How big does a collision have to be?

[Alien8]

If you're going to go up the inside of a vehicle like that you need to make sure that you can stop either well ahead of it or further over to the right in the ASL. That way they're most likely to see you. But in this instance the smart thing would have been to stop behind the car - you had nothing to gain.

 

[Matthew_T]

http://s1132.photobucket.com/albums...rent=CX09VFF-Collisionandpolicediscussion.mp4

 

[Matthew_T]

With the woman, I had a bit of a problem getting my foot out of my clip. I thought that she was just going to go when it turned to green but had to go up the inside of her to not go into the back of her.
That does not permit her actions of not bothering to indicate and left hooking me though.

There was an ASL ahead of her, but as the lights changed when I approached her I chose not to take a chance and rush past as I thought she was going straight on and I wouldnt have gained any ground on her.

 

[stowie]

With the woman, I had a bit of a problem getting my foot out of my clip. I thought that she was just going to go when it turned to green but had to go up the inside of her to not go into the back of her.
That does not permit her actions of not bothering to indicate and left hooking me though.

There was an ASL ahead of her, but as the lights changed when I approached her I chose not to take a chance and rush past as I thought she was going straight on and I wouldnt have gained any ground on her.

She should look in her mirrors before turning left for sure. And indicating is always jolly.

But some people don't expect cyclists and may not check as they pull away. That, or they are idiots. Either way, I tend to keep behind a car pulling away from the lights if there is a left turn option. It appears to me that you got caught in no mans land between the back of the car and the ASL as the lights turned. It can happen, and I tend to try to pull away slowly and let the car go first if I get caught alongside.

I don't wear clips because I have had experiences where the clips get caught and I am somewhat challenged with co-ordination! I have seen someone trackstanding in an ASL (Lee Bridge Road roundabout in Clapton), only to overbalance and fall in a heap because they couldn't get out of their SPDs. Much merriment from the waiting car drivers ensued...

 

[Thomk]

I may be wrong Matt but I guess that you don't drive a car. Please always assume that the driver is on a mobile phone or putting their lipstick on rather that checking their left hand mirrors before turning left. People signal maybe 80% of the time (and usually mistimed) if that so it's up to you to assume the worst and protect yourself.

 

[screenman]

Are people who wear camera's more likely to encounter dodgy driving. I think all cyclist should be made to drive a car for 6 months before riding a bike.

 

[Thomk]

I think Matt is doing really well. My only advice to him is to recognise that he is still young and a little naive (only a little). Apologies as I know it sounds patronising from a cycling beginner. My only defence is that I am in my 40s and an ex driving instructor.

 

[Matthew_T]

If you don't get road wise sharpish your hat trick will not be far away.

3 times unlucky? I hope not. It has happened on 2 consecutive days now so I really hope nothing happens tomorrow. They are getting worse each day.
Friday it wasnt the guys fault but he should have checked his mirrors. - No damage
Saturday she should have indicated and checked her mirrors. - Possibly some scrathes to the car and bruise on my arm from the wing mirror.
?Sunday they should not have turned across my path and stopped suddenly as I wouldnt have gone over the bonnet and lost my life? - Death.

I seriously hope this doesnt happen.

 

[Matthew_T]

I think Matt is doing really well. My only advice to him is to recognise that he is still young and a little naive (only a little). Apologies as I know it sounds patronising from a cycling beginner. My only defence is that I am in my 40s and an ex driving instructor.

Mirror, signal, manouvre? Not what this woman was taught, more like manouvre, clip cyclist, check mirror, laugh, signal.

 

[Thomk]

That's life.

 

[snorri]

Mirror, signal, manouvre? Not what this woman was taught, more like manouvre, clip cyclist, check mirror, laugh, signal.

You weren't squeaky clean either, according to your earlier post you were not in control of your vehicle due to your foot being stuck in a clip, and you "thought" the car was going straight on.
As others have said, more defensive cycling on your part would greatly improve your survival chances.

Another benefit of defensive cycling is the personal glow of satisfaction that comes when your actions have avoided an accident that could so easily have occurred due to the error of another road user.
Also it reduces wear on your tyres and brakes,and helps keep your blood pressure within safe limits!

 

[PK99]

Mirror, signal, manouvre? Not what this woman was taught, more like manouvre, clip cyclist, check mirror, laugh, signal.

Google "silly cyclist" and look at some of the videos on there, then reflect on the wisdom of passing up the inside of any vehicle stopped at traffic lights when you do not know how soon the light will change

 

[Glover Fan]

I think the OP needs to change his attitude else he will end up being squashed. Age is not an excuse.

 

[Andy_R]

As others have said, get a copy of Cyclecraft and start driving more defnsively. Just because others around you are "supposed" to signal, "supposed" to use their mirrors, you have found for yourself that they do not. Identify potential hazards and develop according strategies, eg not passing on the left when there is a left turn ahead, not stopping too close to vehicles that have stopped infront of you - the white van driver's attention was probably on the black car that appeared to be reversing into a parking spot - yes he should have been paying attention to his mirrors too, but you could have left more space which would havve given you more time to react and avoid being hit.

The key to this is to not expect others to do the "right" thing. Expect the worst possible case and act accordingly.

 

[HLaB]

Matt, wrt to the woman its kinda of a thing you develop over time but you come to the opinion that everyone can turn left at a junction regardless of indicator (what the heck I believe they are even optional extras for BMW's ) or what can go wrong will. FWIW I like to pass a vehicle on the opposite side from a possible turning or if I'm unsure wait behind. Unfortunately if it all goes t1ts up I'd be the one hurt so I'd rather avoid that and would rather anticipate a collision than be involved in one. Good Luck