Safe cycle routes. Are there any really?

Having ridden 500 miles in the last few months I've had a number of near miss accidents riding some routes. I try and ride safely but on shared pedestrian and cycle paths it's starting to worry me. The worst is pedestrians going directly across cycle lanes out of nowhere. There are benches along side and durt paths adjoining route, but with the lush green bushes it's a shock when they step out infront from nowhere.

I'm now trying different routes and keeping more to back roads Vs cycle paths because of the anxiety I'm getting.

It's been surprising to me how dangerous some routes are that are signed as cycle routes because of the pedestrians.

I do end up on winding uphill trails occasionally, and I find this helpful to warn people of my approach ahead of bends. Also handy for blasting at drunks on pavements at night who may otherwise stagger right in front of me on the road. The horn sound works best, unsure what reaction it's bird/harpy shriek option is designed to have. Feels good beeping drivers loudly too. I've had this for two years and haven't needed to change it's two AAA batteries, despite my wanton and furious beeping at everything and everyone.

 

https://hornit.com/products/db140

 

 

Three very bright headlights on constantly day and night, have helped me avoid many mishaps. Constant at night, flash during the day. Because I dip them down ahead of my bike, a couple of months ago in daylight, they alerted a van driver of my approaching ahead of an intersection, which I was very pleased about, because he stopped and I didn't get squished. Something similar happened in the 80s which prompted me to give up cycling until 2019. I crashed into a BMW that time - that driver didn't stop because he'd exited an aperture in a brick wall directly in front of me on the road, because there was no pavement and he couldn't see me because of the wall. My bike crumpled when it hit his front wheel. There were no easily fitted mega bright lights for bicycles available then. His seeing a bright flashing in the road ahead of him, might have had the same effect.

 

 

Edited September 19, 20232 yr by guerney

I have the same issue daily with folk wandering all over the shared cycle path 3 or 4 abreast often with kids too and how shocked they look when i tinkle my lil bell at em.. I read on one of the US EV forums of a chap who fitted a rather loud clown car sounding horn, which apparently encourages the startled rabbits to smile rather than scowl??? I dunno but if i see one on ebay im kinda tempted..

This "600db" horn tempted me, but the Hornit works fine, avoiding the need for a 36V to 12V converter...

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285327610612

 

I was thinking I need a horn. I use bell but I don't think it's good enough.

I was thinking I need a horn. I use bell but I don't think it's good enough.

 

Drivers can't hear tinkling bells. Druggies and drunks might be attracted to the lovely sounds they make.

pump a 2l pop bottle fitted with a tyre valve upto 100psi and you can keep an air horn tooting for days..

fit a big air horn and i will give u a 30l polykeg you can safely pump upto 100psi it'l weigh bugger all and give you hours of tootin pleasure

[mention=33660]guerney[/mention]

 

I've ordered that horn. Looks just the job.

Can't wait to get the horn tbh.

[mention=33660]guerney[/mention]

 

I've ordered that horn. Looks just the job.

Can't wait to get the horn tbh.

 

The trigger for mine is directly under the index finger of my left hand on the handgrip. I check positioning is perfect before a ride, for rapidfire loud beepy action. Beeping back at drivers really seems to annoy some of them - after beeping me while passing too close and fast, one driver turned his van around to have a right shout. Total nutter.

Edited September 19, 20232 yr by guerney

I read on one of the US EV forums of a chap who fitted a rather loud clown car sounding horn, which apparently encourages the startled rabbits to smile rather than scowl???

 

That's fright overriding flight. Deer frozen by headlights sort of thing.

 

you should have a roll round our race track for ram rovers.

[ATTACH type="full" alt="20220620_151423[1].jpg"]54076[/ATTACH]

Don't worry about pedestrians. Just don't ride to fast and be considerate. Roads and cars are really dangerous.

I have the same issue daily with folk wandering all over the shared cycle path 3 or 4 abreast often with kids too and how shocked they look when i tinkle my lil bell at em.. I read on one of the US EV forums of a chap who fitted a rather loud clown car sounding horn, which apparently encourages the startled rabbits to smile rather than scowl??? I dunno but if i see one on ebay im kinda tempted..

Those loud horns don't work. either people don't repond, it makes them panic or it makes them angry. The best warning is a "bring bring" type bell because that's what people associate with a bicycle coming. Ny friend and I tried a whole range of warning devices, but none worked other than the bell. the loud horn works better on the road for cars because they're tuned to that sound when driving.

https://anticsonline.uk/Product/Ekol-EKGEDIZBLUE-GEDIZ-Blue-Black-9mm-Blank-Firer--11_EKGEDIZBLUE_N17128

 

A lot of people wear headphones as I am they don't hear you anyway

Shared cycle routes are just that - the clue is in the title. No amount of lights or audable warning devices will get around the fact that pedestrians have priority. Just read the Highway Code.

My own personal gripe is with dog owners who frequent what is known locally as "Dog sh1t Alley", an otherwise very pleasant shared part of National Cycle Route 534. Fido bounding about off-lead has nearly upended me on many occasions, with the owner giving a nervous laugh and "Oooh, sorry about that".

I've had the odd run-in with people who, despite me approaching at a very slow speed and ringing the bell, are startled away from their mobile phones sufficiently for them to give me abuse -"You shouldn't be riding a bike on this path!". Pointing to the clear cycling signs doesn't bring about a change in tone.

It's all about tolerance - or the lack of it. I recognise that all of these peope have priority over me and I ride accordingly, however annoying it can be at times. As cyclists we hope for the same consideration from motor vehicle drivers when we are riding on the roads.

A lot of people wear headphones as I am they don't hear you anyway

 

https://www.gunstar.co.uk/gsg-german-sport-guns-gmbh-mp40-9mm-pak-blank-firing/Replica/1268933

 

https://www.gunstar.co.uk/ekol-asi-9mm-black-blue-blank-firing-submachine-pistol-knive/Blades/1468903

Those loud horns don't work. either people don't repond, it makes them panic or it makes them angry.

 

The reaction from people on paths hasn't been bad. I sound the Hornit well ahead of time, not when I'm right behind them and they move out of the way. It sounds like the horn of a very small vehicle, and it is. Small mopedy.

Edited September 19, 20232 yr by guerney

A lot of people wear headphones as I am they don't hear you anyway

 

They definitely hear the Hornit.

My own personal gripe is with dog owners who frequent what is known locally as "Dog ** Alley", an otherwise very pleasant shared part of National Cycle Route 534. Fido bounding about off-lead has nearly upended me on many occasions, with the owner giving a nervous laugh and "Oooh, sorry about that".

 

Be grateful badgers aren't kept as pets

 

BTW, I bought Aldi's cheapo copy of the Hornit for £5.99 for the Dahon Espresso, and it's not nearly as loud. It's just about worth using on pedestrians, haven't tried it on drivers yet.

Edited September 19, 20232 yr by guerney

I've had the odd run-in with people who, despite me approaching at a very slow speed and ringing the bell, are startled away from their mobile phones sufficiently for them to give me abuse -"You shouldn't be riding a bike on this path!". Pointing to the clear cycling signs doesn't bring about a change in tone.

 

They object to my using cycle paths, which is why I've stopped using them. Cycle paths end too soon in strange places and are are too short and bumpy with tree roots - road is faster and usually smoother anyway. The uphill winding paths I use aren't marked. There are often MTBs hurtling downhill - sounding the horn ahead of bends alerts them to slow down. No chance of those guys hearing a little tinkly bell.

Edited September 19, 20232 yr by guerney

I don't know if it's just the level of intelligence of dog walkers in my area but the amount with dogs on those extendable lead thingys who without fail move to the opposite side of the path to their dog and seem genuinely surprised that I can't simply cycle between them and their mutt.

 

Agree with the Bell v Horn comments, I've fitted bells to my bikes simply because I get a calmer response from pedestrians compared to using the supplied horn..

 

TTFN

John.

This cycle path looks great, but there's no sensible way back onto the road when it ends at a 4 way junction, because of barriers. There are multi-lane intersections with busy traffic from factories further along from the view below. Then when you've eventually crossed over the busy road at the four way junction, there's no cycle path on the other side. Much less hassle to stay on the road. Do wish all of the roads in the UK were dug up, properties bought and built over to make protected lanes for bicycles using carbon negative Roman concrete and freshly printed money. A giant infrastructure project like that would stimulate the economy more than constantly enriching bankers and those with assets. Might push up property values as people scramble for alternative accommodation; some landlords will be happy. Perhaps the poor could live in bunkers built under these new cycle paths like hobbits, which solves our "Lack of accommodation" problem. Like the Colosseum, they'll still be standing two thousand years hence.

 

 

 

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/green-tech/a40785162/microalgae-carbon-neutral-cement/

Edited September 19, 20232 yr by guerney

Those loud horns don't work. either people don't repond, it makes them panic or it makes them angry. The best warning is a "bring bring" type bell because that's what people associate with a bicycle coming. Ny friend and I tried a whole range of warning devices, but none worked other than the bell. the loud horn works better on the road for cars because they're tuned to that sound when driving.

 

The "bring bring" bells are great. It's a sound imprinted on people's minds either from when they were a child, or teaching a child to ride. Totally non-threatening. I always get a more relaxed reaction when approaching people from behind and quite often a cheery hello.