Another crash

Got hit by a car the other day, was wondering what you guys thought..
I'm riding along in the cycle lane, queue next to me pretty stationary, looking ahead I see a side road with two cars waiting to cross into the other lane. There's a break in the traffic and the first car crosses, I'm about 20m away. The other car has moved forward but stopped, again there's a break in the traffic, but I keep going. When I'm about 3/4 of the way past the front of the side road, I hear revving and then have my rear wheel taken out as the car pulls out and crosses the road. Women gets out, v apologetic etc, I'm fine but shaken, and bike looked ok (actually rear wheel was out of true and now rim has a slight kink but didn't notice at the time) so didn't get details or anything. Should I have slowed down as there was a chance she might cross, or just rely on her looking down the cycle lane? And if people leave room for a car to leave a side road, does that mean cyclists should stop as well? I know it depends on the individual situation etc

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread15234.html

I can't remember who said it on here, but it's something like 'always ride as if everyone is out to kill you'.

Very few people are out to get you, of course – they just don't think.

Yes you should slow down in case she might cross, that's my first rule on cycling; always assumed that every vehicle in London is being driven poorly.

the rulez

if you hit them it's your fault
if they hit you it's their fault

Always try and make eye contact with drivers so you know, that they know you're there. Personally I slow down for junctions when traffic is slow, and assume cars can't see me unless they look me in the eye. At least you'll know for next time.

Glad to hear your not seriously hurt.

'always ride as if everyone is out to kill you'.

+1

Oh yeah, and get details, I expect she would at least cover the cost of truing your wheel, or replacing it if its buckled at the very least.

I know I've been kicking myself for not getting them ever since :(

I can't remember who said it on here, but it's something like 'always ride as if everyone is out to kill you'.

Very few people are out to get you, of course – they just don't think.

Yeah I said it recently, been drummed into me as it's a basic tenet of riding a motorcycle and it's known as riding defensively.

Glad you're okay. I would have been furious.

Eye contact is key and has already been said here.

I also - after looking behind me to check that it's safe - pull out slightly if that's the situation (as described in the OP I mean), rather than hold my line, 'just in case'. Can't do that in a kerbed off cycle lane but it's just an example of 'riding defensively'.

Extenuating circumstances aside, I always abide by the following rule in these situations. If the person in front of you has made space to let someone through, you no longer have right of way. This may not be the law, but it is safe(r). Don't get me wrong, it pisses me off that I've effectively lost control of my right of way, but remember that between between you and the person making the turn is another half ton plus of metal obscuring their view of you and they've just been told that it's safe to go.

It's annoying if that happens when you're going uphill and you lose all of your momentum.

Always kill as if everyone is out to ride you.

Also, in the cycle lane you're really difficult to see until you're right on top of the car in the side road, so they may assume it is clear. Always get out into the middle of the road when approaching a side road so that any cars waiting to exit it see you as early as possible.

^ yes, that's what I was trying to say, couldn't find your eloquence though, that's a lot clearer :)

Yes you should slow down in case she might cross, that's my first rule on cycling; always assumed that every vehicle in London is being driven poorly.

Definitely agree

Yeah I said it recently, been drummed into me as it's a basic tenet of riding a motorcycle and it's known as riding defensively.

I would personally say riding *assertively *is better :)

Look what's stumbled in......?!

im going to go and say "man!" from now on, spontaneously, in random threads of any age, for the fun of it.

I think it depends on the individual situation etc

Eye contact is key and has already been said here.

The most important thing on this thread! if you don't think they see you be cautious, if you can make eye contact make it clear you are taking that space

i wouldn't necessary ride like everyones out to kill you else you wouldn't get far

Yes, if you make eye contact, you're seen as a human being (and you probably see the other person as a human being, too). You're no longer seen as just an object in space. Traffic is a social environment, and eye contact there is just as important as at a party.

you making eyes at me Oliver??... damn flirt!

I love the way you bashfully bat your eyelids.

Got hit this morning on the kings road by a chelsea tractor, suprise suprise. I was on the inside and the silly bitch took a left without indicating and nailed me in the process, over the handlebars I went and landed square on my hip (quite sore but nothing serious). Obviously infuriated, I clambered to my feet and proceeded to eat the head off her for not realising how dangerous her terrible driving is to cyclists/pedestrians alike. She said it was my fault, for cycling on the inside? am I mad in thinking that we are not supposed to cycle alongside the footpath? Futhermore, its the kings road, narrow and lots of traffic, thus cycling in the middle of the road is about as clever as commuting on a unicycle

Anyway, didn't get here reg but shouted enough profanities at her to never do it again, silly silly woman.

Got hit this morning on the kings road by a chelsea tractor, suprise suprise. I was on the inside and the silly bitch took a left without indicating and nailed me in the process, over the handlebars I went and landed square on my hip (quite sore but nothing serious). Obviously infuriated, I clambered to my feet and proceeded to eat the head off her for not realising how dangerous her terrible driving is to cyclists/pedestrians alike. She said it was my fault, for cycling on the inside? am I mad in thinking that we are not supposed to cycle alongside the footpath? Futhermore, its the kings road, narrow and lots of traffic, thus cycling in the middle of the road is about as clever as commuting on a unicycle

Anyway, didn't get here reg but shouted enough profanities at her to never do it again, silly silly woman.

It is kinda silly filtering on the inside.