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  #1  
Old 12-06-2012, 01:42 AM
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Default Riding in England...

Just curious whether it's relatively easy to ride on the wrong side of the street without a car that has a wheel also on the wrong side as a constant reminder? I assume at least the controls are the same? Is it more mental thinking about it than actually doing? Riding a motorcycle in city traffic, making left/right turns, and then the lingering what-if when poop hits the fan... do I react the right (left) way? Presented to you aligned right.
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  #2  
Old 12-06-2012, 03:24 AM
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Did it in a car in Australia many years ago.
It is definitely easier in traffic because you have people to follow.
Got out in the country and very often turned ito the wrong lane at corners.
You'll get some good input but be ready to defend your "wrong side" comment because the Brits and Aussie guys think we drive on the "wrong side"!
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Old 12-06-2012, 04:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nbsdave View Post
because the Brits and Aussie guys think we drive on the "wrong side"!
Yep. When I went to work for a while in Saudi Arabia, I soon learned to drive on the wrong side (the RHS). Only occasionally did I screw up and always on wide multi-lane roads with a traffic island between the different directions of traffic flow - usually when I was turning left out of the compound where I lived..

When I was in Seattle last year I was always the passenger and it used to scare the bejesus out of me when the US driver would turn right into the RH lane. I was always expecting a head-on crash.
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Old 12-06-2012, 04:43 AM
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NBSDave is absolutely correct.

I lived in the UK in the early 80's and until recently used to go back 4x a year or so.

During the day and in traffic there is no problem staying in the "proper" lane. But, I can't tell you how many times either at night or on a long quiet country road I have found myself drifting on to the U.S side of the road only to be honked at by someone coming right at me.

Wakes you up right quick!!! Particularly when it is a police officer who automatically assumes you're drunk and therefore going to be disorderly!! Fortunately I have found their police to be quite reasonable overall. And as soon as they see I am not drunk they just give me a short lecture about being careful and send me on my way.

You WILL end up in the wrong lane. It is just habit ... So be careful and enjoy. England, Scotland and Ireland are truly marvelous places to either live, work or visit. An experience I would recommend to any one.
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Old 12-06-2012, 04:50 AM
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Driving in the US I found car parks were the killer, road, not much of a problem.

There are carloads of tourists die here now and then - from being on the wrong side of the road, but it's a once every few years thing, not every planeload.

Pete
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Old 12-06-2012, 06:44 AM
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Pedestrian crossings years of habit look left then right definitely wrong thing to do in LHD countries. Almost got me killed and some dirty looks from drivers before I unlearned which way to look first.
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Old 12-06-2012, 08:43 AM
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I live in the UK but regularly travel to mainland Europe and other countries where you all drive on the "wrong" side of the road. Thats in various cars and on the bike. Much of the UK has marked lanes and arrows on the road at junctions etc.

Controls on bikes and in cars are exactly the same. Only injury so far is when renting a car abroad (not in the UK). Cars here tend to be floor shift manuals. You go to change gear and instead of reaching for the lever on the left as in your own car. You take a serious jab at the door trim with your left hand. End up with a sore knuckle and stay in the same gear with a burst of revs. You only do it once or twice.

Greatest risk is when the road is deserted and you first start out in the morning. No one else setting the example reminding you which side is which. Then watch out when ever you are tired or distracted. Tired because of the big time difference will be your enemy number one when driving here.

And the one you really need to be aware of is when you get back home. You relax thinking is all familiar and soon as your guard is down you slip up. I once rode the bike off the boat in Dover (UK port used when return from France) and confidently drove the wrong way round the roundabout outside the docks. I went anit clock rather than clock wise. Good job it was 11pm and no one about. Had done 400 French miles that day with another 250 English to go.

Look up what a roundabout is and understand lanes and priorities. Don't remember seeing them in the US. Plenty here.

We once rode horses on the left and now drive on the left so we could best defend ourselves from others approaching with our swords. Kept in a sheath on our left hip but when drawn the swords were held in the right hand (for right handed folk at least). Longest reach that way and less chance of taking an ear off the horse.
Those who were left handed had no right to ride on the right.
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Old 12-06-2012, 10:44 AM
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In a car, no. But on a rented motorcycle in India without the reference of a steering wheel I did find myself on the wrong side once. I actually have more trouble when I come back to the States. After a driving vacation in Ireland and England I had to stop while leaving the Sacramento airport to get my readjusted bearings.
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Old 12-06-2012, 11:18 AM
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I was over in May for a 2 week trip with my brother. He was stationed there as an AirForce Pilot. We rented bikes for the trip and did the whole UK. Like has been mentioned before, on a straight road its no big deal, but what I had the hardest part with was all of the stinkin' roundabouts...trying to figure out how to manage that, and which exit to take, and when to signal..that took the most concentration.

However, being able to lane split on a bike, and sift to the front for red lights..that's the best. One of the things I miss most being back in the US...
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  #10  
Old 12-06-2012, 11:54 AM
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I have ridden in NZ and used a cage in AU and England. After a relatively short time, it becomes normal to stay on the correct side of the road. There are a few things to concentrate on:
- remember the mantra .....Keep left, look right......
- roundabouts require more concentration
- turning right at intersections (ie. crossing over to the other side, rather than going into nearside lane) takes time to get used to.
- be careful when you come back home. You will be surprised at how, initially, you may end up on the left side.

Some of the people I rode with used electrical tape and put a large arrow, pointing left, on their windscreen as a reminder. Claimed it helped.

All in all, you will be pleasantly surprised how quickly you adapt.

Have fun.

Rod
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