Is it just me or are cagers getting worse?

[Spazman727]

In the last 2 days I've had 3 very near misses. One on the way to mission bay in town where a car changed lanes right in front of me without indicating or looking to see if it was clear, one up one of the side streets after St Heliers where a car went through a give way and almost collected me and then one this morning going into Newmarket. I was in the transit lane and this car decided to pull out inches in front of me without warning. That last one really was a brown undies moment because the road was wet and he was so close to hitting me.
Before these three incidents it had been quite a while since I've had anything like that happen to me. I'm used to the changing lanes without indicating on the motorway and all that, but these three really scared me.

Has anyone else noticed cagers getting worse, or am I getting complacent in my old age? I make a concious effort to pay attention to what cars nearby might or might not do.

[cheshirecat]

Plus many seem to overtake just because you are on a bike.

[Spazman727]

I've noticed that too. Scooters also do that. On the same ride out to Mission bay a scooter was behind me most of the way but then went into the cycle lane just to get in front of me and one other car. I wonder at some people.

[SMOKEU]

I find that avoiding cagers blind spots wherever possible has greatly reduced the risk of near misses since most of them don't check properly when changing lanes.

[Spazman727]

I find that avoiding cagers blind spots wherever possible has greatly reduced the risk of near misses since most of them don't check properly when changing lanes.

I do do that all the time. But I was going up past stationary traffic. In this situation I usually keep an eye on the car's indicators and/or wheel angle. Didn't work in this case apparently.

[AllanB]

It is getting near Christmas - everyone on the roads is getting worse!

[Toaster]

I find that avoiding cagers blind spots wherever possible has greatly reduced the risk of near misses since most of them don't check properly when changing lanes.

Yep, very true and it sure helps. Intersections are a biggy too. Muppets pulling out or turning in on bikes are major risks. I always slow down, cover the clutch and get ready for a fast stop.

[Spazman727]

It is getting near Christmas - everyone on the roads is getting worse!

True, I guess that's why there seem to be more crashes over holiday periods, everyone is stressed about all the presents they need to buy and all the other consumerist bullshit.

[baptist]

I've noticed that too. Scooters also do that. On the same ride out to Mission bay a scooter was behind me most of the way but then went into the cycle lane just to get in front of me and one other car. I wonder at some people.

I saw a scooter yesterday blat past a people mover to make up a few yards, well dodgy place he did it. I have to say the cage driver pulled over the white line on the inside of the road to give him room once he started to overtake so he was looking, wonder what he thought of the rider?

I had a bus pull out in front of me leaving a bus stop, thing was I was in the outside lane and he came across both lanes, felt I had a target on my front Guess some of you guys might have got used to it but I felt My dayglo top and head light obviously not enough.

[Spazman727]

: My dayglo top and head light obviously not enough.

Na mate, you need fireworks, and a huge sign for them to see you. I once had a near miss at a round about when I was wearing a big bright orange hi viz jacket. His excuse (when I followed him to his house to demand an explanation) oh, sorry, I didn't see you. How does that work?

[onearmedbandit]

You've just had a bad run. So many variables involved.

[Botany Honda]

I find that avoiding cagers blind spots wherever possible has greatly reduced the risk of near misses since most of them don't check properly when changing lanes.

100% true, I find that commuting with the knowledge that no one has seen me and that it is up to me to make myself be seen is the only way to go

[Spazman727]

100% true, I find that commuting with the knowledge that no one has seen me and that it is up to me to make myself be seen is the only way to go

I do my best to make myself seen but sometimes there is nothing you can do, they're gonna pull out in front of you anyway.
I guess that's just one of those things when it comes to biking and you have to live with it (and inform the bastards every time they do something wrong).

[Hurrie]

i dont know what it is but i always tend to get cut off at round abouts to the point that i thought my right indicator wasnt working but it works fine. one asshole in a taxi was stationary and i saw him look at me (i was looking at him cause he was inching his way forward past the white lines) and than just decided to floor it and cut me off anyway had to get the bike to a stop mid lean to avoid hitting him.

[Punchy]

Same here, yesterday had a guy cut across from the right lane into the left, right across the front of me. Had to really get on the brakes to not get hit, then he carried on doing it for the next 500 metres or so, jumping in and out of traffic without looking. Pulled up next to him at the next set of lights and gave him a firm fucking word or two.

I'm no angel, but fuck, at least *LOOK*