Gresp15C

What I learned in Driver's Ed: If you can't see where you're going, stop. If your vehicle can't be safely driven, stop.

I also learned "defensive driving," which my mom described thusly: "Always assume the other guy is a blind idiot." I apply that when I'm driving a car or riding a bike. I can't do anything about what that truck driver did, but I can be aware of similar dangers, and avoid them.

KraneXL

Just riding a bike increases the likelihood on an injury -- even in a closed environment. Does that mean you should avoid cycling altogether? Avoidance is not always a rational alternative.

jon c. 

One should always use common sense, whether biking or driving. That can often allow one to avoid situations such as this.

GamblerGORD53

KraneXL

Incorrect. Select highest quality and full screen. The tanker driver had not signaled his intent to turn until after the cyclist was well past the rear of the truck and nearly at the cab (beyond the point for her to see his signal).

He then turns across her path and continues to turn into bike as she struggles to drag away from his turn. The turn signal on the truck was not even engaged until the cyclists had already reached the driveway, and before his turn began.

Clearly a Bogart move by the truck driver. Score one to the cyclist thanks to quality video.

mr_bill

The entire footage, in high def. There are three GTFOOMW lights on each side, two on the rear tanker, one on the cab. The operator has a convex mirror. The visibility of a double tanker going straight is a non issue. The operator drags his wheels over the curb, and a bicycle.



Operators who drive like that deserve to lose their CDL.

-mr. bill

Paul Barnard

You certainly read a lot into my post that wasn't there. It's called defensive riding. The truck was moving more slowly than the other vehicles on the road and was crowding the right. It was telegraphing a potential right hook. That would have been enough to keep me from entering that danger zone, or at least have been on high alert to bail soon enough not to get my bike crushed. Here's another thing that we should all consider. Bicyclists in a bicycle lane that runs parallel to the main road are often not processed as traffic by motorists. We have a few such lanes in this area. Even as a bicyclist I have to purposefully program myself to be on the lookout for bicyclists. It does not come as naturally as checking when moving from one motor vehicle lane into another. In this case we are throwing an oversized vehicle with blind spots into the mix. At least the rider has the consolation prize of knowing she was in the legal right! If you want to insist that she was riding smartly, then by all means do so!

wphamilton

My number one rule is never be beside a long truck moving through an intersection, and I'll grant that the cyclist apparently had no clue as to what could happen.

However that sort of thing happens frequently enough that it points to negligence on the part of the truck driver. He absolutely has to be checking his side before and during that dangerous maneuver. Also, I can't see in the video that he's signalling until after she's already beside the truck.

Steeljag

rumrunn6

good thing she got that left foot out / off when she did. wonder if she'd have been able to so quickly with "clipless"

KraneXL

Some people think cyclist shouldn't even be on the road -- including some cyclist here. That way motorists can focus more on their cell phones instead of paying attention to their driving.

Rollfast

And as usual we're all getting upset over who is right when we are supposed to be analyzing and coming up with solutions.

These threads are usually over when it just becomes a fight over who is right and who insulted whom.

KraneXL

Who is right or wrong has already been established by the rule of law. If there's anything we can learn for these examples is that knowing those laws and being consistent is what will keep us safe.

CliffordK

Thanks for the link.

It is clear that the bicycle overtook the tanker from the rear, about a block before the gas station, and long before the tanker started signaling (or should have been signaling).

Watching this video, it is clear the cyclist hesitated before dismounting and stepping back.

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1433265

Would she have realized her imminent danger had it been a longer single trailer rig? Another second hesitation, and she could have been knocked over, and under the truck.

Yes, the driver should have seen the cyclist, but this is also a place where the cyclist put herself in a dangerous place, and it is harder to catch someone approaching from the rear and passing on the right than remembering having just passed the person.

I can't say that I never pass on the right, but it is not good to hang next to a large truck without quickly completing the pass.

tungsten

The other thing to consider that there's been a huge PR campaign in this city promoting bike lanes as a panacea for safe cycling for several years. Imo inexperienced cyclists may be uncritically placing their trust in them, without considering the differences between a bike lane separated with physical barriers as opposed to one merely painted on the roadway.

CliffordK

I am a cyclist that rides to the right, and don't care that much when I'm passed without being hit. Yes, close passes make me nervous, but it is OK if I survive the day.

I do very much prefer if they slow down a bit, so they don't pass me inches away at 60 MPH. Too much risk of error.

I do feel much more comfortable in bike lanes, but also understand the risk they bring with respect to turning vehicles, and passing on the right.

Lately I've had a lot more turning vehicles pull a few feet in front of me, then 100% stop to let me pass. In some cases, they could have safely cleared my lane before I approached (or I could have slowed slightly for them to turn).

Of course, not all drivers. Some will pull a few inches ahead and swing a right.

Nonetheless, I think it is good for both drivers as well as cyclists to understand "defensive riding/cycling", and what it takes to keep everyone around them safe.

This video would make an excellent training video for cyclists, truck drivers, and pickup owners towing trailers. You just can't stage this.

KraneXL

The cyclist did nothing wrong. The only thing she is guilty of is her keen sense of her surroundings and quick response to an imminent threat. The lesson to be leaned here is no different than that of defensive driving: watch out for rogue drivers not paying attention to the road.

Paul Barnard

If we were to ask the cyclist if she had to do it all over again, what would she do differently, I wonder what she would say. That's my approach to any mishap.

Steeljag

mr_bill

Kontact 

Considering that the truck is turning into a driveway, how would a curbed cycle lane have stopped this accident? Pretend the cyclist was riding on the sidewalk - the same thing would have occurred as the truck crossed the cyclist's path.


I didn't see a turn signal when the cyclist was behind the truck. The only real takeaway is to not pass large trucks on the right in areas with driveways.

Colnago Mixte

I see big rigs locally with these signs on the back:

ptempel

You'll get killed riding next to large vehicles turning like that. This reminds me of the saying "if you can't see me, then I can't see you" that I saw on some trucks. I would need to see eye contact from the driver to continue. Otherwise, stay behind. You also need to look at the front wheel to see if its turning or not. Too many cars don't use a turn signal in the city here. I think trucks are better on that from what I've seen.

88Tempo

The bicycle rider did nothing "legally" wrong, but IMO she was very wrong to hang out by the passenger door of the big rig.

Every vehicle has blind spots where mirrors can't see, she might very well have been in one. I do agree the truck driver should of remembered passing her earlier.

That is absolutely the worst spot to be especially on something as small as a bicycle.

Did anyone else notice that she swerved over the line closer to the truck at one point?

Kontact 

Maybe the gas stations could be refilled via 1 gallon bottles carried by bicycles instead?