Hit by truck, act or ignore?
Discussion
Hello All,
On my commute today I was hit by a dozy truck driver on a roundabout by my office. He was sat in the left lane although planning to turn right and veered into the cycle lane (one of those small ones at the side of the road) in order to give himself extra turning space. I saw this coming and took evasive action to avoid being crushed but suffered the collateral damage of my elbow being t
tted one by the back end as I avoided him.
I pulled alongside him at the lights and had a few choice words. He held his hands up, but clearly had no idea what I was so cross about.
I've not been hit by any traffic before, thankfully, so the question I've got is do I report him for this or chalk it up to experience? I'm not looking for retribution, just trying to prevent this sort of thing happening again.
On my commute today I was hit by a dozy truck driver on a roundabout by my office. He was sat in the left lane although planning to turn right and veered into the cycle lane (one of those small ones at the side of the road) in order to give himself extra turning space. I saw this coming and took evasive action to avoid being crushed but suffered the collateral damage of my elbow being t
tted one by the back end as I avoided him.I pulled alongside him at the lights and had a few choice words. He held his hands up, but clearly had no idea what I was so cross about.
I've not been hit by any traffic before, thankfully, so the question I've got is do I report him for this or chalk it up to experience? I'm not looking for retribution, just trying to prevent this sort of thing happening again.
I think that ALL CYCLISTS should realise that undertaking any vehicle - whether you are in a cycle lane or not - is just tempting fate.
Visibility is limited and part of being a good cyclist is about looking ahead and the anticipation of others actions on the road.
WE ARE ALL HUMAN!!!!
"for sure" there are cycle lanes, rules, guidelines, laws etc etc - but none of those will help you when you get crushed or knocked off your bicycle.
Be safe - ride safely, anticipate and imagine that everyone else on the road wants to kill you - and you will be fine.
khushy
PS - my mate was "hit" by a lorry yesterday - banged up & brusied - the lorry was parked LOL - he says he didnt see it ffs - idiot!
Visibility is limited and part of being a good cyclist is about looking ahead and the anticipation of others actions on the road.
WE ARE ALL HUMAN!!!!
"for sure" there are cycle lanes, rules, guidelines, laws etc etc - but none of those will help you when you get crushed or knocked off your bicycle.
Be safe - ride safely, anticipate and imagine that everyone else on the road wants to kill you - and you will be fine.
khushy
PS - my mate was "hit" by a lorry yesterday - banged up & brusied - the lorry was parked LOL - he says he didnt see it ffs - idiot!
Thanks for the comments. I'm not looking for retribution, but more to avoid it happening again. As it hasn't happened to me before, I was just interested to hear other people's perspective.
Incidentally, I'm sure that it was an accident and that the diver didn't see me, but that's kind of the point, I think: He was pulling into a cycle lane whilst using completely incorrect lane discipline (which presumably he must have been aware of, given that the directions are clearly painted on the road).
If I was in a situation like that, I would be approaching it with somewhat more caution. I concede, on the other hand, that I'm a car driver, not a truck diver and I'm viewing it from that perspective.
I didn't see that as "undertaking" per se - all traffic was subject to the signal controls on the roundabout (i.e. the two lanes, plus the separate bike lane), and I was observing that, and the traffic lanes were filled with slowish (i.e. slower than a bike) moving traffic. I was aware of the risk though, which is why I approached the truck with some caution. As he was in the wrong lane, I suspect he was preoccupied with getting across a busy roundabout when the lane he should have been in what filled with other traffic. Ho hum.
Incidentally, I'm sure that it was an accident and that the diver didn't see me, but that's kind of the point, I think: He was pulling into a cycle lane whilst using completely incorrect lane discipline (which presumably he must have been aware of, given that the directions are clearly painted on the road).
If I was in a situation like that, I would be approaching it with somewhat more caution. I concede, on the other hand, that I'm a car driver, not a truck diver and I'm viewing it from that perspective.
I didn't see that as "undertaking" per se - all traffic was subject to the signal controls on the roundabout (i.e. the two lanes, plus the separate bike lane), and I was observing that, and the traffic lanes were filled with slowish (i.e. slower than a bike) moving traffic. I was aware of the risk though, which is why I approached the truck with some caution. As he was in the wrong lane, I suspect he was preoccupied with getting across a busy roundabout when the lane he should have been in what filled with other traffic. Ho hum.
Glassman said:
This chap didn't get the truck's details because he thought it was just the mirror...
Apparently he fell to his knees when he got home and saw the rest of it.
if indeed ^this^ is true - he should NOT be bloody driving anyway!!!!Apparently he fell to his knees when he got home and saw the rest of it.
Edited by khushy on Monday 17th September 12:17
As you and the driver 'had words' I think he probably considers the episode closed, regardless of whether he was in the right or wrong.
You could report it but I very much doubt anything would happen, as had already been suggested you would probably get more mileage contacting his company.
Regardless of who is in the right or wrong us cyclists need to 'ride to survive' (IMHO). When coming up to a roundabout or set of lights on red with a left turning, I either try to get ahead of the traffic, or sit behind whatever is at the front - NEVER down the side of a car/van/bus/truck - even if there is a cycle lane. It's never a good idea to assume other road users will see you just because you are riding within the law, we have all been distracted while driving by kids screaming in the back, something on the radio, MILF on the pavement etc!
Also, I ride with a bright strobe light on the front and rear of my bike all year, at all times of the day, just to make sure I have a better chance of being seen. This time of year when the sun is low and bright in the sky you need to give yourself every possible advantage you can.
The idea of riding with lights in the daytime might not go down well with the weight weenies or hipsters but IMHO I would rather live to ride another day than die looking trendy!!
You could report it but I very much doubt anything would happen, as had already been suggested you would probably get more mileage contacting his company.
Regardless of who is in the right or wrong us cyclists need to 'ride to survive' (IMHO). When coming up to a roundabout or set of lights on red with a left turning, I either try to get ahead of the traffic, or sit behind whatever is at the front - NEVER down the side of a car/van/bus/truck - even if there is a cycle lane. It's never a good idea to assume other road users will see you just because you are riding within the law, we have all been distracted while driving by kids screaming in the back, something on the radio, MILF on the pavement etc!
Also, I ride with a bright strobe light on the front and rear of my bike all year, at all times of the day, just to make sure I have a better chance of being seen. This time of year when the sun is low and bright in the sky you need to give yourself every possible advantage you can.
The idea of riding with lights in the daytime might not go down well with the weight weenies or hipsters but IMHO I would rather live to ride another day than die looking trendy!!
As someone who who has driven LGV's in the past, it sounds like the truck had positioned itself as far left as possible to give himself adequate turning space to the right on the roundabout.
It also sounds like the OP had riden up the inside of the truck which was stationary and was then clipped by the rear overhang, as the truck turned right.
If I have interpreted the above corerctly, then it seems that the OP should have realised what the truck was doing and should not have placed himeslf in the position that he came into conflict with the rear of the truck.
Ride defensively and stay safe.
It also sounds like the OP had riden up the inside of the truck which was stationary and was then clipped by the rear overhang, as the truck turned right.
If I have interpreted the above corerctly, then it seems that the OP should have realised what the truck was doing and should not have placed himeslf in the position that he came into conflict with the rear of the truck.
Ride defensively and stay safe.
The Highway Code said:
73
Pay particular attention to long vehicles which need a lot of room to manoeuvre at corners. Be aware that drivers may not see you. They may have to move over to the right before turning left. Wait until they have completed the manoeuvre because the rear wheels come very close to the kerb while turning. Do not be tempted to ride in the space between them and the kerb.
Very sound advice. Even in a car I will try and avoid being alongside an artic as they manoeuvre on a roundabout or at a tight junction. Pay particular attention to long vehicles which need a lot of room to manoeuvre at corners. Be aware that drivers may not see you. They may have to move over to the right before turning left. Wait until they have completed the manoeuvre because the rear wheels come very close to the kerb while turning. Do not be tempted to ride in the space between them and the kerb.
Fair comments all round. It's true that the lesson here is that these things happen, so don't take it for granted.
However, in my defence, I'd also add that this guy was in the wrong lane, and that such a manoeuvre should not have been necessary. Given it was a local company, he should also have known this section of road full well. Also, it wasn't an articulated truck, just a normal 7.5t type so it wasn't a massive task to negotiate a large roundabout correctly.
Anyway, comments are appreciated in all context, and my wound did get me some extra street cred when I got into work so it's not all bad!
However, in my defence, I'd also add that this guy was in the wrong lane, and that such a manoeuvre should not have been necessary. Given it was a local company, he should also have known this section of road full well. Also, it wasn't an articulated truck, just a normal 7.5t type so it wasn't a massive task to negotiate a large roundabout correctly.
Anyway, comments are appreciated in all context, and my wound did get me some extra street cred when I got into work so it's not all bad!
phil-sti said:
Truck driver has no right to come into a cycle lane, irrelevant of what way he was turning. does he have a right to let the back end to hit pedestrians because it was tight? Report him to his company.
Depends.If it is a dotted white line - he is perfectly entitled to be there.
It is only the solid white lined cycle lanes where other vehicles are prohibited.
Ask anyone who uses the Cycle "Super" Highways - plenty of motor traffic in them, moving and parked, perfectly legitimately.
khushy said:
I think that ALL CYCLISTS should realise that undertaking any vehicle - whether you are in a cycle lane or not - is just tempting fate.
Visibility is limited and part of being a good cyclist is about looking ahead and the anticipation of others actions on the road.
WE ARE ALL HUMAN!!!!
"for sure" there are cycle lanes, rules, guidelines, laws etc etc - but none of those will help you when you get crushed or knocked off your bicycle.
Be safe - ride safely, anticipate and imagine that everyone else on the road wants to kill you - and you will be fine.
khushy
PS - my mate was "hit" by a lorry yesterday - banged up & brusied - the lorry was parked LOL - he says he didnt see it ffs - idiot!
Well said^^^^Visibility is limited and part of being a good cyclist is about looking ahead and the anticipation of others actions on the road.
WE ARE ALL HUMAN!!!!
"for sure" there are cycle lanes, rules, guidelines, laws etc etc - but none of those will help you when you get crushed or knocked off your bicycle.
Be safe - ride safely, anticipate and imagine that everyone else on the road wants to kill you - and you will be fine.
khushy
PS - my mate was "hit" by a lorry yesterday - banged up & brusied - the lorry was parked LOL - he says he didnt see it ffs - idiot!
walm said:
Depends.
If it is a dotted white line - he is perfectly entitled to be there.
It is only the solid white lined cycle lanes where other vehicles are prohibited.
Ask anyone who uses the Cycle "Super" Highways - plenty of motor traffic in them, moving and parked, perfectly legitimately.
I thought the dotted line meant entry was allowed if the lane was not in use. If a cycle is there it is somewhat 'in use'If it is a dotted white line - he is perfectly entitled to be there.
It is only the solid white lined cycle lanes where other vehicles are prohibited.
Ask anyone who uses the Cycle "Super" Highways - plenty of motor traffic in them, moving and parked, perfectly legitimately.
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