Calling all road cyclists

[Harry73]

Having recently moved from Colchester to Dulwich, I was pretty excited to move to an area nationally renown as a hub of road cycling. However, I have never come across such a bunch of unfriendly riders in my life. I don't know how many times I've said hello just to be ignored. What it is? Essex and Suffolk riders are friendly! Is it that hard to say hi or nod? Seriously, if you're one of then - get over yourself!

[Senor Chevalier]

Talking to other cyclists you don't know. Next you'll be saying it is OK to speak to people on the tube. Nutcase.

[Frankito]

If someone said hello to me whilst cycling to work I would probably pedal faster, head down, no eye contact...

[*Bob*]

Yes, GET OVER YOURSELF and SAY HELLO TO HARRY you bloody up yourselves London cycling sods.

[Alan Medic]

When I'm out and about Harry in Ed I always find fellow one legged people to be quite friendly even if they are strangers. Maybe the cyclists are concentrating on not being run down by cars and vans. When I'm driving (my automatic) I've never yet been able to get one and I've got a bunch of Marty Feldman's unused stickers stashed in my glove compartment.

[Annette Curtain]

Hello Harry

I always talk to other cyclist ( but then I do ride a Brompton )

Just keep at it, they give in the end.

Nette(tu)

[Applespider]

I know the feeling - I quite often smile and nod at a fellow cyclist going the other way to absolutely no response.

And I used to try to strike up a conversation if I was waiting at the lights... but I've virtually given up. Lots of cyclists wear headphones these days so I guess that doesn't help.

Of course, if you're on a BSO in normal clothes then of course all the Rapha roadies will blank you...

[Moos]

Is wearing headphones safe?

[Fabricio the Guido]

Harry, week day commuters are all about the rush hour traffic no time for a cheery hello. weekend cyclists are much more friendlier. you should also check out the Dulwich paragons, local cycling club. the weekend ride is great fun.

[Alan Medic]

And Harry is for real?

[maxxi]

With a surname like that how can you doubt it?

[Annette Curtain]

Moos Wrote:

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> Is wearing headphones safe?

No

It's illegal too.

[Alan Medic]

maxxi Wrote:

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> With a surname like that how can you doubt it?

Do you not doubt me?

[DJKillaQueen]

Why is wearing headphones any different to a driver listening to a radio or CD? Even when not listening to the radio, most of what I can hear in my car is my own engine!

[katie1997]

Er....I think you'd have to be a reaaaaallllly stupid cyclist to wear headphones when you've got a far greater chance of injury if you're involved in an accident than any car driver listening to their stereo.

Unless, of course, your name is Wolverine and your bones are made of adamantine.

[DJKillaQueen]

Where's the evidence of that? I can listen to headphones at a safe volume and cycle perfectly safely....done it for 20+ years without any accident that was my fault. A cyclist has a far greater chance of injury because they are on a cycle, that's all.

[katie1997]

PS HELLO THERE HARRY!

*waves and smiles*

[katie1997]

I think I need *Bob* to patiently explain this one in his own inimitable style.

[DJKillaQueen]

There is no evidence. The claim was made by the president of the AA but was later rescinded to that of any road user being distracted.

At the end of last year, the president of the motoring organisation the AA, Edmund King called for a campaign warning riders not to listen to iPods or personal stereos whilst they are cycling. His comments featured in the Times newspaper, alongside warnings that earphones were one of the factors behind a rise in the number of cyclists being injured on the roads, or colliding with (and injuring) pedestrians.

The AA later qualified these remarks made by its President as a more general attack on road users who don?t pay enough attention to what is going on around them. The distraction doesn?t necessarily have to be music through your headphones; crossing the road whilst wearing a hood was also mentioned as increasing your risk of being involved in an accident, as was using a mobile phone whilst driving ? something which has been illegal in the UK since December 2003.

Wearing headphones, listening to a car stereo or wearing a full face crash helmet (through which you can hear nothing) doesn't cause an accident. Poor attention to what is going on around you does.....

[Huguenot]

"I'm perfectly entitled to slam my hand repeatedly in this door, and don't you DARE try to stop ME!!! It's not ME hurting my hand - it's the DOOR!!"

:))

[Harry73]

Great response, good to know like minded friendly people are out there. When I can make it up Crystal Palace hill without dying (with or without headphones) I'll give Dulwich Paragon a try.

[Moos]

Now that the evenings are drawing in, please can I call on all road cyclists to wear lots of bright and reflective clothes, while we're at it? I usually travel around ED in a bus or a car, and it's scary how invisible dark-clad cyclists with only a small light are.

[Proj London Health]

Harry, feel free to come along to our Sunday Cycle group - its FREE!

The main thread is on 'Whats on in ED', but in short we cover typically 30-miles on a Sunday morning, and once a month (like yesterday) we did 60-miles, with the option of taking a train back at certain locations. We wait at the top of hills for the rest of the team (as we take it at an easy pace), and once out of Croydon, we take to the lanes. Mountain Bikes & Road bikes - all ages, all abilities attend.

9-15am start on Sunday mornings, meeting at the Dulwich Tollgate / College Road..... the first 5-mins is up to Crystal Palace.

As a bit of fun yesterday, we decided to ride up Box Hill on the way back from Gatwick.

And I agree with Moos, lights and bright clothing even during the day during low light / drizzle or rain.

McC

[trizza]

DJKillaQueen Wrote:

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> There is no evidence. The claim was made by the

> president of the AA but was later rescinded to

> that of any road user being distracted.

>

> At the end of last year, the president of the

> motoring organisation the AA, Edmund King called

> for a campaign warning riders not to listen to

> iPods or personal stereos whilst they are cycling.

> His comments featured in the Times newspaper,

> alongside warnings that earphones were one of the

> factors behind a rise in the number of cyclists

> being injured on the roads, or colliding with (and

> injuring) pedestrians.

>

> The AA later qualified these remarks made by its

> President as a more general attack on road users

> who don?t pay enough attention to what is going on

> around them. The distraction doesn?t necessarily

> have to be music through your headphones; crossing

> the road whilst wearing a hood was also mentioned

> as increasing your risk of being involved in an

> accident, as was using a mobile phone whilst

> driving ? something which has been illegal in the

> UK since December 2003.

>

> Wearing headphones, listening to a car stereo or

> wearing a full face crash helmet (through which

> you can hear nothing) doesn't cause an accident.

> Poor attention to what is going on around you

> does.....

Yes, poor attention does cause accidents. But at the end of the day, wearing headphones and listening to music potentially deprives you of one of your senses on the road and may impact on your concentration. The fact that a full face crash helmet impairs hearing is nothing to the point - you need to stack the deck in your favour when cycling and it's not as if motorcycling is a low risk pursuit.

Whilst it's a matter of personal choice, I wouldn't do it - cycling is already dangerous enough.

[titch juicy]

i cycle every day and wouldn't dream of wearing headphones.

In a car you have mirrors to help with spatial awareness- on a bike you have to rely on a quick turn of the head or your ears to see/hear any vehicles (especially motorcycles) approaching from the rear.

I wouldn't feel safe at all.