Almost hit a van this morning

[nz6666]

So I was approaching a junction, green lights ahead, I wanted to go straight. A van was in front of me, it didn't signal left, so I thought it would go straight, so I went to the left of it almost in parallel. But it suddenly turned left in front of me, fortunately I stopped and didn't hit the van. I was very angry at first and yelled at the van, but the van just went off. Now I thought it over, the van did slowed down before the junction, maybe it saw me and allowed me to pass from left but I didn't because I was not sure it was turning left or going straight because I didn't see it signalling. And that lane is not left turn only.
Anyway, do you have something similar to this?

 

[ianrauk]

Never go left up inside a vehicle at a junction, never. Stay in primary behind a vehicle. That way you will have a better understanding as to what vehicles in front will or will not do.

 

[potsy]

Van driver in 'doesn't use indicator shocker'

 

[coco69]

Never go left up inside a vehicle at a junction, never. Stay in primary behind a vehicle. That way you will have a better understanding as to what vehicles in front will or will not do.

So very true, especially when the passenger is being dropped off and decides to do so just as you are on the inside

 

[Markymark]

You assumed the van driver would drive considerately. Most do, some don't. The number of crappy drivers is high enough that you should not risk your safety assuming indicators are used correctly.

As Mr Blue says, primary (behind the vehicle). Filter only past stationary traffic and with great care. Try and filter on the right. When traffic is moving slot in between or at least in the gap and ready to avoid vehicle in front turning across you. Pay extra attention to large vehicles as they can't see you like cars can.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Extra problem with a van, which should get you considering positioning and maybe leaving a bit more room, is that you often can't see what is happening in front of it so are reacting to its reactions.

And yes, never up the left hand side with a junction on that side, just too much risk.

 

[Sittingduck]

Don't filter up the inside of anything unless you're damn sure you can get to the empty space in the ASZ before the lights change green. If traffic is in motion - sit in behing the vehicle until the junction is negotiated. Basically, ride with common sense and expect the unexpected.

 

[nz6666]

The more I think of it, the more I feel the driver did see me and slowed down to let me pass but because I slowed down as well (to see what the van planning to do), so the driver thought I was probably going to turn left as well. But he really should have signalled (or maybe he did signalled just too late when I was in the parallel).
Anyway point taken, never get into left side of a vehicle.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Does sound like it, and parallel with the van is, as you discovered, a dangerous place to be. I have a simple rule of thumb, I'll not pass a car that is acting strangely unless I view it completely safe to do so (which is almost never). This includes cars that may be slowing down to 'do me a favour' because if they aren't they are going to do me an injury.

I've seen it with other cyclists too, I will give way and accommodate cycles in a way that other cars don't and it often leads to situations where we're both just losing time because I'll attempt to make the bikes life easier but because I'm acting out of the ordinary the cyclist will automatically distrust my actions and act to make themselves safer. It's a bit like the 'no, after you' shuffle when two people arrive at a doorway together.

End of the day, you're highly unlikely to get hit by slowing down and giving yourself more space when something odd is happening around you.

 

[DWiggy]

Always assume any car/lorry/bus driver cannot see you and might change their mind in a split second, so cycle accordingly! Never cycle up the inside of a vehicle, its blind spot city!

 

[fossyant]

Silly cyclist

 

[ManiaMuse]

I think you probably learnt a lesson, not all motorists indicate nor use their mirrors. Never assume anything but plan ahead and try and place yourself in a position where you are not likely to be brought into conflict if a motorist does something unexpected.

When approaching a junction try to slot yourself into the flow of traffic and certainly don't undertake, especially if the vehicle in front seems to be slowing down unecessarily but not indicating.

 

[Steady]

I never intentionally put myself parallel with any vehicle at junctions, whether indicating or not it's better in most cases just to push out further into the lane and treat yourself (and make others treat you) as traffic. In some ways I hold the same principle when driving too, if I'm at a junction I avoid where ever I can being directly parallel with any other vehicle for any length of time, whether that's by increasing speed, or decreasing.

 

[sidevalve]

Van driver in 'doesn't use indicator shocker'

Cyclist in goes alongside van driver on left and fails to see indicator shocker'.
As above you put yourself in a position where you couldn't see if he indicated or not. Sorry to say it but it's a bit of a 50/50 job.

 

[slowmotion]

It's best to assume than any vehicle might suddenly turn left, even if they are not indicating or are indicating right.