Go Bike Home Page
About us:
Join Go Bike!
Contact Go Bike!
Achievements
Meetings
Cycle Rides
Forum
Affiliations
Archive
News:
News & Consultations
Newsletters
Glasgow Cycling Forum
Connect2
Core Paths
Cycle map:
Glasgow Cycle Map
Out on your bike:
Routes & Maps
Learning to Cycle
Cycling Tips
Cycling FAQs
Cycle Facilities
Cycle Shops
Features
Reporting Faults
Donating Bikes
Cycling Links
Go Bike! Strathclyde Cycle Campaign
Cycling Tips - Bikes & Lorries
Lorries transport most of the goods we buy, including bikes, but present a particular hazard to cyclists. However, there are things cyclists can do to minimise any danger.
Overtaking
Cyclists like to overtake queues of static traffic, for instance on the approach to traffic signals. It's something we have in our favour. However, if that queue of traffic includes a lorry, special care has to be taken. If a cyclist gets in the way of a lorry, there will only be one winner, and cyclists have been killed as a result of being hit by a lorry.
Extra care will always be needed in the proximity of large vehicles such as vans and buses, and even more so with lorries. The particular problem with lorries occurs because lorry drivers are seated higher up than drivers of other vehicles, and this creates "blind spots" - areas of the road that the driver cannot see. With improved mirrors the problem has been reduced, but one big area that a lorry driver still cannot see is around the nearside corner. If a cyclist overtakes on the nearside (kerbside) and the lorry starts to moves off before the cyclist becomes visible to the driver, the cyclist could get hit by the lorry. If the lorry turns left when the cyclist is still alongside the lorry, again the cyclist could get hit.
If you are thinking about overtaking a stationary lorry on the nearside you need to consider:
- Will you get in front of the lorry before traffic starts to move (e.g. when the traffic lights change)?
- Will you be able to get far enough in front of the lorry for the driver to see you (e.g. has the lorry got cars queuing in front of it or is it at the front of the queue)?
- Is there enough room to pass between the lorry and the kerb (lorries are wider than cars and may be closer to the kerb)?
- Are there any potholes, irregular ironwork or other defects between the lorry and the kerb that will hinder your progress?
- Is the lorry signalling left, and how far is it to the junction (or indeed to any left turn such as a gateway)?
- Can you even see the road in front of the lorry?
If in doubt DO NOT OVERTAKE!
Even if there is an advance stop line for cyclists at the traffic signals, don't try to squeeze through past a lorry if there is a chance you won't make it. It is better to wait and be safe than to take a chance and not make it.
You could try to pass the lorry on the offside (outside), but wait - the same questions need to be asked! If you get caught in the outside lane when traffic starts to move, you may end up surrounded by moving traffic - cars, lorries, vans and buses all moving faster than you - and you could find yourself unable to return to the inside lane. Again, it is safer to wait until the lights change, and move off with the rest of the traffic.
Do not attempt to overtake or cycle alongside a moving lorry. Follow behind it and wait until it stops. It may get faster in which case it will draw ahead of you and no longer be a problem.
Being Overtaken
Glasgow has a lot of four lane roads where there is plenty of room for traffic to overtake cyclists. But when a cyclist is overtaking parked vehicles, or on two lane roads, there is less room for other traffic to overtake. If there is a lorry behind you and there is not enough room for it to overtake, make sure that this is obvious to the driver by cycling far enough out from the kerb. If a layby or road junction is coming up ahead, you can pull in to allow the lorry past, but this is entirely at your discretion, and care must be taken when rejoining traffic once the lorry has past. Otherwise the lorry driver will just have to wait until there is a gap in traffic coming the other way, and pull out around you.
Reversing Lorries
If a lorry has its reversing lights on, or its reversing bleeper sounding, do not get in the way! The driver cannot see the area immediately behind the lorry, and will reverse if the area he can see is clear. If you are in the way, you will get squashed! Pull out to a position where you can see the lorry's mirrors, so the driver can see you, and where you are not directly behind the lorry.
Choose Your Route
You can reduce your exposure to lorry hazards simply by changing your route. If a quieter alternative route is available you might want to consider using it instead since there will be less traffic, and you may even find it a more pleasant and relaxing ride. This alternative route may be a cycle path or a quiet side street. While you have the right to cycle on main roads, you don't have to do so all the time, and can take advantage of other routes when they present themselves. If you choose a residential street, cycling past people's houses may encourage them to cycle too!
Further Information
Have a look at this Exchanging Places video.