Dancing with trucks

Given Leszek Wereszka's sad death... How should cyclists deal with
trucks?

We don't know what happened, so can't say anything about that crash,
but we can talk about general cases.

I don't ride on high speed or main truck-infested roads, so don't have
much experience with them.

The only thing I do know - via a friend's misfortune - is "don't go up
the left of a truck stopped in the left hand lane at the lights even
if it isn't signalling to go left because it might go left anyway and
squash you, and the truckie will swear blind the indicator was on."


Zebee

Zebee Johnstone Wrote:
"don't go up
the left of a truck stopped in the left hand lane at the lights even
if it isn't signalling to go left because it might go left anyway and
squash you, and the truckie will swear blind the indicator was on."


I apply this to anything I ride up on the left of and always move up to
and ahead of the vehicle, so that they can physically see me, car, van,
truck ... anything.


--
MikeyOz

MikeyOz Wrote:
I apply this to anything I ride up on the left of and always move up to
and ahead of the vehicle, so that they can physically see me, car, van,
truck ... anything.

Very similar to tips I was given by several truck drivers back when
commuting down to Webb Dock, ie: keep a predictable line, stay visible
and please don't ride on a major road if you're not sure of the
conditions. That last point may sound a tad condescending but that was
from a longhaul truckie who's advice I respected.

Another piece of advice was to have reflective clothing/material and
also lights, lights and lights (did we say lights?), especially a red
one on the helmet as most rear lights tend to get foreshortened and the
driver can't see them.


--
cfsmtb

In aus.bicycle on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 09:05:31 +1000
MikeyOz wrote:

Zebee Johnstone Wrote:
"don't go up
the left of a truck stopped in the left hand lane at the lights even
if it isn't signalling to go left because it might go left anyway and
squash you, and the truckie will swear blind the indicator was on."


I apply this to anything I ride up on the left of and always move up to
and ahead of the vehicle, so that they can physically see me, car, van,
truck ... anything.

The problem with a big truck is that it takes time to pass.

My friend was hit on his way past, as the lights changed and the truck
moved before he could get to the front.

So unless you are dead sure you can get all the way there, or you have
no kerbing and you are sure you can get sideways rapidly, don't go up
the inside of a truck at the lights.

Zebee

In aus.bicycle on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:04:29 +1000
cfsmtb wrote:


Another piece of advice was to have reflective clothing/material and
also lights, lights and lights (did we say lights?), especially a red
one on the helmet as most rear lights tend to get foreshortened and the
driver can't see them.

Yeah - angle of view. The rear flasher on the bent is dodgy that way,
it's fine for cars but not for trucks (or tall wedgie riders
apparently). I need to find a light I can put on my helmet that's large
enough to be useful but light enough that it doesn't drag the helmet
down to interfere with the headrest.

Maybe a few of those single LED things might do it.

Reflective stuff is majorly effective as a truck's lights are usually
good. Tape on the helmet is a good idea.

Zebee

Zebee Johnstone Wrote:
Given Leszek Wereszka's sad death... How should cyclists deal with
trucks?
Not much more to add other than ride 0.5M ~ 1.0M from the kerb / parked
cars.


--
EuanB

On Aug 20, 10:23 am, Zebee Johnstone wrote:
In aus.bicycle on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:04:29 +1000

cfsmtb wrote:

Another piece of advice was to have reflective clothing/material and
also lights, lights and lights (did we say lights?), especially a red
one on the helmet as most rear lights tend to get foreshortened and the
driver can't see them.

Yeah - angle of view. The rear flasher on the bent is dodgy that way,
it's fine for cars but not for trucks (or tall wedgie riders
apparently). I need to find a light I can put on my helmet that's large
enough to be useful but light enough that it doesn't drag the helmet
down to interfere with the headrest.

Maybe a few of those single LED things might do it.


I have a single red LED light in the back of my helmet. Works a
charm, weighs nothing.

EuanB wrote:
Zebee Johnstone Wrote:

Given Leszek Wereszka's sad death... How should cyclists deal with
trucks?

Not much more to add other than ride 0.5M ~ 1.0M from the kerb /
parked cars.

There are no kerbs on the Port Wakefield road where Leszek died. For 100 kms
out of Adelaide, which is where Pt Wakefield is, the road is a divided,
limited access road with two 3.5 metre lanes in each direction seperated by
at least ten metres. The speed limit is 110 and there is a 2 metre sealed
shoulder. It bypasses four or five little townships on the way that used to
be on the main road. I always thought it a very safe road.

Theo

On Aug 20, 12:27 pm, EuanB EuanB.2vl...@no-
mx.forums.cyclingforums.com wrote:
Zebee Johnstone Wrote: Given Leszek Wereszka's sad death... How should cyclists deal with
trucks?

Not much more to add other than ride 0.5M ~ 1.0M from the kerb / parked
cars.

--
EuanB


Ever since one day outside Gympie that I had a dance with a whole
series of garbage trucks, I have changed which roads I ride on.

It was the end of a tough day, and the garbage trucks were going past
me. They were getting closer and closer. They were seeing who could
get the closest to me without actually touching. If they were lucky
they might actually bounce me off.

The next day I decided to ride off the highway. Much more enjoyable.
You need to be more self-sufficient, but not so many trucks.

99.9% of truck drivers are true professionals. They will toot if they
need the room, and the smart thing to do is to get off the road real
quick. Unfortunately in these matters it only takes one mistake from
you, or one idiot driver and it's all over.

I thought to myself: what riding do I enjoy? The riding with minimal
traffic. So that is where I prefer to ride.

In aus.bicycle on Sun, 19 Aug 2007 19:28:19 -0700
Bleve wrote:

I have a single red LED light in the back of my helmet. Works a
charm, weighs nothing.


How do you know it works? Obviously it shines a little red light, but
is that little red light enough to be noticed by someone who isn't
concentrating or already aware of you?

Zebee