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

mr spuckler · 30-08-2018 11:50AM

magicbastarder wrote: »

i came home over the eastlink, northbound. traffic wasn't *too* bad on approach from the south, but heavy going north from it; not a single garda to be seen directing traffic despite the jams. not sure if the HGVs already have instructions on the route to take in case the tunnel is closed, whether there's a preferred route to get to the M50 for them.

I noticed that too, no Gardaí anywhere and obviously people decide they can take a liberal approach to the ROTR just because traffic is so mental...

Tombo2001 · 30-08-2018 12:00PM

Just back from three weeks in France, on holidays.

I was particularly struck by how much more slowly they drive in urban situations.

Also there are two key differences:

(i) there are very regular signs showing speed limit. 30k speed limits were the norm in urban areas.
(ii) there are very regular breaks in the road, either speed bumps or roundabouts.

By contrast, I'm back here and looking at cars in my area - Clonliffe Road, Drumcondra Road, Richmond Road - urban residential streets where they are hitting 50k per hour within the law; and probably edging over it towards 60k and highly likely to get away with it. Its just too fast.

The other thing -

Having taken a spill from the bike (to avoid car), and having had two bikes stolen recently, and having met too many people this year who've had bike accidents - I've decided to give up cycling for commuting purposes. Going to walk instead, it takes longer, but I'm not worrying about it.

victor17 · 30-08-2018 04:15PM

After weeks of generally hassle-free cycling, I had two close passes within seconds of each other earlier this week (date and time on the camera are wrong). https://youtu.be/wBxYiOzsg3s The second one by the BMW was particulary frightening.

mr spuckler · 30-08-2018 04:25PM

you're right about the 2nd one but neither are good.

if I were you I'd take a more assertive / defensive position in the road, keep out another couple of feet from the gutter. that prevents the option to dangerously squeeze past you when there's oncoming traffic.

Alanstrainor · 30-08-2018 04:55PM

victor17 wrote: »

After weeks of generally hassle-free cycling, I had two close passes within seconds of each other earlier this week (date and time on the camera are wrong). https://youtu.be/wBxYiOzsg3s The second one by the BMW was particulary frightening.

You have to move out in the lane. I cycle this route daily and know the drill. Honestly, if you cycle as close to the left as you are in that clip people will definitely attempt to squeeze passed. I would consider staying out 1 meter from the kerb, especially given that the road you're on ends in a pinch point just after the end of this clip.

magicbastarder · 30-08-2018 05:19PM

chapeau to the cyclist i saw today on the merrion road, who cut across traffic to get into the lane to cross at the merrion gates, without looking or indicating. the chapeau is for managing not to die and having the gall to curse at the car behind who beeped at him.

Type 17 · 30-08-2018 08:05PM

Maybe he used his Magic Wand* and couldn't figure out why it didn't work.

*Cyclists people on bikes who think that sticking your arm out for a hand signal makes traffic magically disappear.

site_owner · 30-08-2018 09:07PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWdfcn4jzFQ

Micra gave me less than a foot passing.
Pointless, passed him at lights 30 seconds later, you can guess the Micra driver profile. Was just missing the white cane.

Felexicon · 30-08-2018 09:19PM

site_owner wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWdfcn4jzFQ

Micra gave me less than a foot passing.
Pointless, passed him at lights 30 seconds later, you can guess the Micra driver profile. Was just missing the white cane.

But sure you had that white line protecting you!
Bloody whinging cyclists.

30-08-2018 11:08PM

Not a near miss but cycling home just now, in the bus/cycle lane up the Malahide Road to Artane Roundabout, wearing helmet, hi vis, 2 rear lights and 1 very bright front light. As I exited the roundabout at my exit I got shouted at by a random driver, who I wasn't blocking or in the way of and he used a completely different exit, "use the cycle lane you stupid pr!ck".

What a hero.

30-08-2018 11:21PM

downtheroad wrote: »

Not a near miss but cycling home just now, in the bus/cycle lane up the Malahide Road to Artane Roundabout, wearing helmet, hi vis, 2 rear lights and 1 very bright front light. As I exited the roundabout at my exit I got shouted at by a random driver, who I wasn't blocking or in the way of and he used a completely different exit, "use the cycle lane you stupid pr!ck".

What a hero.

I could nearly put money on you being able to quite rightly shout back use your indicators you stupid prick when he was exiting the roundabout.

victor17 · 31-08-2018 07:38AM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

You have to move out in the lane. I cycle this route daily and know the drill. Honestly, if you cycle as close to the left as you are in that clip people will definitely attempt to squeeze passed. I would consider staying out 1 meter from the kerb, especially given that the road you're on ends in a pinch point just after the end of this clip.

Thanks, I’ll try that. FWIW, I actually rang Traffic Watch and reported that second close pass. The guards rang me and requested to see the footage. Didn’t expect much would come out of it so wasn’t disappointed! Was told there was nothing they could do (as the minimum passing distance legislation is still not in effect).

Smokin_Aces · 31-08-2018 11:18AM

Just a quick query regarding scooters. I was cycling over new broombridge Wednesday morning and the traffic was crawling due to kids being back in school. As I just got over the bridge, a scooter came up behind me in the bike lane. Obviously there was no room for him/her to pass for another two or so minutes but it got me thinking is it okay for scooters to be in bike lanes? I’ve only started cycling to work so I’ve never come across this before.

CramCycle · 31-08-2018 11:23AM

Smokin_Aces wrote: »

Just a quick query regarding scooters. I was cycling over new broombridge Wednesday morning and the traffic was crawling due to kids being back in school. As I just got over the bridge, a scooter came up behind me in the bike lane. Obviously there was no room for him/her to pass for another two or so minutes but it got me thinking is it okay for scooters to be in bike lanes? I’ve only started cycling to work so I’ve never come across this before.

What sort of scooter, a kid (or adult) on a push one or a moped. Yes to the former, no to the latter.

Smokin_Aces · 31-08-2018 11:29AM

CramCycle wrote: »

What sort of scooter, a kid (or adult) on a push one or a moped. Yes to the former, no to the latter.

It was a retro/vintage style moped. Thanks that’s good to know.

CramCycle · 31-08-2018 11:33AM

Smokin_Aces wrote: »

It was a retro/vintage style moped. Thanks that’s good to know.

I typically don't mind it as its not that common but being a judgemental ass, those fake vintage mopeds spook me a little because they are typically riders with no experience or consideration (he says with no proof), flying around the place like they are on a BMX in a skatepark. Legally, no, morally, depends on whether they are being a douche bag or not.

Ray Bloody Purchase · 31-08-2018 11:39AM

Smokin_Aces wrote: »

It was a retro/vintage style moped. Thanks that’s good to know.

AKA hair dryer on wheels.

I think it would be the ultimate insult to be knocked off and badly injured by someone driving a moped or smart car.

Kav0777 · 31-08-2018 12:39PM

Motor pacing?

bob b · 31-08-2018 01:05PM

Kav0777 wrote: »

Motor pacing?

One of the funniest experiences I've had in Dublin has been with one of these. The teenage-ish rider pulled up next to me at some lights, turned round and for no reason started swearing at me. The lights changed and he gunned the engine...the lights were at the top of a hill so I was easily able to keep pace with him, which obviously annoyed him. So he's going down this hill with the engine screaming, doing 45/50 kph, with me sat behind him hardly peddling.

The ultimate insult was a group of girls on the side of the road pointing and laughing at him (I presume:)).

Seth Brundle · 31-08-2018 01:12PM

victor17 wrote: »

Thanks, I’ll try that. FWIW, I actually rang Traffic Watch and reported that second close pass. The guards rang me and requested to see the footage. Didn’t expect much would come out of it so wasn’t disappointed! Was told there was nothing they could do (as the minimum passing distance legislation is still not in effect).

erm, do we not have:

Driving without reasonable consideration
Careless driving
Dangerous driving

Alanstrainor · 31-08-2018 01:19PM

victor17 wrote: »

Thanks, I’ll try that. FWIW, I actually rang Traffic Watch and reported that second close pass. The guards rang me and requested to see the footage. Didn’t expect much would come out of it so wasn’t disappointed! Was told there was nothing they could do (as the minimum passing distance legislation is still not in effect).

Seth Brundle wrote: »

erm, do we not have:
Driving without reasonable consideration

Careless driving

Dangerous driving

Very true. But from experience the gardai have little appetite for this kind of scenario. Unless the pass was millimeter close, or an actual hit I just don't see them doing anything. My own experience of trafficwatch and garda response was pretty good, although the garda did tell me he couldn't see a judge convicting for a close pass. My incident was resolved by the garda calling to the house of the close passer and ultimately getting him to come to the station and apologise to me directly...

Now, the apology was sincere, but the scenario was just bizarre. I felt like I was in the principal's office with the school bully.

Ray Bloody Purchase · 31-08-2018 02:13PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

..

Now, the apology was sincere, but the scenario was just bizarre. I felt like I was in the principal's office with the school bully.

What?? You had to do it in person? Did you shake hands and then the ref gave him a yellow card?

Alanstrainor · 31-08-2018 02:54PM

Ray Bloody Purchase wrote: »

What?? You had to do it in person? Did you shake hands and then the ref gave him a yellow card?

It was terribly awkward. We did shake hands, but there was no yellow card. Initially the garda thought the video of the pass was outrageous and was asking me whether I'd go to court over it etc. But the next time we spoke on the phone he had calmed his mood. This was the pass btw, excuse the overdubbed music to cover the swearing...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE0YZ-y6hKA

Ray Bloody Purchase · 31-08-2018 03:11PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

It was terribly awkward. We did shake hands, but there was no yellow card. Initially the garda thought the video of the pass was outrageous and was asking me whether I'd go to court over it etc. But the next time we spoke on the phone he had calmed his mood. This was the pass btw, excuse the overdubbed music to cover the swearing...

OUTUBE]UE0YZ-y6hKA[/YOUTUBE]

Christ, he nearly took you, himself and a bus out of it!

mr spuckler · 31-08-2018 03:19PM

I know I've seen that on here before and I knew he didn't hit you but I still sat back in my chair almost bracing for the hit when watching the rear view of that.

randomname2005 · 31-08-2018 04:03PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Very true. But from experience the gardai have little appetite for this kind of scenario. Unless the pass was millimeter close, or an actual hit I just don't see them doing anything. My own experience of trafficwatch and garda response was pretty good, although the garda did tell me he couldn't see a judge convicting for a close pass. My incident was resolved by the garda calling to the house of the close passer and ultimately getting him to come to the station and apologise to me directly...

Now, the apology was sincere, but the scenario was just bizarre. I felt like I was in the principal's office with the school bully.

If that pass isn't classified as mm close, I wouldn't like to see what is. Shocking shocking driving from a 'professional' driver.

marvin80 · 02-09-2018 07:11PM

Cycling on a main road today, just about to pass a junction - truck moving slowly and decided to keep going and come out in front of me onto the main road.
Luckily I wasn't going too fast but had to stop.

Realised it was a left-hand drive truck and obviously had a fairly big blind spot to his right that I was in - luckily I wasn't a couple of metres up the road or I'd be in trouble.

AndrewJRenko · 02-09-2018 08:28PM

Alanstrainor wrote: »

It was terribly awkward. We did shake hands, but there was no yellow card. Initially the garda thought the video of the pass was outrageous and was asking me whether I'd go to court over it etc. But the next time we spoke on the phone he had calmed his mood. This was the pass btw, excuse the overdubbed music to cover the swearing...

Awkward and all as it was, it sounds like a fairly decent idea. Am I right in thinking that it is called 'restitutional justice' or similar? I've heard of it being done before on burglaries, where the perpetrator is brought face to face with the victim, and has to listen to the impact. I wouldn't mind the same opportunity for dodgy drivers - requiring them to actually listen, in an environment where they can't just sulk off or roll up the window when they hear something they don't like.

Pinch Flat · 02-09-2018 09:27PM

Headed out on the Sunday spin this morning. Audi blasted through the roundabout at the end of my road, happens all the time so I just kind of expect it now.

Anyway continued out past clonee. There’s road works at brace town - new water main. The road is narrowed with cones near other side for about 300m - 50 kph limit - narrow and not safe to pass a cyclist. So the motorist directly behind me held back - I was going along at 40kph - then overtook me when the road works ended, plenty of room when he eventually overtook me, I gave him a wave and a got a beep back.

All short lived though - dickwad in the second car decided to skim me. Very close. I guess that’s my punishment for daring to “hold him up” at 10kph below the speed limit for 300m

sy_flembeck · 02-09-2018 11:20PM

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

Awkward and all as it was, it sounds like a fairly decent idea. Am I right in thinking that it is called 'restitutional justice' or similar?

You're almost there. It's restorative justice and a very highly thought of procedure. Personally, I'd prefer that to the other party getting a fine, particularly if they're genuinely contrite

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

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