "politeness requires me to accept your apologies" way. I'm afraid by the time the soreness and the bike damage sink in he'll feel it's too late. Still no harm me reporting mind!

    Posted 6 years ago #
  29. friskiffla
    Member

    Does anyone know if those police cars without blue flashing lights etc are allowed to go through red lights? I saw a dark blue hatchback one with 'police' on the back go through a red light this morning. No lights or sirens or anything. I thought they were just rolling into the ASZ on red but they then proceeded through the junction as well.

    Posted 6 years ago #
  30. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    @friskiffla I think technically they can if the vehicle's being used for 'police purposes'. They are supposed to treat the red light as a give way. Sounds like they did in this case.

    I once complained about non-blues & twos police vans using the right turn off Charlotte St into George St (it was at the time that section of George St was bike only eastbound, but the bollards were gone) and that was the response I got. Anything goes, basically.

    Posted 6 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply »

You must log in to post.


Video embedded using Easy Video Embed plugin