CatInTheHat
New Member
Hi,
I'm new to this forum. I've had a few near misses recently on my commute. All in the morning on the way in to work. I would appreciate any advice on keeping myself as safe as possible.
Near miss 1 - 1 week ago
Approaching a left turn. Car overtakes on the right, gets to about 1 metre in front, no indication and turns left, cutting me up. I had to emergency brake and missed him by literally a few centimetres.
Near miss 2 - last friday
Big junction in Vauxhall, at a set of traffic lights that feeds into 5 lanes. I signal and move into the 3rd lane (for waterloo). I'm in position for a few seconds and when I look to my right I see a car heading straight for me that has just left the lights. I try to make eye contact without success. The car comes along side and continues the manoeuvre as if I wasn't there. I had to change lanes with them to avoid being hit. Thank god the car to my left saw what was happenning and gave me space.
Near miss 3 - yesterday
Almost identical to miss 1 (it was even at the same junction) except the driver hadn't even passed me by before turning. Had to turn left with them just to avoid a collision.
I've been cycling since March without any major incidents until these 3. I consider myself quite careful - I try not to get into positions that leave me vunerable. The only thing I don't do is wear high-visibility clothing - but with the current weather I'm not sure it would have made much difference to these situations.
My confidence is seriously shaken at the moment. I'm starting to think I'm not being careful enough or not doing enough to keep myself visible to drivers.
I would really appreciate any advice. I don't want to stop commuting on my bike but I'm seriously considering it at the moment.
I'm new to this forum. I've had a few near misses recently on my commute. All in the morning on the way in to work. I would appreciate any advice on keeping myself as safe as possible.
Near miss 1 - 1 week ago
Approaching a left turn. Car overtakes on the right, gets to about 1 metre in front, no indication and turns left, cutting me up. I had to emergency brake and missed him by literally a few centimetres.
Near miss 2 - last friday
Big junction in Vauxhall, at a set of traffic lights that feeds into 5 lanes. I signal and move into the 3rd lane (for waterloo). I'm in position for a few seconds and when I look to my right I see a car heading straight for me that has just left the lights. I try to make eye contact without success. The car comes along side and continues the manoeuvre as if I wasn't there. I had to change lanes with them to avoid being hit. Thank god the car to my left saw what was happenning and gave me space.
Near miss 3 - yesterday
Almost identical to miss 1 (it was even at the same junction) except the driver hadn't even passed me by before turning. Had to turn left with them just to avoid a collision.
I've been cycling since March without any major incidents until these 3. I consider myself quite careful - I try not to get into positions that leave me vunerable. The only thing I don't do is wear high-visibility clothing - but with the current weather I'm not sure it would have made much difference to these situations.
My confidence is seriously shaken at the moment. I'm starting to think I'm not being careful enough or not doing enough to keep myself visible to drivers.
I would really appreciate any advice. I don't want to stop commuting on my bike but I'm seriously considering it at the moment.