Oh.... Erm, no I didn't see you

[Dave 123]

I live in Hardwick and my commute into Cambridge takes me along the old A428 which has a cycle lane until.... Well it disappears. I choose not to go onto the path cycle lane here as it is crossing the traffic with no help from road markings or junction. 300 yards up the road is a right turn into Long Road where I will join the path if there are no cars coming from behind me. This morning there were no cars so I move to the middle of the road (never at speed as the surface is rough and the path always greasy). From Long Road I see a Madingley Mulch gravel lorry slowing for the junction. I saw him look over the top of me, so I braked. The dozy bugger only went and pulled out!!! I reckon there was 3ft between us at the closest point. He was going back to base which is less than half a mile away. I got to him as he was getting down from his cab.... "You pulled out almost on top of me at Long Road....you didn't have a clue I was there"He was genuinely shocked and apologetic, so I took it no further.

Not sure there is a moral to this, but it went to work with a "life is good" head on me after that.

 

[Tin Pot]

Expect all other road users to be trying to kill you. Be happy if they don't.

 

[Alien8]

If I'm commuting that way Dave I find it quickest to keep going and join the path just before the Madingley Rd roundabout. Down the hill and a right for Coton with usually no interuption.

 

[Dave 123]

Yes, that is my other choice that I will take, but I wasn't after being quick this morning as I was early and my little legs were(and are) tired!

 

[sazzaa]

Standard chat I'm afraid, I get folk looking straight at me at junctions and they pull out anyway, I think some people genuinely don't register me (even though I'm fluorescent and have flashing lights), some people see me but think I'm only going 2k an hour (even downhill), and some people see me but they've already started to pull out so they keep going anyway.

 

[Roadrider48]

Peds seem to do that as well sometimes. Look straight at you, then step into your path.

 

[Sandra6]

There was a link to an article on here a while ago about how people don't actually see everything on the road, even when they appear to have looked right at you, it's to do with the ways our eyes scan and then our brain builds the image, or something. Since reading it I've been slightly more forgiving of the "smidsy" excuse.
As for pedestrians, they definitely do see you, they just think you have to let them go first because you're only on a bike.
I've had a couple of smidsy -like incidents myself this past fortnight - I pulled straight out in front of a car turning on the rab one night, did not see him coming at all. And almost got flattened pulling out of a junction into the path of a car, broke just in time. So I'm trying not to judge too harshly.

 

[Slaav]

Expect all other road users to be trying to kill you. Be happy if they don't.

This simple mantra has kept me alive for many years on a motorbike and now on a road bike! It generally works at roundabouts, junctions and on occasion, dead straight roads!

 

[martinclive]

Glad you are Ok Dave
I use that route occasionally and never know the best method to avoid that junction (also the road surface along there is terrible)
I had similar in Swavesey last week - car approaching from left at mini roundabout looked 'behind' me (I was already on the roundabout) - she only saw me last second as she pulled out and looked forwards again - good to be vigilant but also good to get lucky sometimes!
See you out there sometime!

 

[clockman]

Talking to colleagues and friends, I have come to the opinion that motorists don't see a cyclist, because they are looking for something bigger, IE-a car, lorry or bus. Also, a motorist will be looking further ahead, so fails to see the cyclist directly I front of them. This is why, when cyclists are in bright clothing and flashing lights, that we still get these SMIDSY incidents. All of them with varying results, from near misses to unfortunately death.

I am no different when I am behind the wheel of a car. I try to be extra vigilant, looking for cyclists, but I have been caught out. And have then berated myself, for being a stupid, impatient car driver. Then try to remember what happened, why it happened and maybe, how I can stop it happening again.

Now, I understand, that by admitting I make mistakes, I am opening myself to ridicule on this forum, but, we as cyclists who also drive motor vehicles, have to accept, that at times, we can make the type of mistakes that we read about.

 

[GrasB]

Why bother with the path? I'm serious, most times I use that road & see another cyclist using that path I'll see a near miss, be it motorist, ped or wildlife related. If you don't want to use the main road go into Madingley & then rejoin the Coton junction.

The areas around Long road & the A428/Madingley interchange are fraught with sight line issues if you don't make a point to look for cyclists specifically (as you're in completely the wrong place)

 

[VamP]

I had a total excuse merchant yesterday, first I was too far and he had lots of time to pull out, then I was going too fast and didn't give him time to respond, then he turned out to be a fellow cyclist who commutes every day. As if IGF. I just want to stay alive pal!

 

[LCpl Boiled Egg]

I had one idiot yesterday that came barrelling straight at me when it was my priority to go. He was meant to stop at the give way markings of the traffic calming area just off Hills Road onto Luard Road (Cambridge). He just kept coming, causing me to brake hard and when I pointed out the sign he told me if was just for motorists. I told him (well, shouted at hiim) that it was for road users, and I was a road user. Just what I needed in the dark and the pouring rain!

Tin Pot has it right - if you get home in one piece, it's a good day.

 

[clockman]

I had one idiot yesterday that came barrelling straight at me when it was my priority to go. He was meant to stop at the give way markings of the traffic calming area just off Hills Road onto Luard Road (Cambridge). He just kept coming, causing me to brake hard and when I pointed out the sign he told me if was just for motorists. I told him (well, shouted at hiim) that it was for road users, and I was a road user. Just what I needed in the dark and the pouring rain!

Tin Pot has it right - if you get home in one piece, it's a good day.

The one thing that I ALWAYS take into account-Never, never, never assume that anyone, motorist, cyclist, pedestrian or whoever, will think that you have priority. If you always think that that person thinks they have the right of way, until proved otherwise, I think you will then stand a better chance of getting to your destination in one piece.
To me, If I assume something and that assumption proves to be wrong, that makes an ASS of U and ME!!

 

[sazzaa]

I practice defensive driving, and now do it with cycling too, it's worth doing if you value your life.