Be careful on your bike...

sparkman

Cycling from Plassey into town yesterday:

1. As I cycled on the cycle-lane alonq the main Plassey road, a white Honda Civic accelerated as it approached me from the Kilmurry road, obviously hoping it would intimidate me enough to stop & let him through. I didn't. He braked hard at the last minute, stopping about 2 feet from me.

2. On the main Castletroy roundabout, where the cycle-path ends at the zebra-crossing, I was walking with the bike across the zebra crossing. When I started on the zebra crossing, there were no cars on the roundabout, by the time I was halfway across, in the middle of the opposite half of the road, a gold Honda CRV came flying off the roundabout and beeped at me. Apparently I was in her way. After all, zebra crossings don't count if you're pushing a bicycle with one hand.

3. I was standing on the path outside the Parkway wondering if the traffic looked safe enough to attempt entry onto the road when the occupants of a passing mini-van shouted something at me.

4. At the right turn from Parnell St. onto Davis St. I spotted a tribe of pygmy-scobe. As I cycled past them, a take-away milk-shake cup was thrown at me.

I cycle home on this route every evening. Every single day I encounter some kind of hassle, whether it's a Bus Eireann coach driver lurching his bus at me while I was in front of him on the zebra crossing (also at Castletroy roundabout) or people beeping at me as I try to stay a safe distance out from parked cars in case a door opens or pedestrians who refuse to move even slightly out of the way on the cycle paths.

I know all about the cyclists who don't have lights, ignore road rules and take over the footpaths. I'm not one of them and this thread isn't about them. Sorry this is so long. Needed to vent.

Hagar

Face it, you're jinxed.

knightmare

Unfortunately Sparkman, what you have descibed is just the harsh reality of being a cyclist in Ireland.
God forbid we would have cycle lanes that extended for more than 300 meters before dissapearing & leaving you at the mercy of a narrow road and speeding motorists. If it were me I would cycle on the footpath all the time

Insect Overlord

I've done a fair bit of cycling on the Caherdavin side of the city, and usually take a route down the entirety of Henry Street to the Ennis Road, and luckily enough I've had no such trouble. There's plenty of ignorant drivers who pull out suddenly, but they're the same type who cut in front of other cars too.

The only abuse I've ever got was from a pair of "pygmy skobes" (love that term btw!) who told me to get a hair-cut as I sped past them, because apparently I'm some kind of hippy.

Raiser

I know from standing patiently in the rain [no traffic lights/pedestrian crossing] at the roadside on the opposite side of the road to my little 'uns Creche carrying an infant, a 3 yr old, multiple bags blankets toys and various paraphernalia that Limerick Drivers have to be the most ignorant, self-absorbed, fúck-witted cúnts on this Planet......

.....You're lucky to be allowed to pass between cars when they are actually at a standstill in traffic :rolleyes:

Our Eastern European visitors will happily let you pass with a smile and a wave - which I appreciate no end......

Jumpy

Raiser wrote: »

Our Eastern European visitors will happily let you pass with a smile and a wave - which I appreciate no end......

Thats because they are drunk.




I jest...I jest...

Dress yourself up to look like a Gardai. Not too much of course, that is illegal, but enough that a passing glance makes people think you are one. I get a lot less hassle that way.

the drifter

the one thing i will say about the crossings on the roundabouts is i refuse to stop at them for the simple reason that of i do there is a good chance im going to get hit by some idiot from behind..if they were moved another 10ft from the roundabouts id be happy but in there current position...not a chance will i stop unless there are people already crossing...

MarkR

the drifter wrote: »

the one thing i will say about the crossings on the roundabouts is i refuse to stop at them for the simple reason that of i do there is a good chance im going to get hit by some idiot from behind..if they were moved another 10ft from the roundabouts id be happy but in there current position...not a chance will i stop unless there are people already crossing...

So you would knock someone down?

The pedestrian crossing is there, and people have a right to use them. They are in a sill place all right, but I'd prefer to get my car hit rather then hitting someone else.

Raiser

the drifter wrote: »

the one thing i will say about the crossings on the roundabouts is i refuse to stop at them for the simple reason that of i do there is a good chance im going to get hit by some idiot from behind..if they were moved another 10ft from the roundabouts id be happy but in there current position...not a chance will i stop unless there are people already crossing...

Why are you arriving at a Roundabout so quickly that its unsafe to stop?

Why not look out of the windscreen occasionally so that you can see Roundabouts etc. in the distance in advance and approach them at a safe speed?

What would you do if a [thick admittedly] child ran out in the roadway after a soccer ball?

- I've an idea that events outside of your 1.5 tons of shiny metal are incidental to you, the tunez of Spin SW and your quest to get to work on time :rolleyes:

the drifter

i never said i couldnt stop safely...its the idiots behind me im worried about twice at the parkway i have gritted my teeth as the car behind me slapped on the brakes and barely stopped in time. as i said above if there was someone on the crossing i would stop...if there was someone waiting to cross and my rear view mirroor present a car i didnt think could stop in time...i wouldnt stop...

- I've an idea that events outside of your 1.5 tons of shiny metal are incidental to you, the tunez of Spin SW and your quest to get to work on time

i totally agree with you there Rasier alot of people in limerick have no clue whats going on around them...

i once had a woman( not indication women are bad drivers it just happened to be one) pass me in the "fast" lane on the bypass in the morning...in here 08 car with L plates doing her lipstick while her child was in the back seat...

the drifter

MarkR wrote: »

So you would knock someone down?

The pedestrian crossing is there, and people have a right to use them. They are in a sill place all right, but I'd prefer to get my car hit rather then hitting someone else.

Totally agree here which is why i said i would stop if there was someone already crossing.....

Berty

To be fair to the road users of the Dublin road, the zebra crossings on those two roundabouts are badly placed and dangerous to both pedestrians and road users.

They have caused many crashes but not involving pedestrians just by cars in general.

Scobes eh. Dont you just love them? Dont worry, a life of little reward will be enough punishment for them.

the drifter

knightmare wrote: »

If it were me I would cycle on the footpath all the time

Is there a specific reason more cyclists dont do this? as in is there a law against it? i know its not the place for a bike but it is safer...

Mc Love

Anyone see the crossing at the crescent shopping centre? Not the one with the zebra crossing/flashing lights. The one where its just two lines parallel to each other going across the road.

Do people stop here and are you supposed to stop? There is no signs etc.

Berty

sparkysrovers wrote: »

Anyone see the crossing at the crescent shopping centre? Not the one with the zebra crossing/flashing lights. The one where its just two lines parallel to each other going across the road.

Do people stop here and are you supposed to stop? There is no signs etc.

I dont stop because you are not required to stop. Pedestrians do not have right of way here. It is only a suggestion of where to cross safely. Some pedestrians walk out in front of you expecting you to stop though.

Mc Love

I know ya!! I never stop unless i am stopped in traffic! But the mother was in the car with me, and i had a argument that it wasnt a pedestrian crossing!! Fecking amnesty licence holders!

phog

the drifter wrote: »

the one thing i will say about the crossings on the roundabouts is i refuse to stop at them for the simple reason that of i do there is a good chance im going to get hit by some idiot from behind..if they were moved another 10ft from the roundabouts id be happy but in there current position...not a chance will i stop unless there are people already crossing...

So if people are waiting to use the crossing there's a danger you'll get rammed but if you stop for someone that's actually crossing the danger is elimated.

phog

Berty wrote: »

To be fair to the road users of the Dublin road, the zebra crossings on those two roundabouts are badly placed and dangerous to both pedestrians and road users.

They have caused many crashes but not involving pedestrians just by cars in general.
Scobes eh. Dont you just love them? Dont worry, a life of little reward will be enough punishment for them.

The crashes had nothing to do with driver behaviour just the positioning of the pedrestian crossings? I've heard it all now.:eek:

Berty

The crossings were placed without much thought following a dangerous manoveur by students whom painted the road with their own white lines one night causing 17 crashes the next day whilst they crossed over and back all day to prove a stupid point.

One thing I will say in defense of the students attack on the road is that their location for the crossing was only in one place and was in a much better location further away from the roundabout.

baza1976

Jumpy wrote: »

Thats because they are drunk.




I jest...I jest...

Dress yourself up to look like a Gardai. Not too much of course, that is illegal, but enough that a passing glance makes people think you are one. I get a lot less hassle that way.

bit too much YMCA for me.. do wear the mock tash too??? lol

Limerick Bandit

@ sparkysrovers do you wear a visi vest?
Its dark out there these days

LB

DarkJager

phog wrote: »

The crashes had nothing to do with driver behaviour just the positioning of the pedrestian crossings? I've heard it all now.:eek:

May I point you to the fine example of bad planning on the bridge near Jurys Inn?

Amazotheamazing

Berty wrote: »

The crossings were placed without much thought following a dangerous manoveur by students whom painted the road with their own white lines one night causing 17 crashes the next day whilst they crossed over and back all day to prove a stupid point.

One thing I will say in defense of the students attack on the road is that their location for the crossing was only in one place and was in a much better location further away from the roundabout.

I disagree, in most of the European countries I've visited there are pedestrian crossings at the same positions on roundabouts as Limerick. In France they don't even bother with pedestrian lights, cars just stop for pedestrians anyhow.

It makes sense to have them there, cars are supposed to slow approaching a roundabout and not pick up speed until they are off them.

It's not the planners fault that most Irish drivers want to be above the law while simultaneously being awful drivers.

DarkJager

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I disagree, in most of the European countries I've visited there are pedestrian crossings at the same positions on roundabouts as Limerick. In France they don't even bother with pedestrian lights, cars just stop for pedestrians anyhow.

It makes sense to have them there, cars are supposed to slow approaching a roundabout and not pick up speed until they are off them.

It's not the planners fault that most Irish drivers want to be above the law while simultaneously being awful drivers.

Its not a pedestrian crossing on a roundabout, its a pedestrian crossing on a blind corner which has been very badly planned.

Azphyxi8

There is nothing wrong with the pedestrian crossings. Drivers need to be cautious on a roundabout so they shouldn't be speeding approaching any of these crossings.

They are cleary markedand driver error would be the only cause of an accident.

Berty

So all the crash's since the introduction of the crossings have nothing to do with the crossings themselves, it must be the drivers who oddly enough did not crash so much when the crossings did not exist.

The crossings are too close to the roundabout. Its as simple as that. The only reason the one at the parkway roundabout works so well is that traffic is nearly constantly moving at snails pace unlike the Groody roundabout.

oh well

"It makes sense to have them there, cars are supposed to slow approaching a roundabout and not pick up speed until they are off them"

the problem is that after you've gone around the roundabout, and you are just picking up speed to ensure the roundabout is free for the next people coming onto it, you have to slam on breaks to allow pedestrians cross the road. Its not the crossings before the roundabout that I see as a problem, its the crossing coming as you exit the roundabout.

Taking the Jurys Inn as example, come down the hill, onto roundabout and try exit quickly so that the cars coming onto roundabout from dock road - agggghhhh, theres a pedestrian crossing the road.

phog

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I disagree, in most of the European countries I've visited there are pedestrian crossings at the same positions on roundabouts as Limerick. In France they don't even bother with pedestrian lights, cars just stop for pedestrians anyhow.

It makes sense to have them there, cars are supposed to slow approaching a roundabout and not pick up speed until they are off them.

It's not the planners fault that most Irish drivers want to be above the law while simultaneously being awful drivers.

Berty wrote: »

So all the crash's since the introduction of the crossings have nothing to do with the crossings themselves, it must be the drivers who oddly enough did not crash so much when the crossings did not exist.

The crossings are too close to the roundabout. Its as simple as that. The only reason the one at the parkway roundabout works so well is that traffic is nearly constantly moving at snails pace unlike the Groody roundabout.

Why isn't it an issue in other countires (as posted by Amazotheamazing), a few years back I holidayed in Poole is southern England and on the way to our caravan site we had to negotiate a roundabout just of a roundabout, something like a figure 8 and we cant deal with a simple pedrestrian crossing.

Amazotheamazing

oh well wrote: »

"It makes sense to have them there, cars are supposed to slow approaching a roundabout and not pick up speed until they are off them"

the problem is that after you've gone around the roundabout, and you are just picking up speed to ensure the roundabout is free for the next people coming onto it, you have to slam on breaks to allow pedestrians cross the road. Its not the crossings before the roundabout that I see as a problem, its the crossing coming as you exit the roundabout.

Taking the Jurys Inn as example, come down the hill, onto roundabout and try exit quickly so that the cars coming onto roundabout from dock road - agggghhhh, theres a pedestrian crossing the road.

But that's bad driving, you shouldn't be speeding off a roundabout and the car behind you shouldn't be forcing you to drive faster.

The car behind me isn't my concern, what's infront of me is, within reason.

concussion

the drifter wrote: »

Is there a specific reason more cyclists dont do this? as in is there a law against it? i know its not the place for a bike but it is safer...

Specifically, it's against the law. Footpaths are for pedestrians, roads are for traffic. Cyclists on footpaths are a danger to pedestrians.

Amazotheamazing

Berty wrote: »

So all the crash's since the introduction of the crossings have nothing to do with the crossings themselves, it must be the drivers who oddly enough did not crash so much when the crossings did not exist.

The crossings are too close to the roundabout. Its as simple as that. The only reason the one at the parkway roundabout works so well is that traffic is nearly constantly moving at snails pace unlike the Groody roundabout.

The crashes are occurring because people aren't taking due caution on the roads. Pedestrian crossings have bright flashing orange lights, if you can't see them you shouldn't be on the road.

I'll say it again, you shouldn't be speeding off a roundabout.

DarkJager

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

But that's bad driving, you shouldn't be speeding off a roundabout and the car behind you shouldn't be forcing you to drive faster.

The car behind me isn't my concern, what's infront of me is, within reason.

Its not about speeding off the roundabout, the pedestrian crossing is simply too close to the exit off the roundabout. You literally turn the corner off the dock road and straight away, there's a crossing. You also do not know if there is a car stopped letting a pedestrian cross until you are almost bumper to bumper. As you can imagine, this is extremely dangerous for both drivers & pedestrians alike and it has nothing to do with driving skill. Its just bad planning, end of story.

Jumpy

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

In France they don't even bother with pedestrian lights, cars just stop for pedestrians anyhow.

Sorry but I call bull on this one.

French people dont stop for anyone. Even walking across a pedestrian crossing they will try to run you down.
Pedestrians are never given right of way over there.

--amadeus--

DarkJager wrote: »

Its not about speeding off the roundabout, the pedestrian crossing is simply too close to the exit off the roundabout. You literally turn the corner off the dock road and straight away, there's a crossing. You also do not know if there is a car stopped letting a pedestrian cross until you are almost bumper to bumper. As you can imagine, this is extremely dangerous for both drivers & pedestrians alike and it has nothing to do with driving skill. Its just bad planning, end of story.

Basic driving skill is observation - looking ahead. From the Dock Road as you drive up to the junction you can easily look up to the exit and see if there is stationary traffic or pedestrians. Anyone incapable of looking less than hundred yards ahead of thier current road position isn't safe behind a wheel.

The Castletroy roundabout is slightly different as you don't have the same level of viability But you shouldn't be going so fast around and off the roundabout that you can't slow / stop to allow pedestrians cross. If you are you are driving too fast, end of story. In particular because because regular users of that roundabout know the crossing is there and should be taking extra care because of that.

Amazotheamazing

Jumpy wrote: »

Sorry but I call bull on this one.

French people dont stop for anyone. Even walking across a pedestrian crossing they will try to run you down.
Pedestrians are never given right of way over there.

My year living in France taught me differently, but I can't speak for every pedestrian and every pedestrian crossing in France, sorry if I gave that impression.

Pshan

DarkJager wrote: »

Its not about speeding off the roundabout, the pedestrian crossing is simply too close to the exit off the roundabout. You literally turn the corner off the dock road and straight away, there's a crossing. You also do not know if there is a car stopped letting a pedestrian cross until you are almost bumper to bumper. As you can imagine, this is extremely dangerous for both drivers & pedestrians alike and it has nothing to do with driving skill. Its just bad planning, end of story.

Do these cars not have break lights? It's fairly simple, look ahead, view mirrors, be aware of what's happening, travel at a speed that allows you STOP, be prepared, etc, etc, etc.

No matter how far the crossing is from the roundabout there's the possibility of cars filling the space back onto the roundabout, what happens then? Does everyone crash into the back of the last car?

Mc Love

Limerick Bandit wrote: »

@ sparkysrovers do you wear a visi vest?
Its dark out there these days

LB

'the hell does that mean?

Limerick Bandit

sparkysrovers wrote: »

'the hell does that mean?

Its a fairly simple question (do you wear a visi vest)

Edit > My apologies I meant to direct this question at the original poster

LB

Mc Love

Limerick Bandit wrote: »

Its a fairly simple question (do you wear a visi vest)

Edit > My apologies I meant to direct this question at the original poster

LB

No worries, didnt think i would need a hi-vis jacket while driving

Limerick Bandit

sparkysrovers wrote: »

No worries, didnt think i would need a hi-vis jacket while driving

It wouldnt do any good in a car but i think all cyclists should have to wear them as learner motorcyclists do.

LB

Insect Overlord

I cycled from UL to Caherdavin this evening in my black O'Neil's and black jacket *evil laugh*

Seriously though, the bike lanes between Rhebogue and the college are excellent, there's little traffic on the Rhebogue Road and the cycle lane along the canal into town is well-lit now, so it's a fairly safe route (even in the dark!).

BeanieBaby

File, as a frequent driver on the Condell Road, I'm interested in the cyclist's perceptions of the new "improvements" being made currently.

Have you cycled this road since the "improvements" and what sort of safety rating would you give it?

As a driver, I find the new narrow two-lane plus double cycle lane plus bus lane intimidating, and I can't really see how a cyclist would feel safe on this road....

Regarding the Mount Kenneth Roundabout... I agree about the danger of the proximity of the pedo crossing to the corner. Its inane. If you're coming down the hill, you have two choices - you either wait in line patiently until Christmas to get out, or you rapidly accelerate swerving to avoid the other rapid accelerators and then, regardless of how good or alert you are, you come across people crossing without due regard for the traffic. Its far too close. I often do this route several times a day and its always a menace. The pedo crossing should be further in the bridge to stop the build up on the roundabout.

Insect Overlord

BeanieBaby wrote: »

File, as a frequent driver on the Condell Road, I'm interested in the cyclist's perceptions of the new "improvements" being made currently.

Have you cycled this road since the "improvements" and what sort of safety rating would you give it?

As a driver, I find the new narrow two-lane plus double cycle lane plus bus lane intimidating, and I can't really see how a cyclist would feel safe on this road....

I used the cycle lane on the way out of town from the Mount Kenneth Roundabout as far as the Greenhills Hotel a few days ago, and it was a dream. Did the route in about 13 minutes (usually takes 30 minutes to drive into town at rush-hour on the same road). The only fault I could find was that the track is the same colour as the road, it should really have been coated in red by now.

Going into town is so much better than it used to be, especially around the pedestrian crossing near Barrington's Pier. The road sign positioning was atrocious for a while, cyclists would have to slalom between the signs, in the mud, before the roadworks were done.

I don't feel intimidated by passing traffic, but that's down to experience really.

I fully endorse this product and/or service

BeanieBaby

An File wrote: »

I used the cycle lane on the way out of town from the Mount Kenneth Roundabout as far as the Greenhills Hotel a few days ago, and it was a dream. Did the route in about 13 minutes (usually takes 30 minutes to drive into town at rush-hour on the same road). The only fault I could find was that the track is the same colour as the road, it should really have been coated in red by now.

Going into town is so much better than it used to be, especially around the pedestrian crossing near Barrington's Pier. The road sign positioning was atrocious for a while, cyclists would have to slalom between the signs, in the mud, before the roadworks were done.

I don't feel intimidated by passing traffic, but that's down to experience really.

I fully endorse this product and/or service

Thanks. Good to get your perspective on it.

Here's hoping too, that the pedo crossings at the Salesians/NCR intersection will be manageable too. I can't see yet whether they will be the traffic lights that were promised several years ago or whether they'll just be another pedo crossing.

Insect Overlord

BeanieBaby wrote: »

Thanks. Good to get your perspective on it.

Here's hoping too, that the pedo crossings at the Salesians/NCR intersection will be manageable too. I can't see yet whether they will be the traffic lights that were promised several years ago or whether they'll just be another pedo crossing.

Are you deliberately spelling it that way?
On the internet, that means something very different from an abbreviation of pedestrian!

BeanieBaby

An File wrote: »

Are you deliberately spelling it that way?
On the internet, that means something very different from an abbreviation of pedestrian!

Apologies. Middleaged and not entirely au fait with netspeak!!

Thanks for the gentle correction. ;o)

Jumpy

Hehe I just had a good laugh at that, I didnt actually notice it until An File pointed it out.

cul-2008

I have to thoroughly agree about the pedestrian crossings at the jurys roundabout just off the Dock road - I would love to have been in the very meeting where one member of the councils planning board put his hand up and said "I think we should put pedestrian crossings around 3 metres off one of Limericks busiest roundabouts, so people can cross the road safely" :rolleyes:

I mean FFS, what are these muppets getting paid for?!?! The amount of near misses I have seen on my daily commute are unreal!

As people have pointed out, there are flashing lights (good observation there!) so there is no reason not to stop in time - in theory thats true, but in reality it couldnt be further from it!

You head for the Condell Road at 8.30 in the morning, monday to friday, and see how 'practical' it is to wait until the bridge is clear of traffic before you can 'slowly' accelerate to proceed over the bridge. People will 'not' blow you out of it, people will 'not' rev their engines at you, people will 'not' hurl abuse at you when they pass for delaying the traffic, and you will 'not' get sideswiped by an oncoming car for proceeding slowly. :rolleyes:

I have absolutely no problem in letting pedestrians cross, but only when it is safe to do so. Strolling out in front of me as I'm accelerating out of a roundabout or as I'm driving at 40/50kmph will get you killed. I cannot physically stop in time without endangering other people in either of the previous mentioned situations.

So please, keep the 'dirty looks' to yourself, and for god sake say thanks (lifting a hand goes a long way), it doesnt cost anything to be nice believe it or not! :rolleyes:

Builderfromhell

There are many threads on this forum dealing with bad road design by our publicly paid road engineers. Some examples from memory include;
Ballysimon road traffic lights
Dock road traffic lights

A thread dealing with bad road design alone would have many posts

Berty

I spoke to Limerick County Council about the light sequence on the Ballysimon Flyover and the very next day there were guys in hi vis vests working on these lights. The system does work, shame the junction does not work.

I think everybody will have issues with road design.

My biggest gripe is Finnegans roundabout. Whilst they were building the bigger roundabout there were signs telling people coming from Newport to go around the roundabout in the inner orbital lane which IS and WAS incorrect use of a roundabout. To this day some people still use the inner orbital lane and get angry/road rage and shocked that Im driving along next to them on the outer orbital lane(correct lane). Some try to force their way in and thriumpantly fail and others accept their fate and go all the way around again and exit in the correct lane.

Jumpy

Berty wrote: »

I spoke to Limerick County Council about the light sequence on the Ballysimon Flyover and the very next day there were guys in hi vis vests working on these lights. The system does work, shame the junction does not work.

I think everybody will have issues with road design.

My biggest gripe is Finnegans roundabout. Whilst they were building the bigger roundabout there were signs telling people coming from Newport to go around the roundabout in the inner orbital lane which IS and WAS incorrect use of a roundabout. To this day some people still use the inner orbital lane and get angry/road rage and shocked that Im driving along next to them on the outer orbital lane(correct lane). Some try to force their way in and thriumpantly fail and others accept their fate and go all the way around again and exit in the correct lane.

Do you mean if you are going to Dublin, Cork or Limerick?