Commuting Etiquette

ontheditch2

Folks, I went through the city centre yesterday for the first time and i do plan on going through it numerous times throughout the next few months.

My question for all of ye experienced cyclists:
What is the etiquette for commuting??

Stop at lights or not?? Pass people while stopping at lights or stay behind?? I am sure people have more questions or information to pass on.

Apologies if this is up already, or if these questions were already answered.

Sound

Morgan

You'll find a handy etiquette guide here.

ontheditch2

Thanks Morgan, didn't actually know about that, didn't realise the cycle lanes were compulsory.

But trying to get away from the rules, and trying to get the peoples opinions on whats acceptable.

For instance, why when i am stopped at traffic lights, do a number of cyclists fly through, no problem to them.
Just trying to get used to the whole thing, so all the information is appreciated.

Tonyandthewhale

Stop at red lights, it's the law, it's the safest thing to do and it's good manners to wait your turn.
Having said that if I come to a pedestrian crossing on a road I know well with a red light and no pedestrians I'll sometimes slow down or stop completely, have a good look around and continue on if the way is clear instead of waiting unnecessarily for green, apply common sense like but err on the side of caution at the same time.

As regards passing people at lights. Don't move in front of other cyclists unless you know you can stay in front of them. You can filter up inside a line of traffic if there's a cycle-lane or if the road is sufficiently wide (or up along the right in some cases as you often see motor-bikes do).
However, always slow down and keep your wits about you in such cases, watch out for doors opening and don't position to the left of left turning traffic especially big things like buses, large vans and trucks as they won't be able to see you but they will be able to crush you into a horrible death.

john__long

ontheditch2 wrote: »

For instance, why when i am stopped at traffic lights, do a number of cyclists fly through, no problem to them.

Their personal preference. They shouldn't be doing it. Don't emulate everything you see!

Tonyandthewhale

ontheditch2 wrote: »

Thanks Morgan, didn't actually know about that, didn't realise the cycle lanes were compulsory.

That's the one law you should ignore.

I'll second what tonyandthewhale said, watch for left turning vehicles. If possible, try to put yourself in a position between vehicles in slow moving traffic if you get me (especially when a green light goes), so that if someone starts to cuts across you, you'll have time to react. Road positioning is everything - take the lane if possible. And don't stay too left of the road.

Khannie

I've a question. Do you all leave a car door width between yourself and cars parked on the left? Sometimes (for example in morning or evening traffic) you're going to have to stop dead to achieve this. Currently I'm scanning cars looking for people in them as I approach if I can't leave a car door width, but I have a sinking feeling that it's going to end badly.

Hermy

Ever since I was knocked off my bike in Sutton Cross I always make allowances for idiots and their car doors.

Chips Lovell

Khannie wrote: »

I've a question. Do you all leave a car door width between yourself and cars parked on the left?

Yes

xoxyx

A lot of good advice. My two cents is: put a nice bit of space between yourself and the kerb at all times.

When I started cycling in the city centre, I hugged the kerb so as to allow drivers as much space on the road as I could. Having been squeezed in to the point of having to jump off a number of times, I now cycle a good foot outside of the kerb wherever possible.

The road is not just for motorists and, sometimes, you have to stake your claim on your part of the road. The closer to the path you cycle, the closer you'll be driven in.

seamus

You will invariably find yourself in a line of cyclists moving slowly with limited space to overtake.

Two rules:

1. Look over your shoulder before you start to overtake. There could be another bike (or motorbike) overtaking you, or there could be a car too close to you.

2. Ensure both you and the cyclist you're overtaking have loads of space. The amount of times you'll see morons flying up past lines of cyclists with just about enough to room to rub elbows with them. If the traffic is moving swiftly enough, the best option can be to slot yourself in between two cars while you overtake the queue.

And overall, don't kill yourself taking risks to save yourself 3 seconds. You'll still get there quicker than almost everyone else. If the bus has stopped and there's no room to overtake, then wait. Besides, you'll get much more speed drafting the bus.

irishmotorist

ontheditch2 wrote: »

What is the etiquette for commuting??

You ask about etiquette, but I gather from your question that you are looking for advice on more than just that. I'd put etiquette at the bottom of this list:
1. Rules of the Road / Law
2. Your safety above and beyond what you'll fine in item 1, above.
3. Etiquette.

The ROTR are self explanatory and should be obeyed. I'll agree with others above and say that I avoid many compulsory cycle lanes because of safety and not wanting to spend time fixing punctures on the way home.

Ideas for your safety above and beyond the ROTR are largely gained over time. Some things to get you started (IMO) are:
a) Generally cycle about 1m from the kerb - i.e. this will mean outside double-yellow lines. This will make motorists overtake you rather than just pass you. If they overtake you, they have to be aware that they're doing things properly rather than just squeeze past you. It also gives you some manoeuvreable space should you need it.
b) DON'T try to squeeze between 2 large vehicles as you try to get to the front of the queue at red lights. You can underestimate the space and put yourself in trouble.
c) Look at the traffic around you and make sensible judgement calls. If a car in front of you is indicating left, slow down or overtake them. Don't go up their inside.
d) Let other traffic know what you're doing. Hand-signal correctly. Look for motorists recognising the fact that your hand is out before you move lane - make eye contact with them. Be a part of the traffic, not lost in it.

As far as etiquette, if somebody passes you and is faster, don't pass them to stop in front of them at the next red lights and then dawdle when moving off again. The other main etiquette piece of advice I can give you is: Go Fast

Khannie

el tonto wrote: »

Yes

What do you do in traffic when there are parked cars on the left? (i.e. when there isn't enough room for a door and a cyclist between the cars) Down the middle of the road?

.DarDarBinks

In my 1 day of commuting id say, you can't go fast enough.

Also a wee wave never hurts to a fellow cyclist.

cdaly_

Khannie wrote: »

What do you do in traffic when there are parked cars on the left? (i.e. when there isn't enough room for a door and a cyclist between the cars) Down the middle of the road?

Yes

Squidgy Black

If you need to take a right turn, signal with your arm and turn into the lane of traffic a good minute or two before the turn, don't wait until the last minute to try and make a complete 90 degree turn out of the cycle lane, you'll end up having to stop to turn, and you'll be waiting a long while

ontheditch2

great stuff folks, its just nice to know this sort of stuff. It will all prove invaluable in the long run hopefully, and its nice to hear from more experienced cyclists..

StaggerLee

Never take your eyes off taxi and white van drivers, the have no regard for cyclists whatsoever, hate them. Bus drivers on the other hand are generally fine.

tomasrojo

StaggerLee wrote: »

Bus drivers on the other hand are generally fine.

Apart from Aircoach, JJ Kavanagh and, to a lesser extent, Bus Éireann buses. Or at least that has been my experience.

dave.obrien

tomasrojo wrote: »

Apart from Aircoach, JJ Kavanagh and, to a lesser extent, Bus Éireann buses. Or at least that has been my experience.

I agree. Dublin Bus drivers, and even most taxi drivers, are good; bus eireann and private bus company drivers are generally not.

HivemindXX

StaggerLee wrote: »

Bus drivers on the other hand are generally fine.

Generally perhaps but there are plenty of very dangerous and malicious Dublin Bus drivers out there too.

With regards to busses my rules are don't pull up on the inside if they are anywhere near a stop. Once they are indicating they want to pull out don't overtake at all. Honestly I actually feel bad for bus drivers when I see the number of cars that pass a bus when it's indicating to rejoin traffic from a stop.

Footpaths are for pedestrians. You don't get to decide whether it's perfectly safe to shoot through a bunch of pedestrians on your bike.

Roundabouts are designed for cars and cars only. When going through a roundabout act like a car. Keep to the centre of your lane and indicate what you are doing.

I'm sure I'm going to get slated for this but come winter if you don't have mudguards on your bike you're a wanker. You might not mind having a black stripe up your back but I certainly don't want one down my face.

Haleakala

dave.obrien wrote: »

I agree. Dublin Bus drivers, and even most taxi drivers, are good; bus eireann and private bus company drivers are generally not.

I agree on the bus front generally.

The sooner Minister Varadkar removes the obligation to use mandatory cycle lanes the better: was beeped out of it by a Dublin Bus on the Stillorgan Road to UCD during the week for cycling in the bus lane. The alternative as most of y know is using this

From an etiquette perspective, a little wave to acknowledge someone's encouraging beep is always welcome

Hermy

StaggerLee wrote: »

Never take your eyes off taxi and white van drivers, the have no regard for cyclists whatsoever, hate them. Bus drivers on the other hand are generally fine.

Something else to keep in mind is passengers alighting from taxis - happened in my taxi a couple of times although thankfully no incidents, only close calls.
People hop out of a taxi in a hurry from either side with no regard for cyclists, motorists or even themselves for that matter.

this_time

On my commute home from work almost every day I hop onto the footpath for about 10 metres to avoid queuing at two set of traffic lights and get a little head start on a busy road of traffic. If there's people on the path I cycle slowly staying behind them and out of their way. I know I shouldn't really be doing this but is this type of thing somewhat acceptable?!

Beasty

this_time wrote: »

I know I shouldn't really be doing this but is this type of thing somewhat acceptable?!

Not so far as I am concerned - it's illegal, and may give the impression to others that riding on the footpath is generally acceptable

this_time

Looks like I'll have to spend my evenings waiting at lights then. :rolleyes:

dave.obrien

this_time wrote: »

Looks like I'll have to spend my evenings waiting at lights then. :rolleyes:

Well, you could drive. Oh wait...

Shadow78

You could get off the bike and walk with it on the footpath past the lights