u/Eddie-Plum

This is sort of a rant and sort of a plea to all drivers to take another look to make sure you haven't missed a bike.

I've just been out for a very short ride, probably less than 20 miles. Most folks have given me enough room and treated me just like any other vehicle on the road, which is pretty much all I ask. However, on the way back, I had two learner drivers force me to take evasive action.

One learner in a driving school car just sailed straight onto the roundabout I was on, right in front of me, causing me to alter my speed and lean angle to avoid a collision (that's code for go faster and turn tighter to get out of dodge). The instructor did hit the dual controls, but only after I had committed to the avoidance manoeuvre.

The second learner was in a private car with L plates and they turned right out of a junction to my right (i.e. into my path) again causing me to take evasive action to avoid a collision (slow down and change road position).

Granted, these are learners and the unexpected should be expected, but their chaperones should also be performing observations.

The last one was a peach, though, and the main reason for this post/rant. I was taking a right turn on a 50 limit road. Performed obs, changed road position and began reducing speed in plenty of time. Seeing incoming traffic, it was clear that I would have to stop, so I brought the bike to a stop alongside the junction, still indicating. Just as the bike was coming to a full stop and I was putting my left foot down, an Audi passed me on the left where there was not enough room to pass. My foot brushed against their car, nearly causing me to drop the bike. Thankfully, they were going very fast and were out of the way before my handlebars arrived in the space their car had just been occupying.

In my book, that was attempted murder.

Please leave bikers plenty of room, especially when they're performing slow manoeuvres. They tend to wobble about at very low speed and they do need to stick limbs out to stop themselves falling over when they stop.

Yes, bikers can be a menace and do stupid things. They can be small and hard to spot, or be in unexpected positions on the road. Bikers need to understand this and ride accordingly. They need to try to be as visible as possible. And we do, but still so often get missed. Throughout this whole ride, I was signalling correctly, using appropriate road position, and appropriate speed. My bike is loud. My lights are on. I'm wearing reflective strips on my jacket and a bright white helmet to contrast the black bike. I'm doing my part, so please can all drivers make sure they're also doing theirs?

Thank you.