grumpy old cyclist again

[Alan M]

See below email correspondence with a driver/business man in Surrey. The group he refers to were 6 of the over the hill group riding through Pixham way near where it joins to the main road ie the wider part. It would seem this venerable group are guilty of loutish behaviour. I'll leave you to make your own judgement and btw I have a good contact in Sanderstead if you're buying window blinds!

You need to read the bottom contribution first and note in the email address the company concerned in case you see the same van.

You should read what u just sent,single file on narrow or busy roads! I had to wait from the top of pixham lane to the bottom when I overtook you because all 6 of u were in the middle of the rd all the way down .The road is not the tour de france,and you shouldn't be cycling in large groups down narrow roads 2 and 3 abreast,please be more considerate to motorists! I wil be showing these emails to the police and reporting u for cycling dangerously if u continue to do so.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Malarkey <malarkey@tiscali.co.uk>

Date: Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:41:06
To: <skelly2@mobileemail.vodafone.net>
Subject: Re: Driver behaviour


Well, not only inconsiderate perhaps a little aggressive. Even had it
been true that the cyclists were endangering themselves in the way you
suggest, as a responsible person you should have waited a little and
passed giving adequate room. You are clearly out to damage your
business' reputation so you can be assured that I will be telling
everybody that I know that you behave badly towards cyclists. I will
keep a record of this correspondence and if I see you behaving in a
similar manner again I will certainly report you to the police.

Bye the way, although said cyclists were in single file or as near as
damn it when you passed them within a few inches on a not particularly
busy road. The highway code states that 2 abreast is specifically
allowed. See below:

I will not be continuing this correspondence with you. Please drive safely.


66

You should

* keep both hands on the handlebars except when signalling or
changing gear
* keep both feet on the pedals
* never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on
narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends
* not ride close behind another vehicle
* not carry anything which will affect your balance or may get
tangled up with your wheels or chain
* be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and
partially sighted pedestrians. Let them know you are there when
necessary, for example, by ringing your bell if you have one. It
is recommended that a bell be fitted



skelly2@mobileemail.vodafone.net wrote:
> > You were not in single file because I was in the van,there was 6 of you in the middle of the rd,the highway code states that this is not allowed,I suggest you obey this
> > Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Alan Malarkey <malarkey@tiscali.co.uk>
> >
> > Date: Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:15:19
> > To: <info@surreyblindsandawnings.co.uk>
> > Subject: Driver behaviour
> >
> >
> > Dear Sir
> >
> > Last week a van with your sign drove very close to me while I was
> > cycling between Kingswood and Betchworth. I was both surprised and
> > frightened, Today, fairly close to Box Hill, Pixham way I beleieve, I
> > saw what seemed to be the same van pass within inches of a friend who
> > was also cycling. On both occasions we were cycling in single file.
> >
> > I hope you will understand that my intention is to prevent accidents. It
> > may be that your driver is inconsiderate or unaware of the problems he
> > or she is causing. I have copied the relevant sections of the Highway
> > code for your attention.
> >
> > I trust you would not wish poor standards of driving to reflect on your
> > business and that you will accordingly consider these comments in a
> > constructive way.
> >
> > Yours sincerely
> >
> > Alan Malarkey
> >
> > The highway code states
> >
> >
> > 212
> >
> > When passing motorcyclists and cyclists, give them plenty of room (see
> > Rules 162-167). If they look over their shoulder it could mean that they
> > intend to pull out, turn right or change direction. Give them time and
> > space to do so.
> >
> >
> > * Overtaking (162-169) </en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070314>
> >
> >
> > 213
> >
> > Motorcyclists and cyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven road
> > surfaces and obstacles such as drain covers or oily, wet or icy patches
> > on the road. Give them plenty of room and pay particular attention to
> > any sudden change of direction they may have to make.
> >

[Mike I]

[quote="marco"]I hope no one signs his address up to receive loads of spam

[quote="Mike I"][quote="marco"]I hope no one signs his address up to receive loads of spam