Search found 1223 matches

by DavidT
6 Jun 2014, 1:41pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Teatime Teaser - are you allowed to cycle down this road?
Replies: 29
Views: 6223

Re: Teatime Teaser - are you allowed to cycle down this road

Once upon a time I was involved in training people for the IAM Advanced test. We occassionally had briefings from the local examiners (Police). At a couple of sessions the comment came up about the presence of contradictory signs and what would happen about them in the test. Typically this related to speed limits. We were always told that flexibility would be shown and that from a more formal enforcement point of view away from the test situation, they (the Police again) would never take action in the case of contradictory signs. Too much hassle and the appeal would understandably succeed.

This related to contradictory signage. We never got round to discussing the positioning distances with respect to guidelines etc. :wink:
by DavidT
11 May 2014, 8:33pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Panaracer Pasela TG - to fit, or not to fit??
Replies: 42
Views: 11993

Re: Panaracer Pasela TG - to fit, or not to fit??

I know the Pasela debate has been an ongoing theme, especially regarding concerns over sidewall issues - and I myself have contibuted to that with my own sidewall failure experience. I ride Pasela TGs 700x28, amber sidewalls, on an Audax bike.

However I thought I should update with a more recent, positive experience. I identified a slow puncture in the front the other day and on close inspection the tread really was looking a bit fractured in a number of places. Time for a replacement I thought. Checking my records I see that the tyre has travelled 5200 miles which I would say is a distance/life I'm very happy with. Overall average p*****e interval was about 1000miles, again - "happy" with that and most culprits were very big thorns. The sidewalls were fine.

I still think the Pasela is a very good, lightweight tyre and have replaced with same. Thanks to this forum I do keep an eye on the sidewalls but have not had any other issues since my one incident, thousands of miles ago.
by DavidT
11 May 2014, 8:17pm
Forum: The Tea Shop
Topic: Mid life cycle crisis?
Replies: 18
Views: 26266

Re: Mid life cycle crisis?

I made of point of treating myself to a Mercian for a certain birthday. Several years on, still very happy. It was an excellent decision. Enjoy the experience.

JohnW wrote:Martin - you're not going to get a new bike wet , are you?
That reminds me of when I collected the Mercian. A 40 mile ride home awaited but all week the weather forecast was for rain all day on the Saturday :? .. Come the day, it didn't materialise - well only after an hour or two of getting home. Relief. (Same bike got soaked today though in the Vale of Belvoir :lol: )
by DavidT
21 Apr 2014, 8:01pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Comfortable ladies bike
Replies: 5
Views: 976

Re: Comfortable ladies bike

Further to mentions of Dawes :D and Pendleton bikes, Raleigh Pioneer 1 (Stepthrough) is within the same budget. (The 18 gears could be a bit overwhelming though?). Pioneers have been going for ages and are a good budget bike.

http://www.raleigh.co.uk/ProductType/Pr ... 5&pg=10744
by DavidT
11 Apr 2014, 8:30pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Where I saw a link to HISTORICAL OS MAPS?
Replies: 11
Views: 769

Re: Where I saw a link to HISTORICAL OS MAPS?

I like the Cassini series, released over the last few years. They are on the same projection and scale as the the current 1:50,000 Landranger and so enable direct comparisons - for those of us who still use printed versions :wink: .

http://www.cassinimaps.co.uk/shop/printed.asp
by DavidT
11 Feb 2014, 8:29pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bike lock competition winner
Replies: 7
Views: 5115

Re: Bike lock competition winner

Oops. Just realised this might be better off under Cycling Goods? If Mods want to move it :D
by DavidT
11 Feb 2014, 8:23pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Bike lock competition winner
Replies: 7
Views: 5115

Bike lock competition winner

For info. Anyone seen this? I remember there being a debate on here about the competition? Well this seems to be the winner. Given where and when I ride bike security is not a huge issue for me so I'll let others debate the pros and cons.

http://www.biklox.com/

I saw an article in Cycling World of all places, a magazine that has often been discussed on here and seems to be an improving and secure (no pun intended)publication :D
by DavidT
11 Feb 2014, 8:17pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Daytime running lights
Replies: 31
Views: 14989

Re: Daytime running lights

I have recently aquired a 2013 Citroen. De activating the daytime running lights was easy - via a couple of menu set up screens. I was pleased with that because like many of us on here - I don't like the things!

I believe it is now law that they are fitted to new cars, although deactivation is obviously allowed.
by DavidT
25 Jan 2014, 6:42pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Speeding...
Replies: 48
Views: 20528

Re: Speeding...

Hi

Sorry, elsewhere in the thread the policy had been criticised (helmets, segregation), so I was endeavouring to put the record straight on that matter - IMO the majority of the policies are clearly commendable.

Regarding Members' attitudes, yep they are human and you meet some intolerant ones, or ones that have forgotten their training. However the majority, I have met, on average indeed, are more tolerant than the average driver I have met. I am therefore loathe to criticise the organisation which is trying to make a bit of difference. True it doesn't have a silver bullet/magic wand etc, but who does? Yes IAM/Advanced driving does require "progress", however in my experience this is ALWAYS (caps for emphasis - I'm not shouting :wink: ) secondary to safety. As I imagine you are aware, the term "progress" in advanced terms is inextricably linked with safety - "progress" does not mean going fast regardless of prevailing circumstances and legality. This is in contrast to the understanding and conduct displayed by the overwhelming majority of untrained (since 17) drivers, most of whom couldn't give a damn about speed limits unless there is a camera there, and the attitudes of the press and TV presenters, but I'm repeating myself..
by DavidT
24 Jan 2014, 9:35pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Speeding...
Replies: 48
Views: 20528

Re: Speeding...

Thanks for the prompts, and ease of reference with links. So I've read the policy - and indeed there are bits I don't agree with. (re Helmets and segregation)

However the same policy also includes the following (which amazingly no one has mentioned yet?)

Adult cycle training should be widely available and cycling should be part of the National Curriculum taught in every school
Teaching new drivers about the risk that vehicles pose to cyclists must be a priority
Information campaigns should highlight risky behaviour by drivers and riders and encourage safer interactions between motorised and two wheeled transport
Drivers must adhere to the Highway Code by giving cyclists safe room, respecting advanced stop lines, parking safely and controlling road rage
Safety mirrors should be fitted to large vehicles and at key junctions
Infrastructure improvements which separate cyclists and heavy traffic should have the top priority for investment. Well maintained and pothole free roads, pavements and cycle lanes will assist in the encouragement of cycling. (Totally inappropriate use of "Pavements" noted :wink: )
20mph zones should be widely used in residential areas and where cycling and pedestrian flows merit it
Cyclists should adhere to the highway code, obey road signs and signals and cycle in a safe and predictable manner
There is no evidence that insurance for cyclists would make any difference to cycling or driving behaviour and the IAM does not support compulsory cycle insurance or road tax for this reason


The attitude and Highway Code elements are clearly incuded in the IAM driver training and test expectations. :D

Lots of positives? CTC could surely have written most of that lot? If this (albeit combined with opinions on the segregation and helmet issues) is an "attack" on cycling I wonder how we are supposed to describe typical media reporting and TV presenter soundbites? :roll:

With the bigger picture in mind, I'm glad the IAM are there.

Happy cycling (and driving, where applicable. )
by DavidT
24 Jan 2014, 8:04pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Speeding...
Replies: 48
Views: 20528

Re: Speeding...

mjr wrote:
DavidT wrote:I think it is a shame when the IAM get generally criticised on this forum.
...
I am an IAM member. :wink:

Cool. Have you tried to get the pro-segregation pro-helmet cycle policy reversed or at least neutralised?

The reason why IAM get generally criticised sometimes is because they attack cycling sometimes. Stop attacking cycling, stop getting criticised.


To be honest, and perhaps to my embarrassment I wasn't particularly aware of their policies on this issue. :oops: I'll have a read up and by all means consider giving them some member feedback.

My defence of IAM is nevertheless based on my experience of the expectations and attitudes shown by their examiners I have met at numerous times (both in and out of car), rather than the portfolio of head office policies.
by DavidT
24 Jan 2014, 3:54pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Speeding...
Replies: 48
Views: 20528

Re: Speeding...

Vorpal wrote:At my previous employer, I tried to get them to offer advanced driving courses and periodic awareness type refresher courses to everyone who had a company car. I put together a business case that showed it would save money on reduced insurance. They told me I was wasting my time. :roll:


You may want to keep this under review - albeit with new employers. More companies (typically the bigger ones) are implementing some form of driver training/risk assessment through the likes of IAM/ROSPA etc. There does seem to be more awareness out there.

On the wider issue;

I think it is a shame when the IAM get generally criticised on this forum.

The simple picture is surely this; if all drivers had training along the lines of that given and expected by IAM (and ROSPA), as cyclists we would be safer on the roads.

If we campaign for better driver awareness and training, but at the same time pick holes in the likes of IAM we might as well wait until hell freezes over for any progress?

Of course there will be the odd concern about their policies (can they really claim to represent cyclists as well? :? ) and occasional activities (such as surveys :wink: ). There will also no doubt be concerns about some attitudes of particular members – like in any club or organisation (and as in the IAM forum discussion noted above). But I would rather we kept focused on the wider, and overwhelmingly more concerning issues such as Mr Clarkson and his like and general media portrayal of cyclists rights, than being critical of an organisation that expects it’s members to have respect for all road users and is committed to improving driving standards. Why should the IAM/ROSPA be the ones on the defensive?

I am an IAM member. :wink:
by DavidT
21 Jan 2014, 8:43pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Speeding...
Replies: 48
Views: 20528

Re: Speeding...

Good video. Reminded me a bit of this offering from Gwent Police. (Albeit about texting rather than speeding)

Warning - it's rather graphic, but as I believe Gwent Police pointed out at the time, - it's what they have to deal with all too often and represents the reality of things going wrong - in a split second of inattention. On a lighter note I think a number of local drama students got their admirable efforts here on their CV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC3x7K3EOTk

There is a shorter version, and I'm sure there's also a longer version. The longer version follows the car from town (whilst showing that they are an otherwise decent set of youngsters and not maniacs), - and then also the aftermath with parents meeting in the hospital.
by DavidT
17 Nov 2013, 11:12pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: Blindingly bright rear light
Replies: 32
Views: 3959

Re: Blindingly bright rear light

I have to admit that night cycling for me is relatively rare, although certainly not unkown - and I ought to do more. When I do, I happily rely on B&M Ixon and Toplights and/or Topeak or Cateye flashers. (Different bikes have a different set up, and it depends on where I'm riding). I do drive a lot at night/in the dark.

Surely one thing that is overlooked in the general arguement that "the brightest possible (and clearly excessive) lights are OK because at least the driver can see me" ignore the fact that at the same time they can be diverting a driver's attention away from other cyclists who are less obviously lit. Our peers may therefore be made more vulnerable in certain situations? Or is an arms race OK? Just a thought. Nobody seems to mention this aspect as an issue?
by DavidT
5 Nov 2013, 5:22pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: banned with my bike from daughter's school
Replies: 91
Views: 8020

Re: banned with my bike from daughter's school

Try this? By all accounts it seems to be serving a purpose and putting the record straight here and there when it comes to things being blamed on "Elf and Safety".

It is also apparently set up to allow ease of access/contact for the public (not that I've tried it myself).

http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/myth-busting.htm

Best wishes