Can tell it's a Monday

[rh100]

After two weeks of commuting to work, today was the worst I think.

I have to go over a major set of lights, over an A road. At the lights are 3 lanes, left to go left, center straight on and right to go right. So to cycle straight on I tend to go on the right hand part of the little used left lane - especially if waiting at a red light. This allows me to cross the main road, allowing all the other traffic to go past whilst there is plenty of room, then on the other side where the road narrows very quickly from a wide entry to the road, with enough room for me on the left and cars to go past, then within a few metres it narrows like a funnel to the point where no one could overtake a bike, so I'm looking to make sure there is a break in the traffic for me to slot in. Trouble is all the cars are flooring it to get past, presumably they don't want to get stuck behind me, even though I'm turning off a few metres ahead. Most mornings it's not too bad but today I had a WVM and a car take it too close for my liking. What's the correct way to deal with this in others experience? Just take primary across the whole junction and sod the lot of them? It used to be that the left and center lane could go straight ahead, but got changed after too much traffic converging on the narrowing road at the other side of the junction - causing a backup across the lights.

Even though I've got a handlebar mirror, I check over my shoulder frequently to try to make them realise I'm looking to move, along with a hand signal, but I think they take it as a go ahead to push past as they assume I've seen them and will stop.

Then after that I had no end of buses vans and cars getting too close, maybe it's a Monday thing.

(Cycle craft is now in post - hoping it will help )

 

[Amanda P]

What's the correct way to deal with this in others experience? Just take primary across the whole junction and sod the lot of them?

From the way you describe it, probably yes. Your safety is more important than their joining the next queue a few seconds earlier.

 

[jonny jeez]

What's the correct way to deal with this in others experience? Just take primary across the whole junction and sod the lot of them?

(Cycle craft is now in post - hoping it will help )

Sounds like thats the best approach to me. although I wouldnt look at it as "sod them all" more, make them all realise that you are in Primary, aren't going to do anything to surprise them and that you know how to take care of yourself.

I'm flicking through Cycle craft as i type trying to see what John Franklin thinks, but to me, that sounds best (if a little frustrating to other road sharers)...take care of you, they will take care of themselves sure enough

Jonny

PS....I hate Monday's

 

[rh100]

Sounds like thats the best approach to me. although I wouldnt look at it as "sod them all" more, make them all realise that you are in Primary, aren't going to do anything to surprise them and that you know how to take care of yourself.

Thanks guys, I didn't mean to sound arrogant about it, just got a bit pee'd off is all. I might give that a try though, but as it's a long way over the junction and I'm pretty slow, I might just go back to pushing the bike under the subway then get back on at the other end and round the corner once a bit safer. Not worth getting flattened to save me a couple of minutes walking I suppose.

 

[magnatom]

Primary is the way to go. I have a busy junction to cross (Anniesland Cross) and I have found, through experience that you have less trouble and hassle if you hold strong position all the way across the junction. There shouldn't be any overtaking on a junction anyway, so prevent it by being assertive.

It does work, honest!

 

[upsidedown]

If it's busy and you can more or less keep up with them then i don't see a problem, but if in any doubt primary all the way.
I always find that making a very delibarate move over to the left as soon as it's safe to sends a positive message to drivers.

 

[rh100]

There's always a racing start off the lights though, quite a fair few cars get past me before I get to the tight part. It's quite a nasty crossroads with fairly frequent car crashes.

 

[BentMikey]

It sounds like a tough one! I would, in general principle only, take the lane earlier than you do, and signal with a big straight right arm, picking the gap. I might also take the lane right from the start, but it's not necessarily wrong to do as you've done, taking the right hand side of the left turn lane.

 

[Amanda P]

If you took the centre of the centre lane on approach to the junction, and held it right through the junction, would there be room for cars to pass you as you cross the junction itself?

If not, a strong primary all the way through is probably your best option, with a decisive move to secondary when it's safe to pass you and maybe a "thankyou" wave to the car behind you.

If there is no way to physically prevent overtakes within the junction, it's quite hard to know what's best without actually seeing it. Perhaps a move to primary as you approach the squeeze, with a strong, waving, palm backwards signal and eye contact with the driver behind?

No-one has any business overtaking at a junction, but if one driver does it, the rest will follow like sheep, squeeze or no squeeze.

 

[jonny jeez]

Sorry RH, I didn't mean to sound as if I were having a nag at the attitude, I meant it more as a memo to sort of remind yourself all the time that you are not cycling in a "sod them" way, its just the way that us cyclist all need to ride, then you may find that you don't feel as if you are inconveniencing drivers so much when you do hold them up (so not giving off a "sod them" vibe).

I find myself constantly trying to give off a "vibe" that I am just another vehicle/road sharer and give/expect the same respect as the rest of them ........ it seems to help me a lot on my rides in.

 

[rh100]

Sorry RH, I didn't mean to sound as if I were having a nag at the attitude, I meant it more as a memo to sort of remind yourself all the time that you are not cycling in a "sod them" way, its just the way that us cyclist all need to ride, then you may find that you don't feel as if you are inconveniencing drivers so much when you do hold them up (so not giving off a "sod them" vibe).

I find myself constantly trying to give off a "vibe" that I am just another vehicle/road sharer and give/expect the same respect as the rest of them ........ it seems to help me a lot on my rides in.

No worries Johnny, I got what you meant You have to be assertive and confident, same as when in a car. You don't get anywhere being timid I guess.

I have to say though that the vast majority of drivers have been more than polite and helpful, even if I've done wrong (WVM's included). I think Monday morning just brings out the worst of some of them, no patience.

 

[rh100]

It sounds like a tough one! I would, in general principle only, take the lane earlier than you do, and signal with a big straight right arm, picking the gap. I might also take the lane right from the start, but it's not necessarily wrong to do as you've done, taking the right hand side of the left turn lane.

If not, a strong primary all the way through is probably your best option, with a decisive move to secondary when it's safe to pass you and maybe a "thankyou" wave to the car behind you.

If there is no way to physically prevent overtakes within the junction, it's quite hard to know what's best without actually seeing it. Perhaps a move to primary as you approach the squeeze, with a strong, waving, palm backwards signal and eye contact with the driver behind?

No-one has any business overtaking at a junction, but if one driver does it, the rest will follow like sheep, squeeze or no squeeze.

I think that may be the answer - move earlier, giving me time to pick my gap before I run out of road.

If you took the centre of the centre lane on approach to the junction, and held it right through the junction, would there be room for cars to pass you as you cross the junction itself?

Yes, but not safely IMO, although they probably still would! I'm thinking going primary all the way over would cause more aggro than necessary. As I say, I think I'll try moving to primary at a different point and see how that goes.

 

[Origamist]

If you do take the lane through the junction expect fewer close passes, but more beeps. I'm happy with that trade-off in a lot of situations.

Negotiation will mollify some, but not all drivers.

 

[JiMBR]

Primary is the way to go. I have a busy junction to cross (Anniesland Cross) and I have found, through experience that you have less trouble and hassle if you hold strong position all the way across the junction. There shouldn't be any overtaking on a junction anyway, so prevent it by being assertive.

It does work, honest!

Do you go anywhere near Dumbarton Road at all?...just wonder if we pass each other at any point.

 

[magnatom]

Do you go anywhere near Dumbarton Road at all?...just wonder if we pass each other at any point.

Aye I do. I pass come from Broomhill and around the roundabout (under the expressway) and head along Dumbarton road towards the tunnel. Usually about 8:15-8:20am ish and the other way 5:20-5:30pm ish. Are you around there at that time?