2 really good Lorry drivers this week!

[Brandane]

From the other side of the fence; I have met the very occassional knob on a bike too, i.e. the one who is seemingly oblivious to the fact that there is a truck behind him trying to get past, and despite several opportunities to do so the cyclist doesn't bother to move into his left to let the truck past.

Just like in all avenues of life, there are knobs on bikes; certainly in cars, most definitely in white vans, and also the odd one in a truck!

 

[Cab]

Its up to the guy in front, whatever vehicle he's using, to decide whether or not its safe to let you past.

 

[jonny jeez]

Some are really good and make me wonder if they are either cyclist's them selves?.....They are just really "aware" of the impact they can have on us.

I spotted this one recently and sent off a thankyou letter (and link) to the firm.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Just like in all avenues of life, there are knobs on bikes; certainly in cars, most definitely in white vans, and also the odd one in a truck!

The ones that annoy me are those who insist on getting ahead of you at traffic lights, especially when you've just spent five minutes sitting patiently behind them. Why bother? They must know I'll be going faster than them as soon as I get the thing wound up, and then I'll have to overtake all over again. In an urban area this pattern can be repeated all day.

 

[BentMikey]

...which surely means neither cyclist nor lorry driver are behaving ideally? Bus drivers are apparently taught about not leapfrogging cyclists.

I should point out I regularly let HGVs past, for example up Bromley Hill where I'm slow and there are lots of pinch points. It's easy for me to pull over in a side road for a few moments to let a bus/lorry past and make their day easier. Another one is waiting behind a bus to avoid that leapfrogging problem. I do it at least partially for the generous thanks I often get from the good drivers.

OTOH there are times when it's appropriate for the lorry driver to wait, like in this video. It's an excellent example of great HGV driving:

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBwhOTK5AHA

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Oh, I'd hang around behind quite happily if I knew there were traffic lights coming up. But don't forget, lorry drivers (unlike bus drivers) often don't know the road because they're there for the first time. Given that, one could overtake a cyclist in what appears to be an ideal location, then find a set of traffic lights around the next corner. But I agree that leapfrogging as a rule is not good practice and it is something I try and avoid doing.
Thumbs up for allowing trucks and buses past ... I wish there were a few more like you!

 

[thomas]

I spotted this one recently and sent off a thankyou letter (and link) to the firm.

I sent a letter to TNT after I had this. I never heard back from TNT which was a shame as I really hope the driver recieved my thanks...especially when considering this happened about 3/4 of a mile further up the road....on the duel carriageway bit where there should have been plenty of room to overtake.

Thumbs up for allowing trucks and buses past ... I wish there were a few more like you!

There are times when I would let a lorry past (probably not a bus). It nearly always seems to be really appreciated and then any car driver behind them won't give you the time of day, never mind a thanks.

 

[BentMikey]

... which reminds me that I never heard back from Richard Burbidge. Just done a letter since my email must have gone into the bit bucket.

 

[jonredhornet]

There are times when I would let a lorry past (probably not a bus). It nearly always seems to be really appreciated and then any car driver behind them won't give you the time of day, never mind a thanks.

I did this a few weeks back - I was approaching some parked cars and I was going pretty slow uphill. The lorry was approaching from behind and had started to slow. I also appreciate it's a real pain for them to go through their many gears and try and build up the speed again. It was convenient (and safe) for me to wave him by before I pulled out past the cars, and he gave me a friendly thankyou toot when he went past.

I think most HGV drivers are great.

 

[thomas]

It was convenient (and safe) for me to wave him by before I pulled out past the cars, and he gave me a friendly thankyou toot when he went past.

I think most HGV drivers are great.

Yep. On a club ride we had a lorry behind us for about a mile or so waiting patiently. There wasn't anywhere we could stop for him to get past, but when there was we pulled in and got a couple of cheery toots and a big wave!

I think everytime I've pulled in the reaction has been similar.

Now, if only caravan owners would be as considerate

 

[tradesecrets]

Some of us are............ Saints!

Maybe it helps also being a cyclist/motorcyclist, but I always give extra room to 2 wheels when I'm driving one of these:

http://www.saints.co.uk/

That's a nice rig you drive .. Every drove a Kenworth / Peterbilt

 

[Brandane]

That's a nice rig you drive .. Every drove a Kenworth / Peterbilt

No, I'm a relative newbie to the HGV driving (5 years now) after an enforced career change .

Have only ever worked for Saints (after a brief few weeks on agency work) and since then we have had Volvos, Mercs, Dafs *, but the vast majority are MAN Diesel (built by VW/Audi apparently), as in the website homepage.

Usual run is Glasgow airport to Aberdeen airport and back again (12 hour shift). I enjoy it MOST of the time!

* Oops forgot the Renaults. Not a Magnum unfortunately, but a "Privilege". The only lorry I haven't enjoyed driving, a total pig-in-a-poke of a thing. Certainly not a "privilege" to drive!!

 

[Brandane]

Its up to the guy in front, whatever vehicle he's using, to decide whether or not its safe to let you past.

Hmmmm; open to interpretation, that one .

I would say it is the reponsibility of the guy behind, in whatever vehicle, to make the decision as to when he can safely go for an overtake of a slower moving vehicle.
That decision can be aided by the driver or rider of the slower moving vehicle giving some consideration to the fact that he is holding up traffic behind...

 

[Brandane]

Looks like this cyclist doesn't like lorry drivers :


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfiYFxE0PMQ&NR=1

 

[hackbike 666]

One very good one and one bad one today both at Stratford.