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I don't actually have much sympathy for this one, unless cyclists have to get out of my way too - it infurates me when they ride up the middle of a narrow road, and I stay behind at a safe distance and speed, then they do not move to the side when it does widen, to allow me to pass safely.... As a pedestrian, I've been hit by riders on the pavement, and going the wrong way down a one way road. Don't I deserve a safe distance? And the campagners, wanting the blame to always be with the driver are just plain wrong. Kids need to understand if they run out in front of a car, they WILL get hurt. That is, ultimately, personal responsibility.
As a driver, I already have a responsibilty to pass them safely. If I stop at a set of lights, with a 3 foot cycle lane, and they ride up my inside, I would then be at fault if I pulled off.
Cyclists deserve protection, but this really doesn't work...
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Consideration should be the watchword, whatever your preferred mode of transport. In truth, cyclists are massively more vulnerable than motorists, and the fatality statistics bear this out. It seems logical that we should proritise the protection of flesh and bone over the protection of bodywork. This does not to me seem like the same thing as "cyclists should behave like asshats", and I do not believe the two points should be confused.
As a driver, you already accept that certain things are your responsibility. If another motorist cuts you up, it's ultimately your responsibility not to drive into the back of them. This is not to say that they were right to do what they did.
Many would doubtless say that cyclists shouldn't cycle on the inside of slow moving traffic. I've tried doing it both ways. The inside is way safer than the outside for everyone concerned. Of course I try to do it responsibly, and not try and fit into some of the minuscule gaps some motorists leave, even if it does feel like sometimes they're doing it to personally piss me off.
Regardless of all this, the central point remains that motorists continue to overtake without leaving sufficient clearance for cyclists, and this is far more dangerous for the cyclist than the motorist.
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