[Closed] Nearly squished

Markings? Reg no? Report it, even if nothing can be done this time that sort of response and attitude will repeat.

So you're in traffic, where you're entitled to be and that allows him to potentially maim or kill you. Doesn't seem fair when it's written down.

Close passes/calls are frightening. How was your road position?
In my experience the best way to stop people overtaking in these situations is make sure you are riding in prime position, lots more over shoulder glancing and being more assertive of your position when approaching pinch points or where someone could attempt a dangerous manoeuvre..

Best thing is to get registration or works details and report it.

Hard to remember in the heat of the moment. Main thing is that you are not injured.

reported to the Met's roadsafe but with no reg I don't hold out too much hope. Still, it might add to their statistics.

I thought I had been riding pretty primary but come next Monday I'll be sat right out in the middle of that road. Calmed down a bit now but f* me that was close.

You are traffic! Have a cup of tea and try and wind down.

What's scary is that the idiots just can't see what they've done is wrong and highly dangerous.

Cam it, youtube it, vent, laugh. S'all you can do really.
Although, it's quite nice when you get a company name off the vehicle and phone them and they are very apologetic.
Oh, and get pissed off with the dicks who try to say it was something you did wrong. Dicks. 🙂

I suspect within 30 seconds of doing it 99% of people who react like that do realise they were in the wrong. 'Your fault/not my fault' is I think an instinctive immediate response for a lot of people, and admitting fault to anyone else is impossible for a lot of them.

I've been having a lot more of these incidents recently.They are terrifying.

Glad you're ok, OP.

the best way to stop people overtaking in these situations is make sure you are riding in prime position

Prime usually works, but not always. Yesterday morning, I was approaching a three-lane entry to a roundabout with traffic light control. The approach road, normally two lanes, was down to one with roadworks and the remaining coned-off space was far too narrow to allow a pass, so I took primary at 25 mph. A truck came up behind me and I thought nothing of it. At the end of the cones, 100-odd metres before the lights, I moved into the middle of the middle lane approaching the roundabout and slowed because the lights were red. The truck, a stinky three-axled behemoth with tanks and a suction arm for clearing out drains, pulled alongside in the outside lane and just moved over into my lane, forcing me to brake quite hard to avoid being crushed or pushed into the adjacent lane. I didn't get the number or have a word as the lights changed and he drove off really smartly.
I've probably been down that same road close to a thousand times and that's the first time someone's done anything anywhere near that stupid and dangerous.
Vent over.

What's scary is that the idiots just can't see what they've done is wrong and highly dangerous.

[i]close enough to give it a damn good thump[/i]

You were squashed against the kerb and you took a hand off the bars to thump the van?

You were squashed against the kerb and you took a hand off the bars to thump the van?

Probably not the smartest move but it felt reasonable at the time. The split second thinking was that it might alert him to my presence and he could then adjust his driving accordingly...

Probably not the smartest move but it felt reasonable at the time. The split second thinking was that it might alert him to my presence and he could then adjust his driving accordingly...

I managed to thump a car that was left-hooking me once. No idea how, but left the imprint of my glove on my knuckles!

Oh, and get pissed off with the dicks who try to say it was something you did wrong. Dicks.

I think i've said this to you before but an important part of any near miss is to investigate to see what could have been different.

It's not about blame, but what could be done differently to avoid this happening again.

OP has already said he will be further out. I had the same thought this week after a close pass, i thought i was quite far out - but could have been further.

OP - glad your ok. there is always room for improvement. I've been seriously thinking about getting some cycle training - as a refresher. it would be good to review to see what i could do better.

Probably not the smartest move but it felt reasonable at the time. The split second thinking was that it might alert him to my presence and he could then adjust his driving accordingly...

Its totally instinctive reaction, you try and push the car / van away by hitting it with your hand. I've done it too, doesn't really work though!

Close passes probably piss me off more than anything else. A SMIDSY could be a genuine mistake but there is no way they haven't seen you before they squeeze past, they just don't give a **** about your safety, risking someones life to get to the next set of traffic lights is just unacceptable.

[i]what could have been different.[/i]

Indeed. And I believe there's a common theme to every incident: The vehicle should have given more space.

Indeed. And I believe there's a common theme to every incident: The vehicle should have given more space.

I don't get it, are you just baiting? Or do you genuinely think there is nothing cyclists can do to help themselves?

I'm not absolving the driver of responsibility but things like taking primary, as discussed RIGHT in the middle, help drivers drive safely around cyclists, particularly the ignorant ones.

I genuinely, sincerely and honestly don't think it matters what you do. There's [b]always[/b] some driver who is a dickhead.
And as for advice [i]after[/i] the event. Unless you were there to see it, don't honestly see the point.

I'm not absolving the driver of responsibility but things like taking primary, as discussed RIGHT in the middle, help drivers drive safely around cyclists, particularly the ignorant ones.

There's a difference between 'primary' which is supposed to be where the car's nearside wheel would be in order to force their line to change, and being in the center of the road. Ride further out than primary and all that happens is the occasional punishment passes get closer and you get the occasional [s]mad max road warrior[/s] [i]middle aged IT contractor in oakleys and a red audi or white van man [/i] half overtake and deliberately squeeze you in. I'd take a wider position where deemed necessary, but I'd not swerve out at every pedestrian refuge.

Perhaps it's time to start riding with metal studded gloves, to scrape down the side of anyone's vehicle that passes too close.

When someone does something like this and risks another persons life there should be severe consequences.

Now I'm only guessing here and I'd love to be wrong but what would the police do even if you had video evidence of some muppet hitting you with a vehicle?

I'm guessing not a lot but would hope it is severely dealt with.

If the cyclist confronted the driver and hit him with his fist because he was just traffic and in the way I'm sure the police would take a different view. But why should this be the case?

Hitting someone with a vehicle is much more than a fist.

I'm noticing more and more like on a daily basis that I'm having a lot of close calls with people passing stupidly close. It's definitely getting worse to the point I don't feel safe anymore.

Everyone seems to be in such a hurry these days and unwilling to wait.

Me on the other hand when in the car give cyclist loads of room and don't overtake unless save. Seriously just chill and wait a few seconds.

They wouldn't do this if you were on 1/2 tonne of potentially kicking horse. Cyclists aren't a consideration for too many drivers, s'life
(...and no, I can't be bothered to Google what a horse weighs)