Near Misses Volume 2 (So close you can feel it)

Smee_Again · 17-05-2021 5:53pm

riewomann wrote: »

Congratulations on fulfilling the entitled cyclist stereotype in a record no of characters.

I haven't ridden a bike in years, ironically because of the actions of a self entitled motorist who felt his vehicle could use mine to brake.

CramCycle · 18-05-2021 9:51am

MOD VOICE: Riewomann no longer appears to be a member of boards (nothing to do with me) so no point in replying.

Pinch Flat · 18-05-2021 11:48am

Well, at least I'll give the motorist 10 out of 10 for consistency from Sunday. First near miss was to blast through a mini-roundabout from my left without leaving off when I had right of way - I had to brake sharply to avoid him nearly T-boning me. Then as I caught up with him at the next lights he did an immediate left hook. Bike blind (see sense blaring back and front) or just doesn't give a ****e? answers on a post card please.

Duckjob · 18-05-2021 11:55am

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Bike blind (see sense blaring back and front) or just doesn't give a ****e? answers on a post card please.

I would say a little from Column A combined with a good dollop from Column B.

downtheroad · 18-05-2021 6:34pm

On Sunday I watched a taxi driver come so close to knocking a cyclist off her bike as he tried to overtake her approaching Crossguns Bridge. Had he managed to get past her he would have stopped behind a bus within 20 metres. Bizarre how he was so anxious to pass her just to stop in traffic but also wouldn't have a problem waiting behind said bus but sitting behind a bike would drive him insane.

sy_flembeck · 18-05-2021 10:25pm

I think I had 5 near misses today. One of them was scary. Not one F given by any of them. Very poor driving out there lately

francois · 19-05-2021 3:07pm

sy_flembeck wrote: »

I think I had 5 near misses today. One of them was scary. Not one F given by any of them. Very poor driving out there lately

Anecdotal I know, but the standard of driving has seriously declined as things have opened up, and I say this as both cyclist and driver-I've seen more close passes, cut offs and rage incidents in the paste couple of weeks than the last 5 years combined

Dr_Colossus · 19-05-2021 9:08pm

Not a near miss for me but for on coming traffic.
Cycling along the Porterstown Road this evening and before Porterstown Park or St. Mochta's Church could hear a car behind approaching but surely they'd slow down with the oncoming traffic? No, text book over take given me plenty of room but the oncoming car clipped and then mounted the footpath to avoid him. Bizarre incident, oncoming car didn't even have time to blow the horn so not sure if they even realised there was a problem.
They were stopped at the lights further on past the church so pulled up along side to check their windscreen paper but all tax, insurance and NCT was in order. They never engaged and stayed behind me well past the entrance to Luttrellstown Castle Golf Club and again performed a text book overtake.

Garzard · 19-05-2021 9:59pm

Got hit this morning heading up the East Wall Road towards the Port, just at the section after the rail crossing. Roughly 10:45. Clapped out BMW flew up behind, ran parallel to within a couple of inches and knocked me sideways with his left wing mirror I'd say at 30kph. First time I've ever been physically hit like this. Luckily I managed to keep control of the bike, and tore into him at the traffic lights up ahead. I didn't even register with him, and got no apology apart from a shrug and smirk off the prick.

Extremely unlucky timing also as I'd only turned off the cycle cam a few minutes previously going up the quays; battery was near finished, but now think there was more than enough juice left to have caught the full thing. I'll never allow that to happen again, as the East Wall Road is the most dangerous part of my commute into the Port. It was all the more shaking today for me as there was a young lad killed in the area last week.

Didn't manage to recall the full reg. of the vehicle unfortunately, and got blocked from the Cartell site for too many searches when I think I was close to finding it

Made the call to Traffic Watch anyhow, and gave a full description of the vehicle, the time and what occurred, the exact location, approximate age of driver etc. Left my details also and will pass on any developments here.

sy_flembeck · 19-05-2021 10:15pm

Garzard wrote: »

Didn't manage to recall the full reg. of the vehicle unfortunately, and got blocked from the Cartell site for too many searches when I think I was close to finding it Made the call to Traffic Watch anyhow, and gave a full description of the vehicle, the time and what occurred, the exact location, approximate age of driver etc. Left my details also and will pass on any developments here.

There is a search function on the Pulse system that allows for matches once you have the jist of the reg and the car type. The more info the better obviously

magicbastarder · 19-05-2021 10:22pm

francois wrote: »

Anecdotal I know, but the standard of driving has seriously declined as things have opened up

i'd agree, but; i think the slide has been happening for a year or two now.

Stark · 19-05-2021 10:26pm

The worst driving I've ever experienced from people was during Lockdown I. Without other cars in the way to slow people down, people just went nuts.

Dr_Colossus · 19-05-2021 11:02pm

Garzard wrote: »

Clapped out BMW flew up behind, ran parallel to within a couple of inches and knocked me sideways with his left wing mirror I'd say at 30kph.

Didn't manage to recall the full reg. of the vehicle unfortunately, and got blocked from the Cartell site for too many searches when I think I was close to finding it :confused.

Try the ncts.ie website also, have used that a few times to confirm the reg and also helps to check if NCT is in date, guards are more likely to pursue if details are out of date so I usually make a habit of checking paper work rather than engaging with driver if I catch up to them.

In your case however I don't know if I'd have your composure especially to the unapologetic driver and I'd fear I'd have removed the wing mirror.

sy_flembeck · 19-05-2021 11:06pm

Stark wrote: »

The worst driving I've ever experienced from people was during Lockdown I. Without other cars in the way to slow people down, people just went nuts.

Agree 100%. And these are people who, at the same time, queued for hours without question outside shops

Garzard · 19-05-2021 11:59pm

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Try the ncts.ie website also, have used that a few times to confirm the reg and also helps to check if NCT is in date, guards are more likely to pursue if details are out of date so I usually make a habit of checking paper work rather than engaging with driver if I catch up to them.

In your case however I don't know if I'd have your composure especially to the unapologetic driver and I'd fear I'd have removed the wing mirror.

Thanks, although would there be a limit to the number of searches on that site? I made several dozen on Cartell in the space of a few minutes to try and narrow down the reg and then got blocked. Since the family also use this PC for NCT purposes, I wouldn't want to get everyone locked out of a more important site!

Anywhere else, yeah. But the East Wall Road is one of the last places to escalate something on, as it's an entry and exit route for the M50 and made more dangerous by port traffic, particularly HGV's constantly entering and exiting from other areas. Dangerous spot at the best of times.

AndrewJRenko · 20-05-2021 8:32am

Garzard wrote: »

Didn't manage to recall the full reg. of the vehicle unfortunately, and got blocked from the Cartell site for too many searches when I think I was close to finding it Made the call to Traffic Watch anyhow, and gave a full description of the vehicle, the time and what occurred, the exact location, approximate age of driver etc. Left my details also and will pass on any developments here.

Try https://www.motorcheck.ie/ and you might get there. Same function as Cartell.ie.

sy_flembeck · 20-05-2021 5:37pm

The now infamous roadworks in Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow.

So dangerous the local cycling club have had to reroute their club spins due to it's dangers.

My second time in a month to come genuinely close to being killed or seriously injured on this lethal stretch or road.

After one close pass too many I take primary position the entire length of it at all times. Ordinarily that isn't an issue but this moron decided he wasn't going to be delayed. Despite only being behind me momemtarily he sat on his horn and then pulled this stunt. Unfortunately my Fly6 decided to malfunction this time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6Zj5JjBdEA

What can't be seen in this clip is his hubcap leaving his car due to impact with a cone. Not content with doing what he did he then slammed on his brakes and decided to get out and admonish me for his idiocy. I have stopped the video at this stage as I completely let loose on him to the point he said he was leaving as 'there is no point arginig with you'. Who the hell leaves their house looking for arguments with strangers? This is the sort of lunatic ony too familiar to every single person on this page.

If he did return later for his missing hubcap he might be able to see it but he won't be able to reach it!

As per always this and my other footage is available to anybody who has an issue on this stretch. The council have been notified

TallGlass2 · 20-05-2021 6:49pm

^^

Camera, hit by car mirror, claim :pac:

micar · 20-05-2021 7:40pm

Well, why were you cycling in the middle of the road?

You were in his way and he's more important than some silly cyclist.

I hope you report him.

AndrewJRenko · 20-05-2021 9:00pm

sy_flembeck wrote: »

What can't be seen in this clip is his hubcap leaving his car due to impact with a cone.

There IS a God.

DaveyDave · 20-05-2021 9:39pm

In such a hurry he pulls over and stops...

sy_flembeck · 20-05-2021 10:16pm

micar wrote: »

Well, why were you cycling in the middle of the road?

You were in his way and he's more important than some silly cyclist.

I hope you report him.

That was the basis of his argument believe it or not!

sy_flembeck · 20-05-2021 10:16pm

DaveyDave wrote: »

In such a hurry he pulls over and stops...

When I pointed that out the irony of it was completely lost on him!

Drake66 · 20-05-2021 10:21pm

My god that is crazy driving from him. Why can't people have some patience.

sy_flembeck · 20-05-2021 11:03pm

Drake66 wrote: »

My god that is crazy driving from him. Why can't people have some patience.

Exactly. And these are the same people who have queued in the rain without question to get into shops for the last year and a half!

Plastik · 20-05-2021 11:20pm

It's brutal there at the moment. I'm waiting to see what sort of mad solution they put in place for when they need to tar the inside lane. I haven't had an issue there yet, but it's not a comfortable section to cycle for sure.

Seth Brundle · 21-05-2021 9:11am

Cork Twitter user RightToBikeIt had this close pass from a driving school trainer recently...

https://twitter.com/righttobikeit/status/1394629072983035906

Apparently the RSA took an interest in the incident.

The driving school owner sent this response which leaves me feeling somewhat lost for words...

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Eamonnator · 21-05-2021 9:23am

^^^^^^^
Any hint of an apology?

Seth Brundle · 21-05-2021 9:26am

When he responds with something to the effect of "the cyclist shouldn't have been there and they were lucky I just managed to avoid them", I don't think they are ready to apologise

Steoller · 21-05-2021 9:26am

What utter horse**** from that instructor.

buffalo · 21-05-2021 9:36am

Eamonnator wrote: »

^^^^^^^
Any hint of an apology?

The first half was promising... "we were about to do everything right (apart from realising there was a big bad van coming), but my inexperienced student panicked and I avoided something worse happening".

I'd expect "very sorry that it happened, and I'll try make sure it doesn't happen again", but instead we get "cyclists should be banned from some roads because drivers". I assume the appropriately named Cars Hill will be the first on the list! :pac:

hesker · 21-05-2021 9:41am

I know that road very well.

Complete fail on the instructor’s part. Failed to read the road ahead, failed to anticipate, failed to brake.

People treat that hill like it’s an airport runway. Rushing to beat the car beside them to the merge point at the top.

Smee_Again · 21-05-2021 9:52am

I'd wonder if there was actually a learner in the car at the time.

Wildly Boaring · 21-05-2021 9:52am

I'm going to say it.......
There is no way in hell you would catch me on a bike on Carrshill.

I appreciate we can cycle on any road we want.
I know the driver is wrong.
The instructor is completely wrong to blame the cyclist for being there.

But I fear for this man's safety doing this route daily.

EDIT
What some of ye may not make out here is that at this point on the road there are arrows in Lane 2 telling them to merge over into 1.
So not only is the van overtaking a learner that is overtaking a cyclist, he is doing it where he should be merging with the large 1 traffic.
It's also at the brow of a hill and forms the end of a climbing lane with constant traffic (no room) in the opposing direction.
No hard shoulder to speak of for a buffer.

Wildly Boaring · 21-05-2021 9:58am

By the way the worst bit of his response is not the typical "roads are for cars bit"

But this bit......."assuming that i would ever allow to overtake a cyclist when it is not safe and without appropriate distance"

BUT YOU ****ING DID!!!!

That car should have been out into lane 2 when appropriate or slow to the cyclists speed behind the cyclist. Any other maneuver is unsafe

Wildly Boaring · 21-05-2021 10:14am

Thought of this thread
THE SPACE WE HAVE GIVEN TO CARS

free image hosting

hesker · 21-05-2021 1:33pm

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

By the way the worst bit of his response is not the typical "roads are for cars bit"

But this bit......."assuming that i would ever allow to overtake a cyclist when it is not safe and without appropriate distance"

BUT YOU ****ING DID!!!!

That car should have been out into lane 2 when appropriate or slow to the cyclists speed behind the cyclist. Any other maneuver is unsafe

I wouldn’t cycle it either due to the lunatic driving. Used to regularly see a Garda car at that spot in the past but not so much recent years.

Agree learner should have been over in other lane or braked. However if he was in the other lane I wouldn’t be surprised to see the van undertake him with bad consequences

Stark · 21-05-2021 1:36pm

Wildly Boaring wrote: »

Thought of this thread
THE SPACE WE HAVE GIVEN TO CARS
...

This is also pretty great

https://twitter.com/Kjoen2u/status/1279324842593062912

CramCycle · 21-05-2021 4:56pm

Seth Brundle wrote: »

Cork Twitter user RightToBikeIt had this close pass from a driving school trainer recently...

https://twitter.com/righttobikeit/status/1394629072983035906

Apparently the RSA took an interest in the incident.

The driving school owner sent this response which leaves me feeling somewhat lost for words...

I could be wrong but the van driver was mid overtake of the car and done nothing wrong. The car was not attempting an overtake (unless I missed the indicator), if he was, he did not look rear ward and then the car speeds up to match.

- Dangerous overtaking
- Failure to leave appropriate distance between you and the vehicle in front
- Failure to yield
- Driving without reasonable consideration
- Driver found to be driving carelessly
- Dangerous overtaking of a cyclist

Poor learner (if he even exists) will have lost his license before he even gets it.

Seth Brundle · 21-05-2021 5:11pm

CramCycle wrote: »

I could be wrong but the van driver was mid overtake of the car and done nothing wrong. The car was not attempting an overtake (unless I missed the indicator), if he was, he did not look rear ward and then the car speeds up to match.

- Dangerous overtaking
- Failure to leave appropriate distance between you and the vehicle in front
- Failure to yield
- Driving without reasonable consideration
- Driver found to be driving carelessly
- Dangerous overtaking of a cyclist

Poor learner (if he even exists) will have lost his license before he even gets it.

The driving school instructor was absolutely and completely in the wrong. Even if a student was driving*, the instructor is in charge ultimately so they're still in the wrong.
The driving was apalling for someone whose role it is to educate others. They know this which is why they point the finger at everyone else on the road except themselves.
I sincerely hope that the RSA remove them from the list of ADIs.

* from other tweets, I think there might have only been one person in the car!

Stark · 21-05-2021 5:19pm

Driving instructor completely in the wrong there. I've been in that situation driving before coming up on a cyclist. For sure, the courteous thing for the van driver to do would be to observe ahead, hold back and allow space for the person coming up behind the cyclist to overtake easily. But given most drivers won't extend that courtesy, it's the responsibility of the instructor to make sure he or his student slows well down as soon as they see the cyclist ahead to either give themselves extra time to find a gap to overtake or slow down to the cyclist's speed if necessary until it was safe to do so. From the video above it looks like he put his put to the floor pretty much. Even if he had slowed a little, the van driver would have passed him quickly and he'd be able to overtake safely. Pig ignorant driving overall.

buffalo · 23-05-2021 6:22am

Late yesterday morning, Leixlip village, waiting to cross the road at the pedestrian lights at Aldi. Lights go red for road traffic, driver coming down the hill from my right comes to a stop at the line.

I'm about to step out into the road, carrying my son, when I catch some movement out of the corner of my eye. Some eejit of a road cyclist coming down the hill is coming through on the inside of the car. There's not much room, so he has to do a little shimmy to get his handlebars around the wing mirror. He doesn't let that deter him though, and barrels through the red light without hesitation.

As I then take one step out, he's followed by a small group in a mishmash of lycra who come to what I would describe as a sheepish stop. I have a feeling my death stares while standing in the road may have reinforced the red light.

In hindsight, I should have said it to them at the time, but on the off chance any of you are on the forum, tell your mate/yourself to cop on. I get it, it's a lovely hill for descending and a shame to have to come to a full stop at the bottom, but that's no excuse to be an arsehole.

5uspect · 23-05-2021 10:15am

I’m not a Lycra clad weekend racer. I commute to work on my bike and I, like the majority of people I encounter along my route, stop at lights and respect the rules of the road. The folks who tend to post here would be of a similar mindset.

This behaviour is of course unacceptable. Sometimes I’ll call out a cyclist for running a red light, I usually pass them out later anyway because I’m on an ebike these days. They just don’t care. The same applies to cyclists without lights in the depths of winter.

The problem is an attitude of impatience, aggression and selfishness on our roads. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a bike, driving a car or a truck. People drive too fast. People don’t stop at red lights. People park their cars up on footpaths, they’ll just be a minute don’t you know?

Why is this? Because people are universally selfish jerks. It’s human nature. There’s been a climate of zero enforcement of any kind of road traffic laws in Ireland and this has festered to the degree where there is no fear whatsoever for the consequences of our actions on the road. Kill someone with your car and you’ll get off scot free.
Bring the Gardai 4K60 360 degree footage of appalling driving and they’ll threaten you and fob you off. The Gardai have a lot to answer for here, they’ve utterly abandoned their duties.

I feel that things are about to boil over. We’ve seen two children killed in as many weeks. My work meant that I was frequently travelling during the lockdowns and the empty roads were treated as racetracks by motorists. Those returning to the roads are angrier and more impatient. More people are out walking than ever still they’re in greater danger than ever. What will it take for action to be taken?

Idleater · 23-05-2021 4:28pm

5uspect wrote: »

Those returning to the roads are angrier and more impatient. More people are out walking than ever still they’re in greater danger than ever.

Interestingly, no near miss so technically off topic but there is a new (maybe a year - i don't actually remember) 30kmph speed limit in Lucan village. One of the perimeter signs was added to the top of the hill (as opposed to near the school a bit further down where it has been 30 for a number of years). The signs at the school have the "your speed" displays too where my record :rolleyes: is seeing 71.
Anyway today while driving down I was passed by 2 cars who had to stop after 100m tops, i was not on the bike so was on the brakes in the car 30kmph on all displays. I can only pressure I'm the subject of a "forced me to overtake" near miss thread somewhere.

5uspect · 23-05-2021 5:52pm

I live in Lucan and we do the school run in a cargo bike. Don’t start me on idiots overtaking as we approach red lights.

tnegun · 23-05-2021 6:04pm

Narrow country road with 2 of the kids today, my 10 year old was 50m ahead and I had the 7 year old beside me. Lovely pleasant cycle and every car we met we either pulled in or the slowed to a crawl and we passed each other but not this pr1ck in an Audi. I got video but image stabilization on the camera has slowed it right down. I reckon he was doing 70kph but it felt faster any way he barely moved and I had to get out of his way. Judge for yourselves https://streamable.com/v52v3w

Oberkon · 23-05-2021 9:28pm

tnegun wrote: »

Narrow country road with 2 of the kids today, my 10 year old was 50m ahead and I had the 7 year old beside me. Lovely pleasant cycle and every car we met we either pulled in or the slowed to a crawl and we passed each other but not this pr1ck in an Audi. I got video but image stabilization on the camera has slowed it right down. I reckon he was doing 70kph but it felt faster any way he barely moved and I had to get out of his way. Judge for yourselves https://streamable.com/v52v3w

That’s disgusting but sadly all too common , I've had more close passes and prick behaviour with Audi drivers than any other make. It’s a running joke in our house except there’s nothing funny about it ..

Steoller · 24-05-2021 11:55am

had a near miss from the other side yesterday - was at traffic lights - T-junction, with options of left or right, first car in the queue. The lights go green, and I give it a 2-count for any RLJs. All clear so I pull off, going left, glance at the left wing mirror, then back to the the road and had to slam on as a kid - I'd say 13 or 14, comes barrelling through the red from my right on his bike. It was pouring rain, and he had his hood up, so maybe he didn't see the lights.

Frightened the life out of me, I was shaking the whole way home. lucky i was just taking off and going slow.

Chips Lovell · 24-05-2021 3:17pm

Mod Note

Troll banned

VonLuck · 25-05-2021 1:53pm

I didn't want to start a whole new thread, but I feel this is fits in with near misses.

Can anyone tell me what the road traffic laws are with respect to cycle lanes? Particularly where you have solid lines and dashed lines and what they mean with respect to what cars can do.

Instinctively it seems to me that if there's a dashed line, vehicles are free to cross over. I find they're generally on narrow streets without the space for a proper bike lane.

Also what's permitted for temporary loading/unloading by trucks or cars? I recall reading somewhere that trucks are allowed something like 15 minutes to do deliveries, but is this supposed to just be in the vehicle lane?

Near Misses Volume 2 (So close you can feel it)

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