Cycling UK Forum

Believe it or not, he was the only blind person I've ever met on the highway, before or since. And of course experience is everything, if not the idea of critical mass would be a false one.

The thing I couldn't figure, is why did the dog allow him to cross behind a van? Don't they train them to cross where it's clear?

They ARE generally thinking that (as are probably most sighted people!), and will probably really appreciate you being so descriptive. Easy to step back into your way thinking you have passed when in fact your trailer hasn't quite finished passing!

kwackers wrote:The thing I couldn't figure, is why did the dog allow him to cross behind a van? Don't they train them to cross where it's clear?

Nope. They train them to find the kerb. That's it. Can't teach a dog to cross roads.

Oh, and they train them to follow specific routes that the person will want to do often, e.g. the route from home to work. If a van parks right by where they cross every day then that's tough, especially if they park right on the dropped kerb or dropped-with-textured-surface combo designed to help the person know they're at a crossing.

Like I said, frustrating. But the alternative is never leaving the house unaccompanied.

It's a tricky one, the guy was just close enough to me for the dog to be out of sight as I eyeballed him, so whilst he was in no danger I have a distinct 'snapshot' of a very surprised looking mutt.
(I'd have been mortified if I'd run over his dog!)

I did once miss seeing one of those stupidly long dog leads strung out between a woman on one side of a 'shared' use path and her 'rat dog' in the bushes on the other.
Rode straight over the lead which momentarily got caught by my foot - I still remember the 'yelp' from the bushes.
Fortunately the dog was ok but I think we gained another cyclist hating member of the public.

Ew, guide dogs are expensive too...

I cannot understand why it's so difficult to get hi-viz versions of those retractable leads. Why are they not all bright orange/yellow? Grrr

alicej wrote:Ew, guide dogs are expensive too...

I fail to see why - especially now. I had visions of them being trained to do everything from bringing your slippers and breakfast to reading bedtime stories!
(I'd considered adopting one of the retired ones for these very reasons)

I cannot understand why it's so difficult to get hi-viz versions of those retractable leads. Why are they not all bright orange/yellow? Grrr

My hurdling skills whilst out jogging are now of an Olympic standard...

I once nearly hit a large dog that ran into the road on one. Given it's owner was in the adjacent county I fail to see what the benefit is. It would seem that "keeping your dog on a lead" is now just a technical term rather than anything tangible.

Perhaps you could go on a dog walkers forum, and suggest they might make themselves and their mutts more conspicuous. (There are some ideas for the wording on the thread about being conspicuous on the End-to-End route.)

thirdcrank wrote:Perhaps you could go on a dog walkers forum, and suggest they might make themselves and their mutts more conspicuous. (There are some ideas for the wording on the thread about being conspicuous on the End-to-End route.)

Actually - just having scanned that thread has made me realise something. Lately I seem to have more close overtakes than usual and I've just realised that in the last couple of weeks (now the light is failing) I've taken to using a hi-vis vest. Co-incidence? Possibly, but given without it I just wear a t-shirt and shorts I do wonder if I'm looking a bit more 'pro' than usual...

I ride a good 4-5 mile of my 10 mile route on unlit country roads in the dark as i work shifts so i go for the your gonna se me unless your not looking approach.

On the front i run 2x 200 lumen torches on mounts, soon to be added another one when Deal Extreme delivers

On the back...
2 smart 1/2 watt flashers on the seat post
1 helmet flasher
1 smart standard flasher on each pannier set on constant to give them an idea of my size.

On top of that i have the aldi flashing reflective arm bands, reflective stickers on my panniers,helmet and a yellow windproof with the reflective piping on it.Panniers also have reflective bits on as well.

I can honestly say with that set up i don't have problems with close overtakes, maybe because of the impression of size the lights on my arms and panniers give or the amount of light coming out of the front of the bike(i have been confused with a moped by guys in the work car park )Cars certainly dip their lights when they see me coming.

This all said all it takes is dozy driver to not be looking/on the phone etc and no amount of glitter will stop them running into me.

alicej wrote:Where'd you get these ?

Phil_Lee wrote:flashing red led handlebar end plugs

That'd be another set of lights I don't have to remove when I leave the bike.

One of the stalls at Mildenhall rally.

With all the talk of riding around decked out like Blackpool Illuminations, I'm surprised nobody has mentioned cycle lights in poor daytime visibility, especially as the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is here and daytime running lights, which will be compulsory on new cars next year, are already widespread.

Whenever this has come up before, there has been disagreement about whether bike lights in daytime are a good idea. That difference of opinion is understandable, but we do seem to have several different interpretations of the law from reputable sources which seems to me to be unsatisfactory.

The official guidance from themenfromtheministry says:

Any cycle which is used during the hours of darkness or during periods of poor visibility MUST be fitted with the following: white front light, red rear light, red rear reflector (and) amber/yellow pedal reflectors - front and rear on each pedal.

with this single exemption:

The only case of exemption from regulations is for cycles which are used ONLY in good visibility during daytime. These cycles are not required to be fitted with lights.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/guidanceaboutlightsonpedalbi4556
The CTC and solicitors Russell Jones and Walker have a current campaign called 2Way Street with "Ten Top Tips for Urban Cyclists" which include at number 9:

Lights: By law, when it is dark or there is bad visibility you must have lights on the front and rear of your bike. Always carry spare small lights in case your main lights are not working.

http://www.rjw.co.uk/legal-services/acc ... -cyclists/
The CTC's advice on the desktop includes this:

... Cyclists may also be required to light up in conditions of seriously reduced visibility during the day, but only if they have functional lights already fitted. ...

http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4071
The online version of the Road Vehicles (Lighting ) Regulations (which may not be up-to-date) has this:

Exemptions—General
4 ....(3) Nothing in these Regulations shall require any lamp or reflector to be fitted between sunrise and sunset to– ... (c)a pedal cycle,

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/regulation/4/made
This seems to be reflected ( ) in the Highway Code as neither rule 59, which deals in part with being conspicuous nor rule 60 which deals with lights on pedal cycles mention using lights in daytime.

I know this is one of my many hobby horses, but at a time when PCSO's distributing tickets to cyclists looks like being one of the last bits of law enforcement left standing, I think we are entitled to clarity.

(I emailed the Department of Transport and solicitors RJW about this some three weeks ago, but neither has acknowledged my enquiry.)

thirdcrank wrote:daytime running lights, which will be compulsory on new cars next year

Whaaaaa?

Engaging in an arms race is going to be compulsory for drivers, then?

thirdcrank wrote:daytime running lights, which will be compulsory on new cars next year

Might help me differentiate between the zillions of cars parked haphazardly all over the road/parking space/pavement to the left on my street (a busy main road), and the zillions of cars sitting there with their engines still running, about to move out in front of me.

Thanks for the heads-up about running lights, TC, and for your unremitting work on this issue.

Perhaps someone could ask a friendly police officer or PCSO whether they can book a cyclist who has no lights fitted during poor daylight.

Wise cyclists do light up in poor daylight, I feel, and I suspect flashing lights are more conspicuous than steady ones in these conditions.

I'm undecided about simulating Christmas trees: I fear it might either distract drivers, or make me appear as an "expert" cyclist so they give me less room.

A wide horizontal bar across the rack with reflective strips and lights seems a good idea for getting more clearance from overtakers, but I wonder if night-time overtakers might not recognise me from a distance as a bike. It might help them guage my distance and relative speed more accurately than a single light would.

I wear a standard Hiviz vest with sleeves for commuting. I have noticed some drivers and pedestrians (especially hoodie types) taking a second glance.
I think it is because I look similar to the Police Officers in these parts that ride bikes. I have noticed a similar effect with white motorcycles that look like Police bikes.