Hackster Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 So, when waiting at an intersection for the lights to change in your favour, where do you position yourself? Lets assume that you're heading straight across and there's only one lane in each direction. There seem to be two schools of thought, the first is to wait well ahead of the lead vehicle, this places you on or over the white lines and 'into' the intersection zone. It has the advantage of getting you through the intersection ahead of the cars when you pull away. The second school of thought is that you position yourself behind the white lines, because that's the 'legal' place to stop. The disadvantage is that you pull away next to a vehicle with all the attendent risks that incurs. My own experiences is that intersections are where the really bad accidents happen. And that as a cyclist you're best off slightly behind the lead car - so if anyone gets side swiped etc, the car slightly ahead of you will be the first thing hit. But I also like to be able to pull away slightly in front of the rest of the traffic. So I'm a bit conflicted. Would like to hear other rider's insights on this one.
Falco Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 as a cyclist you're best off slightly behind the lead car - so if anyone gets side swiped etc, the car slightly ahead of you will be the first thing hit. This
GLuvsMtb Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 I always position myself ahead of the lead vehicle in the shoulder (if possible). My biggest risk is that they turn in (left) on me at the intersection and if I am behind them, I will no doubt be in the blind spot. If the lights take a while to change I would try to get the driver's attention by looking around, wait for him to show some reaction and simply just give a small nod in greeting the driver. Being slightly ahead of the lead vehicle also allows me to have the best vantage point to assess all the vehicles at the other points of the intersection to ensure that if someone jumps a light or oncoming cars turn right before the light changes that I am not unsighted.
forkie Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 If its at all possible, I prefer to just keep on going. Stopping slows you down
RocknRolla Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 Behind the white lines as far left as possible (according to the law) When the light changes, look left and right before proceeding to cross, to make sure no vehicles performing the "barley red" custom rule.
Mousea Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 If its at all possible, I prefer to just keep on going. Stopping slows you downBwwhaaa I Love it !!Put a smile on my old dial
Johan A Marais Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 You wait for the lights to change? why?
JohnnyReggae Posted January 19, 2015 Posted January 19, 2015 I prefer to sit just ahead of the lead car so that they can see me. I think it is far safer than sitting just behind the car in their blind spot. They may be turning (many people don't use their indicators) and it's safer if they know you're there
Bernard Horn Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Just ahead of lead car or behind a car in the middle of the lane where I can be seen to prevent them from pushing me onto the pavement.Check out the indicators of cars around you to make sure you know what they are going to do.Make sure they see you looking at there indicators
Belgian biker Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 me too, ahead of the lead vehicle, If I'm going left or right, indicating where I'm going obivously. Here in Belgium, there are exactly 3 seconds between the lights turning red for the other road, and 'your' lights turning green. I tend to get going at 2 seconds, to be slightly ahead of the cars. in an ideal world, there would be seperate traffic lights for the cyclists & pedestrians, changing to green before the cars.
Shebeen Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I try get front left of the lead car, give them a howzit look so they know you're there. try show off trackstand technique now too...they will no doubt be watching. Then work out the light timing and be ready to roll once it hits green.
EmptyB Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 I try get front left of the lead car, give them a howzit look so they know you're there. try show off trackstand technique now too...they will no doubt be watching. Then work out the light timing and be ready to roll once it hits green. Yup, that's me! Howzit look works well........
extremelights Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 No lights on the trails boet :clap: Only if you have your own...
deanbean Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 me too, ahead of the lead vehicle, If I'm going left or right, indicating where I'm going obivously. Here in Belgium, there are exactly 3 seconds between the lights turning red for the other road, and 'your' lights turning green. I tend to get going at 2 seconds, to be slightly ahead of the cars. in an ideal world, there would be seperate traffic lights for the cyclists & pedestrians, changing to green before the cars. The problem in SA are the cars shooting the light after it's turned red, and the cars taking off before the light has turned green.
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