Lorry's view from the cab of a bike

[joolsybools]

I know what you mean RC but has anyone noticed some vans/lorries in London now seem to have large warning stickers saying 'cyclists beware, do not pass this vehicle on the left hand side' or some warning to that effect. I normally wouldn't risk it anyway but the signs are quite large and hopefully will have some effect on some cyclists.

 

[summerdays]

From the 10th Of September there is going to be ''Driver CPC'' training. This is where the driver has to have 35hrs of driving every 5yrs assessed with an instructor observing.

Who does that apply to? Lorry drivers? - how do you get to the ones from abroad?

 

[XmisterIS]

As mainly a motorbike commuter (I will fix my bicycle soon, honest) I always remember a very important example shown to me when I did my CBT.

They got me to sit on a motorbike looking forwards, with a guy in front walking towards me (about a metre or so out to my offside). When he passed me and moved out of my peripheral vision I had to shout "Stop!". He put down a cone. Then I had to glance in my offside mirror as he carried on walking past me and shout again when I saw him in the mirror (at which point he put down another cone).

Then I got off the bike and saw just how enormous the blind-spot was - easliy enough to hide a medium sized van. I have never forgotten it, and honestly think it would be a wake-up call to riders/drivers of any vehicle.

I really wish it was part of standard driver training.

+1

scary, innit??! Also scary how many cyclists don't use lifesaves .... (I always lifesave on two wheels, whether they're petrol-powered or me-powered!).

 

[Arch]

As mainly a motorbike commuter (I will fix my bicycle soon, honest) I always remember a very important example shown to me when I did my CBT.

They got me to sit on a motorbike looking forwards, with a guy in front walking towards me (about a metre or so out to my offside). When he passed me and moved out of my peripheral vision I had to shout "Stop!". He put down a cone. Then I had to glance in my offside mirror as he carried on walking past me and shout again when I saw him in the mirror (at which point he put down another cone).

Then I got off the bike and saw just how enormous the blind-spot was - easliy enough to hide a medium sized van. I have never forgotten it, and honestly think it would be a wake-up call to riders/drivers of any vehicle.

I really wish it was part of standard driver training.

That's a very good idea indeed - ought to be applied to all learner drivers...

I've driven large vans - up to 7.5 tonne, and seen just how limited your view can be, and how much room you need to manoeuvre, so I'm well aware when I'm on my bike, especially at junctions where space is limited. So often I can see that I need to shift over a bit, or back a bit so that a big vehicle can get round, while a car driver sits there oblivious.

All drivers should have to ride bikes, motorbikes and drive large vehicles (on a test track perhaps) before they get their licence. Since many, if not most, cyclists also drive, it should help them too. Trouble is, any cyclist who doesn't drive won't get it...

 

[thomas]

scary, innit??! Also scary how many cyclists don't use lifesaves .... (I always lifesave on two wheels, whether they're petrol-powered or me-powered!).

is a lifesaver just looking over your shoulder/to your side? I've heard the term before but not really sure what it is?

 

[Arch]

is a lifesaver just looking over your shoulder/to your side? I've heard the term before but not really sure what it is?

yes. should also be used in cars, esp when pulling out from a slip onto a motorway or similar...

 

[stoatsngroats]

Great pictures summerdays, it's nice to get someone elses opinion on what I, and many others, have to contend with in our day-to-day jobs. As cyclists, it really is worrying what we take for granted as 'safe' when on the road.

I ride alot on road, and feel safe even near lorries, but I give them a large space, and plenty of time too - it's really a 'no-brainer' isn't it?

As far as Driver CPC for lorry drivers, it's rolling out through the company I work for, BUT, as far as I'm aware, it BEGINS in spetember, and is on a rolling 5 year period. The EU directive I THINK, does NOT mean that all drivers will be CPC'd BEFORE SEPTEMBER 2009!

In any case, if you think about what a lorry driver can see, and it makes you stand-away, then thats good!

 

[domd1979]

Indeed they won't!

The EU directive I THINK, does NOT mean that all drivers will be CPC'd BEFORE SEPTEMBER 2009!

 

[domd1979]

Unfortunately most drivers seem incapable of checking their mirrors and blind spots... They seem to assume when the slip road runs out it must therefore be safe to move into the inside lane.

yes. should also be used in cars, esp when pulling out from a slip onto a motorway or similar...

 

[summerdays]

I always give lorries lots of space (thanks to those on C+ who mentioned it shortly after I started cycling), they don't always give me as much space - but lots of them do.

I specifically went to the bike breakfast to get the chance to get into the lorry and see it from the other side. And I always tell new cyclists to avoid the insides of lorries as I think it isn't something you automatically consider when you take up cycling.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

From the 10th Of September there is going to be ''Driver CPC'' training. This is where the driver has to have 35hrs of driving every 5yrs assessed with an instructor observing.

I don't know if it'll make much practical difference, though. THere's nothing to say that it has to be a different 7 hours every year, if you see what I mean. In other words, the trainer can devise a 7 hour course and then give the same course every year while still satisfying the legal requirements.

 

[XmisterIS]

Unfortunately most drivers seem incapable of checking their mirrors and blind spots... They seem to assume when the slip road runs out it must therefore be safe to move into the inside lane.

I seem to remember reading some anecdotal evidence that 60% of drivers only ever look at what they can see through the rectangle of their windscreen - even when they are manoeuvring.

 

[Cubist]

is a lifesaver just looking over your shoulder/to your side? I've heard the term before but not really sure what it is?

Thomas,

It's the check back over your LEFT shoulder after you've done all the lookbacks over your right shoulder, signalled and are about to turn left. It's in case anyone or anything has moved up on you from what has been you blind side up until this point.

 

[JediGoat]

is a lifesaver just looking over your shoulder/to your side? I've heard the term before but not really sure what it is?

Yes, but not quite the same as just a standard blind spot check (on a motorbike, you blind spot check is almost just looking level to your back wheel). If you are turning right, you should check your blind spot as you move into position. The lifesaver is the very last thing you do just before turning right...to make sure no-one has decided to overtake you (a common example is you on two wheels turning right, the car behind you turning left (at the same point in the road you are on), and the car behind that swinging over to overtake the left-turner. Another example is that your rear indiactor may not be working/seen, and the vehicle behind just sees a slowing vehicle in front, so goes to overtake.

It's also used when lane changing to the left and the right (e.g. motorway). You'll often see folks on motorbikes take there left hand off the bars so they can turn round to see more when changing lane to the left.

It's called a lifesaver for a specific, and very pertinent reason

For anyone local to north london, the National Bikesafe Show is on in Hendon this weekend (Bikesafe is the motorbike rider skills day that most police forces in the UK run - the police bike riders do the bikesafe days in their own free time). Last year they also had a lorry there for folks to sit in to see the drivers view of the world. No idea if they have the same this weekend, but having been there all day setting up my stand, it's much bigger than last year, so maybe worth popping along (it's free entry, so if you're in the area, it maybe be worth a try).

Jo

 

[JediGoat]

Thomas,

It's the check back over your LEFT shoulder after you've done all the lookbacks over your right shoulder, signalled and are about to turn left. It's in case anyone or anything has moved up on you from what has been you blind side up until this point.

Yep, I posted mainly about turning right, but you are correct in stating it for turning left too