I was catching a slightly erratic cyclist heading towards the Scott Russell Aqueduct this morning so I rang my bell before going to pass on the right. He abruptly closed me off before drifting back to the left. I tried again with a similar result. Finally, I shouted "on your right!", at which point he looked behind and saw me, quite possibly becoming aware of me for the first time (I think I saw headphones being worn), moved to the left and let me pass a little before we reached the aqueduct. I have to admit to swearing at the situation as I finally made it by him.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Today's rubbish cycling
(4503 posts)-
Posted 7 years ago #
-
collective thoughts on telling/advising fellow cyclists with minimal/zero lights that they are "practically invisible" to cars ??
Have tried twice this week with zero positive response - maybe its my delivery....
Posted 7 years ago # -
@Iain McR
I use an adapted Sheriff Bart line from Blazing Saddles;
"A man ride like that and he don't light up...he is going to DIE."
Posted 7 years ago # -
Tailed a chap who came passed me tonight as he had very dim back light but made up for it with orange bike and yellow coat.
Hopefully they will do the lights for free thing soon in the areas of high student density
Posted 7 years ago # -
It must be my delivery. So far I'm 0 / 6 for positive responses. The best I've managed is a blank stare.
I don't understand why they don't understand they are practically invisible. I'm lit up like Blackpool seafront and still feel vulnerable.
As Ron White said .... You can't fix stupid.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Can all be in the delivery. What would The Boss sing? You can't start a fire without a spark, this gun's for hire even if we're just dancing in the dark.
Posted 7 years ago # -
The Deliveroo cyclist who kept on going through the red lights from Lauriston Place onto Forest Road just now as I was crossing during the green man. I tried to point out that he had cycled through a red light but he didn't seem very interested.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@Iain McR I once had a cyclist coming the other way say something to me. I still wonder what it was.
Posted 7 years ago # -
No one likes unsolicited advice.
So I advise you not to give it.
Doh!
Posted 7 years ago # -
I just had someone complain that the light from my Pro-Viz jacket was too bright (NEPN) Err... that'll be the reflection from your light then matey-boy. lol
Posted 7 years ago # -
I tend to go for the non-confrontational "You know your back/front light's not working mate?" But I am a wimp. And I don't like giving unsolicited advice either.
Posted 7 years ago # -
@Iain McR
I think the reality is that it's almost impossible to engage a stranger in conversation in the dark.
@stiltskin
Astounding comment. I'm going to get onto NASA about moon-dazzle.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I had the opposite issue last night on the NEPN with someone having a helicopter searchlight mounted on their bike.
The effect has enhanced as it was on the section where the path lighting was out....
I genuinely had to stop, and in lieu of a comment I put my hand over my eyes in an amateur dramatics "I've been blinded!" fashion.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Had a rather uncomfortable close pass on the towpath as I moved towards the centre to go around a stationary cyclist (waiting for someone?) with no lights on, and misjudged the speed of the oncoming cyclist who was absolutely bombing ahead. By the time we passed each other, just about avoiding the collision, I was completely blinded by their light too. Maybe the rubbish cycling was by me and I should have just waited but the oncoming person didn't really show any signs of being aware of their surroundings I have to say.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Decending the Gogarburn corkscrew tonight I was half asleep and didn't spot the ascending cyclist until quite late and I had to swerve at the last minute. He was was lit up like a Christmas tree with various flashing lights including on his arms so no real excuse except that you have to remember to look left and not straight ahead.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I reported that a few years ago (passed on to the RBS allegedly). That path is a real danger as it stands. It has actually been made worse since that time by the tree planting. The closing speeds are much higher than you expect and you really have to look over your shoulder to see a potential conflict. It is not obvious as a hazard & I have had several near misses.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Given that I left work just late enough to be caught in the rain after dark, I endured my most stressful commute home in some time. There were two counts of bad cycling that I had to deal with in terms of a lack of lighting: one on the canal towpath east of Harrison Park when two youngsters come towards me out of the gloom on 'my' side of the path (one of them apologised to me at least) and another on Valleyfield Street where an adult cyclist was heading in the wrong direction full stop. I suggested to all of them that they should make use of some lights.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Today's rubbish move brought by the guy on a white road bike with aero bars who pulled out of Balbirnie Place in front of me this morning, then slowed and moved across the width of the bus/bike lane while faffing about with a water bottle.
A little more awareness is in order.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Me, according to a small child.
On the NEPN, group of hi-viz clad nursery kids up ahead. I slow right down, to almost walking pace by the time I pass them. I smile and say thank you to the lead adult and get a smile in return. Then one of the kids shouts in one breath "Look! Cyclist going too fast".
The lead adult swiftly corrected him but it did leave me rather sad that the initial reaction of small child to seeing a cyclist was that they were doing something wrong. Kids eh?Posted 7 years ago # -
@Luath - I'm afraid my own children are incredibly censorious about pavement cycling - I realise you weren't but in my experience they do generalise.... unfortunate indeed that your consideration was not appreciated (quite the opposite).
I saw some coincidentally rubbish and awesome cycling earlier - a deliveroo cyclist on a nice steel framed tourer with double panniers on the front low-rider, doing about 20mph down Marchmont Road with no hands, and texting at the same time.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Couple of instances in Lothian Rd area last night.
Lost-looking food delivery cyclist (plain black bag, so probably not the D mob) salmoning up Ponton St, before going wrong way past the fire station. A few minutes later, the same guy emerged the wrong way out of the one-way section of Morrison St (the Lebowskis bit). Terminally confused/illegal
Later, another cyclist shot the narrowed bit of Semple St the wrong way & then wrong side of junction into Fountainbridge
Posted 7 years ago # -
Actually tomorrow's rubbish cycling.
Took the son of some friends of ours for a day out yesterday as he's studying in Edinburgh this year. Turns out he's making pocket money riding for Deliveroo. Explained the contract and software they use.
He's not from these parts and uses Google maps for all navigation. Reckons if there's no cars about then there are no red lights for him. Riding an adolescent's bike he got off Gumtree (actually a decent enough ride despite the small size) I'm pretty sure his antics will shortly turn up on this thread. Hope he survives.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Are there still Deliveroo mopeds scooting about Edinburgh? Long time since I've seen one if so. I suppose it would be progress of a sort if they have gone 100% pedal power.
Most I've seen have been on decent quality road bikes or hybrids, relatively few BSOs. As you say, navigation seems to be a problem for most.
Posted 7 years ago # -
By me.
Was shoulder checking as the traffic was moving through the lights at western corner and the car in front of me slammed on the anchors due to another car cutting her up. Resulted in me ploughing into the back and ending up on the boot then road. Winter commuter written off and a 1 month old crash replacement helmet now needs to be crash replaced again. Helmet saved me big time.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Ouch - I hope you're okay
Posted 7 years ago # -
Undertook another cyclist. I hate cyclists doing that to me, so mea culpa.
But there was a huge, inviting gap to his left...
Posted 7 years ago # -
Me this morning going east on NMW. Misjudged the speed of the cyclist I was overtaking compared to the speed of the oncoming cyclist. Had to swerve right into the leaf mulch but thankfully held steady. Sorry both.
Posted 7 years ago # -
A cyclist who I had observed making aggressive overtakes, including barging past all other traffic on the Slateford Aqueduct, was dealt a bit of Karma this morning when they took a tumble on the ice at the notorious 'S' bend at the corner of Wester Hailes. Despite having been subjected to some of the bad cycling (an odd mixture of wheel sucking and MGIF-ism) I made the effort to ask if he was ok as I cautiously passed the scene of the accident, although it seemed like a couple of pedestrians had beaten me to it.
Posted 7 years ago # -
someone cycling with no studded tyres on the the road to currie which of course is not rubbish cycling but the other cyclist that goes past on that road has had studs on now for over a week
Posted 7 years ago # -
Chap in a hoodie doing a totally unnecessary blatant RLJ going east on Princes St at Waverley Bridge. I'd be annoyed if a I was a driver stuck there too. (Well. I was stuck there on the bike and was annoyed.)
Posted 7 years ago #
Reply »
You must log in to post.
posts
