Bloody Bikers!

[timwilky]

Yes, provocative thread title.

Just a heads up to those out of practice as the weather warms up.

When you are behind a van, or truck for that matter, ride on the RHS of the lane. If you cannot see the mirrors, the driver cannot see you.

I had this , this morning. I must have driven for a mile thinking did I miss him turning off? Is he in my blind spot. No the idiot was tight behind me.

We can only see what is either in our mirrors or alongside the doors. Forget the driver looking over his shoulder as there is just a piece of steel there.

Maybe it was just an inexperienced rider. But he is probably lucky I had glimpsed him approaching and therefore anticipating that he would overtake. But to get lost from the mirrors is a very silly thing when you are eventually going to make that overtake.

Not just bikes but cars seem to like slip-streaming as well. A lot of people just do not realise just how quick a commercial vehicle can stop,especially if empty or part laden,yes a bike stops quick but the front has only to touch the rear of the vehicle and you are on your 'rse.Please remember that many commercial vehicles do not have rear windows and have about a 30-40ft blind spot directly behind them.

I have had the "Angel of the North" outline on the back of a truck twice now so believe me it does happen.
Much better either to hang back a bit which gives you visibility down both sides of the vehicle in front,alternatively position yourself on the RHS so they see you in their mirror. Another thing to consider is continental trucks are LHD and his best view mirror wise is down the LHS so make sure you give plenty of signal time when you pull over to the RHS to overtake.

[Fallout]

Biking really isn't that dangerous, it's just the muppets out there who are oblivious to impact of doing things like that who become the statistics. If it's not second nature/common sense to keep visible to drivers, then you haven't got the grey matter to keep yourself in one piece.

Good luck to him!

[Littlepeahead]

I went to a Bikesafe day at Hendon and they had a monster of a lorry there where you got to sit in the driver's seat and a policeman walked around the vehicle to demonstrate just how big the blind spots are on such vehicles. It was a good demo, I was a bit disappointed I didn't get a Yorkie bar though.

[NTECUK]

Originally Posted by Littlepeahead

I went to a Bikesafe day at Hendon and they had a monster of a lorry there where you got to sit in the driver's seat I was a bit disappointed I didn't get a Yorkie bar though.

Originally Posted by timwilky

When you are behind a van, or truck for that matter, ride on the RHS of the lane. If you cannot see the mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
.

You don't need to see me, I can see you.

[timwilky]

Originally Posted by Spank86

You don't need to see me, I can see you.

Next time you get SMIDSY'd. Remember they don't need to see you!

Originally Posted by timwilky

Next time you get SMIDSY'd. Remember they don't need to see you!

I've never been smidsy'd by someone I'm following.

Although I know a guy who's reversed into a moped that was following too closely because he didn't realise it was there.

[timwilky]

I check my mirrors and there is nobody there. Suddenly he passes with a couple of inches to spare. I could have easily moved to my right and he wouldn't have stuck a chance.

No way could he see through me. Therefore he wouldn't know if I was needing to overtake stationary traffic etc.

I counter this mornings fool with this evenings VFR rider. He stayed out all the time he was behind me. Seeing him there I was able to use the opportunity of an empty cycle lane to pull over sufficient for him to overtake yet remain in lane. He passed me with an outstretch hand acknowledging I had seen him and made life easy for him.

This mornings rider on the other hand probably had brown trousers when he found his overtake space quickly disappearing.

[Red Herring]

Another powerful argument for not following directly behind anything you are planning on overtaking, especially a van or anything big, is that it prevents you seeing past. If you position slightly to the nearside or offside, depending on the flow of the road, then you will not only been in the drivers mirrors but you will be able to see the road ahead and be able to plan your overtake earlier. A nearside view is especially important as you approach as it will give you opportunity to see if there is anything that may cause the vehicle to pull out to the offside just as you decide to go past. The real trick is to try and arrive behind the vehicle just as the opportunity to pass presents itself. Your mates will just think you are incredibly lucky all the time, but that luck is well earned!