What more can I do?

[PocketFrog]

Just nearly been taken out on the roundabout on my commute close to work.

Signs dictate right hand lane for ring road and left for all other routes, as i'm not heading for the ring road I place myself in primary in the left lane and set off when it's clear, just as i'm about to pass the exit before mine a driver swerves in front of me right to left for it. There was probably 6 inches between my front wheel and her car.

I'm wearing a full hi-viz jacket, reflectors, lights, bright silver rain cover on the panniers... so it's not exactly easy to miss me.

I made the mistake of chasing the driver down to have it out with them (should have just left it, I know) and they didn't want to hear any reason, just said "YOU were in the wrong lane so I swerved to miss you" - I don't get it.

 

[MattHB]

There are lots of posts like this yours I'm afraid. There's nothing you can do other than use exceptional forward planning and observation. Most of the time, with practice, it's possible to read the 'body language' of vehicles and position yourself out of the way.

I learned how to do this during my advanced motorcycle training and its saved me a couple of times.

Basically, assume that EVERYONE is a complete twunt and you'll be pretty spot on.

 

[PocketFrog]

Basically, assume that EVERYONE is a complete twunt and you'll be pretty spot on.

Thanks Matt, for the usage of the word 'twunt' alone, I will remember this advice!

With stuff like this I always try to look at myself and ask what did I do wrong and what could I do better next time but I drew an absolute blank this morning.

 

[ianrauk]

Looking at your post, you did the right thing and she did the wrong thing.

 

[MattHB]

There is an IAM cycling course you can do, but I don't know it's content. It may or may not be useful!

 

[semislickstick]

Looking at your post, you did the right thing and she did the wrong thing.

She?

 

[PocketFrog]

She?

Yeah, it was a woman driver, not that it makes any difference of course.

 

[Maz]

She?

Yes, the driver was female.

There was probably 6 inches between my front wheel and her car.

 

[semislickstick]

Just nearly been taken out on the roundabout on my commute close to work.

Signs dictate right hand lane for ring road and left for all other routes, as i'm not heading for the ring road I place myself in primary in the left lane and set off when it's clear, just as i'm about to pass the exit before mine a driver swerves in front of me right to left for it. There was probably 6 inches between my front wheel and her car.

I'm wearing a full hi-viz jacket, reflectors, lights, bright silver rain cover on the panniers... so it's not exactly easy to miss me.

I made the mistake of chasing the driver down to have it out with them (should have just left it, I know) and they didn't want to hear any reason, just said "YOU were in the wrong lane so I swerved to miss you" - I don't get it.

Yeah, I've had the same. Actually the driver got in the right hand turn lane because I was already in the middle of the left and straight on lane at the RAB junction. So I set of to go straight on and the driver (no signalling, I looked) tried to overtake to go immediately left! He obviously thought he was in the right as he just leant on the horn, I could still hear him as I exited.

 

[semislickstick]

Yes, the driver was female.

Oops, fair enough. Sorry Ian I thought you were assuming it was a woman.

 

[paulw1969]

exactly the same happened to me this morning......i ranted for a bit... but didn't chase them down.(they went LEFT i went right) .....two lanes into three just before roundabout.... i always take primary in the left hand lane which leads straight into the middle lane turning right to try and prevent the right hand swipe happening.....doesn't always work as this morning once again driver on my right swerving across to left to turn left.......they have no idea how close they are when they do this most of the time and all because they must be in front and cannot wait 1 or 2 seconds ....(cannot seem to link in Google at work will try later at home)...

 

[400bhp]

Are you in car “think“ mode when planning your route?

Can you choose a different route to avoid the roundabout?

 

[Nigeyy]

I'm with the other posters on this one.

Unfortunately, no matter what you do on the road, how visible you are, or how well you cycle and position yourself, you have to accept that ultimately someone can just do something crazy and there are times when there's not much you can do about it (you are exposed on a bicycle). Before you start thinking "well, that's not much comfort...." you also have to realize anything in life has its risks -the only thing you can do is to mitigate them as best as possible by good cycling, awareness, judgement and route choice.

Yes, assume everyone is out to get you -and yes, if you use this roundabout regularly and are having problems (even if you use it properly with good cycling positioning) then I'd also suggest trying to find a different route. I avoid certain roads and junctions all the time on a bicycle and even when I drive the car -I figure the small inconvenience of avoiding them is worth avoiding the risks I perceive that are associated with them.

Interestingly enough, *even* if you were in the wrong lane, it still doesn't make it right for someone to cut dangerously in front of you. Right there, that kind of gives you an idea of the functioning mentality of the driver (twunt!) and their driving standards. I have to think if they continue to drive like that, sooner or later they'll be out of pocket or worse.

 

[dan_bo]

Land mines and petrol bombs pal. It's the only way.

 

[PocketFrog]

Are you in car “think“ mode when planning your route?

Can you choose a different route to avoid the roundabout?

Unfortunately not, it's the RAB immediately outside my place of work. All routes lead to this point.

I'm with the other posters on this one.

Unfortunately, no matter what you do on the road, how visible you are, or how well you cycle and position yourself, you have to accept that ultimately someone can just do something crazy and there are times when there's not much you can do about it (you are exposed on a bicycle). Before you start thinking "well, that's not much comfort...." you also have to realize anything in life has its risks -the only thing you can do is to mitigate them as best as possible by good cycling, awareness, judgement and route choice.

I totally agree with you, I realise the risks involved with cycling I just prefer to try not to just slag off drivers for something that I can't change and look at myself to see if there is something that I can. Even considering putting the bike away and running to work but that'll pass by the end of the day