Oh well, I guess half term is over

[Origamist]

Of course, we don't know this route at all. For all we know the lorry might have to have turned right at this junction (i.e. going straight on might not provide an alternative route). Local knowledge counts for a lot.

Exactly. We don't know what he's going to do with any certaintly - that's why we should be very cautious around large vehicles in these situations. If the driver had decided to go straight ahead - HLAB would have been in a potentially life-threatening situation.

I can only reiterate that HGVs should be treated with extreme caution.

 

[Crackle]

So would you do anything different in the same situation HLAB?

 

[magnatom]

Exactly. We don't know what he's going to do with any certaintly - that's why we should be very cautious around large vehicles in these situations. If the driver had decided to go straight ahead - HLAB would have been in a potentially life-threatening situation.

I can only reiterate that HGVs should be treated with extreme caution.

No, what I mean is that HLaB will have knowledge of the area that we don't and that counts for quite a lot. We don't have that information and so can't make a definitive judgment.

 

[Origamist]

No, what I mean is that HLaB will have knowledge of the area that we don't and that counts for quite a lot. We don't have that information and so can't make a definitive judgment.

Yes, I've said this myself many times on these these boards. However, undertaking a lorry, at a junction, with parked cars to your left should not be undertaken lightly. It's better, IMO to adhere to some general safety principles when negotiating large vehicles.

 

[hackbike 666]

Its not worth taking chances, I would have waited the 2 or 3 mins behind the van, we rush around too much in this country and for what? To obey a boss who can never be satisfied. Its just silly.

It seems to be a normal thing in this country.

 

[Tynan]

that truck would have some degree of right lock on, it's hardly going to move off and move to the left in the time it took the cyclist to pass it is it?

 

[hackbike 666]

I had a similar one to this a few years back (or more) I came haring down from Leyton andf overtook a van or whatever it was under similar circumstances but a bit faster and a car came from the right just like in the vid,but he immediately turned to the left to park.Heck I don't know how I got away with it.So I can relate to this vid.I blamed myself of course but I may have had a go at the moton for scaring the **** out of me.

that truck would have some degree of right lock on, it's hardly going to move off and move to the left in the time it took the cyclist to pass it is it?

Expect the unexpected?

 

[HLaB]

So would you do anything different in the same situation HLAB?

Probably not, except today I went a different route the traffic in the West End of Edinburgh was totally grid locked; I went through North Edinburgh today and there was almost no traffic. I saw the car coming so I deliberately held back a little so she'd hit the van before me. I don't think I was ever in danger I just found it amusing (the cam on my bars and doesn't pick up everythin) that she never once looked left.

 

[Origamist]

that truck would have some degree of right lock on, it's hardly going to move off and move to the left in the time it took the cyclist to pass it is it?

Look at the wheels under the cab when HLaB goes past - that is nothing like a right lock - what's more, the lorry is still moving when he undertakes.

 

[Tynan]

'some degree' of right lock, call it right turn if you prefer, if he's got any then he won't be moving left in a hurry

I've looked again, the truck turns a fair way to the right, and that car driver should have been looking at exactly the spot where the OP appears from as she pulled out, same old same old though, they don't expect bikes and they can;t be arse to bother about them

 

[Origamist]

Look at the road position of the truck and check the position of his wheels. He is still approaching the right turn - that's why his wheels are not facing the turn. All he would needed to have done is looked down the side-street street, see the tail-back, straighten up slightly and continue ahead. It is likely he would have no idea the cyclist was on his left side.

If it had been a car turning, I'd have done excatly as HLab did, as it was a lorry, I'd have been more circumspect.

 

[hackbike 666]

I just found it amusing (the cam on my bars and doesn't pick up everythin) that she never once looked left.

It does not surprise me in the least.

Your job out there if you choose to accept it is to cover up for motorists mistakes as well as your own,because if you dont you will have an incident.She may not have looked left but just like my incident those years back she didn't expect you.Lack of experience or whatever.

 

[Wigsie]

If it was me, I would have a feeling inside knowing that I had put myself in danger not the person driving the car (although the second indication/opposite direction manouver is V. crap!).

Having said that, I do think that I and many other cyclists would do the same in that situation (although I do admit I would have definately slowed as I passed/cleared the lorry in anticipation of the unseen coming from the right). From the other POV when you are driving a car you do have to make assuptions at times and with a F'ing great lorry stationary in the road if you are pulling out infront of it and crossing its path anything more than a passing glance to ensure the actual lorry doesnt start to move is what should be expected (IMO) someone driving with there eyes glued to the gap between the lorry and the parked cars on the left is not focusing on whats infront of them and is inturn a hazard. The speed you were going at you cover the few meters between the cab of the lorry and the back of her car pretty quickly and she could look 20 times but you may have popped out when she was glancing back to see where she was going!

Just clicked one of your other video's
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Plzh9E-pz0E&feature=channel


Again IMO and some folk may say I am wrong but the mix of over overtaking/undertaking and switching positions here is a perfect example of how to put yourself in plenty of danger when riding in a busy city....

Of course most of my riding is in the countryside so I may be talking Shite?? any opinions?

 

[J4CKO]

I would have done the same but work on the principle that if I cant see something, there is bound to be something there, car drivers are fixated on other cars, not cyclists, she got let out by the truck, the truck was in the road and is a big vehicle therefore in her mind the road was blocked by it and left was covered, she would have looked right and made her maneuver.

That isnt hindsight its being realistic, assume all car drivers are idiots and out to kill you until they prove otherwise, every driveway has a car reversing, nobody has seen you , every ped will step out, every flat road has a pothole, I find assuming a positive outcome assures a problem and dissapointment, I like to be proven right and surprised when my negative assumption is proven wrong, its a win win. I think of having a saefty margin, my safety margin, the more i eat into it, the more chance of an accident, it it runs outs and then i am relying on car drivers to behave then I am on borrowed time.

If there is one rule I have picked up in the last year is, keep the f*ck away from HGV's, no good can come of it.

 

[gavintc]

What is not clear is the road that HLab was on is one way and 2 lane. The truck was clearly taking a wider line at the right turn than a car. The road to the right where the car emerges from is 2 way, but the traffic backs up because of road construction at the end of the road (Haymarket). It is probable that the truck was waiting for the road to clear before turning. HLab could have expected the car to to turn right and remain in the right hand lane and therefore going up the left hand side of the truck was the safer route as the truck was almost certainly turning right. HLab could have expected a clear road ahead when he filtered down the left hand side of the truck.