Left lifesaver
Discussion
Unfortunately, as none of us have a crystal ball, getting into the habit of checking what's around us every time we make maneuver can drastically reduce the chances of getting involved in some of the strange things that happen everyday on our roads, especially when riding in busy towns and cities.
aycliffeboy said:
Before a left-hand turn you give a left-hand lifesaver to position/bear left.
At what point do you assume bicycles can't be on your inside ?
A lifesaver makes sense at 15mph but seems a bit daft at 50mph
I would suggest it makes more sense at 50mph ...why only mention bicycle..have you been instructed thats what it's for? At what point do you assume bicycles can't be on your inside ?
A lifesaver makes sense at 15mph but seems a bit daft at 50mph
As hinted above, the lifesaver should become something you do without thinking every time you change direction or change lanes, and the chances are it will save your life at some point. I remember being caught out fairly recently, I'd accelerated away from the lights, caught up with some traffic, and needed to change lanes. I knew 100% that there was nothing to my left, as I could see in my mirrors that I'd left all the cars behind at the lights and I had not overtaken anyone since, I did my lifesaver as I was about to move and sure enough, there was a car there.
Alex@POD said:
As hinted above, the lifesaver should become something you do without thinking every time you change direction or change lanes, and the chances are it will save your life at some point. I remember being caught out fairly recently, I'd accelerated away from the lights, caught up with some traffic, and needed to change lanes. I knew 100% that there was nothing to my left, as I could see in my mirrors that I'd left all the cars behind at the lights and I had not overtaken anyone since, I did my lifesaver as I was about to move and sure enough, there was a car there.
Makes you jump a bit doesnt it!I do lifesavers all the time when changing lanes. Not so sure I need to check my blind sot when turning left into a junction though, but then again, maybe.
Always a head check just before turning off a roundabout as a matter of course. If coming up to a left hand junction / road, and assuming the road before it is clear, mirror, signal, head check then move to the left side of the lane not long before the turn. After you've done that there should be zero room for anyone to sneak alongside. If they have then your road position is wrong, your speed is wrong, or you didn't check mirrors well enough.
Of course usual caveats about parked cars and pedestrian awareness applies.
Of course usual caveats about parked cars and pedestrian awareness applies.
Scorched yellow said:
Close your eyes and pin it
I commute in London, and tbh with all of the filtering, side roads, suv school run mums, uber prius drivers, traffic lights, bollards, cyclists and crazy scooter riders it's definitely become a bit like this.You really have to keep looking forwards and moving forwards. The prospect of checking sideways or behind would be more dangerous in my opinion.
CBT or DAS, then do your left life saver if you turn across from P2, or move to P1.
Once passed, the Police handbook Roadcraft will expect you to "use your judgement about when to used the lifesaver" noting at high speeds it's often safer to keep your eyes ahead.
I believe RoSPA teach from Roadcraft.
IAM references "consider a life saver" and generally has the view that a rider needs to consider each circumstance (as no 2 are identical) and make an sensible decision as to the value of a lifesaver.
Once passed, the Police handbook Roadcraft will expect you to "use your judgement about when to used the lifesaver" noting at high speeds it's often safer to keep your eyes ahead.
I believe RoSPA teach from Roadcraft.
IAM references "consider a life saver" and generally has the view that a rider needs to consider each circumstance (as no 2 are identical) and make an sensible decision as to the value of a lifesaver.
Edited by OverSteery on Thursday 1st July 15:17
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