Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Shannon Banks, Corbally, Limerick, Ireland
Bikes: I have been riding a Trek 800Sport MTB to work since 2002. Before that, I had an old Raleigh. I purchased a Trek 2.1 in early July, 2009. I use this bike for recreation. The Trek 800 is my utility bike.
I do think that getting a license will help you learn how to behave on the roads. As for that right-hand turn from a cycle lane, I have begun to boycott cycle lanes. They are counter-intuitive and often more dangerous than being on the road.
I would suggest that you begin to behave like a motor vehicle. That is how bicycles are legally classified in Ireland, and it is one of the reasons that I dislike cycle lanes. It promotes the idea that cyclists are somehow separate, not entitled to share space with cars. Legally, we are road vehicles and should be treated as equals on the road. I obey the rules of the road and meet all of my obligations as a cyclist. I have lights (front and rear) on my bicycles, and they are on whenever I am on the road. I wear bright reflective gear. I signal. If there ever came a time when I am involved in a collision with a car, and survive, my defence will be secure. My wife knows that, should I be killed on the road, she is to pursue legal action against the driver. It will not have been because I was ignoring the rules of the road. It will more likely be because they ignored those rules.
Getting a licence will help you to better understand your obligations and the rules that you are to follow and help you to understand what the motorists' obligations are, though I wouldn't expect them to keep their end of the bargain. Don't forget, many of those driving got their license in an amnesty several years back. They have never taken a test and have only one rule--get outtadaway, y'feck! Y'eedjit, ye! Many of those that did take the test see rules as something only fools obey. You'll get to a point where you can smell them coming. Real morons.
All I can recommend is to stay aware of what is around you, and just assume that a driver will do something stupid. If you can anticipate, you are much better prepared to do what you need to do in order to protect yourself. Having said all of that, there are probably more drivers that will respect your presence than I am accrediting. Unfortunately, it is the morons that you have trouble forgetting--because the consequences are so potentially final I suppose.
Hope this helps. Stay safe.