Hgv's on the quays - beware

Pinch Flat

I had noticed the increase in these around the city in recent months - mostly guys that are driving trucks transporting excavated material and waste from construction sites. Just came closest to being mashed by some clown in an 8 wheeler bin lorry on the quays. It's amazing who a load of rubbish on the back of a lorry can be more important than someone's life. I work in construction and can vouch for both the increase in these trucks around the city and the absolute brain-deadness of some of the guys driving them.

Took off on the south quays at O'connell bridge heading west and was keeping a respectable pace in between the cars. Caveman in the bin lorry gets up my ass at temple bar, then drives right behind me all the way to just before parliament street bridge where he overtakes me and pulls in in front of me, stopping at the lights. Had to make an evasive manoeuvre to prevent being hit. He Can't have been any more than 6" from my shoulders with exposed truck wheels. Given it was a gusty evening it was a Particulary stupid move on his part. Had words with the guy driving, but it was obvious the 2 brain cells between his ears were already overloaded. Claimed he didn't see me - flashing rear strobe and hi vis bag cover. Didn't get a full reg to report him but got the company name.

Lesson learned for me - I'll be hogging the middle of that lane from now on until it opens again at Dublin city councils offices.

/rant

jon1981

I cycle the quays every day and the safest place to be is in the middle of the lane imo. Sure traffic moves so slow you're not actually impeding progress but sure the motorist would still argue this!

rp

jon1981 wrote: »

I cycle the quays every day and the safest place to be is in the middle of the lane imo. Sure traffic moves so slow you're not actually impeding progress but sure the motorist would still argue this!

+1: stay out of that cycle lane on the north Quays, it is lethal.
If you are cycling at 46kph in 30kph limit, are you still consider to be impeding progress of the vehicles behind you?

jon1981

IMO if i'm managing to keep on the bumper/rear of the vehicle in front then I'm not impeding traffic...sure the vehicle behind me could not go any faster anyway. You still get beeped at for being there... :rolleyes:

rp

jon1981 wrote: »

IMO if i'm managing to keep on the bumper/rear of the vehicle in front then I'm not impeding traffic...sure the vehicle behind me could not go any faster anyway. You still get beeped at for being there... :rolleyes:

Sure you are, you are impeding their need to tailgate the car in front. I know 'only a fool breaks the two second rule', but I guess there are fools out there.

Pinch Flat

jon1981 wrote: »

I cycle the quays every day and the safest place to be is in the middle of the lane imo. Sure traffic moves so slow you're not actually impeding progress but sure the motorist would still argue this!

Yeah been going over in my head how this happened - I'm a defensive cyclist by nature and I'll regularly tip along at 30 - 40 kph in traffic, in the middle of the lane between cars. In this instance, I moved left to avoid a manhole, the clown behind me obviously saw it as a signal to pass me regardless of the outcome. Fool me once and all that....

Youngblood.III

Pinch Flat wrote: »

I had noticed the increase in these around the city in recent months - mostly guys that are driving trucks transporting excavated material and waste from construction sites. Just came closest to being mashed by some clown in an 8 wheeler bin lorry on the quays. It's amazing who a load of rubbish on the back of a lorry can be more important than someone's life. I work in construction and can vouch for both the increase in these trucks around the city and the absolute brain-deadness of some of the guys driving them.

Took off on the south quays at O'connell bridge heading west and was keeping a respectable pace in between the cars. Caveman in the bin lorry gets up my ass at temple bar, then drives right behind me all the way to just before parliament street bridge where he overtakes me and pulls in in front of me, stopping at the lights. Had to make an evasive manoeuvre to prevent being hit. He Can't have been any more than 6" from my shoulders with exposed truck wheels. Given it was a gusty evening it was a Particulary stupid move on his part. Had words with the guy driving, but it was obvious the 2 brain cells between his ears were already overloaded. Claimed he didn't see me - flashing rear strobe and hi vis bag cover. Didn't get a full reg to report him but got the company name.

Lesson learned for me - I'll be hogging the middle of that lane from now on until it opens again at Dublin city councils offices.

/rant

Pull in, let him pass...you'll live longer.

Pinch Flat

Youngblood.III wrote: »

Pull in, let him pass...you'll live longer.

I'm guessing you don't cycle, but I'll bite anyway. If the person driving a HGV is prepared to pass a cyclist with inches to spare, pulling in encourages dangerous overtaking. I'll be taking the middle of the lane at this particular spot to discourage other such idiots.

Youngblood.III

Pinch Flat wrote: »

I'm guessing you don't cycle, but I'll bite anyway. If the person driving a HGV is prepared to pass a cyclist with inches to spare, pulling in encourages dangerous overtaking. I'll be taking the middle of the lane at this particular spot to discourage other such idiots.

But you seemed happy to continue to cycle with the truck tyres very close to you...not defending the truck, but if I was in danger like that I'd pull up and let them pass...btw, I cycle in town and countryside, I never take a chance with a truck, it's not worth it.

DanDublin1982

Similar enough route I take home too and always stay in the middle following a similar incident. You become almost immune to the beeping.

Pinch Flat

Youngblood.III wrote: »

But you seemed happy to continue to cycle with the truck tyres very close to you...not defending the truck, but if I was in danger like that I'd pull up and let them pass...btw, I cycle in town and countryside, I never take a chance with a truck, it's not worth it.

The truck came up my right shoulder while I was travelling at 30 odd Kph, squeezing itself between me and the cars to his right. I was between him and the car in front, matching the traffic speed. I was forced to pass a taxi who was parked in the bus lane at my left at the Clarence Hotel, passengers alighting from the left and my main fear as well as checking out the proximity of the HGV was the fear of being doored by a taxi that is now approaching me rather quickly. I was put in a potentially unsafe situation by some idiot behind me. I had complete right of way and was well lit.

These things always sound simpler in hind sight, but in a repeat scenario I will be ensuring no vehicle - be it a smart car or a HGV - compromises my own safety in that particular spot in that manner again. I had some fool follow me down the quays blaring his horn in the same spot about 6 weeks ago, which I totally ignored, so it's no big deal for me. A totally irresponsible move.

This is where it happened:

https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.345529,-6.266366,3a,75y,249.06h,91.8t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sz6j9_Iz28n62B6osl1s7Hw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1?hl=en

mp31

Youngblood.III wrote: »

But you seemed happy to continue to cycle with the truck tyres very close to you...not defending the truck, but if I was in danger like that I'd pull up and let them pass...btw, I cycle in town and countryside, I never take a chance with a truck, it's not worth it.

If you let everyone who posed a threat pass then you'll be there a looong time waiting. I recognize that spot and IMO taking the lane is the safest option regardless of who is behind.

jon1981

There's parts of that road that taper in quite severely, when coming up to lights, so taking the lane is the only option.

seven stars

I've noticed a fair few HGVs on the quays the last while as well. Definitely seen more in the last month or two than in the previous 4 years.