My (almost) run in with the law

[Bicycle]

Is that a lack of imagination or do you just metaphorically shrug your shoulders when you get someone pull out in front of you that close?

That may be a loaded question, as most people would be reluctant to admit to a lack of imagination.

But it's a fair thing to ask. I do get annoyed sometimes by poor driving and I do think the motorcyclist in the footage made an error. It might have annoyed me had I been cycling there. I was a motorcycle courier myself once and was a keen motorcyclist until parenthood made me think again. I still have my first (and favourite) proper motorcycle - coveted by my daughter.

Would I take it further? No. It wouldn't even cross my mind to do so. Is that a metaphorical shrug of the shoulders? I don't know.

I do fair mileage in cars and on bicycles and have done for many, many years. I make a judgement (as we all do) about where the line is. For me, that one didn't cross the line. If that is a lack of imagination, then that's what I have.

 

[gaj104]

Wow, a lot of replies there, and some in depth micro analysis, and appreciate everyone's feedback. All I wanted was a bit of advice from a friendly forum, no ulterior motive. I sometimes question how friendly this forum can be at times though?!

I found a lot of video postings from fellow members extremely helpful in how to be a better rider and would hope they help others in their daily travels to get from A to B safely. At the end of the day, that's the most important thing to me, and hope it is to you. So the suggestion of getting a life holds very true, it maintains mine

From posted videos I like to think I've vastly improved my cycling positioning, with an example being at junctions I like to ride a bit wider to ensure people can see me. I alternate most days between cycling and being on my scooter and know mistakes can happen, but would hope that people learn from their mistakes. In my opinion, if that were test conditions for the motorcyclist it would have been a fail, and the camera, as a wide angle lens, doesn't necessarily give the proximity of that motorbike. Had the tables been turned, I would have expected a firm telling off by the police. Agree, no actual harm was done, but an important lesson can be learned.

Video been put up as unlisted, and hope we can all learn something new today Safe cycling all, and will continue to watch the various videos.

 

[spen666]

The standard used in workplaces for harassment or bullying is that if the recipient perceives the words or actions as bullying or harassment, then the behaviour has to be treated as such. So if the OP felt the police biker's action made him uncomfortable, then we have to accept that as a fact.

Firstly, I don't think the allegation is the police officer was either harassing or bullying the op in his workplace, so the analogy is irrelevant.

Secondly, I do not deny the op felt uncomfortable ( I am not in a position to dispute how the op felt), but just because the op felt it, it doesn't mean it was. What someone feels and what is fact are not necessarily the same.

 

[400bhp]

Wow, a lot of replies there, and some in depth micro analysis, and appreciate everyone's feedback. All I wanted was a bit of advice from a friendly forum, no ulterior motive. I sometimes question how friendly this forum can be at times though?!

I found a lot of video postings from fellow members extremely helpful in how to be a better rider and would hope they help others in their daily travels to get from A to B safely. At the end of the day, that's the most important thing to me, and hope it is to you. So the suggestion of getting a life holds very true, it maintains mine

From posted videos I like to think I've vastly improved my cycling positioning, with an example being at junctions I like to ride a bit wider to ensure people can see me. I alternate most days between cycling and being on my scooter and know mistakes can happen, but would hope that people learn from their mistakes. In my opinion, if that were test conditions for the motorcyclist it would have been a fail, and the camera, as a wide angle lens, doesn't necessarily give the proximity of that motorbike. Had the tables been turned, I would have expected a firm telling off by the police. Agree, no actual harm was done, but an important lesson can be learned.

Video been put up as unlisted, and hope we can all learn something new today Safe cycling all, and will continue to watch the various videos.

A nice post, but I have highlighted one thing I am unsure of.

What lesson is that then, and who is the lesson for?

 

[benb]

I think what col needs to bear in mind, is that while we can watch the video back as many times as we want and analyse everything we see in minute detail, the actual incident happened just once, and took just a few seconds, so most of the reactions will have been instinctive.

col is heavily implying, just as he did on my thread (that he succeeded in getting locked, thanks for that), that the cyclist deliberately swerved towards the motorcycle in order to construct an incident where there was none. That's seems absurd to me, and it's certainly not something that I've ever done.

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter why the cyclist moved to the right. Maybe they were startled by the motorcycle, maybe there was a pot hole, maybe there was a gust of wind. Other road users need to be aware of, and allow for, the fact that cyclists may need to change direction suddenly and unexpectedly, and give enough room for that to happen. The cyclist was still well within their lane, which just reinforces the point that the motorcycle pulled out when he should have waited - he was simply too close.

It looks to me as though the motorcyclist simply didn't check properly, and never even saw the cyclist until they were already committed to the manoeuvre.

 

[classic33]

If the situation were reversed & the cyclist happenned to be a police officer & the motorcyclist an ordinary motorcyclist. What would be the view from the police officers point of view?

Police motorcyclist cut the corner, failed to obey the stop line markings & failed to give way to traffic that was already on the main road. He's also placed himself on the wrong side of the road, at a junction. The posistion from which he then emerges onto the main road.

Anyone who can say that there's nothing wrong with that doesn't know what they're talking about.

 

[col]

I think what col needs to bear in mind, is that while we can watch the video back as many times as we want and analyse everything we see in minute detail, the actual incident happened just once, and took just a few seconds, so most of the reactions will have been instinctive.

col is heavily implying, just as he did on my thread (that he succeeded in getting locked, thanks for that), that the cyclist deliberately swerved towards the motorcycle in order to construct an incident where there was none. That's seems absurd to me, and it's certainly not something that I've ever done.

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter why the cyclist moved to the right. Maybe they were startled by the motorcycle, maybe there was a pot hole, maybe there was a gust of wind. Other road users need to be aware of, and allow for, the fact that cyclists may need to change direction suddenly and unexpectedly, and give enough room for that to happen. The cyclist was still well within their lane, which just reinforces the point that the motorcycle pulled out when he should have waited - he was simply too close.

It looks to me as though the motorcyclist simply didn't check properly, and never even saw the cyclist until they were already committed to the manoeuvre.

Bent got the thread closed, and you were debating as keenly as I I instinctively move closer to something that is too close? Yeah ok I should make myself more clear, I felt it looked like he moved closer to the police bike at the last second, you can answer that if you like, but I wondered why? Also the simple answer for me is, he decided to keep pushing towards the junction. He wants to stop that and be cautious at junctions, because one day someone wont see him and there will be a collision.

 

[col]

Col what you haven't considered is that the move is quite possibly away from the last police rider.

As for your last bit, we should be effectively giving way to traffic on the side roads?

Not giving way to side roads, just being ready for pull outs.

 

[Bicycle]

col is heavily implying, just as he did on my thread (that he succeeded in getting locked, thanks for that)

I frequently find that Col's posts do not align at all with my own views and there is often the whiff of playful provocation about the wording (in which regard he is not alone).

However, it would be wrong to blame the closure of the earlier thread on him. Two or more contributors were enjoying some healthy online fencing, there was a shot across the bows from Admin and then a belly-ache from another contributor.

You may want to blame many things on Col, but he did not close the earlier thread and he was one of two members who were toe-to-toe at the time it was locked. Neither seemed to be seeking or offering quarter.

I was saddened by the locking as I'd just posted a view that had the OP had some experience driving PSVs and HGVs through heavily parked urban traffic, he might have given way instead of grasping his right to proceed. My point harked back to an earlier question I'd asked about whether it was helpful to have experience driving or riding several vehicle types. I am pretty sure that anyone who'd negotiated urban streets in an HGV or a PSV would have yielded for the bus.

However, as the thread was locked (not by Col) the point was lost in the thinning mists.

 

[col]

There is a limit to that. Everytime you come to a side road with someone waiting you can assess it right up to the point where it would be too late to do anything if the driver does move. Up to it you can watch them, make eye contact etc. Once you have reached that point though you pretty much have to rely on their having seen you and ate not moving.

This is true, but Id rather be going slower than faster if there is a pull out.

 

[Origamist]

This is true, but Id rather be going slower than faster if there is a pull out.

Do you ride in the middle of the lane when you pass side roads, Col?

 

[col]

Do you ride in the middle of the lane when you pass side roads, Col?

Depends if there are parked cars, but generally no. I favour secondary.

 

[Origamist]

Depends if there are parked cars, but generally no. I favour secondary.

I guess that would generally put you closer to cars that would pull out - maybe it's time to get a helmet cam?!

 

[col]

I guess that would generally put you closer to cars that would pull out - maybe it's time to get a helmet cam?!

I dont see how it would put me closer? Possibly further away from the line the pull out most probably is heading for? No thanks, I can see the positives to them, but I couldnt justify the cost , even if I did want one.

 

[Origamist]

I dont see how it would put me closer? Possibly further away from the line the pull out most probably is heading for? No thanks, I can see the positives to them, but I couldnt justify the cost , even if I did want one.

You're closer to the give way line and have less of a safety bubble if traffic pulls out in front of you.

I thought you might like a camera as you could evaluate your own riding with the same vigour that you analyse the cycling of others.