Cycling UK Forum

... in almost 32 years of cycling nearly hit cyclist today.....

Turning my van around... no apparent traffic around as I completed a 360 degree turn when suddely a cyclist appears across the front of my van from where he appeared I have no idea... well soon realised when I got over the shock,,, he had no rear light so can only assume he had no front light, was under some trees that due to street lights create deep shadows on the road as I started to turn.... gave me quite a turn I can assure you!

Once parked up on same stretch of road, and was still in the van changing shoes for my cycle into work, even not looking for traffic / bikes I easily saw lit bikes out of the corner of my eye as they passed the van.

Wouldn't mind but we were within 1/2 mile of a large local cycle retailer where (when I was looking at their t'internet site last night) they have lights for under £4.00 so not even an hours work at min wage ...... such price is their life!

Do you mean 180°? So he was at the side of the road you were ending up on? Van with no side rear windows? Just trying to build a picture in my mind...

Many many out there with no lights. Cars too, so be very careful!

Correction, you almost hit a person on a bike. I usually travel with £100+ lights on my bike/on my person and I earn less than minimum wage (hopefully not soon though), so I'd take a guess that they're not really into their cycling.

So that's ok then. Just a BSO probably too... Hmmm.

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gaz wrote:

eileithyia wrote:... in almost 32 years of cycling nearly hit cyclist today.....

In almost 32 years of cycling you still haven't hit a cyclist. Long may it continue.

I would hope so.... and original post should have read 32 years of driving lol.

mrjemm wrote:Do you mean 180°? So he was at the side of the road you were ending up on? Van with no side rear windows? Just trying to build a picture in my mind...

Many many out there with no lights. Cars too, so be very careful!

Err no 360 i think, was driving up a dead end road that becomes a cycle route over a motorway junction, I do the full turn around in order to park up and do 'park and ride'. As I would have been facing him before I started the turn I should have seen him had he had lights on, but even the van lights did not pick him up under the trees.

Always disgusts me the number of unlit motorists esp those with vehicle who's colours blend in, typically I switch my bike lights on at 3pm at this time of year as I leave work... usually need them within 15 mins or so of leaving work so it is easier to switch on than have to stop and mess around a few mins later.

Alex L wrote:Correction, you almost hit a person on a bike. I usually travel with £100+ lights on my bike/on my person and I earn less than minimum wage (hopefully not soon though), so I'd take a guess that they're not really into their cycling.

But they were still a cyclist weren't they?
Or are you of the opinion that if a car driver is breaking the law they're not a motorist

mrjemm wrote:So that's ok then. Just a BSO probably too... Hmmm.

I'm going to assume that is in response to me, hard to tell without using quotes.

Clearly is was okay as nothing happened. The original poster being a cyclist and from what they said clearly shows that they generally see cyclists. My point was that their first thoughts weren't for their safety. Regular cyclists have enough near misses to know better.

Not that I said anything about the quality of the bike, but had there been a collision and damage occurred, it would be better for it to be a BSO, in which case, a similar bike could be purchased with the forced Halfords voucher.

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reohn2 wrote:But they were still a cyclist weren't they?
Or are you of the opinion that if a car driver is beaking the law they're not a motorist

That kind of goes into the Cyclist != cyclist argument. I'd describe myself as a someone who drives and tend to think a motorist is someone that uses that as their primary method of transport. I get the joke but in a sense yes, I drive but wouldn't group myself the same as BMW driver (with obvious exceptions Meic ). In the same way cyclists/person on a bike may use the same method of transport but have completely views on law breaking and their life expectancy.

eileithyia wrote:... in almost 32 years of cycling nearly hit cyclist today.....

Turning my van around... no apparent traffic around as I completed a 360 degree turn when suddely a cyclist appears across the front of my van from where he appeared I have no idea... well soon realised when I got over the shock,,, he had no rear light so can only assume he had no front light, was under some trees that due to street lights create deep shadows on the road as I started to turn.... gave me quite a turn I can assure you!

Once parked up on same stretch of road, and was still in the van changing shoes for my cycle into work, even not looking for traffic / bikes I easily saw lit bikes out of the corner of my eye as they passed the van.

Wouldn't mind but we were within 1/2 mile of a large local cycle retailer where (when I was looking at their t'internet site last night) they have lights for under £4.00 so not even an hours work at min wage ...... such price is their life!

I know many on posters on this forum sneer at the thought of using conspicous clothing but a relective jacket/ waistcoat would have rendered him immediately visible, just as soon as your lights pointed in his direction.
When driving and cycling I usually become aware of reflective areas worn by cyclists long before I'm aware of their lights.

rand.

Alex L wrote:Correction, you almost hit a person on a bike. I usually travel with £100+ lights on my bike/on my person and I earn less than minimum wage (hopefully not soon though), so I'd take a guess that they're not really into their cycling.

We talking about lighting cost. Let's see. Probably about £180 worth at a rough guess.

Sounds a bit like the idiot I nearly got last winter. Mine must have come off the pavement to miss the railings and go around a corner or something.
All your cycling and being hit by cars must have come back to you. Are you OK?

eileithyia wrote:Err no 360 i think, was driving up a dead end road that becomes a cycle route over a motorway junction, I do the full turn around in order to park up and do 'park and ride'.

A 360 degree turn leaves you facing the same way as you started. A U turn is 180 degrees.

I have already confessed to my pedantry on another thread.

rand wrote:
I know many on posters on this forum sneer at the thought of using conspicous clothing but a relective jacket/ waistcoat would have rendered him immediately visible, just as soon as your lights pointed in his direction.
When driving and cycling I usually become aware of reflective areas worn by cyclists long before I'm aware of their lights.

rand.

If she's turning then you can assume the reflective material is next to useless.

I once nearly pulled out* on a guy. He had a feeble light but was wearing full hi-vis and reflectives. His light was lost in the noise, his hi-vis had no contrast against the insipid yellow backdrop from the street lights and his reflectives were useless since I wasn't pointing in their direction.
Fortunately I saw him at the last moment, but I took a lesson from it both as a driver and as a cyclist.

*Not really, but I was shocked at just how invisible he was and I did only spot him right at the last second. Had he been wearing black I *would* have seen him much sooner but his hi-vis jacket was next to useless under yellow street lighting.

rand wrote:I know many on posters on this forum sneer at the thought of using conspicous clothing but a relective jacket/ waistcoat would have rendered him immediately visible............
rand.

So would lights