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

mr spuckler · 28-08-2017 10:13AM

had a very close pass yesterday, while towing my boy in the trailer :mad:

i've been so happy with how drivers in general have given us so much space when we have him in it (although it does in my mind reflect a general attitude of drivers really not wanting to risk hurting a child but being much more ok with taking those risks when i'm solo) judging by the relative passing distances.

anyway, coming up the howth road just after leaving the coast at the kilbarrack end and a large mercedes van passed within a few inches. no traffic coming towards us to make him think he had to pass that close. i was absolutely fuming and had left the cameras at home as never feel the need for them when we're just out with the boy.

I love Sean nos · 28-08-2017 01:21PM

mr spuckler wrote: »

anyway, coming up the howth road just after leaving the coast at the kilbarrack end and a large mercedes van passed within a few inches. no traffic coming towards us to make him think he had to pass that close. i was absolutely fuming and had left the cameras at home as never feel the need for them when we're just out with the boy.

Is there a cycle lane there? Sometimes when there's a cycle lane and the person on the bicycle is in it, drivers don't think they need to give any additional room. Beggars belief.

Or it was just the usual driver issues; hungover, distracted and/or on the phone.

Danbo! · 28-08-2017 01:37PM

Working from home today and off tomorrow so no cycling til wednesday - are the schools back today? Any heavier than usual traffic?

mr spuckler · 28-08-2017 02:02PM

I love Sean nos wrote: »

Is there a cycle lane there? Sometimes when there's a cycle lane and the person on the bicycle is in it, drivers don't think they need to give any additional room. Beggars belief.

Or it was just the usual driver issues; hungover, distracted and/or on the phone.

yeah there is a cycle lane and the outside wheel of the trailer probably would have been on the line of the lane.

i imagine he just didn't give a sh1t tbh.

I love Sean nos · 28-08-2017 02:28PM

mr spuckler wrote: »

i imagine he just didn't give a sh1t tbh.

Very likely.

Macy0161 · 28-08-2017 02:34PM

mr spuckler wrote: »

although it does in my mind reflect a general attitude of drivers really not wanting to risk hurting a child but being much more ok with taking those risks when i'm solo

Yep, always found it noticeable when out with the children how much more room and patience people driving have when they see it's children. So they're conscience is ok risking them being fatherless when taking risks when I'm solo or with a group of adults, once they don't directly injure/ kill a child...

mr spuckler · 28-08-2017 02:38PM

Macy0161 wrote: »

Yep, always found it noticeable when out with the children how much more room and patience people driving have when they see it's children. So they're conscience is ok risking them being fatherless when taking risks when I'm solo or with a group of adults, once they don't directly injure/ kill a child...

other than yesterday the contrast in space allowed when i have the trailer on is so pronounced that while the above is an incredibly troubling conclusion to come to it's also somewhat inescapable

ED E · 28-08-2017 05:40PM

papu wrote: »

Could you not remove the SD card from the camera and transfer it across using a card reader? Or is the storage non removable?

Danbo! wrote: »

This is what I do as MTP is quite slow. Previewing direct from the card is faster and 99% of the time I'm just deleting footage.

You can, but then you end up on the road with an empty camera. When you do it regularly it gets annoying.

Chuchote · 28-08-2017 06:23PM

Sauntered down the Dodder, leaned over Ball's Bridge to watch the workmen lifting up ancient-looking slabs with a JCB and wonder what they were doing. Apparently I missed the Army Bomb Disposal Squad blowing up a grenade the workmen found by about an hour.

I didn't, however, miss seven (seven!) egrets nesting in a tree while a heron stalked below and the two adult swans and their adult-sized but grey cygnets sailed serenely past.

Edit: apparently it was Anglesea Bridge (described by some non-geographiliterate journos as "near the American Embassy" - it's the one at the end of Beaver Row). I missed that one - went across the metal footbridge instead. But what the heck are they building between Ball's Bridge and the nameless (afaik) bridge at the Herbert Park Hotel? Pictures later.

Feckofff · 28-08-2017 07:44PM

I am hoping that the works are part of the dodder greenway.
The council engineer wisely suggested that at least that stretch be combined with the flood defence works.

I have my fingers crossed!

Chuchote · 28-08-2017 07:47PM

Feckofff wrote: »

I am hoping that the works are part of the dodder greenway.
The council engineer wisely suggested that at least that stretch be combined with the flood defence works.

I have my fingers crossed!

That's what I was wondering too. Hope… :rolleyes:

Type 17 · 28-08-2017 08:12PM

The proposed greenway between Ballsbridge and Donnybrook is already in place, as it exists as the path beside Herbert Park on the other side of the river.

The works in the pics above are likely a temporary installation (done in summer when the river level/risk of a flood is low) to allow heavy machinery to access the river wall on the Anglesea Road side. It is the last section around there that is yet to be upgraded.

Chuchote · 28-08-2017 09:44PM

Type 17 wrote: »

The proposed greenway between Ballsbridge and Donnybrook is already in place, as it exists as the path beside Herbert Park on the other side of the river.

Surely that's only a tiny part of the proposed greenway, which is projected to stretch all along the river from Glenasmole to Sandymount, "from the mountains to the sea"?

I cycle along part of the Dodder very often, and while some of it is set up for cycling offroad, a lot isn't.

Type 17 · 28-08-2017 09:47PM

Yes, of course it's only a tiny bit, but that bit (Ballsbridge to Donnybrook) basically exists already, it probably just needs some signs and paint - the rest of the greenway is another story...

Chuchote · 28-08-2017 10:12PM

Type 17 wrote: »

Yes, of course it's only a tiny bit, but that bit (Ballsbridge to Donnybrook) basically exists already, it probably just needs some signs and paint - the rest of the greenway is another story...

Mmmno. It exists along Baggotrath to the side of Herbert Park. But exactly where they're building, if you're riding a bike you're diverted onto a busy, traffic-heavy road - you have to turn right across "The Bridge at Herbert Park", then go left along Anglesea Road and left again along Merrion Road (where Roly's is) before turning right into Beatty's Avenue and then being led into the walkway along the river and getting away from the traffic again.

If they're actually building a connecting line between Baggotrath and Beatty's Avenue, it will save lives; many's the moment of terror I've had on that zigzag along Anglesea Road and Merrion Road.

Type 17 · 28-08-2017 10:38PM

Chuchote wrote: »

Mmmno. It exists along Baggotrath to the side of Herbert Park. But exactly where they're building, if you're riding a bike you're diverted onto a busy, traffic-heavy road - you have to turn right across "The Bridge at Herbert Park", then go left along Anglesea Road and left again along Merrion Road (where Roly's is) before turning right into Beatty's Avenue and then being led into the walkway along the river and getting away from the traffic again.

If they're actually building a connecting line between Baggotrath and Beatty's Avenue, it will save lives; many's the moment of terror I've had on that zigzag along Anglesea Road and Merrion Road.

Fair enough, the very last bit of the path was "lost" to private development (offices and the hotel), so there is a gap that needs attention.

papu · 31-08-2017 08:51AM

How was that ever a good move, there was no traffic behind me, the fool in the yellow box is as much to blame as the girl in the white car. A perfect storm of incompetence .

CramCycle · 31-08-2017 01:38PM

Schools are back as well as the craziness that goes with it. Heart came out my mouth this morning passing a secondary school when a car decided just as I passed a junction to pull across me. I let a roar and slammed on, my heart nearly projecting out my mouth in shock. He managed to stop, but never moved his head, acknowledged what had happened or turned his gaze from the straight ahead fixated blank stare he had.

Other person at the junction had a look of, oh christ on a bike, I am so glad I don't have to ring an ambulance.

I would not have minded so much had he just turned and said sorry, my mistake, but he didn't even move.

Chuchote · 31-08-2017 02:17PM

CramCycle wrote: »

Other person at the junction had a look of, oh christ on a bike

Nobody told me He has returned? I never knew.

Mine, today, not so much a near miss as a definite irritation. I'm sailing along Upper Rathmines Road at a moderate speed but soaking wet and cold in a sudden heavy shower, when a Mummy comes sauntering across, her back to the traffic, leading her pink-dressed little one by the hand. I ring the bell and roar "Look out!" and she turns around and pouts "Slow down!" I was going at walking speed, but of course it wasn't her fault…

Some people shouldn't be put in charge of children.

CramCycle · 31-08-2017 02:55PM

Chuchote wrote: »

Nobody told me He has returned? I never knew.

I have a beard and a suntan, a god complex, the mistake is easy to make. I am probably a bit taller though, and less of a well meaning con artist, more a ill meaning con artist.

Some people shouldn't be put in charge of children.

Co worker telling me about a cargo bike that sailed across a yellow box through a junction as crossing traffic was moving across, with two kids in the box and with a dog tied to a lead hanging out the side/back of the bike and struggling to keep up. You are indeed correct.

31-08-2017 03:45PM

The parking at our local school is so bad that they had to curtail the local bus service between 12:30 and 3pm.

Madness at that time of day. Why people need to park up at 12:30 to pick up billy and johhny at 2 or 3 is beyond me. It gets worse theres a bloody car park there they won't use as that might mean it takes them longer to get out, no they'd rather park up on the grass or block footpaths and cycle lanes :mad:

Used to go that way as a short cut and avoid the main road and lights etc at the start of my spin route but it's not worth the blood pressure both at their parking and the worry of car doors of which I've narrowly avoided twice in 2 days.

Danbo! · 31-08-2017 03:55PM

I'm on the bike before 7am so have actually found the roads quieter each morning this week as the school rush is later.

Having said that, I had 2 close calls today- a Garda armed support unit cut across me this morning with driver on phone. I know they're allowed to use their phone in the course of Garda business, but there was no indicator used

Then on the quays got skimmed by a van who I assumed was just skipping traffic, but was actually taking the left about 10ft ahead of me, so got a very close left hook - Let a roar and got a sheepish apology wave.

Bunny Colvin · 31-08-2017 04:04PM

I respect cyclists on the road, I appreciate their right to be there. However, where I live, you'd want to be crazy to even consider getting on a bike. Simply put, there's just too many ****e drivers out there, coupled with the fact that the roads themselves are narrow and full of dangerous bends. It's all about odds and statistics, keep playing with fire and you'll get burned.

Chuchote · 31-08-2017 06:37PM

CramCycle wrote: »

Co worker telling me about a cargo bike that sailed across a yellow box through a junction as crossing traffic was moving across, with two kids in the box and with a dog tied to a lead hanging out the side/back of the bike and struggling to keep up. You are indeed correct.

Dúirt bean liom go ndúirt bean léi go ndúirt bean eile gur inis bean di…

However, in a story like that what infuriates me is the poor dog - why on earth wouldn't the eejit bring the dog into the cargo box?

Deleted User wrote: »

The parking at our local school is so bad that they had to curtail the local bus service between 12:30 and 3pm.

:eek: Something terribly wrong there :eek:

AndrewJRenko · 31-08-2017 08:11PM

Bunny Colvin wrote: »

I respect cyclists on the road, I appreciate their right to be there. However, where I live, you'd want to be crazy to even consider getting on a bike. Simply put, there's just too many ****e drivers out there, coupled with the fact that the roads themselves are narrow and full of dangerous bends. It's all about odds and statistics, keep playing with fire and you'll get burned.

Are we talking about Ireland here? What kind of area? Do you see many cyclists around?

Chuchote · 31-08-2017 11:11PM

Reports going around about a weirdo spitting at women on bikes along the canal. Anyone encountered this?

queldy · 01-09-2017 12:00PM

Hi,

had a near miss in this roundabout here, and since it is the last of a (very) long series it made me thing there is something wrong in the way I approach it.
https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.3170076,-6.3336961,18.5z?hl=en

I'd ask you a few questions.

1) Imagine I (person on bike, motorcycle or even in a car, doesn't make difference) am coming from Greenhill Rd and I need to take Cromwellsfort Rd; the way I would take the roundabout, in the safest way as possible, from what I learned, is enter in the roundabout, stay on the external line, sign left before approaching the exit, and then take the exit; here I am not suggesting the use of the internal line at all, I could move there to speed up the process and move on the external line safely before the exit etc, but let's leave the internal line for now. I said as I would approach the roundabout in the safest way, so just use the external line till my exit.
First question is: is this strategy wrong? I mean, is this the correct regulation on how to approach a roundabout in Ireland?

If my behaviour is not correct, please could you tell me how to approach it the correct way?
If instead it is correct, please go to question 2)

2) It happened to me many many times to be safely on the external line, going safely in circle till my exit, that some drivers come from the internal line faster than me and need to go out before me, cutting my way or having to slow down not to crash on me. So yesterday (and I was with my motorcycle [sorry...], so we can't argue that I was slow or I did not have my high-vis jacket or whatever) that happened again, and the driver even honked at me (that is why I am asking you here if there is anything wrong in what I am doing and please explain me how to, or maybe he was just an idiot).
So, if point 1) is correct and 2) is happening very often, how do you do approach safely a roundabout like this?

Some of you would suggest to take the line with decision and show I am there - yes I do! I am not afraid of taking the line with force and show them I am not gonna give up only because I am on a bike, but here it is not about this... it is about survival.

Some would suggest to take the inside line to be faster and then go external when needed - yes I've done it often, but it is not so safe either, considering you have to search for eye contact with lot of cars coming from different directions, and especially considering that if you are on a bike they often do not see you or they often do not care, and so on. Taking the internal line with a bike feels to me also like you will be often pushed from the car coming on your left on the external line, they go faster and they do not usually care if you need to go left. (In the specific case of this roundabout, cars are getting in it very fast, they are not always slowing down as they should)

Some of you would suggest to avoid that roundabout (or similar ones) - yes, I also do but not always I can.

Thanks for the suggestions!

ThisRegard · 01-09-2017 12:10PM

Deleted User wrote: »

It gets worse theres a bloody car park there they won't use as that might mean it takes them longer to get out,

I think it's a Dept of Ed thing now that for new schools, or schools getting their grounds renovated, not to include public parking, so they should be thankful they even have a carpark.

Re: The Walkinstown Roundabout, when I have to navigate it I just do so as if I'm a pedestrian by doing a frogger over each entry point to it using the traffic islands. All bets are off when it comes to any logic around that yoke.

queldy · 01-09-2017 12:13PM

Danbo! wrote: »

Working from home today and off tomorrow so no cycling til wednesday - are the schools back today? Any heavier than usual traffic?

Yes, definitely heavier than usual for me.

amcalester · 01-09-2017 12:21PM

queldy wrote: »

Hi,

had a near miss in this roundabout here, and since it is the last of a (very) long series it made me thing there is something wrong in the way I approach it.
https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.3170076,-6.3336961,18.5z?hl=en

Walkinstown roundabout is free for all whether you're in a car or on a bike, very few people know how to use it properly. If possible I'd look for an alternative route.

FWIW I've had the same experiences as you on the bike. I've tried taking the lane, staying in either the inside/outside lane doesnt seem to make a difference there's always someone who will put me in danger.

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

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