Articulated Trucker Tries To Prove A Point FJ54 PDV

Approaching these lights I noted the car waiting to turn left and moved over to a strong primary position to wait behind them. The truck following honks and shows me that I should be closer to the kerb. Now I realise these are large vehicles but I couldn't resist pointing out how he is occupying both available lanes. Then we have the usual rude hand gestures and as the lights change away we go. Now our trucker wants to show me how to use the cycle lane by driving in it and demonstrating what a dangerous place it could be, as there would be no room to the left for a cyclist to take avoiding action. In turn, I make a point of re-passing him on the right, you know just in case he moved unexpectedly left again. Oh, yeah then there was all that traffic he got stuck behind...

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Articulated
• Trucker
• Tries
• To
• Prove
• Point
• FJ54
• PDV

[delPigeon]

Why move over to a strong primary position? Just stop behind them. You don't have to stop almost right in front of the vehicle in the next lane, especially if it's a wide vehicle and needs a bit more than a single lane. It's not threatening you, you're just being inconsiderate to other road users.

[kmcyc]

@delPigeon

Hmm, all too often when I used to stop next to the kerb a driver would come along and stop right next to me, leaving me no real space to get moving again. Just as when I'm in my car, I'm fully entitled to use all of the lane I'm in. I didn't cross into the lane that the truck was mostly in and he would not have been able to wait any closer to the stop line anyway. It's not about being inconsiderate to others, it's about making sure I'm safe and helping them avoid endangering me.

[Katrini89]

You didn't need to take a primary position for one vehicle (which will pull away faster).

And for goodness sake, if you're going to preach all this, use the damn cycle lanes.

Perhaps the HGV didn't expect you to suddenly leave leftmost position (no arm signals, I assume; as no lane change), and had to brake harder (braking with lots of tonnes ain't fun). His 'middle' position was probably so he didn't risk squashing you.

[kmcyc]

@Katrini89

I took the primary here to guard against following motorists pulling alongside and trapping me against the kerb. If I had wanted to be in front of the car, I would have cycled around it while it was stopped. Most cars pull away slower than many cyclists, it's only when they get above 15-20 mph that cars will pass as they can keep accelerating but those making turns won't achieve their potential so I would have had to back off for them.

[Katrini89]

@kmcyc I've watched the video again with your reply in mind and I agree with you.

My mistake with my incorrect meaning of 'primary position', too.

That said, the lorry driver didn't know or misread your intentions. PP is a good thing, but can spell trouble with impatient or careless drivers (and I obviously don't need to tell you that!).

[kmcyc]

@Katrini89

Many thanks for taking the time to look again and write back! :)

For sure, impatient and careless drivers may fail to understand why a cyclist moves away from the kerb. Unfortunately, you cannot please all of the people all of the time but personal safety has to be the primary consideration. I'll take the time to thank those who hang back or leave plenty of space. It's sad to note that this was a professional driver though who failed to read the road and who drove aggressively.

[Shadowdancer1974]

After reviewing several of your video's now, I have come to the conclusion you a one of "those" cyclists who believe you have the right of way reagardless of other traffic. My honest opinion of your attitude towards the roads and specifically road positioning would not be easily expressed in such a small area. i regularly drive in European cities where cyclists have far greater priority on the roads, but by some of the actions displayed by your videos I'm amazed you have not had serious injury ?

[MayhemNT]

I'm surprised you haven't been killed yet, you ride pretty recklessly and rarely use the cycle lane that's been provided for your own safety, instead seemingly preferring to ride in the middle of the road. Is that just to deliberately piss of drivers or just because you're ignorant and stupid?

[joelisajack]

@kmcyc And your point is?

[dirtyarris]

@Shadowdancer1974 I am not sure he has never had any serious injury, I think it is clear he has suffered massive brain trauma at some stage.

[kmcyc]

@DelTangBrav

Ok, this I have explained to you before: the camera is fixed and cannot move, unlike my eyes which swivel in their sockets to provide a greater field of vision. Feel free to visit Veho's webite and read the specifications for yourself, where you'll see that the VCC-003-MUVI camera only has a 72 degree view: veho-uk com.