A look up death alley - don't use that cycle lane.

[Mickygemma]

I just pasted my HGV test and whilst i was learning i was told you can use the cycle lane ( same as that on in your video ) as that is also part of the road. I was told also that i am not allowed in the cycle lane with a solid white line ( thought i was stupid) lol

[lsmike]

@Mickygemma That's right - mandatory cycle lanes have a solid white line, and we drivers aren't supposed to go in there (unless we have to). Dotted ones like the above are advisory only.

[nibnobsam]

That's not even a proper bike lane. Cars can legally drive AND park in it. I have the same type outside my house, all it achieves is psychologically preventing cars moving over when there is an obstruction.

[devonmale69]

This is not even a Bicycle see how low to the ground it is, no wonder no one can see you, how may wheels have you got? 3 I am guessing so if so your not a Bicycle at all eh clue is Bi

[lsmike]

@devonmale69 I think you're a bit confused. No-one has any problem seeing me.

[devonmale69]

@lsmike So a driver who is on the offside of a Vehicle can see you? Think about it in say the four lorries from 00:20 the first might just see you but the ones behind him have no chance of seeing you think how high and what’s between you and his eyes… It like the Sinclair C5’s who had to put long poles with a flag on them to be seen… and the sign for the Bus lane do not show a tricycle but a Bicycle may use it.

[lsmike]

@devonmale69 LOL, a flag to be seen? How do you think drivers stay in their lanes? How high are paint markings on the road? I'm taller than many low sports cars - should they also have flags to be seen? You never managed to drive within lane markings, and never saw the invisible Ferraris around either? You clearly can't see the kerb either.

What is this tricycle of which you speak? Are you trying to suggest tricycles aren't allowed in bus lanes because they have three wheels? LOOOL!

[lsmike]

@devonmale69 More importantly, what has any of that got to do with the subject of this video? It's simply holding back and letting a series of large HGVs overtake, and showing why you shouldn't ride in the cycle lane example in this video.

[TheGamingDirect]

@lsmike I know cause you've probably got oneof those stupid orange flags at the back :D

[lsmike]

@TheGamingDirect Nope, I don't use a flag. I don't think it adds to my visibility. Not even in a Ferrari.

[dirtdoggg]

Recumbent right ?

[moltenmetal]

Also, what's you're view on motorcycles in bus lanes? Because I've heard in one of the boroughs in London their scrapping it because of an increased accident rate for cyclist even though there hasn't been any recorded incidents between a motorcyclist and a cyclist. I'm just being nosy is all =]

[moltenmetal]

I like this video, it shows that even if you are being where you are "supposed" to be it sometimes isn't safe! I used to cycle to work myself and people were forever telling me to use cycle lanes, but when I pointed out that the lanes didn't go where I needed to go and that that is was dangerous for me to just cut across their responses were usually along the lines of "get a bus" or "learn to drive". Not helpful if you're a uni student working on minimum wage eh?

[gaydanzig]

no offense to england, it's my seventh favorite country in the world, but why do you have such awful bike lanes and terrible traffic planning?

[lsmike]

@gaydanzig You're right on the money - it's abortionate. I think it's because there's a deeply entrenched anti-cycling culture in the UK, and a perception that car is and must always be king. One pedestrian traffic light on my commute has the following green times: pedestrians - 6 seconds, intra-green - 7 seconds, cars - 89 seconds.

Despite all that, the bicycle is still the fastest form of transport in Central London, and is more popular every year.

[russelfrancis]

@gaydanzig It's not just awful bike lanes we have here - the roads are in terrible condition country wide!

[russelfrancis]

It's a good video and an important message. I can't speak for cycling in the capital but as a daily commuter in Cambridge it's mainly not worth staying in the cycle lanes because they are all in utterly disastrous condition.

I feel that one of the worst things about cycling is the lack of knowledge from drivers about just how dangerous it can be riding on roads. I like to take a middle of the road position when I can due to poor condition of the sides, but it leads to being cut up a lot.

[lsmike]

@nmstone0101 Yeah, I guess that's why I largely ignore the cycle routes along here. It's better to act like a car driver with bicycle priviledges, IMO.

[pjmcnally]

is that a recumbent? nice video btw.

[lsmike]

@LORDMCHUGH Really? I'd not be bothered, cycle lanes aren't much good for cyclists in safety terms.

[gadgetmind]

In Leeds, we have straight ahead cycle lanes that run down the left hand side of left turn only lanes. Madness!

[carlitox472]

bet I could go half your speed on the old bike route and still beat you!

[lsmike]

@carlitox472 Nope, I'm not seeing how your route is either faster or better.

[carlitox472]

@lsmike I've never cycle recumbent, or such routine long distance, but for me, as a local, it is easier because I can travel free and easy and just have to wait to cross roads, not for the long lights changes. But crossing traffic would be difficult in the recumbent. Personally, most of the new cycle routes seem stressful and illogical to no benefit in time.

[lsmike]

@carlitox472 I'm still not getting how your route is shorter or faster than going along the A202. There aren't even that many traffic lights along there, and the A202 is both straight, direct, and free flowing, which makes for good average speeds.

[carlitox472]

@lsmike faster, because I find the traffic blocked most of the time. I tend to hit the lights which take ages at Oval, then at Vauxhall cross I get caught by that whole thing. Your route is more direct and simpler, if I am long distance, I would probably do similarly. But, it's a hairy route. All the vids and xp prove that.

[lsmike]

@carlitox472 I reckon you probably need to learn to filter then. It's fairly rare to be held up by traffic on this route.

[carlitox472]

pretty stupid route to cycle. do some route finding! Go down Vallance, then right, over brixton, clapham rds.

[lsmike]

@carlitox472 Oh come on, nothing is as fast and direct as this road is for me. You can ride slow, and do multiple detours if you want, but with a 45 mile round trip commute I really don't have the energy. Besides, I don't find this route at all dangerous.

[dp441000]

its like when i get on my bike kiling me is no longer a crime!just akind of whoops and forget thing like treading on a snail.if only we had tasers:)

[NicosNicosNicosNicos]

Your shadow on the road looks like a that of a boxing stick-insect.

[NicosNicosNicosNicos]

I don't mind drivers overtaking me and doing a left if they are good, decisive and quick enough to pull it off before I get there. On the other hand drivers who follow you at a snail's pace for half an hour when they could just as easily overtake you really get on my nerves.

[lsmike]

Yes, it's OK if there's plenty of room. The problem comes with left hooks - it's common for a moton to overtake and turn left when it isn't safe to do so.

[pseudotruth]

For those that haven't heard 'Cyclecraft' by John Franklin is a great book. It's highly recommended.

[QMATYr]

If u have a brain, ( but most cyclists doesnt) never ever try over take HGV or Bus or any BIG Vehicle when is turning left !!!

[lsmike]

Also, don't forget to be aware of crazy HGV drivers trying to overtake you and turn left. People are often too quick to blame the cyclists, when apparently many of the fatalities in London are the fault of the driver. Of course there's lots of terrible cycling too.

[furorelondon]

Where abouts is this? It looks familiar.

[lsmike]

It's the A202, heading NW towards Kennington Oval. The intersection is with the A3.

Scarily this is where a girl was killed in the last couple of weeks, by an overtaking HGV turning from the A3 into Harleyford Street.

[bloodshot16]

trike or bike?

[lsmike]

Bike - Challenge Hurricane.

[lsmike]

Yes, if you use that cycle lane, you're very likely to get a driver doing a left hook, i.e. overtaking you and then turning left across your path. I avoid this by taking the lane as you can see in the video. It's surprisingly common, though you'd think drivers would be better at not doing this since it's blatantly obvious bad driving.

In the US, it would be a right hook of course.

[2wheels2fast]

i wouldnt use the bus lane either

[lsmike]

What's wrong with using the bus lane? It has all of the advantages of the cycle lane, with none of the disadvantages and dangers.

[2wheels2fast]

if theres a car in the right hand lane that wants to turn left and doesnt see your (very low) bike its rolly polly time

[lsmike]

Left hooks can happen anywhere, and are nothing to do with cycle lanes. I'd say left hooks are slightly less likely in a bus lane than if you're in a cycle lane, because drivers generally know that they have to wait for buses and taxis, and thus bikes also before turning left.

As for the low bike, are you suggesting it's less visible? In fact it's more visible than an upright bike. 10 times as many drivers will see my recumbent than will see me on my Specialized upright road bike.

[lsmike]

Besides which, if someone has just overtaken you, how do they not see you? Of course they have, and if they then proceed to turn left across you, it's only because they are impatient bad drivers and don't care about cutting up or knocking off a cyclist.

[V0ree]

lsmike I like your videos ;) !!! It is a strange view of roads :D and I find it really interesting :o ! ;)

[changmasterz]

i always figured bikes like that were death traps any way

[lsmike]

LOL! Surprisingly to those who don't have experience, recumbents are actually safer and *more* visible to other traffic than normal upright bikes. Unexpected eh?

Regardless, this video is about the lunacy of these sorts of cycle lanes, and the bike type is largely irrelevant to that.

[ComDev2]

The Mayor is trying to allow cyclists to turn left on red, to prevent accidents (deaths) like the one last week at elephant and castle. As far as i can see, this wouldn't have prevented this accident. The CCTV footage should also be able to reveal how it happened.

[lsmike]

Yes, I think Boris is an idiot, and cycle lanes like this one irresponsible and negligent design.  I'm not sure about allowing left turns on red, but I suspect it's a good way to get more cyclists killed by encouraging them to filter up the left of an HGV, and to cause conflict with pedestrians.

[itsazy]

TONS of HGV's go past me everyday :(

bloody DHL lorry nearly got me on thursday...

[DAKODA65]

notice the vans tire at 0:55 ?

[keokiracerhalsteren]

@DAKODA65

yes, i wonder if the guy thats driving the car/van knows....

[tomzacharias]

I commend you on this valuable contribution. I live off the Brixton Road and often cycle past the Oval on that route and it's scary as s**t.

A few weeks ago I almost got knocked off by a minicab driver by the bus garage on C'well New Road and it's getting exhausting to shout after drivers who turn left without consideration. It appears that the drive to educate HGV drivers might make a difference - but WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO??

peace,

Thomas

[lsmike]

Thanks! I don't find riding here scary, I like this route. They are bigger faster roads, but the bus lane is a beaut, and the traffic seems relatively unstressed and careful of cyclists to me.

[MarblerNo2]

Ha I cycle on the same road and am always looking out for those using this cycle path. I do use it myself but only when cars are there who can see me.

[lsmike]

I've had too many near left hooks from cars there, so I always take the lane now.

[EdinburghFixed]

Good illustration.

I'm glad that Edinburgh doesn't have as many HGVs as London! Car drivers up here don't have the same skills (or experience?) but at least you have a chance if struck by one!

[cyclepod1]

That is so scary. If i could, I would have got off. I have mirrors so I could see those earlier.Those nutters were going ridiculously fast.

[lsmike]

I think they were going OK, I don't think they were speeding. Perhaps a little pushy, but I didn't have a problem with the lorry drivers in this video.

I'm quite pleased that for once I was extra alert and did a good job of maintaining my safety bubble.

[saecobell]

Wish more cyclists were as switched on as you.Those lorries and cars looked a bit close and fast.

[lsmike]

Thanks!  I certainly make my fair share of mistakes and bad judgement.

[ddallass]

It's a suicide slot!

[TCTC68]

Excellent example ismike