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Original poster

Turning left in my car at a junction cyclist comes up on inside in my blind spot!..

102 replies

Jessie1995 · 06/09/2023 11:14

Hi everyone.
anxious overthinker here when it comes to driving!
i just want to know if this was the right way to approach this and if I’ve done anything wrong!

I was sat at a junction turning left indicator on and waiting for a gap in traffic to go!
( I hadn’t overtaken these cyclists previously they must have just come from a side road) but I go to turn left when there’s a gap, I check my left mirror as I always do and I notice in my blind spot ish 2 cyclists in a line. They weren’t behind my car they were to the side of my car ( front one was inline with my back door handle I would say) she looks like she starts moving as I’m about to turn left so I brake and make eye contact with her to almost see what she’s doing! She’s busy charging to the person I assume her friend on the bike behind so I continue with my left turning keeping an eye on my left mirror.

did I do this right? I get quite anxious in situations like this as I’m a cautious driver but felt like I was :
a. Too close to them? But where could I go if I’m turning left and I was there first?
b. Worried they’d keep going when I turn left and
c. Worried I should give way to them and let them go first even if they are behind me not infront of me?

any advice would be amazing thank you so much

from an anxious driver! ☺️

OP posts:
Original poster
Jessie1995 · 06/09/2023 13:41

TrishTrix · 06/09/2023 13:36

I agree with @Sierra26 and disagree with the posters saying that the cyclists were in the wrong. I also think you handled it correctly but are over anxious.

My interpretation is that they stopped part of the way up your car to indicate that they expected you to go ahead of them. If I was in this position and I wanted to go ahead of you I would have cycled up to the front of the queue and taken the lane (ie sat in the middle of the road so I was very visible).

I think they had positioned themselves like this so they got round in front of the car behind you.

Cyclists mostly travel kerbside. Therefore if cars stop we do undertake. It's the way of the road.

Most regular road cyclists are hyper aware about left turning vehicles.

My bugbear is people who overtake me and then turn left into a junction aheadof me - this is actually banned in the Highway code. There is a side road on my commute where London buses do it to me all the time to get into the bus garage. Drives me mad as it's so wrong and dangerous for me.

Thank you I’m very aware of cyclists I always give them lots of room never overtake before junctions etc. I never previously overtook them they must have come out of a side road after me and then came to a stop behind me when I’m waiting at the junction!
I then saw them at the back of my car to the left ( inline with approx my back wheel or rear door handle) and tried to make eye contact to see what they are doing but they weren’t looking at me and were stationary and chatting to each other so I continued thinking that’s what I need to do as they aren’t infront of me.

so they would have expected to wait for me? I was hesitant incase they started to move next to me whilst I’m about to turn left hence why I waited ro see what they were doing

OP posts:
StaySpicy · 06/09/2023 13:44

Generally, I find that if a cyclist hasn't moved past me to wait at a junction then it means they will wait for me to move off before they go. It sounds as though the cyclists realised you were turning left so didn't want to filter down in the narrow gap alongside you as you may have been turning left at any time when a gap appeared, meaning you may have started moving before they were all the way down near your bonnet.

It was important for you to wait, but by not moving off before you it shows the cyclists were waiting for you to go. It's all you can do as a driver; realise they're there, wait to see what they do and then act accordingly.

N27 · 06/09/2023 13:47

How did you make eye contact if they were fully turned around?

at junctions I go down the inside cars and check for any who are indicating left. If you are indicating, I will wait for you to go first. If I wanted to go first, I would go all the way down the inside of the car and position myself in front so that you could see me.

so yes you did the right thing but their shit positioning made it awkward for you x

Original poster
Jessie1995 · 06/09/2023 13:51

N27 · 06/09/2023 13:47

How did you make eye contact if they were fully turned around?

at junctions I go down the inside cars and check for any who are indicating left. If you are indicating, I will wait for you to go first. If I wanted to go first, I would go all the way down the inside of the car and position myself in front so that you could see me.

so yes you did the right thing but their shit positioning made it awkward for you x

I’m rubbish at explaining so I apologise! I attempted to make eye contact I should have said!! I was about to turn left saw them at the back of my car ( in line with probably my rear wheel rear door handle) so I stopped tried to make eye contact of some kind to see what they were doing incase they were moving but the cyclist who was inline with my back of my car had turned around chatting to the cyclist behind her so with caution I made my turn and went

OP posts:
Original poster
Jessie1995 · 06/09/2023 14:00

StaySpicy · 06/09/2023 13:44

Generally, I find that if a cyclist hasn't moved past me to wait at a junction then it means they will wait for me to move off before they go. It sounds as though the cyclists realised you were turning left so didn't want to filter down in the narrow gap alongside you as you may have been turning left at any time when a gap appeared, meaning you may have started moving before they were all the way down near your bonnet.

It was important for you to wait, but by not moving off before you it shows the cyclists were waiting for you to go. It's all you can do as a driver; realise they're there, wait to see what they do and then act accordingly.

Ok thank you so what I did was right? I saw them at the back of my car ( in line with rear wheel/rear door handle) so I tried to make eye contact and wait and see if they come more forward but they were chatting to each other and I assume waiting for me so we’re still stationary?
but it’s good to be cautious and do what I did?
so I then took my left turn! If they had pulled up next to me inline with me or infront of me I’d have of course let them go first but I think I was just confused with the positioning and am cautious around cyclists anyway so I was hestitated

OP posts:
DappledThings · 06/09/2023 14:03

Ok thank you so what I did was right?
Yes, as multiple people have told you. There's nothing to be gained from rehashing it any further. You were fine, it was all fine.

LolaSmiles · 06/09/2023 14:09

Generally, I find that if a cyclist hasn't moved past me to wait at a junction then it means they will wait for me to move off before they go. It sounds as though the cyclists realised you were turning left so didn't want to filter down in the narrow gap alongside you as you may have been turning left at any time when a gap appeared, meaning you may have started moving before they were all the way down near your bonnet.

It was important for you to wait, but by not moving off before you it shows the cyclists were waiting for you to go. It's all you can do as a driver; realise they're there, wait to see what they do and then act accordingly
Agree with this.

It sounds like they were queuing behind the OP at a junction, the OP was checking they were clear of the cyclists, everything is good.

Original poster
Jessie1995 · 06/09/2023 14:40

LolaSmiles · 06/09/2023 14:09

Generally, I find that if a cyclist hasn't moved past me to wait at a junction then it means they will wait for me to move off before they go. It sounds as though the cyclists realised you were turning left so didn't want to filter down in the narrow gap alongside you as you may have been turning left at any time when a gap appeared, meaning you may have started moving before they were all the way down near your bonnet.

It was important for you to wait, but by not moving off before you it shows the cyclists were waiting for you to go. It's all you can do as a driver; realise they're there, wait to see what they do and then act accordingly
Agree with this.

It sounds like they were queuing behind the OP at a junction, the OP was checking they were clear of the cyclists, everything is good.

Thank you I guess it was more their positioning if they had come up behind me and sit inline with my rear wheel/rear passenger door handle I wasn’t sure whether I need to let them pass if they are there. But that’s behind my car so I assume not and I did hestitate to see what they were doing but they were chatting and not looking at me so I just made sure they weren’t still moving and then proceeded

OP posts:
ColonelSpondleClagnut · 06/09/2023 15:32

I think the confusion is partly because in the situation you've described it's not so much 'turning left' as there is no 'straight on' option.

So it's more that the lane you're in will continue round to the left.
In that case it would be treated more or less like a bend in the road, as it would be clear that there was no chance of cutting across the cyclists.

With everyone definitely going in the same direction you just need to ensure that you're aware and give space. Which it sounds like you did.

Original poster
Jessie1995 · 06/09/2023 15:47

ColonelSpondleClagnut · 06/09/2023 15:32

I think the confusion is partly because in the situation you've described it's not so much 'turning left' as there is no 'straight on' option.

So it's more that the lane you're in will continue round to the left.
In that case it would be treated more or less like a bend in the road, as it would be clear that there was no chance of cutting across the cyclists.

With everyone definitely going in the same direction you just need to ensure that you're aware and give space. Which it sounds like you did.

There’s a left and a right side to the lane but clear the cyclists were going left and clear I was too as I in left lane indicating. My worry was whether I should have let them go first however they were technically behind my car/ in line with back wheel so I stopped tried to look at them to see what they were doing and make sure they aren’t continuing to drive next to me and then I went!
so I assume I did it how I should have done it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Jessie1995 · 06/09/2023 16:19

RafaistheKingofClay · 06/09/2023 13:02

I think you are worrying unnecessarily. They shouldn’t have undertaken unless there was a cycle lane and bike box and you managed not to kill them so you did fine. Some cyclists are a law unto themselves.

I think they can undertake but if I’m at a junction and turning left and there’s no straight on I think they should wait for me! ( I think anyway) but no no cycle lane or anything! I just felt very wary of them being at the back of my car when turning left!

OP posts:
Spectre8 · 06/09/2023 17:13

Its a tricky one but you did the right thing so don't be too anxious.

I cycle so from that perspective they either couldn't get to the front so hung bsck. Usually I do this and let the left turning car go first cos always a bit of a squeeze going round together and generally cars move off quicker than me.

Ideally the cyclist should of stop behind ur car so its obvious you go first but sometimes doesn't always happen.

All you can do as a driver is check your blind spot and mirrors, see if they are going to move and if not proceed with caution as in dont put ur foot down and turn fast. If something did happen at least it would be at an incredibly slow speed.

Most cyclists but not all are like me, we rather the car moves first because we can then assess better what we do and where we position ourselves.

Obviously if a cyclist is right next to you e.g. front windscreen level or infront then you let them go first.

Hope that helps

Spectre8 · 06/09/2023 17:14

I wanted to add its a funny one for me cos as a cyclist I want to hang back and let the first car turn as the second car ill be infrojt of and know they definitely know im there.

As a driver I'd want the cyclist to go so they are clear 🤣

Saschka · 06/09/2023 17:20

From your description, it sounds like they stopped behind you in order to avoid ending up boxed in when you turned left? So they were waiting for you to turn left.

If they had sailed up your passenger side, yep you’d have to stop to avoid turning across them. But if they are waiting behind you, stationary, they are hanging back for you to go first.

LindorDoubleChoc · 06/09/2023 17:55

I'm a very experienced driver and this happened to me today. I was indicating left to turn on to quite a busy road so had a long wait. As I was about to turn I noticed a cyclist had come up right beside me on the inside, her front wheel was practically next to my front wheel. I made a big effort to make eye contact with her to let her know I had seen her and check that she had seen where I was going but she ignored me and stared straight ahead. So I just had to inch out and keep my fingers crossed.

Original poster
Jessie1995 · 06/09/2023 18:44

Spectre8 · 06/09/2023 17:13

Its a tricky one but you did the right thing so don't be too anxious.

I cycle so from that perspective they either couldn't get to the front so hung bsck. Usually I do this and let the left turning car go first cos always a bit of a squeeze going round together and generally cars move off quicker than me.

Ideally the cyclist should of stop behind ur car so its obvious you go first but sometimes doesn't always happen.

All you can do as a driver is check your blind spot and mirrors, see if they are going to move and if not proceed with caution as in dont put ur foot down and turn fast. If something did happen at least it would be at an incredibly slow speed.

Most cyclists but not all are like me, we rather the car moves first because we can then assess better what we do and where we position ourselves.

Obviously if a cyclist is right next to you e.g. front windscreen level or infront then you let them go first.

Hope that helps

Thank you this makes me feel a lot better. I think I confused other people further up as I didn’t mention it was a T junction I know the rules are now if I’m turning left at a normal junction I have to give way to cyclists so I think I confused the situation but it was a T junction and they came up behind me whilst I was stationary waiting at the front of the queue to go left.
But thank you seems I did the right thing on spotting them before moving off but also checking by looking at them to see what they are doing before I move off!
I think it just made me a bit anxious then being at the back but side of my car! But think they were hanging back to then let me go ahead either way

OP posts:
Original poster
Jessie1995 · 06/09/2023 19:00

Saschka · 06/09/2023 17:20

From your description, it sounds like they stopped behind you in order to avoid ending up boxed in when you turned left? So they were waiting for you to turn left.

If they had sailed up your passenger side, yep you’d have to stop to avoid turning across them. But if they are waiting behind you, stationary, they are hanging back for you to go first.

Thank you maybe I made it worse for myself by hestitating and looking at them like what are you doing when I should have just gone then maybe!
I was just hesitant as they weren’t right behind me like I normally have with cyclists they were like at my back wheel so I was hestitated they didn’t move off same time as me seeing as I was going left
im glad to know I did do it correctly though by checking them but continuing as I don’t need to give way to them as they are behind me

OP posts:
Original poster
Jessie1995 · 06/09/2023 19:02

LindorDoubleChoc · 06/09/2023 17:55

I'm a very experienced driver and this happened to me today. I was indicating left to turn on to quite a busy road so had a long wait. As I was about to turn I noticed a cyclist had come up right beside me on the inside, her front wheel was practically next to my front wheel. I made a big effort to make eye contact with her to let her know I had seen her and check that she had seen where I was going but she ignored me and stared straight ahead. So I just had to inch out and keep my fingers crossed.

Makes 2 of us today then! It’s so awkward to know what to do you don’t want to like wind your window down and be like hope you’ve seen me I’ve seen you kind of thing! I was trying to make eye contact but like your situation they weren’t looking at me and were chatting so I just continued! Checked my mirror after I had turned and they were still waiting at the junction anyway!

OP posts:
Amethystanddiamonds · 06/09/2023 19:19

As a cyclist I was taught a) to never undertake on the left b) to always hog the road (this ensures people give you space and respect and stops people overtaking dangerously, as well as moving you out of the gutter where there are more likely to be faulty road surfaces and debris).

So in that situation I would have been behind you, well away from the kerb, positioning myself almost as though I was driving. I suspect that they wanted you to go first but weren't particularly sure of what to do either. I think you probably did the right thing though, cyclists aren't predictable and a driver is almost always at fault if you have an accident with a cyclist.

Original poster
Jessie1995 · 06/09/2023 19:31

Amethystanddiamonds · 06/09/2023 19:19

As a cyclist I was taught a) to never undertake on the left b) to always hog the road (this ensures people give you space and respect and stops people overtaking dangerously, as well as moving you out of the gutter where there are more likely to be faulty road surfaces and debris).

So in that situation I would have been behind you, well away from the kerb, positioning myself almost as though I was driving. I suspect that they wanted you to go first but weren't particularly sure of what to do either. I think you probably did the right thing though, cyclists aren't predictable and a driver is almost always at fault if you have an accident with a cyclist.

I know the new rules are that you shouldn’t turn left before a cyclist but I assume that’s at a normal junction not a T junction where they are behind me!
thanks yeah I think that’s where it made me anxious was the fact they were inline with my back wheel/back passenger door handle so they weren’t ahead enough for me to be like you go first and give way ( like I would if they were by my wing mirror or infront I’d obviously let them go first) but it just threw me off but I just hestitated was a bit like what are you doing kind of thing tried to make eye contact but they were still stationary and chatting so I just then assessed and went left and then saw them in my mirror after I turned they were still waiting at the junction

OP posts:
EnthENd · 06/09/2023 20:09

Well, you didn't crash.

I take it you were coming from the side road and turning onto the main road? If so, then that wasn't a very clever place for the cyclist to put themselves in. I don't think either person has priority there, but I would probably wait a moment to see what the cyclist is up to before going. That said a collision is only likely if you came right up against the kerb on the main road while you turned.

LindorDoubleChoc · 06/09/2023 20:18

I have had the situation where I was waiting at lights on a two lane road. Right hand lane went straight ahead or right. Left hand lane went left. All marked on the road and controlled by lights. So I was the first in the left hand lane, indicating left, waiting for the lights to go green. When they did I moved ahead and turned left and had a cyclist on the inside of me thumping on my car like I'd done something wrong! Cyclists often act without thinking OP so you just have to keep them in mind.

Original poster
Jessie1995 · 07/09/2023 07:47

EnthENd · 06/09/2023 20:09

Well, you didn't crash.

I take it you were coming from the side road and turning onto the main road? If so, then that wasn't a very clever place for the cyclist to put themselves in. I don't think either person has priority there, but I would probably wait a moment to see what the cyclist is up to before going. That said a collision is only likely if you came right up against the kerb on the main road while you turned.

Yes here and the yellow line is where the front one was but they were inline with my back wheel/door handle on the back so it threw me off a little as I’m going to be turning left! ( I was the first one in queue so black car ) That’s why I hestitated before turning when I saw them I tried to make eye contact but they weren’t looking at me to see if they were moving but they were stationary and turned around chatting to one another ( there was 2 cyclists) so I just took my left turn checked back in my mirror afterwards and they were still at the junction

Turning left in my car at a junction cyclist comes up on inside in my blind spot!..
OP posts:
Nuca · 07/09/2023 09:11

I do honestly mean this in the nicest way possible OP, but have you only recently passed your test? I recognise your username, and you've posted around 20 driving related threads this year questioning things you or other people have done. Maybe some refresher lessons would help you to build confidence? I do understand being anxious, I was worried to start driving again after being in an accident and I'd been driving for 8 years already, but I had a few lessons again to build my confidence back up which really helped

Original poster
Jessie1995 · 07/09/2023 10:10

Nuca · 07/09/2023 09:11

I do honestly mean this in the nicest way possible OP, but have you only recently passed your test? I recognise your username, and you've posted around 20 driving related threads this year questioning things you or other people have done. Maybe some refresher lessons would help you to build confidence? I do understand being anxious, I was worried to start driving again after being in an accident and I'd been driving for 8 years already, but I had a few lessons again to build my confidence back up which really helped

Before Covid hit and then had a while of not driving and since then just worry about things that other people would just take on the chin and carry on with! It’s really hard it’s like I have no faith in what I do! Maybe I should get some advance lessons and then someone can tell me what I do is right to give me more confidence!

OP posts: