Entering the box.

[Cab]

The reason I don't hang back at this junction and get in front of the traffic is to avoid the moton behind me in the queue seeing the moton in front of me zipping off up the road and trying to squeeze by. At other ASLs I do maintain position in the queue but in this instance I think it's safer to be highly visible and as wide as possible through the pinch point.

I like ASL's because of numerous instances of lights turning red before I get to them, and the moton behind whizzing close past me and through the red light. If I start off in front, that doesn't happen.

 

[Moodyman]

Would somebody mind explaining what a 'Primary' is? with regards to junctions/lights?

I've seen it mentioned few times and want to understand what this means.

Thanks

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Would somebody mind explaining what a 'Primary' is? with regards to junctions/lights?

I've seen it mentioned few times and want to understand what this means.

Thanks

Primary refers to a position in the middle of the lane, where you're effectively controlling the traffic behind. Usually used to increase your visibility and prevent people overtaking where ther is insufficient room. Needless to say, it doesn't always work, in that there's always someone who thinks his car is smaller and more important than it actually is. At junctions, it means simply going to the head of the queue and positioning yourself in the middle of the lane, the reasoning being:

a) a cyclist is usually faster over the first 50m or so from a standstill than cars
it makes you visible to the cars behind, certainly more so than waiting next to the back of the passenger door

It's not always a good idea: I wouldn't do it unless I knew the queue wasn't going to move and I could see an escape route if it did. If you are filtering, you're usually more visible (hence safer) on the right of the traffic, rather than gutter hugging where you're reliant on drivers using that left hand door mirror - which few do - and vulnerable to people suddenly opening doors.

Possibly someone who's read "Cyclecraft" will be along in a bit to correct me on some points, but I think that's the gist of it, and it works for me.

 

[Origamist]

Primary refers to a position about three feet out from the kerb, where you're effectively controlling the traffic behind. Usually used to increase your visibility and prevent people overtaking where ther is insufficient room. Needless to say, it doesn't always work, in that there's always someone who thinks his car is smaller and more important than it actually is.

NOOOO, RT. How long have you been here! Primary is the centre of the lane. Secondary is usually around 3 feet from the edge of the moving traffic lane...

 

[Rhythm Thief]

NOOOO, RT. How long have you been here! Primary is the centre of the lane. Secondary is usually around 3 feet from the edge of the moving traffic lane...

Sorry, my mistake. I knew one of them was about three feet out.

 

[Origamist]

Sorry, my mistake. I knew one of them was about three feet out.

I feel like Miss Jean Brodie now...

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I feel like Miss Jean Brodie now...

 

[jimboalee]

They are also useful for cyclists either turning left or going straight on.

Turning left - allows you to take the turn without a car overtaking you at the same time
Straight on - the advantage for me is that I'm out of the way of cars turning left and also get across the junction before any cars from the opposite direction start trying to turn right.

Junctions without ASL reservoirs.

Think about it.

You can cruise up to the front and come to a halt BEYOND the stop line where the motorists can see you.

This is my usual method and no-one gives a toss.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Junctions without ASL reservoirs.

Think about it.

You can cruise up to the front and come to a halt BEYOND the stop line where the motorists can see you.

This is my usual method and no-one gives a toss.

That's what I do as well. If there's no ASL, I make my own. It's technically RLJing, though, and anyone doing it should be aware that there is a possibility, albeit small, that you'll get nicked for it, or at the very least, attract the opprobrium of your fellow road users.

 

[eldudino]

Junctions without ASL reservoirs.

Think about it.

You can cruise up to the front and come to a halt BEYOND the stop line where the motorists can see you.

This is my usual method and no-one gives a toss.

Sorry, you've confused me there. Why would that not cause issue with the motons, but doing the same thing into an ASL does?

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Sorry, you've confused me there. Why would that not cause issue with the motons, but doing the same thing into an ASL does?

Some motorists can turn anything into an issue. And not just with bikes: I find a lot of people are happy to try and squeeze past me when I'm reversing an artic into a yard from the road, then give me a load of abuse for being in the way. Don't worry about it, just revel in the fact that these people will be dead of stress long before you.

 

[jimboalee]

Sorry, you've confused me there. Why would that not cause issue with the motons, but doing the same thing into an ASL does?

All the motorist wants the cyclist to do it get out of his way.

To these ends, I roll past the solid white stop line and prop myself up on the curved kerb.
If I am turning right, I'll shift across to stand on the crown where I'm not directly infront of the traffic.

From where I'm standing, I ( more times than not ) get a view of the opposing signals and the opposing traffic. A better place to be to plan my departure.

Contributors on this chatboard seem to think motorcars are driven by the blind. They're not. They are driven by impatient commuters.

There have been rare occassions where a cyclist has been 'left hooked'. There have been rare occassions where a cyclist has been cut up the kerb. If you are concerned it might happen to you, consider whether you should be on a bike in the traffic.

 

[eldudino]

All the motorist wants the cyclist to do it get out of his way.

To these ends, I roll past the solid white stop line and prop myself up on the curved kerb.
If I am turning right, I'll shift across to stand on the crown where I'm not directly infront of the traffic.

From where I'm standing, I ( more times than not ) get a view of the opposing signals and the opposing traffic. A better place to be to plan my departure.

Contributors on this chatboard seem to think motorcars are driven by the blind. They're not. They are driven by impatient commuters.

There have been rare occassions where a cyclist has been 'left hooked'. There have been rare occassions where a cyclist has been cut up the kerb. If you are concerned it might happen to you, consider whether you should be on a bike in the traffic.

What you're describing sounds like hugging the kerb to me, I would consider this dangerous at the junction I was at as there's no room for a bike and a car and I still think being front and centre is the way to go.

I'm still not sure what you're getting at with the passive last sentence, sounds like big-balling to me. I don't think that's a response to any point raised. You ride how you want to ride and let us know how the kerbside works out for you.

 

[Moodyman]

Thank you to all who responded regarding 'Primary'.

It's been very insightful.

 

[summerdays]

For further reading on good cycling practise the bible is "Cyclecraft". (It doesn't mention waiting on the left in the gutter at traffic lights as a good practise).