On the Brink: Cargo Bike's Close Call at Intersection

[@iandavies4514]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

[@gregcarroll9723]

Unfortunately it's a common occurrence here in Thailand albeit it is usually a motorcyclist offending. Three instances of motorcyclists turning blind (one even going the wrong way) has taught me to be very aware at all times. Never ever drop your level of concentration or take for granted the turning vehicle will give you right of way.

[@Biking360]

Very wise words 👍

[@Brackers64]

That was a clear cut 100% driver at fault. it's shocking that some drivers can't see passed what the car in front is doing. I have had many people cut across or driven in cycle lanes to turn right (I'm in Canada) when I have been moving forward. on at least 1/2 dozen times I have had to brake hard to avoid a collision, what I have done a few times is slap the back quarter panel with my hand and shouted. If only they had mirrors on the front of cars!! Glad the youngster or cyclist wasn't hurt. Bob...

[@dionspot]

Poor driving from the Mercedes but I think that's obvious... Cyclist is very lucky that no contact was made. At least the police do intend to do something about this one, but knowing the UK police, that's probably just an educational course.

[@Biking360]

I am very split on whether it is better to get motorists to do an educational course or just pay a fine and take points. I am guessing from your comment that you would favour the fine and points. Any ideas for a different approach?

[@powernab8457]

SOME drivers are just like sheep, they just follow the driver in front. I have experienced the same on a bike too but have been hit. Ashley Neal can't use the old 'passenger pillar' of the vehicle to get out of jail free card excuse for the driver, as the driver would have had a clear view of the cyclist, had the driver not been a sheep follower! Ashley Neal seems to think that drivers can't move their heads, slow down, use their brakes, can't use their steering wheel to steer around. It's always down to the cyclist in Ashley Neal's driving mind? Biking360: You were right, some crap driving!

[@Biking360]

People who predominantly focus on driving skills rarely have a full understanding of what it is like to ride a bike in traffic. From what you are telling me Ashley Neal falls into this category. Thanks for the comment and for the contribution to the discussion. Take care and ride safe. JP

[@powernab8457]

@@Biking360 And you make sure to be safe out there on the roads too and thank you for your reply!

[@joojuunasa7577]

​@@Biking360Ashley Neal also does content with bicycles and I think that he tries to make the roads safer for everyone. It is a good idea for everyone using the road to think "have they been seen?", because it can decrease risk in almost all situations. For example in this situation the mercedes driver could only see the cyclist from 0:46, if you account for human reaction time which is around one second, then the driver would have had about a second to see the cyclist before stopping. The driver could have done better observations and because they couldn't see through the other car in front of them they should have done better observations after the car in front crossed the junction, but also the bicyclist could have improved the situation by seeing that the mercedes can't see them and slowing down a little bit so they would have more time to be seen. Also thinking of where a conflict in road space might happen could have helped in this situation. So in this situation the cyclist wants to go straight and there are two cars who want to cross the path the cyclist is going to go on. The first crosses without conflict because the cyclist was not so close yet, but the second is going to arrive at the same time at the point where the cyclist is passing the junction to which the car wants to go to. If you think about it like this then the easiest way of making this a non event would be to slow down for the driver and the cyclist, it would give them both more time to observe and make a decision. Just going straight might be the easy way of doing things and the right thing to do by law, but if there is a single possibility that you are going to get hit by a car that is driven by a human, which are known for making mistakes and being pretty lazy, and get injured or even killed, especially with your kid also being there, would be good to try and think have I been seen. Of course the driver also would need to learn to recognize this kind of an situation where they might have not seen someone and make better observations. Hopefully more bikelanes get built to increase the amount of people on bikes so that more car drivers would learn to look for cyclists anywhere, and everyone who uses the roads should learn to think about have they been seen and if they have not, what they should do to reduce risk, in this situation slowing down and maybe wearing some high vis clothing on your legs or anywhere else would have made the cyclist more visible. Also the light the cyclist had didn't seem to do anything so the driver was probably target fixating on the car in front and didn't look well enough. High vis is not going to save you, but it might make it easier for you to be seen at least against dark backgrounds. If you want to learn more about high vis and how it is most effective watch this video from GCN kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWSqoZmKjMmebrcsi=GxgeXsE_woBUF_5n While riding or driving in traffic it is important to see far and think before you make any action, if you think have I been seen at every place where conflict might occur you reduce risk a lot and become a better road user that is able to make decisions based on if it is safe, not only by the thought that you are right. There are always things that can be improved and in this situation both road users could have done something to make the situation a non event but they didn't because they were not observant enough and just wanted to get to where they were going. People who drive vehicles should be thought a lot more about making observation but so should everyone else that uses the road so that accidents can be avoided. Be safe on the roads and don't forget to think have you been seen.

[@greenpedal370]

Happens all the time, hardly worth the video. I'm more worried about potholes.

[@iambarks2814]

I can’t believe you have said this, an ignorant car driver just turns across you and you want to compare it to a pothole - if you hit a pothole it is solely your own fault, either not paying attention or going to fast (probably both). I don’t like them either either but potholes are not going to kill anyone out of negligence unlike so many drivers

[@greenpedal370]

@@iambarks2814 Yea yea yea

[@sk81947]

There was a red light the cyclist. The cyclist might of been right but he would be dead right