Just got told off by a motorcyclist while I was driving.

[TwickenhamCyclist]

Just got told off by a motorcyclist while I was driving.

Turning right from Fulham Rd into Finborough Rd

In the picture Fulham road runs from top right to bottom left
Finborough Rd bottom right to top left
Finborough Road has two lanes and is one way.

I was coming down Fulham Rd and turning right into Finborough Rd

Right hand lane, motorbike in front of me (in ASL) – Lights change to green and the exit to the box junction is clear, but traffic moving up Fulham Rd so bike moves into yellow box and lines himself up with the right hand lane – so he was just in the box

I go around behind him and line myself up with the left hand lane. Plenty of space between us and we wait there for 30 seconds or so for crossing traffic to stop.

As the lights change again and the east west traffic stops we both set off

Immediately he starts shouting so I stop and he goes into a rant about not looking out for motorbikes (cars behind us start beeping). I calmly said I was sorry if I had upset him but, as it was two lanes, and he was clearly aiming for one, I didn’t think there was any harm lining up for the other one (besides, I’d been next to him stationary for half a minute – not like he didn’t know I was there or couldn’t work out what I was doing). He was pretty grumpy and sped off.

At next set of lights we had an amicable chat, he’d calmed down, I told him I also used a bike as well and told him if I had made him feel venerable then I was sorry. It ended on good terms.

Thing is, I still don’t see that what I did was in any way out of order.

No big problem, but was wondering if I was in the wrong, or he was just having a bad day… thoughts appreciated!

 

[martint235]

Can't see that you did anything wrong.

I have a similar one though where I tend to get bit grumpy. I tend to line up on the left hand side of the turn right lane on Verdant Lane (can't get a map of it from work PC) into the South Circular. When the light goes green, I go across all the lanes of the SC and wait underneath the traffic lights opposite where I'd started out so that I'm not in anyone else's way. Now if someone behind me comes across to line up with the left hand lane of the SC (so right behind me) that's ok. What really gets my goat is the ones in the straight on lane of Verdant Lane who then cut across the front of me to turn on to the South Circ. It really p's me off.

For comedy value the junction is hilarious though. Every time the traffic in the straight on lane facing me is brought to a standstill as cars from that lane turn left on to the South Circular blocking the route across the junction. Every day. Without fail.

 

[Drago]

Why waste time engaging with a twot? Ignore him, carry on your day whistling a cheery tune. He's quite capable of having a coronary without any help from you.

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

[QUOTE 4181161, member: 45"]I don't think you did anything wrong. The thing is though that on a motorbike you have to retain the feeling of increased vulnerability. Regardless of who the driver is, a car setting itself up alongside you in a situation like this can be a bit intimidating if you don't know the driver's intention but are aware that enough drivers see a motorcycle as competition (I think this is because bikes are always overtaking in traffic). He may have been sitting there concerned about whether you were going to race him or cut him up, and that kicked his adrenaline off.[/QUOTE]
Thanks, I agree... hence I apologised even though i didn't think I was wrong... all ended amicably which is the main thing

 

[mustang1]

You should've said
"You don't pay any road tax mate" and sped off.
When he catches up with you (since he's on a motorbike) and asks what you're on about, tell him "I'm sorry but I don't talk to nutjobs on Wednesdays". He will inform you it is Thursday so then tell him " you think you know everything don't you" (then speed off again).

 

[Milkfloat]

I think I would have just blocked him in the ASL as soon as I saw him. This makes you are far better person than me.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

I think I would have just blocked him in the ASL as soon as I saw him. This makes you are far better person than me.

Aren't motorbikes allowed in ASLs in London?

 

[Milkfloat]

Aren't motorbikes allowed in ASLs in London?

Nope -

Myth: Motorbikes are allowed in the ASL.

Not true. The law applies to motorbikes and scooters, too.

http://content.met.police.uk/Article/Advanced-Stop-Lines/1400018009433/1400018009433

 

[SavageHoutkop]

Ah. Is it just bike *lanes* then or have I completely lost my marbles?
Edit: marbles lost. It's sharing bus lanes isn't it?
Whenever I cycle in London I just expect everyone to come at me from all directions hence the confusion.

 

[mjr]

I think lining up to turn in two-abreast from a single lane is a bit dodgy and I would try to avoid doing it, but no harm was done so it seems like the motorcyclist overreacted a bit.

Edit: marbles lost. It's sharing bus lanes isn't it?
Whenever I cycle in London I just expect everyone to come at me from all directions hence the confusion.

Yes, it's most bus lanes and yes, everyone seems comes from everywhere in London, whether legal or not, so trust no-one except God!

 

[PK99]

[QUOTE 4181399, member: 45"]It depends whether they crossed the white line on the red light or not. If they find themselves there when the light turns red that's ok.[/QUOTE]

same as a car/lorry etc

 

[steveindenmark]

All motorbikers are nutters. Dont mess with them :0)



Totally barking......honest.

 

[mjr]

All motorbikers are nutters. Dont mess with them :0)

Some lovely paint and chrome on that, as well as neatly-packed luggage - just a shame about the ugly engine!

 

[boydj]

The motorcyclist should really have lined up to turn into lane 1 to assist following traffic. If he needs lane 2 further down that road he has the acceleration to easily get there.

 

[fimm]

I once started yelling at a car that was slowing next to me because I thought they were going to left-hook me. They then turned right... sometimes that hyper-awareness that you have when you are a vulnerable road user goes wrong...