The blind spot.

Git · Brolly Dolly Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Karma :

I'm not sure if this is a rant or a friendly warning, the blind spot.

I was quiet happily cruising along in my van this morning on the A3 and saw a bike in my side mirrors, no problem there I will keep my eye out for him when he passes, a few junctions and some miles later I though to myself the bike hasn't overtook, so presumed he had turned off miles ago. Anyway, I went to overtake this car and had to pull into the middle lane, looked it was clear, indicate, still clear look again and out I pull into the middle lane, beeeeeeeeep, it was that bike, where the heck did he come from, all I can think is that he had been sitting in my slip stream right in my blind spot, I have no windscreen centre mirror just the side ones, after a quick swerve back in to the inside this wombat comes past giving teh w sign, raving mad he was and it was hardly my fault, a few hand signs and some fingers back and it was all over, off he went probably not even realising. Just happy it ended up with nothing more serious.

The blind spot, if you can't see the driver in the mirrors he can't see you. If this rider had sat in a sensible place behind me and went to over take me in plenty of time then things could of been very much stress free.

Rant, warning, concern I don't know but please be aware to those who are not already Thumbs Up

numark1 · Scared of girls Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

I know what you mean. I always make sure i can see the car/bike in front's wing mirror. Usually the right hand one, to be sure they can see me.

Thing with bikes is they are so narrow the can easily dissapear into the blind spot of most vehicles.

wantser · Trackday Trickster Joined: 04 Oct 2004 Karma :

you should always leave a nice big space especially if the drivers veiw is hampered. Ie lorrys, vans etc.

On my DAS course I was told to repeat this phrase to measure my distance to the vehicle in front.

"only a dumb c**t hits the car in front"

or

"only a dumb f**k hits a truck"

if you have not finished saying this by the time you pass the point at which the vehicle passed when you started, drop back. If you get my drift!

Thumbs Up

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numark1 · Scared of girls Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

"only a fool breaks the 3 second rule" something like that. Wink

Gracie Jones · Trackday Trickster Joined: 31 Aug 2004 Karma :

I remember when I was driving a van, went to pull out after being parked, checking mirrors etc only to have a cyclist appear from my blind spot. Inevitably he gave me grief about it, and all I could do was be sorry about it. He obviously assumed I was typical white van cunt, but in fact, I used to cycle to work every day - it was just one of those things.

As most people don't use more than one mode of transport (e.g. car or bike) they don't realise that sometimes shit happens and it is not necessarily because some road users don't appreciate the needs of two wheelers etc.

ghostgirl · Nova Slayer Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Karma :

When im driving in my car and notice a bike behind me. I constantly watch and watch untill he has passed or I know he is safely within another lane. Which usually doesnt take that long. If great big white vans cant look out for riders who can?

NO excuse using your blind spot as a reason NOT to see?

Thats why we check it?? Thumbs Up

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mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

feef · Energiser Bunny Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Karma :

I lifesaver in the car al the time since I nstarted riding..

make a difference

a
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ghostgirl · Nova Slayer Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Karma :

Never the less! McHaggis. He already stated that he had clocked the bike???
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Yeti · Trackday Trickster Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Karma :

ghostgirl · Nova Slayer Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Karma :

Agrees with Yeti Thumbs Up

good point! However then you may as well not bother with checking your blind spot?
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Claud 14.7 to 1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2004 Karma :

Blind spot is about 4/5 o'clock. Looking in the rear mirror won't make any difference you still would have still missed the biker Git.

What bikers call "lifesaver" is what car divers call a bind-spot check.

You can look in the rear-view mirror and in the side mirror and STILL miss out a car or bike in the blind-spot. Hence why it's called a blind-spot - you can't see there! The only way to see what's there is by doing a manual "over the shoulder" check, or what us bikers would call a "lifesaver".

To clarify if you are moving lanes, car or bike, you at least need to look in the side mirror and then look over your shoulder to cover the blind area, which your eye can't pick up (peripheral vision area which your eyes can't see when just using mirrors).

A rear view mirror check it advised as well, but as with the case in the van not always possible.

Again the reverse is true. If you're on your bike, don't stay at 4/5 O'clock in relation to a car's position. Then you won't be in their blind spot in the first place!!!

ghostgirl · Nova Slayer Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Karma :

Well all im saying is I too ride a bike!

So im well aware of the "lifesaver" also the blind spot! doesn't mean if you see a bike and you dont see them in your blind spot that there NOT there!

Shouldnt all car/bike users be checking out for one another?

I personally (if i clocked a bike in my blind spot or whatever) would rather watch them safely out! Regardless! But thats my opinion Thumbs Up

Now i do both so very observant when it comes to bikes Thumbs Up

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mrchips · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Mar 2004 Karma :

Vans are often given greif about cutting people up etc but the bottom line is that you really can't see.
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wilberforce · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 18 Sep 2004 Karma :

It cost's nowt to glance over your shoulder, left or right, doesn't matter, all depends which way you are about to manoeuvre.

I do and I hope I'm not preaching to thew converted.

Do it, it really does help. Car or bike. OK it is a bit difficult in a van with no side windows or in a truck, but consider it all the same.

Like 'Git' said - I'm not sure if this is a rant or a friendly warning, the blind spot.

Rant/warning over.

Ride Free, Ride Safe.
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