Idiot pulled out in front of me today
Discussion
Today, for the first time in ten months of riding my moped, I experienced having a car pull out of a junction right in front of me. The driver looked both ways, looked straight at me, then pulled out. I was only travelling at fifteen mph and I was easily able to pull up in time to avoid a crash, but the stupid woman just drove on oblivious. I considered trying to get her to pull over so I could tell her what she'd just done, but I decided that chasing after her hooting and flashing wasn't a good idea. In fact, she did stop at the side of the road half a mile later, but as soon as she saw me pulling up behind her she drove away. Unfortunately I didn't think to get her registration number.
So besides venting my anger, I am posting to ask should I have sounded my horn as soon as I saw her? Obviously in hindsight this would have been a good idea, but it seems excessive to hoot at every car that pulls up to a junction. It would fit in with the "everyone's out to kill you" mantra, but might it cause more harm than good by irritating the majority of drivers who have seen me?
Also, I wasn't wearing my high-vis, reflective vest. Do you guys think these are much use in the daytime?
>> Edited by SamHH on Wednesday 3rd May 20:33
So besides venting my anger, I am posting to ask should I have sounded my horn as soon as I saw her? Obviously in hindsight this would have been a good idea, but it seems excessive to hoot at every car that pulls up to a junction. It would fit in with the "everyone's out to kill you" mantra, but might it cause more harm than good by irritating the majority of drivers who have seen me?
Also, I wasn't wearing my high-vis, reflective vest. Do you guys think these are much use in the daytime?
>> Edited by SamHH on Wednesday 3rd May 20:33
Sadly this is the type of thing that happens all the time when you are on two wheels - I think the mentality is that you are smaller so you will yield 
Sounding the horn would probably make her stop halfway out of the junction - so you did the right thing and just got on with avoiding the accident. With regard to the reflective jacket - if they don't look they won't see you (no matter what you are wearing). Your best route for self preservation is to ride defensively and expect these type of events to happen... Ride like you are invisible and you won't go far wrong - after all you have survived 10 months already
Sounding the horn would probably make her stop halfway out of the junction - so you did the right thing and just got on with avoiding the accident. With regard to the reflective jacket - if they don't look they won't see you (no matter what you are wearing). Your best route for self preservation is to ride defensively and expect these type of events to happen... Ride like you are invisible and you won't go far wrong - after all you have survived 10 months already
I agree with what he said but i would add the following. Ultimately you must ride defensively and be prepared to stop (as you rightly did) but also as you approach junctions try and get propper eye contact with the driver so that you know they've seen you. If they start to move forward (look at the cars wheels/hub caps) if in any doubt give a quick friendly double toot of your horn, it doesn't hurt - just get's their attention. Also ride with your headlamp on and scientific researh has shown that your more likely to be seen on two wheels if you alter your road positioning slightly when approaching junctions, i.e. a gentle weave - but only if it's safe to do so and is not going to confuse other road users.
But like has been said, the road is full of idiots, you've lived to tell your tale so you must have done something right ;-) and there's no point chasing after cars, they have a big steel box protecting them - you WILL lose.
Ride safe ;-) AL
But like has been said, the road is full of idiots, you've lived to tell your tale so you must have done something right ;-) and there's no point chasing after cars, they have a big steel box protecting them - you WILL lose.
Ride safe ;-) AL
welcome to two wheels!
The only thing to do is to look at why she pulled out on you and for you to take corrective action to avoid it. It's all part of learning to ride defensively and gaining experience. Come and try riding in Central London on a Friday evening rush hour and you'll magically develope a sixth sence about vehicles pulling out on you/cutting you up.
One of the worst things in London is the "scooter commuter" cutting up other bikers and not understanding the etiquet of riding with other two wheeled transport - sometimes they need a gentle reminder and they have to go a fish their keys out of the drains!
The only thing to do is to look at why she pulled out on you and for you to take corrective action to avoid it. It's all part of learning to ride defensively and gaining experience. Come and try riding in Central London on a Friday evening rush hour and you'll magically develope a sixth sence about vehicles pulling out on you/cutting you up.
One of the worst things in London is the "scooter commuter" cutting up other bikers and not understanding the etiquet of riding with other two wheeled transport - sometimes they need a gentle reminder and they have to go a fish their keys out of the drains!
These kind of incidents put me off riding bikes in my teens. Over the course of one particular week, the left-hand junction blind folk nearly got me three times. The last time involved dropping the bike to avoid the clutz.
One good thing about having ridden a bike though was that I learned to 'think like a biker' when I'm driving a car.
Be careful out there SamHH. Assume you have to do their thinking for them.
One good thing about having ridden a bike though was that I learned to 'think like a biker' when I'm driving a car.
Be careful out there SamHH. Assume you have to do their thinking for them.
sybaseian said:
welcome to two wheels!
The only thing to do is to look at why she pulled out on you and for you to take corrective action to avoid it. It's all part of learning to ride defensively and gaining experience. Come and try riding in Central London on a Friday evening rush hour and you'll magically develope a sixth sence about vehicles pulling out on you/cutting you up.
One of the worst things in London is the "scooter commuter" cutting up other bikers and not understanding the etiquet of riding with other two wheeled transport - sometimes they need a gentle reminder and they have to go a fish their keys out of the drains!
How true this is. Friday evenings seem to be the worst for drivers with the blinkers on. I often leave later on a Friday to avoid the worst of the rush. [pointsofviewmode] Why oh why do all scooters ride around with their headlights on main beam
[/pointsofviewmode] Steve.
Steve_T said:
welcome to two wheels!
The only thing to do is to look at why she pulled out on you and for you to take corrective action to avoid it. It's all part of learning to ride defensively and gaining experience. Come and try riding in Central London on a Friday evening rush hour and you'll magically develope a sixth sence about vehicles pulling out on you/cutting you up.
One of the worst things in London is the "scooter commuter" cutting up other bikers and not understanding the etiquet of riding with other two wheeled transport - sometimes they need a gentle reminder and they have to go a fish their keys out of the drains!
[pointsofviewmode] Why oh why do all scooters ride around with their headlights on main beam
Steve.
Cant agree more
and not just restricted to Friday nights. Vauxhall Cross always a challenge. Also 'whispering death' aka cyclists, who in the main have no rode sense and believe they are immortal!
Fully concur with the loud exhuast theory.
Al_g said:
I agree with what he said but i would add the following. Ultimately you must ride defensively and be prepared to stop (as you rightly did) but also as you approach junctions try and get propper eye contact with the driver so that you know they've seen you. If they start to move forward (look at the cars wheels/hub caps) if in any doubt give a quick friendly double toot of your horn, it doesn't hurt - just get's their attention. Also ride with your headlamp on and scientific researh has shown that your more likely to be seen on two wheels if you alter your road positioning slightly when approaching junctions, i.e. a gentle weave - but only if it's safe to do so and is not going to confuse other road users.
But like has been said, the road is full of idiots, you've lived to tell your tale so you must have done something right ;-) and there's no point chasing after cars, they have a big steel box protecting them - you WILL lose.
Ride safe ;-) AL
Spot on..
Thanks for your sympathy, encouragments and tips 
. I've probably been lucky for it to have happened only this once in ten months; I'm sure some of you guys who ride in big cities experience it more often.
As to why some moped riders use full beam during the daytime, I don't know. I've never noticed it myself though, and my lights are always on dipped beam during the day (wired on).
. I've probably been lucky for it to have happened only this once in ten months; I'm sure some of you guys who ride in big cities experience it more often. As to why some moped riders use full beam during the daytime, I don't know. I've never noticed it myself though, and my lights are always on dipped beam during the day (wired on).
Hi there,
Here are a few suggestions, in the hope that they could help:
1. Courses like www.bikesafe.co.uk and www.bikesafe-london.co.uk teach scooter and bike riders how to position to best be seen. A mates of mine did Bikesafe in London on his 125 scooter and learnt about avoiding the very incident you describe.
2. You can explore moving towards the centreline (proving it's safe, considering oncoming traffic) on the approach to a junction at which a car's waiting. This has several advantages:
- When riding towards the centreline, you're easier for the car driver to see.
- Lateral movement within your lane, i.e. from the middle of the lane towards the centreline/lane lines, also makes you more easily spotted.
3. In my experience, wearing really bright gear helps significantly (but not every time). You can get some good looking gear that's bright these days, instead of the old fashioned yellow vest.
4. Get a new headlight bulb that makes you stand out. Philips make a Motovision bulb specifically for bikers to be more easily seen by car drivers: www.motorcycledealer.co.uk/motovis
I use all of the above and cars rarely pull out on me. (I commute twelve months of the year on my bike.)
Hope this helps
>> Edited by SVS on Thursday 4th May 18:41
Here are a few suggestions, in the hope that they could help:
1. Courses like www.bikesafe.co.uk and www.bikesafe-london.co.uk teach scooter and bike riders how to position to best be seen. A mates of mine did Bikesafe in London on his 125 scooter and learnt about avoiding the very incident you describe.
2. You can explore moving towards the centreline (proving it's safe, considering oncoming traffic) on the approach to a junction at which a car's waiting. This has several advantages:
- When riding towards the centreline, you're easier for the car driver to see.
- Lateral movement within your lane, i.e. from the middle of the lane towards the centreline/lane lines, also makes you more easily spotted.
3. In my experience, wearing really bright gear helps significantly (but not every time). You can get some good looking gear that's bright these days, instead of the old fashioned yellow vest.
4. Get a new headlight bulb that makes you stand out. Philips make a Motovision bulb specifically for bikers to be more easily seen by car drivers: www.motorcycledealer.co.uk/motovis
I use all of the above and cars rarely pull out on me. (I commute twelve months of the year on my bike.)
Hope this helps
>> Edited by SVS on Thursday 4th May 18:41
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