I have been cut off 3 times, road hours 5!

nightflex

nightflex

Well-known member
Forum Sponsor
Recently got into riding, even recentlier got on the road. I got cut off on the highway but a dumb kid in his spray painted neon while he was looking at me and coming towards me.
Got cut off by a lady who was waiting to cut into another lane while blocking the traffic and as I rode around she changed her mind last minute.
Then a car driver just changed the lane, squeezed me next to the curb and didn't slow down I had to come to a stop to let him pass me.

I can't believe these drivers - I only started riding on the road since last week thursday. Then to hear that the rider who passed away in brampton last week died because a car cut him off.


As much as I love them , they scare me every time.

Be Safe Fellow GTAM.
 
nightflex said:
Recently got into riding, even recentlier got on the road. I got cut off on the highway but a dumb kid in his spray painted neon while he was looking at me and coming towards me.
Got cut off by a lady who was waiting to cut into another lane while blocking the traffic and as I rode around she changed her mind last minute.
Then a car driver just changed the lane, squeezed me next to the curb and didn't slow down I had to come to a stop to let him pass me.

I can't believe these drivers - I only started riding on the road since last week thursday. Then to hear that the rider who passed away in brampton last week died because a car cut him off.


As much as I love them , they scare me every time.

Be Safe Fellow GTAM.
Click to expand...

Maybe motorcycles is not for you.
Sell your bike and be safe, just sayin' das all
 
Ride like everyone else on the road is trying to kill you.
 
Sushii said:
Are you using proper blocking position? I've never been cut off before...
Click to expand...

Proper blocking position? :lmao: The only thing you'll be blocking on your bike will be your life from continuing!
 
Sushii said:
Are you using proper blocking position? I've never been cut off before...
Click to expand...

Let's say proper blocking position and someone cuts you off and you realize it last minute... it'll be pretty nasty.

I ride just slightly to the right of the center of the lane so I can register quickly if any swerves into my lane. Most left tire tracks in curb lanes are all messed up due to heavy duty trucks leaving grooves in them.
 
nightflex said:
Let's say proper blocking position and someone cuts you off and you realize it last minute... it'll be pretty nasty.

I ride just slightly to the right of the center of the lane so I can register quickly if any swerves into my lane. Most left tire tracks in curb lanes are all messed up due to heavy duty trucks leaving grooves in them.
Click to expand...

Exactly, i ride which ever side leaves me a way out, im not kidding myself when on a bike, im not blocking anything lol
 
I recomend you to double check and compare:
- when you drive in blocking position
- when you drive 'your way'
specialy take attention to visibility and blind spot of car driver.

I agree - there is drivers,who is not checking blind spots.... but if you are going in right position - they will notice you in back and side mirrorors.
and yes... dont hang out in blind spot.

Also pass cars with extra care on right lines. They don't expect rockets on a right side of car..
 
Blocking position makes you more visible to the driver beside you. If the person is going to enter your lane regardless, blocking position or not he is going to enter your lane. Yes you might have more time to react if your not in blocking position but your also decreasing the chance of them seeing you. I've never had any issues when riding in the proper blocking position.
 
nightflex said:
I ride just slightly to the right of the center of the lane.
Click to expand...

Ok, so you have been riding on the road since last thursday? And you already know better than everyone else...... this will end well.



Obviously blocking position doesn't mean you'll actually physically block a car, but psychologically you will.
 
nearace said:
I find this hard to believe.
Click to expand...

Add me to the blocking position crew. As has been mentioned, it's not to physically block someone, but to make yourself more visible.

I commute by bike every day it's not raining in the summer. Have for about six years now, three of which were to and from downtown. Plus some touring, average about 20k km a year by bike. Somehow, I have zero issues with cars cutting me off.
 
OP, not trying to put the blame on you by any means in saying this, but try to keep an eye out for where you are in relation to the other cars when they are cutting you off. Being on a motorcycle means you are smaller and less noticeable on the road, making you more susceptible to falling into someone's blind spot. (Yes, I know you said the guy in the neon was looking right at you).

Maybe this isn't the case for you, but just something to look out for :). Safe riding.
 
nightflex said:
I ride just slightly to the right of the center of the lane so I can register quickly if any swerves into my lane. Most left tire tracks in curb lanes are all messed up due to heavy duty trucks leaving grooves in them.
Click to expand...
You are making that lane look mighty empty doing that, possible the worst spot to sit for blind spots.
 
A couple of people have mentioned this - the blocking position isn't intended to physically prevent another vehicle from entering your lane. It's a visual cue to others that you are occupying that space. Of course, it's also important to remember that you're blocking traffic around you - beside, in front, behind - but NOT oncoming traffic. Not much point in even trying that.
There are people that are absolute slaves to the "proper blocking position" that fail to recognize it is not a hard-and-fast rule - it's an objective. Your objective as a rider is to be in a position where you get the right balance of: you having the best view, others being able to see you, and others recognizing they are not welcome to share the lane. Road condition also plays a part, if you need to get out of what would be an ideal position because the road surface sucks, then you have to make that compromise.
When you think of being in the right half of the right lane, imagine bicycles, limited speed scooters, and electric scooters. Motorists are required to give them adequate space, but they aren't likely to change lanes to go around, they're going to share the lane. They'll do the same to you if they want to go faster.
As for vehicles moving into your lane from the adjacent one, you may given yourself a millisecond more time, but you also invited them in and left yourself half the space to avoid the vehicle.
 
I've never had a problem with a car cutting me off or merging into me while riding. Surprisingly I get that when I'm driving the car though.
 
bboySushi said:
I've never had a problem with a car cutting me off or merging into me while riding. Surprisingly I get that when I'm driving the car though.
Click to expand...

We also have to accept that "merging into" and "cutting off" are very, very subjective. There are people that overreact simply because someone moved in front of them - someone that actually activated the signal, looked, and moved over before the rider even recognized their intentions.
 
Nightflex,

It might have just been a fluke that you were cut-off three times through no fault of your own. If you find yourself "cut-off" every time you're out riding, then you might have a problem with the way you're riding.

Speaking only for myself, I ride pretty much everyday from March to November/December and might have a "close call" maybe a couple times a month. On occasion though, I've had instances where all the "close calls" for the month happen within 5 minutes of each other. Best thing to do is go grab a coffee and relax, take a deep breath, then carry on.
 
nightflex said:
Recently got into riding, even recentlier got on the road. I got cut off on the highway but a dumb kid in his spray painted neon while he was looking at me and coming towards me.
Got cut off by a lady who was waiting to cut into another lane while blocking the traffic and as I rode around she changed her mind last minute.
Then a car driver just changed the lane, squeezed me next to the curb and didn't slow down I had to come to a stop to let him pass me.

I can't believe these drivers - I only started riding on the road since last week thursday. Then to hear that the rider who passed away in brampton last week died because a car cut him off.


As much as I love them , they scare me every time.

Be Safe Fellow GTAM.
Click to expand...

Sushii said:
Are you using proper blocking position? I've never been cut off before...
Click to expand...

Do you guys not ride/drive in Toronto? I get cut off probably 5x each way on my way to/from work. It's completely normal in the GTA. If a car can fit between some other cars (even barely) some driver will make it happen.
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom