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

Breezer · 13-09-2019 2:46pm

First one in ages today. I'm cycling through Ballymun at a decent pace, heading towards town here. The bus lane beside the cycle lane is far too narrow for a vehicle to pass you safely (among multiple other hazards), so I always take up primary position in the bus lane. Just as well, because the guy behind me had no intention of passing me safely.

I get a toot on the horn, which I ignore. More aggressive horning. I look around just in case it's some sort of emergency vehicle. It's a guy in a minibus pointing angrily at the sign on his bonnet that says 'Minibus.' I point out the not one, but two overtaking lanes available to him. Cue him leaning on the horn for a good 30 or 40 seconds (never mind that the cycle lane he wanted me in is now completely blocked by parked cars). He finally gives up, moves out and attempts a punishment pass which was strangely half hearted (a taxi driver did the same thing with lots of engine revving but not a lot of physical presence). Both of them then join the queue behind a Dublin bus at the lights at DCU, where less than 5 seconds later I pass them out again. I presume when the bus stopped at the bus stop just after your man resumed his horn honking at the bus, since he objects to other drivers using the road legally. I disappeared off into the Friday afternoon sun and didn't see him again. I hope he has a nice weekend, he'll need it at the rate he's going.

Seth Brundle · 13-09-2019 3:47pm

Not me - another one from twitter...
https://twitter.com/aranbrazil/status/1172132728617222144

Stark · 13-09-2019 3:57pm

That almost looked deliberate, given he waited till the last second before pulling in front of the cyclist.

deandean · 13-09-2019 5:52pm

Why did you blank out the number plate?
Name and shame :mad:

magicbastarder · 13-09-2019 5:56pm

Seth Brundle wrote: »

Not me - another one from twitter...

..

tnegun · 13-09-2019 7:16pm

Whoever designed these lanes is a muppet the presence of the lane acutally encourages drivers to pass where there is little or no room. Just on the edge of what is comfortable and no reading of the situation from the bus driver what would of happned if the car overshot?

https://streamable.com/tw8dy

Also exactly a week to the day another slip surfer too engrossed with skipping the queue to use their mirrors I could see him in his mirror the whole time he was looking to his right for a spot to cut in

https://streamable.com/7qqrd

Breezer · 13-09-2019 9:28pm

tnegun wrote: »

Whoever designed these lanes is a muppet the presence of the lane acutally encourages drivers to pass where there is little or no room. Just on the edge of what is comfortable and no reading of the situation from the bus driver what would of happned if the car overshot?

Ugh. Agreed. This is what I was getting at above. I'd much prefer no cycle lane to one that's too narrow (or has a bus/general traffic lane beside it that's half the width of a bus/car). At least if there's none there most people realise you have a right to share the road and pass you properly. If there's a cycle lane that you're not using because it's utter b*llocks, people think you're doing something wrong and start acting the clown. And if you use it, they stick to their lane which can barely/can't fit their vehicle and they put you at risk, while believing they've done nothing wrong.

I've been knocked off my bike trying to be a good boy and use these lanes (years ago). They can lean on the horn and blow a gasket all they like, I'm not doing it again.

sy_flembeck · 13-09-2019 10:47pm

tnegun wrote: »

Also exactly a week to the day another slip surfer too engrossed with skipping the queue to use their mirrors I could see him in his mirror the whole time he was looking to his right for a spot to cut in

https://streamable.com/7qqrd

It never ceases to amaze me why other motorists accommodate that level of driving. I can only assume they're not looking around them. If I saw him coming in my mirrors he wouldn't be taking any gap.

Kfagan10 · 13-09-2019 11:39pm

Breezer wrote: »

Ugh. Agreed. This is what I was getting at above. I'd much prefer no cycle lane to one that's too narrow (or has a bus/general traffic lane beside it that's half the width of a bus/car). At least if there's none there most people realise you have a right to share the road and pass you properly. If there's a cycle lane that you're not using because it's utter b*llocks, people think you're doing something wrong and start acting the clown. And if you use it, they stick to their lane which can barely/can't fit their vehicle and they put you at risk, while believing they've done nothing wrong.

I've been knocked off my bike trying to be a good boy and use these lanes (years ago). They can lean on the horn and blow a gasket all they like, I'm not doing it again.

That lane is lethal. Full of chunky rocks and slippy grime. Best move is up the centre so there's no room for close passes. Usually build up decent speed before the up ramp anyway so no reason for drivers to get impatient/lashing the horn out of it.

average_runner · 14-09-2019 8:42am

sy_flembeck wrote: »

It never ceases to amaze me why other motorists accommodate that level of driving. I can only assume they're not looking around them. If I saw him coming in my mirrors he wouldn't be taking any gap.

I will.always block them off unless its a genuine mistake

Thinkingaboutit · 14-09-2019 2:27pm

Breezer wrote: »

Ugh. Agreed. This is what I was getting at above. I'd much prefer no cycle lane to one that's too narrow (or has a bus/general traffic lane beside it that's half the width of a bus/car). At least if there's none there most people realise you have a right to share the road and pass you properly. If there's a cycle lane that you're not using because it's utter b*llocks, people think you're doing something wrong and start acting the clown. And if you use it, they stick to their lane which can barely/can't fit their vehicle and they put you at risk, while believing they've done nothing wrong.

I've been knocked off my bike trying to be a good boy and use these lanes (years ago). They can lean on the horn and blow a gasket all they like, I'm not doing it again.

At the same time though, quite possibly unstable people like that are in a big metal box, I'm on a bicycle. Being in the right doesn't guarantee safety.

Effects · 14-09-2019 2:44pm

Was almost doored while cycling through Bray yesterday evening. Then 150m up the road it almost happened again!

Seth Brundle · 14-09-2019 3:46pm

Effects wrote: »

Was almost doored while cycling through Bray yesterday evening. Then 150m up the road it almost happened again!

I always aim to keep a safe distance from any parked car for this reason

Effects · 14-09-2019 3:49pm

So do I, most of the time. I had enough clearance that a quick, small swerve meant I was safe.
The second one was someone exiting a car in traffic while I was filtering.

magicbastarder · 14-09-2019 6:04pm

on a reasonably narrow country road earlier, a chap in a black audi decided to gun it when i stuck my hand out in an abrupt 'don't ****ing well pass me' gesture, because i could see the oncoming tractor and he couldn't. he actually squirreled a bit under braking, he had to brake so hard. i'd say he'd have barely dented the tractor, and in a way i wish he had hit it. what a dope.

Breezer · 14-09-2019 11:27pm

Thinkingaboutit wrote: »

At the same time though, quite possibly unstable people like that are in a big metal box, I'm on a bicycle. Being in the right doesn't guarantee safety.

What would have happened if I’d moved over? He’d have flown past me with little to no room to spare. Like I said, this is how I got knocked off my bike before. What I did prevented me from coming into contact with an unstable person in a big metal box.

Duckjob · 15-09-2019 9:04am

Breezer wrote: »

What would have happened if I’d moved over? He’d have flown past me with little to no room to spare. Like I said, this is how I got knocked off my bike before. What I did prevented me from coming into contact with an unstable person in a big metal box.

I'd do the same.

That said It's a pretty sad reflection on the general mentality and sophistication of Irish drivers when, as someone on a bike you have to weigh up the relative danger of leaving space and being buzzed by careless/hostile drivers or taking the lane and getting possibly getting milled out of it by one of the more psychopathic ones.

AndrewJRenko · 15-09-2019 10:32am

Thinkingaboutit wrote: »

At the same time though, quite possibly unstable people like that are in a big metal box, I'm on a bicycle. Being in the right doesn't guarantee safety.

Riding in the gutter certainly doesn't guarantee safety - it encourages dangerous overtakes.

magicbastarder · 15-09-2019 6:36pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

on a reasonably narrow country road earlier, a chap in a black audi decided to gun it when i stuck my hand out in an abrupt 'don't ****ing well pass me' gesture, because i could see the oncoming tractor and he couldn't. he actually squirreled a bit under braking, he had to brake so hard. i'd say he'd have barely dented the tractor, and in a way i wish he had hit it. what a dope.

looking at strava, i think this happened a minute or two after i passed koutoubia (or who i think is koutoubia) going in the opposite direction - was on the road that runs behind sam dennigan's, up to the old graveyard near the oldtown/naul road.

buffalo · 16-09-2019 8:20am

I don't whether it's because I left the house five minutes later, so traffic levels were a bit heavier, or it's the morning getting darker, or the fine mist limiting visibility, but I had one near miss this morning with someone pulling out in front of me from a side road before they suddenly noticed me in the middle of the lane with my front light and they jammed on and waved an apology.

What was interesting was that I had four distinct terrible passes where the drivers weren't close to me, but were playing chicken with oncoming traffic. I usually only see about one a week of these sort, but this morning they were out in force, including this one by the Angler's Rest coming off the Strawberry Beds in Dublin:

Both drivers were thankfully going slowly enough. It of course made zero difference to the journey length of the overtaking driver. :rolleyes:

tnegun · 16-09-2019 8:45am

Bit of a mixed bag myself this morning a lot of perfect passes that I was thinking the weather and low light must be making people take more care then one try to pass me on a blind bend almost straight into a bus has to jam on and pull back in then shouts at me to keep in I almost killed him!! A few inexplicable passes to join a queue too if you can see the back queue in front why bother passing?? Also if the car in front has to cross the line to pass safely why would you pass me and keep all 4 wheels well inside the line some people beggar belief.

site_owner · 16-09-2019 9:45am

Sounds like a lot of people had similar experiences this morning.

Lots of rushing for queues, dodgy overtakes, red light skipping, tailgating and general impatience.

Utter Consternation · 16-09-2019 10:47am

site_owner wrote: »

Sounds like a lot of people had similar experiences this morning.

Lots of rushing for queues, dodgy overtakes, red light skipping, tailgating and general impatience.

I saw a Paddy Wagon Bus go through two red lights and then park illegally on Gardiner Street in a bike lane.

The roads have been pure sh1te since the kids went back to school.

Tombo2001 · 16-09-2019 10:49am

A whopping four cars broke the green pedestrian light on Drumcondra road this morning. Couldn't believe it.

Zulu · 16-09-2019 10:58am

Arragh 4 is standard at this point.

CramCycle · 16-09-2019 12:25pm

Arsehole at a zebra crossing cycled straight through as people were crossing, crossing had 12 people on it at the time and he barely made it through without hitting someone. I addressed him unpleasantly as I passed later to which he laughed and I choked down my rage and went on, didn't fancy adding aggravated assault to an already sh1tty commute.

Pinch Flat · 16-09-2019 12:30pm

There's a youtube video of a parent with their school going kid counting cars and other vehicles breaking reds at Drumcondra. From the video I've seen lots more have managed to squeeze through. The sooner red light camera are rolled out the better, it's pretty much the norm for reds to be broken at this stage.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/cameras-to-be-installed-at-three-blackspots-to-catch-red-light-runners-1.3852548

average_runner · 16-09-2019 1:46pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Arsehole at a zebra crossing cycled straight through as people were crossing, crossing had 12 people on it at the time and he barely made it through without hitting someone. I addressed him unpleasantly as I passed later to which he laughed and I choked down my rage and went on, didn't fancy adding aggravated assault to an already sh1tty commute.

Be a waste of your energy, he will just do it again anyhow

CramCycle · 16-09-2019 1:54pm

average_runner wrote: »

Be a waste of your energy, he will just do it again anyhow

I know, I always get images from Falling Down, When did I become the bad guy, I just can't help but agree with the guy most of the way through the film. Thankfully i remember that despite being in full agreement with him, he ends up dead at the end of the movie.

Seth Brundle · 16-09-2019 2:10pm

CramCycle wrote: »

I know, I always get images from Falling Down, When did I become the bad guy, I just can't help but agree with the guy most of the way through the film. Thankfully i remember that despite being in full agreement with him, he ends up dead at the end of the movie.

Well that's my TV plan for tonight just ruined

Duckjob · 16-09-2019 2:13pm

CramCycle wrote: »

I know, I always get images from Falling Down, When did I become the bad guy, I just can't help but agree with the guy most of the way through the film. Thankfully i remember that despite being in full agreement with him, he ends up dead at the end of the movie.

Great movie!

"I'm the bad guy? How did that happen?"

CramCycle · 16-09-2019 2:13pm

Seth Brundle wrote: »

Well that's my TV plan for tonight just ruined

Release date: February 26, 1993

Although to be fair, your post makes me more like the people he and I despise.

Seth Brundle · 16-09-2019 2:15pm

CramCycle wrote: »

Release date: February 26, 1993

Although to be fair, your post makes me more like the people he and I despise.

Aah I'm messing with you - seen it before and got the haircut!

Johnnio13 · 16-09-2019 4:07pm

Kwik Fit Tyres artic decided that I was in his way going up Kingston towards Treadneedle crossroads on Friday at 5.30. (Galway)
After 18 secs behind me coming up the hill he decided I was cycling too slow (26kph) so he overtook me.

https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.2662895,-9.0948377,3a,75y,73.03h,54.87t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sT7AiC5hVtPe5RF030aQYMg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

There is no way he could see traffic coming towards him on the bend, but it took him nearly 14 secs to get past me and back into lane, only to get stuck at the lights 100 metres later. The mind boggles. Where was he going to go if a car had come around that corner.

CramCycle · 16-09-2019 5:03pm

Seth Brundle wrote: »

Aah I'm messing with you - seen it before and got the haircut!

I got that, I just feel like being that douche bag this week.

KathleenF · 16-09-2019 7:18pm

First time commuting last week. First time nearly being wiped out today, a week later. V unpleasant. Cycling up past Drumcondra, asshole taxi driver pulls out into bike lane I was in. Very nearly took me out only I braked. Felt like slapping the car with the fright I got. ‘Did you not see my indicator?’ No you dick cos you didn’t put it on and it doesn’t give you right of way either. Said something else to me I’ve now forgotten but basically I was in the wrong according to this dangerous lunatic.

Seth Brundle · 16-09-2019 7:21pm

KathleenF wrote: »

First time commuting last week. First time nearly being wiped out today, a week later. V unpleasant. Cycling up past Drumcondra, asshole taxi driver pulls out into bike lane I was in. Very nearly took me out only I braked. Felt like slapping the car with the fright I got. ‘Did you not see my indicator?’ No you dick cos you didn’t put it on and it doesn’t give you right of way either. Said something else to me I’ve now forgotten but basically I was in the wrong according to this dangerous lunatic.

Don't let the muppet deter you Kathleen. Sounds like you were in the right.
Taxi drivers are some of the worst offenders in my opinion. Nonetheless you need to keep your wits about you in Dublin.
Next time get their reg and report them to the gardai.

Vel · 17-09-2019 8:51am

Hello! If you were the cyclist on the receiving end of the absolute unfettered meltdown/road rage of the lad in a huge black van on South Great George's Street this morning around 8.30am, hit me up as I noted his reg.

Apparently 'not staying in your lane' as we all slowly moved to the set of red lights ahead means you get to be subjected to screaming and continuous horn beeping and just after the lights at the turn up to Exchequer Street he accelerated behind you right up to your back wheel and I honestly thought he was going to hit you. I guess I should report to Traffic Watch but its going to be a his word against mine at the end of the day. If anyone else witnessed it and plans to report then I guess a number of reports might be worthwhile.

Given his size and how red he was going while blowing his load(!) I'd say there is a heart attack/stroke in this guy's not too distant future. I've honestly never seen anything like the rage

Pinch Flat · 17-09-2019 9:19am

Sounds like van driving is not for him. Should take up a relaxing hobby - perhaps cycling?

I was cycling down the north quays this morning and marveling at the number of cyclists - must have been in a group of 30 - 40 or so.

Anyway, had my own near miss this morning - some dopey L driver nearly pinned me against a bus while she was trying to skip the traffic and drive up the bus / bike lane on the approach to Capel Street bridge. My god I haven't thumped a car so hard in ages. Her passenger (surely a qualified driver?) seemed more upset. Anyway looking at the rear camera footage, looks like she continued up the bus lane unperturbed. Ah well, starting as she's going to continue with ****ty driving I suppose.

Utter Consternation · 17-09-2019 9:26am

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Sounds like van driving is not for him. Should take up a relaxing hobby - perhaps cycling?

I was cycling down the north quays this morning and marveling at the number of cyclists - must have been in a group of 30 - 40 or so.

Anyway, had my own near miss this morning - some dopey L driver nearly pinned me against a bus while she was trying to skip the traffic and drive up the bus / bike lane on the approach to Capel Street bridge. My god I haven't thumped a car so hard in ages. Her passenger (surely a qualified driver?) seemed more upset. Anyway looking at the rear camera footage, looks like she continued up the bus lane unperturbed. Ah well, starting as she's going to continue with ****ty driving I suppose.

Start as you mean to finish.

I note in the papers that the price of petrol and diesel is going to rocket during the winter. I wonder will it put off people from driving and put them on the bike?

I sincerely doubt it.

Seth Brundle · 17-09-2019 9:29am

Utter Consternation wrote: »

Start as you mean to finish.

I note in the papers that the price of petrol and diesel is going to rocket during the winter? I wonder will it put off people from driving and put them on the bike?

I sincerely doubt it.

Fuel had been around €1.70-€1.80 a few years back and traffic volumes were still heavy!

Mickiemcfist · 17-09-2019 9:41am

Utter Consternation wrote: »

Start as you mean to finish.

I note in the papers that the price of petrol and diesel is going to rocket during the winter. I wonder will it put off people from driving and put them on the bike?

I sincerely doubt it.

It would take a lot more than that. I think the only way to get it actually done is to enforce BIK on (work) car parking spots in city centres & use the money raised to pay companies to provide publicly accessible bike racks. Have the council manage them & pay a per square foot lease to the property owners.

Imagine how handy it would be to cycle in town if there was something like Drury street car park on each street.

Utter Consternation · 17-09-2019 9:45am

Mickiemcfist wrote: »

It would take a lot more than that. I think the only way to get it actually done is to enforce BIK on (work) car parking spots in city centres & use the money raised to pay companies to provide publicly accessible bike racks. Have the council manage them & pay a per square foot lease to the property owners.

Imagine how handy it would be to cycle in town if there was something like Drury street car park on each street.

Or if there was bloody relatively ok infrastructure that doesn't put us into the direct path of HGV's and angry 'professional' drivers.

griffdaddy · 17-09-2019 9:46am

Have people just given up looking behind/beside them altogether now when they're crossing side roads? Pretty much every morning I have somebody step out in front of me when I'm turning into a side street. Half of them are on their phone, the other half just staring into space. Also a special shout out to those who look straight at me and step out anyway because I'm not driving a car...

Pinch Flat · 17-09-2019 9:52am

Seth Brundle wrote: »

Fuel had been around €1.70-€1.80 a few years back and traffic volumes were still heavy!

If fuel was €5 per liter traffic volumes would still be crazy. The majority of people cannot look beyond the private car as a means of transport.

Stark · 17-09-2019 10:12am

griffdaddy wrote: »

Have people just given up looking behind/beside them altogether now when they're crossing side roads? Pretty much every morning I have somebody step out in front of me when I'm turning into a side street. Half of them are on their phone, the other half just staring into space. Also a special shout out to those who look straight at me and step out anyway because I'm not driving a car...

You have right of way as a pedestrian if you're crossing a side road and someone is turning into the side road.

Utter Consternation · 17-09-2019 10:17am

Stark wrote: »

You have right of way as a pedestrian if you're crossing a side road and someone is turning into the side road.

Does that also count as a cyclist i wonder? specifically for places where the bike track is part of the footpath. I always thought the cyclist had to give way to cars turning in or pulling up to a stop to exit onto the main road.

Case in point being here on the left:

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3020114,-6.3094091,3a,75y,215.45h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s08DNXsimRsLtCodEJ2uP8g!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D08DNXsimRsLtCodEJ2uP8g%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D180.21318%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

average_runner · 17-09-2019 10:25am

Utter Consternation wrote: »

Start as you mean to finish.

I note in the papers that the price of petrol and diesel is going to rocket during the winter. I wonder will it put off people from driving and put them on the bike?

I sincerely doubt it.

Its just a slow day and paper all jumping on the issue that happened over the weekend.

Petrol has jump how much over the last ten years and more drive now than ever!!

average_runner · 17-09-2019 10:26am

griffdaddy wrote: »

Have people just given up looking behind/beside them altogether now when they're crossing side roads? Pretty much every morning I have somebody step out in front of me when I'm turning into a side street. Half of them are on their phone, the other half just staring into space. Also a special shout out to those who look straight at me and step out anyway because I'm not driving a car...

Or did you signal that you were turning?

average_runner · 17-09-2019 10:27am

Utter Consternation wrote: »

Does that also count as a cyclist i wonder? specifically for places where the bike track is part of the footpath. I always thought the cyclist had to give way to cars turning in or pulling up to a stop to exit onto the main road.

Case in point being here on the left:

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3020114,-6.3094091,3a,75y,215.45h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s08DNXsimRsLtCodEJ2uP8g!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo3.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3D08DNXsimRsLtCodEJ2uP8g%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D180.21318%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

Don't think so. Its a silly rule letting people walk out on the side street if they want to.

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

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