Near misses - mod warning 22/04 - see OP/post 822

NeedMoreGears

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Not the same one, they were driving an old green 99ish Toyota Starlet.

Glad you're ok in any event

Arcade_Tryer

Stopped at the top of Jones' Road this evening waiting to turn onto the North Circular. A mini peloton of professional looking commuters turned off the North Circular and came down Jones' Road. Before I could reflect on what a nice sight this was, a more important motorist travelling behind them cut the corner at speed so as to avoid the peloton, coming frighteningly close to myself in the process. Lovely. Car beside me turning left offered sympathy after I let a shout. I might have turned and followed frantically but for I was on a Dublin Bike...

Danbo!

Got passed within inches this evening by a taxi in a bus lane at Harold’s cross outbound, only for him to get stuck in a line of traffic about 3 car lengths ahead. I passed on by him and then moved out to take the lane where the road splits at the park, I’m taking the left towards terenure. I usually do this here as there’s parked cars on the left, and it’s only for about 30ft where there’s a Traffic island on the right. Guess I didn’t take the lane enough as he squeezed through anyway even with my constant hand signal, this time he’s closer than last time.

I gestured too close without being aggro, and he starts pointing at me and tapping his head, with a want for a better description, it was the “you’re mental” gesture you’d do when you were 8.

Anyway, I’m a bit more zen on the bike recently so I continued along, but it got me thinking. I was well within the rules of the road (to my knowledge), signalled in good time, was doing a decent pace, ~30-35kmh, so not really much of an obstruction to this guy. But from his reaction, he’s probably on a taxi forum now, telling the same story from his perspective. I could tell by this guys attitude he was convinced he was acting perfectly fine, just as much as I’m convinced of the same. Now either of us could be wrong, I wasn’t in the humour for a chat because they never work, especially in this case.

So how does this ever get fixed?

Arcade_Tryer

Danbo! wrote: »

Got passed within inches this evening by a taxi in a bus lane at Harold’s cross outbound, only for him to get stuck in a line of traffic about 3 car lengths ahead. I passed on by him and then moved out to take the lane where the road splits at the park, I’m taking the left towards terenure. I usually do this here as there’s parked cars on the left, and it’s only for about 30ft where there’s a Traffic island on the right. Guess I didn’t take the lane enough as he squeezed through anyway even with my constant hand signal, this time he’s closer than last time.

I gestured too close without being aggro, and he starts pointing at me and tapping his head, with a want for a better description, it was the “you’re mental” gesture you’d do when you were 8.

Anyway, I’m a bit more zen on the bike recently so I continued along, but it got me thinking. I was well within the rules of the road (to my knowledge), signalled in good time, was doing a decent pace, ~30-35kmh, so not really much of an obstruction to this guy. But from his reaction, he’s probably on a taxi forum now, telling the same story from his perspective. I could tell by this guys attitude he was convinced he was acting perfectly fine, just as much as I’m convinced of the same. Now either of us could be wrong, I wasn’t in the humour for a chat because they never work, especially in this case.

So how does this ever get fixed?

If they were legitimately close passes, then enforcement? Apparently there are dedicated operations in London to combat such illegal behaviour from motorists. Probably too late for education given the reaction of the motorist. But education might stop similar attitudes being spawned.

CramCycle

On the road this evening, quiet on a wide stretch. 30 cars had passed me between one roundabout and the next without incident, everyone was lovely Then blithering idiot not only goes for an overtake 1.5m shy of the roundabout, BI cuts me off completely. I let a shout but there isn't even the customary swerve back out to acknowledge that they didn't realise they were an idiot. On an hour long spin, I imagine close to 200 cars passed me (probably alot more) without incident and without delay, never putting me in danger and me never obstructing them. How is it that one person can be so ****ing self absorbed they do not recognise other moving objects on the road.

Sadly or maybe thankfully I was too down in the dumps to bother asking them.

It is sad that they are the person I remember rather than the people who waited that extra 3 seconds to make sure the overtake was good. They all caught the following car, so lost no time but it was damn well appreciated.

Arcade_Tryer

^Statistically, that is not bad going at all.

AndrewJRenko

Danbo! wrote: »

.

So how does this ever get fixed?

Some actual enforcement by Gardai would be great, as has been done by several forces in the UK. But in the mean time, if every cyclist that he tries to close pass starts knocking on his left side windows, he will start to get the message.

djemba djemba

Witnessed this about 30 minutes ago.

I was travelling on the Enniskerry road towards Kilternan. A truck in front of me went to over take a cyclist. First the truck crossed a continuous white line as it was passing the cyclist a truck came around the corner in the opposite direction. This caused the truck to dive back in on top of the cyclist. The cyclist was blessed there was an entrance to a house or field which gave him room to avoid being hit by the truck. The truck travelling in the opposite direction almost ended up in the ditch the other side too to also avoid the truck.

Pinch Flat

Had someone come up along side, pull into the mandatory lane and straight across me into a car parking space - one of about 5 free, in light traffic, opposite Loretto school on St. Stephen's green.

https://goo.gl/maps/34GaL8wCqgR2 - it's upgraded to a mandatory (solid line) cycle lane in the past 18 months or so.

Me with Hi-vis bag cover, back strobe light. She saw a space and that was it. Might as well have not been there. Gave her car a tap going by, which seemed to startle her. She was oblivious of me up to then.

amcalester

Pinch Flat wrote: »

Had someone come up along side, pull into the mandatory lane and straight across me into a car parking space - one of about 5 free, in light traffic, opposite Loretto school on St. Stephen's green.

https://goo.gl/maps/34GaL8wCqgR2 - it's upgraded to a mandatory (solid line) cycle lane in the past 18 months or so.

Me with Hi-vis bag cover, back strobe light. She saw a space and that was it. Might as well have not been there. Gave her car a tap going by, which seemed to startle her. She was oblivious of me up to then.

No mention of a helmet, no wonder she didnt see you.

Pinch Flat

amcalester wrote: »

No mention of a helmet, no wonder she didnt see you.

Dang I knew there was a reason. my bad.

Macy0161

djemba djemba wrote: »

I was travelling on the Enniskerry road towards Kilternan. A truck in front of me went to over take a cyclist. First the truck crossed a continuous white line as it was passing the cyclist a truck came around the corner in the opposite direction. This caused the truck to dive back in on top of the cyclist. The cyclist was blessed there was an entrance to a house or field which gave him room to avoid being hit by the truck. The truck travelling in the opposite direction almost ended up in the ditch the other side too to also avoid the truck.

It's this type of stuff that actually bothers me as much as actual close/ punishment passes. Whilst not technically near misses, I'd say every group spin we're overtaken several times when this could be the outcome - luck rather than driver judgement.

4 times on Saturday we were overtaken on solid whites, on bends, where there was zero way the motorist could see far enough in front to safely complete the action.

And we all know that they won't take the hit and will pull in on top of the cyclist(s).

Alanstrainor

A big thumbs up to the patient Dublin bus driver who was behind me for quite a while this morning awaiting a safe overtake. I gave him a wave as they went passed and he replied with a couple flashes of his hazards. As CramCycle mentioned, it is all too easy to lose sight of the good drivers out there who do make up a majority on the road.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVl9rVf8w7U

buffalo

Danbo! wrote: »

I gestured too close without being aggro, and he starts pointing at me and tapping his head, with a want for a better description, it was the “you’re mental” gesture you’d do when you were 8.

Could it have been a "you're missing a helmet (and therefore guilty of contributory negligence when I run you over)" gesture?

Danbo!

buffalo wrote: »

Could it have been a "you're missing a helmet (and therefore guilty of contributory negligence when I run you over)" gesture?

No, I was wearing a helmet. Maybe he liked it and I completely misunderstood. What a lovely man to compliment me. I feel bad now.

mr spuckler

not many cyclists on the road this morning so drivers seemed to focus on me instead!

coming across the east link bridge from north to south, i'm always well out from the kerb and tend to move out close to the white line after signalling and checking when i'm about half way across as i turn right immediately after the bridge. this morning as i checked over my shoulder a white van was going for an outrageously close pass, with traffic coming against us. i had to signal pretty strongly at him to hold back.

when we reached the point where the road widened and he was undertaking me as i was turning right i got the stock single finger out the drivers window!

then coming down newbridge avenue near the aviva stadium, it's only wide enough for 1 car most of the way as cars are parked on the other side. a friendly chap in a BMW tried to mount the back of my bike he was driving so close to me in a stretch where he couldn't possibly pass.

and finally, coming around st stephens green heading towards kevin st and at the bottom of harcourt st, there was a bike courier coming from harcourt st who had decided to wait in my cycle lane to cross onto the green. had to stop pretty damn sharpish on the bend in the rain while crossing the luas tracks. i wasn't going looking over my shoulder to see if i'd space while crossing the wet tracks on a bend. i think i politely said "mate, do you mind?". his response..."fvck off". just one of those mornings!

check_six

mr spuckler wrote: »

not may cyclists on the road this morning so drivers seemed to focus on me instead!

coming across the east link bridge from north to south,...

then coming down newbridge avenue near the aviva stadium,...

and finally, coming around st stephens green heading towards kevin st...

I know all these spots well, but I'm struggling to string them together in a commute without taking some 'long cuts'.

mr spuckler

check_six wrote: »

I know all these spots well, but I'm struggling to string them together in a commute without taking some 'long cuts'.

haha, you're dead right! i play around with my commute to try to find the best / least bad route and this is where i'm at right now. my most direct route would be down amiens st and college green but i just got p1ssed off of that after a few months.

CantGetNoSleep

Today I nearly got mown down while in a cycle lane (one of the painted on non-separated types). A woman in a jeep veered into it... because she didn't want to drive over a speed bump. What is the point of buying a jeep if you can't even drive over a speed bump in it?

punisher5112

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Today I nearly got mown down while in a cycle lane (one of the painted on non-separated types). A woman in a jeep veered into it... because she didn't want to drive over a speed bump. What is the point of buying a jeep if you can't even drive over a speed bump in it?

Usually hits them harder actually depending on 4x4 type of course.


Look best way of thinking is nobody else sees you and be prepared for that. Its sad that it is like so but it may end up saving ones life just been always on the look out.


I see many now have a mirror on right side of bike maybe more so for this reason which is a good the I think.

LennoxR

Had to cycle out to Bray this morning for work (no other form of transport and anyway probably quicker), but the weather was fairly dire. Went via Dundrum Kilternan, Fenrdale Road etc.

Anyway, on Churchtown Road just before Dundrum, a car turned right right in front of me, which snapped me out of feeling sorry for myself about the weather fairly sharpish. Bad enough. But the following car, a woman in a 4x4 tried to do the same thing. I let a roar at her, along the lines of 'oi!' She not only failed to apologise but angrily gestured to the cycle lane.

Now A. as well you all know, you do not have use the lane. I chose not to precisely because it gives priority to cars coming from both left and right over me going straight. B. I was just about to turn right myself and C. it was her who was not paying attention and endangering another road user.

I confess I gave her an old fashioned two fingered salute in parting.

Just wanted to get that off my chest.

check_six

punisher5112 wrote: »

I see many now have a mirror on right side of bike maybe more so for this reason which is a good the I think.

It's critical to maintain good situational awareness as you are travelling along by checking over your shoulder (and possibly even checking a mirror). However, if some loo-lah takes a wild swerve at you in a 4x4 on a straight road you can't really do much about it mirror or not.

punisher5112

check_six wrote: »

It's critical to maintain good situational awareness as you are travelling along by checking over your shoulder (and possibly even checking a mirror). However, if some loo-lah takes a wild swerve at you in a 4x4 on a straight road you can't really do much about it mirror or not.

Obviously I know that I wasn't aiming that at that as a save...

Just notice more have them.

Its education and training we lack most of here and should really be a subject looked at in school.

07Lapierre

check_six wrote: »

It's critical to maintain good situational awareness as you are travelling along by checking over your shoulder (and possibly even checking a mirror). However, if some loo-lah takes a wild swerve at you in a 4x4 on a straight road you can't really do much about it mirror or not.

I used a gopro as a rear facing video camera a few times. After reviewing the footage, I'm glad i don't have a mirror on my bike! (sometimes ignorance is bliss! )

CramCycle

On the N11 this morning and a Black BMW, 11WW something something, was tearing up the bus lane when it hooked into the lane to its right. as a motorbiker was clearly not going fast enough. I really thought I was going to be calling the ambulance, as the car accelerated into the space. Cleared the car in the driving lane by half a meter (if I exaggerate slightly), but the bike, if I estimate there was 5cm, I am being gratuitous with the amount of space.

mr spuckler

CramCycle wrote: »

On the N11 this morning and a Black BMW, 11WW something something, was tearing up the bus lane when it hooked into the lane to its right. as a motorbiker was clearly not going fast enough. I really thought I was going to be calling the ambulance, as the car accelerated into the space. Cleared the car in the driving lane by half a meter (if I exaggerate slightly), but the bike, if I estimate there was 5cm, I am being gratuitous with the amount of space.

no doubt that driver arrived at work an hour earlier than would otherwise have been the case :rolleyes:

check_six

mr spuckler wrote: »

no doubt that driver arrived at work an hour earlier than would otherwise have been the case :rolleyes:

I have it on good authority that he was such a *good* driver that he arrived at work before he left his home. Driving a powerful vehicle makes you a *better* driver, I'm told. Certainly more *important* anyway. :eek:



Warning! Words contained within * * may be changed without prior warning.

rodneyTrotter.

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Today I nearly got mown down while in a cycle lane (one of the painted on non-separated types). A woman in a jeep veered into it... because she didn't want to drive over a speed bump. What is the point of buying a jeep if you can't even drive over a speed bump in it?

That's happened to me a lot recently . Only yesterday coming through Portmarnock someone did the same to me near Jimmy's bike shop at the speed bumps
She must have been an inch away from me . It's pretty scary when it happens and only for a scream you could hear on Irelands Eye which warned her , I'd be in hospital today

I love Sean nos

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Today I nearly got mown down while in a cycle lane (one of the painted on non-separated types). A woman in a jeep veered into it... because she didn't want to drive over a speed bump. What is the point of buying a jeep if you can't even drive over a speed bump in it?

Most of them can't handle surface water either.

And just wait until you see a woman try and park one.

Arcade_Tryer

LennoxR wrote: »

I confess I gave her an old fashioned two fingered salute in parting.

Just wanted to get that off my chest.

No need to feel any guilt over that. Receiving that salute should be the least of that motorist's, or anybody else's concern, after endangering the life of another road user.