Riding in a Cagers blindspot

**Ms Piggy** · 17th January 2005, 13:03

I had been reading about this in 'Two Wheels' and realised how important it is to be aware.

On Sunday riding up Victoria St a driver started indicating and slowly changing into the lane I was in and basically into me. I tooted and she was going very slowly and got a fright and stipped moving over but, it (once again) made me aware of how careful I have to be as a rider and how aware I have to be of my surroundings and where I am positioned on the road.

**Devil** · 17th January 2005, 13:06

Originally Posted by Celtic_Sea_lily

I had been reading about this in 'Two Wheels' and realised how important it is to be aware.

On Sunday riding up Victoria St a driver started indicating and slowly changing into the lane I was in and basically into me. I tooted and she was going very slowly and got a fright and stipped moving over but, it (once again) made me aware of how careful I have to be as a rider and how aware I have to be of my surroundings and where I am positioned on the road.

Sometimes you just cant do anything about it.
I was cruising along on a dual lane road, in the left lane minding my own business. The next thing I know, a car in the right lane who had come up from BEHIND me(!!!) started to change lanes into mine, right next to me.
Mass tootling ensued and the guy stopped coming over any further, but didnt turn back either.
*insert remark about ethnic origin here*.

**Sniper** · 17th January 2005, 13:12

Yep I have seen that once too often.

Taxi drivers are remarkably bad at it. Shows how we should also try educate the morons by way of losing a mirror a slight damage to personal property of them you know.

**James Deuce** · 17th January 2005, 13:19

Always ride as if a car driver has no vision whatsoever. Then you won't be surprised when it does run you over.

**TonyB** · 17th January 2005, 13:22

Sometimes it doesn't matter what you do. Some people never seem to check their mirrors. I followed a car for about 10 mins once on a windy road, when I finally got the chance to pass there was only a short straight so I chocked down a few gears and fed it copious amounts of throttle. A bit later I stopped to admire the view when the same car turns up. Out hops a bloke, who say's in a thick Aussie drawl "Nice day for a ride. You're in a bit of a hurry there aren't you tiger? I thought you'd come out of me boot!" He had no idea that I'd been behind him for 10 mins. The bikes headlight was on (couldn't be switched off). How he couldn't notice a 90 watt halogen head light in his mirrors is beyond me...

**crashe** · 17th January 2005, 13:54

It happens all the time on the motorways... even in the suburbs when there is two lanes....

I guess they just want our lane.... or is it becos that they want to say hello...
I just wish that they would be happy to stay in their own space in their own lane... lol.

MY SPACE IS MY SPACE... and I aint sharing it...

I toot as long as.. hmmm I would like to have a truck horn on my bike...

**Coyote** · 17th January 2005, 13:58

Originally Posted by crashe

I toot as long as.. hmmm I would like to have a truck horn on my bike...

or one of those novelty horns with the 3 red sirens

**Ms Piggy** · 17th January 2005, 14:17

Originally Posted by TonyB

Sometimes it doesn't matter what you do. Some people never seem to check their mirrors.

Actually what they should be doing is checking their blind spot by turning their head and physically looking - like I always do on my bike. Relying on mirrors alone is what causes accidents. Although I do realise that I should avoid riding in a blind spot b/c motorists do just rely on their mirrors.

**TonyB** · 17th January 2005, 14:23

Originally Posted by Celtic_Sea_lily

Actually what they should be doing is checking their blind spot by turning their head and physically looking - like I always do on my bike. Relying on mirrors alone is what causes accidents. Although I do realise that I should avoid riding in a blind spot b/c motorists do just rely on their mirrors.

Ahhhh but....I was alway's taught to turn my head and have a look before changing lanes, still do, but when I first moved to the big smoke I discovered you've got to do it really quick- the people in front of you often seem to hit the brakes while you've got your head turned

Never had an accident because of that, but I bet that's why a lot of cagers don't check.

**F5 Dave** · 17th January 2005, 14:29

Just the point I was about to make in relation to the mirrors comment earlier.

Even on a bike people do it esp. in a group, they assume they are the only one going to pass & someone a little further behind gets impatient & is just about beside them as they pull out.

It is easier to do in a car but the fabled ‘Messerschmitt Flick’ Brit fighter pilots were taught saved lives then & is still doing so now (though maybe should be called the 4WD flick for bikers).

**F5 Dave** · 17th January 2005, 14:31

I think they don't check because they are unaware that anything exists out of their field of vision. Life only occurs to the front.

Plus the seat locks your shoulders a bit.

**jrandom** · 17th January 2005, 14:45

With regard to head-turning, I've always found it vital to do it only when I have sufficient stopping space in front of me, PLUS sufficient carrying-on-at-current-speed space for a second or two's inattention. If I'm running out of room in front, I'll take care of that before I start waving my noggin around. I just assume something deadly is in my own blind spot until proven otherwise.

And yes, cage drivers are trying to kill you. It has become evident to me over the last two years that the best course to take is simply assuming that as soon as you come within range, they will immediately attempt to swerve and crush you.

It does get me occasional funny looks when I wildly dodge to the other side of the road after an innocent low-speed pull-out maneuver from someone 200m away, but what the hell. I've never crashed in traffic when I was being paranoid. Only when I was riding like a git. I'll stick with paranoia.

**R1** · 17th January 2005, 14:48

As someone has said "ride as if they cant see at all" i do but i have still been run onto roundabouts coz some 4x4 driving dickhead changed lines half way through,..... so i re-educate them one driver at a time....amazing how even when your bashing on their window and screaming loads of nasy abuse at them they still cant see you

..man i hate cagers....

**TonyB** · 17th January 2005, 15:14

On the subject of blind spots: ever been riding with a freind, looked in the mirrors, couldn't see them, looked over both shoulders- still can't see them...where the f---k have they gone...then they ride past you?

Or this: done a brake test on the bike, check mirrors, pull to the left, hit anchors...and a car sails past.

Bikes have terrible blind spots behind you. Or at least every one I've owned does.

**Sniper** · 17th January 2005, 15:18

Originally Posted by TonyB

On the subject of blind spots: ever been riding with a freind, looked in the mirrors, couldn't see them, looked over both shoulders- still can't see them...where the f---k have they gone...then they ride past you?

Or this: done a brake test on the bike, check mirrors, pull to the left, hit anchors...and a car sails past.

Bikes have terrible blind spots behind you. Or at least every one I've owned does.

Its called selective sight, or low perephiral vision in men (Its a good thing) but its a useful skill, like selective hearing