Who is more dangerous to a cyclist?

Bettyboo2u

Who is more dangerous to a cyclist? Cars, Trucks, White Van Man, Taxi’s, Pedestrians or fellow Cyclists


My own opinion is all of the above but I would give special mention to pedestrians. Today on my way to work cycling down the “cycle track” on the quays, for no apparent reason a pedestrian, listening to the latest sounds on her ipod stepped into the road and then smash bang.

I’m flat out on the pavement (thank the lord not on the road or I would not be writing this) the bike is lying 5 feet away and all this person did say was sorry, sorry and then continued on her merry way.

I have been hit by cars, fellow cyclists and pedestrians too many times. Never a Guard around to make a complaint to.

Anyone else got similar experiences?

Victor

Trucks kill cyclists.

Cars and white van drivers scare the life out of cyclists.

aburke

Victor wrote:

Trucks kill cyclists.

Cars and white van drivers scare the life out of cyclists.

And pedestrians normally just annoy cyclists, nothing more dangerous usually.
The Original poster was a bit unlucky, or lucky that it wasn't a HGV turning left out of nowhere.

Alan

Beelzebub

No similar complaints save for almost being hit by cyclists on the pavement, numerous times...only for my own quick reactions were there no major injuries involved.
There is never a guard around to make a complaint to, in this regard either.

GreeBo

1) The hordes of joggers who insist on jogging in groups of 20+ 3 or 4 abrest down bikelanes, buslanes and often just on the road.

Im thinking of making a complaint to the Rathfarnham & Bushy Park Running Clubs as these are the main culprits on my commute.

2) People walking their dogs (and themselves) on bike lanes when there is a perfectly good footpath not 3 metres away...ARGH!

Mucco

GreeBo wrote:

1) The hordes of joggers who insist on jogging in groups of 20+ 3 or 4 abrest down bikelanes, buslanes and often just on the road.
........
2) People walking their dogs (and themselves) on bike lanes when there is a perfectly good footpath not 3 metres away...ARGH!

Those are annoyances, not dangers. Victor pointed out the main danger.

M

Ghost Rider

When pedestrians get in the way (which is very common on cycle paths that are contiguous with pedestrian walkways) they're usually just an annoyance. But yeah, they can be a hazard too, as can anything that makes you jam on the brakes suddenly.

Bettyboo2u wrote:

Who is more dangerous to a cyclist? Cars, Trucks, White Van Man, Taxi’s, Pedestrians or fellow Cyclists


My own opinion is all of the above but I would give special mention to pedestrians. Today on my way to work cycling down the “cycle track” on the quays, for no apparent reason a pedestrian, listening to the latest sounds on her ipod stepped into the road and then smash bang.

I’m flat out on the pavement (thank the lord not on the road or I would not be writing this) the bike is lying 5 feet away and all this person did say was sorry, sorry and then continued on her merry way.

I have been hit by cars, fellow cyclists and pedestrians too many times. Never a Guard around to make a complaint to.

Anyone else got similar experiences?

Jnealon

As I don't do any city cycling I would have to say women drivers. The few times I got hit by cars it was little old ladies. This would be followed by fellow cyclists doing all sorts of stupid stuff when you are in a large group and you know what happens there

Victor

GreeBo wrote:

1) The hordes of joggers who insist on jogging in groups of 20+ 3 or 4 abrest down bikelanes, buslanes and often just on the road. Im thinking of making a complaint to the Rathfarnham & Bushy Park Running Clubs as these are the main culprits on my commute.

These are often a hazard to themselves. A jogger is twice as likely to be killed or injured if running with traffic as against traffic.

silverharp

It depends where you cycle I guess but in general cars cutting me up, not yielding at junctions where you have right of way, or opening their doors.

beans

There's less margin of error with heavy vehicles, so you'd have to say trucks and such would be most dangerous... but no traffic is dangerous if dealt with properly, and each is potentially fatal if dealt with incorrectly.

If you're cycling close enough to parked traffic for a door to hit you, you're potentially dead. If you make yourself visible to 40-foot articulated lorries and give them the space and respect they command, then you'll be fine. So I'm going to say the cyclist themselves is potentially his own worst enemy regardless of the other traffic.

kona

people.




people are stupid, thick, idiotic and unbelievably irresponsible.(i am too) now couple this with the fact that they think they have made it when they own a big car and drive like they own the damn place and are always right.

Mod edit: remove admissions of vandalism ..

tbh most run ins i have are with milfs and 'desperate housewives' in their tanks also known as suvs...and most apologise and defend their selves with..'i didnt see you'...which when they say this they have admitted dangerous driving:D ..****ers.

cyclopath2001

beans wrote:

So I'm going to say the cyclist themselves is potentially his own worst enemy regardless of the other traffic.

Hear! Hear!

While I agree with all the other threats and hazards previously mentioned & particularly despise the mean and the ignorant, I think that if you know that you're your own worst enemy, you're going to survive.

Civilian_Target

I almost got wiped by a bus on the way home this evening, but that's unusual. The most hazardous things on the road for a cyclists are motorcycles because they tend to try and share the same cyclists, with little regard for them, and substantially more speed.

But the most dangerous things for cyclists are unquestionably HGVs. Busses may be big and dangerous but they're usually quite aware of cyclists, (and in the case of close encounters it's easy to submit an official complaint) but trucks are highly dangerous, and often ignorant of cyclists. I will never pass a truck unless it is stationary (or clearly moving in a straight line) and I can see exactly where passing it will lead me to.

gzoladz

Trucks are very dangerous. I just avoid the Quays for that reason. Dublin Bus are ok but Bus Eireann are serial killers, the same as the Aircoach.

Taxis are generally ok and cars...you get all.

Pedestrians are just idiots. I am fed up of people getting off the LUAS looking at their phones instead off the traffic while they cross the street.

Mucco

beans wrote:

So I'm going to say the cyclist themselves is potentially his own worst enemy regardless of the other traffic.

This sounds suspiciously like blaming the victim. I suppose Zak Carr was at fault because he should have known a sleepy motorist would drift into a layby and fatally hit him?

E@gle.

suv's imo and dogs that try to chase you as well i hate them

beans

Mucco wrote:

This sounds suspiciously like blaming the victim. I suppose Zak Carr was at fault because he should have known a sleepy motorist would drift into a layby and fatally hit him?

There are exceptions to everything; I don't know the above example so I can't say. I was just making the point that IMO cyclists can spend too much time blaming trucks/cars/immigrants/whatever for their misfortune on the roads when lack of foresight and awareness on the cyclists part can be the real issue.

Obviously if you're at the side of the road and are hit by a car, then there's not much more you can do.

mockerydawg

Imo just about every single driver in Cork is potentinally dangerous. They cannot indicate, stay in lane (what for sure?) or wait behind a bike at a red light.

Mucco

beans wrote:

There are exceptions to everything; I don't know the above example so I can't say.

Zak Carr

Obviously, the Australian national team should not be on the roads when people are learning to drive, and Rhyl cycling club should stay off the roads when it's cold.

These are just three examples off the top of my head, if I actually searched, I'm sure I could find many more exceptions.

M

Turbulent Bill

beans wrote:

So I'm going to say the cyclist themselves is potentially his own worst enemy regardless of the other traffic.

Mucco, I think the key word is here is 'potentially'. Accidents do happen: the racing cyclists probably did nothing wrong and were just unfortunate. However, for everyday cyclists in traffic, an acknowledgement that you're a vulnerable road user and that you probably won't get your road rights may save your life. Ride conservatively because you're probably surrounded by idiots. The appalling standard of driving in Ireland makes this even more important.

beans

That was terrible about the Welsh cyclists that time alright. Just goes to show you can be doing everything right and still wind up hurt or killed.

Edit - just read that ZC article; "The court heard that pieces of red glass from the cycle's rear-light were found embedded in the Rover's front bumper - which showed the cyclist had been hit from the rear." Jesus, he had no chance at all

liamo

I started cycling to work again a couple of years ago after many years of driving. I soon stopped. It's just too dangerous.

Drivers of cars/var/lorries/buses can sometimes be inconsiderate but I was prepared for that.

But what really horrified me was the complete and utter disregard that a lot of cyclists seemed to have for their own safety. Indeed, many seemed to have a "Go on, I dare ya" attitude towards vehicular traffic.

As I already said, other traffic can be inconsiderate (and downright dangerous) to cyclists, however until cyclists start taking more responsibility for their own safety it's largely pointless to complain about other road users.

So I suppose my answer to the OP is: Cyclists.

As a footnote: I wouldn't get on a bike without a helmet. On a few occasions I did a count of cyclists who wore helmets. Each time it worked out at about 25%. Jeez, I was wearing a cycle helmet 15 years ago.


Liam
(Ducking and running for cover)

Victor

Watch out for the idiots, mostly the oblivious ones, but realise that the risks from cycling are lower than the risks from sitting in a car. Today's sedentary lifestyles means the risks from obesity + car accidents is greater than the risks of cycling accidents.

Also, try to wear a helmet, it not obligatory and it won't stop an accident. It may however for the sake of €20 reduce the severity of an accident. Again cycling without a helmet is overall safer than (driving + obesity)

Raam

liamo wrote:

As I already said, other traffic can be inconsiderate (and downright dangerous) to cyclists, however until cyclists start taking more responsibility for their own safety it's largely pointless to complain about other road users.

I agree with your point about some cyclists seemingly not having much regard for their own safety. There are plenty of them around, I see them almost everyday. However I also believe that those who do have a regard for their own safety should be allowed to voice concerns about other road users, regardless of what attitude other cyclists have.

It isn't pointless to complain about other road users. We have to complain whenever we see a problem, but most of us don't, at least not officially.

None of us are "the perfect road user", but that shouldn't stop us from highlighting problems.

I've never felt my safety to be threatened by another cyclists presence, but that's just my experience. However I have been knocked over by a car which pulled out right in front of me.

P

jman0

I've been cycle commuting for few years now, in Dublin.
Been knocked by a private bus that overtook me on a narrow stretch, and have had a couple close calls with cars, specifcally 3 times when they've mostly overtaken me then abruptly turned Left.
If it wasn't for my alertness to teh danger, quick reactions and good brakes i'd have been either over the bonnet, into the windscreen or into the passenger side door.
Once somebody who was doubleparked opened the driver side door and i was lucky to have the braking power to stop.

i give out about cyclists too, also pedestrians but there is no argument about who is more dangerous to a cyclist. It's a no-brainer.

milod

I'm pretty sure trucks are most dangerous but I give them a very wide berth, also buses, white vans, and taxis, so my own accident experience is three minor tumbles (bruised/grazed) with pedestrians stepping into the road and one major tumble (fractured shoulder/lotsa blood) with an 'L' driver pulling out of a side road. There was also an embarrassing acrobatics display on account of a pot-hole, so maybe we should include Dublin City Council...

liamo

King Raam wrote:

I agree with your point about some cyclists seemingly not having much regard for their own safety. There are plenty of them around, I see them almost everyday. However I also believe that those who do have a regard for their own safety should be allowed to voice concerns about other road users, regardless of what attitude other cyclists have.

It isn't pointless to complain about other road users. We have to complain whenever we see a problem, but most of us don't, at least not officially.

None of us are "the perfect road user", but that shouldn't stop us from highlighting problems.

You're absolutely right. I think I took my point a bit too far which detracted somewhat from my point.

Liam

daymobrew

King Raam wrote:

I agree with your point about some cyclists seemingly not having much regard for their own safety. There are plenty of them around, I see them almost everyday. However I also believe that those who do have a regard for their own safety should be allowed to voice concerns about other road users, regardless of what attitude other cyclists have.

It isn't pointless to complain about other road users. We have to complain whenever we see a problem, but most of us don't, at least not officially.

None of us are "the perfect road user", but that shouldn't stop us from highlighting problems.

I am a regular called to TrafficWatch. On a few occasions the investigating Garda has asked me to come in and make a statement. They generally appreciate the report and statement. It can slowly make a difference.
I report red light breaking, dangerous driving, and illegal turns (when they cross active pedestrian crossings).

Bettyboo2u

Beelzebub wrote:

No similar complaints save for almost being hit by cyclists on the pavement, numerous times...only for my own quick reactions were there no major injuries involved.
There is never a guard around to make a complaint to, in this regard either.

Not sure i get your point here! This is a cycling fourm for those interested in bikes to discuss mutual interests. The reason i mentioned there is never a guard around is because i would love to be able to report the incident because road traffic laws have been broken. As usual when a pedestrian steps in my path, a car cuts me out, a taxi stops in the middle of the road, a bus tries to join me on my saddle, etc, etc the usual response i get when i try to inform them of the errors of their ways is the two fingers and they then drive off or walk leaving me to pick myself up and try to continue my journey.

I don't mount pavements, i don't break red lights, i don't cycle madly around town, I’ve too much to lose! A wife and 4 kids. Every day I’m faced with the possibility i will end up in hospital or much worse because of the selfishness of others who for one reason or another won't respect my place on the road. I like most others have a car, a dam expensive one too but chose to cycle to work for the good of my own health and to do a small bit for the environment. All i ask of other road users in this city is to respect my space on the road as i do theirs. At the end of the day when a cyclist is in collision with any of the above it is the cyclist who has the most to lose and who will always come out worse.

RainyDay

GreeBo wrote:

1) The hordes of joggers who insist on jogging in groups of 20+ 3 or 4 abrest down bikelanes, buslanes and often just on the road.

Im thinking of making a complaint to the Rathfarnham & Bushy Park Running Clubs as these are the main culprits on my commute.

2) People walking their dogs (and themselves) on bike lanes when there is a perfectly good footpath not 3 metres away...ARGH!

It is likely that it is the same people each day. Try stopping and having a firm but polite word to explain the purpose of the cycle lane. For the running clubs, I'd suggest calling the local Garda station and having a word with their community garda, who might pop out on his mountain bike along the joggers route.

Raam

daymobrew wrote:

I am a regular called to TrafficWatch. On a few occasions the investigating Garda has asked me to come in and make a statement. They generally appreciate the report and statement. It can slowly make a difference.
I report red light breaking, dangerous driving, and illegal turns (when they cross active pedestrian crossings).

I've read your posts, you're definitely excluded from the "most of us don't" part of my post!

cunnins4

That was my most recent near killer on the bike. Going down o'connell street the other day and a massive gust of wind struck me from the side and the bike just pulled from the left of the road to the right. Absolutely nothing i could do. It lasted all of two seconds, but that was enough to send me straight across any traffic. Luckily i was about 50 yards ahead of any traffic at the time.

Other than that, i'd say boy racers closer to my home are my worst enemy on the road. Stupid cocks just don't give a toss about anyone except themselves. Give them a wide birth.

fade2black

My bike is magic - I bet you're all jealous.

As soon as I sit on it, I become invisible.

ambro25

I don't cycle, I have a (motor)bike, but after close to 2 years of 2-wheel commute in the heart of Dublin, firstly on an electric (silent) moped and now a (much louder) 125cc maxi-scoot, I can fully relate to the iPod'ed / SMS'ed / Phone'd up oblivious pedestrian as highest risk (in this debate, might a difference be made between "risk to a cyclist" and "something" which is dangerous of itself, such as a moving lorry? ).

Drivers (of all things 4-wheeled) are bad enough as it is, and on some days (like last night for instance) you'd swear its either a generalised bad case of mixed-sex PMS, or a generalised terminal case of the blinkers, but for pedestrians... don't they teach kids at school to look both ways anymore?

'Been 4-wheel driving 17 years and thankfully, I got onto a bike only recently in my driving career, so that I have the benefit of quite a bit of "road-reading" experience accrued over the years by now, but you just cannot predict / 'compute' for the oblivious pedestrian, whom you've observed for the last 10 seconds or so walking on the pavement in a straight line with their back to you, suddenly deciding to cross the road less than 10 meters in front of you without even pausing to look :mad:

Victor

ambro25 wrote:

I can fully relate to the iPod'ed / SMS'ed / Phone'd up oblivious pedestrian as highest risk (in this debate, might a difference be made between "risk to a cyclist" and "something" which is dangerous of itself, such as a moving lorry? ).

And watch out for the iPod'ed / SMS'ed / Phone'd up oblivious cyclist / driver also.

They should fit a water cannon to the front of Luas trams.

ambro25

Victor wrote:

And watch out for the iPod'ed / SMS'ed / Phone'd up oblivious cyclist / driver also.

Whereas it's easy enough to understand why a pedestrian would be iPod'ed / SMS'ed / Phone'd (but that doesn't excuse their lack of peripheral awareness), these should be prosecuted (putting the mobile phone thing aside, it's illegal in numerous countries for both cyclists and motorcyclists to be iPod'ed / SMS'ed / Phone'd ) and I've absolutely no sympathy whatsoever for those that are run-over because of it.

All same contestants for the Darwin Awards, far as I'm concerned.

daymobrew

ambro25 wrote:

I can fully relate to the iPod'ed / SMS'ed / Phone'd up oblivious pedestrian as highest risk

I saw, on Lower Liffey St, a small ad asking Luas users to look around when crossing the tracks. The photo was of a woman texting. The ad was on a cigarette bin outside a pub.

RainyDay

ambro25 wrote:

Whereas it's easy enough to understand why a pedestrian would be iPod'ed / SMS'ed / Phone'd (but that doesn't excuse their lack of peripheral awareness), these should be prosecuted (putting the mobile phone thing aside, it's illegal in numerous countries for both cyclists and motorcyclists to be iPod'ed / SMS'ed / Phone'd ) and I've absolutely no sympathy whatsoever for those that are run-over because of it.

All same contestants for the Darwin Awards, far as I'm concerned.

I've seen more than 1 cyclist texting while cycling in Dublin city. :eek:

Traumadoc

Any injuries I have seen with cyclists are due to cyclists just falling over- I usually dont get to see cyclists vs trucks - they tend to go straight to the coroner.

Bettyboo2u

RainyDay wrote:

I've seen more than 1 cyclist texting while cycling in Dublin city. :eek:

I have seen this too. Crazy people! Just to add another tangent to the post where would everyone consider to be a dangerous stretch of road to cycle on. My main pet hate is the quays (no coincidence this is where the pedestrian stepped into my path!).

While the collision happened on the North Quays i find the stretch alongside Guinness on the South Quays the most dangerous and nerve racking place to cycle. The traffic on this stretch goes far too fast, it can be very difficult and dangerous to cross from Guinness’s to enable you to be in a position to cross the bridge onto Parkgate st. If you decide to cycle on the riverside side of the road the space between the parked trucks and the traffic is very narrow. If you then add to this the speed of the traffic I’m surprised more cyclists are not injured on this stretch.

beans

it can be very difficult and dangerous to cross from Guinness’s to enable you to be in a position to cross the bridge onto Parkgate st. If you decide to cycle on the riverside side of the road the space between the parked trucks and the traffic is very narrow.

You should be positioning yourself at the left-hand side of the right-hand lane. Not trying to cut across when traffic permits, nor on the right-hand side between the passing traffic and the trucks. Pick the lane you need to be in, stick to it, and let them pass you on the right if they want to. Try to ignore the horns and the curses.

GreeBo

beans wrote:

You should be positioning yourself at the left-hand side of the right-hand lane. Not trying to cut across when traffic permits, nor on the right-hand side between the passing traffic and the trucks. Pick the lane you need to be in, stick to it, and let them pass you on the right if they want to. Try to ignore the horns and the curses.

should be, but as you imply, its not easy sometimes
Same thing happens in harrolds cross travelling towards the bridge, there is a bus lane on the inside and then another lane.
If you want to turn right at any stage you need to be in the right hand lane, but you will get blown out of it by cars.
Also approaching Terenure village from Rathfarnham village, same deal.
Anyone know "the law" on this?

Bettyboo2u

beans wrote:

You should be positioning yourself at the left-hand side of the right-hand lane. Not trying to cut across when traffic permits, nor on the right-hand side between the passing traffic and the trucks. Pick the lane you need to be in, stick to it, and let them pass you on the right if they want to. Try to ignore the horns and the curses.

Not sure if you cycle this route beans but there is three lanes. One bus lane and two other lanes. As i said previously to cycle on this stretch is to take your life in your hands. The traffic on this stretch goes far too fast to notice a cyclist and most of the time the traffic will not give space to a cyclist as they seem to jockey for position to turn either left or right.

beans

Yeah, it's not an easy stretch of road to cycle. To clarify, I would advocate the LHS of the third lane from the left. I cycle that stretch whenever I'm leaving town.

Sometimes you have to act like a normal roaduser. You wouldn't see a car travelling along the bus lane before cutting across two lanes to make the turn required, so you won't see me doing similar on the bike. It's a dangerous stretch on reflection. Helps to get a good bit of speed up so that the cars don't try anything too mental to pass you out. Blocking the lane would probably be easier but not necessary, there's room for everyone if you do it right.

Civilian_Target

beans wrote:

Sometimes you have to act like a normal roaduser. You wouldn't see a car travelling along the bus lane before cutting across two lanes to make the turn required, so you won't see me doing similar on the bike.

That's a good philosophy, I use it quite a lot. Sure, you get beeped at frequently, but that doesn't reduce your rights, nor does it compromise your safety. It may be slow and smelly, but it works, and it's a tactic I frequently use on multilane roundabouts (yes, in the UK they have cycle lanes leading into multi-lane roundabouts, and cyclists are expected to use them the same way as everyone else!)