Share the roads - I.A.M.
  Home FAQ Contact Sign in
uk.transport only
 
Advanced search
POPULAR GROUPS

more...

uk.transport Profile…
 Up
Share the roads - I.A.M.         


Author: Colin Nelson
Date: Aug 8, 2008 13:44

Spotted this earlier today.

"Institute of Advanced Motorists
510 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 5RG
Telephone: 020 8996 9600, Fax 020 8996 9601
Fact Sheet 17/001 SHARING THE ROAD WITH CYCLISTS

Cyclists all travel at different speeds and have different levels of road experience. As a driver, you will need to take care to judge their speed as well as the road and weather conditions from the cyclist's point of view. Remember too that some cyclists, particularly younger ones, have never driven a car, and so don't recognise the problems that they can cause car drivers. In an accident involving a car and a cyclist, whoever is to blame the cyclist will always be the more vulnerable to a serious injury.

The following tips for motorists have been prepared with the National Cycling Strategy Board to avoid adding to the 2,500 cyclists killed or seriously injured each year.
Cyclists don't have steel armour round them like we do. Passing them at speed within a foot of their elbow may feel perfectly safe from where you are, but it is very disconcerting when you are the cyclist.

Sounding your horn when you are close will startle them, maybe into swerving in front of you. They will usually be aware of you already! Slow down around cyclists and drive smoothly. Keep within the speed limit.

In traffic, make sure that you don't cut up a cyclist who is about to pass you on the near side.

Don't try to cut across a cyclist when you need to turn left at a junction. Wait behind the cyclist until the cyclist has either turned left or passed the junction.

Park with care and prevent any passengers from opening a door until you are sure that there is no cyclist coming up on either side. Likewise, check over your shoulder to see there's no cyclist approaching before opening the driver's door.

Cyclists are advised to take a prominent position in the road well ahead of any manoeuvre to ensure they are in the right place at the right time. If they ride in the middle of the road it is probably not to obstruct your path, but to ensure that they are seen by you and by other motorists.

Cyclists often ride at some distance from the kerb to avoid drains and potholes and to discourage motorists from squeezing them on narrow roads. It is not in their interest to delay motorists deliberately. Remember too that their ability to signal is limited compared to ours, so try to anticipate what they might do from the position they have taken on the road. Please be patient.

Advanced stop lines are for cyclists alone and should be respected, so leave the space between the two sets of stop lines empty, whether or not cyclists are occupying it when you arrive. Be aware of where cycle lanes terminate, because this often means road space is more scarce and that in turn can make a cyclist more vulnerable.

Give young riders even more space than older ones; both old and young riders may swerve suddenly to avoid debris or potholes, but young people are more prone to forget your presence when they do.

Remember to use all your mirrors with extra care before changing direction when there are cyclists about. There might be a cyclist in your blind spot. Pay particular attention on roundabouts, as many accidents to cyclists happen at these junctions. Always signal at roundabouts.

Finally, every motorist has seen some irresponsible cyclists use the pavement, road and zebra crossings, seemingly at random. This is not only dangerous for pedestrians but unlawful, and the police can and do issue penalty notices for such offences. The police take a serious view of such careless or dangerous cycling, particularly when it puts other road users at risk. Responsible motorists give such irresponsible cyclists a wide berth.

For information on any other aspect of driving or riding please contact the IAM on 020 8996 9600 or visit iam.org.uk."
Show full article (3.93Kb)
3 Comments
Re: Share the roads - I.A.M.         


Date: Aug 8, 2008 14:41

"Colin Nelson" ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:Ic2nk.4207$GP7.3738@newsfe23.ams2...
> Cyclists don't have steel armour round them like we do.

Well that's there choice, if they can't be bothered to take there safety
seriously, why ask us to do it for them. If the slackers worked harder they
could afford a decent safety cell.
> Passing them at speed within a foot of their elbow may feel perfectly
> safe from where you are

It is, my steel is a lot harder than there flab and spandex.
> swerving in front of you.

Typical behaviour from the compensation seeking jobless.
> In traffic, make sure that you don't cut up a cyclist who is about to pass
> you on the near side.

You would think that considering the number of them flattened cycling up the
near side of HGVs and busses they would have worked out it's not a safe place
to be, those that can't are no loss to the gene pool.
> Advanced stop lines are for cyclists alone

Yet so few of them bother stopping at them.
Show full article (1.62Kb)
no comments
Re: Share the roads - I.A.M.         


Author: John Rowland
Date: Aug 8, 2008 15:17

Colin Nelson wrote:
>
> Cyclists often ride at some distance from the kerb to avoid drains
> and potholes and to discourage motorists from squeezing them on
> narrow roads. It is not in their interest to delay motorists
> deliberately.

Someone should tell Critical Mass!
no comments
Re: Share the roads - I.A.M.         


Author: Abo
Date: Aug 9, 2008 01:00

Colin Nelson wrote:
> They will usually be aware of you already!

Yeah, all those cyclists with earbuds in are really listening to the
traffic and not their iPods

--
Abo
no comments