Near-Misses Whilst Cycling on Public Roads
Or
The Routine of Near Death Experiences
The recently acquired camera, prominently displayed on the top of Barry's bright yellow helmet, was meant to record our rides as well as deter regular motorists' attempts on what remains of our lives. It succeeded in the former and reduced the latter; in addition it is building a gallery of misdemeanours of which this is but a beginning.
Where else in society is it OK to deliberately threaten the life of a fellow human being and yet fear no consequences? Being skimmed by more than a ton of high-speed metal is acceptable; showing someone a few ounces of a metal knife in the street can put you inside for years!
The TEN incidents recorded so far are shown as captures from videos, the most recent first. Eventually, we will add a video linking all the near-misses into a single nightmare.
Why cycle in the UK? This is a good question, whose only answer is that we have no choice until we can ride again in the 40 cycle-friendly European countries our government has insanely Brexited.
Where else in society is it OK to deliberately threaten the life of a fellow human being and yet fear no consequences? Being skimmed by more than a ton of high-speed metal is acceptable; showing someone a few ounces of a metal knife in the street can put you inside for years!
The TEN incidents recorded so far are shown as captures from videos, the most recent first. Eventually, we will add a video linking all the near-misses into a single nightmare.
Why cycle in the UK? This is a good question, whose only answer is that we have no choice until we can ride again in the 40 cycle-friendly European countries our government has insanely Brexited.
TEN: In Farndale, North Yorkshire
On a fine sunny Autumnal day on quiet country lanes, we were making a bicycle tour of Farndale in the North York Moors National Park. Starting and ending in Hutton le Hole, we had ridden to the far end of the dale on both its western and eastern side and were on our way out when we were suddenly and literally driven off the road by fifteen large aggressively driven hunters' vehicles. These included at least two Range Rover 'Overfinch' models which can cost up to £200,000 each.
With their guns, dogs and beaters, they were on their way to shoot partridge, stopping and releasing their dogs within a minute of passing us. Sadly, cycling in England we have had to become used to drivers risking our lives as they rush to overtake too fast and too near, but this was in a class of its own! The complete episode was captured by Barry’s helmet camera and lacks only sound, which is perhaps as well!
Watch the 4-minute Video here!
EIGHT: On National Cycle Route 68 in Northumberland
YL64CUA 6 years old 26,000 miles
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
SEVEN: On National Cycle Route 68 in Northumberland
NK17 OTG
- 4 years old
- slight damage to rear bumper - offside
- 45,000 miles
SIX:
PS07 OUT On National Cycle Route 1
New 23 April 2021
FIVE:
LPA 13Y 7 years old 44,000 miles MOT Expired
Mercedes Benz 4663 cc 2585 kg 21 July 2020
FOUR:
YC10 BOH 11 years old
- Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing nsr osr worn and perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
- 98,000 miles
THREE:
TWO:
PJ19 CCF
Two Years Old
On National Cycle Route 62
ONE: The car is a 1500 cc Renault diesel, weighing 1.5 tons which is more than enough to squash us. Its registration number is C14 TMH and it is 8 years old.
Entering the village of Saul between Slimbridge and Gloucester in early November 2021. The car must have been partly on the pavement before cutting in on Margaret and racing off in a 30 mph zone. Immediately ahead we could have safely moved into the gap in the line of parked cars. Our lives are obviously not worth even a few seconds of his precious time!
The near-miss happened on two National Cycle Routes! We were cycling from Slimbridge to Gloucester on NCR 41 which runs from Bristol to Rugby and it was joined for a while near Saul by NCR 45 which links Salisbury to Chester.
In practice, National Cycle Routes are no more than signposts (if you are lucky) along trafficked roads with occasional forays onto bridleways and other tracks. Our ride out of Slimbridge started along a narrow muddy path beside the Gloucester and Sharpness canal.
Entering the village of Saul between Slimbridge and Gloucester in early November 2021. The car must have been partly on the pavement before cutting in on Margaret and racing off in a 30 mph zone. Immediately ahead we could have safely moved into the gap in the line of parked cars. Our lives are obviously not worth even a few seconds of his precious time!
The near-miss happened on two National Cycle Routes! We were cycling from Slimbridge to Gloucester on NCR 41 which runs from Bristol to Rugby and it was joined for a while near Saul by NCR 45 which links Salisbury to Chester.
In practice, National Cycle Routes are no more than signposts (if you are lucky) along trafficked roads with occasional forays onto bridleways and other tracks. Our ride out of Slimbridge started along a narrow muddy path beside the Gloucester and Sharpness canal.