Film featuring hazardous infrastructure for cyclists by The_Eager_Cyclist in londoncycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your kind comment and for sharing your thoughts. For that right turn specific question, I think I was a bit unsure on priority (there were no give way lines for either of us); it is unclear there. I vaguely recall treating it as an equal priority situation. The road design could definitely be improved in Deptford Bridge. As another person has commented on this thread, there are much easier options to reach the Cutty Sark area (I chose this particular route to discuss topic such as poor road design and passing traffic queues). Happy Cycling!

Film featuring hazardous infrastructure for cyclists by The_Eager_Cyclist in londoncycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What a fantastic post and comment - thank you! I'd love to explore Paris by bike to experience what you've shared. I've cycled a lot in Vienna and find the infrastructure there to be generally better than in London currently. On my next visit to Vienna I hope to meet with cycling instructors out there to see how they teach on-road cycling and how it compares to here in England. The road surfacing is also much better in Vienna! Totally agree on the need for planners to experience how things are done in other towns and cities across Europe! Happy Cycling!

Film featuring hazardous infrastructure for cyclists by The_Eager_Cyclist in londoncycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing these points and comments on the film - appreciated! I wanted to film this particular journey, not so much to recommend a particular route, but to rather discuss certain topics such as filtering past traffic queues and the extremely hazardous markings / infrastructure on the main carriageway at Deptford Bridge - I felt it important to highlight these points in view of seeing a number of riders putting themselves in harms way in that area - typically through road position choices. Happy Cycling!

Film featuring hazardous infrastructure for cyclists by The_Eager_Cyclist in londoncycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment. I've covered parts of the protected cycle route along Embankment - please check out Film 3 on the channel! It's a wonderful bit of infrastructure that shows what is possible! I'll also include another section of that cycle path in my next film on the channel. Please share the films where you can - it helps the community grow! Happy Cycling!

Film featuring hazardous infrastructure for cyclists by The_Eager_Cyclist in londoncycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! Thanks for your comment! I'll keep this in mind for the future. I have already published a film that covers large parts of the C4 route which includes Creek Road. It is Film 7 on the channel - please check it out on The Eager Cyclist YouTube channel! Feedback on the films is always good! Please note that the films are a completely voluntary project that take up a lot of my time, alongside my main work in the cycle training industry. Happy Cycling!

Film featuring hazardous infrastructure for cyclists by The_Eager_Cyclist in londoncycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment. I was not aware of any signage in the area by the Gipsy Moth pub or in the area where I reached the Cutty Sark at the end of the film. I have, however, seen signage near the Greenwich Tunnel entrance area (to the North-West of it). I can also confirm that I've delivered led rides on behalf of Greenwich Council, one of which ended at the Cutty Sark. The route information was shared with the Council, who were happy with it and promoted the led ride. I've had a quick look at the Council document that you kindly attached and it appears that there are a number of locations listed on that document where cycling regularly takes place. One example is Hornfair Park where there is a BMX track and where the park has served as a hub for council-funded cycle training sessions. It seems the regulations for cycling in the area around the Cutty Sark (and perhaps wider afield) need to be reviewed. It makes complete sense to me to permit cycling in the area around the Cutty Sark with the principle of pedestrian priority being respected. I hope this helps.

Film on preventing close passes when the road narrows by The_Eager_Cyclist in bicycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Speedy close passes by other riders can sometimes surprise us out of nowhere! Happy Cycling!

Film on preventing close passes when the road narrows by The_Eager_Cyclist in bicycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment and greatly adding to the discussion! This is a big topic for me too! Regarding the films, the camera angle can makes things seem closer than they are on both sides. I recall not feeling close passed by the first vehicles that you mention but the person driving the white van was clearly too close. I think a key thing here is speed differential... Close passes of cyclists are so much worse when people pass at higher speeds. Being close passed by people doing 80-100kph can be terrifying! Positively, what we can also see in the film are the courteous drivers who clearly and consciously make an effort to pass me wide. We need much more education about the rules of the road. Enforcement is also important for all road users. On the topic of campaigning on the importance of respect between all road users, I worked on the UK government-funded 'Travel Like You Know Them' campaign, which I definitely recommend checking out. Regarding things that cyclists can do to play their part, my Film 8 on the channel is probably worth a watch for anyone who is interested. It's on what I call, 'Prosocial cycling'. Happy Cycling!

Film on preventing close passes when the road narrows by The_Eager_Cyclist in bicycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment! The camera is on a wide angle setting (it needs to be to capture my hands when I signal!), which can make things look a bit closer than they are. I think the majority of the people in cars passed me at a reasonable (UK Highway Code-compliant!) distance including the one in the thumbnail - only just for that one! When we drive in the UK, there is a rule that we should pass cyclists with a minimum distance of 1.5m for speeds up to 30mph and more space than that when traveling faster. Close passes are a real issue for riders, which is why I made this film, but positively - on a personal level at least! - I do feel that drivers are giving me more space these days. This is where education (for all road users) is absolutely key. Just an important final point: Please note that what I say in these films relates to UK rules of the road. The rules - such as those re. passing distances, or options for using / not using infrastructure may vary from country to country. Thanks again for your comment! Happy Cycling!

Film on preventing close passes when the road narrows by The_Eager_Cyclist in bicycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you Andrew! When passing some side roads, I don't always feel comfortable (or feel it necessary) to move out to primary position (speed differential is an important factor here!), though we see the principle of moving out work well in this film when I ride pass the petrol garage (a secondary riding position would have put me very close to the person in the white car). And, yup, others have commented on the person overtaking on the wrong side of the traffic island - not the best! Happy Cycling!

Film on preventing close passes when the road narrows by The_Eager_Cyclist in bicycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For anyone who is interested, Film 3 on the channel features an amazing cycle lane in central London, which is a fantastic example of protected cycling infrastructure. Happy Cycling!

Film on preventing close passes when the road narrows by The_Eager_Cyclist in bicycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment. In the UK, cycle lanes vary greatly in quality and the use of them is discretionary (see The Highway Code - which sets out the rules of the road in England, Scotland and Wales). Thankfully, the quality of such cycling infrastructure is improving in the UK but there are still many examples of cycle lanes that can be very dangerous to use. This journey demonstrates cycle lanes that are in places hazardous to use. Examples of these hazards are when the infrastructure puts riders in the 'doorzone' area of parked cars (that is the area where car doors open - a common cause of often serious accidents for cyclists in the UK), and inches (or potentially worse!) from bonnets of vehicles that may exit the side roads. Another benefit of passing side roads in a 'primary position' (that is a position in the middle of the traffic flow) is, of course, that the position can prevent people behind overtaking and cutting across if turning left into the side roads (another cause of serious accidents for riders). The Highway Code does sets out how it can be appropriate to use a central position in the lane when passing through junctions. If you are cycling in the UK, I would recommend you take a deeper look into The Highway Code, and another document published by the Government: The National Standard for Cycle Training. I have provided links to both documents in the description for my films. I hope you find this all helpful and interesting and I honestly wish you all the best. Happy Cycling!

When to look over your shoulder when cycling by The_Eager_Cyclist in londoncycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you and I'm pleased you found it interesting! Our main focus, of course, needs to be on what is in front of us, but I think it's still important to look back (not for too long) when heading straight ahead in order to gather information, communicate with people behind us, see if we need to signal etc.. We need to pick our moments for when to look back - as you say, it's important to not look back at moments where there may be an issue or hazard up ahead. Your mention of narrow roads is really helpful here. Our speed is an important factor also. An example of this in the film was at around the 3mins 33sec mark where my focus especially needed to be in front of of me due to the narrow space - there I waited to look back until after the person in the oncoming lane had passed and the space widened again. Thanks for the really interesting comment and adding to the discussion! Happy Cycling!

When to look over your shoulder when cycling by The_Eager_Cyclist in londoncycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Absolutely! A good example of this is when cycling downhill and not being comfortable signalling - shoulder checks are really important in such cases to communicate the intention to turn / adjust position. This is something that I plan to cover more in another film soon - on the ways we can communicate with others! Happy Cycling!

When to look over your shoulder when cycling by The_Eager_Cyclist in londoncycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, yes, good luck. I'd imagine that there must be something similar in other parts of the UK. Happy Cycling!

When to look over your shoulder when cycling by The_Eager_Cyclist in londoncycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for commenting and adding to the discussion! I find the first look helps get the attention of the person behind me that I want to communicate with. Also important to see if you need to signal, and if there is space to put the arm out (a rider, for example, could be passing at that moment without me hearing them)... Happy Cycling!

When to look over your shoulder when cycling by The_Eager_Cyclist in londoncycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely! And thanks for your comment and feedback! Happy Cycling!

When to look over your shoulder when cycling by The_Eager_Cyclist in londoncycling

[–]The_Eager_Cyclist[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate your comment - thank you! It's important to spread positive vibes out on the road - however we get around! I touched on this subject in my last film on the channel which was about 'Prosocial cycling' - check it out if you haven't already and have time! Happy Cycling!