Cyclists mega-thread (WARNING: Before posting you must read post #1)

07Lapierre · 28-05-2014 10:19AM

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Yea I know, would rather see more Gardai on bicycles handing out penalty points though...

I would LOVE that Job!...Great interval training chasing down cyclists who Jump Red Lights!

Danjamin1 · 28-05-2014 10:36AM

Got squeezed out by an Aircoach at UCD flyover northbound this morning, I was stopped at the lights and he pulled up to them behind me. Lights went green, he got alongside me approaching the bus stop and proceeded to push me towards the kerb. He wasn't stopping at the stop, just going straight on, no other cars impeding him. Just a w@nker in a bus.

Jawgap · 28-05-2014 10:43AM

07Lapierre wrote: »

Gardai don't issue red cards..referees display red cards. I think it would be a good "non-confrontational" way of expressing your frustration at another road users actions. Totally agree though...the guys a nutter and does nothing but make cyclist/driver relations worse.

I'll endorse the cards idea, but only if these are the cards to be used

BTW - Aircoach are generally always w@nkers - they're an absolute menace through Whitehall / Drumcondra.

Danjamin1 · 28-05-2014 10:51AM

Jawgap wrote: »

BTW - Aircoach are generally always w@nkers - they're an absolute menace through Whitehall / Drumcondra.

I can think of two reasons he may have done it:

1) he didn't want me ahead of him in the bus lane along the dual carriageway, but if this was the case why didn't he just overtake me? It would have been quicker than what he did!

2) he's just a miserable old w@nker

Seaswimmer · 28-05-2014 10:57AM

Danjamin1 wrote: »

I can think of two reasons he may have done it:

1) he didn't want me ahead of him in the bus lane along the dual carriageway, but if this was the case why didn't he just overtake me? It would have been quicker than what he did!

2) he's just a miserable old w@nker

I had 2 incidents with Aircoach over the years. One on Beach road Sandymount and one on Sean Moore Road. Each time I emailed their customer service department with the time of the incident, location and why I felt it was dangerous. Both times I got a call back from the operations manager apologising and saying they would talk to the driver. Maybe its just me but I feel they have improved slightly. The most trouble I have now around Whitehall/Drumcondra is with a certain coach operator from the north east starting with M.

Tenzor07 · 28-05-2014 10:59AM

Seaswimmer wrote: »

I had 2 incidents with Aircoach over the years. One on Beach road Sandymount and one on Sean Moore Road. Each time I emailed their customer service department with the time of the incident, location and why I felt it was dangerous. Both times I got a call back from the operations manager apologising and saying they would talk to the driver. Maybe its just me but I feel they have improved slightly. The most trouble I have now around Whitehall/Drumcondra is with a certain coach operator from the north east starting with M.

I wonder if Aircoach and Dublin bus etc etc have the same procedures as the London bus company's..whereby drivers with 3 or more complaints in a year go back for re-training before they are allowed back out on the roads...

CramCycle · 28-05-2014 11:06AM

Tenzor07 wrote: »

I wonder if Aircoach and Dublin bus etc etc have the same procedures as the London bus company's..whereby drivers with 3 or more complaints in a year go back for re-training before they are allowed back out on the roads...

I fell out of my seat laughing with the thought they done anything other than had a laugh over a cup of coffee with the union rep about it unless the Gardai are involved, in which case, they do the same as above, wait two weeks and if there is a follow up claim that the on board footage was not recoverable, then have another, more sinister laugh about it.

This is sarcasm but they do give you the impression that this is the modus operandi

Jawgap · 28-05-2014 11:08AM

Seaswimmer wrote: »

I had 2 incidents with Aircoach over the years. One on Beach road Sandymount and one on Sean Moore Road. Each time I emailed their customer service department with the time of the incident, location and why I felt it was dangerous. Both times I got a call back from the operations manager apologising and saying they would talk to the driver. Maybe its just me but I feel they have improved slightly. The most trouble I have now around Whitehall/Drumcondra is with a certain coach operator from the north east starting with M.

Interestingly........I complained to Aircoach and got nowhere. Had an incident with the 'M' people and the man himself called me back to apologise - perhaps because I'm a regular user of the service and I added that in my email. I have noticed, however, that their (M's) current crop of drivers are not nearly as 'nice' as the lads they had a few years ago. Not sure why.

BE are another absolute shower - I'd put them with Aircoach and a certain company beginning with K.......

Tenzor07 · 28-05-2014 11:10AM

CramCycle wrote: »

I fell out of my seat laughing with the thought they done anything other than had a laugh over a cup of coffee with the union rep about it unless the Gardai are involved, in which case, they do the same as above, wait two weeks and if there is a follow up claim that the on board footage was not recoverable, then have another, more sinister laugh about it.

We're a long way behind London so, they have a Transport authority responsible for roads, tube trains, bus's and taxi's.. and they log all complaints, even meet up with some of the "more regular" complainants..And Bus drivers are brought in for customer service training.

I guess this means then that Bus and Taxi drivers can drive with impunity around the streets of Dublin?

Seaswimmer · 28-05-2014 11:11AM

Tenzor07 wrote: »

I guess this means then that Bus and Taxi drivers can drive with impunity around the streets of Dublin?

and everyone else:rolleyes:

Tenzor07 · 28-05-2014 11:13AM

Jawgap wrote: »

I have noticed, however, that their (M's) current crop of drivers are not nearly as 'nice' as the lads they had a few years ago. Not sure why.

I would say because of minimum wages and long hours, pressure from transport managers to be at a certain place at a certain time...

Though this doesn't excuse potentially dangerous driving!

Maybe hiring standards have gone down also due to the low-wages and conditions which means the (private) bus companies are failing to attract careful and professional drivers...As opposed to some guy who shows up with 10 years truck driving experience in Azerbaijan! :mad:

Macy0161 · 28-05-2014 11:28AM

I've had a few "too close for comfort" moments with Aircoaches on the Rock Road. I have to say Dublin Bus would be a fair way down the list of vehicles that don't give enough space - in my experience they are pretty respectful. Aircoach, other Private Buses, Cars in the bus lane (that shouldn't be there), Taxis, Motorbikes and then Dublin Bus would be my ranking.

As it's a general whinge thread - what's the story with motorbikes/ scooters filtering up the left? Coming across it more in recent months, including in on road cycle lanes with a solid line.

07Lapierre · 28-05-2014 11:31AM

Macy0161 wrote: »

I've had a few "too close for comfort" moments with Aircoaches on the Rock Road. I have to say Dublin Bus would be a fair way down the list of vehicles that don't give enough space - in my experience they are pretty respectful. Aircoach, other Private Buses, Cars in the bus lane (that shouldn't be there), Taxis, Motorbikes and then Dublin Bus would be my ranking.

As it's a general whinge thread - what's the story with motorbikes/ scooters filtering up the left? Coming across it more in recent months, including in on road cycle lanes with a solid line.

The only issue I have with Motorbikes filtering thru traffic is they can't get thru the narrow gaps that I can...

Macy0161 · 28-05-2014 11:34AM

07Lapierre wrote: »

The only issue I have with Motorbikes filtering thru traffic is they can't get thru the narrow gaps that I can...

Yeah, well that's my issue - they're in the cycle lane, and get stuck. Although on the merrion road I've noticed more and more scooters just sticking in the cycle lane the whole way from Bewleys down to Vincents, regardless of whether they're actually filtering.

CramCycle · 28-05-2014 11:39AM

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Maybe hiring standards have gone down also due to the low-wages and conditions which means the (private) bus companies are failing to attract careful and professional drivers...As opposed to some guy who shows up with 10 years truck driving experience in Azerbaijan! :mad:

Its not so much that hiring standards have gone down as minimum driving standards for Irish professional drivers were never that high.

My Dad was a professional driver in London for years, when we moved back to Ireland he was shocked at the behaviour of lorry drivers in Ireland but he slowly realised that it is an issue across the board. In London the rule was if you are bigger, you stop and give way were it was not clear. In Ireland it seems to be, I am bigger therefore you have to give way. PSV drivers are working and therefore have more right of way than those who are either out for leisure or only on their way to work. The hoop jumping and exhaustive testing for taxi drivers in London is equivalent to a 3rd level degree with an apprenticeship. Here it is a test where the minimum score and a fee gets you the license.

If you didn't indicate early when I lived there, it was likely that you'd have the cops on your tail or you would be lambasted and potentially beaten to death for your recklessness (slight exaggeration). Amber Gambler? The guy behind you would lay on the horn to give out (but he would have stopped) and if traffic was heavy, someone would have you reported before you made the next lights. Admittedly it sounds like standards have started to drop their too but it could not drop down to our levels.

Grandeeod · 05-06-2014 06:48PM

Discuss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwqRqIvo4GU

Aard · 05-06-2014 07:03PM

^ You first?

Grandeeod · 05-06-2014 07:06PM

Aard wrote: »

^ You first?

Chicken.:D

Anyway. Bus does indeed intrude on the cyclelane and cyclist gets road rage. Bus driver doesn't apologise and digs himself into a big hole.

Not my video and don't know the uploader. Came across it on Facebook earlier.

punisher5112 · 05-06-2014 08:42PM

Hi all they were talking on 98fm and maybe others all day it was the biggest news story they have ever had the way they were going on about it.

Liam Phelan is the cyclist he seems to absolutely adore been caught up in trouble and from all his other youtube videos goes looking for trouble.

He posts videos up all the time and his name is there on youtube account.

The bus driver is been made out to be the dangerous one but clearly the video has been edited and anything previous the cyclist/poster has cut out.

I myself have come across cyclists like himself many times and even have complaints sent in from some saying things like I was speeding, dangerous driving, I didn't let them into the bus lane? many things that didn't even happen.

By the way it isn't just cyclists but all road users can be up to all sorts.

I hope for Liam's sake he goes and does a course on how to cycle defensively and not aggressively and maybe takes a little step back so to speak and realize he is not in a cage that will crumble in order to help protect him.

I agree the driver could have handled things better and honestly would have been better not even getting into conversation.
The driver said if you cycle like that you will end up getting run over and the cyclist then changed this and brought threats into the game so to speak.

I don't see this as big news or even warrant getting a whole day on the news every hour as there are a hell of a lot worse and serious things going on.

Are wonderful Transport minister a while back thought up a great idea to open up the road as where before if a cycle lane was provided it must have been used but now that is not the case so what is the point of painting lines and putting down the special red anti slip surface.

What I have heard from cyclists is they hate the red surface as it eats their tyres and even in Liams videos he cycles most of the time in the middle of the road anyway.
I fully understand some cycle lanes were in bad shape but a lot have been redone and are in some cases better then the road surface but some cyclists still insist on cycling out in traffic and this is where trouble can happen.

Just some views I have and not condoning either parties behavior.
Also earlier he had a picture on his profile on youtube now this has been changed to a cute little cat ah he must be such a little angel...

monument · 05-06-2014 10:08PM

There's not just one mistake made by the bus driver, there's more than a few:

-- not indicating before moving in
-- not checking if his inside is clear before turning / crossing lane markings
-- going into a solid line cycle lane
-- very close to the turn, overtaking a second cyclist who was ahead of the bus before the driver started indicating and who ends up behind the bus by the time the driver stops away from the bus stop for a chat
-- opens his bus' door away from the kerb, apparently to let a passenger off (against Dublin Bus rules)
-- engaging in an argument with somebody he has nearly harmed
-- saying he's going to run somebody over regardless of why

Maybe one or two of those might be forgivable, but not all of then together.

suicide_circus · 05-06-2014 10:35PM

i find buses lethal when cycling

corktina · 06-06-2014 08:32AM

I'm amazed so many can be blaming the cyclist here. The bus pulled in to the reserved cycle lane where he had no right to be. Whatever else may have happened in the heat of the moment, that was the problem and the Bus Driver was 100% to blame in that had he not pulled into somewhere he shouldn't be, there would have been no incident

Alias G · 06-06-2014 08:55AM

I guess because whilst the cyclist may be technically correct in this and many of his other vids, where on earth does he think he gets the authority to go about lecturing and remonstrating with other road users.

monument · 06-06-2014 09:29AM

Alias G wrote: »

I guess because whilst the cyclist may be technically correct in this and many of his other vids, where on earth does he think he gets the authority to go about lecturing and remonstrating with other road users.

I'm guessing he thinks he gets that when people swing cars and buses ontop of him or otherwise endanger him!

CramCycle · 06-06-2014 09:43AM

monument wrote: »

-- opens his bus' door away from the kerb, apparently to let a passenger off (against Dublin Bus rules)

I seen him swerve out really wide and then wondered why he had pulled in at all, thought maybe he came back for the chat but it made no sense, never even noticed the passenger pick up.

corktina wrote: »

I'm amazed so many can be blaming the cyclist here. The bus pulled in to the reserved cycle lane where he had no right to be. Whatever else may have happened in the heat of the moment, that was the problem and the Bus Driver was 100% to blame in that had he not pulled into somewhere he shouldn't be, there would have been no incident

Definitely the bus drivers fault, I think the only criticism I would have of the cyclists was his own reaction in that slamming the brakes would have appeared safer (not more legal or right, just safer IMO) rather than the burst for the narrowing gap. That said, I have done it myself and when the fight or flight response kicks in it is hard to make the right call. His camera might also skew it a bit as I know my own makes everything look closer or further away depending on where I am looking as I initially thought he nearly clipped the cyclist in front.

Tenzor07 · 06-06-2014 10:11AM

I reckon Liam needs to forget about uploading his daily commutes to YouTube, and just get along with his daily cycle. He will end up wrecking his own head and becoming paranoid that every motorised vehicle is out to get him.

I don't agree with self-appointed road vigilantes, stopping and lecturing people on there mistakes, e.g. caught over the advanced stop line.. it just antagonizes people. Let the Gards fine someone for breaking the rules.

Liam suffered from some road rage here, and posted it up online for all to see. I don't think it's painted him in a great light and seems to be stoking up some fierce anti-cyclist comments online also.

Danjamin1 · 06-06-2014 10:40AM

Both in the wrong, the driver for encroaching and the cyclist for not having more sense in the situation. No point insisting on being in the right if you end up under a bus in the process.

CramCycle · 06-06-2014 10:48AM

Tenzor07 wrote: »

I don't agree with self-appointed road vigilantes, stopping and lecturing people on there mistakes, e.g. caught over the advanced stop line.. it just antagonizes people. Let the Gards fine someone for breaking the rules.

I haven't looked at any of his other videos so can't comment on the guy but you have a point to a degree. There are some guys in the UK like Traffic Droid or Wolf Simpson, where every slight, perceived or real (although TDs are technically true, the Wolf guy seems to fly off the handle over nothing in alot of cases) who do themselves no favours. I see road users of all types do stupid things every day, I rant about it on the cycling forum if I am in bad form, but that's it, the majority of the time I don't even remember it a minute later because it may have been stupid or illegal but it really did not affect me and that is the job of the Gardai to enforce these laws. If they ask for witnesses I would step forward but other than that, its not my place and as much as people may not like it, the Gardai are busy enough without having to hunt down minor traffic violations that won't hold up in court.

On the other hand, there have been a few instances where I felt I was either unnoticed or i was intentionally squeezed. Most of the time I roll up, say "excuse me, I don't know if you noticed but back there you nearly done a, b or c, I am not having a go, just saying, maybe be a bit more cautious", 99% of the time, I get a "So sorry, I honestly didn't see you (not a fair excuse but I accept it) or I misjudged it". I hope that these people learn, and think the next time, I usually avoid the situation being a near miss by using brakes and altering road position. A few don't accept the polite tone, and go off the handle, I usually smile and if I am awake enough say something drenched in sarcasm and sunshine. If they tell me they done it on purpose because I shouldn't be there I generally react differently, most times I report it to the Gardai (it has not been that many, maybe 1 a year) the rest I just use unparliamentary language and leave. I did have one guy park up the road, get out of his van and try to hit me as I passed because I stopped at a red light and he thought I was trying to block him, the truth is, in some cases, you will just never win.

Tenzor07 · 06-06-2014 11:01AM

CramCycle wrote: »

I haven't looked at any of his other videos so can't comment on the guy but you have a point to a degree. There are some guys in the UK like Traffic Droid or Wolf Simpson, where every slight, perceived or real (although TDs are technically true, the Wolf guy seems to fly off the handle over nothing in alot of cases) who do themselves no favours..

What I think is that technology has brought the "Super-complainers" to the general public's attention where previously they remained anonymous.

It just so happens that Droid, Wolf, CycleDub, and even the likes of Liam are on bicycles, they could just as easily be on scooters, skates, foot, cars, trucks and videoing other road users making mistakes for upload to YouTube/Twitter etc. They won't discriminate, you make a mistake and you're going to be made a public show of on Social media.

I also don't entirely believe they have the greater good of promoting road safety and conditions for other road users at heart, are they involved with city cycling campaigns? Have they started there own safety campaign's? Are they in contact with there local Councillors about the issues out there? Probably not...

Tenzor07 · 06-06-2014 11:30AM

New TV show coming out on ITV Soon, "Road Rage Britain"

http://vimeo.com/97111751

TV1 Monday 9th June 2014. 9.00pm

The British lead the world in Road Rage. Now, confrontations and clashes are all being caught on camera by the motorists & cyclist in the thick of it. In a fight for supremacy between two wheels versus four we attempt to discover what is causing these regular traffic temper tantrums. Featuring video clips & interviews with not only those who have suffered road rage, but also those who have dished it out. And in a unique experiment, 2 cyclists, a London cabbie and White Van Man trade their modes of transport to see if they can learn to respect their fellow road users in the never ending battle of road rage Britain.

Cyclists mega-thread (WARNING: Before posting you must read post #1)

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