Nearly taken out by a lorry - what more could I do?

[upandover]

Hi,

I was almost taken out by a lorry this morning, pulling out of an industrial estate, as I headed up clapgate lane in Birmingham. It's a long straight road, 30 limit but most go much faster. Normally when I see somone at a junction I lift a hand in a wave and smile, and watch them notice and acknowledge me. This time though I was really very close to the lorry as he pulled upto the junction, there wasn't time or space and the lorry simply slowed slightly and then pulled out.

Luckily he had his window open, and I had slowed down a little, I shouted very loudly and breaked and swerved, and he stopped suddenly a few feet out (just before he would have swung round and gone into me). We ended up in the middle of the road almost parrallel to each other, about six inches apart.

Really nice guy, rather shaken (me too!). He says he didn't look down, and with me so close, I can understand that how that happened. I guess he didn't look until he got to the junction itself.

I wasn't as primary as I could have been, partly becasue I was feeling slightly unwell this morning and lacking in energy and confidence. Normally I'm a confident cycling, with a fair amount of road presence. Other than boosting my position though, I'm not sure what I could do to avoid that another time, with the driver so close. Cycling through the black country that's my most common concern, - lots and lots of side roads, and lots of industrial lorries.

I was wearing a bright yellow cycle top (though not high viz this morning). Is there anything more I can do, other than increasing my presence and primary position? Would a larger flashing helmet light on always be helpful? Is this just a matter of luck?

Thanks.

Kind regards

Steve

 

[Landslide]

Sounds like you were that close to him that being in primary might not have made much difference to your visibility, but I suppose it can give you more choice of escape routes should something like this occur.
I reckon you've done the best you can by being alert and anticipating the potential threat (slowing down a bit). Glad you're alright, and I guess the driver'll be a bit more cautious in future!

 

[jonathan ellis]

eek

I have an Airzound for these moments

 

[swee'pea99]

All any of us can ever do - assume they're all stupid, they're all mad, and they've all got it in for *YOU*...and ride accordingly.

 

[Globalti]

Ask any motorbiker about those "Sorry Mate; didn't see you!" moments and you'll get plenty.

I have even done it myself when driving. I sometimes wonder if the human brain when in a hurry and under stress actually ignores small non-threateing objects, which might attract its attention in less stressful circumstances.

 

[yello]

Sounds like a close call. Glad you're okay. It seems like the driver fully recognises his mistake and it scared the sh*t out of him too. I'd say, all things considered, 'just one of those things'.

Was there more you could have done? Who knows. A huge part of the problem,as others have indicated, is just simply not being seen - high viz, flashing lights, etc... might have helped but equally may not if the driver is not looking for you. We've probably all had pedestrians look right through us before stepping out in front... simply because they're looking for cars on the road and not bikes. Same thing really. And, like Rigid Raider suggests, we've all done it.

Short of growing 38DD breasts and riding topless, I'm not sure how one can guarantee being noticed.

 

[upandover]

Thanks guys.

It's reassuring in an odd way to hear that it probably wasn't me doing anything particually wrong. It's helpful for me as well to check occassionaly how alert I am. It's easy to drift into work in the car every now and then, but a little different on the bike.

It's not a nice road really, lots of bollards with fast traffic behind, I may think about another route as a variation sometimes.

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Steve

 

[JohnRedcoRn]

2 months cycling and had a few close calls already despite my defensive riding. Having said that i find nearly as many drivers dont look properly even when i'm driving my car, so whilst we MAY be at more risk on a bike, i think its down to drivers not paying due attention either way.

 

[upandover]

Ps - I assume I'm not alone on choosing not to tell my wife about these things!

Steve

 

[sheddy]

My 2ds worth, if you want to improve your chances of being seen is to try weaving about.

 

[4F]

Ps - I assume I'm not alone on choosing not to tell my wife about these things!

Steve

Steve you are not alone

 

[Downward]

Hi,

I was almost taken out by a lorry this morning, pulling out of an industrial estate, as I headed up clapgate lane in Birmingham. It's a long straight road, 30 limit but most go much faster. Normally when I see somone at a junction I lift a hand in a wave and smile, and watch them notice and acknowledge me. This time though I was really very close to the lorry as he pulled upto the junction, there wasn't time or space and the lorry simply slowed slightly and then pulled out.

Luckily he had his window open, and I had slowed down a little, I shouted very loudly and breaked and swerved, and he stopped suddenly a few feet out (just before he would have swung round and gone into me). We ended up in the middle of the road almost parrallel to each other, about six inches apart.

Really nice guy, rather shaken (me too!). He says he didn't look down, and with me so close, I can understand that how that happened. I guess he didn't look until he got to the junction itself.

I wasn't as primary as I could have been, partly becasue I was feeling slightly unwell this morning and lacking in energy and confidence. Normally I'm a confident cycling, with a fair amount of road presence. Other than boosting my position though, I'm not sure what I could do to avoid that another time, with the driver so close. Cycling through the black country that's my most common concern, - lots and lots of side roads, and lots of industrial lorries.

I was wearing a bright yellow cycle top (though not high viz this morning). Is there anything more I can do, other than increasing my presence and primary position? Would a larger flashing helmet light on always be helpful? Is this just a matter of luck?

Thanks.

Kind regards

Steve

Was this about 7.30am ish ?

 

[Downward]

Thanks guys.

It's reassuring in an odd way to hear that it probably wasn't me doing anything particually wrong. It's helpful for me as well to check occassionaly how alert I am. It's easy to drift into work in the car every now and then, but a little different on the bike.

It's not a nice road really, lots of bollards with fast traffic behind, I may think about another route as a variation sometimes.

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Steve

I go this way too - Have you ever tried going through Woodgate Valley country park ? I'm getting a bit bored of the route now although it's good coming down towards the Fire Station as long as the lights are on green.

 

[upandover]

Hi,

Working late so only just checking.

This was around 8:10. Interesting to hear you go through there. We go through the country park with our kids sometimes, but my main bike has 25 tyres and wouldn't fare well. I might have to try it though on my mountain bike. Do you come out by the stables?

I live off Jiggins lane, and so wonder abouty going up the hill and around down adams hill to the roundabout at the top of clapgate.

Where do you go from and to?

Cheers
Steve

 

[Night Train]

One of the other problems with trucks is that with all the requirements for mirrors to see all around the truck they also cause huge blindspots for the driver. Sometimes Sod's law says that the mirror will cause a moving blind spot that coincides with a moving road user that make them invisible right up to the last moment.

I find this in modern cars with thick A pillars at the side of the windscreen when approaching roundabouts. I am often dodging my head side to side to try and get a view around the pillar but even then Sod's law has, on occasion, still meant that my head movements coincided the blind spot with a moving road user or pedestrian.