I`m a cyclist, and by jaysus do i see some gobshites every single day. When i cycle i wear a US Army Hi-Vis vest so there is absolutely no possible way that i cannot be seen, yet the amount of scrapes and near misses i`ve had is ridiculous,- most notably and recently a female driver coming out of a junction.
I had the right of way, and had she bothered to look right she would have seen me, but no she drove straight out, forcing me to turn sharply and brake suddenly, (all male cyclists should know the ‘fear’ of braking suddenly and getting the nuts bet off the handlebars.)
She also braked, obviously after noticing a big bright orange thing almost hitting the side of her car, but what happened next really took me aback, a child that was STANDING in the back went flying between the driver and passenger seat and whacked his head on the gearstick, she lowered her window where i was and shouted at me ” look what ya f**kin did”………….
I`m considering buying a foghorn to attach to the handlebars.
8 Comments
I used to cycle around Dublin too but you are taking extreme risks doing so. Mind you, I'm amazed at the number of cyclists that insist on cycling on the road despite a much safer and perfectly good cycle path less than 3 feet away!! Why??? What's wrong with the cycle path??? Is it the wrong colour?? OK, so a cycle lane isn't always available but when it is… use it!
Of course the other problem is cars parked on top of cycle lanes. This is a matter for the Gardai but unfortunately they don't do a damn thing about this type of behaviour…
When I used to cycle across London I fixed one of those airhorns designed for boats onto the handlebars. That really did get the attention of day dreaming pedestrians and drivers!
Maybe that's also what she said when the poor sprog first popped out into the world, too!
Reminds me of the ad about the killer being known to the victim, where a seemingly normal trip ends in disaster cos the driver's son is sat in the seat behind her without a seatbelt and whacks her when the car suddenly brakes.
The child should have been strapped in and her attitude reflects the due care and attention she not only drives with, but also shows children in her care, whether her own or not.
Andrew;
If cyclists are not using a cycle path 3 feet from the road, it is usually because it is not safe and far from perfectly good. They often look good from a distance, an illusion which disappears once you are on them.
Cyclists are a nightmare at times as they seem to think that the rules of the road don't apply to them i.e stopping at red traffic lights and coming from nowhere etc. They also seem to think that they don't need lights & almost all wear dark clothes. However, I agree that the driver obviously had no regard for the safety of herself, the child or other road users..
Im not a cyclist but own a bike.
When I see drivers with unrestrained children in my rear view mirrors, I let them get close and stand on the brakes. The child invariably lurches forward, gets hurt and the parent HOPEFULLY finds cause to use restraints.
Ok if you dont like the fact I do that then see it from my opinion.
I know the child will only hit their head at worst. If I was a truck slamming head on into them or coming from the side or whatever the child stands no change whatsoever.
I think we all know the Irish attitude. Make changes when the worst happens and its too late!!!
i have had cycled in london for over 5 years as a courrier and after cycle lane were introduced i can say .. there is not a thing more satisfatory than smashing a windscreen of a car illegaly parked in cycle ONLY lane….with the big 1 kilo hammer always carried with me…. espessially when it is a minicab driven by one of the nigerian(read african idiots) so called drivers… and yes i do have a clean drivers licence and i do drive a car every day
Anon, bit drastic isn’t it? What’s the worst that can happen? Well, the child could land with his head on something hard (handbrake, gearleaver), fracture his skull, break his neck, etc…
It’s one thing making a point (and yes, people who do not restrain their children are idiots and should be pulled over by the gardai if they weren’t on the dual carriageway checking we’re all doing the idiotic 60k speed limit posted there), but endangering the life of a child?
That to me is tantamount to assaulting my child and about as wise as poking a sleeping grizzly with a stick and parents would be forgiven for jamming your head in the doorframe of your car and slamming the door on your head Vinnie Jones style and I would consider that a reasonable response.