Lane Changing at Bike Lane End
Just posting this as a tip for others. I have ridden Unley Rd in the mornings for years and always feel I am running the gauntlet in the 2 places the bike lane ends to accommodate a right hand turning lane. Until a couple of years ago I use to just ride through the end of the bike lane, hug to the left and hope for the best. Since I woke up to the fact that this was not really working for me I now look to merge into the traffic shortly before the end of the lane and 'command' my position in the lane. This has worked far better and without any real problems until today - See Video
I had anticipated this happening at some point and was somewhat prepared. In any case I still think the merge and command position approach is the way to go, just be prepared for impatient drivers.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Paul on -
Michael, I too use this road every day, and know exactly what you mean, having experienced similar incidents I can tell you that yours is not isolated. I have experienced the same type of ignorance, despite wearing red lycra, and having a 500 lumen flahing front light and a niteflux red zone flashing rear light. It has happened to me in this location more than the one closer to town, but interestingly the incidents occur at the one closer to town when coming from town.
Did you report this to police?
I would encourage you to, as at very least they will let the driver know that they have recieved a complaint, and if you offer to provide the video as evidence, it may even make it to court.
IMHO, it is all about motorist education, less about antagonising motorists, however I would not be so quick to accept his wave, "sorry mate"; would that be much consolation if he had swerved a little wider and run you into the railing to your left?
It has been my experience that we are not looked for by motorists (having been told as much by motorists themselves, in the heat of the moment when I've caught up with them and taken them to task for their erratic or stupid driving) and are frequently dismissed as bothersome disturbances that they shouldn't have to put up with. Some motorists simply do not think of cyclists as road users with as much right to use the road safely as they do, and see no harm (to themselves) in putting our lives at risk by ignoring our presence on the road, and simply continue on maintaining their blissful ignorance at the risks they pose to us.
So I would encourage you heartily to make a complaint to police (if you haven't already) - ring 131-444 or attend a police station - and help to make that driver aware that cyclists have a right to travel safely on the road, the same as any other road user; that cyclists should be looked for and not ignored.
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