Seeing red
To judge by media reports, the big cycling legal issue is cyclists running red lights. Lycra louts are running amok. Well yes, some cyclists do run red lights, but is this really the only narrative worth considering. How about the fact that any cyclist will tell you that they frequently have their rights abused. In the video above, proceeding straight along the bus lane I had right of way over the car turning left. At the last moment I noticed the indicator flashing and stopped. The car driver may have seen me and been prepared to wait while I passed, but it just isn’t worth the risk. Getting it wrong one way means being seconds late for the train, getting wrong the other way could mean a trip to hospital. We all know events like this happen on a daily basis, but since cyclists are a minority it is easier to sell papers with tales of how they are the socially irresponsible ones.
And just in case anyone should think this is an anti-motorist posting, in the interests of impartiality here is a still from a few minutes later in the same ride. The footpath is ten feet to the left of the cycle track.
clairvoyance: a desirable attribute in a cyclist’s skillset.
greg
8 Feb 10 at 8:12 am
Indeed. While not necessarily clairvoyance, I do think that experience does mean you anticipate better – which is bad news for people starting out. I also think that everyone should be expected to have cycling experience before they can sit a driving test, but that’s another story.
Gareth
8 Feb 10 at 8:47 am
You know, I’m not sure about this one – looking at the video, it’s not a classic ‘left hook’ as the red SUV is actually ahead of you the whole time. It’s not as though he/she overtakes you and then cuts across – which happens a lot and we all have to watch out for. Granted, you do have the right of way in the bus-lane, but this still doesn’t look like an example of heinous driving: in fact, to me it looks as though the driver has seen you, and hesitates before turning left.
Your caution was still wise though!
Jon M
16 Feb 10 at 2:20 am
I think your analysis is spot on Jon. I think part of the challenge as a cyclist is knowing when to assert your rights and when it is better to go with the prevailing conditions.
Gareth
16 Feb 10 at 3:16 am