Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Back to news
news

“I’m a 60-foot lorry… it’s easier for you to go back as a pushbike”: Countryside stand-off between cyclist and driver turns heated; Carrera Jeans or Quick-Step 2.0? Alpecin-Deceuninck brings double-denim kit to the peloton + more on the live blog

Hop on the road.cc live blog with Adwitiya for a Thursday full of cycling news and views, discussion and debate, and some general chitter-chatter
Thu, Feb 15, 2024 09:39
107

SUMMARY

No Live Blog item found.

“I’m a 60-foot lorry… it’s easier for you to go back as a pushbike”: Countryside stand-off between cyclist and driver turns heated; Carrera Jeans or Quick-Step 2.0? Alpecin-Deceuninck brings double-denim kit to the peloton + more on the live blogStand-off between cyclist and lorry driver
15 February 2024, 09:22
“I’m a 60-foot lorry… It’s easier for you to go back as a pushbike”: Countryside stand-off between cyclist and driver turns heated

You've heard of Mexican stand-offs, now get ready for a countryside stand-off, between a cyclist and a lorry driver over who should reverse to allow space for the other to pass... Sorry, that sounded way more exciting in my head.

As bizarre as that sounds (almost like a knockoff Michael Mann or Quentin Tarantino thriller), on the narrow, country roads of Hampshire an impassé so deadlocked that neither party could give an inch took place, with this video of a lorry driver asking a cyclist to reverse to allow her to pass doing the rounds on social media. Her claim? That it would be "easier for you to go back as a pushbike, than it would be for me as a 60-foot lorry".

First off, I am instantly suspicious about someone who uses the word pushbike unironically. Secondly, I am even sceptical about someone who phrases things like 'you're a pushbike' and 'I'm a lorry'.

But my dubious thoughts aside, the cyclist seems to have turned down the driver's request/command (it's a little difficult for me to judge by the tone), and asks her instead: "Where am I supposed to go?"

The driver replies, "To a wide bit! I can see a bit just three...", when the cyclist interjects: "I can see a wide bit over there!", pointing to behind the truck. 

"You think it's easier for me to reverse? I'm 60-foot long and the same width as this road as you can see by the fact that you can see I'm in the hedge on both sides," the driver says, hastily turning the camera the other way round to show a glimpse of the lorry barely managing to fit on the unpaved lane, with the side-view mirrors grazing the hedges.

The cyclist asks, "Why should I turn around and go back?", to which the driver replies: "Well surely it's easier for you to go back as a pushback than for me as a 60-foot lorry."

The cyclist then tells the driver that she "shouldn't be down here anyway", to which the driver replies saying that she's going to her field, before the clip cuts off abruptly, leaving us wanting a resolution to the thrilling stand-off (with that ending, it seems more of a Chris Nolan movie).

Incidentally, the video has drawn varied reaction on this lovely little thing called social media. While some believe that the cyclist had the right of way and that the lorry driver should pick a road better suited to accommodate the vehicle, others have argued that it would indeed be easier for the cyclist to give way, and that reversing the lorry with the mirrors being blocked by the hedges would be dangerous.

One person, who claimed to be a cyclist said that they'd be "quite happy to ride back and find a wider section for the truck to pass", with this alternative being "far easier and quicker". Another person agreed, saying they would avoid the confrontation in a first place and leave everyone a little less annoyed.

Some were quite critical of the lorry driver, while others defended the lorry driver wholeheartedly. A Twitter user said: "What a lovely sounding lorry driver! What on earth is she doing on a single track lane in a 44 ton HGV", while another reply said: "News to a few on here wondering why a lorry goes down tracks. It’s called agriculture. Farmers and horse owners need access to take feed/equipment/livestock down them."

There were obviously a few replies spewing blatant anti-cycling vitriol, but I think we can do without mentioning them on the live blog this beautiful Thursday, can't we?

In the meantime, I think this post might sum the whole faff up?

15 February 2024, 10:25
Gianni Vermeersch new Alpecin denim kit 2024
It’s in the (Carrera) Jeans… Alpecin-Deceuninck brings double-denim to the peloton — or is it just Quick-Step 2.0?

What date is it? Surely not April 1st?

Or more like, what decade is it? Surely not the 90s?

Because the peloton has been done a massive favour (as most of us here at road.cc towers) by Alpecin-Deceuninck, with the Belgian team releasing its new 2024 "double-denim" kit, alongside a new denim-themed logo. It's safe to say, we are all as surprised as we are pleased.

The team, so far racing with its previous season's kit, has announced today that it will be sporting the brand-new jersey at the UAE Tour, with young sprinter Kaden Groves as the team leader.

The team added: "The denim kit is representing our team’s perspective for 2024: daring to stand out, while keeping our feet on the ground. Working hard together, while having fun together. Because jeans are great for any occasion, no?"

Yes, of course! After all, who can forget the iconic look sported by Carrera Jeans in the late 80s and early 90s, one of them being an actual double-denim training kit, all the while winning the Tour and Giro with Stephen Roche, while Chiappucci came up with a string of second-placed finishes at the Giro and Tour (only to be beaten by Greg LeMond and Miguel Induráin, mind you). And coming up to 20 years on Marco  Pantani's death, in my headcanon this is definitely a tribute to Il Pirata.

The more I look at it, the more I love it!

But of course, this isn't the first time a team has tried to force a denim-revival in the peloton in modern times. Just last year, AG2R Citroën raced the Strade-Bianche in denim bib shorts, plodding along the Tuscan countryside in an interesting shade of denim, developed by its kit partner Rosti. It goes without saying, fans were divided.

It's only a shame that it's going to be a nightmare for fans to tell Alpecin and Quick-Step apart in the peloton, because without my glasses on (or maybe after a couple of pints), I wouldn't be able to do so. 

Alpecin Quick-Step kits

PS. Don't tell anyone, but your favourite Northern Irish live blogger Ryan had been struggling to find a pair of Carrera Jeans denim bib shorts to gift his dad for his 60th, but with this new Alpecin kit, he might be having second thoughts... Alpecin, if you're reading this, you know what to send to who!

15 February 2024, 17:21
15 February 2024, 16:53
Stand-off between cyclist and lorry driver
Reactions galore as stand-off between cyclist and lorry driver divides opinion (quite sharply may I add)

The topic was quite touchy to begin with, with some calling in sensibility and common sense into question, others clamouring about the validity and legality of the dilemma. And rightfully so, it's become a topic that has drawn a deep distinction of reactions.

Quite a few interesting ones from Facebook:

Rob Cockburn: "If the story is true then this is a classic case of a jumped up cyclist wanting to prove a point, rather than use common sense. As a cyclist myself it's these kind of cyclists that give the rest (Majority) of us a bad name."

Paul Golding: "Common sense dictates that it’s far easier for the cyclist to back up a bit, and quicker. As a cyclist myself I’ve been in similar situations and have used common sense and moved myself out of the way."

Nicholas Gill: "A lot of talk about common sense here without mentioning that it's also common sense not ro attempt to drive a 44 ton HGV down a road marked "Unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles"!"

Ben Williams: "Is there an equivalent truck drivers site whete they are all saying "this truck driver gives us all a bad name"? . I doubt it so please stop saying it."

Mick Unsworth: "As a cyclist, she is correct that she has right of way, but a bit of common sense would help. She should have stopped a soon as he saw the lorry and looked for a gap or passing space. I often climb a hedge or find a gateway to let lorries and tractors pass."

And then some from road.cc live blog readers:

cyclisto: "I have confronted numerous drivers with numerous ways and numerous results when they park on the bicycle lane, but here I would just ride back. I have driven big vehicles, (fortunately not big as that) and have sat in a lorry's passenger's seat reversing in a narrow road (no space to reverse) where the whole experience took a few hours, so I can feel empathy for the driver.

Besides not sure what happens in UK driving law, but where I am now when two vehicles get stuck, the smaller has to reverse, so in this case where we have a huge lorry (with a seemingly not very experienced driver) and a bicycle it just seems ridiculous that the cyclist still argues.

The road is marked as unsuitable but heavy vehicles are not explicitly prohibited."

Hirsuite: "I can't help feeling there must be a slightly better solution than using a 60' foot lorry on a narrow lane where you can't reverse. What is she going to do if there is a tree down ? It's not like we haven't had various storms in the last 2 or 3 months."

mitsky: "Cyclists v Lorry Driver.
The cyclist could have been very petty and slowly walked the bike back to a wider spot in the road.
Even at walking speed, the lorry driver would likely not have complained as the alternative was to try to reverse the lorry.
The cyclist could have been slow enough to do it so that another motor vehicle driver ended up facing the lorry...
Not saying I would do it myself...  maybe.
The lorry driver needs to know what vehicle is appropriate for that type of road.:

Benthic: ""...it’s easier for you to go back as a pushbike...”

Lorries have a reverse gear. Bicycles do not."

15 February 2024, 16:12
"Flagship cycling route, designed to be underwater for two months of the year"

We all know the state of cycling routes in the UK isn't something to be gloat over, and over the years road.cc has cheekily pointed at the lot, hoping to draw attention and hold the naughty councils responsible for the caretaking to account. But there are times when we come across roads that are simply embarassing, so poor that we are at a loss of words.

Case in point, this route from Cambridgeshire, connecting Swavesey and St Ives and passing through a couple of lakes and the river Great Ouse, part of the National Cycling Network 51. However, despite all that, the route has been underwater and constantly flooded since December!

I don't even have something interesting to comment, other than that this is shambolic.

15 February 2024, 15:30
Under-fire council admits "discriminatory" cycle route barriers were installed without equality impact assessment
"Discriminatory" barriers (Dr Grahame Cooper/supplied)

Bolton Council, which has been criticised for installing "discriminatory" barriers on a cycling and walking route, apparently to prevent anti-social behaviour, has admitted no equality impact assessment was carried out pre-installation but believes it has still acted in accordance with design guidance.

"The real issue is that the barriers discriminate against people who use many types of cycle, including adapted cycles for users with disabilities, and the council's failure to follow due process," Dr Grahame Cooper, a cyclist and Bolton Active Travel Forum Technical Review Group member, told road.cc.

> Read more: Under-fire council admits "discriminatory" cycle route barriers were installed without equality impact assessment

15 February 2024, 15:03
Some good news: All but one of the low-traffic neighbourhoods in Croydon to be made permanent
15 February 2024, 13:58
Stage two of Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta del Sol also called off due to farmer protests

Just a day after the opening stage of the Spanish five-day stage race was cancelled, it’s now revealed that the second stage has also called off due to farmer protests, with the rest of the stage routes also being amended.

Two weeks ago, the opening stage of the Etoile de Bessèges was also cancelled for the same reason.

The Vuelta a Andalucia is now set to start on Friday with a 5km time trial substituted in for the previously planned 161km route, before an abbreviated 100km summit finish on Saturday, according to Het Nieuwsblad

As of now, the last stage seems to stay the same as planned, a 168km route from Benahavís to La Línea de la Concepción, however, that could also subject to change as the protests, which have agitated farmers in several parts of Europe, continue to develop.

A statement released by the race organisers said: “The Vuelta a Andalucia will resume Friday with a time trial in Alcaudete and will conclude next Sunday.

“Due to the inability to count on state security members, the organisation had to reduce the race to three stages, and partly modify the route of the stages. We are waiting at this time for the problems arising from agricultural and transport claims in Spain to be resolved.”

15 February 2024, 13:30
Only one way to settle this: Have your say on Alpecin-Deceunick's double-denim kit!

PollMaker

15 February 2024, 13:12
The reviews have started creeping in for Alpecin's denim kit... Spoiler: They are not favourable (but quite amusing)

It pains, it pains so much! Why isn't every single fan agreeing with me in recognising the true greatness of this gorgeous, groundbreaking, fashionable and nostalgic at the same time double-denim Alpecin-Deceuninck kit?

Initial reviews in the echo chamber of cycling Twitter have not been very favourable to this kit, people have pointed it to be "pointless"... 

Richard Dawson wrote on Twitter: "Considering that the images of their new kit is trending, I would say it has been extremely successful & a very good idea!" I mean as they say, any publicity is good publicity? A few also felt sorry for the commentators who now have the tough task of distinguishing the Alpecin riders from the Quick-Step ones in the peloton (I can get behind this take).

Ouch, that's a little too harsh in my opinion! Anyway, here are my two favourite comments from Twitter that made me smile (social media makes you smile, shocking!)

15 February 2024, 13:10
15 February 2024, 12:49
Female cyclist in London casual winter clothing on hybrid bike - copyright Simon MacMichael
London boroughs accused of “failing cyclists and pedestrians” as report shows no imminent funding plans for cycleways or safer streets

This news takes us to the London borough of Croydon, with a recent report by London Assembly Member, Mayoral Candidate and active travel campaigner Sian Berry revealing that there was a “looming delivery gap” in terms of the number of bus lanes, cycle lanes, safer streets and bike storage facilities being installed by the capital’s boroughs.

Of the many boroughs criticised in the report, the most scathing critiques were reserved for Lewisham, Brent, Croydon, Greenwich and Kingston, which stood out as the ones to not have made funding bids for any greater cycle infrastructure, reports The Standard.

Berry's report found that outer London boroughs received 82 per cent of what they sought from the mayor, while inner London boroughs received 52 per cent. This was in part because TfL wanted to improve alternatives to the car in the suburbs – but was also a reflection of a “lack of ambition” from outer London boroughs to seek investment.

She said that Mr Khan had failed to use powers available to him to compel boroughs to follow his transport strategy, adding that the mayor needed an “early revision” of his transport strategy.

Last week TfL announced that £80.4m would be available for borough schemes in 2024/25, with £41m already earmarked for outer London and £25m for inner London.

These include 150 new or upgraded pedestrian crossings, 125 “bus priority” schemes including new bus lanes, including on Superloop routes, and 20mph limits on roads in Barnet, Brent, Harrow, Redbridge, Waltham Forest Enfield and Richmond.

15 February 2024, 12:11
Conservative politician makes the case against low-traffic neighbourhoods by *checks notes* showing how safe and vibrant they are
15 February 2024, 11:56
Hands up if you want to see Drum & Bass On The Bike back in 2024!

After an incredible year of entertaining cyclists with sick tunes, and everyone leaving glowing reviews of the event, describing it as "mind-blowing", "massive", "crazy" and "immense", DJ Dom Whitting is looking to bring Drum and Bass On The Bike ride back in 2024. I can't say I'm not chuffed!

> Joining Dom Whiting for a Drum & Bass On The Bike ride – a glorious afternoon in every sense

15 February 2024, 11:42
Park rat-run to remain closed to drivers to promote cycling, following trial made controversial by "vocal minority who drive straight through the park"
Poole Park (Facebook/Leave Poole Park Alone)

BCP Council has admitted the response was "much bigger than expected" after it closed a rat-run through a heritage listed park to prevent drivers using the route as a cut-through, in a bid to promote cycling and walking and tackle air and noise pollution, but has committed to keeping the road closure in place now the trial period has ended and more than 5,000 consultation responses are being considered.

And while the council has not shut the route through Poole Park, a 110-acre green space in the Dorset town, permanently — a period of analysis to "understand every piece of feedback and insight on either side of the debate" will follow, potentially with an "open public meeting" — the road, used as a rat-run near Sandbanks, one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the country, to remain closed to drivers in the meantime now the four-week trial period has ended.

Read more: > Park rat-run to remain closed to drivers to promote cycling, following trial made controversial by "vocal minority who drive straight through the park"

Adwitiya Pal

Adwitiya joined road.cc in 2023 as a news writer after graduating with a masters in journalism from Cardiff University. His dissertation focused on active travel, which soon threw him into the deep end of covering everything related to the two-wheeled tool, and now cycling is as big a part of his life as guitars and football. He has previously covered local and national politics for Voice Wales, and also likes to writes about science, tech and the environment, if he can find the time. Living right next to the Taff trail in the Welsh capital, you can find him trying to tackle the brutal climbs in the valleys.

Add new comment

107 comments

Avatar
Hirsute replied to john_smith | 9 months ago
6 likes

A smaller vehicle that is less wide.
As has already been written.
There may be other hazards she might meet, some non negotiable as has already been stated.

Avatar
Sriracha replied to john_smith | 9 months ago
8 likes
john_smith wrote:

If you have to transport something heavy to or from the field, how else would you do it?

Oh that's an easy one - in a lorry that's too big for the road, obviously.

Avatar
Backladder replied to john_smith | 9 months ago
9 likes

john_smith wrote:

If you have to transport something heavy to or from the field, how else would you do it?

Strangely enough there is a wind farm being built further along the single track road I live on at the moment so I know exactly how you do it. You widen and strengthen the road bed and you increase the radius of the corners. You do this while the road is closed to through traffic and you restore it back to normal when finished. The largest and heaviest things normally taken in and out of fields are cows and bales of hay/silage and these can be done with much smaller vehicles, taking a 60 foot lorry down that lane is just stupid.

Avatar
john_smith replied to Backladder | 9 months ago
3 likes

Maybe this isn't normal? Maybe it's a rare or one-off occurrence? And unless you know exactly what the lorry is carrying and why, saying taking it down there is stupid is also a wee bit stupid.

You talk about widening and strengthening the road, but it would be a heck of a lot easier for one of the parties involved here simply to back up.

 

Avatar
Backladder replied to john_smith | 9 months ago
3 likes

It might not be normal, but round here the farmers will post people at appropriate places to stop traffic while taking large machinery where it doesn't really fit, most drivers (and cyclists) will stop and wait if they are told there is an abnormal load heading towards them.

Avatar
Hirsute | 9 months ago
6 likes

Reminds me of a video where 2 drivers are in an impasse on a narrow lane and both refuse to reverse. Cyclist waiting eventually gives up and manages to shuffle sideways whilst holding his bike above his head and gets past and continues.

This sort of impasse is played out by various parties in various vehicles.

Avatar
quiff replied to Hirsute | 9 months ago
11 likes

I've had one like that, with the delicious additional detail that one of them had only moments earlier close-passed me because they couldn't possibly be stuck behind a cyclist on a narrow lane. Very much enjoyed passing them again seconds later when they were stationary. 

Avatar
Oldfatgit replied to Hirsute | 9 months ago
7 likes

This used to happen a lot, but with car drivers.

I'd sit there, having pointed out the passing space behind them, and quietly lurk.

ERF Olympics are very good at lurking. They look like they could lurk all day (especially if you get someone to lay down on front of it while you go down the pub .. ), and what's more, mine was pretty comfortable to lurk in.

After a minute or two of watching some car driver turn a dark red, I'd turn the engine off... you don't realise how loud these things are when they are ticking over.
I might unwind the window a bit ... but if the car driver was still ranting and doubting my parentage, I'd close it again, without answering.

After another couple of minutes, and to the accompanying click-click of the hazard light relay, I'd get the paper out and start reading.

For some reason, this would then spark a rather interesting shade of blue in the face of the car driver, who normally would then sense defeat and reverse into the passing spot.

I'd then put the paper away, start the engine and let it idle for a good few minutes shouting that I "needed to charge the airtanks or we're going nowhere".

At that time, I was paid by the hour, and didn't care how long i was sat there for.

Country lanes and artics ... not a good mix.
Devon lanes and coaches ... feck that.

Avatar
jaymack | 9 months ago
12 likes

Many years ago when I was far gobbier than I am now I was halfway along a stretch of road exiting a small village. My side of the road had a line of parked cars - 50 meters or so - over which I would have had to climb to reach the pavement. If a vehicle had been coming the other way before I began to pass the line of cars I'd have rightly given way. A single decker bus came barreling along screeching to a halt leaving me no room to even squeeze past with the driver wildly gesticulating for me to get out of his way. It's a good job strava wasn't then a thing 'cos the stand off' till the driver reversed would have played havoc with my time for that segment.

Avatar
Left_is_for_Losers | 9 months ago
5 likes

What a nutter of an entitled cyclist. Perhaps she should try reversing a 60ft lorry. Just let the lorry through, so much simpler. 

Avatar
pockstone replied to Left_is_for_Losers | 9 months ago
22 likes

As I understand it, drivers of 60 ft lorries are required to "try reversing'. If they can't do it they don't get their HGV license.

Avatar
john_smith replied to pockstone | 9 months ago
2 likes

So what? It's clearly easier and safer for the cyclist to back up, so common courtesy would dictate that she should do so--unless, of course, there is more to this than meets the eye.

Avatar
Oldfatgit replied to john_smith | 9 months ago
8 likes

Have a read if what the Highway Code says about it ...

Country roads
Rule 154
Take extra care on country roads and reduce your speed at approaches to bends, which can be sharper than they appear, and at junctions and turnings, which may be partially hidden. Be prepared for pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, slow-moving farm vehicles or mud on the road surface. Make sure you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear. You should also reduce your speed where country roads enter villages.

Rule 155
Single-track roads. These are only wide enough for one vehicle. They may have special passing places. If you see a vehicle coming towards you, or the driver behind wants to overtake, pull into a passing place on your left, or wait opposite a passing place on your right. Give way to road users coming uphill whenever you can. If necessary, reverse until you reach a passing place to let the other vehicle pass. Slow down when passing pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

Avatar
john_smith replied to Oldfatgit | 9 months ago
1 like

And? There's no reason to believe the lorry driver hasn't complied with both those points. 

Avatar
Oldfatgit replied to john_smith | 9 months ago
5 likes

Except ...

The passing place behind the truck is closer than the passing place behind the cyclist.

From the video, the cyclist would have been visible to the truck driver before the truck went passed the passing place.

Therefore the truck driver should have given way to the cyclist at the passing place, and not used the size of their vehicle to attempt to intimidate and bully the cyclist.

That's the reason to believe that the truck driver hasn't complied.

Avatar
kinderje replied to Oldfatgit | 9 months ago
4 likes

I know we're a cycling website but here goes...

Why is everyone assuming that the lorry driver saw the cyclist in plenty of time but didn't stop? It could quite easily have been that the cyclist saw the lorry, also in plenty of time, yet still carried on riding towards the confrontation. Without seeing previous footage we haven't got a clue of what led to this. 

Avatar
Backladder replied to kinderje | 9 months ago
4 likes

kinderje wrote:

I know we're a cycling website but here goes...

Why is everyone assuming that the lorry driver saw the cyclist in plenty of time but didn't stop? It could quite easily have been that the cyclist saw the lorry, also in plenty of time, yet still carried on riding towards the confrontation. Without seeing previous footage we haven't got a clue of what led to this. 

Looking at the length of road visible in the video unless the cyclist is an elite rider in disguise and was riding at TT pace they would have been visible to the driver for long enough for them to stop at the passing place if it is indeed just behind the lorry as suggested. 

Avatar
john_smith replied to Backladder | 9 months ago
1 like

As suggested by whom? Your argument is based entirely on speculation. 

Avatar
Backladder replied to john_smith | 9 months ago
2 likes

john_smith wrote:

As suggested by whom? Your argument is based entirely on speculation. 

The woman on the bike suggests there is a wider space just behind the lorry and the driver doesn't disagree, she just doesn't think she can safely reverse to it. 

Avatar
neilmck replied to kinderje | 9 months ago
1 like
kinderje wrote:

I know we're a cycling website but here goes...

Why is everyone assuming that the lorry driver saw the cyclist in plenty of time but didn't stop? It could quite easily have been that the cyclist saw the lorry, also in plenty of time, yet still carried on riding towards the confrontation. Without seeing previous footage we haven't got a clue of what led to this. 

Why do you think the lorry driver didn't include the beginning part of the video?

Avatar
john_smith replied to Oldfatgit | 9 months ago
0 likes

What passing place are you talking about?

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to john_smith | 9 months ago
5 likes

john_smith wrote:

What passing place are you talking about?

The cyclist says there's a "wide bit" just behind the lorry and the driver doesn't dispute that, just says it will be difficult for her to reverse to it, so it's a fairly safe assumption it exists, one would have thought? The interesting question is that if there is a wide bit there, why didn't the lorry driver pause to let the cyclist go past rather than keep going and ask the cyclist, who presumably was in view when she (driver) passed the wide place, to go back?

Avatar
john_smith replied to Rendel Harris | 9 months ago
1 like

If that is the case the cyclist's attitude is certainly understandable.

Avatar
pockstone replied to john_smith | 9 months ago
7 likes

"So what" is "Loser's' (may I call them that?) suggestion that reversing a lorry is somehow beyond the ability of the driver. It's not for the cyclist to demonstrate that they can do it...but it is for the HGV driver. I've been driven at murderously by cars and supermarket delivery vans (...more reasons not to...) and tractors on roads like these often enough to know why the cyclist might be standing her ground. Truck driver knows the road, knows there are passing places and has a high vantage point. All suggesting they may be in the wrong. I don't know the road in question but it appears unsuitable for HGVs. I would probably turn back to a passing place myself but I'd still call out the driver if they'd had a clear view of me and failed to stop at a passing place on their approach.

Avatar
john_smith replied to pockstone | 9 months ago
1 like

 No one is suggesting reversing the lorry is beyond the ability of anyone. But it would arguably be a lot easier and safer for the cyclist to back up. Your experience with motorists is beside the point.

Avatar
pockstone replied to john_smith | 9 months ago
2 likes

Well, 'Loser' did kind of suggest just that.('...try reversi ng a 60ft lorry...').My experience with motorists is that some drivers will barrel through at any cost with no regard for other road users and expect them to disappear even when there's nowhere to disappear to. If that's what happened, or what the cyclist perceived to have happened, then I can understand her attitude.

Avatar
john_smith replied to pockstone | 9 months ago
0 likes

Fair enough, though the lorry driver doesn't really come across as one of them to me.

Avatar
wycombewheeler replied to john_smith | 9 months ago
4 likes

john_smith wrote:

 No one is suggesting reversing the lorry is beyond the ability of anyone. But it would arguably be a lot easier and safer for the cyclist to back up. Your experience with motorists is beside the point.

entirely depends on how far to the next passing place in each direction. I can't see one behind the cyclist, maybe she has to go back half a mile while the driver (in typical driver fashion) did not consider use of the passing place just behind them (speculation) appropriate when a little bit of forward planning would have avoided this confrontation.

I find it hard to imagine the cyclist rode past a passing place while the lorry was in sight approaching them, but it's very easy to imagine the opposite, because drivers almost never wait in/opposite a passing place when a cyclist is approaching. I say almost because it's possible it might have happend, but I have never seen it.

Avatar
Oldfatgit replied to Left_is_for_Losers | 9 months ago
10 likes

I used to do it.

And 75ft non-divisible trailers.

If you can't drive it backwards, you shouldn't be driving it forwards.

Avatar
Hirsute | 9 months ago
12 likes

I can't help feeling there must be a slightly better solution than using a 60' foot lorry on a narrow lane where you can't reverse. What is she going to do if there is a tree down ? It's not like we haven't had various storms in the last 2 or 3 months.

Pages

Latest Comments