Joining NSL roads

[AndyL]

Hi,


My commute involves Joining the A52 from fairly slow speed slip roads. I sometimes have to join at Spondon where there are also cars trying to get off it at the same place which can be a problem. With the bike I can get up to speed fairly quickly if I have to and can normally get into the outside lane if I really want to. I'm just concerned as the other day someone got a bit worried as they didn't seem aware of how quickly I could pick up the speed. Is it more polite to not do that or is it safer to get into the outside lane where there's less bunching and less chance of being mistaken for a gap?


I did once get a mini driver who seemed to have decided she was in a fast car and could follow me despite the gap being much smaller for her.
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[slappy]

Don't worry about being polite, use your bikes agility  to get yourself  in the position you want safely.

[hotmetal]

It's a judgement call really. Pulling out into a small gap is obviously a lot easier on a bike, and a car driver can probably have no clue as to how fast a bike can actually accelerate, so it might appear safe but the driver might shit themselves initially until they realise you are already well away. However they then might cop road rage due to you having caused them a 'tanner/half crown' ring piece moment. They might then start driving like a tit to prove a point. On the other hand there's always the chance that something could go wrong (spinning up the rear wheel on a bit of diesel) so you've got to weigh it up - use the bike's power and agility but not too borderline so as to scare the cagers too much. Where that line is is hard to call. If you can make it across to the next lane safely, and be sure that there's room there and no bike or fast car about to appear up your chuff, then so much the better, but only if you've had enough of a view to know it's clear.

The Mini driver using your bike as a gap gauge sounds like a recipe for disaster! As if they're even remotely comparable Lol!

[BBROWN1664]

Get up to speed to match the speed of the traffic as quick (but as safe) as you can. Job done.

You shouldn't be scaring anyone if you are only matching their speed.

[joebloggs]

I think a little quicker than the vehicles is possibly safest (you can loose 10 mph far quicker than you can gain it)and adjust your speed as you prepare to merge into the traffic, and never be indecisive.

[celticdog]

Some good advice given by all here. I'd consider sticking  on a hi vis vest if you're really concerned about not being seen. It don't matter if you think you look like a twerp wearing it, you're only commuting. Better safe than sorry, you can keep the leathers good for those sunday morning hooning sessions 

[stevierst]

+1 to pretty much all these hints, tips and techniques.
I'd also say hi-vis for every commute, and you can get some pretty practical/Gucci vests nowadays, just as long as it doesn't say 'POLITE' on the back! They're on the verge of being outlawed, and the wearers deserve a shaking of the head and a wagging finger in their direction. >

[AndyL]

I do wear a hi vis, I prefer one with sleeves (I got one at a bike safety day but have struggled to find a  suitable replacement). While I still get missed from time to time I do think drivers are more embarrassed after. On a solicitors website they also pointed out that it may help create a good impression in court should you have a bump.


The one where I think I scared someone I changed into the outside lane as there was a lot of bunching, the cars couldn't get up to speed but with a gap I moved across and then opened the throttle in 2nd, it just got me wondering if I've scared others and just not noticed.


The mini driver had been causing me problems earlier, speeding to overtake me (allowing me to read a "You've just been mini'd sticker on the back)  and having very poor lane discipline, I'd filtered past a few cars which then turned off so she was back to being right behind me, tailgated me on the approach. I wouldn't have gone for the gap behind me on the bike never mind a car. 

[celticdog]

:thumbup Yay for hi vis!

I'd watch out for that mini driver in future, sounds like you've now got some road 'history'.
The "You've just been mini'd" sticker is a dead giveaway for a girl/boy racer, for me it's up there with the two vertical stripes running front to back over the full length of the car.

I've got a mental list of a few cars I deliberately avoid on my commute to work, real wank3rs, I don't know why people get upset that because I'm on a bike I get to my place of work before them, oh joy of joys!

It's ok for drivers in cages, sometimes you need to anticipate them, luckily they're fairly predictable most times.

[fazersharp]

I do wear a hi vis, I prefer one with sleeves (I got one at a bike safety day but have struggled to find a  suitable replacement).

I use one from aldi that is actually for running in, hi vis with sleeves and the best thing about it is that it is stretch and is a tight fit that doesn't flap about, the sleeve cuffs also go over my leathers and fit around my wrists making it easy to get gloves on and off  BUT is not waterproof

[YamFazFan]

The "You've just been mini'd" sticker is a dead giveaway for a girl/boy racer

Yep agree. What's it supposed to mean anyway?? :rolleyes.