stop close passing for about a tenner

[Kev.k]

Trouble is, it's not just the "odd prick". Cycle just a couple of miles these days and you will get several close passes. There are so many more cars on the road now and since the start of social media, people are less patient and are generally in a bad mood...or just plain distracted trying to write a Whatsapp while they drive. Add to that click bait media jocks who want to sir up trouble and vilify people who happen to be on bikes.

I've run cameras, but often the police just aren't interested in doing anything. Hence I've found it's best to ensure people keep their distance in the first place, rather than try and persuade the police to take action afterwards. Trevor's first attempt might be a bit long, but I've found something like this is the only way to get people in cars to give room. There are commercial products too, the original Oxford stalk, or the more modern "L-bow".

What's the alternative? This?

Car frame around bike highlights ‘road hogging’ – Pedelecs – Electric Bike Community

www.pedelecs.co.uk

Bad drivers are nothing new and they’re infuriating, but cars always take priority on the road.

I see the pic of the alternative you suggest whenever I visit this site, and it winds me up every time I see it.

Cyclists aren‘t equal to motorists on the road. Motorists fund road building, repairs and maintenance. Fuel tax is horrific and car tax is ridiculous.

There are many more cars on the road, but also many more bikes. Roads in their current form are not fit for purpose.

The money being wasted on EV’s and their required infrastructure is a total waste. They are not fit for purpose and are the first step in the grand plan to make private cars a privilege of the rich.

The money would be better put towards making roads suitable for cars and bikes.

 

[flecc]

What can you recommend as good? I've tried some but they tended to wobble around so much, I found myself spending too much time staring at it, trying to figure out what was coming up behind rather than the road ahead.

I like and use the Cateye BM 500 for standard bar ends, (it's the BM300 for drop handlebars), but others disagree.

The most popular among members is the Mirracycle

It's necessary to live with a mirror for a while to get really used to using it to the best.
.

 

[matthewslack]

I also use the Cateye, and find it clear and stable. Bar end position looks past my arm better than I expected, but I do have to take eyes off straight ahead to use it. Wouldn't be without it.

 

[guerney]

I use both Zefal Dooback II and Zefal Cyclop, because a Dooback broke - this was my fault, as it had a big chunky dual-sided Araldited to it's front, and I wasn't careful while folding my bike. The Doobacks are robust otherwise (and my preference, because they click into various angles, which means there's little adjustment time required), survived two years of rough use. The Cyclop's mirror isn't as large, but folds down much smaller, takes more time to adjust after unfolding.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zefal-Unisexs-Dooback-Mirror-Universal/dp/B076DFXLZ6/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zefal-Cyclop-Adjustment-Mounted-Commuter/dp/B0010VTQBM/

 

[MikelBikel]

While using my sidearm reflector, and although - weirdly - I had more aggression directed at me without it (my rides have been completely stress and aggression-free since I started using my handlebar-end mounted Oxford lollipop), I had thought about the vulnerability provided by what is essentially, a slightly inconvenient handle for the many varieties of total fucking wanker who occupy cars to drag my bike down with... so for those arseholes (appropriately, often driving cars with arse cheeks for grilles), a snap-out design of sort when pulled, might be a future modification of my sidearm reflector. Perhaps one cylinder locking into another using an internal notch, ball bearing and weak spring? I may be able to find something like that which already exists to repurpose - the wheels of my Carry Freedom Small Y snap into the axle using a similar mechanism, but I won't be cutting it up, it'd be too heavy.

Add a "Party Popper" so they can "celebrate" their newly acquired trophy! (Joke, for humour only, see "Glitter b o m" on YT)

 

[guerney]

A passenger would pull it off and hit you with it.

While using my sidearm reflector, and although - weirdly - I had more aggression directed at me without it (my rides have been completely stress and aggression-free since I started using my handlebar-end mounted Oxford lollipop), I had thought about the vulnerability provided by what is essentially, a slightly inconvenient handle for the many varieties of total fucking wanker who occupy cars to drag my bike down with... so for those arseholes (appropriately, often driving cars with arse cheeks for grilles, a sure indication of the high likelihood of shit), a snap-out design of some sort when pulled, might be a future modification of my sidearm reflector. Perhaps one cylinder locking into another using an internal notch, ball bearing and weak spring? I may be able to find something like that which already exists to repurpose - the wheels of my Carry Freedom Small Y bicycle trailer snap into the axle using a similar mechanism, but I won't be cutting it up, it'd be too heavy.

 

[guerney]

I've run cameras, but often the police just aren't interested in doing anything.

I'm very litigious, and I'm just about to add a rear-facing camera (already have a GoPro on my helmet jawguard chin). Even if the Police don't care, my Barrister will (for a fee, cut, or both [my barista won't]).

 

[Nealh]

Kev.k is obviously an anti cyclist who has come on the forum maybe to stir up ill feeling, before he goes and grizzle son his car forums.

Drivers only don't pay for the roads , every one does even if they don't drive, there is no one source of revenue to pay for road infrastructure. Any monies budgeted for roads comes form a central pot meaning we all pay for roads via vat and tax on earnings. The VED for vehicles is just a levy placed on those which pollute and cause the road damage, imho cars aren't charged enough for VED and it needs to be higher.

 

[Kev.k]

Kev.k is obviously an anti cyclist who has come on the forum maybe to stir up ill feeling, before he goes and grizzle son his car forums.

Drivers only don't pay for the roads , every one does even if they don't drive, there is no one source of revenue to pay for road infrastructure. Any monies budgeted for roads comes form a central pot meaning we all pay for roads via vat and tax on earnings. The VED for vehicles is just a levy placed on those which pollute and cause the road damage, imho cars aren't charged enough for VED and it needs to be higher.

I’m not “anti cyclist“ and I wouldn’t waste my time.

Drivers pay more than enough.

Nealh is obviously a bitter cyclist who can’t afford a decent car.

 

[WheezyRider]

Bad drivers are nothing new and they’re infuriating, but cars always take priority on the road.

I see the pic of the alternative you suggest whenever I visit this site, and it winds me up every time I see it.

Cyclists aren‘t equal to motorists on the road. Motorists fund road building, repairs and maintenance. Fuel tax is horrific and car tax is ridiculous.

There are many more cars on the road, but also many more bikes. Roads in their current form are not fit for purpose.

The money being wasted on EV’s and their required infrastructure is a total waste. They are not fit for purpose and are the first step in the grand plan to make private cars a privilege of the rich.

The money would be better put towards making roads suitable for cars and bikes.

That's a load of nonsense and if you drive you ought to retake your test. It doesn't matter if someone is in a car or on a bike, or even riding a horse, all have equal right to use the roads. As for who pays, everyone pays. Road building and maintenance comes out of general taxation. The modest amount that comes from VED and fuel comes nowhere close to covering the cost.

 

[trevor brooker]

What can you recommend as good? I've tried some but they tended to wobble around so much, I found myself spending too much time staring at it, trying to figure out what was coming up behind rather than the road ahead.

Assuming you mean what mirror works best then I have found "Third Eye Eyeglass Bicycle Mirror" best.
I tried the Chinese square version, but the arm is too longer & bendy, so that it wobbles.
So I went back to the Third Eye Eyeglass Bicycle Mirror which is more expensive & being plastic wears out through use but provides a stable picture.

 

[trevor brooker]

I’ve not rode a bike for over 30 years.

That is idiotic and dangerous. Police should pull him, fine him and put points on his license if he has one.

Like something out of a Mr Bean sketch.

Ok I accept your view but i'm interested to know your reasoning behind it.

What is idiotic about it?

What is dangerous?

 

[trevor brooker]

You always get twats. Not worth pissing off every driver who passes you because of the odd prick.

Deal with idiots as and when they pass you.

Cameras are a good idea. homemade, idiotic contraptions are just that.

I tried cameras but they do not work. Kent Police used to allow you to upload video , even if they never did anything about it, now all you can do is put in a report & wait to see if they ask you to upload the video proof.

After submitting ten without once hearing back from them I gave up.

No they were not all close passes the majority were cars going through red lights or overtaking on solid white lines etc.

 

[trevor brooker]

Motorists fund road building, repairs and maintenance. Fuel tax is horrific and car tax is ridiculous.

Not true - here is a link to an informative article
https://ipayroadtax.com/no-such-thing-as-road-tax/bring-back-the-road-fund/

So no taxation is ring fenced not even national insurance contributions although it is supposed to be.

 

[flecc]

The VED for vehicles is just a levy placed on those which pollute and cause the road damage, imho cars aren't charged enough for VED and it needs to be higher.

Even the non-polluting allowance factor was only temporary to encourage early e-car take-up. From 2025 all e-cars and e-vans will also pay VED.
.

 

[Nealh]

Drivers pay more than enough.

Nealh is obviously a bitter cyclist who can’t afford a decent car.

Sadly imv drivers pay far from enough.

As to not affording a decent car I have plenty of wedge to buy almost any car I wish or a few 50k cars , sadly they hold little interest for me and are just money down the drain. I get the most value I can out of a car and keep them on the road for 15 years + or more if possible. I keep my cheap runaround just for that to run around if I need to for errands that can't be done on bike or for loads that a bike simly can't handle.

 

[WheezyRider]

Even the non-polluting allowance factor was only temporary to encourage early e-car take-up. From 2025 all e-cars and e-vans will also pay VED.
.

Do you know if the speed pedelec or light EV (1kW) class will be also taxed for VED?

 

[flecc]

Do you know if the speed pedelec or light EV (1kW) class will be also taxed for VED?

The announcement was only for e-cars, though that usually includes light vans. It was part of a package of reductions and removals of concessions only applying to them, such things as the grant to buy an e-car and the subsidy for charge point installation.

So I'm fairly sure it wont affect those two wheeled classes which don't get such things.
.

 

[WheezyRider]

The announcement was only for e-cars, though that usually includes light vans. It was part of a package of reductions and removals of concessions only applying to them, such things as the grant to buy an e-car and the subsidy for charge point installation.

So I'm fairly sure it wont affect those two wheeled classes which don't get such things.
.

Hopefully all class L electric vehicles will remain exempt.

 

[guerney]

No - I just looked at what was required to pass a MOT for a motorbike or moped, as I thought they have had a 100 years to get all the safety features right, so I will copy them. Hence indicators, brake lights,

@trevor brooker - must say I do like your indicators, very wise addtions - could you possibly upload a circuit diagram? I might be able to make room for yet another switch on my handlebar somehow.