Letter in the West

[redned]

I see a letter in the West today, commenting on cyclists in the hills says (inter alia):
"I'm sure the road code says that, if your vehicle can't go the speed limit, then you should pull over if there are others behind waiting"
Remarkable that he put that in a letter to the editor without actually checking.

[Thoglette]

Remarkable that he put that in a letter to the editor without actually checking.

Unremarkable that the editor published the letter without actually checking.

[chalkie]

I always thought that the number on the sign was a limit not a target.

[hiflange]

Always selling papers - the West hit their target (market) fair and square

[Kalgrm]

If it's not a target, why is it in a circle?

[find_bruce]

Sadly old mate probably believes it to be true. "You must get out of my way" is merely a variation on the imagined road rule that "you must give way to me"

[Scott_C]

Part of the problem is that this is actually a road rule in some (overseas) jurisdictions, notably the UK Highway Code:

Rule 169
Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.

People hear the UK road rule mentioned on TV while watching Top Gear and take it on-board because it is something they want to happen without taking a moment to think and realise that the road rules vary from location to location. Despite the full text of the WA Road Traffic Code being easily available on-line people will continue to argue that the rules are what they think they are without ever referring to the actual rules or quoting an individual rule number.

[HappyHumber]

Yet another reason to dislike Jeremy Clarkson

[Cycleops70]

The Highway Code is just a 'code'.
It is not law. A bit like the "Drive Safe Handbook" here.

[trailgumby]

Yet another reason to dislike Jeremy Clarkson

Was there ever a reason to like him?

[ramp]

Most of us will outlive The West, doubt I will mourn it. The letter is probably a reaction to the one meter campaign which I reckon is flawed on 2 counts.
Just because a cyclist might be a B level celebrity a driver should take extra care. I feel a school kid from up the road, my nana or even me might be worth respecting too
When did it become ok to overtake in the lane? When I pass a bike, a horse, a tractor, a car, a bus or even a fire truck I use my indicator and when safe move into the adjacent lane to pass. Cyclists have made a problem by accomodating cars. Riding 2 up is good form but it really shouldn't matter if it is 3 or 4, just stay in the lane.
The meter matters campaign promotes overtaking in the same lane and that bothers me.

[redned]

Most of us will outlive The West, doubt I will mourn it. The letter is probably a reaction to the one meter campaign which I reckon is flawed on 2 counts.
Just because a cyclist might be a B level celebrity a driver should take extra care. I feel a school kid from up the road, my nana or even me might be worth respecting too

Absolutely

When did it become ok to overtake in the lane? When I pass a bike, a horse, a tractor, a car, a bus or even a fire truck I use my indicator and when safe move into the adjacent lane to pass.

It is not always possible. My suburban streets don't have marked lanes and some local connector roads have traffic separators.

Cyclists have made a problem by accommodating cars. Riding 2 up is good form but it really shouldn't matter if it is 3 or 4, just stay in the lane.

Except more than 2 contravenes the RTC

The meter matters campaign promotes overtaking in the same lane and that bothers me.

I sort of agree because it implies that only a metre is enough. But "No overtaking unless safe to do so" is open to interpretation. Some drivers appear to think that less than a metre is safe. "A metre matters" tries to quantify a minimum level of "safe". If drivers accepted that "safe" meant "really, really, safe", it wouldn't be an issue.

[Thoglette]

The meter matters campaign promotes overtaking in the same lane

Ah, horsepucky!, to put it politely.

Even more politely: exactly where and how does the campaign do this?

Finally, I'd rather have those lazy and.or self righteous ****holes who currently don't change lane actually try to leave a metre, rather than putting their mirror within arm's reach. As happens daily

[cj7hawk]

Maybe we should put bumpers on our bicycles so we can attach bumper stickers that say something like;

"If you're within the reach of my hammer, then you're not making a meter matter."

Then we could be just as belligerent as some of the drivers we encounter.

Most drivers do try to give a safe space though. Many will even wait patiently to pass.

Getting upset over one idiot isn't worth it - just respond to the editor abusing the reader in question, saying how idiots like him need to be dragged from his car and beaten with a cycle pump and you'll get a suitable response published.

Just make sure, if they come around and photo you for the story, that you have a reasonable size bicycle pump with associated bludgeon attachments - One of those dinky little lightweight pumps is just going to result in ridicule.

[wexford]

Just make sure, if they come around and photo you for the story, that you have a reasonable size bicycle pump with associated bludgeon attachments - One of those dinky little lightweight pumps is just going to result in ridicule.

You'd be surprised where one of those pumps will fit.

Or perhaps not...

[StevOz]

Maybe just carry the billy club in place of the pump?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HX9b84OJVM

Or perhaps not...

[CycleSnail]

The meter matters campaign promotes overtaking in the same lane and that bothers me.

It does not. I think you are allowed to ride 1.5 metres out from the curb, add the 1 metre passing distance, and in most cases that means the car will move into the other lane.

I find it useful to do a tiny swerve when I hear a car coming up behind me in the suburbs, creates the impression of insecurity and tends to increase the overtaking distance.... (might also be because of what I wear or not when I ride a bicycle )