New one on me ... possible tip for city riders
Discussion
On reflection, this was a bit naive, but I almost got caught out by a bin lorry today.
I'm always very wary about passing HGVs if there's any doubt at all about where they might go. So when I was following one down a narrow rat-run leading to a main road this morning I just elected to stay directly behind as the driver pulled up to the junction. The front of the truck went past the give way line and then it stopped suddenly.
I didn't realise at the time, but he'd run out of steering lock to make the turn without going into the oncoming set of roadworks. As a result, the driver slammed it straight into reverse with me directly behind.
It's no fault of the driver - there was 15 tons of household waste blocking his view of me - but it meant I had to hop into the neighbouring lane rather quickly!
It sounds obvious when you recount it, but it's something worth thinking about if you're following an HGV in closely bunched urban traffic.
I'm always very wary about passing HGVs if there's any doubt at all about where they might go. So when I was following one down a narrow rat-run leading to a main road this morning I just elected to stay directly behind as the driver pulled up to the junction. The front of the truck went past the give way line and then it stopped suddenly.
I didn't realise at the time, but he'd run out of steering lock to make the turn without going into the oncoming set of roadworks. As a result, the driver slammed it straight into reverse with me directly behind.
It's no fault of the driver - there was 15 tons of household waste blocking his view of me - but it meant I had to hop into the neighbouring lane rather quickly!
It sounds obvious when you recount it, but it's something worth thinking about if you're following an HGV in closely bunched urban traffic.
Any large vehicle with blind spots I treat with caution.
The other day I had an HGV with 40ft trailer in tow decide he could make the decreasing gap between me and a traffic island, even with me riding defensively this did not stop him I backed off and watched the rear of the trailer mount and and the skip it's way down the road and then turn left 50 metres later !
At least I had the foresight to back off otherwise I would maybe not be writing this !
The other day I had an HGV with 40ft trailer in tow decide he could make the decreasing gap between me and a traffic island, even with me riding defensively this did not stop him I backed off and watched the rear of the trailer mount and and the skip it's way down the road and then turn left 50 metres later !
At least I had the foresight to back off otherwise I would maybe not be writing this !
Any large vehicle with blind spots I treat with caution.
This, x1000000000. Give them lots of room, and then a bit more for good measure. Despite the mirror, the blind spots are huge (sit in a cab and see for yourself!): you can lose a car in them, never mind a bike. Plus need loads of room to manoeuvre: sadly, many cyclists are unaware of this (esp. when turning left), with predictable consequences...
This, x1000000000. Give them lots of room, and then a bit more for good measure. Despite the mirror, the blind spots are huge (sit in a cab and see for yourself!): you can lose a car in them, never mind a bike. Plus need loads of room to manoeuvre: sadly, many cyclists are unaware of this (esp. when turning left), with predictable consequences...
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff