Triumphrat

propforward · 07-31-2008, 10:25 PM

In Minnesota, it seems that when someone is waiting at a T junction, to turn across my lane as I ride (or drive) along, it is quite normal for people to start turning well ahead of when it is safe to do so.

In the worst case - should I have to execute an emergency stop, they might plow right into me.

What is the best way to deal with this?

What I currently do is slow down a bit first, leaving a larger gap between me and any traffic in front, and then I make use of the natural acceleration of a bike to suddenly take off, when the cager begins to turn. This way, if they have misjudged I am out of the way, but having opened up the gap am not at risk of shunting the vehicle in front. It's a quick spurt, that is immediately released - the idea being to try and eliminate any misjudgement of the cager.

I don't do it in my car, it's not as easy, and in any case not such a danger to life and limb.

What do people think to that strategy?

EDIT: To be clear - if the cager turns in front of me I stop! It's when they start to turn such that they are turning behind me, but too close that I am worried about.

miker · 08-01-2008, 12:15 AM

I know what you mean Prop. Your method seems pretty sound, although what if they thought you might be slowing to let them across?

I've been in the situation many times and I guess they are all trying to get the "gap" they need to cross behind you and in front of the next guy, but as you say, if you have to suddenly stop they must then take avoidance action, or hit you in the worst case.

The other thing you could do is hang to the far left of the lane (in US) or far right (in UK, OZ etc) so they don't get the chance to start to move until you're well past.

Mick

propforward · 08-01-2008, 12:36 AM

Good points - I basically keep on the gently slowing tack until the point of no return - when I'm at the junction, and there is no way they can be turning in front of me without hitting me, I speed up and get across there and out of it.

It seems that staying in the center of the lane, but moving away from the cager at / just before speeding up might be a good idea too perhaps?

Tbirdnz · 08-01-2008, 01:09 AM

This is where defensive riding comes into play. Firstly I make sure I am ready to take evasive action with an escape route, if necessary reducing acceleration. I also make eye-ball contact with them and if there's time I'll switch my beam from dip to full, and move over to the far right of the lane (UK rules of road) to put distance between us.

Never though assume when you've made eye-ball contact with them they will stay where they are, without being misogynistic, from experience, I find female drivers in particular can look straight thru you without seeing you and misjudge your oncoming speed. This seems particularly noticeable when you're riding a bike rather than driving a car, they don't seem to notice bikes.

---------------
Ride on !

BombFactory · 08-01-2008, 02:32 PM

I agree with miker that riding closer to the centerline of you and the car has a tendency to wipe away any thought of them having room to go behind you; however, this is a game of chance, as are many things in riding, and if the car does go you have almost no leeway.

I usually follow Tbirdnz defensive driving technique of being ready for anything (hands ready for clutch and brake levers, foot above brake, exit route, etc.) and stay to the far side of the lane. I know that this opens up a lot more room for the car to begin turning, but I can at least have 6 feet to react instead of 2.

I suppose this could lead into a thread discussion of gear color choice, but wearing brighter colored gear (especially orange, red, yellow) will help in these situations.

raproe · 08-05-2008, 08:45 PM

I always act as if they will turn in front of me and am ready to stop if needed. Also, I have a 125db aftermarket horn which I use freely at any sign of motion from the cage. If I see any motion from their wheels, I just lay into the horn and don't stop until we are clear of each other.

Rich

p2gee · 08-07-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbirdnz

I also make eye-ball contact with them and if there's time ......

.........Never though assume when you've made eye-ball contact with them they will stay where they are, without being misogynistic, from experience, I find female drivers in particular can look straight thru you without seeing you and misjudge your oncoming speed. This seems particularly noticeable when you're riding a bike rather than driving a car, they don't seem to notice bikes.

---------------
Ride on !

Boy truer words were never typened. I too try to make eye contact with drivers at intersections. But alas many look at you but dont "see" you. I have made more than one off road excursion due to drivers looking at me and pulling out anyway.

russerts1 · 08-26-2008, 01:48 PM

My strategy when cross traffic or left turn traffic is waiting is to move to the right side of the lane and (safe following distance maintained) moving closer to the vehicle in front of me. My theory in doing this is to become part of the vehicle ahead of me, to remove any temptation to try to go between as well as a bit of a precaution (especially at low in-town speeds) against not being seen - hoping that if someone does not see me and pulls out after the preceding vehicle passes, I'll still be across before they get to my part of the lane.

Tbirdnz · 08-26-2008, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russerts1

My strategy when cross traffic or left turn traffic .....moving closer to the vehicle in front of me. My theory in doing this is to become part of the vehicle ahead of me, .....

Yes I sometimes use a another vehicle ahead of me to 'shield' me but this in itself isn't foolproof, you need to put yourself in a position that the vehicle in front isn't going to do anything stupid, like stop for no reason. I generally position myself to the side rather than directly behind.

Difficult to explain when we are talking about which side of the road we all ride on.

--------------
Ride on !