National tool hire firm to remove cyclist warning stickers from its cars

Feel free to tweet them @HSSHireGroup and show them that we, as cyclists, are grateful for this move and that it can generate an interweb positive feeling and be a demonstration to others.

Happy New Year.

There's an implicit "I have priority over you" built into those stickers.

Filtering on the left, whilst should be done with caution,  is legitimate.

For motorists who think otherwise:

HW Code rule 151 wrote:

be aware of cyclists and motorcyclists who may be passing on either side

On a slight tangent, I worked for HSS as a driver many years ago.

On a delivery, along with another driver, we came across an accident. We had radios in the cars and took charge of controlling traffic while talking to our branch to call for ambulances and police. long story short, I got back to the branch and the transport manager got filled in with the details and there were pats on the back all round except the one fly in the ointment which was an area manager who'd been listening to the whole incedent on his radio and only asked whether our company vehicles were damaged!!! I wonder whether it was this twat who thought these stickers were a good idea...

Otherwise it's a great company.

All good points above (apart from the bad ones).

However, for the 107th time, take a look at where the cycle lanes/ASLs are and take a look at where the blind spots are on large vehicles (not Corsas). Cycle lanes and feeder lanes to ASLs encourage cyclists to be exactly in the worst place. For us experienced people, well we ignore that, take a strong primary early and make sure we're not left-hooked. For someone new to cycling and less confident, they may follow the blue/green/red paint into the path of danger. 

BTW: The "beware of passing this vehicle on the left" signs are at least useful advice. The "Cyclists stay back" signs are just bloody rude.

So how big are the blind spots for a Corsa? If they are so big should they even be on the roads? 

Should we just accept might is right and scrap the current road legislation? 

Just another eaxmple of victim blaming and avoiding dealing with issues, why do cyclists wear helmets? why wear hi-viz? why ride on the pavement etc. 

Start looking at why so many drivers speed, use mobile phones, jump lights, illegally park, etc etc. Actions that do endanger people, but due to priorities are not dealt with. 

Regardless of your opinions about the merits of passing on the nearside, I feel compelled to point out that the Venn diagram of "people in favour of these stickers on tiny vehicles with windows" and "people complaining about bloody cyclists constantly passing vehicles on the nearside" resembles something close to a single circle, populated by people who haven't realised that the implication of this is that the behaviour of absolutely no-one on a bicycle is influenced by these stickers.

They are not preventative at all. They are part of a gradual but significant social shifting of blame.

BEFORE YOU POST, THINK:

Is what you are about to type in any way condoning or even remotely appreciative of the slightest possibility that in some miniscule way stickers such as these just might be A Good Thing? Even if they save Just One Life?

In which case, pour yourself a stiff drink, go for a looooong ride / run / whatever, and pull yourself together.

Then don't say a word.

I exercise caution when passing any vehicle on the inside near a junction where it may  turn left. If it is indicating to turn left I don’t pass on the inside unless it is stationary and I am 100% certain it won’t turn until I have passed it. Depending on the road and circumstances at the time I tend to favour filtering on the outside of traffic queues.

So like rnick I personally don’t have a problem with the signs on the back on vehicles reminding cyclists to take care when passing on the inside. 

It's really not about blame but prevention, so if a sticker makes someone think twice before taking the inside line and reducing the risk of an accident then it's no big deal so ironically the media campaign might actaully have an adverse effect.  I'm always amazed by the number of riders squeezing down the inside line of moving traffic at junctions.

Just a thought...

If a vehicle with such a sticker 'left hooks' a cyclist who has passed on the inside,  then the driver must be at fault, as the sticker confirms awareness of the hazard. 

What does anyone else think?