It is sometimes possible to make too much of statistics, especially when the sample size is small. However, in the UK, a disproportionate number of cyclists killed are female. One theory for this is that women place themselves in danger by, ironically, obeying red lights. [Women cyclists at risk from obeying red lights]
One of the most common cause of cyclist fatalities is when a vehicle (often lorry or bus) turns left when a cyclist is going straight on. This is because cyclists can easily come into a lorry drivers blind spot. The cyclist is also lulled into a false sense of security as the heavy goods vehicle moves outwards to be able to swing into the left.
Therefore, waiting at a light along side a lorry, is a very dangerous situation to be in. This research suggest that jumping the lights to get ahead of the lorry turning left is a way to avoid an accident.
I have to say, I am not entirely convinced by the theory. Also, it seems wrong that the solution to cycling safety is jumping lights, when this itself could bring new dangers. However, I have to say, from practical experience I am aware of the dangers of lorries and cars turning left and I always try to anticipate this dangerous situation. At lights, I try to accelerate away faster than any lorries. I either try to get to the front of the queue or remain behind a lorry. I no longer try to squeeze up the side of the lorry or bus.
I think what everyone could agree on is the desirability of educating drivers and lorry drivers especially about the dangers of turning left and not seeing cyclists in their blind spot.
I think there is a simple solution to all of this, which would take a long time to be put fully into place, but basically people should set out cycling, so they understand the roads, then they should learn to use a moped or motorbike on the roads and finally a car, people would then understand the dangers so much more, and realise how much space drivers should allow for cyclists. I have recently taken up cycling and haven’t cycled on the roads for about 10 years (10 years ago I was 14), I guess as a youngster I didn’t realise the dangers of the roads, but now my eyes have been opened a lot! The roads are in poor conditions, as are the pavements, and then you have poor drivers to contend with, recipe for a fatality.
One London borough, Lambeth, is doing something about this. LCC is providing training for all Lambeth lorry and HGV’s drivers due to a fatal collision with a truck and a cyclist last April. They’re also putting warning stickings on all their vehicles.
In my cycle training, we are taught not to cycle on the inside left of any vehicles but to make choices, slow down, stop, or move out as well as keep looking behind. Also to position correctly at the lights so that no vehicle can pass either on the left or right.
Surely, in the UK all drivers are responsible already for being aware of the whereabouts of other road users including any who might be in their blind spots, before carrying out any manouevre, including turning left. Therefore, they should be fitting extra/better mirrors without the need for new legislation if they are needed.
Probably the best advice for all cyclists is to take more notice of long vehicles at traffic lights (whether signalling for a left turn or not) and stay behind them.
I agree it would be hard to ‘educate’ lorry drivers, but, the legislation on better mirrors seems an excellent idea.
I am not sure how much I believe there is a causal connection here. I have also heard the hypothesis that women get squished more often by lorries doing inappropriate left turns because they are less aggressive road users than men. Whereas men would be more likely to keep going, and completely pass the lorry, moving out of the danger zone, women are more likely to hang back, but because the middles of artics move left significantly more than it looks like they should, they end up misjudging how much they should hang back, and remain in the danger zone.
What everyone could agree on is that the Government should ratify the recent EU directive on regulating the mirrors on lorries so as to minimise their blind spots. The UK is the only country not to ratify this directive, and it is because the Government was trying to appease hauliers to soften them up for fuel tax increases. Using the safety of cyclists as a bargaining chip over economics is not appropriate behaviour IMO.
I agree I am not convinced by the “theory”. I think you’ll find the underlying theory is:- sensationalist headlines sell papers.
Also, I wouldn’t waste your breath “educating drivers and lorry drivers”. There are too many to talk to.
As a cyclist you need to realise just how vulnerable you are.
1) If you expect every driver to do exactly what you don’t want them to, you won’t often be dissapointed.
2) Never trust a driver, before you have made eye contact.
3) Stay behind the rear wheels of the vehicle in front, unless you are sure you can pass safely.
4) Smile at the cagers, it might cheer them up.
Interesting how statistics can be interpreted, but it’s definitely a great point about left turns (right turns over here in the States).
When I first opened my blog and start cycling, I came across bicyclesafe.com, which lists 10 common ways to get hit by a car and how to avoid them. #3 was the exact situation you described. The site suggests, as you do, either moving in front of the vehicle, slightly behind it, or moving into the lane directly behind it, taking up the space a car would normally occupy.