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Heading north over Chelsea Bridge
a massive bin lorry comes stonking through from the south
Not sure I understand--did it come from the same direction as you?
Glad there was no crash.
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Can't help you with the specific situation (glad you're ok though), but from my experience, bin lorries usually do some of the most risky driving I've ever seen. This is probably because they're under a lot of time pressure etc. etc., but it doesn't change the fact that e.g. when I was cycling up in Cambridge, they would often speed along the roads in the early morning as if it was physically impossible for anyone else to even exist on the same road. I wouldn't rule out the possibility yours just ran the red light.
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Crumbs. That sounds rather a hairy start to the morning.
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To me it sounds like you were on the tail end of amber and the bin lorry plowed through the red. I am EXTREMELY glad to hear you are ok.
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Oliver Schick
SwissChap
Ndeipi
youramericanlover
@Scrabble
Nearly killed myself this morning with a massive misjudgement.
Heading north over Chelsea Bridge, I'm turning right on the Chelsea side to head along the embankment.
As I approach, traffic is quiet, lights are green and everyone ahead has already completed the right turn. I've done this route a 1000 times, I'm sure there is always a green light right turn filter before it goes red. This stops anyone heading south from approaching the bridge, while those heading north can complete their right turn.
Anyway, as I'm approaching the turning, lights go amber, but I'm on the junction now so tip it into the turn, knowing there will be plenty of time for me to complete my move before those going east/west get their green.
Much to my surprise, a massive bin lorry comes stonking through southbound heading straight at me. Half my brain went through the rapid internal monologue of "so this is it - i'm actually going to die"" Fortunately the other half engaged all the bike handling skills I posses to grab some brake, correct my turn and somehow screech to a halt not quite under his wheels.
I now can't work out if the green filter just didn't trigger, or whether he ran the red. Does anyone know if these are ever sensor operated? As it was strangely quiet and no on was queuing to go right, I'm wondering if it just remained green for both directions the whole way through the cycle. Any traffic light experts know what the deal is? Of course one should always pay maximum attention, but variable traffic light cycles seems like it would only ever introduce more risk.
Anyway, hope i stop shaking by lunch. Think I'll be seeing massive SUEZ bin lorries in my sleep tonight.