did he have a point?

jedster

yesterday I was riding towards a mini roundabout, the traffic in my lane was slow moving but there was room to filter between the cars and the oncoming traffic so I did.

I approached the roundabout in the filtering position (i.e., RHS of my lane) which was fine because I was going to turn right at the roundabout (two options L and R). I would normally indicate but didn't mainly because when filtering I wanted my hands on the controls and didn't want to stick my arm into the oncoming traffic.

I was conscious that there was another cyclist filtering behind me. I slowed for the roundabout and turned right. The cyclist used the opportunity of my slowing to try to overtake me and turn left which didnt work well as I was going right. He ended up braking and swerving inside me. As he rode off he gave me a mouthful for not indicating.

Now I reckon he was a complete @rse because
1. he assumed that I was going left from a right hand road position which is a little dim (it might have been correct given that I had a car inside me but it shouldn't have been his first assumption)
2. he made ASSUMPTIONS about what I was going to rather than wait to see what I was ACTUALLY going to do, which may be OK in a metal cage but is not clever as a vulnerable road user (like not a good idea to assume that a driver has seen you or is not going to pull out in front of you...)
3. he was going to overtake on a mini-roundabout
4. as the following road user, it was his responsibility to make allowances for me
5. when his (not so) cunning plan didn't turn out so good he shouted at me rather than learned from his idiocy

He moved off at pace and looked like a confident/regular cyclist so I am just checking - did he have a point?

J

secretsam

Nah, reckon you were in the right, I've had similar things happen and you just say sorry or whatever

Alternatively, he could have asked which way you were going - happens all the time on my city commute

graeme_s-2

In your position if I'd known the other cyclist was there I would have indicated for his benefit. Otherwise I probably wouldn't have indicated either.

If I'd been in the position of the cyclist behind you, then I'd have hung back and waited a few seconds until we'd cleared the roundabout before attempting to pass you, or if we'd gone in different directions I wouldn't have had to.

jedster

yeah, Graeme, think you're right - better if I had indicated but I don't think its right to expect cyclists to indicate while braking for a roundabout. I'm pretty confident shoulder checking and indicating but not that happy applying a brake with one hand off the bars. I could have indicated earlier but there was a lot going on and it would have been a bit ambiguous

J

graeme_s-2

At the end of the day if he wasn't sure what you were doing he should have waited to see, rather than taken a risk that could have seen you both on the deck.

woodford2barbican

I think you were right.

mrchrispy

if he was catching you up you were obviously going too slow

dondare

Overtaking you and turning left, that's a definate no-no.

ddraver

If you had been two cars what would have been the right course of action for him

call him a knave and feel all big about your good self

andyp

dondare wrote:

Overtaking you and turning left, that's a definate no-no.

Indeed. If it was a car doing it to you then I'm damn sure you'd have given the driver a mouthful.

prj45

If you were not indicating, and it was unclear what you were going to do he shouldn't have overtaken you IMO.

jedster

if he was catching you up you were obviously going too slow

yeah but I reckon he only caught me because I slowed for the roundabout

obviously, I'm more upset about being overtaken than being shouted at :twisted:

Random Vince

i've developed a tendency at a junction when other cyclists are arrround to vocalise my intention "going right" for example

helps in cycle lanes too

mrchrispy

is that so other cyclist keep well away from you......bet you sound like a right looney

tardington

Maybe if you shouted something like "Oh god! I can see them! Aaaiiieee" you'll get more room?

As the for the guy, he was pretty much in the wrong there - going round someone like that to turn left is just daft, no matter how slow you were going. :?