I cycle to work. Actually, I take the train, and then cycle from the station to my office. This is supposed to be good for my health as well as for the environment.
This morning, I had a close call whilst cycling along a straight piece of road, in good light. A four wheel drive vehicle turned onto the road, as I was passing the junction: only some drastic steering prevented me from becoming an ornament attached to the vehicle's bull bars.
I noticed in passing* that the driver's attention was engaged with using her mobile phone at the time and she was completely oblivious as to my presence. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Please people: if you have a mobile phone and a car, don't use both at the same time. And spend an extra moment looking for road vehicles that are a little smaller thatn your own.
If I were a cat...
* Passing much closer than I would have liked
9 comments:
Bucking fastards, this annoys me no end!
The last time someone did that to me I caught up with them and bashed on their window. I told him (with appropriate expletives) that he'd nearly run me over but he just ignored me because he was still having the phone conversation that was so important he nearly killed someone for it.
I should have photographed the car and posted it to my blog.
Using a mobile phone whilst driving is supposed to be illegal.. doesn't seem to be enforced though just from looking around here.
Photographs sounds like a great idea.
Matt got knocked off his bike once by a driver who tried to turn left through him.
I find cycling in Manchester incredibly stressful - I build up a huge amount of rage at bus drivers, people who park in bike lanes and big 4x4 drivers (I know some people have a good reason for driving one but they are so intimidating, even in my car). I'm going to be arrested for criminal damage one day, when I kick in someone's rear brake lights.
I was outside Sacred Trinity a few montsh ago and a driver accidentially cut up a cyclist. The cyclist then proceeded to gob a huge greeny onto the windcsreen of the car. Then started shouting at this poor chap in the car...Not a course of action I'd recommend!!
I think it is about attitude of both driver and cyclist. An arrogant driver will talk on the phone and pay no attention to cyclists...but I've seen some rather arrogant cyclist too - (present company excluded of course).
Back to the subject of photographing offending motorists, will you be using your mobile to take the snapshot?
I've found that the best strategy is to take a big lungful of air, and shout: "ARSE!" at the top of your voice, Father Ted style, just as you're level with the window.
They've just scared the shit out of you, it only seems fair to scare the shit out of them back.
Once you've scared the shit out of them, you could have it consecrated then keep it in your rather impressive toilet, Michael.
Blimey, now I KNOW I've arrived - I've got me own stalker!
Indulging my penchant for scatalogical humour.
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