Considering quitting the commute

billyhead

Just too many hairy moments with cars giving very little space or cutting across me when coming off a roundabout. It's like we don't even exist and a lack of consideration by some drivers for cyclists. With the winter and dark nights approaching it's only going to get worse. There's a minority of drivers who don't seem to get how vulnerable we are and it only takes one second of poor concentration due to tiredness or whatever for impact and it's a risk (however low it Is) that personally and with great frustration I just don't feel is worth it.

jive

Own the lane where you can and support the protests cyclists are currently organising in Dublin. Report dangerous driving particularly if there's one or two people repeatedly driving badly on your commute.

Not much else you can do and I hear where you're coming from; if I had kids I think I'd be taking the car to be honest.

Lumen

Avoid the roundabout?

Loads of people commute safely by bicycle.

Sure this isn't an excuse because it's nearly October and the weather is turning?

Kaisr Sose

Owning the lane will only get you so far.
When a vehicle comes from behind and pulls across in front of a cyclist, ownership of the lane immediately transfers to that vehicle.
When a vehicle drives into the cycle lane in front of you to undertake a car turning right – they now have the dominant position.
When a vehicle breaks a red light – they have the dominant position (albeit illegally)
There are lots more example of how as the vulnerable user, a cyclist can't really enforce their right of way or entitlement to space / respect on the roads.

coolbeans

I find cameras keep people in check. Just got a frontrear combo lately and am happier and more confident. Hopefully I'll never actually upload anything to youtube.

Kaisr Sose

Lumen wrote: »

Avoid the roundabout?

Loads of people commute safely by bicycle.

Sure this isn't an excuse because it's nearly October and the weather is turning?

Lots of people have near misses every day.

The last point of your post is unfair to even suggest. The OP is entitled to make that decision without you questioning their reason for it.

For the record. I have not commuted since June 2. I was hit by a car that ran a red light and attempted to cross a roadway 6 lanes wide. I was out far left - furthest away from the light they ran, and almost across the junction to safety. Luckily, I seen the car, and avoided serious injury by the steps I took to save my skin. Nonetheless, 4 months later, I am not fully recovered. I damaged the tendons in my arms and suffered nerve trauma at C4/C5 and in both wrists. I don't have full use of both thumbs and won't for up to one year while the nerves recover. I was lucky.

When I decide to cycle to work again, it won't be the weather that I base my decision on!

jon1981

coolbeans wrote: »

I find cameras keep people in check. Just got a frontrear combo lately and am happier and more confident. Hopefully I'll never actually upload anything to youtube.

Looking for a camera too, what you get?

smacl

Maybe look at a safer route, even if it is a bit longer. Alternatively, if you feel unhappy with one particular roundabout, dismount and take the pedestrian route across it. While it might slow you down, at least it keeps you cycling. Personally, I'm always happier with a longer stress free cycle than a shorter stressful one and plan my routes accordingly. Sometime half an hour on google maps can find all sorts of alternatives.

coolbeans

jon1981 wrote: »

coolbeans wrote: »

I find cameras keep people in check. Just got a frontrear combo lately and am happier and more confident. Hopefully I'll never actually upload anything to youtube.

Looking for a camera too, what you get?

Cycliq Fly12 at the front and Fly6 at the rear. Seem ok at the moment. I'm not really interested in video editing though so can't comment on that aspect.

ted1

coolbeans wrote: »

I find cameras keep people in check. Just got a frontrear combo lately and am happier and more confident. Hopefully I'll never actually upload anything to youtube.

Do you honestly think that drivers could spot the cameras?

Wishbone Ash

billyhead wrote: »

Just too many hairy moments with cars giving very little space or cutting across me when coming off a roundabout...

I passed you (while driving) 3 or 4 times during the week billyhead and you certainty didn't look like a man about to give up!

Which roundabout do you encounter difficulties? Malahide/Feltrim one in Swords? It's the one where I exercise most caution particularly regarding vehicles exiting from the Feltrim Road.

Lumen

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

Lots of people have near misses every day.

That ambiguous. Lots of near misses happen, but there are 7 billion people on earth. If there are individuals having near misses every day whilst cycling then those individuals should certainly consider another mode of transport. I can't even remember the last time I had a near miss and I'm rubbish at cycling.

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

The last point of your post is unfair to even suggest. The OP is entitled to make that decision without you questioning their reason for it.

It's a discussion forum.

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

For the record. I have not commuted since June 2. I was hit by a car...

Sounds nasty, good luck with the recovery.

billyhead

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I passed you (while driving) 3 or 4 times during the week billyhead and you certainty didn't look like a man about to give up!

Which roundabout do you encounter difficulties? Malahide/Feltrim one in Swords? It's the one where I exercise most caution particularly regarding vehicles exiting from the Feltrim Road.

Hi Wishbone. Its the Seatown roundabout in Swords as I turn right their heading towards North Street, Swords. The Donabate roundabout trying to safely get to Lissenhall is not great either.

Phil.x

I blame the likes of George hook for being anti cyclist on national airwaves and subconsciously brainwashing motorists to hate cyclists.

ED E

Light yourself up like a christmas tree, day or night. Its the only way.

Wishbone Ash

billyhead wrote: »

Hi Wishbone. Its the Seatown roundabout in Swords as I turn right their heading towards North Street, Swords. The Donabate roundabout trying to safely get to Lissenhall is not great either.

I find the Seatown one to be fine when taking 3rd exit. Fingallians one is a little more dodgier as it seems to be bigger and traffic is moving faster. The only time I'd be using the 3rd exit of both those is when heading for a club ride.

I've started to use the subway at the junction 4 interchange as the regular horn blowing from drivers was becoming wearisome.

What about going via Bealinstown/Batter Lane (3rd exit at Tesco) and down by Balheary?

Kaisr Sose

Lumen wrote: »

That ambiguous. Lots of near misses happen, but there are 7 billion people on earth. If there are individuals having near misses every day whilst cycling then those individuals should certainly consider another mode of transport. I can't even remember the last time I had a near miss and I'm rubbish at cycling.


It's a discussion forum.


Sounds nasty, good luck with the recovery.

Thanks for your kind wishes. It just takes one moment, but as we have all seen to frequently these past few weeks - it could have been a lot worse.
I think you are splitting hairs on bring up 7bn souls on this earth. My comment referred to the limited no. of them that choose to commute by bicycle on Irish roads. I don't know where your commute brings you but I had noticed mine getting more and more prone to near misses that on another day or with a different person, could have resulted in serious injury. That equates commuting to playing with a loaded gun.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed commuting but I also enjoy being able to walk, chew my food or drink fluid from a container rather than suck it with a straw.

Given this is as you say a discussion forum, I note you are not questioning my reason for not commuting - is that because it's more valid than the OP's or just that you know it's not up for discussion?

2RockMountain

billyhead wrote: »

Just too many hairy moments with cars giving very little space or cutting across me when coming off a roundabout. It's like we don't even exist and a lack of consideration by some drivers for cyclists. With the winter and dark nights approaching it's only going to get worse. There's a minority of drivers who don't seem to get how vulnerable we are and it only takes one second of poor concentration due to tiredness or whatever for impact and it's a risk (however low it Is) that personally and with great frustration I just don't feel is worth it.

Illegitimi non carborundum

Just to appeal to your collective responsibility, the more cyclists are on the road, the safer cycling gets. If you quit, you make life a little bit more difficult for the remaining cyclists.

Get a helmetcam, cycle assertively, give positive and negative feedback to drivers.

Lumen

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

I note you are not questioning my reason for not commuting - is that because it's more valid than the OP's or just that you know it's not up for discussion?

You have sustained a serious injury from which you haven't yet recovered. That gets you a free pass to the wimp list. :pac:

FWIW you describe yourself as lucky but you're not! You suffered what sounds like a freak accident. That's unlucky.

Kaisr Sose

@Lumen
For sure, very unlucky. But, when I say lucky, I mean lucky that my bad luck did not result in a far worse outcome.

Kaisr Sose

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

Thanks for your kind wishes. It just takes one moment, but as we have all seen to frequently these past few weeks - it could have been a lot worse.
I think you are splitting hairs on bring up 7bn souls on this earth. My comment referred to the limited no. of them that choose to commute by bicycle on Irish roads. I don't know where your commute brings you but I had noticed mine getting more and more prone to near misses that on another day or with a different person, could have resulted in serious injury. That equates commuting to playing with a loaded gun.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed commuting but I also enjoy being able to walk, chew my food or drink fluid from a container rather than suck it with a straw.

Given this is as you say a discussion forum, I note you are not questioning my reason for not commuting - is that because it's more valid than the OP's or just that you know it's not up for discussion?

It's unlucky that you were seriously injured in your accident and that has obviously contributed to your opinion on cycling in general.

Giving up on it for you might be the right decision, it does no good for cycling in general for people to give up on it and declare it too dangerous.

It only has that reputation because cycling infrastructure is patchy at best and always secondary to the motor vehicle. Attitudes need to change but they slowly are changing.

I've cycled abroad in other other European countries like France, Holland and Spain and we are many years behind them when it comes to cycling policy and general attitude from other road users. But I don't agree for one second cycling is a dangerous activity in this country.

Kaisr Sose

ronoc wrote: »

It's unlucky that you were seriously injured in your accident and that has obviously contributed to your opinion on cycling in general.

Giving up on it for you might be the right decision, it does no good for cycling in general for people to give up on it and declare it too dangerous.

Just to clear this up – my post is in support of somebody considering giving up commuting who had the basis for their reason questioned. Everybody is entitled to make their own decision.

I have no intention of giving up cycling or commuting. It's not in my genes to quit until I have to and even then I will keep trying anyway! It was an accident - no more. I am sure the motorist did not set out to hurt anybody and there was no deficit in my ability to cycle they led to the accident. No reason to quit cycling - but I would not question if somebody else chose to do so - whether they had an accident or not.

fat bloke

A day or two on the bus is the best prescription to restore a healthy cyclo-commuting outlook.

07Lapierre

OP .... If your uncomfortable commuting by bike, don't do it. Cycling is supposed to be enjoyable, not a stressful endurance test!

Having said that, what's your alternative? Commute by car? Statistically your more likely to die or be seriously injured driving than cycling!

Mango Joe

Lumen are you as rude to people in real life or do you just save it all up for when you are on here?

boardbeer

fat bloke wrote: »

A day or two on the bus is the best prescription to restore a healthy cyclo-commuting outlook.

try commuting in a car, then, at least a bus gets up to a reasonable speed.

tomasrojo

fat bloke wrote: »

A day or two on the bus is the best prescription to restore a healthy cyclo-commuting outlook.

I remember clearly the day I ended up on the DART at rush hour because I didn't know how to replace a freewheel. I vowed that day I would learn to do basic-to-somewhat-advanced bicycle maintenance, and I did.

tomasrojo

Mango Joe wrote: »

Lumen are you as rude to people in real life or do you just save it all up for when you are on here?

He's a healthy number two on my match-making page.

tomasrojo

07Lapierre wrote: »

OP .... If your uncomfortable commuting by bike, don't do it. Cycling is supposed to be enjoyable, not a stressful endurance test!

Yes, important to remember that.

I think how pleasant cycling is really varies a lot depending on where you live. Where I live it's really quite pleasant. I found Finglas much less so, especially the Old Finglas Road.

For your daily commute, you really have to find something that removes the hazardous or stressful bits. If you're going that way everyday, each risk factor is multiplied by over two hundred annually.

Becoming a pedestrian, or at least using pedestrian lights to stop traffic to give you breathing space works sometimes.

07Lapierre wrote: »

Having said that, what's your alternative? Commute by car? Statistically your more likely to die or be seriously injured driving than cycling!

I think if you look at risk of death or serious injury per kilometre or per hour of travel, driving is safer. However, you miss out on very considerable health benefits, and the risk for cycling is far from intolerable, despite what many people think (there are some roads I would not cycle on though).

coolbeans

ted1 wrote: »

coolbeans wrote: »

I find cameras keep people in check. Just got a frontrear combo lately and am happier and more confident. Hopefully I'll never actually upload anything to youtube.

Do you honestly think that drivers could spot the cameras?

Not always but if they don't they understand pretty quick when I point it out to them. I've had a few suggest I'm a vigilante but they don't hold the same opinion re dashcams in cars. We'll get there though, one knucklehead at a time. Keep on pedalling.

ted1

coolbeans wrote: »

Not always but if they don't they understand pretty quick when I point it out to them. I've had a few suggest I'm a vigilante but they don't hold the same opinion re dashcams in cars. We'll get there though, one knucklehead at a time. Keep on pedalling.

Surely if you reach a situation where you need to point out the camera it's to late as the event has passed

Lumen

Mango Joe wrote: »

Lumen are you as rude to people in real life or do you just save it all up for when you are on here?

People respond to different things. Sometimes we need a hug and a bit of reassurance, sometimes we need to be called a worthless maggot in the style of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman.

I'm not sure I've been that rude, but there's a report post function if that feels right.

crosstownk

fat bloke wrote: »

A day or two on the bus is the best prescription to restore a healthy cyclo-commuting outlook.

I can't speak from a bus commute point of view but my alternative to cycling to work is to drive - about 25km on that damn M50. Some days I have wussed out due to weather only to end up stuck in a 'no reason' traffic jam on that infuriating motorway. Lately my tolerance for weather has increased and that's due, in the most part, to the horrible prospect of the M50.

OP, I don't use the same route as you but all of us have ropey or bothersome sections on our commute. We can choose to give in or we can soldier on and keep cycling. Do what you think you have to keep safe and if that means lighting yourself up like a Christmas tree, donning Hi-Vis and getting a camera then do it. If you can afford more time then maybe look at an alternative route if you can although that's easier said than done.

Do whatever it takes to make you feel safer but do your best not pack in the cycling commute. It's a great way to start the working day and something to look forward to at the end of the working day. You know you'll miss it if you stop.

If you do decide to stop commuting by bike then I'm pretty sure that whatever alternative mode of transport you choose will come up short on quality and enjoyment.

Keep the faith, billyhead. And best of luck no matter what you choose.

Lumen

crosstownk wrote: »

I can't speak from a bus commute point of view but my alternative to cycling to work is to drive - about 25km on that damn M50

My literal alternative is a motorbike; I now live too far from work to comfortably cycle every day, so alternate between the two.

It's a nice break for the legs but makes cycling seem very safe and relaxed by comparison.

So here's a practical tip for the nervous pedaller: scare the living shyte out of yourself on a motorbike then go back to the cycling. :pac:

crosstownk

Lumen wrote: »

My literal alternative is a motorbike; I now live too far from work to comfortably cycle every day, so alternate between the two.

I've a company car and it absolutely baffles colleagues that I choose to cycle 19km across the city (because it's sooooo dangerous) rather than use the fully expensed company car. It baffles them further when I tell them that my weekly goal is to put up more kms on the bike than the car.

magicbastarder

i live near DCU, and work in leopardstown. i've been using public transport to get to work for the last four years (since i moved to the current address). looking to get back on the bike for the commute heading into the winter, as it'll probably guarantee i'll get some time in the saddle during the week.

i have colleagues living on the DART line on the northside who continue to drive, despite the fact that there's a bus from blackrock station up to our office. baffles me.

CramCycle

ted1 wrote: »

Do you honestly think that drivers could spot the cameras?

I found that I seem to get a bit more clearance when I have one on. There are undoubtedly one or two people who get riled by them but to be honest, those people are the people who would have been riled anyway.

tomasrojo wrote: »

He's a healthy number two on my match-making page.

Your my number three.

I always looked at cycling as my choice, I have a license for almost every class of vehicle, I have a car which is taxed and insured (but rarely used) but the truth is, from a mental and physical well being point of view, it is almost essential.
I could walk, it would add two hours onto my day (minimum), if I was delayed in work, I would never make the creche, and I am not convinced I would have the energy to carry my shops home on foot. Two hours extra a day for me is not good for my mental health as it cuts the time with my kids to practically zero for 5/7th of the week.
I could drive, I would not have a huge amount more time lost but counting my insurance and tax as essentials, the cost of petrol and maintainence alone would be almost crippling for me. Inside of a year, I could easily buy two decent bikes out of it or put a fair dent into whatever I wanted too buy. I can pay for a social night out, I could get a nice present for my kids etc.
I could use PT. There are no direct routes through and by the time I walk to them and get them, and then walk the rest of the way, it is not far off just walking. A bit quicker but the cost, even with a tax saver ticket, would be ridiculous.
I like to think I have a choice about cycling. In the end, money wise, I probably don't save as much as I think but I save a bit but I am under no illusion, without cycling, I am poorer at my job (never seem to fully kick off when I drive or get a lift), my blood sugars are worse, I will not live as long, my kids will not likely see me as much, I would be mentally more unhappy, I would be physically a wreck, but thats just me though.
Unlike others in the thread, I don't actually care if someone else cycles or not. I think it is great if they do but to be honest and selfish, the OP not cycling is their choice and theirs alone. I think they are stupid in this regard (not actually) when I overlay my wants on them but I would never berate them over it.
My own advice, is to look at different routes, different cycling styles, have a try but in the long run, if you are unhappy or miserable cycling, and you feel that won't change, then try another way. In the end, pick the one that keeps you most content.

coolbeans

ted1 wrote: »

coolbeans wrote: »

Not always but if they don't they understand pretty quick when I point it out to them. I've had a few suggest I'm a vigilante but they don't hold the same opinion re dashcams in cars. We'll get there though, one knucklehead at a time. Keep on pedalling.

Surely if you reach a situation where you need to point out the camera it's to late as the event has passed

Good cycling awareness and experience serves me well in that I generally don't get into bother, not in the last fifteen years anyway. What puts me off more recently is utterly futile aggression that seems to be increasing and it's for this reason I've installed the cams. They don't prevent idiocy but they do record and once people realise they'll be held accountable behaviour changes dramatically and extremely quickly.
I just wanna be left alone on my way to work, free from harassment and the cams definitely help.

Kaisr Sose

I don't think cameras change behaviour, which is mostly impulsive, opportunist, selfish stuff, but they certainly record whatever it is. People may change their tune once they realise whatever happened has been recorded but thats after the fact and we are all wiser then. I will be getting cameras when I resume commuting.

coolbeans

Kaisr Sose wrote: »

I don't think cameras change behaviour, which is mostly impulsive, opportunist, selfish stuff, but they certainly record whatever it is. People may change their tune once they realise whatever happened has been recorded but thats after the fact and we are all wiser then. I will be getting cameras when I resume commuting.

Defends on visibility of the camera. I'd be surprised if a helmet cam didn't change behaviour as they're so obvious. I don't do helmet cams cos I don't wear a helmet most of the time.

_Brian

It's really hard to beat the attitude against cyclists.
We only cycle for leisure but fear for kids keeps us off the roads in dedicated cycle paths for that.

Few people I know and travel with really get angry when they come up behind cyclists. It doesn't make sense, they're giving out before they even need to slow down. Any I've spoken to just hate to see cyclists and explaining to wait and five 1.5m space passing just doesn't sink in. These are people who never sit on a bike so they don't realise or don't want to realise how volunerable cyclists are. Add to that attitude that everyone is in a rush and perpetually late it's no wonder it's tough for cyclists out there.

Kaisr Sose

coolbeans wrote: »

Defends on visibility of the camera. I'd be surprised if a helmet cam didn't change behaviour as they're so obvious. I don't do helmet cams cos I don't wear a helmet most of the time.

What I am attempting to say is that if a car passes and then turns left across your path, of pulls out from a junction in front of you (or more examples like this) the driver generally won't see a camera as they just are not paying that much attention to the cyclist. If a visible camera helps them to drive with more courtesy and care/attention, then I am all for visible cameras.

coolbeans

_Brian wrote: »

It's really hard to beat the attitude against cyclists.
We only cycle for leisure but fear for kids keeps us off the roads in dedicated cycle paths for that.

Few people I know and travel with really get angry when they come up behind cyclists. It doesn't make sense, they're giving out before they even need to slow down. Any I've spoken to just hate to see cyclists and explaining to wait and five 1.5m space passing just doesn't sink in. These are people who never sit on a bike so they don't realise or don't want to realise how volunerable cyclists are. Add to that attitude that everyone is in a rush and perpetually late it's no wonder it's tough for cyclists out there.

I'd be optimistic overall. The behaviour you've described is essentially irrational. Attitudes need to change but the message needs to be that cyclists don't hold people up or cause traffic jams. I drive about ten thousand miles a year and have never been late due to being held up a cyclist. I don't hang about either and my car would be quicker than most.

tomasrojo

CramCycle wrote: »

I always looked at cycling as my choice, I have a license for almost every class of vehicle, I have a car which is taxed and insured (but rarely used) but the truth is, from a mental and physical well being point of view, it is almost essential.

I remember someone explaining that barriers to cycling could be quite small and still put off a lot of people, because cycling just isn't woven into most people's lives the way driving is; that people can drop cycling without any real disruption. But, like your case, my household would require a big reorganisation if I didn't cycle. I bring the kids around in a cargo bike now (the school run wouldn't be possible any other way, I think), I do the weekly shop with a bike trailer, I bring home stuff from Ikea in another type of bike trailer. Even when I rent a car, I collect it using a folding bike.

CramCycle wrote: »

Your my number three.

Number one with a bullet. Well, one heart more than Lumen.

Chuchote

_Brian wrote: »

It's really hard to beat the attitude against cyclists.
We only cycle for leisure but fear for kids keeps us off the roads in dedicated cycle paths for that.

Few people I know and travel with really get angry when they come up behind cyclists. It doesn't make sense, they're giving out before they even need to slow down. Any I've spoken to just hate to see cyclists and explaining to wait and five 1.5m space passing just doesn't sink in. These are people who never sit on a bike so they don't realise or don't want to realise how volunerable cyclists are. Add to that attitude that everyone is in a rush and perpetually late it's no wonder it's tough for cyclists out there.

France cut its road deaths enormously some years back with a campaign of billboards asking "What will you do when you get there?" coupled with radio and TV and newspaper discussions of how people were losing the ability to be present in the moment.

Irish drivers don't enjoy the time in their cars. Their minds are projected into where they're going. They're not in the present moment, in control of their life and enjoying what's happening now. That's why they have to rush so much.

Can we have great faith in cameras? Will the Gardaí act on their evidence? In England, a motorist in a huge vehicle who clearly admitted to filming from his mobile phone as he drove, while shouting abuse at cyclists and coming too near to them, and who put the film from his phone online, has apparently not been prosecuted for his dangerous actions - even though the evidence came from his own phone and his own upload. I have no doubt it would be the same here - the George Hook attitude means that a cyclist does not have the same value as a driver; and after a brief flurry of prosecutions for mobile phone use in the car, it has again become almost ubiquitous. It's the most obviously dangerous action, but not the only one.

OP, if you have a hunch of something bad coming if you stay on the bike, get off it. You might think of writing a letter to the council, and to The Irish Times, explaining that you no longer feel safe cycling because of drivers' behaviour, and mentioning the roundabouts that are particularly dangerous.

Wishbone Ash

tomasrojo wrote: »

... Even when I rent a car, I collect it using a folding bike....

Now that's impressive! You must be pulling a serious trailer on that folding bike.

DanDublin1982

I completely understand where you are coming from OP. After a few near misses ive made some changes to my commute myself.

I'm lucky enough to live very near the grand canal Greenway so I now take that as far as I can on my commute. It means avoiding being on the road with cars for more than half of my commute and it lets me avoid a roundabout which was causing me issues. So I'm immediately feeling safer before I leave the house. A change of route just isnt an option for some but its whats kept me on the bike the last few weeks.

Chuchote

Deedsie wrote: »

It's hard to see attitudes changing unfortunately. Using a mobile phone while driving (texting or calling) kills people yet we see it every single day along with many other distractions that shouldn't be allowed when driving a car. Some people incredibly still won't wear seatbelts, some people still drive while intoxicated.

Not just some people, a quarter of people, one in every four has done so in the last six months, according to a self-reporting survey at the Bantry Show:

http://www.joe.ie/news/one-in-four-irish-farmers-admit-to-driving-after-three-pints-in-the-last-six-months/561214

Approximately one in four Irish farmers have admitted to driving after consuming three pints in the last six months.

According to an Irish Examiner/ ICMSA opinion poll, 23% of respondents admitted to driving after consuming two or three pints in the last six months, while more than one in five said that they would feel “safe enough” driving home after consuming up to four pints.

Deedsie wrote: »

An old man was parked in the cycle lane outside the Talbot hotel in Stillorgan on Friday afternoon, a load of cyclists had to get off the cycle lane and go into the bus lane to pass him. Most were school kids, I was probably the most experienced cyclist there so I decided to say something to the driver. As I approached he had his window down. Before I had even started talking he was roaring about how all cyclist run red lights. Here was a man parked in a mandatory cycle lane actively breaking the rules of the road accosting me for running a red light which I never do. He was forcing children out onto the road. As I said he was an old man and I didn't want to get into an argument with him so I just cycled on.

How can you deal with that attitude? It was incoherent babble but this man seemed to think he was getting one back on all those red light running cyclists. A hero for the motorist.

You could get off the bike, start filming him on your phone and say "You are blocking a legal cycling lane and endangering children; I am now making a citizen's arrest."

guanciale

OP
I hope things improve for you. If I had seen this message two years ago or more I may have said htfu/cycle assertively/own the lane/ yada yada yada. Back then I commuted thru the Phoenix Park and up the quays.

I moved and now live in Lucan. My commute had changed a lot and my attitude toward cycling and commuting has changed. I know have roundabouts, M50 flyovers /merging lanes to deal with. I see my commute much differently now. Generally I try to take less direct routes that actively avoid these. Easier going in relative to going home.
Roundabouts for cyclist are unnerving. Some are so large or have trees planted in the centre so that a car is unlikely to see you until very late. In general I believe that they are unsuitable for cyclists on busy roads. I avoid the M50 flyover like the plague - lots use it safely. It stresses me out no end and I don't cycle for stress.

My advice is that if possible look for different routes. I take up to three different routes to get into work depending on various factors.

The infrastructure we face in my belief has a bearing on how stressful/pleasurable our commute is. Surprisingly I wouldn't have believed that a few years ago. Glad I do now.

Chuchote

Would it be worth making a series of complaints to the Broadcasting Standards Commission (or whatever it's called) every time a radio presenter makes or encourages statements that put cyclists' lives at risk?

2RockMountain

coolbeans wrote: »

Defends on visibility of the camera. I'd be surprised if a helmet cam didn't change behaviour as they're so obvious. I don't do helmet cams cos I don't wear a helmet most of the time.

I don't think many drivers study cyclists closely enough to pick out a camera from a distance. It's hard enough to get them to actually see you, let alone see one smallish device.

However, I do think there is a longer-term benefit, particularly for commercial drivers. If they start to realise that there is a decent chance that a video of their speeding/light-breaking/phoning/texting will find its way to their employer within a day or two, they will change their behaviour. If they hear on the van-drivers gossip forum about one or two mates who got fired when 'ratted out' by one of those 'vigilante cyclists' (who all break red lights, don't you know), they will change their behaviour.

Deedsie wrote: »

An old man was parked in the cycle lane outside the Talbot hotel in Stillorgan on Friday afternoon, a load of cyclists had to get off the cycle lane and go into the bus lane to pass him. Most were school kids, I was probably the most experienced cyclist there so I decided to say something to the driver. As I approached he had his window down. Before I had even started talking he was roaring about how all cyclist run red lights. Here was a man parked in a mandatory cycle lane actively breaking the rules of the road accosting me for running a red light which I never do. He was forcing children out onto the road. As I said he was an old man and I didn't want to get into an argument with him so I just cycled on.

How can you deal with that attitude? It was incoherent babble but this man seemed to think he was getting one back on all those red light running cyclists.

You did deal with that attitude. Despite his guff/denial/defensiveness/subject-changing, there is a reasonable chance that, the next time he needs to collect someone from the Talbot, he'll take the 1 or 2 minutes extra that it takes to drive into the car park instead of waiting in the cycle lane. Certainly, if he faced with a sweaty, red-faced cyclist at his window every time he parks in a cycle lane, he will change his behaviour.