Thoughts on this? #cyclelikeyoudrive

Dreaded reading it as I assumed it was going to be the Wales Online / Reach Plc party line on how the HWC changes are crazy, but this time from a cyclist. Bingo.

1. As a pedestrian, I do indeed feel empowered by the HWC changes (surely that's the point?), and I do use my new (enhanced) priority at junctions. I will step out if I can see an approaching driver has time to stop, and will gladly explain the HWC changes to them if they complain. I have only had to do so once, and they were suitably apologetic.  

2. But I don't have a deathwish. I'm not going to get run over to prove a point. Nor, as much as I would like to, am I teaching my young child that they have priority at junctions, because that feels reckless.  

3. As a cyclist and driver, I take great pleasure in giving way to pedestrians at junctions. It's particularly nice doing so as a cyclist when you can extravagantly explain to the pedestrians what you're doing. Despite the apocalyptic warnings before the rule changes, I haven't yet been rear-ended as a result.

4. But above all, whether as a pedestrian, cyclist or driver, I have been surprised how infrequently these interactions actually even happen. It's relatively rare that I happen to arrive at a junction at the same time as another road user and have to engage with the priorities. So seems a fuss about nothing to me.  

I've skimmed it, but what it prompted in me is "what are our priorities?"

Obviously generalising grossly here but:

Pedestrians want to minimise distance.

Cyclists want efficiency.

Motorists want to minimise time.

Therefore at places where there is conflict, you will find that pedestrians will tend to take the direct route, even if there are controlled crossing points near by; Cyclists will be working out not how to go fastest, but how to avoid lumps and bumps and stopping and starting; drivers will be looking for opportunities on how to avoid losing that last second.

In terms of junctions, I see the HWC as a useful tool in traffic calming. I've never been one for mowing down hapless pedestrians but I'm sure I've given the of pitying look at some pedestrian who has wandered out without thinking about me being potentially going to mow them down. That withering look is now no longer part of the driver's armoury.

It is not confusing, it does require a very different mindset. I have given way at a junction to a pedestrian on my bike, it was obvious the person was waiting, and the nice thing was being able to briefly discuss that you were giving them priory rather than it being a guessing game.

The point about this also it is priorities not rights of way, and as such the balance changes on circumstances. Much like if you are passing a bunch of parked cars in a car and an oncoming car arrives, it is expected to wait even though you are on their side of the road. Similarly, if you have a car bearing down on you, giving priority to a pedestrian comes below avoiding being hit by a car.

Perhaps the other lesson is the increasing intolerance suggested by the article - "How dare anyone suggest a free individual should give consideration to other people?"

One person with a strong opinion about something, an opinion which I, and it seems many people who ride bikes, disagree with, yet the comments are, of course, full of generalisations about "cyclists".

I wonder if WOL would publish a counter piece from another "cyclist" (/person who sometimes rides a bike)?

So is that bloke some sort of Fifth Columnist for Fair Fuel or the ABD?

My thoughts, he needs to be careful what he wishes for, it's a daft opinion piece.

If the trade-off for more considerate drivers is having to cycle more carefully around pedestrians (why wasn't he doing that anyway?!), then of course it's a good idea.

I was initially distracted by the first picture as I thought it looked like the roundabout junction at the end of Old Market in Bristol - then I looked at the caption and verified that it indeed was (seems a bit lazy of Wales online not using a Welsh picture).

I mainly skimmed over the article as it didn't seem to be saying much of interest. I don't get why fast cyclists would have issues slowing down for pedestrians crossing the road.

I think the hierarchy makes sense and in general people should take more care around the most vulnerable - if you encounter a toddler coming towards you on a shared path, then it absolutely makes sense to slow right down until you get safely past them.