During my cycle ride to St Ives and then back on the CGB (Cambridge Guided Busway) yesterday I encountered a number of situations that I now take for granted. When I say situation I mean occasions where, whatever the Highway code says car drivers behave in their own special way towards cyclists. So it occurred to me perhaps we need to better understand what it is that motorists are thinking when they have to manoeuvre near cyclists. These all occurred where there had either been some attempt to "calm" traffic or on "country" roads.
Question 1:
You are driving in your car and see some speed bumps ahead (of the speed cushion type), you also notice a cyclist in front approaching the speed cushions ahead of you. What should you do?
A. Wait patiently behind the cyclist as he/she will be able to carry on past the speed cushion without slowing whilst you will need to slow down somewhat (unless you are in a company car or van).
B. Accelerate hard in order to overtake the cyclist at speed and then whip over to the other side of the road and try to position your wheels so they straddle the "cushion" on the other side of the road - that way you don't affect the cyclist and you don't get slowed down.
C. Accelerate hard, swerve around the cyclist and then swerve back and stamp on the brakes so that you don't cause any damage to your vehicle as you hit the speed bump.
Answer 1:
A. - 0 points - what on earth are you doing slowing down for a miserable RLJ (Red Light Jumper) for? You are a warrior of the road - you paid for the damn road after all. The only redeeming thing you can do is roar away after the bump scaring cyclists and annoying inhabitants alike.
B. - 1 point - An interesting, strategic manoeuvre, but are you showing unnecessary consideration for the cyclist and the inhabitants, but a point for not slowing down.
C. - 2 points - This way you "obey" the law, get to roar away after driving over the speed bump and provide the cyclist with an opportunity to test his/her brakes and slow them down so you can get to the next set of lights before them!
Question 2:
Whilst innocently driving along the road you notice that a "redundant" traffic island has been placed in the middle of the road and shock, horror there appears to be a cyclist, (shouldn't they be on the path?) also approaching the constriction in the road ahead of you. What should you do?
A. Wait patiently behind the cyclist as the purpose of this "Traffic Furniture" is to slow down the traffic in an orderly fashion for the benefit of all road users, pedestrians and inhabitants of the area.
B. Accelerate hard in order to overtake the cyclist at speed and then whip over to the other side of the road and go past the Traffic Island on the "wrong" side of the road - that way you don't affect the cyclist and you don't get slowed down.
C. Accelerate hard, swerve around the cyclist and then swerve back quickly, you don't want to damage your car against the Island after all. This also improves the cyclists skills at riding in the gutter
Answer 2:
A. - 0 points - What on earth are you doing slowing down for a rolling road block for? That's what they wear helmets for isn't it?
B. - 1 point - Again this is an interesting, strategic manoeuvre, but are you showing unnecessary consideration for the cyclist and the inhabitants, but a point for daring!
C. - 2 points - This way you "obey" the law, get to roar away after slowing down and provide the cyclist with an opportunity to test his/her skills at riding in the gutter and/or jumping the kerb.
Question 3:
You find yourself driving up to a Traffic Light Controlled T-junction with a pretty red pattern on your side of the road and the lights are red. Ahead is a cyclist just about to enter the red area. What should you do?
A. Wait patiently behind the cyclist as he/she will be able to wait in the red area at the ASL - Advanced Stop Line in order to be visible to all motorists and safely negotiate the junction ahead of the motor traffic.
B. Accelerate hard in order to overtake the cyclist at speed and then whip back in front of the cyclist getting as close as you can to the kerb without actually entering the large bit of red on the road.
C. Accelerate hard, swerve around the cyclist and then wait in the red area revving your engine - you got there first after all.
Answer 3:
A. - 0 points - Why slow down - four wheels good, two wheels bad - after all you are going to be faster getting away at the junction anyway aren't you and the lights might change as you get there.
B. - 1 point - An interesting, strategic manoeuvre, but once you have gone into the red bit on the road you might as well go they whole way huh?
C. - 2 points - frankly this is illegal, but you can always claim that the lights changed just after you crossed into the red area. You can also road away the the lights when they change. You can also get a bonus with high-blood pressure if the cyclists was really an RLJ!
Question 4:
Whilst innocently driving along the road you notice that there are parked cars on your side of the road, there is also a cyclist approaching from the opposite direction. What should you do?
A. Slow down and wait patiently on your side of the road to allow the cyclist to pass by safely on their side of the road.
B. Slow down a bit, but carry on - roads are for cars after all and the cyclist can carry on in the gutter - so no harm done eh!.
C. Accelerate hard, you might just make it before the cyclist gets there, then you have right of way - surely? The cyclist well they now have to wait don't they?
Answer 4:
A. - 0 points - slowing down again - what will your fellow motorists think of you - seconds count after all.
B. - 1 point - An interesting, strategic manoeuvre, but wouldn't it be safer for the cyclist to be forced to stop?
C. - 2 points - This way you "obey" the law, the law of "you were there first" get to roar along and cyclists are slow anyway so a bit more "slow" is what they deserve eh?
Scores:
0: Thank you - you know the laws of the road, obey them and appreciate that a helmet is not protection against an "armoured" vehicle, Perhaps you are also a cyclist - if not why not try it sometime - there other motorists like you.
1-3: There might be some hope for you - check the Highway code find out what you are doing wrong and sort it. Try cycling - it will help you gain some insight into what it is like to share the road.
4-6 What a tosser, did you actually pass your test? Presumably you would be too scared to cycle because of other motorists like you!
It might be funny if it was not so dangerous - although cycling through Burwell yesterday a more elderly, female motorist stopped to allow me to turn right - it was good to see some old-fashioned courtesy on the road.
Your answers are the wrong way round
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