You don't have to cycle next to the kerb
In fact anyone who cycles a lot knows that you should be at least a metre off the kerb to give you space to swerve. Indeed, if you cycle further from the kerb cars will usually treat you better, especially if you demonstrate awareness of their presence by looking round etc.

But if you jump lights or swerve in and out of lanes without indicating then you will most likely get hurt.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 13:55, 3 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

I am much too slow.
IT'S BECAUSE I'M REALLY OLD!!!!!

/Pires
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 13:56, Reply)

I don't do that
I'm very careful all the time, that's why I go so close to the kerb, and they scare the shit out of me. I've decided to go walking and crossing like a pedestrian in a couple of big roundabouts, after being almost killed twice by impatient twats.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Wed 18 Aug 2010, 13:59, Reply)

Although it seems odd
if you ride in a nervous manner you are far more likely to get hurt than if you just take the lane at roundabouts i.e. move out to stop cars overtaking you.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:00, Reply)

I can't do that
Honestly, I've been too close to them several times. They overtake you and cross just in front of you, and if you complain, they still shout at you that it's your fault.

I've been almost crushed by a bus, when the driver forgot to look out for cyclist on the side, bastard. I had to knock his window to stop him going over me.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:02, Reply)

the bus driver probably did it on purpose
because they are all massive sociopathic cunts
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:04, Reply)

I love letting buses out so they give you a big thumbs up

(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:09, Reply)

me too :-D
I've only recently noticed that they do it. Previously I would never let them out, and now I always do.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:12, Reply)

I usually do,
but only because they scare me. But this one was stopped, not even lights on. And decided to start up when I was almost under his window. Stupid.

I've decided I prefer my safety than the laws. That's why I don't wait at the front at junctions anymore, specially if I'm turning right, and just go to the end of the queue, on the right side of the road, and take it at my own pace.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:14, Reply)

Where do you live?

(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:08, Reply)

That was in Manchester
I hate cycling in Manchester. I uset to leave home at 7am in order to avoid traffic 4 years ago. Now I have to leave around 6am.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:15, Reply)

I do that! I leave the house at 7.30am so it's quiet
it's terrifying.
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:56, Reply)

it's the demonstrating awareness bit that fucks me off
we frequently get cunts cycling along main roads here in the middle of the road, travelling a good 20 mph slower than the cars are allowed to go, and they are seemingly oblivious to this.

When I'm on my bike, while I am aware that I have rights on the road, I'm also aware that most drivers are shitcunts and so I make myself as aware as possible of what they are doing and get out of the way if I am holding them up.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:01, Reply)

^This
Mind you, I nearly caught a cyclist this morning. I was waiting for a gap in traffic to turn right, and as one came out I was juuuust about to move when I quickly checked my wing mirror and saw a cyclist come shooting along my right hand side (also turning right).

Had I not clocked him, well, I would have clocked him...
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:05, Reply)

That's bad cycling
I also hate motorbikes who do this.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:06, Reply)

Yes, it is bad
Still would have likely been my neck had I caught him.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:08, Reply)

It might be bad
But I cycle on the right if I'm turning right, as I don't want cars going straight to crush me because they can't wait 2secs. Too many of those I've had.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:16, Reply)

You're a perfect example of why cycliing in a nervous fashion
is more dangerous.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:23, Reply)

I also caught a cyclist this morning.
My traps really are fucking good these days.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:08, Reply)

Did you drown it?

(Bazongaloid, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:09, Reply)

Or cook and eat it?

( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:10, Reply)

Not yet.
I’m keeping it alive so I can test out a few ‘ideas’ that I’ve been having lately.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:11, Reply)

find out how hard it is to pull his arm off

( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:17, Reply)

You are Josef Mengele
and I claim my free amputation.
(Cave Duck, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:18, Reply)

I wish.
Talk about 'dream job'....
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 18 Aug 2010, 14:26, Reply)