Too close for comfort!
s-worksenduro
Posts: 172
I have always commuted by bike, and thus far (touch wood) have been lucky to not be involved in any acidents. Have had a few reasonably close ones, but they are few and far between.
Today however, had two of my closest yet!!
On the way into uni I was cycling down the high street in my area of Cardiff, cycling in primary position, doing about 20-25mph, when a bus pulled out at the last second right in front of me. From where I stopped I could have easily touched the bus (should have probably kicked it) and then had to back up to avoid the back end of the bus as it swang round when exiting the corner. This scared me a little bit and I decided to let the driver know what he had just done, so I chased him down to the next set of lights where he had to stop, so I banged on his window, and let him know in no uncertain terms what he had just done and what I thought of him and his driving. I may have overdone it a little bit, I swore at him quite a lot, but I wasn't directly offensive. The best bit though, was when a guy who was sitting on the bus (his eyes went quite big when he saw me hurtling towards him) walked down to the driver and helped me "explain" what the driver had done wrong! Kudos to that guy!! That helped me calm down a bit and the rest of the commute was uneventful.
Then on the way home, I nearly hit a pedestrian. Had just had a bit of a tow from a bus (a different one!) that had pulled into a stop on the same street as before, so must have been doing about 25mph on the flat, again, riding in primary position. About 100 yards down the road, some lady, must have been late 30's decided to make a last second dash across the road at the pelican crossing (light was at green, had been for as long as i could see it.)
Why is it when people do the last second run they always look down at the ground? Anyway, I just noticed her in time, slammed on both the anchors (thank God I look after my bike!) and just managed to swerve around her. I don't know who was more shaken, me or her!! Have never had such a close call with a ped!! I skidded a little bit when I did my emergency stop and everyone looked round, so hopefully the embarrasment will make her a bit more careful in the future!
Today really was an eye opener for me though. Going to give my bike a good service this weekend. Learnt just how important it is to have a bike in full working order because you never know when you will need it! Am also seriously considering a Hi-Viz coat, obviously my red one isn't quite eye catching enough!!
Anyone have any recommendations for a reasonable Hi-Viz jacket that would suit a student budget? Preferably lightweight and at least showerproof.
Thanks for listening to my rant and any ideas gratefully recieved!!
Today however, had two of my closest yet!!
On the way into uni I was cycling down the high street in my area of Cardiff, cycling in primary position, doing about 20-25mph, when a bus pulled out at the last second right in front of me. From where I stopped I could have easily touched the bus (should have probably kicked it) and then had to back up to avoid the back end of the bus as it swang round when exiting the corner. This scared me a little bit and I decided to let the driver know what he had just done, so I chased him down to the next set of lights where he had to stop, so I banged on his window, and let him know in no uncertain terms what he had just done and what I thought of him and his driving. I may have overdone it a little bit, I swore at him quite a lot, but I wasn't directly offensive. The best bit though, was when a guy who was sitting on the bus (his eyes went quite big when he saw me hurtling towards him) walked down to the driver and helped me "explain" what the driver had done wrong! Kudos to that guy!! That helped me calm down a bit and the rest of the commute was uneventful.
Then on the way home, I nearly hit a pedestrian. Had just had a bit of a tow from a bus (a different one!) that had pulled into a stop on the same street as before, so must have been doing about 25mph on the flat, again, riding in primary position. About 100 yards down the road, some lady, must have been late 30's decided to make a last second dash across the road at the pelican crossing (light was at green, had been for as long as i could see it.)
Why is it when people do the last second run they always look down at the ground? Anyway, I just noticed her in time, slammed on both the anchors (thank God I look after my bike!) and just managed to swerve around her. I don't know who was more shaken, me or her!! Have never had such a close call with a ped!! I skidded a little bit when I did my emergency stop and everyone looked round, so hopefully the embarrasment will make her a bit more careful in the future!
Today really was an eye opener for me though. Going to give my bike a good service this weekend. Learnt just how important it is to have a bike in full working order because you never know when you will need it! Am also seriously considering a Hi-Viz coat, obviously my red one isn't quite eye catching enough!!
Anyone have any recommendations for a reasonable Hi-Viz jacket that would suit a student budget? Preferably lightweight and at least showerproof.
Thanks for listening to my rant and any ideas gratefully recieved!!
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