Safe Speed Forums

Reminds me when I rode over a big bridge in France on a windy day when it was raining hard. I had to bank over into the wind to stay upright, if that makes sense, but there were intersections running laterally across the road where the bridge joins together which were several inches of wet metal. I could feel the tyres skid and skip as I went over them and regained control. I nearly did le poop I can tell you, or is it la poop? Is there a reason why they can’t Tarmac metal or use something grippy at these points?

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

I imagine tarmac won't stick to steel very well? though TBH don't really know. Have seen some drain/manhole covers with "Shellgrip" like type of stuff applied. I'd geuss whoever built the bridge didn't consider there would ever be a problem with lateral adhesion & probably doesn't ride bikes!

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You only need two tools - WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape. :0)

It's most likely they haven't taken into account the fact that bikes perform completely differently from four wheelers, despite the fact that whoever built that bridge supposedly had to take all kinds of vehicles into account. Perhaps it will be a good idea to change the bridge joints, in case they are old, because the metal could become very 'polished' because of all the traffic and that's why it's hazardous. Apparently, they put some kind of rubber coating on it to help provide more friction when travelling through them and also shed water, but perhaps they get worn out?

I don't suppose they actually monitor the condition of all bridges, though, until someone complains or there is a big issue arising out of it, eh?

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"Just got back from a pleasure trip: I took my mother-in-law to the airport."
Henny Youngman

The metal joints are expansion / contraction joints to help deal with are very varied weather patterns. When water lands on metal it is highly slippery and great care is required especially when traversing with a bike !
I have seen the red shell-grip (although more like 'salmon' in reality) that has been applied to grills but it s rare than common. Whenever a road is repaired around grills they ought to re-build the grill at a closer height to the road surface but often it is left as it requires a fair bit of extra work to complete, thus we end up with bigger dips than we ought. When vehicles go over them it is uncomfortable and potentially noisy too.

The link here : http://www.icfinfo.org.uk/pages/what-is-icf.php
and here : http://www.housebuildersupdate.co.uk/20 ... -icfs.html

Bother showing how much easier it is to use and build with. In the case of curbing it might even be pre-made and then transported to be fitted in situ as easily as normal curbstones, only lighter with more absorbing energy abilities.

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Safe Speed for Intelligent Road Safety through proper research, experience & guidance.

That's what I took them to be. I can't remember exactly where the bridge in question is now but I came across it soon after leaving Calais. It's not particularly long but it is quite tall, so if there's the slightest breeze you will feel it. Combine that with rain and you have a very dangerous situation on two wheels, as I found out.

Ah yes, I think I've seen that used on Grand Designs. A bit expensive but very clever stuff

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

That's the whole parody of traffic laws and everything, though, isn't it? I mean, yes, there are irresponsible drivers, too many perhaps, but if nobody had taken proper care of the conditions, especially the 'pending-accident' places, like the bridge joints or tunnels or very sharp turns, what do they expect to happen? I've seen places where even the speed limit is total bull and drivers have used their common sense in order to drive safely and they might warn you of impending danger, when the signings won't do that. There is a place close to where I live that has trucks overturning every single week, as it is very tricky and even at slow speed it's a difficult handle, while there is loads of space for the turn to be fixed. Another example, driving with my parents we always have to take the narrowest road and there are always so many accidents happening, but the road is in the middle of a vast field and nobody bothers to widen it a bit, I mean it's not the mountains, there's a huge amount of nothingness next to it. Alright, I think I went too much off topic, sorry about that. I just think it's all a big parody.

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"Just got back from a pleasure trip: I took my mother-in-law to the airport."
Henny Youngman