Last night we were marveling at the skill of a cyclist in Basel who had one hand holding a pizza and the other one a mobile phone. He was looking at the phone. He’s almost certainly practicing for a “Darwin awards” competition.
Was it in a box or was he just chomping at it as he was riding?
In a box. He was a man of culture!
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Drivers perceptions of cyclists study:
PDF here
Testing with VR and video clips of incidents and observing responses:
A key finding which should be noted was that, when commenting on the scenarios it was usually the behaviour of the cyclist that was criticised – no matter how small the misdemeanour. Few links were made between the cyclist’s behaviour and any external influences that could be affecting their choice of behaviour i.e. the respondents’
comments indicated that they thought the cyclist’s actions
were inherent and dispositional behaviours. In contrast, the
motorists’ misdemeanours were excused or justified in
terms of the situational influences.
And:
…Perhaps more interesting is the way in which drivers tended to criticise the behaviour of cyclists before that of the drivers depicted within each scene. This aligns with the psychological prediction of targeting of members of an ‘out group’
From what I’ve seen on this thread in respond to anything I have posted, it looks like it’s normal behaviour for many people so perhaps could be understandable (but not really excusable):
When respondents were generally asked which road users they found irritating, until prompted, cyclists did not particularly feature in discussions. This would tend to contradict the view of some cyclists that drivers habitually adopt an aggressive posture towards them. Only when prompted were drivers prepared to discuss cyclists at all, although once initiated, discussion showed attitudes towards cyclists and cycling were generally negative for the majority of respondents
For all those who say “But I cycle too, as well as drive”, there are other studies which show many people change their own behaviour and bias depending on what mode of transport they are utilising.
People are really bad at risk analysis - for themselves and the the risk to others through their actions.
At the risk of inflaming Tom, I had to share an incident from the commute into work earlier today.
I was riding behind a white car which was driving strangely slow. I’m not sure if the driver was on the phone or something. A bicycle was coming in the opposite direction, the car drove straight towards him without slowing down. I heard a crunch from the gear box at this time so the driver seemed to be struggling with control of the car.
The bike was forced to tip over to avoid the car. An angry words were shouted both ways. I continued more cautiously which was deserved as the car then suddently swerved right without indicating and then turned right onto a major road.
I was going in the same direction and turned. After the turn the car was on the left lane and I was on the bus/bike lane. Here I’m normally faster than the cars as there’s usually a queue of cars and the bus lane is normally empty.
I’m about to go past the white car when he suddenly and without indicating swerves out of his lane into the bus/bike lane to ‘shortcut’ the queue and would have knocked me over had I not been on the watch out for this.
And plot twist, the cyclist he tipped over had turned around and overtaken me to give the driver a piece of his mind.
I continued on my journey cautiously as I didn’t want to be taken out on the third attempt…
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I don’t understand what you mean here.
Glad you remained safe and no one was hurt or killed due to the idiotic driver. These are times when I am very tempted to write down the number and report a dangerous situation.
Having said that, I almost hit a pedestrian while biking the other day who just walked out on the road without looking. She was talking to someone on her mobile, with airpods in her ears and her eyes on the phone.
Luckily, I could stop but she never even saw me.
It seems that the problem is anyone who is not observant nor driving according to the law.
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I’m really shocked that so many people here just walk across the road without looking.
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A couple stepped out across the road without looking into my path yesterday. Luckily I was cycling up a hill so wasn’t going fast and could move round them.
I said “Warte, luege, lose, laufe!” and the man smiled and apologised.
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I think he means that the cyclist had no other option to avoid hitting the car. It was crash to the side or let the car hit him straight on.
They’re looking…at their phones!
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It’s a shame he didn’t take the car licence number and offer to be a witness for the other cyclist.
One day, there will be tests for medicament that impairs driving. So far, no one wants to test blood for this.
This is a friend’s husband. It seems to be the same kind of accident that sadly took Begga’s life in Basel.
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Terrible.
Trucks running over cyclists on a right turn is a known problem. Drivers often just don’t see the cyclists from their position. There has been lots of debate about technical solutions like making drivers sit on the right or some warning system.
A colleague of mine almost got killed in a similar situation in Copenhagen. She spent 10 weeks in hospital.
I’m always extra careful when turning right across a cycle lane as it’s easy to miss seeing a cyclist depending on where they hard. It must be even more difficult in a truck.
Shocking and a terrible thing and heartbreaking for your friend and their family.
The article notably said the onus should not be on cyclists to take more care by plastering “Blind spot” tickets everywhere.
They should make mirror-mounted blind spot cameras compulsory for all lorries and trucks although a lot of accidents are simply lorry drivers not using their mirrors enough.
Extremely sad. The paint on the asphalt marking the cycling lane is useless.
The heavy goods vehicle was traveling on the Route des Acacias towards the bridge of the same name. At rue Caroline, he turned right and collided with a cyclist. This one “was driving on the cycle lane in the same direction”,
Statistically, it’s worse than having no markings at all.
Cyclists should not be lulled into a false sense of safety by a bit of paint on the road.
Maybe in cities. Certainly not on country roads.
Shall I do what you do and ask you to back that up with statistics (or, again, as you do - say you are embarrassing yourself)?
Which do you prefer?