Single Carriageway
Yesterday whilst riding south along Lady Gowrie Drive at Largs Bay (at about 7:20pm – still lots of daylight, with both a front and rear flashing light) I had the unfortunate experience of being cut off by a 4wd that decided at the last moment that turning left to enter Jetty Road was the most important thing in his life. After raising my voice to enquire about his intelligence, it made me think, why does this type of event occur far too often?
The driver of the 4wd had passed me only moments earlier to get to a roundabout before me, then as he was driving a lumbering diesel and I was powering a svelte carbon joy of technology, I was soon right along side. My sixth sense cut in, I realized what he is probably oblivious to, ie what a poor driver he truly is; because in reality I was not totally surprised when he indicated to turn left when only a short distance away from the corner and then proceeded to change direction, even though my front wheel was beside his vehicle as the indicator went on. Not once did his eyes glance in the passenger side external mirror.
Then it dawned on me, it appears that many motorists do not consider a bike land in the same manner that they would give consideration to driving on a dual carriage roadway. One would hope that not many motorists would indicate to turn left to go down a side street from the outside lane of a dual carriage road without making sure that the inside lane was clear of traffic. Alas, that is what happens far too often to cyclists when traveling in a bike lane. I don't know what the answer is, or how to resolve this issue, (maybe as part of driving education bike lanes could be described as being similar to a dual carriageway).
Have others had similar thoughts in relation to the above?
The driver of the 4wd had passed me only moments earlier to get to a roundabout before me, then as he was driving a lumbering diesel and I was powering a svelte carbon joy of technology, I was soon right along side. My sixth sense cut in, I realized what he is probably oblivious to, ie what a poor driver he truly is; because in reality I was not totally surprised when he indicated to turn left when only a short distance away from the corner and then proceeded to change direction, even though my front wheel was beside his vehicle as the indicator went on. Not once did his eyes glance in the passenger side external mirror.
Then it dawned on me, it appears that many motorists do not consider a bike land in the same manner that they would give consideration to driving on a dual carriage roadway. One would hope that not many motorists would indicate to turn left to go down a side street from the outside lane of a dual carriage road without making sure that the inside lane was clear of traffic. Alas, that is what happens far too often to cyclists when traveling in a bike lane. I don't know what the answer is, or how to resolve this issue, (maybe as part of driving education bike lanes could be described as being similar to a dual carriageway).
Have others had similar thoughts in relation to the above?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by hozozco on -
You probably couldn't be seen in his/her rear mirror (probably doesn't use the side one) and the driver probably had the attention span of a gnat and so had probably forgotten you were even there.
Sadly there are lots of drivers that should be driving. My late father couldn't turn his neck to check his blind spot for example (fortunately my Mum always rode shotgun and checked for him). My father-in-law doesn't check his blind spot because he's a shocker. He crashed into a 4WD a few years ago and still hasn't learn his lesson.
One of my sister-in-laws has run over two cyclist reversing out of her yard - she just doesn't look!
And as a Nurse I've seen plenty of patients that should have their licence suspended or revoked by the Doctors are too 'scared' (I'm not sure of what).
In short, I don't think any education campaign will solve the problem. It still a good idea, there are plenty of good and average drivers that would benefit. You just need to ride like they're out to get you.
Because some of them drive like that!
:-)
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Permalink Reply by Michael Murray on -
One of my sister-in-laws has run over two cyclist reversing out of her yard - she just doesn't look!
I always worry about kids cycling on footpaths for this reason. There is a really easy solution which is that all cars should have reversing buzzers like trucks do. It would cost next to nothing and I can't see any disadvantages in it.
Michael
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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on -
I've had vehicles with reversing buzzers, doesn't make one popular reversing into the drive in the early hours of the morning.
My solution would be to make drivers reverse INTO the drive and not out, far better vision that way.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Murray on
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Ah good point. Optional buzzers ? I'd use one as we have blind spot on our exit.
Is reversing out actually legal ? I thought it wasn't but I can't find it in the road rules.
Michael
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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on
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Optional would be good and not too hard to wire up. I learnt to drive in the UK and reversing into a main road was illegal.
I have to reverse a trailer down my drive most days, I live on a roundabout and have a steep drive that disappears out of view, A PITA but with practice it's do-able, reversing a car into a drive should be a breeze.
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Permalink Reply by David Gardiner on -
Reversing out of driveways should be illegal - let's face it, builders and fencing contractors would make a fortune, as large vehicle drivers hit their surroundings rather than bikes...
Ride defensively: no point in being dead right.......
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Permalink Reply by Michael Murray on
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Yep reversing a car in is easy if you have two wing mirrors. On the few occasions I've had to reverse a trailer I cheated and uncoupled it and pushed !
Michael
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Permalink Reply by Michael Murray on
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I was thinking about this and one solution, besides making the use of the buzzer completely optional, would be to tie it to the lighting. So if you have lights on we assume it is night time and the buzzer does not sound but the reverse lights flash maybe and if you have lights off the buzzer sounds.
Michael
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Permalink Reply by John Daley on -
May I agree re reversing INTO a driveway. At the risk of sounding like a smart-alec eastern-seaboard-person (moved here last Easter), I cannot understand the Adelaide fixation with backing OUT of driveways. Backing into driveways would solve a lot of potential problems with pedestrians as well as cyclists, as well as stop some of the general kamikaze activity I have had the misfortune to witness.
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Permalink Reply by Clive Palfrey on -
Maybe you could post some pics of your in laws as a sort of public warning. Just kidding.
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Permalink Reply by heather on -
I like Michael's idea (even if some dislike the noise). Whether reversing in or out of a driveway, can still create a hazard. Think of parents who hit or run over their own toddlers. I do not know at what age children would learn to avoid the buzzing.
A person told me she had problems when years ago walking on footpaths, pushing a stroller. The stroller and baby would be level with the driveway, before she could look down the driveway for a reversing vehicle. Not that I would want drivers thinking that because of a buzzer, others had to / would give way to them. Children running ahead of a parent may not, nor a person with hearing impairment (more common as one ages).
The road safety forum closed on 22-Oct-2010 or I would encourage Michael to forward his idea.
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Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on
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In my experience drivers often think the buzzer means everyone will give way to them. Just watch drivers on building sites in big trucks or bob cats, brain in neutral vehicle in reverse and go.
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