Almost killed this morning
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: There on the stair
Posts: 10,208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Almost killed this morning
No exaggeration, no melodrama. Scared the live crap out of me.
Cycling into work at the moment (14 ish miles mainly flat each way) and I almost got flattened by a lorry.
I'm going onto a roundabout which goes under a dual carriageway and look over to make sure it's clear, it is so I swing onto it - there's a slip road coming down from the dual carriageway next and I look up (as I always do, to check....) and there's a lorry coming down - I'm cycling round, checked over my shoulder to make sure everything is still clear - it is and I look back at the lorry, still coming not slowing down.
I kind of think that I need to be 'aware' at this point and looking straight at the driver see him glance over his shoulder and drive straight onto the roundabout and straight at me.
I swerved out to the inside of the roundabout (thankfully still clear) and clear out of his path, he's not looking and I'm screaming and shouting at him - totally oblivious. I'm literally 2 foot from the side of his cab and I'm shouting my head off at him - nothing.
Then he glances around when his cab is front of me and I'm trying to avoid the trailer and he FINALLY sees me.
All I get is a little wave and off he goes.
For Gods sake - if *I* hadn't been more aware and just cycled round the roundabout assuming I was in the clear; I swear I'd be a statistic, my wife would be a widow and he'd be getting done for death by dangerous driving.
Absolutely scared the hell out of me. I kept having flashes of me going under the cab and getting smeared on the road - and then my wife who drives that way to work today would see the accident and find me dead.
I decided to take the longer and slower cycle route to work after that as the normal route takes me down a busy A road and I couldn't face it.
Sorry for the tale, but as others here have found - it's a bit of a catharthis to type it out and get it off your chest. I've not had a near miss for a long time and this kind of thing really shakes you up.
I've decided I'm not going to tell my wife as she worries as it is, and this would just scare her for no gain.
Cycling into work at the moment (14 ish miles mainly flat each way) and I almost got flattened by a lorry.
I'm going onto a roundabout which goes under a dual carriageway and look over to make sure it's clear, it is so I swing onto it - there's a slip road coming down from the dual carriageway next and I look up (as I always do, to check....) and there's a lorry coming down - I'm cycling round, checked over my shoulder to make sure everything is still clear - it is and I look back at the lorry, still coming not slowing down.
I kind of think that I need to be 'aware' at this point and looking straight at the driver see him glance over his shoulder and drive straight onto the roundabout and straight at me.
I swerved out to the inside of the roundabout (thankfully still clear) and clear out of his path, he's not looking and I'm screaming and shouting at him - totally oblivious. I'm literally 2 foot from the side of his cab and I'm shouting my head off at him - nothing.
Then he glances around when his cab is front of me and I'm trying to avoid the trailer and he FINALLY sees me.
All I get is a little wave and off he goes.
For Gods sake - if *I* hadn't been more aware and just cycled round the roundabout assuming I was in the clear; I swear I'd be a statistic, my wife would be a widow and he'd be getting done for death by dangerous driving.
Absolutely scared the hell out of me. I kept having flashes of me going under the cab and getting smeared on the road - and then my wife who drives that way to work today would see the accident and find me dead.
I decided to take the longer and slower cycle route to work after that as the normal route takes me down a busy A road and I couldn't face it.
Sorry for the tale, but as others here have found - it's a bit of a catharthis to type it out and get it off your chest. I've not had a near miss for a long time and this kind of thing really shakes you up.
I've decided I'm not going to tell my wife as she worries as it is, and this would just scare her for no gain.
#3
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Far Corfe
Posts: 3,618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How do you get almost killed? Either you were or you werent, its like being almost pregnant....
Glad you're OK though, cycling seems to be getting more and more riskey. Perhaps you should use your car more.
Dont you think councils should provide more cycle lanes, there are much better provisions on the continent.
Glad you're OK though, cycling seems to be getting more and more riskey. Perhaps you should use your car more.
Dont you think councils should provide more cycle lanes, there are much better provisions on the continent.
Last edited by r32; 26 June 2008 at 12:21 PM.
#6
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The Terry Crews of moderation. P P P P P P POWER!!
Posts: 18,687
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trending Topics
#8
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Logged Out
Posts: 10,221
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#10
Scooby Regular
Kieran
Never nice having a near miss....
Assume that you were wearing full yellow hi vis clothing etc etc....
I still use lights during the summer as well, seems to me that motorcyles are forced by law to run lights 24/7 for a reason and it makes sense to me to do the same on my push bike.....
I'd wear a flashing 10 ft neon sign on my head if I could get away with it when cycling on the roads in and around Edinburgh ....
Never nice having a near miss....
Assume that you were wearing full yellow hi vis clothing etc etc....
I still use lights during the summer as well, seems to me that motorcyles are forced by law to run lights 24/7 for a reason and it makes sense to me to do the same on my push bike.....
I'd wear a flashing 10 ft neon sign on my head if I could get away with it when cycling on the roads in and around Edinburgh ....
#11
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: S.E London
Posts: 13,654
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
glad your ok mate
I got hit in a van a few years ago by a lorry driver, who was completely ignorant to the fact he had done it.
As a cyclist you would have just been a bump in the road!!
Idiot driver
I got hit in a van a few years ago by a lorry driver, who was completely ignorant to the fact he had done it.
As a cyclist you would have just been a bump in the road!!
Idiot driver
#12
Moderator
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: The Terry Crews of moderation. P P P P P P POWER!!
Posts: 18,687
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another reason or two, Swiss?
http://www.cyclelicio.us/uploaded_im...jpg-788347.jpg
http://www.cherryflava.com/photos/un...30/cyclist.jpg
Watch out for that pedestrian crossing....ouch!
YouTube - Cyclist falls on her face !!! - OUCH !
http://www.cyclelicio.us/uploaded_im...jpg-788347.jpg
http://www.cherryflava.com/photos/un...30/cyclist.jpg
Watch out for that pedestrian crossing....ouch!
YouTube - Cyclist falls on her face !!! - OUCH !
Last edited by New_scooby_04; 26 June 2008 at 12:40 PM.
#14
Its a frightener alright. I was once nearly mashed by a lorry which overtook me when on my bike and then turned left into me into a side road. His wheel just missed going over my right hand pedal, if it hadn't I would have been dragged under the wheels.
Its the sort of thing you wake up screaming in the night about!
Les
Its the sort of thing you wake up screaming in the night about!
Les
#16
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: There on the stair
Posts: 10,208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kieran
Never nice having a near miss....
Assume that you were wearing full yellow hi vis clothing etc etc....
I still use lights during the summer as well, seems to me that motorcyles are forced by law to run lights 24/7 for a reason and it makes sense to me to do the same on my push bike.....
I'd wear a flashing 10 ft neon sign on my head if I could get away with it when cycling on the roads in and around Edinburgh ....
Never nice having a near miss....
Assume that you were wearing full yellow hi vis clothing etc etc....
I still use lights during the summer as well, seems to me that motorcyles are forced by law to run lights 24/7 for a reason and it makes sense to me to do the same on my push bike.....
I'd wear a flashing 10 ft neon sign on my head if I could get away with it when cycling on the roads in and around Edinburgh ....
I stand 6 and half foot tall on the bike but I am now thinking about that neon sign myself now
#17
Scooby Regular
I wear a top that has set off light sensitive traffic lights in the past. I would show a photo but it burns out camera lens.
I stand 6 and half foot tall on the bike but I am now thinking about that neon sign myself now
I stand 6 and half foot tall on the bike but I am now thinking about that neon sign myself now
A cyclist was killed on my route to work a few months ago
BBC NEWS | Scotland | Edinburgh, East and Fife | Cyclist dies in truck collision
...and when I mentioned the incident to a fellow cyclist at work (I had just passed the scene, so was a bit shaken myself) she said that she would be 'extra careful on the way home that day'
I pointed out that 'extra careful' even 'outright paranoia' was needed every day when cycling anywhere in traffic
#18
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
Cycling on Britain's roads is becoming more and more dangerous. Lorries have always been a problem but now that around 50% of lorries are driven by Johnny Foreigner, and he's sitting on the "wrong" side, it's just a joke.
I was once nearly squashed by a lorry on a roundabout, he was looking OVER me for traffic and failed to see me. When I had the "cheek" to shout at him, he got out of his lorry and threatened me
Pavement is the best place for cyclists. And I stand ready to be flamed for saying that.
I used to cycle to and from work, but the roundabout near home, I walked across via a pedestrian crossing at the entrance/exit.
Alcazar
I was once nearly squashed by a lorry on a roundabout, he was looking OVER me for traffic and failed to see me. When I had the "cheek" to shout at him, he got out of his lorry and threatened me
Pavement is the best place for cyclists. And I stand ready to be flamed for saying that.
I used to cycle to and from work, but the roundabout near home, I walked across via a pedestrian crossing at the entrance/exit.
Alcazar
#22
Motorcycles are not required by law to run lights 24/7. They don't even need a headlight for use with a day time MOT. I personally don't use my head light during the day, or hi-vis gear, mainly because I like to ride like everyone is out to kill me.
HTH.
HTH.
Last edited by _RIP_; 26 June 2008 at 05:34 PM.
#24
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Tellins, Home of Super Leagues finest, and where a "split" is not all it seems.
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What scares me is motorists disregard for cyclists either deliberately or not. There are some scumtards who are ignorant of cyclists and try to justify there crapness by saying cyclists should pay road tax or shouldnt ride two abreast or on pavements as if that justified crap driving...
I am just glad you are ok fella. I am just a 1000 miles a year cyclist, have the odd almost near miss, have "discussed" some drivers behaviour at the road side with them and have thanked those who give me room etc...
Keep on wearing the helmet and the high viz and maybe go back and do that route again maybe on Sunday afternoon when it's quiet and try to get the flashbacks out nice and quick before they stick.
All the best.
I am just glad you are ok fella. I am just a 1000 miles a year cyclist, have the odd almost near miss, have "discussed" some drivers behaviour at the road side with them and have thanked those who give me room etc...
Keep on wearing the helmet and the high viz and maybe go back and do that route again maybe on Sunday afternoon when it's quiet and try to get the flashbacks out nice and quick before they stick.
All the best.
Last edited by Abdabz; 26 June 2008 at 07:33 PM. Reason: I am dumb
#25
Scooby Regular
Motorcycles are not required by law to run lights 24/7. They don't even need a headlight for use with a day time MOT. I personally don't use my head light during the day, or hi-vis gear, mainly because I like to ride like everyone is out to kill me.
I also ride as if everyone is out to get me, constant awareness etc is the key, but I still like to give myself EVERY chance with high vis as well
#27
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: There on the stair
Posts: 10,208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The office mother insisted I wear a hi-vis waist coat on the way home as well...
I was like this bright yellow radiation warning on wheels going home
Make that soaking wet bright yellow.... 'cos it p*ssed it down on the way home!
I did go back to the roundabout (there is an alternate route I could've taken) as I figured I should exorcise the demons as it were... and I almost got knocked down by some idiot 'pro' cyclist!!!
Anyone want to buy a bike?
I was like this bright yellow radiation warning on wheels going home
Make that soaking wet bright yellow.... 'cos it p*ssed it down on the way home!
I did go back to the roundabout (there is an alternate route I could've taken) as I figured I should exorcise the demons as it were... and I almost got knocked down by some idiot 'pro' cyclist!!!
Anyone want to buy a bike?
#28
Whoa, glad you are alright fella, thats scary, just spotted this after posting my thoughts after a month of commuting by bike, I try to avoid busy roads wherever possible and do find that the cycling is the easy bit, its the mental stress of second guessing every **** on the road, old chavved up beemers ar arseholes, women in big old 4 by 4s dont have a clue and are too worried about their horses, Mitsubishi Animals are driven by Animals.
#29
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: There on the stair
Posts: 10,208
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whoa, glad you are alright fella, thats scary, just spotted this after posting my thoughts after a month of commuting by bike, I try to avoid busy roads wherever possible and do find that the cycling is the easy bit, its the mental stress of second guessing every **** on the road, old chavved up beemers ar arseholes, women in big old 4 by 4s dont have a clue and are too worried about their horses, Mitsubishi Animals are driven by Animals.
Drivers generally are okay - idiots walking without looking are the pain.
#30
Scooby Regular
Here's my list of 'threats' in order.
1 Taxi Drivers - Utter C**nts, no exceptions
2 Other Cyclists - Jump off kerbs in front of you, pull out to overtake things without noticing you etc, tend to be students, non helmeted, no lights, wearing black (or tarmac camouflage clothing) around Edinburgh
3 40/50 something blonde, heavily made up, overweight female 4x4 drivers, normally on phone and accompanied by zero spacial awareness
4 Private Coach Drivers/lorry drivers (private haulage firms by far the worst wher I come from) -
5 Bus drivers (Most are ok but become more irate and impatient as the temperature rises and the traffic increases during the festival in the summer)
6 Pedestrians (especially ipod wearing and seemingly blind)
7 Car drivers - 99% are really good and considerate but obviously you only remember the one c**t who nearly took you out (normally when they are on their phone)
Everyone else is fine
1 Taxi Drivers - Utter C**nts, no exceptions
2 Other Cyclists - Jump off kerbs in front of you, pull out to overtake things without noticing you etc, tend to be students, non helmeted, no lights, wearing black (or tarmac camouflage clothing) around Edinburgh
3 40/50 something blonde, heavily made up, overweight female 4x4 drivers, normally on phone and accompanied by zero spacial awareness
4 Private Coach Drivers/lorry drivers (private haulage firms by far the worst wher I come from) -
5 Bus drivers (Most are ok but become more irate and impatient as the temperature rises and the traffic increases during the festival in the summer)
6 Pedestrians (especially ipod wearing and seemingly blind)
7 Car drivers - 99% are really good and considerate but obviously you only remember the one c**t who nearly took you out (normally when they are on their phone)
Everyone else is fine