Official bitch about daily life in UL

DaveR1 · 16-04-2014 12:46pm

MajesticDonkey wrote: »

Cycling insurance is optional. I have it as a member of Cycling Ireland.

Having a look at it now. Never knew that was available!

As a cycling ireland member turns out I do have insurance that I never knew about. Doesn't look like my commute is covered. I'll have to say cycling to UL is part of my training schedule!!

MajesticDonkey · 16-04-2014 12:59pm

DaveR1 wrote: »

Having a look at it now. Never knew that was available!

As a cycling ireland member turns out I do have insurance that I never knew about. Doesn't look like my commute is covered. I'll have to say cycling to UL is part of my training schedule!!

Hmmm I thought it covered everything. The accident report form doesn't mention or ask anything about what type of cycling you were doing when the accident happened, so I don't think it matters too much. It's just semantics whether it's training or commuting - for many people commuting to work is part of their training.

Ave Sodalis · 16-04-2014 1:04pm

MajesticDonkey wrote: »

Cycling insurance is optional. I have it as a member of Cycling Ireland.

What's that well known message again? Oh yeah, "Expect the unexpected". You shouldn't be driving faster than the speed you'd be capable of stopping safely in.

No, use of cycle lanes is not law. That first website appears to be wildly out of date.

EDIT: see here: http://www.businesspost.ie/#!story/Home/News/Varadkar+abolishes+requirement+for+cyclists+to+use+cycle+lanes/id/19410615-5218-5085-7ae6-7b87b0401760

Yet the OP said he " would rather keep my life in my own hands instead of placing it into the lap of gods counting on a driver to see me from the corner of their eye"

I never said it was law, however I wasn't aware that there was an update to the legislation.

DaveR1 wrote: »

If you want to get technical, a cyclist is only obliged to use a cycle track. A cycle track cannot be occupied by pedestrians. This is not what is provided in UL. Instead it is a cycle path, which is optional.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1998/en/si/0274.html

Cars don't need to expect a cyclist on the road. Driving with due care and attention will suffice!!!

And that is the failing of the cycle lanes in UL, not the constant stopping. Your link states

(3) (a) Subject to paragraph (b), a pedal cycle must be driven on a cycle track where one is provided.

In light of Majestic's link, I'm not saying you're wrong though.

I still don't see where the safety issue is with the current lanes...

MajesticDonkey · 16-04-2014 1:25pm

I've no idea - I don't cycle in UL so I can't really talk specifically about that.

Jester252 · 16-04-2014 1:38pm

DaveR1 wrote: »

Why would I cycle along a path that forces me to slow down and stop every 200m.I can instead use the road along which I have right of way ahead of any car at the junction. The reason I cycle is because it is faster than walking and at peak times faster than driving. It is totally impractical for me to have to stop at all these junctions so just use the road. Its easier and safer.

As a side note,
1. A cyclist has no insurance, irrespective of bike lanes.
2. Under the road traffic act a cyclist isn't required to use a bike lane

Not true, a cyclist has right of way depending on the junction like all other road vehicles. Do us all a favour and read the rules of the road before you cycle again. You are the worst kind of road users. You have a lack of knowledge and are selfish. Right now you are an accident waiting to happen.

DaveR1 · 16-04-2014 1:44pm

Jester252 wrote: »

Not true, a cyclist has right of way depending on the junction like all other road vehicles. Do us all a favour and read the rules of the road before you cycle again. You are the worst kind of road users. You have a lack of knowledge and are selfish. Right now you are an accident waiting to happen.

Who are you specifically referring to when you say "You are the worst kind of road users", cyclists in general??

I am specifically talking about junctions which have bike lanes that are set off the road running through them. E.g. East Gate Car Park, 3 euro car park, Spar shop by groody, outside odeon cinema etc etc etc.....
If I am in the bike lane I am crossing the junction and to be safe I will need to slow down to check for cars, and probably stop if there is a car. On the other hand if I am on the road I have right of way and the car coming out of the junction will stop, check that it is safe and then proceed. If I am on the road the car will wait until I pass and then proceeed when safe to do so.
However, the bike lanes that are part of the road for example past oaklawns and elm park are practical and safe as the cyclist has right of way through these junctions.

Jester252 · 16-04-2014 1:53pm

DaveR1 wrote: »

Who are you specifically referring to when you say "You are the worst kind of road users", cyclists in general??

I am specifically talking about junctions which have bike lanes that are set off the road running through them. E.g. East Gate Car Park, 3 euro car park, Spar shop by groody, outside odeon cinema etc etc etc.....
If I am in the bike lane I am crossing the junction and to be safe I will need to slow down to check for cars, and probably stop if there is a car. On the other hand if I am on the road I have right of way and the car coming out of the junction will stop, check that it is safe and then proceed. If I am on the road the car will wait until I pass and then proceeed when safe to do so.
However, the bike lanes that are part of the road for example past oaklawns and elm park are practical and safe as the cyclist has right of way through these junctions.

Did I say cyclist or did I say ignorant and selfish?

You said specifically "I can instead use the road along which I have right of way ahead of any car at the junction." but it's good to see that you are learning that you don't have right of way ahead of any car. Stay off the road

MajesticDonkey · 16-04-2014 2:10pm

Jester252 wrote: »

Did I say cyclist or did I say ignorant and selfish?

You said specifically "I can instead use the road along which I have right of way ahead of any car at the junction." but it's good to see that you are learning that you don't have right of way ahead of any car. Stay off the road

You sound like a nice, calm and assertive person to be driving any type of vehicle on the road.

garv123 · 16-04-2014 2:25pm

DaveR1 wrote: »

Who are you specifically referring to when you say "You are the worst kind of road users", cyclists in general??

I am specifically talking about junctions which have bike lanes that are set off the road running through them. E.g. East Gate Car Park, 3 euro car park, Spar shop by groody, outside odeon cinema etc etc etc.....
If I am in the bike lane I am crossing the junction and to be safe I will need to slow down to check for cars, and probably stop if there is a car. On the other hand if I am on the road I have right of way and the car coming out of the junction will stop, check that it is safe and then proceed. If I am on the road the car will wait until I pass and then proceeed when safe to do so.
However, the bike lanes that are part of the road for example past oaklawns and elm park are practical and safe as the cyclist has right of way through these junctions.

You should really replace faster with safer.. the cycle lanes arent dangerous if you use them properly but clearly you just want to get there quicker and dont want to stop, which makes you using cycle lanes dangerous..
If someone uses the cycle lanes and stops where they are meant to stop it is perfectly safe, although a few seconds slower.

Jester252 · 16-04-2014 2:28pm

MajesticDonkey wrote: »

You sound like a nice, calm and assertive person to be driving any type of vehicle on the road.

At least I know the rules of the road and have personal responsibility

Reiver · 16-04-2014 2:45pm

Leaving Certs. Library. Grrr.

MajesticDonkey · 16-04-2014 2:53pm

Jester252 wrote: »

At least I know the rules of the road and have personal responsibility

That doesn't make up for an aggressive attitude. And it certainly doesn't give you the right to tell others how to behave.

Jester252 · 16-04-2014 4:18pm

MajesticDonkey wrote: »

That doesn't make up for an aggressive attitude. And it certainly doesn't give you the right to tell others how to behave.

I'm sorry for being concern over other people safety

wnolan1992 · 16-04-2014 6:07pm

So for "impractical" I'll just read "slightly slower", and for "unsafe" I'll read "slightly slower" then...

:pac:

It's funny, I walk that path at "peak" times a lot of mornings and rarely see cars pulling into the car park, and even rarer is it to see something pulling into the maintenance place. But hey, if it requires you to slow down for a few seconds and look both ways, then it's clearly worse than Nazi Germany and would probably make you horrifically late to everything. :P

Anywho, ignore me, carry on, this is highly amusing.

freyners · 16-04-2014 6:39pm

wnolan1992 wrote:

Anywho, ignore me, carry on, this is highly amusing.

Time to break out the gifs:D

DaveR1 · 17-04-2014 8:59am

garv123 wrote: »

You should really replace safer with faster.

wnolan1992 wrote: »

So for "impractical" I'll just read "slightly slower", and for "unsafe" I'll read "slightly slower" then...

I still stand over both safer and faster. By cycling on the lane I encounter more potential hazards than on the road. Now the question is what is the risk associated with each hazard on the bike lane vs. hazards on the road. Some may agree some may disagree but I find the road a safer place to be. As an added bonus it is also much faster. This is why the bike lanes in UL are impractical.

As I have said before, bikes lanes along plassy road past oaklawns and elm park are the most practical and safest type of bike lanes.

Jester252 · 17-04-2014 9:09am

DaveR1 wrote: »

I still stand over both safer and faster. By cycling on the lane I encounter more potential hazards than on the road. Now the question is what is the risk associated with each hazard on the bike lane vs. hazards on the road. Some may agree some may disagree but I find the road a safer place to be. As an added bonus it is also much faster. This is why the bike lanes in UL are impractical.

As I have said before, bikes lanes along plassy road past oaklawns and elm park are the most practical and safest type of bike lanes.

I.e not willing to yield.

Ave Sodalis · 17-04-2014 9:43am

Dave, I think until you can tell us how there are safety issues with the cycle paths using a proper reason, you're not going to get many people on your side, and that includes people who have the power to get something done about it. Reading your last few posts, the only issue we can find is the speed, even though you maintain that it's a safety hazard too, and being slightly slower isn't going to cut it.
Baring in mind, the people you are talking to are part of UL too, some here many years and there's a good chance someone also uses the paths...

DaveR1 · 17-04-2014 10:15am

Why should a bike be a second class road user and yield at minor junctions when travelling along the main road. Having to cross the minor junctions 5 meters from where a car will be turning in is a safety issue, even if stopping. The car is approaching from behind the bike. It is not safe. On another practical issue, when I exit the east gate on the bike where do I go? I end up on a footpath, the bike lane disappears. Not practical. All in all bike lanes around UL are impractical, poorly designed, unsafe and slow.

My question is why should I use the bike lanes instead of the road? I gain no advantage using them but many disadvantages.

Jester252 · 17-04-2014 10:55am

DaveR1 wrote: »

Why should a bike be a second class road user and yield at minor junctions when travelling along the main road. Having to cross the minor junctions 5 meters from where a car will be turning in is a safety issue, even if stopping. The car is approaching from behind the bike. It is not safe. On another practical issue, when I exit the east gate on the bike where do I go? I end up on a footpath, the bike lane disappears. Not practical. All in all bike lanes around UL are impractical, poorly designed, unsafe and slow.

My question is why should I use the bike lanes instead of the road? I gain no advantage using them but many disadvantages.

Why should a pedestrian be a second class road user and yield at a minor junction when travelling along the main road?

You're on the cycle path, if a car is approaching from behind they are nowhere near you, unless they have mounted the footpath. Following your logic the path is not safe for a pedestrian as they face all the same problems. Yet most cyclist and pedestrians are able to use the cycle path fine, the only reason you have an issue with it is because you might have to yield and you don't want to.

MajesticDonkey · 17-04-2014 11:14am

I think something very important needs to be considered here. Cyclists have as much of a right to use the road as drivers do, and as such can use the road if and when they want to, even if a cycle path exists. Drivers being impatient is not a valid excuse to give out about cyclists either.

DaveR1 · 17-04-2014 11:16am

This issue has nothing to do with pedestrians!!

Jester252 wrote: »

You're on the cycle path, if a car is approaching from behind they are nowhere near you, unless they have mounted the footpath.

That's the whole point, and you as a driver believing that makes my cycling on the bike lane all the more dangerous!!!

Having the bike placed along a footpath means that the car is still approaching from behind you. But now that the bike is removed from the road the driver will not consider you a road user. The driver now wants to turn left into any of the car parks in UL, the bike has not been observed as it is off the road, the bike can't see the car behind them. What happens next..............? Hence the safety issue.

Jester252 · 17-04-2014 12:02pm

DaveR1 wrote: »

This issue has nothing to do with pedestrians!!

That's the whole point, and you as a driver believing that makes my cycling on the bike lane all the more dangerous!!!

Having the bike placed along a footpath means that the car is still approaching from behind you.

If you are on the road the car is approaching you from behind or the cyclist ends up in a tight spot between the car and left hand side of the road.

But now that the bike is removed from the road the driver will not consider you a road user. The driver now wants to turn left into any of the car parks in UL, the bike has not been observed as it is off the road, the bike can't see the car behind them. What happens next..............? Hence the safety issue.

Well right now cyclist and pedestrian are able to cross at all the location you mention as "unsafe". The only reason you can't do it is because you don't want to yield.

As the driver approaches he can see the crossing and any danger, while a good road user always checks his 6 periodical especially when approaching a junction. They will see each other and be able to make a call.

You don't seem to be a good road user. The fact that this is an issue to you suggest you don't have basic observation skills.

But now that the bike is on the the road and on the driver left hand side. The driver now wants to turn left into any of the car parks in UL, the bike has not been observed as it in the blind spot, the car can't see the bike behind him and the bike can't see the turn single. What happens next..............? Hence the safety issue.

DaveR1 · 17-04-2014 12:24pm

Jester252 wrote: »

If you are on the road the car is approaching you from behind or the cyclist ends up in a tight spot between the car and left hand side of the road.

Thats an example of dangerous driving, nothing to do with the cyclist. If the car has to put the bike "in a tight" spot then the driver is being reckless in their driving.

Jester252 wrote: »

Well right now cyclist and pedestrian are able to cross at all the location you mention as "unsafe". The only reason you can't do it is because you don't want to yield.

By this you mean there hasn't been a severe accident that you have heard of yet. I know 1 person who was involved in a minor accident with a car outside odeon cinema.
A death occurred some years ago on the bike lane passing the new entrance to the castletroy park retirement village when it was a construction site. An example of what I have been saying

Jester252 wrote: »

As the driver approaches he can see the crossing and any danger, while a good road user always checks his 6 periodical especially when approaching a junction. They will see each other and be able to make a call.

Unless the bike is hidden the other side of a hedge as is the case for the turn into the staff car park across from MSSI construction site. And you want me to trust every driver to be "a good road user" so I can stay alive. I'd rather make sure they can't not see me and be on the road!

Jester252 wrote: »

You don't seem to be a good road user. The fact that this is an issue to you suggest you don't have basic observation skills.

On the contrary, I believe my observation skills are pretty good. I'd rather keep the testing of them, just to stay alive, to a minimum on my commute thouigh.

Jester252 wrote: »

But now that the bike is on the the road and on the driver left hand side. The driver now wants to turn left into any of the car parks in UL, the bike has not been observed as it in the blind spot, the car can't see the bike behind him and the bike can't see the turn single. What happens next..............? Hence the safety issue.

So a car begins overtaking a bike and then turns left half way through the overtaking manoeuvre when they forget the bike ever existed??

Jester252 · 17-04-2014 1:33pm

DaveR1 wrote: »

Thats an example of dangerous driving, nothing to do with the cyclist. If the car has to put the bike "in a tight" spot then the driver is being reckless in their driving.

Not if the cyclist undertook the car during slow traffic

By this you mean there hasn't been a severe accident that you have heard of yet. I know 1 person who was involved in a minor accident with a car outside odeon cinema.
A death occurred some years ago on the bike lane passing the new entrance to the castletroy park retirement village when it was a construction site. An example of what I have been saying

I mean that most cyclist and pedestrian can do this everyday you only have an issue because you don't want to yield.

Unless the bike is hidden the other side of a hedge as is the case for the turn into the staff car park across from MSSI construction site. And you want me to trust every driver to be "a good road user" so I can stay alive. I'd rather make sure they can't not see me and be on the road!

It's a waist high hedge, you not hidden. You can be seen and you can see.

On the contrary, I believe my observation skills are pretty good. I'd rather keep the testing of them, just to stay alive, to a minimum on my commute thouigh.

For someone who claims to be observant than why are you having a freak out over a basic crossing that children can navigate.

So a car begins overtaking a bike and then turns left half way through the overtaking manoeuvre when they forget the bike ever existed??

Car slows down to take left turn, cyclist continues along his path and undertakes the car. Your more likely to get hit with a left hook on the road than at on a cycle path.

DaveR1 · 17-04-2014 4:16pm

Jester252 wrote: »

Car slows down to take left turn, cyclist continues along his path and undertakes the car. Your more likely to get hit with a left hook on the road than at on a cycle path.

Yes more likely if you go around like a kamikaze cyclist. That is an example dangerous cycling, not lack of road safety. If we all went around in our cars, bikes, walking attempting such things then we can only expect the end result.
However, if you pay attention and don't do stupid things, then yes its more safe on the road.

What about the bike lane past spar at castletroy park hotel? Lots of cars in and out, always lots of traffic in the evening towards groody roundabout. Yet the bike lane runs up the inside of the traffic. Is this a safe bike lane?? Or is it promoting cyclists to take part in the dangerous activity of undertaking slow moving traffic at a junction?? Would you consider this good bike lane design, and more importantly a safe bike lane?

I am still looking for a reason the cycle on the bike lane and not on the road??

Jester252 · 17-04-2014 5:17pm

DaveR1 wrote: »

Yes more likely if you go around like a kamikaze cyclist. That is an example dangerous cycling, not lack of road safety. If we all went around in our cars, bikes, walking attempting such things then we can only expect the end result.
However, if you pay attention and don't do stupid things, then yes its more safe on the road.

What about the bike lane past spar at castletroy park hotel? Lots of cars in and out, always lots of traffic in the evening towards groody roundabout. Yet the bike lane runs up the inside of the traffic. Is this a safe bike lane?? Or is it promoting cyclists to take part in the dangerous activity of undertaking slow moving traffic at a junction?? Would you consider this good bike lane design, and more importantly a safe bike lane?

I am still looking for a reason the cycle on the bike lane and not on the road??

Here where your logic fall, the cycle path at the Groody on apart of the foot path after Spar and every minor junction the cycle lane has right of way. The bike lane makes driver more aware of cyclist on the inside. How do you take that road? Do you line up behind the cars in traffic or filter into head on traffic?
I'm still looking for a reason why the bike lanes in UL are dangerous apart from your're lack of observation and refusal to yield.

seachto7 · 18-04-2014 2:18pm

Any place open to eat today on campus?

highlydebased · 18-04-2014 2:30pm

seachto7 wrote: »

Any place open to eat today on campus?

Scholars til 5

phish · 18-04-2014 2:51pm

Anyone want to do my assignments for me ??

Seriously why is there always so many more assignments in the second semester! Hate this!!!

Aragneer · 19-04-2014 1:58pm

Why on earth did my German lecturer make the oral exam bigger than the actual exam!? Twenty percent and I've been studying non-stop every day bwcause they decided to put every lecture topic we've ever f***ing done on the thing..
More stress than doin normal exams, great!

Reiver · 19-04-2014 10:27pm

I'd be jumping for joy if most of the exam was in that form! Maybe its to see if you can actually speak the language?

Du hast die macht.

Aragneer · 20-04-2014 11:14am

It's actually only 15%, got an updated e-mail yesterday! So I'm studying the whole course for 15%...The exam is 50% and we don't have as much as in this oral.

And I know I can't speak the language so this will not be a fun week!

Jedoch, danke schon!

perthree · 22-04-2014 6:38pm

I walked into the library four different times today and got asked for I.D once?

Sigh!

seachto7 · 23-04-2014 12:48am

What's the craic with id? Is it to stop thieves going in, or was it to stop school kids going in?
I saw the beggars around last week, Roma types.

Reiver · 23-04-2014 1:02am

I always assumed it was Leaving certs but they stopped a few scruffy looking lads in trackies there today (I was one of them!) while those better dressed were waved through, might be something to do with thievery alright!

Beggars around where?

seachto7 · 23-04-2014 11:04am

They were outside the library. I was inside, but they looked like they were trying to sell something to people, or else it was a note asking for money.

wnolan1992 · 23-04-2014 6:06pm

seachto7 wrote: »

They were outside the library. I was inside, but they looked like they were trying to sell something to people, or else it was a note asking for money.

Most likely a note. They've been around a good bit this semester.

Jester252 · 23-04-2014 7:27pm

wnolan1992 wrote: »

Most likely a note. They've been around a good bit this semester.

Got pulled over by a group today, kinda feel special that they picked me out of the 10 other people.

marvin_spazz · 24-04-2014 7:11pm

what happened in the schuman earlier today? somebody get taken away in ambulance. hope they ok

seachto7 · 24-04-2014 8:37pm

Jester252 wrote: »

Got pulled over by a group today, kinda feel special that they picked me out of the 10 other people.

You looked the most gullible?

gillmelly · 24-04-2014 8:38pm

Nothing wrong with UL if you get on with your work and sports

Gael23 · 24-04-2014 9:16pm

marvin_spazz wrote: »

what happened in the schuman earlier today? somebody get taken away in ambulance. hope they ok

She died in hospital. I don't know any more than.that

Agent_99 · 25-04-2014 8:08am

http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/student-rachael-hogan-collapses-dies-3453577

May she rest in peace. Sad News

Chavways · 29-04-2014 3:26pm

Anyone have any photo's of the queue outside the library this morning? I'm having difficulty believing it.

YFlyer · 29-04-2014 3:43pm

Chavways wrote: »

Anyone have any photo's of the queue outside the library this morning? I'm having difficulty believing it.

Why what happened?

Chavways · 29-04-2014 3:52pm

YFlyer wrote: »

Why what happened?

A queue of people from the door of the library down to the Engineering Research Building at 8am waiting for the library to open.

YFlyer · 29-04-2014 5:00pm

Chavways wrote: »

A queue of people from the door of the library down to the Engineering Research Building at 8am waiting for the library to open.

They had to get in to drop off their books on a desk and then head home for shower and breakfast. Or maybe bed :eek:

seachto7 · 29-04-2014 5:12pm

Didn't seem that busy in there at 1 pm. Room I am in, which I will not disclose the whereabouts of, has been quiet enough all day.

Way less distractions than the library as well, be that noise or the female kind.

freyners · 29-04-2014 6:29pm

seachto7 wrote: »

Didn't seem that busy in there at 1 pm. Room I am in, which I will not disclose the whereabouts of, has been quiet enough all day.

Way less distractions than the library as well, be that noise or the female kind.

Ditto the room im in

Official bitch about daily life in UL

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