A van driver who killed a cyclist after failing to see him on the road, despite the 54-year-old riding with two rear lights, has been handed a suspended 10-month prison sentence.Graham Nash was riding his bike on a single carriageway section of the A65 Settle bypass in Craven, North Yorkshire on 6 August 2024, when ... Read more
I bought an e-scooter in June and it’s changed my whole perspective. I didn’t realize just how careless drivers are before nor the extent to which people simply don’t see us. Not to give drivers an out, but I don’t think people’s peripheral vision is developed well for anything that isn’t the size of a car.
My city has lots of protected bike lanes but one still has to be careful because someone rolling out of McDonald’s may be more focused on their burger or drink than you crossing the bike lane. It’s common for homeless people to be strolling into my lane, locked into their cell phone’s screen, and there are even people who’ve fallen asleep in the lane. I always stop to make sure they’re okay.
Also, last week, I had two separate incidents where I needed to use the main roads and people driving the other way, with me safely in my own lane mind you, decided to yell at me or honk incessantly, apparently angered that I was on the road at all. It was jarring and I wasn’t expecting it after using the main roads safely for two months. (My scooter goes 30mph, so speed-wise it’s not an impediment to cars.) I’ve always gotten in the lane I need to be in and stayed there, but I’m going to stay to the right from now on any time I have to use the main roads, even though I shouldn’t have to.
Essentially, yes, fuck cars. And people.
It shouldn’t be 100% on me or anyone else on two wheels to ensure safety, but at least here in the US the car culture is so pervasive that it is 100% on me to be aware and if someone hits me it’ll just be presumed to be my fault.
You shouldn’t ride in a bike lane on the left side of the road. You should only ever ride in a bike lane on the right side of the road. I know that people like to walk on the left for safety, but this isn’t that.
One of the best reasons is simply other cyclists who would be trying to use the lane correctly. There usually isn’t enough room to safely pass by eachother. So someone going the wrong way doesn’t work.
My city has lots of protected bike lanes but one still has to be careful because someone rolling out of McDonald’s WILL be more focused on their burger or drink than you crossing the bike lane. Every single one, every single day. Even the ones you expect to know better, like ambulances. And my city allegedly has some of the best cycling infrastructure in the UK.
I bought an e-scooter in June and it’s changed my whole perspective. I didn’t realize just how careless drivers are before nor the extent to which people simply don’t see us. Not to give drivers an out, but I don’t think people’s peripheral vision is developed well for anything that isn’t the size of a car.
My city has lots of protected bike lanes but one still has to be careful because someone rolling out of McDonald’s may be more focused on their burger or drink than you crossing the bike lane. It’s common for homeless people to be strolling into my lane, locked into their cell phone’s screen, and there are even people who’ve fallen asleep in the lane. I always stop to make sure they’re okay.
Also, last week, I had two separate incidents where I needed to use the main roads and people driving the other way, with me safely in my own lane mind you, decided to yell at me or honk incessantly, apparently angered that I was on the road at all. It was jarring and I wasn’t expecting it after using the main roads safely for two months. (My scooter goes 30mph, so speed-wise it’s not an impediment to cars.) I’ve always gotten in the lane I need to be in and stayed there, but I’m going to stay to the right from now on any time I have to use the main roads, even though I shouldn’t have to.
Essentially, yes, fuck cars. And people.
It shouldn’t be 100% on me or anyone else on two wheels to ensure safety, but at least here in the US the car culture is so pervasive that it is 100% on me to be aware and if someone hits me it’ll just be presumed to be my fault.
You shouldn’t ride in a bike lane on the left side of the road. You should only ever ride in a bike lane on the right side of the road. I know that people like to walk on the left for safety, but this isn’t that.
One of the best reasons is simply other cyclists who would be trying to use the lane correctly. There usually isn’t enough room to safely pass by eachother. So someone going the wrong way doesn’t work.
My city has lots of protected bike lanes but one still has to be careful because someone rolling out of McDonald’s WILL be more focused on their burger or drink than you crossing the bike lane. Every single one, every single day. Even the ones you expect to know better, like ambulances. And my city allegedly has some of the best cycling infrastructure in the UK.