Cycling from James Street to Trinity College-never cycled in city before, nervous

Curlyhatescurls

Hi, I want to try cycling to college this term but i'm very nervous. I have never cycled in a city before. I need to cycle from James Street all the way up to Dame Street and then into Trinity College. There is kind of an island thing on Dame Street and I was wondering could I cycle up to here and then get off my bike and walk into college?
Does anyone know what it's like to cycle this way, is there any particular spots I need to be careful of? I seriously have no clue and I am getting very anxious. I have learned the cycling signals. What do I do if a bus signals to pull in in front of me? Can I wait behind it or do I have to signal and move out and overtake it? Is that very dangerous?
I'm sorry, I have a million questions and would really appreciate any advice.

Scortho

Curlyhatescurls wrote: »

Hi, I want to try cycling to college this term but i'm very nervous. I have never cycled in a city before. I need to cycle from James Street all the way up to Dame Street and then into Trinity College. There is kind of an island thing on Dame Street and I was wondering could I cycle up to here and then get off my bike and walk into college?
Does anyone know what it's like to cycle this way, is there any particular spots I need to be careful of? I seriously have no clue and I am getting very anxious. I have learned the cycling signals. What do I do if a bus signals to pull in in front of me? Can I wait behind it or do I have to signal and move out and overtake it? Is that very dangerous?
I'm sorry, I have a million questions and would really appreciate any advice.

I normally use the Dublin bikes when I'm in town as I'm too far out to cycle in. I find it reasonably safe so long as I don't act the fool!

What i found to be most beneficial was to cycle the route when it was quiet. That way you'll notice where most of the danger spots are.

Don't break traffic lights as
1. You'll give other cyclists a bad name
2. You seriously increase your chances of getting hit.

If other cyclists start getting annoyed by this, let them overtake you and risk their own lives.

Cycle as close to the kerb as possible. When you wish to change lanes, signal in good time, check over you're shoulder and when the way is clear gradually move out. Again practice this when it is quiet.

The same applies for a bus. If the way is clear move out, overtake and get back in.

Id advise against mounting that triangle at the traffic lights as it is generally full of pedestrians waiting to cross. In moving traffic you wouldn't be able to stop either in order to mount it.

You've 2 options however.
You can follow the road around to the left, onto westmoreland street, move in to the right hand lane and go onto Dolier St. Go up Dolier St and go right onto Pearse St/college street.

The other option is to mount the triangle further up on College green

Cookie_Monster

Scortho wrote: »

Cycle as close to the kerb as possible.

very very bad advice, do not do this. Always give yourself enough space and while you should stay left to accommodate overtaking traffic, never feel you have to get out of the way

When you wish to change lanes, signal in good time, check over you're shoulder and when the way is clear gradually move out.

check first then signal then check them move. no point blindly putting your arm out to have it taken off by the bus just about to overtake you

Scortho

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

very very bad advice, do not do this. Always give yourself enough space and while you should stay left to accommodate overtaking traffic, never feel you have to get out of the way

What i meant by this was not to cycle in the middle of the road but cycle as close to the left as you feel comfortable

galwaycyclist

Scortho wrote: »

What i meant by this was not to cycle in the middle of the road but cycle as close to the left as you feel comfortable

Still a misunderstanding of how to cycle in traffic. There are various times when it is in your interest to cycle in the middle of your traffic lane. This is why this is called the "primary position" in cycle training.

The position to the left of traffic or "secondary position" is used if you deem it safe to allow following traffic to overtake. However you should still avoid cycling in the gutter a good rule of thumb is to stay a good arms length out from the edge of the road.

Likely the op will be using the secondary position till they get their confidence up - but its like swimming with armbands - the goal is to move on from here if ability and confidence allow.

aloyisious

1. Re the bus, if it's in front of you, yield to it. Don't try to overtake it unless there is a clear space of several car-sizes to it's outside and you have a clear chance of safe overtaking. Remember that the driver may NOT (initially) see you in the mirrors due to your size/clothing-colour. If it's alongside you at CAB-level and want's to pull in, give the driver a clear sign that YOU are proceeding straight ahead and HE will have to wait until the space he need's is vacated by YOU. Don't feel obliged to stop for the bus while YOU are the road-user in front, but don't get bloody-minded in a "it's my space" mode.

2. Re the route, you will meet several light-sets that you need to heed. St Audoen's, Christchurch, Werburgh St and City Hall.

3. Get off at the College Green island you mentioned and use the pedestrian lights there to walk across to Trinity gates. The traffic seem's to halt at both sets of lights together, giving you a vehicle-free zone for a few minutes.

4. The main problems will be the pedestrians and cyclists moving through or across your route when they are NOT supposed to be in front of you.

doughef

Id say lads your beginning to freak out the OP!!

OP... just take it easy, take your time. I cycle in town every day too.

Cycling is like driving or walking. Everyone has an opinion and there are idiots and people who take ridiculous risks in both camps.

The Dublin bike scheme is due to triple in size in the next 6 months or so meaning the streets will be filled with cyclists.

Just relax, be comfortable and follow the rules of the road.

You'll be grand

JRant

doughef wrote: »

Id say lads your beginning to freak out the OP!!

OP... just take it easy, take your time. I cycle in town every day too.

Cycling is like driving or walking. Everyone has an opinion and there are idiots and people who take ridiculous risks in both camps.

The Dublin bike scheme is due to triple in size in the next 6 months or so meaning the streets will be filled with cyclists.

Just relax, be comfortable and follow the rules of the road.

You'll be grand

+1
It's actually quite safe to cycle around that area.
As galwaycyclist says, never cycle to close to the kerb as you'll leave yourself no room to manouver and that's where the worst potholes/drain-covers are.
Don't get freaked out by buses either but do keep a close eye on them. They have a habit of squeezing cyclist a bit when stopping and taking off again but relax and you'll be fine.
Remember you have as much right to be on the road as anyone else. Once you get used to the route you will wonder what all the fuss is and save yourself a heap of time on the commute.

seamus

In regards to what you should do at College Green, for the first few times at least, pull into the entrance to BOI college green (the little cobbled bit), dismount and then walk across to the front gate. You can't cycle through the Trinity gate and you can't cycle on the island, so you'll have to dismount there anyway.

When you get a little more confidence on the road then you will get used to moving into the right-hand lane on College Green and hopping straight up onto the island just after the taxi rank.

MB Lacey

Curlyhatescurls wrote: »

Hi, I want to try cycling to college this term but i'm very nervous. I have never cycled in a city before. I need to cycle from James Street all the way up to Dame Street and then into Trinity College. There is kind of an island thing on Dame Street and I was wondering could I cycle up to here and then get off my bike and walk into college?
Does anyone know what it's like to cycle this way, is there any particular spots I need to be careful of? I seriously have no clue and I am getting very anxious. I have learned the cycling signals. What do I do if a bus signals to pull in in front of me? Can I wait behind it or do I have to signal and move out and overtake it? Is that very dangerous?
I'm sorry, I have a million questions and would really appreciate any advice.

I think that there is something called a 'bike buddy' organised by dublin bikes which might be useful to you?
The idea is that nervous cyclists buddy up with a more experienced cyclist who shows them the ropes- great idea.
Here's the link Bike Buddy
If you don't fancy that, I live nearby, I cycle through town loads, often along dame st, I never have any real problems and could do the cycle with you, it'll take 10 mins and might calm you down a bit.
From James' St to Trinity is a very easy cycle, busy, but easy enough - but I can see how the busyness of city traffic might be stressing you out - no need really, once you've done the route a few times and know what to watch out for, you'll be way calmer.
If you don't fancy the bike buddy idea maybe cycle the route when it's really quiet, sunday morning will be incredibly quiet and you'd have the road to yourself to practice your route.
Anyway, pm me if you want me to cycle the route with you.

QueensGael

There's a lovely hill at Werburgh Street/Dame Street, if you catch the right timings on the lights, you'll make it nearly as far as the Central Bank without pedaling*

It's a fine commute, I did a chunk of that route for 1.5 years when I lived on that side of town. Just take it handy, be aware and enjoy it!


*makes for a good cardio workout on the way home too

spoonface

Ok here are a few tips about the reality of cycling in Dublin...

1. At all times have your 2 hands covering the brakes i.e. your lasrt 3 fingers over the brakes and your first finger and thumb wrapped around the grip. I say this because pedestrians will step off the kerb without caring and jaywalk happily so you need to be ready for them and not lose half a second getting your hands onto the brakes after you notice them. Also taxis will stop on a dime if they see passengers so again you need to be ready for that likely possibility.

2. If possible, pass any parked cars wide enough to clear an opened door. I learned this the hard way by going through a door window. Again taxi drivers are often guilty of throwing the door open without checking first.

3. Fit a bell and use it in good time to give people a warning. The pedestrian crossing near trinity in particular, people just jaywalk there in hoards and dont even see a bicycle as traffic. Personally I shout at them to get out of the way but this isnt for everyone.

4. If you have to turn your head fully away from front view, dont let it be for more than a fraction of a second especially when things are busy and you have traffic in front of you. Better to use your periphery vision turning your head only a little to the side.

5. For getting onto the island near trinity, as another poster said its pretty busy with pedestrians, so I would nearly take the taxi u-turn point to get off the road and up onto the kerb, dismounting before getting onto the kerb and watching out for taxis. Alternatively dismount safely in front of the bank on the left and just walk your bike across as a pedestrian even if it takes a little longer.

6. Watch out for left turning cars who fail to indicate e.g. up georges street on your way home, again being quick on your brakes will help avoid trouble.

7. Anticipate where you want to be well ahead of getting there so you don't end up pinned into a turning lane or something.

8. Tune your brakes to be sure they stop you well. Be aware that if very responsive, the front alone could throw you over so best way is to apply back brake and half a second later reinforce by adding front brake in.

9. Helmet as some insurance if you get a knock.

10. I would advise against standing up on the pedals (instead just get in a gear that suits you, especially when about to take off at lights etc i.e. you can change down before you come to a stop), if you slip a gear or your foot slips off in the rain you could be on the ground very quickly, which is worse in traffic as you could be run over. I dont want to scare you here, just trying to be pragmatic. I've already broken a finger by slipping off the pedals.

12. If I see a bus pulling in a bit ahead of me, I would take a quick look back to see if clear, then indicate out and go around into the next lane then back in again. Or if it happens suddenly you can wait behind it for it to take off again or stop and wait for your opportunity to pass, but you might find it less stressful to wait because if it takes off again youll find yourself in the outer lane and mightnt want to be there.

Lumen

Jesus, this thread!

It's bicycle riding, not a last ditch attack on the death star.

Cookie_Monster

Lumen wrote: »

Jesus, this thread!

It's bicycle riding, not a last ditch attack on the death star.

the force OP, use the force!

Tommytwotimes

I don't cycle at all, I need my car for work, but the cycle lanes in Dublin are poor in some places and excellent in others, it would be great if there was a decent set of cycles lanes for cyclists as this causes serious issues on the road, not just motorists or cyclists but all road users.
Shame really as it would increase the number of people using their bikes to get around, such as yourself, and lower stress levels when cycling around the city which can be an extreme sport in its own right.

Lumen

Tommytwotimes wrote: »

I don't cycle at all, I need my car for work, but the cycle lanes in Dublin are poor in some places and excellent in others, it would be great if there was a decent set of cycles lanes for cyclists as this causes serious issues on the road, not just motorists or cyclists but all road users.

Not sure which "serious issues" you're talking of. The number of accidents involving bicycles is lower than that involving pedestrians.

Most incidents are caused by people acting like complete goms, not by lack of infrastructure.

Cycling in Dublin is fun and safe, as you might discover if you tried it.

QueensGael

Tommytwotimes wrote: »

I don't cycle at all...

Not to be flippant, but I believe the OP is looking for advice from people who do actually cycle. It's not an extreme sport, it's a mode of transit. This thread is beginning to verge on the hysterical, unnecessarily so.

OP - You'll be fine, try it out, and let us know how you get on

micha5L

I was talking to a bus driver coming in on the train one morning, and he
said wear a bright jacket, the brighter the better

buffalo

micha5L wrote: »

I was talking to a bus driver coming in on the train one morning, and he
said wear a bright jacket,

I love the ambiguity of this post that makes it sound possible that the poster was on the train having a chat with a guy driving a bus alongside it.

Jawgap

Realx and enjoy it would be my advice - that's a nice part of the city to cycle through.

the only other observations advice I'd offer is that buses are not out to get you! The drivers - despite what you may have heard - are generally considerate and trying to do the same thing you are, get from A to B safely and without hassle.

If you're worried about being worried, why not do the spin on Sunday morning - the weather forecast is pretty good and traffic will be quite light. Cycle it, have a coffee and cycle home.

On a weekday morning you'll have the 'protection' of the cycling herd!

Finally, if I was cyling to Trinity I'd be more worried about securing my bike than actually getting there or back.

good luck.

RacoonQueen

The best advice, you've already been given, is to cycle the route - or even various routes at a quiet time and you'll get used to lights, road conditions(always nice to know where hazards are so you can prepare to avoid them instead of swerving suddenly into moving traffic). After a week you'll be flying along the route. Thomas St will probably be the 'toughest' part of the commute. You could always try to find an alternative route as well, maybe a bit longer but sometimes other routes will have less lights, lighter traffic etc and you'd get there quicker anyway. Though don't think there really is anything other than down Thomas St and onto Dame street

Jawgap

micha5L wrote: »

I was talking to a bus driver coming in on the train one morning, and he
said wear a bright jacket, the brighter the better

Will this do......

manwithaplan

Dark Dude wrote: »

don't go over 25 mph.

If you are having regular trouble heeding this advice, may I direct you to http://www.swordscc.com

Seriously OP, you don't really need any advice. Just go out and do it. There will be loads of cyclists so you won't be on your own. Most of them will be sensible so just do what they do.

If it's your first year in college in Dublin, I hope you have a great time and that cycling in the city will be far from the most extreme thing you will try.

Curlyhatescurls

I would like to thank everyone for all the advice they've given! I nearly had a panic attack reading through them all with all the things I'd have to watch out for, but the later posts put me at ease. I would rather have all these details and warnings then go out cycling clueless.
Not moving down to Dublin till next week, so will heed your advice and go for my first cycle Sunday week. I promise to post back here and tell you how I get on!
Thanks again, received so much good advice!:)

Curlyhatescurls

MB Lacey wrote: »

I think that there is something called a 'bike buddy' organised by dublin bikes which might be useful to you?
The idea is that nervous cyclists buddy up with a more experienced cyclist who shows them the ropes- great idea.
Here's the link Bike Buddy
If you don't fancy that, I live nearby, I cycle through town loads, often along dame st, I never have any real problems and could do the cycle with you, it'll take 10 mins and might calm you down a bit.
From James' St to Trinity is a very easy cycle, busy, but easy enough - but I can see how the busyness of city traffic might be stressing you out - no need really, once you've done the route a few times and know what to watch out for, you'll be way calmer.
If you don't fancy the bike buddy idea maybe cycle the route when it's really quiet, sunday morning will be incredibly quiet and you'd have the road to yourself to practice your route.
Anyway, pm me if you want me to cycle the route with you.

Thanks so much MB Lacey, you are so kind. had a check on that link and it looks great, think I'll probably get in contact with them next week. Thanks!

not even wrong

Curlyhatescurls wrote: »

I need to cycle from James Street all the way up to Dame Street and then into Trinity College.
...
Does anyone know what it's like to cycle this way, is there any particular spots I need to be careful of?

1. Be careful of the luas tracks at James's Hospital, always cross them at a 90 degree angle.
2. Don't hug the left as the poster above suggested, always leave plenty of room when passing a parked car. You don't want to get doored. Don't worry about holding up the cars behind you, it's your road too.
3. Never go up the inside of a truck waiting at a junction. Almost all the cyclist deaths in Dublin are a result of trucks turning left across cyclists.

Other than that it's a fairly decent route with cycle/bus lanes for most of the way and no tricky right turns...

CillianL

Curlyhatescurls wrote: »

Hi, I want to try cycling to college this term but i'm very nervous. I have never cycled in a city before. I need to cycle from James Street all the way up to Dame Street and then into Trinity College. There is kind of an island thing on Dame Street and I was wondering could I cycle up to here and then get off my bike and walk into college?
Does anyone know what it's like to cycle this way, is there any particular spots I need to be careful of? I seriously have no clue and I am getting very anxious. I have learned the cycling signals. What do I do if a bus signals to pull in in front of me? Can I wait behind it or do I have to signal and move out and overtake it? Is that very dangerous?
I'm sorry, I have a million questions and would really appreciate any advice.

I had a huge crash outside Trinity's main entrance last year, I got a load of road rash and smacked by head off the ground but the reason why it happened was that I cut across from the left hand lane to the right onto dame street without checking so served me right I suppose, so don't do anything reckless like that.

Otherwise, just stay on the left hand side as much as possible. Stay vigilant at all times as most crashes ( and I know this from racing) are caused by lapses in concentration.

As well don't panic, if you get into difficulty as motorists can't legally make you go any faster than you want to.

As well, perhaps consider wearing a helmet, they look stupid with normal clothes but I was lucky I wasn't killed last year when that happened. Also personally I'd never listen to music especially in town when cycling

Hope that was helpful!

Jawgap

Just to balance that last post - I cycle past Trinity regularly and I've never had a crash - I rarely stay to the very far left and I'm usually day dreaming about something, or at least thinking about whatever vexing problem it is that's annoying me in work.

I keep my eyes, ears and nose open mostly because I enjoy being "plugged in" to the environment when you cycle.

Helmets are an excellent idea, but not essential to the enjoyment of the experience - likewise hi-viz. If wearing or not wearing either of those contributes to an enjoyable commute then go for it.

Some other road users can be thoughtless morons - don't take it personally. On the rare occasion some other road user does something not very clever it's usually because they've not being paying attention - they are not waging jihad against cyclists.

.....and if you've never cycled there, the Phoenix Park by a bike on a sunny Sunday is one of the best, free experiences there is to be had in Dublin, on or off a bike.

dave_o_brien

If the threat of motorists was as bad as is perceived, every driver would have an "I hit a cyclist who came out of nowhere and yet was stopped in front of me in the middle of the road and I couldn't avoid them" story, but that's not true. Enjoy your commute, I always found cycling too and from college was good for my mental wellbeing, prepped me for the day and unwound me after.

In terms of advice:

Don't race it. You'll get there quick enough.

Buy a good pair of locks, or a few spare bikes. Or both, eventually.

Obey the law. Seriously. Even the pedestrian lights ones.

Put lights on your bike.

While most people behind a wheel are not murderous, they are human, and will sometimes make a mistake. For this reason, keep your wits about you as much as possible.

Enjoy it.

Wishbone Ash

CillianL wrote: »

I cut across from the left hand lane to the right onto dame street

That's why it's important to "claim" one's lane in those situations. Because you were originally close to the left,motorists assumed you were heading for Grafton Street and not College Green.

Jawgap wrote: »

Just to balance that last post - I cycle past Trinity regularly and I've never had a crash - I rarely stay to the very far left

I pass there several times per week and always take up a position near the center of the road. I've never had any problems there.

OP- it may not be an issue during normal commuting times but watch out for careless tourists in the vicinity of Christchurch Cathedral.

cdaly_

not even wrong wrote: »

1. Never go up the inside of a truck waiting at a junction. Almost all the cyclist deaths in Dublin are a result of trucks turning left across cyclists.

This +1,000,000

dave_o_brien wrote: »

Buy a good pair of locks

Also this. Learn how to lock a bike properly.

Curlyhatescurls

Thank you, will be wearing my hi-viz jacket and a helmet. When you guys speak about having lights on my bike do you mean ones with a battery in that flash? I have a proper light in the front and just those reflector things on the front and back.
In regards locking it up, I have a u-lock and a cable-lock and I went crazy on my bike today, painted it to look like a pile of crap and stuck duct tape on bits of it, very proud of myself, it looks hilarious. I really hope it doesn't get stolen, it wasn't a very expensive bike but I bought it new last year and I really like it.

Cookie_Monster

Curlyhatescurls wrote: »

Thank you, will be wearing my hi-viz jacket and a helmet. When you guys speak about having lights on my bike do you mean ones with a battery in that flash?

yes, proper lights but not flashing, that's illegal now isn't it? I've always thought they're better being on continuously anyway.

whats the point of the high vis, do you wear one while walking or driving?

not even wrong

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

yes, proper lights but not flashing, that's illegal now isn't it?

Flashing lights were legalized in 2009

I've always thought they're better being on continuously anyway.

Your battery lasts twice as long in flashing mode...

BunShopVoyeur

Cookie_Monster wrote:

whats the point of the high vis, do you wear one while walking or driving?

Fairly obvious tbh, unless you're trying to start a pointless argument.

Jawgap

At the severe risk of dragging the thread off topic I'll offer this quote from a study (conducted by TCD)

From Lawson, A.R., et al., Perception of safety of cyclists in Dublin City. Accid. Anal. Prev. (2012), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2012.05.029 .....

"The analysis has shown that the use of safety accessories (helmets, high visibility/bright colored clothing and lights/reflective accessories) is not associated with an improvement in perception of safety among cyclists’ compared to driving in Dublin, but instead is shown to be associated with a decreased safety experience.

The presence of situations perceived by cyclists as potentially unsafe has led the cyclists to make use of such safety accessories, but has not helped them to overcome their fear of such situations. Therefore, making their use mandatory among cyclists may be of little or no benefit to the improvement of the perceived safety of cyclists which is required to promote cycling as a viable mode of transportation in Dublin.

Such a measure may even prove counteractive to improve cycle mode share, as has been presented by a before-and-after study of the mandatory helmet use for Australian cyclists (Robinson, 1996). Following the findings of the analysis in this paper, it can be expected that mandatory use of other safety accessories may result in similar outcomes."

Hi-viz and helmets are a matter of choice - there's nothing like a sensible attitude and a bit of common sense to keep you safe and make cycling enjoyable.

My own preference is wear a helmet, but I rarely wear hi-viz. The primary function of my cycling gear is to keep me comfortable - I have lights to make me visible.

doughef

Lumen wrote: »

Jesus, this thread!

It's bicycle riding, not a last ditch attack on the death star.

This is the funniest thing I've read in a while

BunShopVoyeur

I'd rather increase my odds of being spotted if the option is there. Lights are of no benefit in daylight.

It's a personal choice, people can and will wear whatever they like, it just seemed like a poster above was discouraging the use of hi-viz gear which is silly really as the OP had already stated they would be wearing one.

Why does it bother some people whether or not some cyclists wear helmets or hi-viz? Worry about yourself and if somebody else feels more comfortable wearing something; leave them to it.

buffalo

not even wrong wrote: »

Your battery lasts twice as long in flashing mode...

But more power is used turning a bulb on than keeping it on. Does the same not hold true for LEDs?

Jawgap

BunShopVoyeur wrote: »

I'd rather increase my odds of being spotted if the option is there. Some Lights are of no benefit in daylight.

It's a personal choice, people can and will wear whatever they like, it just seemed like a poster above was discouraging the use of hi-viz gear which is silly really as the OP had already stated they would be wearing one.

Why does it bother some people whether or not some cyclists wear helmets or hi-viz? Worry about yourself and if somebody else feels more comfortable wearing something; leave them to it.

FYP......:)



I wouldn't actively discourage the use of hi-viz, but I would actively discourage any notion that it makes you any more visible or noticeable to other road users- if you cycle with that notion in your head it's not a good idea.

Better to assume that regardless of what you wear people have not seen you and that assumption should influence your cycling behaviour.

BunShopVoyeur

I'm under no illusions that it makes me super visible on the roads. I will however, wear anything that has the potential to catch the eye of an inattentive driver.

Like I say, there's no point going round and round on this because people will always have differing points of view.


P.s I stand corrected on the light

not even wrong

buffalo wrote: »

But more power is used turning a bulb on than keeping it on. Does the same not hold true for LEDs?

Apparently not:

Run time: 15 hour constant
Run time: 30 hour flashing

Cookie_Monster

BunShopVoyeur wrote: »

It's a personal choice, people can and will wear whatever they like, it just seemed like a poster above was discouraging the use of hi-viz gear which is silly really as the OP had already stated they would be wearing one.

I am absolutely discouraging the use of high vis, it's totally and utterly unnecessary as only serves to make cycling appear more dangerous than it actually is. I hate high vis in general, it's nothing but a poxy symptom of the H&S obsession we seem to be stuck in but I particularly hate it applied to cycling. you'll never here calls to paint cars or trucks in high vis, or have pedestrians wear high vis walking down the street, why are cyclists always singled out for it?

Fairly obvious tbh, unless you're trying to start a pointless argument.

explain how it's fairly obvious, cars will give less room (just like helmets) and even subconsciously veer toward you due to it, hardly improving safety is it?

Cookie_Monster

not even wrong wrote: »

Flashing lights were legalized in 2009Your battery lasts twice as long in flashing mode...

yeah fair enough it does save battery, but front flashing light pisses me off no end cos I can see it so I always set it to constant. The back doesn't matter either way since you won't notice it so if it's more effective to have it flash then let it flash...

BunShopVoyeur

Look, like I said above. Arguing the point is a waste of time.

Wear or don't wear whatever you like, why would I care? It's nobodies business but yours.

I however, am happier wearing a helmet and hi-viz which is equally nobody else's business.

Andy-Pandy

I just want to say something about breaking red lights, id rather go through a red light than sit at one in front of a hgv and doing so is smart cycling as apposed to poor cycling. 90% of the time there is no need to break a red light, but IMO there is cause when it keeps you safer on the road.

not even wrong

Andy-Pandy wrote: »

I just want to say something about breaking red lights, id rather go through a red light than sit at one in front of a hgv

You are perfectly safe in front of a HGV as long as you are able to make eye contact with the driver behind you. Most junctions in Dublin have the "advanced stop lines" which are for cyclists in exactly this situation. In the case where a HGV pulls up right behind you at the stop line then yes, I would move forward a few meters out of its blind spot past the stop line if necessary but I've never had to break a red light to do this.

Cookie_Monster

Andy-Pandy wrote: »

id rather go through a red light than sit at one in front of a hgv and doing so is smart cycling

no it's not. period.

Andy-Pandy

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

no it's not. period.

We'll have to agree to disagree then. I dont break red lights on a regular basis btw, but have done in the past when i've felt it safer to do so, and never through oncoming traffic, pedestrians etc

doughef

"There once was an innocent OP,
Who enquired how hard it might be,
to cycle to college, but in her quest for knowledge,
all she got was a discussion on High V's " :pac:

Max_Charger

I have a theory, much like that of Godwin's Law except when it comes to the cycling forum, you just replace the Nazi analogies with that of hi-vis and helmets...