"Frank" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:
[email protected]...
> I have many times, cars and trucks just miss me when I am on the road, and
> sometimes I am talking inches.
Not surprising in a traffic system that says that human-powered,
non-polluting vehicles travelling at 20-30 kmh are equal to motorised,
fume-belching, 1-10 tonne cars and trucks travelling at 80-110 kmh. The
European approach is far better - in a collision a driver is assumed to be
at fault and has to prove that they didn't cause the collision. As a result
motorised vehicles treat cyclists with much more respect.
>
> If I report these drivers to Police, is it a waste of time.
> I would think so, as how would I prove it anyway.
Generally a waste of time unless you have witnesses. Even then you'll have
to push it with many police. Incidents that don't involve personal injury or
property damage are generally placed at a fairly low priority.
>
> I always stay well out of the lane, but some Assholes just can't help
> brushing past you at speed.
This is probably your main problem. It is your right to claim the road space
required to ensure you can travel safely. In some situations this may extend
to taking the whole lane (eg. downhill or flat road with narrow lanes and
slower moving traffic). I always ensure I have a minimum of 1 metre between
my bike and the gutter to avoid gravel, broken glass, potholes, scrap timber
etc. On top of this, if vehicles start cutting close by my shoulder the best
strategy is to actually _move out_ to claim more road space. Then the
bastards begin to realise that, as the road rules clearly state, they must
change lanes to overtake. The problem with gutter crawling is that the
approaching motorist sees you as not really part of the lane or ignores you.
Hence they slip by without changing lanes or even giving any room.
Experienced cycle commuters and tourers will tell you, to gain respect and
road space you must claim your space. I've experienced this very clearly
when cycling with kids in a child trailer. The obvious width of the trailer
ensured that traffic always gave me heaps of room, changing lanes even on
fairly busy main roads, where a solo cyclist may face your problems.
Remember you are an equal vehicle so claim your lane for safety, it's your
right.
Cheers
Peter