06-04-13, 08:53 AM
Would also add the need for appropriate speed, the instructor relates the observation process of the car driver, so a rapidly approaching bike will probably be out of his observation ( especially the left check), as he will be looking right and if clear will pull out. Meanwhile maybe 2 to 3 seconds of left hand traffic will be unobserved. A fast approaching bike may well emerge in that time, Hence the driver thinks its clear and pulls out in front of you !
So yes, do some sort of movement to make yourself stand out , but be aware that even a well intentioned car driver could miss seeing you approach, let alone the ones who dont check hard !
myself I do the right left right left check to ensure its clear, and take pain to visually estimate the speed of any distant vehicles to ensure I can get out safely in time. Its all done in a fraction of a second, but its a system. Wish every one did it !
Nothings foolproof, but all these little defensive riding techniques will combine to reduce risk.
Reading further about this crash , I did see a video of the crash site which clearly shows the drivers side of the bmw as the impact zone and its at rest at 90 degrees to line of traffic, and wedged up before the traffic bollard.... Hard to see how else the crash happened but an attempt by the car to turn right before the bollard( ie illegally) , and the bike must have been filtering, but at some speed. I do wonder if there was a covert surveillance actually going on and the bike was trying to catch up by overtaking a line of cars.?? ..tbh its just not the sort of manoeuvre you would expect a police rider to do when not on a shout...I have seen police cars do it with blues and twos on,. but so risky for an unmarked unlit up...wonder if we will ever know ?
So yes, do some sort of movement to make yourself stand out , but be aware that even a well intentioned car driver could miss seeing you approach, let alone the ones who dont check hard !
myself I do the right left right left check to ensure its clear, and take pain to visually estimate the speed of any distant vehicles to ensure I can get out safely in time. Its all done in a fraction of a second, but its a system. Wish every one did it !
Nothings foolproof, but all these little defensive riding techniques will combine to reduce risk.
Reading further about this crash , I did see a video of the crash site which clearly shows the drivers side of the bmw as the impact zone and its at rest at 90 degrees to line of traffic, and wedged up before the traffic bollard.... Hard to see how else the crash happened but an attempt by the car to turn right before the bollard( ie illegally) , and the bike must have been filtering, but at some speed. I do wonder if there was a covert surveillance actually going on and the bike was trying to catch up by overtaking a line of cars.?? ..tbh its just not the sort of manoeuvre you would expect a police rider to do when not on a shout...I have seen police cars do it with blues and twos on,. but so risky for an unmarked unlit up...wonder if we will ever know ?