Don't Undertake HGV's

[HLaB]

I know its been said before but don't undertake (pass on the left) of HGV's, particularly at junctions.

One overtook me this morning then cut in at the lights, I just waited behind them. Two minutes later when the lights changed they turned left to the side road fast, without indicating (nobody ever turns left there but he did). It reminded me why I don't undertake HGV's.

I'm probably wrong but maybe the driver was to busy checking their mirrors to worry about indicating

 

[magnatom]

That's always good advice.

 

[LLB]

Another one around HGVs - make sure you can see their mirrors when following them (so they can see you)

 

[Notsoblue]

I know its been said before but don't undertake (pass on the left) of HGV's, particularly at junctions.

Most important rule of cycling in any big city imo.

 

[Origamist]

A couple of weeks ago police officers on Clapham Common were stopping cyclists and warning them of the dangers of undertaking a HGVs.

 

[leoc]

A friend of mine was recently knocked off but luckily escaped injury doing this. She was in a cycle lane

 

[yenrod]

I know its been said before but don't undertake (pass on the left) of HGV's, particularly at junctions.

One overtook me this morning then cut in at the lights, I just waited behind them. Two minutes later when the lights changed they turned left to the side road fast, without indicating (nobody ever turns left there but he did). It reminded me why I don't undertake HGV's.

I'm probably wrong but maybe the driver was to busy checking their mirrors to worry about indicating

If you've a big cock (for example, you'd be a porn star) and so on the road - the bigger you are the less people mess with you...

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I'd recommend using a bit more road if an HGV is approaching behind you. If there is an obstacle coming up ahead get out and take up space damned early.

Last week some arse in a 7.5 tonner also pulling a caravan sandwiched me into park cars that I was already passing. Life ain't fun when your world begins and ends literally 4 inches from each shoulder.

I've learnt the lesson now that primary is well and truly justified in such a situation, and I don't give a toss if anyone doesn't like it. I nearly died because I didn't force someone to wait - It seems I have to take the initiative for them now.

By the way - Caught up at the next junction and told him what I thought of him. 'Oh Sorry', then drove off. But then I'm a well built 6'2'' so he probably thought discression the better part of debate.

P.S. Apologies to the residents of Tickhill, South Yorkshire for the language :-)

 

[leoc]

IME most HGV drivers are much more aware of cyclists than your average car driver. Not that I would think it wise to go up their insides at junctions. Stay well clear!

Yep, there are plenty of places where they just can't see you as in this link http://www.movingtargetzine.com/for...rom-nozzer-these-could-save-your-life/#Item_0

One of the problems is that a lot of cycle lanes seem to encourage people to filter down the left

 

[Yellow Fang]

Sound advice, if ever there was any.

 

[ColinJ]

I'd recommend using a bit more road if an HGV is approaching behind you. If there is an obstacle coming up ahead get out and take up space damned early.

Last week some arse in a 7.5 tonner also pulling a caravan sandwiched me into park cars that I was already passing. Life ain't fun when your world begins and ends literally 4 inches from each shoulder.

I've learnt the lesson now that primary is well and truly justified in such a situation, and I don't give a toss if anyone doesn't like it. I nearly died because I didn't force someone to wait - It seems I have to take the initiative for them now.

I'd definitely second that advice!

When I started my 'adult cycling life' about 20 years ago I wasn't clued up on the primary position thinking - I had a submissive attitude and was frightened of the traffic. One day I was cycling back along the A646 from Todmorden to Hebden Bridge and going up a little rise on the outskirts of Tod (Castle Hill). There were parked cars on both sides of the road. I heard a large vehicle coming up behind me and looked over my shoulder to see an HGV about 100 metres back. Instead of moving out to prevent him overtaking me on the brow of the hill, I moved in! My thinking was that I didn't want to be mowed down. My move was clearly misinterpreted as "I've seen you - come on through" which the driver proceeded to do, only to be suddenly met by oncoming traffic. He cut in to the left and I found myself riding into an ever-shrinking gap. By the time the back of the truck was clearing me, my left elbow was virtually touching the parked cars and my right elbow was tucked right in to avoid the side of the truck .

From that day on, I instinctively adopted the primary position in those situations.

Remember - "If you give 'em an inch, they'll take a mile"

Apparently it is extremely rare to be mowed down by a vehicle from behind so just dismiss the possibility from your mind and claim your space on the road.

I do make an effort to get out of the way ASAP and always give the driver a little wave of thanks if they wait behind me without trying to force their way through, or blasting me with their horn.

 

[BADGER.BRAD]

Hello All,

Speaking as a long time HGV driver, The main problem with undertaking a HGV is the fact that there is always a massive blind spot to to the left of the driver ( on every vehicle I've ever drove) If you decide to go up the inside at a point where the driver isn't looking in his left mirror when he does look chances are your not there to him ! This explains the big increase in people being hit by foreign HGV drivers,they sit in his blind spot (to the right in their case) they turn or move right and bang !

Generally speaking HGV drivers are not to be worried about they have passed advanced driving tests unlike car drivers (licence free on the back of a cornflake box) Car drivers tend never to look in the inside mirror and only generally use the interior mirror if at all so will never see you on the left .
I once parked up in front of a set of offices for about 5 minutes and a woman backed into the side of my truck (60 foot long 15 foot high and painted bright yellow) thats what your up against! She had walked out got into her car then reversed into me ?

If you must overtake moving traffic try to make it on the right and only go up the inside if you know traffic is going nowhere for a while (light just gone to red)

Thats my bit said anyway

Badger Dudley West Midlands

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Hello All,

Speaking as a long time HGV driver, The main problem with undertaking a HGV is the fact that there is always a massive blind spot to to the left of the driver ( on every vehicle I've ever drove) If you decide to go up the inside at a point where the driver isn't looking in his left mirror when he does look chances are your not there to him ! This explains the big increase in people being hit by foreign HGV drivers,they sit in his blind spot (to the right in their case) they turn or move right and bang !

Generally speaking HGV drivers are not to be worried about they have passed advanced driving tests unlike car drivers (licence free on the back of a cornflake box) Car drivers tend never to look in the inside mirror and only generally use the interior mirror if at all so will never see you on the left .
I once parked up in front of a set of offices for about 5 minutes and a woman backed into the side of my truck (60 foot long 15 foot high and painted bright yellow) thats what your up against! She had walked out got into her car then reversed into me ?

If you must overtake moving traffic try to make it on the right and only go up the inside if you know traffic is going nowhere for a while (light just gone to red)

Thats my bit said anyway

Badger Dudley West Midlands

Agree with this. Who do you drive for Brad? I'm with CFT in Wednesbury; if you see me around, gissa wave!

 

[cannondale boy]

Indicators...what are they again? Six or more drivers today didn't bother to indicate...tell you what i'll read their bloody mind the next time!

 

[Maz]

Bad move by the lorry driver! Glad you came out unscathed, HLaB. Take it easy.