Driving anxiety with cyclists

Jessie1995 · 2023-11-21T13:48:40+00:00

Hi guys, I have driving anxiety but slowly trying to push myself more! my issue is with doubting myself/lack of confidence I guess and I live in the city where there’s lots of traffic and cyclists on my commutes! I know to give cyclists 1.5 m, overtake when safe and no traffic oncoming etc however I had a situation today that I’ve come away from a bit anxious. driving along a 20mph road bus indicates infront of me at enough of a gap infront to kindly let him out. I check my mirrors when moving off I start moving off and all of a sudden on my left a cyclist comes whizzing down my left hand side. He must have been behind the car behind me when I started moving off then came past him and me whilst were moving ( albeit very slowly probably around 10mph whilst bus gets going again) will I get in trouble for this? Am I overthinking it? I just try to give them plenty of space and because I couldn’t because he came up on my left side I’m feeling bad! thanks

NotFastButFurious · 21/11/2023 13:54

I think you should probably get some help for your anxiety or stick to public transport

blobby10 · 21/11/2023 13:54

I'm a cyclist and driver and it does sound like you did everything right so please don't worry any more.

Original poster

Jessie1995 · 21/11/2023 13:59

blobby10 · 21/11/2023 13:54

I'm a cyclist and driver and it does sound like you did everything right so please don't worry any more.

Thank you I just like to give cyclists as much space as possible so when this happens I feel bad but I guess I’m infront aren’t I he’s put himself into that position. When I saw him next to my window on the left I stopped and let him go infront before I continued

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CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau · 21/11/2023 14:00

You’re definitely overthinking. If a cyclist comes up on your left they’re probably feeling confident/safe and anyway it’s their job to keep an eye out (cyclist, can drive but don’t).

Original poster

Jessie1995 · 21/11/2023 14:01

CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau · 21/11/2023 14:00

You’re definitely overthinking. If a cyclist comes up on your left they’re probably feeling confident/safe and anyway it’s their job to keep an eye out (cyclist, can drive but don’t).

Thank you I just like to give cyclists as much space as possible so when this happens I feel bad but I guess I’m infront aren’t I he’s put himself into that position. When I saw him next to my window on the left I stopped and let him go infront before I continued

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woodpecker2 · 21/11/2023 14:03

If they didn’t give you the finger you are probably all good. As a cyclist and a driver I’m also super cautious driving around cyclists as I know how much damage can be done by a car and how vulnerable you feel riding so I think a degree of awareness of the responsibility you have as a motorist is good.

MotherWol · 21/11/2023 14:04

It doesn't sound like anything happened, so I'd not worry about it. That said, it does show why it's really important to check your mirrors frequently - if he was behind you he would have been visible in your rear view and passenger side mirror. Remember while motorcyclists filter on the outside (driver's side), cyclists often filter on the inside (passenger side), because that's usually where the cycle lane is, so check, check and double check!

Original poster

Jessie1995 · 21/11/2023 14:06

MotherWol · 21/11/2023 14:04

It doesn't sound like anything happened, so I'd not worry about it. That said, it does show why it's really important to check your mirrors frequently - if he was behind you he would have been visible in your rear view and passenger side mirror. Remember while motorcyclists filter on the outside (driver's side), cyclists often filter on the inside (passenger side), because that's usually where the cycle lane is, so check, check and double check!

I did check before moving off, this was as id already started moving off checked my mirror again that’s when I saw him he was going quite fast down in the inside ( no cycle lane) and then I stopped when I saw him right next to me in my mirror and waited for him to get infront of me where I can see him before moving off again.

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Helenahandkart · 21/11/2023 14:11

I’m a cyclist and a driver. The most near misses I have are from motorists turning across my path.
Motorists often turn left without looking in their blind spot. So always check before you turn.
And motorists often turn right without seeing bikes - they’re focused on finding a gap in the traffic and the bikes seem to disappear. So always double-check before turning right. Don’t just assume you can follow the car in front of you if you’re turning right. They could be blocking your view of a cyclist.
It sounds like you’re a conscientious driver, so just keep being careful, and remember that cyclists are incredibly vulnerable.

CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau · 21/11/2023 14:16

You sound like you’re doing everything right, OP. Cyclists aren’t like emergency vehicles where you have to get off the road even when stationary - we can judge gaps etc :) it’s really nice to hear from a driver who is thinking about cyclist welfare.

Original poster

Jessie1995 · 21/11/2023 14:17

Helenahandkart · 21/11/2023 14:11

I’m a cyclist and a driver. The most near misses I have are from motorists turning across my path.
Motorists often turn left without looking in their blind spot. So always check before you turn.
And motorists often turn right without seeing bikes - they’re focused on finding a gap in the traffic and the bikes seem to disappear. So always double-check before turning right. Don’t just assume you can follow the car in front of you if you’re turning right. They could be blocking your view of a cyclist.
It sounds like you’re a conscientious driver, so just keep being careful, and remember that cyclists are incredibly vulnerable.

Thanks. I was continueing straight wasn’t turning at all I was more concerned that I checked my mirror before moving off had moved for a few seconds ( albeit slowly ) and then he came down on the left of me quicker than I was driving. However I saw him in my mirror at this point, let him go infront then I continued straight again!

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