Saw a classic left hook...

[Arch]

...last week (not been online since). Wished I'd had the helmet cam on. Also, it's made me think a bit...

I was riding up a side street, to the main road, where I wanted to turn right, so I was starting to move over. As I ride up and get near the top, I see a red car (small VW) turning into the side street from the main road, and I think to myself "I better not move too far to the right for my turn, that car needs some space" (due to parked cars down her side of the road). It was only when I heard the "oi!", that I noticed the cyclist she was left hooking! I know it was all going on in a short space of time, but I'm slightly... not quite alarmed, but concerned that I didn't notice him either until he shouted (at which point she jammed the brakes on and he went past)

I also shouted at her as I realised what was going on (I think I said "stupid bint!"), and she looked at me (by this time I was at the junction), and then just carried on, looking blank. He'd stopped (he managed to stay upright) so I checked he was ok, and we exchanged a brief opinion of her road skills - he said "do you know, I think she thought that was MY fault!" in a slightly world weary tone and then carried on.

I couldn't say what his road position was (not that it excuses her lack of attention), but it was interesting that even I didn't register him, although I registered the car turning in, until I heard his shout. I suppose as he was in dull colours and on a black or grey bike, he might have blended into the tarmac a bit, as opposed to the red car...

 

[hackbike 6]

I still stick by what I say,some colours seem to make it harder to see car,motorcyclist or cyclist,and at a guess not every motorist has perfect eyesight,more than half a brain or is concentrating fully.

 

[Origamist]

Gap acceptance does not favour cyclists. This is a known problem (a Danish study examined the issue). For example, if you're cycling past a side road and there is a car behind you, there is less chance that a car will pull out from the side road. If it's just you tootling along on a bike, don't be surprised when the driver pulls out!

 

[BentMikey]

Of course in pretty much every left hook I've seen or experienced, the motorist overtook me by moving out first. I'll bet the same happened to your guy, Arch, so the motorist saw him just fine.

Of course they always tell me how I'm impossible to see and need a flag. "Yes mate, that's why you moved out to overtake the invisible cyclist, instead of running me over."

 

[hackbike 6]

That's funny about the flag thing...many years ago my dad bought me a flag thingy that stuck out so obviously as an experienced and i'd say responsible motorist at the time he must have known his stuff.

I never used it though...it was supposed to stick out to hopefully make mototrists give me room.

 

[HLaB]

The most classic left hook I saw wasn't on a commute it was on a ride in the middle of nowhere, quiet country road. It was just after a hill and I turned right at a 'T' junction pulled to the side and waited for the rest of the group to catch up. The all appeared (about a dozen or so). At the same time a car pulled up behind them, after letting the first couple turn right the driver then lost patience and left hooked the remainder

 

[bonj2]

it's always the women isn't it. I nearly got left hooked by one last week, and i cycled after her, and the thick bint said "but what's the problem if I went round you as you were turning left?" "I WASN'T!" "so why did you go down here then?" "TO GIVE YOU A BOLLOCKING!"

 

[hackbike 6]

I just take it many of them are thick.

 

[swee'pea99]

It is weird, isn't it? It's not malice, or - I suspect - stupidity. They simply Don't See You. Like they've become programmed to notice only things the size of cars+. Same thing happens to motorcyclists all the time. I had one t'other day, other side of the road, coming straight towards me, suddenly pulled a U-ey, right in front of me. 'Are you blind?' I screamed. No response. 'Am I invisible?' Same again. Wouldn't even look at me. I think she was just mortified with shame and embarrassment.

 

[hackbike 6]

Generally I don't find motorists too bad,generally it's peds who don't see me.

 

[yenrod]

...last week (not been online since). Wished I'd had the helmet cam on. Also, it's made me think a bit...

I was riding up a side street, to the main road, where I wanted to turn right, so I was starting to move over. As I ride up and get near the top, I see a red car (small VW) turning into the side street from the main road, and I think to myself "I better not move too far to the right for my turn, that car needs some space" (due to parked cars down her side of the road). It was only when I heard the "oi!", that I noticed the cyclist she was left hooking! I know it was all going on in a short space of time, but I'm slightly... not quite alarmed, but concerned that I didn't notice him either until he shouted (at which point she jammed the brakes on and he went past)

I also shouted at her as I realised what was going on (I think I said "stupid bint!"), and she looked at me (by this time I was at the junction), and then just carried on, looking blank. He'd stopped (he managed to stay upright) so I checked he was ok, and we exchanged a brief opinion of her road skills - he said "do you know, I think she thought that was MY fault!" in a slightly world weary tone and then carried on.

I couldn't say what his road position was (not that it excuses her lack of attention), but it was interesting that even I didn't register him, although I registered the car turning in, until I heard his shout. I suppose as he was in dull colours and on a black or grey bike, he might have blended into the tarmac a bit, as opposed to the red car...

Not excusing the cardriver but I'm totally against darkcyclists esp. in the day - do ourselves NO favours whatsoever !

 

[hackbike 6]

Not excusing the cardriver but I'm totally against darkcyclists esp. in the day - do ourselves NO favours whatsoever !


Don't tell BM that!

 

[BentMikey]

LOL, what is this "darkcyclist in the day" thingy?

 

[yenrod]

Not excusing the cardriver but I'm totally against darkcyclists esp. in the day - do ourselves NO favours whatsoever !


Don't tell BM that!

LOL, what is this "darkcyclist in the day" thingy?

Well if BM wants to be DeadBM then he can continue dressing in black!

As inferrred.

 

[BentMikey]

Again, the left hook almost always involves an overtake. This should tell you that the car driver saw the cyclist in the first place, and simply decided to push in front. Visibility is not the problem in this specific instance. If it was, the driver would have hit the cyclist from behind before the junction, and before the left hook took place.