Originally Posted by
JoeyBike
Last time I checked (yesterday in fact) trucks, buses, even cars can't move sideways very well in heavy traffic. So...being NEXT to them, not BETWEEN their bumpers, is the safest position to cycle in order to not become the bologna in a car/truck sandwich. On a hill or bridge I would not want to be behind some giant wheeled "lorry" as it rolls backward waiting for the clutch to engage.
Did I misunderstand your post?
Trucks, cars, and buses can all move sideways...they aren't on rails. Nor would they have to move very far sideways to, as you say, make a cyclist into the bologna in a car/truck sandwich.
Anyone with the training to obtain a commercial driver's license for a multi-axled vehicle isn't going to let the truck roll backwards enough to cause anyone behind them a problem unless you are touching the bumper. They couldn't pass the test otherwise.