Stopping?

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Nothing to do with brakes. My brakes are fine (see below).
Two years ago, a driver & his mates got out of their car & tried to attack me. That prompted my introduction to the cycle camera. Six months ago a contractor's (escorted) concrete truck pulled out right in front of me 100 yards from my desk (good brakes & reactions saved me). Six weeks later, the same contractor did the same thing (escorted concrete truck) on another junction 100 yards in the opposite direction (again good brakes saved me). (Private land not public highway, taken it up with the relevant people - contractor has changed their escorting practices & had a "litigation special" apology). Second was caught on film & it was still contested! Then my camera got stolen (long story). "Fortunately" I'm on a reduced hour fit note (sciatica) so can choose to leave later/earlier when I can't go out otherwise I wouldn't be going at all.
However, I'm still extremely nervous about cycling to work. I'm on the verge of giving in but the car is too slow & train too expensive. Sorry for the ramble.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
Might some counselling help to help you with the PTSD? Talk to your GP :smile:

Is there an off road route you can use or at least avoid the busiest roads?

And get another camera if having it was helpful for your anxiety?
 

I like Skol

A Minging Manc...
I'm sorry, I don't understand the question.... :crazy:

Commuting (or any road riding for that matter) might not be perfect, but neither are the alternatives, and all pose risks in one form or other, but it is the only thing that keeps me sane so I can't comprehend stopping despite the odd problems (and I have had a biggy on the commute so could be as likely as anyone to say 'never again'!
 

rugby bloke

Veteran
Location
Northamptonshire
Sounds like you have had a hard time of it over the last 2 years, glad that you have come through unscathed, at least physically. I can understand your uncertainty about getting back on the bike, however as you have said it is the best option. One quick question - is there still the possibility of coming across the concrete truck ? I was not sure if the truck was leaving at a depot or at a construction site.
Would it be possible to ride the route at a quieter time, say a Sunday morning, just to get the first ride out of the way ?
 

Shearwater Missile

Über Member
I can understand you feeling very nervous about the traffic after this happening. When I used to commute (30 miles return) there was one stretch of road that worried me and that was being either hit from behind or the near passes ( single carriageway and 60mph limit). I don`t and won`t travel on that section now. However, if I see a vehicle anywhere I treat it as if it is out to get me, brakes do come in handy though. I always try and make eye contact with a driver, never easy if they are looking in the wrong direction. If you know that these lorries are about at least you are halfway there, so to speak. Just stay safe. Hopefully you will overcome the nervousness. Don`t let em win !
 
OP
OP
RichK

RichK

Guru
Thanks all. Appreciated. To try & respond...

It's a construction site on the campus where I work. There wasn't a particular question, I just need to ramble on out loud a bit. New replacement camera has arrived & just been fitted. It's made a difference to me. I am avoiding roads (& peak times) as much as I can but the lorry incidents have been so close to work that I don't have a choice at that point (the alternative road/paths are closed due to the construction itself at the moment).

They have changed their practices since this happened. The escort used to be 50+ yards in front of the lorry (so they weren't actually together) - now it's directly in front & waits at junctions until they can both go together.

I will get there. I just need to get through it. :smile:
 

I like Skol

A Minging Manc...
They have changed their practices since this happened. The escort used to be 50+ yards in front of the lorry (so they weren't actually together) - now it's directly in front & waits at junctions until they can both go together.
Sounds like they were/are using a shite 'token gesture' escort set-up just to tick that box on the H&S assessment paperwork?

As for having the camera, if it helps you then keep on as you are, but in my mind they offer zero safety improvement to situations as they happen so as far as a safety aid or feeling safer there is no need to have one. The only thing they may help with is apportioning blame after the event (which is too late) or the anecdotal suggestion that footage passed to the police can be used for enforcement or driver education which 'may' be contributing to overall general cyclist safety on the road. (something that going by the actual experience of road cycling, year on year, isn't happening!)
 
Thanks all. Appreciated. To try & respond...

It's a construction site on the campus where I work. There wasn't a particular question, I just need to ramble on out loud a bit. New replacement camera has arrived & just been fitted. It's made a difference to me. I am avoiding roads (& peak times) as much as I can but the lorry incidents have been so close to work that I don't have a choice at that point (the alternative road/paths are closed due to the construction itself at the moment).

They have changed their practices since this happened. The escort used to be 50+ yards in front of the lorry (so they weren't actually together) - now it's directly in front & waits at junctions until they can both go together.

I will get there. I just need to get through it. :smile:

TBH, I think quite a few will feel the same way. Almost got rear ended (close pass) by a driver while he was opening a bag of crisps yesterday. Thought he was looking at a book as he passed, but caught up with him at the next set of lights, and he was busy munching away ...
 
It's a construction site on the campus where I work.

If that's the case then why not make contact with the Clerk of Works (or similar) at the campus where you work, because if it has happened to you, then as sure as eggs is eggs, you won't be the only one!

Or put a notice up on the information boards within the campus asking for other cyclists who have experienced similar problems to get in contaft with you.
 
OP
OP
RichK

RichK

Guru
I took it to the
If that's the case then why not make contact with the Clerk of Works (or similar) at the campus where you work, because if it has happened to you, then as sure as eggs is eggs, you won't be the only one!
...

Went straight to the Director of Estates. Contractors concerned have now changed their escorting practices :smile:
 
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