Near misses - mod warning 22/04 - see OP/post 822

check_six

MissTiny wrote: »

Had an awful encounter along the canal this week.

Internet Friend wrote: »

Had a similar experience at the locks just behind park west, group of young lads were blocking the gates and hurling abuse and stones at cyclist going through.

Those two experiences are horrible. Really nasty potential opening sequence to an '80s revenge movie vibe to them.

I spent a chunk of the summer cycling this route, and I was surprised to see so few dodgy characters on these stretches. Does the time of day or year affect when they appear, I wonder? I'd guess that at rush hour there are enough other people on this stretch that they don't bother. I'm really sorry that you have been so shaken by these events. Could you do a detour to skip that section? (You shouldn't have to, of course, but you should try to recover your confidence somehow).

run_Forrest_run

plodder wrote: »

Sounds terrible.Unfortunately, I think there's a mindset in this country, that a cyclist ringing their bell is interpreted as an order to get out of the way

I think when some cyclists just ring their bell while not slowing down and not saying thanks it can be seen as that because it is that to be frank.

However of course it doesn't deserve the treatment the poor cyclist received in this instance, scumbags will be scumbags.

run_Forrest_run

I had a near miss myself the other day on Douglas St. in Cork City. A taxi driver was coming the opposite way, with lots of parked cars on his side he didn't wait for me to pass on what is already a narrow road and I was up against the kerb trying to avoid clipping his wing mirror, prick.

MissTiny

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

I think when some cyclists just ring their bell while not slowing down and not saying thanks it can be seen as that because it is that to be frank.

However of course it doesn't deserve the treatment the poor cyclist received in this instance, scumbags will be scumbags.

What's annoying is that up until recently I never used my bell, just called out "Excuse me please/sorry!" or "Heads up!" in as kind a voice I could. People's natural reaction is rarely very friendly to begin with but would usually soften once they saw me. I'll usually give a cheerful smile and thumbs up to those who are happy to let me through. I changed it up recently in an effort to reduce the nasty responses I was getting from shouting.

check_six wrote: »

Does the time of day or year affect when they appear, I wonder? I'd guess that at rush hour there are enough other people on this stretch that they don't bother. I'm really sorry that you have been so shaken by these events. Could you do a detour to skip that section? (You shouldn't have to, of course, but you should try to recover your confidence somehow).

During the summer there are crowds of them at the gates, swimming in the canal and terrorising the regular folk trying to pass through.
The morning cycle at 7/8am is beautiful, quiet and so enjoyable. But coming back through at 6pm can be terrifying.
Unfortunately a detour would involve cycling busy roads which is exactly what I'm trying to avoid by taking the canal.

Chuchote wrote: »

Sundrive garda station, for a start.

Thank you for the advise, I will be giving them a call this evening.

coward

I was knocked off my bicycle at the canal lock near Kylemore and Killeen - right in front of a CCTV camera about two years ago. I rang the camera operator (was my 3rd such incident in a short time) when I got up but stone throwing and bangers came my way so I got out of there as quick as I could. Camera guy said he didn't have the initial incident but was recording the other crap. Gardai called to my house later and were of no use at all. Didn't even want to look at the footage. As soon as I said they were kids under 16 they said there was nothing they could do at all.

As you say, it's a beautiful cycle in the mornings but I avoid the canal in the afternoons. Crumlin road, Long mile, Nangor road and back on to canal again after Clondalkin is my route home. These roads have cycle / bus lanes and are not actually too bad. Naas Road / Long mile junction needs care but you learn what road position gets you through over time.

Hopefully you get back to the cycle commute. You are not alone in how you feel about that particular route.

tikkamark

MissTiny wrote: »

Had an awful encounter along the canal this week.

Coming up behind a group of sc umbags doing wheelies on their bikes along the canal. I ring my bell to alert them I was coming from behind…what a mistake that turned out to be.
The ringleader immediately turned and retorted “don’t you f*cking ring your bell at me” and the torrent of abuse started. They insulted everything they could think of about me, e.g. calling me nappy a*se in reference to my cycling shorts etc. I told them they were pathetic for picking on a girl which they did not like.

They tore off ahead of me at this point and I desperately hoped that was the end of it… until I caught up with them further ahead where they had met more of their friends who were leading a horse up the canal. Between their bikes and the horse, I could not get passed while they hurled more abuse at me. 2 male cyclists came up beside me eventually, the ringleader spotted them and commented “alright let these grumpy f*ckers through” When they moved aside to allow the first male rider through, I saw my chance and darted behind him narrowly missing the ringleaders attempt to stick his foot out at my wheel.

Once I was in the clear I broke down crying and did so for the remainder of the evening. I have never experienced such intimidation and hostility in my 3 years commuting by bike into Dublin city.

Left the bike at home and took the train today, still feeling very shook up by the encounter. Don’t know how I feel about getting back on the bike… I love it so much but the stress it causes myself and my OH is just too much to bear sometimes.

Chin up and avoid that Route in future.....pure scumbags will never change and I bet if you're on that same path again they will do the same again.

Internet Friend

Mine was a few years back so I'm not too worried about it now, just noticed the parallels between the two experiences. I haven't come in that route in a long time since moving offices but thinking about it again now that we're back in silly season.

As MissTiny said, it's usually around 6pm. especially when the weather is nice, that they're out.

Chuchote

Good place for a bunch of people to ride through with helmetcams.

run_Forrest_run

Chuchote wrote: »

Good place for a bunch of people to ride through with helmetcams.

why? you can't do anything with the footage if they are minors, if anything the little scrotes will probably try to knock you off your bike to steal the camera.

plodder

coward wrote: »

Gardai called to my house later and were of no use at all. Didn't even want to look at the footage. As soon as I said they were kids under 16 they said there was nothing they could do at all.

though that's not really true.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/children_and_young_offenders/anti_social_behaviour_by_children.html

http://www.thejournal.ie/asbos-ireland-asbo-criminal-justice-alan-shatter-485523-Jun2012/

I'd be inclined to ask them why not, if that's what they say in this case.

MissTiny

I went to bed last night resigned to the thought that this encounter could be the end of cycling in Dublin for me.
However, I am so glad I posted here. Could cry (with happiness) reading all your encouraging responses. Feeling increasingly better as the day goes on.

It baffles me that cyclists have such a negative reputation when there are incredible people like yourselves leading the way.

I will report back if I get any worthwhile response from the Gardai.
Thank you all so much, what a sound bunch ye are

07Lapierre

Chin up...Don't let them get to you! If you can, cycle a different route for a while and avoid that section. You'll soon be back to enjoying your cycle.

Chuchote

tikkamark wrote: »

Chin up and avoid that Route in future.....pure scumbags will never change and I bet if you're on that same path again they will do the same again.

They shouldn't be able to own a route. Bring groups through, polite and distant, but cycling through.

run_Forrest_run wrote: »

why? you can't do anything with the footage if they are minors, if anything the little scrotes will probably try to knock you off your bike to steal the camera.

Knowing you're on film, and it's there forever, is a disincentive to all kinds of things. I find that drivers behave much more politely when I'm wearing a helmetcam. And if you've a bunch of people going through, not regularly (so it doesn't become a pitched battle site) but irregularly, it's liable to have the effect of breaking that sense of criminal ownership.

It would also be worth asking cycle gardaí to ride along with groups.

LpPepper

A close one in Rathcoole village the other day. A driver trying to get out of a parking space on the right hand side decided to just do a turn about in the road once the car coming towards her waved her on, without even looking for any traffic coming the other way (me!).

Luckily I had spotted her wheel being pointed outwards as I approached so was waiting for something to happen.

Sound muted for language reasons, she didn't even say sorry...

https://youtu.be/EFF5gC8yID8

Annie get your Run

Chuchote wrote: »

Knowing you're on film, and it's there forever, is a disincentive to all kinds of things. I find that drivers behave much more politely when I'm wearing a helmetcam.

You'd think that were true (and is for adults) but it proved not to be the case on Thursday evening when I stopped my bike and crossed the road on the Ongar Distribution road where 'little brats' were turfing lumps of broken brick over a wall into the traffic. I told them I had film footage of what the were doing on my bike camera (I didn't). They could not have cared less, in fact, they continued with their bombardment while I stood there trying to reason with them :rolleyes:. It would never have happened in my day... I'm guessing as they were minors they knew full well that nothing would come of it even if I did have evidence. I wouldn't mind but none of the motorists that were being targeted stopped, a few tyre screeches as they avoided the arsnel - don't know what I was thinking coming to the rescue of motorists!!!

@MissTiny what an awful encounter you had! I'm v. glad to hear you're not giving up though, I hope you never experience anything like that again.

Chuchote

Thing is, you don't stop and discuss. You pass it to community leaders and ask them to call the parents in to watch it. This isn't a sign of a hopeful future for their kids.

magicbastarder

couple of problems there though - one is identifying the community leaders (which in a fairly new community is a nebulous concept anyway), and the second is them identifying the relevant parents, which given the lack of footage is going to be "difficult".

magicbastarder

Annie get your Run wrote: »

It would never have happened in my day...

still though - rose tinted glasses. **** like this is absolutely nothing new.

Arcade_Tryer

magicbastarder wrote: »

still though - rose tinted glasses. **** like this is absolutely nothing new.

And even if it was the case, it's quite a strange argument to make. Yes, it would never have happened in your day, but it's happening now, and as an adult you have a bigger stake in how today's society is shaped!

Annie get your Run

magicbastarder wrote: »

still though - rose tinted glasses. **** like this is absolutely nothing new.

The dot dot dot denotes sarcasm, jeez, I was kidding!

Thinkingaboutit

Chuchote wrote: »

Sundrive garda station, for a start.

Useless donut munchers and stat forgers, or whatever they do there, not really policing (same with all other non cycle related reports). Apparently one needs to ring some emergency number, 999 or something. What I wanted to report was that some little pricks aggressively, threateningly wanted a go on my bike (months ago but relevant to Sundrive Garda station), and one had threatened me with a block when that was a negative, so I told the little pricks to, and then got them to f off. Juvenile delinquents are effectively immune from the law, so involving the Gardai when dealing with little pricks is pointless. They know that so reporting, threatening to report them is a complete waste of time.

Arcade_Tryer

Coming down the hill from Howth towards Sutton today and was able to put the palm of my hand firmly on the back panel of a car that passed me, appearing to get closer and closer, only for my roaring. Car stopped, driver all defensive, accusing me of being a nut job etc. Couldn't believe it. Decided to chase it up and caught up to the driver at the Sutton junction, proceeded to take registration, as driver simultaneously took a picture of me and claimed they had already reported me to the Guards...All in an otherwise pleasant day's cycle.

Chuchote

Arcade_Tryer wrote: »

Coming down the hill from Howth towards Sutton today and was able to put the palm of my hand firmly on the back panel of a car that passed me, appearing to get closer and closer, only for my roaring. Car stopped, driver all defensive, accusing me of being a nut job etc. Couldn't believe it. Decided to chase it up and caught up to the driver at the Sutton junction, proceeded to take registration, as driver simultaneously took a picture of me and claimed they had already reported me to the Guards...All in an otherwise pleasant day's cycle.

Helmet cam…

Arcade_Tryer

Chuchote wrote: »

Helmet cam…

Never! But it's certainly a more convincing argument after today. The car had several dents on the front and side too, which doesn't necessarily mean anything, but combined with the reaction from the driver, and their demeanour, could also explain quite a lot.

P_1

Had a BMW whizz by me with about 6 inches to spare in Barna of all places yesterday. Of course said BMW had Dublin plates, seems there's no escaping arsehole Dublin drivers.

Chiparus

P_1 wrote: »

Had a BMW whizz by me with about 6 inches to spare in Barna of all places yesterday. Of course said BMW had Dublin plates, seems there's no escaping arsehole Dublin drivers.

How do you know it was a Dublin person, Dublin is full of boggers who go home to the bog on the weekend.

Arcade_Tryer

Chiparus wrote: »

How do you know it was a Dublin person, Dublin is full of boggers who go home to the bog on the weekend.

Dublin driver does not automatically imply Dublin person.

Chiparus

Arcade_Tryer wrote: »

Dublin driver does not automatically imply Dublin person.

Yep it could have been an arsehole Galway driver.

CramCycle

Arcade_Tryer wrote: »

as driver simultaneously took a picture of me and claimed they had already reported me to the Guards...All in an otherwise pleasant day's cycle.

Hopefully such an incident will never happen to you again. If it ever happens to me again though, I really hope I have the where with all (I won't), when they inform me of their report, to turn and say. Hang on a second. I will ring the gardai right now. I will tell them my version of events, you tell them yours and then i will, without edit or change, hand over my footage and you can explain my handprint on your window in the context of the video.We can just sit here and wait for them to turn up. Even better we can both escort each other to the nearest garda station, so we don't waste their time with one of being a complete and utter B*llsh*tter.

Chuchote

Arcade_Tryer wrote: »

Never! But it's certainly a more convincing argument after today. The car had several dents on the front and side too, which doesn't necessarily mean anything, but combined with the reaction from the driver, and their demeanour, could also explain quite a lot.

You can use helmet cams for other things than evidence of society's brutal crimes against you I sometimes use it to film nice riverside cycles, or to note a new route for myself.

I use an old version of the Mobius mini-camera https://www.mobius-actioncam.com/ - cheaper and smaller than most. The latest versions of these can be worn on the side of the helmet but still turn the film the right way up. They just stick on with a bit of Velcro. If you are suffering constant close passes you can set it to film behind you.