Dealing with Emergency Services While Cycling

In this video I go through steps you can take to keep yourself safe while dealing with emergency service vehicles when you are cycling.
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[@ThatGoth]

I'd have dealt with this differently, as soon as I know an emergency vehicle is coming I pull off the road and dismount, the reason for this is that other vehicles can act unpredictably when panicked so I'd rather be off the road and out the way in case someone doesn't see me.

[@AshleyNeal-JustCycling]

Always an option 👍

[@kenbrown2808]

@@AshleyNeal-JustCycling it's a good option. then the emergency driver knows you're safely clear and can give more attention to the rest of the hazards.

[@shm5547]

Agree. I'm usually straight onto the pavement and off the bike. I also turn and keep looking at the emergency vehicle then the driver knows I've seen them. If I can remove one hazard from their mental workload I'll do it. You're right that other drivers can do some silly things to make way for an emergency vehicle, so best out the way. However, this rider was on a large cargo bike, so it's perhaps not as easy to manoeuvre.

[@TomARowly]

I also do it even if I'm the only person on the road and there's only one lane. A copper barreling up behind me at 50mph isn't something I want to be anywhere near, even if they are able to overtake cleanly.

[@andyedwards7800]

This is exactly what I do, you usually hear the vehicle way in advance of anyone in a car.

[@orattab3778]

When I hear an emergency vehicle while out on my bike I treat every vehicle as a potential risk and try and get myself into as safe a place as possible. Many cars have a tendency to act very unpredictability when they notice an emergency vehicle without taking much notice of their surroundings (like pedestrians or cyclists). Luckily you usually hear the sirens before the car drivers and can prepare yourself.

[@FoxDren]

I'd have just slipped in between the parked cars for the first clip. 100% out the way then. When cycling I'd have no qualms about mounting the pavement and stopping as I wait for the emergency services to pass.

[@RolfStones]

A week ago I came across an ambulance, in a situation where I normally had right of way. So I stopped peddling quite far in advance, while making as much eye contact with the ambulance driver as possible. This signals "I have seen you and you can go".

[@SPTSuperSprinter156]

Same. I was absolutely flabbergasted a couple of months ago when an ambulance with its blues and twos on stopped in the road to give way to me, going straight through! I had already committed to stopping so I held my ground until it went.

[@rebeckavogel6480]

Very interesting, especially that last bit about the red traffic light. In germany this is handled a bit differently. Drivers are actually taught that when emergency services are stuck behind you, you are to carefully advance past the red traffic light to make way.

[@wimdenhertog2267]

also the 'Rettungsgasse' in traffic jams is something you don't see often in other countries

[@beardyface8492]

In this country people used to do that, & actual police officers used to ignore the small technical breach of the rules, however traffic light cameras have no brain, & those who administer the fines issued by them are only interested in generating maximum revenue, hence the situation you see here.

[@johnmit]

@@beardyface8492 And insurance companies find those that jumped red lights (with emergency vehicles behind them) to be entirely at fault. The law as written is crystal clear on the subject.

[@beardyface8492]

@@johnmit I'm well aware of what happens now, I was referring mainly to what happened in decades past. As to insurance companies, they've always used any technicality to limit their liability & charge customers more, they always will, nothing surprising about how they'd act in the event of the accident you won't have in the situation if you're even minimally competent.

[@douglasreid699]

Watching Chris Martin emt videos when he in the car on a blue light run, roads that have a solid white line section he will do the same, siren off and follow as they not to cross solid white lines, but if a vehicle does give way, they make the pass as safe as they can. Just because a blue light vehicle is catching up to you, its important to know your road markings and find a safe place to let them by, and better to keep them moving at the speed limit than just stop in a panic and slow them down over all to let them past.

[@steve5772]

I'm probably looking at it from another angle because I only ride in rural/semi-rural areas. Personally, I get well out of the way, and am happy to sit and chill for a minute while the emergency vehicle gets by, and any motor vehicles, that are going to move faster than me anyway, sort themselves out and get gone. I think in the first clip, I'd have backed it in between those two parked cars, had a slurp of my drink and let it all unfold without me being a part of the problem.

[@AshleyNeal-JustCycling]

Always a good option 👍

[@jonathanpeters1039]

A few years ago, I found myself at the head of the queue at a stop light, and an ambulance (blues and sirens) came up behind. I felt under pressure to proceed carefully by about a car's length and let them through, expecting that I could simply then reverse back into position. I now know I should not have done this. The next driver behind didn't read the situation and filled the spece I'd vacated, leaving me stuck out into the junction and very vulnerable. Lesson learned.

[@QemeH]

Very good shout about the ambulance waiting at the red light with lights running! We encounter this almost daily (at least in the big cities we do) and it is really aggrevating, because it would be so easy to fix. At most junctions you don't even need to think about emergency vehicles in advance - just respect the bloody stopping line _before_ the "bike box" and keep clear of it and the (imaginary or real) yellow hashed area. If every motorist would do that routinely at every junction, there would _always_ be space to move aside for an emrgency vehicle, because that's how roads are planned. Just move into the bike box or into the pedestrian crossing _carefully_ and a two car line easily becomes an open lane without either of the two cars having to move into the intersection proper at all. Oh, and while we're at it: A lot of motorists could do with the number one rule that is taught in dutch driving schools about emergency vehicles - which is LOLO! _Leave open lanes open_ - so don't weave about frantically when you see an ambulance approaching, just calmly look around and if there is an open lane (even if it's a turning or bus lane) just keep that open and don't do anything. Thank you for your help in protecting your fellow citizens! This has been a message from your emergency services. (Not really ;))

[@davidpnewton]

"Just move into the bike box or into the pedestrian crossing carefully" No. That's jumping a red light. Do NOT do that. When the light is red _you do not cross the stop line_ . Doing what you advocate involves crossing the stop line. The other advice is good, but it is absolutely wrong to jump a red light for an emergency vehicle.

[@QemeH]

@@davidpnewton And how do you propose giving way to an emergency vehicle at a red light? Just let them wait until it's green? Trust me, the law is on your side, if you _carefully_ cross the stop line and move aside without going into the intersection proper and without endangering other road users, including crossing pedestrians. You MAY still get a ticket if there is an automated system at the junction, but you can fight it by simply replying that you made way for an emergency vehicle, the law has exemptions for exactly this reason. If you don't believe me, ask your local authorities, a lawyer or a driving instructor - they will all tell you the same thing.

[@andrewnorris5415]

@@QemeH I would like to see Ash discuss the legally of moving into a cycle box to help the emergency services out. Inc. changes of being prosecuted.

[@davidpnewton]

@@QemeH no I will _not_ "trust you". I will instead trust the truth. See unlike a lot of people I have actually read the TSRGD 2016. Paragraph 5 of part 1 of schedule 14 to the regulations and directions reads: "5.-(1) This paragraph applies to traffic light signals. "(2) The significance of the light signals to which paragraph 4(2) applies, when illuminated, is that specified in sub-paragraphs (3) to (9). "(3) Subject to sub-paragraphs (4) to (6), the red signal conveys the prohibition that vehicular traffic must not proceed beyond the stop line. "(4) Sub-paragraph (5) applies on an occasion where a vehicle is being used for at least one of the purposes set out in sub-paragraph (6) and the observance of the prohibition in sub-paragraph (3) would be likely to hinder the use of the vehicle for that purpose. (5) The prohibition conveyed is that the vehicle must not proceed beyond the stop line in such a manner or at such a time as to be likely to endanger any person or to cause the driver of another vehicle to change its speed or course in order to avoid an accident. "(6) The purposes are- "(a) fire and rescue authority; "(b) Scottish Fire and Rescue Service; "(c) ambulance; "(d) blood service; "(e) providing a response to an emergency at the request of an NHS ambulance service; "(f) bomb or explosive disposal; "(g) special forces "(h) police; and "(i) National Crime Agency. "(7) Red and amber signals illuminated together denote an impending change to green but conveys the same prohibition as the red signal. "(8) A green signal indicates- "(a) subject to paragraphs (b) and (c), that vehicular traffic may proceed beyond the stop line and proceed straight on or to the left or to the right; "(b) where the signal is an arrow, vehicles may only proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow; "(c) where the signal is a pedal cycle symbol, only vehicles which are pedal cycles may proceed. "(9) An amber signal, when shown alone, conveys the same prohibition as red, except that, as respects any vehicle which is so close to the stop line that it cannot safely be stopped without proceeding beyond the stop line, it conveys the same indication as the green signal which was shown immediately before it. "(10) Sub-paragraph (11) gives the significance, when illuminated, of the green arrow signal when, by virtue of the variation permitted in paragraph 2, it is included in the traffic light signals provided for at- (a)item 1 of the Part 2 sign table;or (b)item 3 of the Part 2 sign table, at a position other than position 3 of diagram C or position 2 of diagram D. "(11) The significance is that vehicular traffic may proceed beyond the stop line in the direction indicated by the arrow irrespective of which other light signals forming part of the sign are illuminated. "(12) Sub-paragraph (13) gives the significance, when illuminated, of the pedal cycle symbol when, by virtue of the variation permitted in paragraph 2, it is included in the traffic light signals provided for at item 1 of the Part 2 sign table. "(13) The significance is that pedal cycles may proceed beyond the stop line and proceed straight on or to the left or to the right irrespective of which other light signals forming part of the sign are illuminated. "(14) Vehicular traffic proceeding beyond a stop line must proceed with due regard to the safety of other road users and subject to any direction given by a constable in uniform, a traffic officer in uniform or a traffic warden or to any other applicable prohibition or restriction. "(15) This paragraph does not apply to tramcars." That's a direct quote of the actual text of the law. Nowhere in that text does it support your contention about passing the stop line. You are wrong. It is that simple and unambiguous.

[@QemeH]

@@davidpnewton I would have found the relevant section myself if you just quoted it to me, but thank you for the reminder. You are obviously right that this Act does not explicitly give permission to road users to cross the stop line at a red light if and when emergency vehicles approach. Taken for itself this seems to be an absolute offense - and that is the reason why I said you will most likely get a letter if you do it at an intersection with an automated system. HOWEVER, the law of the UK is a complete (and complex) body and no act stands on its own. You have to take into account that (for example) the Emergency Workers Obstruction Act makes any hinderance of emergency workers - yes, specifically also if it just hinders emergency _vehicles_ or equipment - a punishable offense. Plus, there are other laws that clearly indicate the higher weight that is placed on human life than on public order in the law - which means that "I was clearing the way for an emergency vehicle and I did so in a safe manner" is a proper, legal mitigation for the charge of "crossed the stop line under red lights". There is enough precedent on this where courts have dismissed red-light violations because the driver could show that they moved over for an emergency vehicle to clearly indicate that this is the opinion held by the UK judiciary. It's just that most people who get the ticket don't go to court over this...

[@thomaselliot2257]

Your cycling viewer , I think , will give you some good cycling content in the future, like Jon did for your motoring channel.

[@shadybacon3451]

3:33 Surprised you didn't mention that awfully timed right turn across traffic by the white van

[@Piner5074]

Exemplary cycling, if only all other road users drove and rode to this standard, the roads would be a far safer. Such a shame he’s the exemption instead of the standard. But absolute full marks, and I applaud him 👏🏻

[@laceandwhisky]

Nice to see a cyclist riding to the rules and respectful to others 😊

[@stevestrange965]

@@laceandwhisky I'd get an eye test if you can't see other cyclists riding well. Not difficult to spot.

[@stevestrange965]

Although yes, most delivery cyclists do ride like idiots...

[@edwardlamb]

Good one. Also highlights the madness of driving a largely empty box through a crowded city - at scale it costs time and potentially lives when delaying emergency services. Cargo bike revolution just taking off in the UK, so good to see this one being ridden with such consideration

[@123owenboy]

I got one word for the scooter rider in the first clip and it rhymes with anchor

[@PedroConejo1939]

My word rhymes with hob but otherwise similar intent.

[@smilerbob]

Excellent cycling from your viewer 👍 Interesting to see the response towards emergency service vehicle from two wheels and absolutely brilliant to not use the big open space that can fit larger vehicles in. I must admit, I used to dismount and move to the pavement when it was busy but that was generally to keep myself out of the way from vehicles not seeing me as they moved out of the way

[@kenbrown2808]

dismounting and moving to the pavement or a gap between parked cars is a great option. you're completely out of harm's way, and the emergency driver can be confident you aren't going to end up in front of him.

[@laceandwhisky]

Remember if you can't see a bus driver, HGV driver etc they can't see you. Worth waiting a few seconds to be sure😊

[@JohnR31415]

Not necessarily true any more - cameras are one way devices, unlike mirrors. But these vehicles shouldn’t be on the road if they can’t be operated safely - and their insistence that they can’t see where they are going suggests they can’t be.

[@thefirstbushman]

@@JohnR31415 thats the way it is unfortunately, as a biker thats why I have a high vis helmet

[@douglasreid699]

Even some vans as well, anything square and boxy, and your on 2 wheels (motorbike of cycling) position yourself so your safe and can see a mirror of the vehicle with the blind spots.

[@douglasreid699]

​@@JohnR31415its not "seeing where they are going", but being able to see in their blind spots. It makes the drivers life so much straight forward when a small vehicle (like a bicycle or motorcycle) can position itself in a way the driver knows of their presence behind them and can keep them safe.

[@grahamnutt8958]

Excellent footage/analysis and top quality roadcraft displayed by your viewer. If only everone else was up to this high standard. Clearly; many of them were not 😮. Stay safe out there.

[@andyhart5669]

Good examples of what to do. Sadly so many road user don't know how to react. I had a situation recently where I could see an ambulance trying to get through traffic what behind me. I was in the overtaking lane of a road with two (narrow) lanes in each direction, but not a dual carriageway (Hagley Rd. Birmingham). It was very congested having just cleared one of many traffic lights. The ambulance was a long way back. Some drivers had already seen them and were taking action. I stayed in the left lane until I cleared three slow moving cars then moved to the left. By this time most cars behind had done the same or were ready to do so when appropriate. I then caught upto a private hire vehicle who was moving slower than the limit and other traffic, but was for no conceivable reason in the left lane. He was clearly unaware of the approaching ambulance despite the use of blue lights and a siren. I stayed back giving him room to move over, but also far enough back so as not to be in his blindspot or make him think I would undertake. Finally he realised what was coming, instead of moving to the left which would have let the ambulance pass, he moved slightly to the left and straddled two lanes. At the same time he slowed even further causing all the cars behind me to close up. The last couple of cars still in the right hand lane didn't have room to move left. By this time the ambulance had almost caught up to them. The two cars behind managed to get out of the way causing little problem, but the car who had caused all the issues remained across two lanes. The ambulance had to go onto the other side of the road to get past making oncoming cars to have to stop. What could have been an easy situation turned into a mess because of one driver. I can't believe he was trying to cause a problem, he had passengers (paying customers?), sonhe probably though he was doing the the right thing and helping.

[@Ep1cure]

It's so easy to leave extra space at the traffic lights. Just stop where you just lose sight of the line over your bonnet (US. hood). That way, you still have shuffle space forward for emergency services.

[@picklestheswift]

I think I'll be more like your viewer in the future. The one trouble I find is I nearly get deafened as they go pass with the sirens on!!!😂

[@monz1978]

Cycling mikey could learn a few pointers here that's for sure.

[@ericritchie6783]

Well if situation gets remotely complicated like this would literally just remove myself and my bike from the road until passing of emergency vehicle is resolved. Way too stressful on the senses having the sirens come too near.

[@ibs5080]

Just came across this now and couldn't work out why I never got a notification for this video. And the when I checked, I thought it strange when I noticed I wasn't even subscribed to this channel. Immediate thought was "How can that be, I've been subscribed to Ashley's channel for years. Perhaps I inadvertently unsubscribed myself. I'll resubscribe". Then the penny dropped when I saw the channel name: Ashley has started a new cycling channel! I guess I somehow " missed the memo"? C minus for my observation skills there but at least I figured out what happened!

[@AshleyNeal-JustCycling]

Good to have you here also Ibrahim!

[@ibs5080]

@@AshleyNeal-JustCycling Great to be here at the start of your new cycling channel Ash. This will certainly help in my all round learning process. And rather fittingly, I'm about to go on the stationary bike here at home for about an hour. Hopefully I won't have to make way for any emergency vehicles! I actually also have to catch up on quite a few of your "Shorts" videos. Incredibly, it was only fairly recently that I came across them. Talk about observational skills, which thankfully are a lot better behind the wheel, though of course always room for improvement.

[@radishpea6615]

2:57, stay in primary for a bit longer, this will help to make sure traffic behind see the oncoming emergency vehicle and do not pass. 3:01 go to secondary

[@Sthilboy56]

I have experienced a lot of emergency vehicles just pushing through with no regard to other road users , almost barging their way through almost as if they don’t care who they hit because the emergency takes priority over everyone else’s safety

[@keithnorris2104]

Speaking as a retired ambulance worker with 41 years experience of driving, the ambulance did the correct thing by turning off their lights and waiting for the traffic lights to turn green. In fact when I did a refresh driving assessment with an instructor, I had to turn off my lights as well. 5:08 This is what all emergency services vehicles are supposed to do, they should not force anyone one to cross the stop line.

[@PedroConejo1939]

Brilliant series of videos and better decision making from the cammer than from some of those around them. Dealing with ESVs is an under-taught subject, regardless of what you're in or on. Even pedestrians need a bit of education. People like the scooter rider in the first clip do my nut. They illegally went through the zebra crossing with people on it - that's when you need Cycling Mikey. And that's the whole thing about those who coat-tail ambulances: they will break the law to keep their space. Needs a specific law to deal with it. As a driver, I have certain stretches of road where I make sure I've cracked the window open and all music is off, for the very purpose of hearing the ESVs that frequent those roads.

[@adampoultney8737]

Just a comment on road design in the red light stop clip. There are many junctions where I think it would be perfectly reasonable for the HWC to allow vehicles to cross the stop line cautiously to make space for an emergency vehicle to pass as there is an area where oncoming traffic simply will never cross. I think this space should be allowed to be used if it exists, but drivers should still wait to cross the junction fully until their light is green. This of course is not applicable at all traffic lights. So how can this be resolved? Perhaps it could be just written into the HWC that where such a space exists, use it without driving into the path of oncoming traffic. Perhaps new markings or signage, allowing for a space marked out in a way similar to the advanced stop line for cyclists could be gradually introduced, and new junctions could account for this space. As an example, look at the junction of University Boulevard, Lower Road and Queen’s Road next to the University Boulevard tram stop in Nottingham. If you approach from the North west side on University Boulevard there are three lanes, two continue on university boulevard, one turns onto Queen’s Road. Ahead of these is a large area where traffic will not pass through. This sort of area could be utilised. And one even better solution perhaps, would it be possible for traffic lights to detect a blue flashing light approaching and then just change to green? Nottingham example: pin.it/QDb8zGR

[@timbervalleyproductions]

Great video very helpful, thanks !

[@busog97641]

*Excellent video there Ashley!!!*

[@BicycleJason]

I use the raised hand signal to indicate I am stopping when I feel that drivers won't recognise why I am doing so. It's a warning that something is up and usually elicits a raising of awareness.

[@TheGiff7]

Sadly too many motorists are blissfully unaware of what hand signals beyond left and right mean. I usually use the slow down signal as a raised arm means you are proceeding ahead. Though on club runs it means stopping.

[@BicycleJason]

@@TheGiff7 Here in Western Australia the raised hand means stopping. I do get your point about many motorists probably not being aware of what it means. I combine it with a strong central position and they get the point.

[@Onnz007]

We have a saying in our country “red is not a wall”. I don’t understand how can a red light fine be more valuable than a life.

[@mcdon2401]

Strange how those who set the rules didn't think to include an exemption for exactly that situation.

[@michaelthomas3646]

I think too many new drivers read the highway code that says pull over as soon as possible, or if stationary then stay stationary, rather than assessing the risk factor for it's own merits, like first in line at a blind narrow junction, and you got a fire engine with sirens behind you, what should you do? which is to clear the junction as soon as possible, and then find a suitable stopping place whereby you aren't causing an obstruction to the emergency service vehicle. if safest and the quickest option for both yourself and the fire engine. so that the fire engine is not on the wrong side of the road at the junction posing a risk to other motorists, and the traffic behind also has a clear route to clear a way for the fire engine. and too many people are just plain stupid when it comes to letting an emergency vehicle pass a vehicle on the opposite side of the road, and stop directly opposite a car giving way to the emergency vehicle to gawp, rather than keeping well back, or passing safely, and quickly.

[@horsenuts1831]

A cyclist is going to hear a siren LONG before anybody sitting in a car. I wonder how many car drivers start berating this cyclist for planning ahead when they haven't even heard the siren? Indeed, on many occasions I have spotted a fire engine in my rear view mirror while driving, found a tidy long layby to pull in, only to be overtaken by a dozen dozy people who don't use their rear view mirrors and then end up blocking the fire engine.

[@kennethcroll6972]

hi ashley, i sent a video about the last clip, theres a solid white line at the lights if you cross it to let the emergency vehicles past you could be charge for driving thought a red light

[@tablettwentytwo1750]

Another Informative video, Ashley. Can yourself or someone answer my query on emergency service vehicles sirens, I wonder? Why has the UK adopted the American shrieking siren system, moreso than (say) the mid tone pitch favoured in Europe? I very rarely hear the old nay naw klaxon familiar as a child in the UK anymore. Are sirens at the behest of the driver of the emergency vehicle who can choose which alarm to use when attending an emergency? Too; why does the UK fire tenders honk their horn- another US import. Is the siren not enough? As a motorist, cyclist and pedestrian I m subject to these sounds daily. I'm intrigued to know if there is indeed a protocol to sirens and their usage. Thanks Ashley. Quin

[@Mark..P]

Great cycling 👏👌

[@chillies4156]

Nice video

[@kenbrown2808]

an interesting aside, when I visited london, I heard multiple sirens arriving in my area at night, and wondered how that part of town was so accident prone, until morning, when I saw there was an A&E entrance just a few buildings down from the hotel. (the ambulances I heard were delivering, not picking up)

[@petef15]

1:18 Follows the ambo and crosses the Z when someone steps onto it.

[@chrisshelley3027]

This is a cracking video and one we can all learn from.

[@elliottsw]

Scooter rider goes straight through a zebra crossing with someone on it. Classic.

[@dyslexiksteve2488]

That was good. I ride in London also and have often just got onto the pavement to let all vehicles sort themselves out. However this cyclist definitely helped the flow of the emergency vehicles by leaving space and making their intentions clear. I think for the future I will also try and help out rather than run away.

[@cyclecam6328]

Lovely jubbly

[@TerryNutkins3]

I would normally pull in when it’s safe and necessary to do so and then roll my eyes at the motorists who don’t know what to do and make the situation worse

[@kenbrown2808]

this is the first I've said, there is footage of people in the UK averaging to a lower standard than people in the US. most of those clips had the motorists with a very poor response to the lights and sirens, and in a few, the cyclist was not making the driver's job any easier. in particular, I'd point out going on the blind side of the bus, and being in motion while the emergency vehicles were approaching. the one puts the cyclist in a hazard zone, and the other forces the emergency driver to divide his attention, since as long as the cyclist is in motion, the cyclist becomes a risk that has to be monitored. stopped and out of harm's way, he requires much less attention.

[@clivestonebridge3859]

Compared to what I witness from most UK drivers in situations like this alot of them actually did pretty good in this video. You didn't get the overtakes you as you slow to make way for the emergency vehicle, the overtakes you then immediately stops in front of you, the stops behind you, but floor's it to get ahead of you as soon as the emergency vehicle passes etc etc etc

[@kenbrown2808]

@clivestonebridge3859 we get that, here, too. But the average for us is people make a hole and stop, so the emergency driver doesn't have to keep worrying about them. Other side of it is our emergency lights and sirens are a lot more assertive. If you haven't seen it, you can look up "red train" i think it is, for an example of what our emergency responders to to get the point across.

[@dandugan1131]

The lights don’t change to green automatically when emergency vehicles come through in the UK?

[@SGz_Eliminated]

So what is the rule when it comes to sirens, is it always get out the way whether siren is on or off or are you only supposed to move if the sirens are on. That last clip might have seemed obvious for us watching the video but for the driver in front he was sat still at the red light and then when it changed the ambulance started blasting its sirens. Then as the car driver creeped so did the Ambulance. Yes the ambulance was indicating but at night with flashing blues I wouldn't be surprised if the car driver couldn't even see that at first and even if he could see it since the ambulance was only creeping does it want you to move out the way or sit still? In the end they both creeped until I assume the driver realised to just cross the junction but it does make me wonder if there's some rules I'm not aware of.

[@SpecializedRobbo]

I believe the car driver turning right might’ve been blocking the ambo’s way which is y they were creeping.

[@TimpBizkit]

To be honest I just pull up on the pavement as soon as I hear the sirens or see the blue flashing lights at night.

[@bertjesklotepino]

Ashley, what do you think of Transferia? We have some in the Netherlands, where people can park and take a bus into the city. BUT, perhaps we should have turn it around. Perhaps we should have people actually wanting to park their car in some transferium on the edge of the city, and take a small bus or whatever to get home. Just imagine if you could step out of your door, walk 100 meters or so to a small bus stop and you are taken to a transferium to collect your car which you then use to drive to another city, park it and get on a bus again. Man o man, what a time savior that would be. If only people could get rid of the idea that we should own a car to be able to make a living in another city.

[@AshleyNeal-JustCycling]

Could you actually do that with rental cars? I'm sure this would suit some people.

[@bertjesklotepino]

@@AshleyNeal-JustCycling no, not that i am aware of. But that would actually be a good idea in my opinion.

[@ianmason.]

Generally called "Park and Ride" here in the UK. Several cities have them. Oxford, for example, has five sites, the biggest of which has room for 1,335 cars.

[@ster2600]

I don't understand why the ambulance turned its sirens off? Please could you explain? I thought emergency services were supposed to go through red lights

[@AshleyNeal-JustCycling]

Other motorists are not allowed to pass a red light, unless directed by a police officer. Ambulances often turn off their sirens and sit to wait patiently until the lights change. This is what they are trained to do, even though for me they shouldn't have to. Personally, I would happily risk a ticket to allow the emergency services through.

[@timothyjohnston4083]

@@AshleyNeal-JustCycling I live in Quebec, Canada. It is my understanding that if safe to do so, that you should violate a red light to allow an emergency services vehicle (with lights and siren going) to pass.

[@mjudge2]

Really nice to see a Cyclist delivery rider riding to a good standard. Unfortunately most of the ones I see don't ride anything like this.

[@FoxDren]

Sadly the fact they're normally paid per delivery means they're encouraged to do everything possible to deliver faster so they can pick up the next job.

[@orattab3778]

This is a big, heavy cargo bike that probably costs more than many cars, doubt it is being used as a gig economy delivery vehicle. In my experience they ride more considerately than the cheap, underpaid delivery drivers (including most delivery vans).

[@mjudge2]

@@orattab3778 good point. In my area we only really get the gig economy deliveries by bike. I do have a lot of sympathy for them - I'm sure I'd be driving and cycling worse if my pay-check depended on it.

[@JasonLake-cy9hh]

Interesting

[@andyedwards7800]

If I hear an emergency vehicle I pull in, get off the road and face the oncoming ambulance or whatever so that they know I've seen them. Not sure why dithering about in the road like the rider shown does is helpful. Just get off the road, it gives the vehicle more options, it's safer for you and keeps you away from the other clowns in cars etc who often do some bloody odd things when under pressure

[@CycleCalm]

Riding a cargo bike which is too long and heavy to lift on the pavement, and you can't mount kerbs unless you're facing straight at them.

[@ParanoimiaUK]

I hope nobody suffered as a result of that delay for the ambulance. This law about fining people for going through a red light even when making way for emergency services is ridiculous and needs to be changed. Fine, they shouldn't go sailing through the red, but just edging forward to make room should not result in a fine.

[@nicholashunt9522]

Just as a caveat in the first clip - the scooter driver just ignoring the people at the crossing and sailing through believing they're an emergency vehicle. 🙄

[@kevinrayner5812]

2:44 and 2:58 cyclists on the pavement. That wasn't a shared footpath was it? How come I spotted them and the driving instructed didn't.

[@brisfocus3648]

In the first clip, why wouldn’t you pull off the road onto the path and wait for the hazard to pass? I give this analysis a …. G

[@AshleyNeal-JustCycling]

Because that's on offence 👍

[@Alan-xxxxxx]

3:20 The impatient BMW driver couldn't be bothered to wait a few seconds for the road to widen and instead failed to give the cyclist adequate and safe clearance when overtaking it

[@robertpatrick3350]

Because someone in the comments section would make rabid generalised comments about cyclists?

[@TheGiff7]

As Ashley says. It’s an offence. Also it means that the cyclist then has to rejoin the carriageway which can be more challenging than attempting to do so from a side street.

[@AshleyNeal-JustCycling]

It's a good safe option if you are less skilled, but stop next to the kerb and dismount first!

[@jakescustoms]

I absolutely hate watching clips like that, emergency vehicles have their lights and sirens for a reason, and that reason is usually to make themselves as loud and as visible when responding to an emergency. The fact that they have to get to their destination in a timely manner is contradicted by this "turn your sirens of and wait for the lights to change" litterally every single other country does it the other way (emergency vehicles keep their sirens on and start slowly helping traffic to get past the lights) and you get results why doesn't the U.K. do it? It's honestly shameful that the reason for it mainly not being done is down to the fact you can get fined for going past the line at the lights, mounting a kerb, or going over specific markings to let an emergency vehicle past.

[@jandl1jph766]

Playing into this is that in most countries, you can't be prosecuted for enabling the progress of an active emergency vehicle, as long as you don't create a major hazard yourself. In fact, here in Germany, you could be prosecuted for the holdup!

[@jakescustoms]

@@jandl1jph766 Funny thing is that in the U.K. you can be prosecuted for both not giving way to the emergency vehicle and any traffic violation you commited to let them past.

[@jandl1jph766]

@@jakescustoms That's a nice double bind there...

[@TheGiff7]

@@jakescustoms Don’t think I’ve ever heard that one. Several police drivers have told me my only concern is to pull into the side when safe and legal to do so. They are already working out their moves and options prior to hazards.

[@jakescustoms]

@@TheGiff7 For the most part it's rare for this to happen, but it can happen at the hands of the greatly installed road cameras.

[@Mr.1.i]

The cyclist should get off the road as soon as hears the siren

[@click1246]

Why dont you just go on the path

[@CycleCalm]

Heavy cargo bike that can't easily mount kerbs unless you get a 90 degree angle to approach from

[@Eliddinn]

I miss cycling, i need to loose weight so i can do it again

[@AshleyNeal-JustCycling]

Go for it👍

[@shm5547]

You don't need to lose weight to start cycling, you need to start cycling to lose weight!

[@ianmason.]

Cart before horse error there I think. If you start cycling again you will lose some weight. [Looks down at belly] *_I_* probably need to get out a bit more too.

[@matsr_2279]

Terrible by the scooter rider, were clearly postin paying no attention as they followed through, could have ran straight over a pedestrian

[@HerpilyDerp86]

A cyclist that doesnt scream or shout at other road users and isnt taking to twitter to try and name and shame drivers? THIS is how a cyclist should behave, CyclingMikey, JeremyVine and the other cyclopaths could learn a lot

[@TheGiff7]

I don’t scream and shout at motorists yet I’ve been physically threatened and verbally abused by motorists on numerous occasions. On one occasion told I would be knocked over a hedge and no one would know or find me because I wasn’t exiting a side road quick enough. I’ve also had motorists deliberately drive their vehicles at me.

[@HerpilyDerp86]

Here they come. Who'd have guessed? 😂 Did I say all cyclists? No. Did I name you? No. Did I say cyclists that shout and scream at other roadusers to make situations out of nothing? Yes. If you're upset, then my point has probably hit home and you fall into that category, otherwise you'd be agreeing with my point about those cyclists needing to learn how to behave appropriately like the one in this vid.

[@HerpilyDerp86]

Which bit are you confused about? The shouting at other road users or the posting it to twitter to name and shame? I'm genuinely confused which bit you're angry at me pointing out? All road users should behave appropriately, yet somehow me mentioning two very vocal cyclists seems to have poked the hornets nest. Are you angry because I'm right about those cyclists so your projecting or are you angry because you idolise them for some reason?

[@ianmason.]

@Donkavision Second time you've said this. Are you trying to sell some secondhand bikes or is it just a rather infantile challenge?

[@Nicky_Nacky_Nooo]

I don't know why this was recommended to me but I was expecting something exciting. What a disappointment.