Cyclists and blind spots.

[fjord]

Bloody hell....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzL0Kyk4m-8&fea...

I could put it in the youtube topic, but I think it deserves more. It prompts discussion, especially about HGV's. It's not a video of a cat dancing to MC Hammer.

[aka_kerrly]

WOW that should help to make some of those who have been HGV driver bashing all week realise just how difficult it is to keep tabs of cyclists and pedestrians whilst also keeping an eye on what's in front/behind , where they are going, what the speed/weight limit is etc etc.

Not that it grants them free licence to wipe other road users out!!!

A good example of a sensible cyclist outnumbered by idiots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leW8Mx1GciE

Edited by aka_kerrly on Wednesday 20th November 22:51

[anonymous-user]

fjord said:

Bloody hell....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzL0Kyk4m-8&fea...

I could put it in the youtube topic, but I think it deserves more. It prompts discussion, especially about HGV's. It's not a video of a cat dancing to MC Hammer.

This isn't going to go well. Probably 'fking cyclists they dont pay tax, fking wkers, think they own the fking road, rules dont fking apply to the s'

Something like that.

[GTIR]

Cat dancing to MC hammer?!



Where?

[scdan4]

yonex said:

fjord said:

Bloody hell....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzL0Kyk4m-8&fea...

I could put it in the youtube topic, but I think it deserves more. It prompts discussion, especially about HGV's. It's not a video of a cat dancing to MC Hammer.

This isn't going to go well. Probably 'fking cyclists they dont pay tax, fking wkers, think they own the fking road, rules dont fking apply to the s'

Something like that.

or don't sit up the inside of a big thing that could turn left on you?

[andyb]

Very interesting... My first thought is that there must be a better design of mirror!

One minor point though, is that its not just cyclists undertaking (although clearly as the second film shows, that does happen a lot) but also you can get overtaken by the lorry which then proceeds to turn left.

The real killer though seems to be the fixed railings.

[littleredrooster]

I posted the same link about 3 years ago, IIRC. Shocking.

[GC8]

In this particular example his mirrors arent that well adjusted (and I say that as someone who operated a 32 tonne 8 wheel version of the same model Foden).

That shouldnt detract from the point though.

With regards to to the issue of cyclists stupidly riding up the drivers inside, as opposed to the driver stupidly overtaking a cyclist and then turning left - does anyone here honestly believe that the latter happens anything like as much as the former?

A driver who does that is an imbecile, but most drivers will have to contend with imbecilic cyclists doing the former repeatedly, every day.

[lufbramatt]

GC8 said:

In this particular example his mirrors arent that well adjusted (and I say that as someone who operated a 32 tonne 8 wheel version of the same model Foden).

That shouldnt detract from the point though.

With regards to to the issue of cyclists stupidly riding up the drivers inside, as opposed to the driver stupidly overtaking a cyclist and then turning left - does anyone here honestly believe that the latter happens anything like as much as the former?

A driver who does that is an imbecile, but most drivers will have to contend with imbecilic cyclists doing the former repeatedly, every day.

I commute by bike. I'm very aware of the dangers posed and ride as if everyone is trying to kill me and avoid large vehicles like the plague. Only last night I had a bint in a micra half overtake me then turn left. I witness a lot more very poor driving when I'm cycling than when I'm driving. Also see a lot of crap cycling (no lights, jumping red lights etc) but they're less likely to kill someone else if they screw up than someone bimbling around in a big metal box.

[Lawbags]

lufbramatt said:

I'm very aware of the dangers posed and ride as if everyone is trying to kill me and avoid large vehicles like the plague.

It's a shame every other cyclist doesn't adopt that attitude!

[R0G]

Do large vehicles put themselves next to cyclists or do cyclists put themselves next to large vehicles?

If an incident occurs then that question should be asked

[ClassicMercs]

aka_kerrly said:

A good example of a sensible cyclist outnumbered by idiots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leW8Mx1GciE

This video clearly highlights a very big problem - idiots is putting it mildly.

I am a keen cyclist myself - and responsible - but there a clearly two problems. Part of it is idiots like above. Part of it is drivers (of all types of vehicle !!) who are either careless or inconsiderate. Add the two together and things will happen. There are problems with vehicle design - one of our work pool cars has terrible blind spots fore and aft.

As a driver, biker and cyclist I use my skills and experience across the board to try and keep myself and others safe. Maybe a few drivers should be issued with a bike for a week - and vice versa. Even as a considerate and careful cyclist I still get left turn after passing, passing far too close, and jumping out in front of me on a daily basis - in rural Yorkshire let alone in a city.

[Alex Langheck]

Lawbags said:

lufbramatt said:

I'm very aware of the dangers posed and ride as if everyone is trying to kill me and avoid large vehicles like the plague.

It's a shame every other cyclist doesn't adopt that attitude!

It’s probably the best policy – and cut out all possible risks. Especially, now in the dark evenings – even right turns can be ‘iffy’ – so, if unsure I won’t attempt them; pull over to the pavement side and wait until it’s clear. Even with 2 sets of lights front & back, I assume they can’t see me – and ride accordingly.

[sandman77]

The issue with cyclists going up the inside of vehicles on the approach to a junction only to be confronted by a left turner is the very reason I do not think advance stop lines for cyclists are a good thing. All they do is encourage this stupid behaviour from cyclists. When cyclists approach a red light with a queue of traffic they should just wait in the queue like everyone else. Yes it will be slower but much much safer.

[Gixer]

A couple of years ago they had a HGV parked up at Greenwich in the mornings and were inviting cyclists to sit in the cab and look for themselves. A good idea in my opinion. Maybe they should do that sort of thing more. Nothing like seeing something for yourself to improve awareness.

[budgie smuggler]

aka_kerrly said:

A good example of a sensible cyclist outnumbered by idiots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leW8Mx1GciE

Edited by aka_kerrly on Wednesday 20th November 22:51

Absolute morons, not helped by the cycle lane. They should forget spending money on those sort of dangerous 'facilities' and instead offer free Cycling Proficiency or Bikeability or whatever it's called.

[GC8]

lufbramatt said:

GC8 said:

In this particular example his mirrors arent that well adjusted (and I say that as someone who operated a 32 tonne 8 wheel version of the same model Foden).

That shouldnt detract from the point though.

With regards to to the issue of cyclists stupidly riding up the drivers inside, as opposed to the driver stupidly overtaking a cyclist and then turning left - does anyone here honestly believe that the latter happens anything like as much as the former?

A driver who does that is an imbecile, but most drivers will have to contend with imbecilic cyclists doing the former repeatedly, every day.

I commute by bike. I'm very aware of the dangers posed and ride as if everyone is trying to kill me and avoid large vehicles like the plague. Only last night I had a bint in a micra half overtake me then turn left. I witness a lot more very poor driving when I'm cycling than when I'm driving. Also see a lot of crap cycling (no lights, jumping red lights etc) but they're less likely to kill someone else if they screw up than someone bimbling around in a big metal box.

I dont doubt any of this, but I do think that its incorrect to group car drivers and HGV drivers together. Every HGV driver realises the implications of this action (or should) whereas the car drivers that youre talking about are probably thinking about everything other than the implications of their actions...

[fjord]

budgie smuggler said:

Absolute morons, not helped by the cycle lane. They should forget spending money on those sort of dangerous 'facilities' and instead offer free Cycling Proficiency or Bikeability or whatever it's called.

Agreed, fking idiots.

Like the kind of people that hoon up the side of an Artic going around the roundabout instead of sitting on the rear corner.

[oyster]

Gixer said:

A couple of years ago they had a HGV parked up at Greenwich in the mornings and were inviting cyclists to sit in the cab and look for themselves. A good idea in my opinion. Maybe they should do that sort of thing more. Nothing like seeing something for yourself to improve awareness.

I may be wrong but I suspect most of the cyclists who get into trouble with HGVs will not bother to take up that invite.

On my commute this morning I still saw lots of fellow cyclists go up the inside of lorries, despite all the publicity of the deaths recently.

You can't make stupid people into clever people.

[Who me ?]

Gixer said:

A couple of years ago they had a HGV parked up at Greenwich in the mornings and were inviting cyclists to sit in the cab and look for themselves. A good idea in my opinion. Maybe they should do that sort of thing more. Nothing like seeing something for yourself to improve awareness.

GREAT IDEA .Would also be a nice idea to do it with some large vans ,especially those with a partition .And ,I know this will cause problems, include motorbikers in the agenda. But if all on wheels on the road see road safety as the duty of all ,this wouldn't be needed