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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.
youramericanlover-
I am EXTREMELY glad to hear you are ok.
Thanks! So am i!
Yeah, was the tail end of amber, but normally, I'd say this is the safest time to navigate this junction if you've had the right turn green. There is a decent gap till the other lights go green, and anyone heading south should have been held for a while. The only thing you'd need to watch for is peds crossing just after you've turned right, as most don't wait for a green man.
Anyway, I'll keep an eye out now and see if that right filter light ever doesn't go on. Seems odd, as its part of a "superhighway" and plenty of cyclists wait in the little blue box in the middle of the two lanes, so sensors wouldn't necessarily pick them up.
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.