Cyclist wild near-miss with motorist on busy Melbourne road


Cyclist’s wild near-misses with cars in a bike lane during a 20-second trip spark furious debate online – so who do you think is in the wrong?

  • Cyclist narrowly avoided a Mercedes Benz during wild trip in Melbourne 
  • The vehicle indicated before veering into the bike lane to the dismay of cyclist
  • The 20 second footage posted on Tuesday has divided viewers on who is at fault 

A cyclist was left stunned after narrowly avoiding a reckless motorist who swerved into a designated bike lane in Melbourne during a perilous trip which has sparked debate online.

A silver Mercedes Benz indicated to turn left before driving into the bike lane on a busy road during a school run – leaving the cyclist honking in dismay. 

The footage posted on Tuesday showed the cyclist dodge the motorist as the vehicle pulled into a drop-off zone to the left of the bike lane. 

A Melbourne cyclist narrowly avoided slamming into a silver Mercedes Benz in series of near misses on busy road (pictured)

A Melbourne cyclist narrowly avoided slamming into a silver Mercedes Benz in series of near misses on busy road (pictured) 

The cyclist said they used their bike horn ‘before and during the near miss.’    

‘I don’t swear anymore, just a long sigh,’ they said.

‘Especially if there are students/kids around.’ 

Seconds before the altercation, the cyclist encountered a series of close calls from other drivers down the busy road.

Seconds before the near miss with the Mercedes the bike lane was blocked by a green truck backing into a driveway (pictured)

Seconds before the near miss with the Mercedes the bike lane was blocked by a green truck backing into a driveway (pictured) 

The start of the cyclists trip started with a black car slowly steering into the designated bike lane (pictured)

The start of the cyclists trip started with a black car slowly steering into the designated bike lane (pictured) 

The start of the trip began with a black vehicle partially blocking a section of the bike lane, forcing the cyclist to slightly swerve to the left. 

Only three seconds later a silver car merging to the right veers further into the bike lane – nearly boxing the cyclist in. 

Another four seconds later up the road, a large green truck backs into a makeshift driveway and momentarily obstructs the cyclist’s designated lane.  

Poll

WHO’S IN THE WRONG?

  • CYCLIST 0 votes
  • MERCEDES DRIVER 0 votes

The video posted to Twitter has sparked debate online, with many motorists defending the Mercedes driver. 

‘The blinds spot that the cyclist put him/herself into, staying there after already seeing the car indicate left. Imagine being as oblivious as this cyclist,’ one person said. 

‘There’s absolutely no reason for the cyclist to cycle ahead in that speed knowing the the car or a car might need to park,’ another argued. 

‘The car had a clear lane ahead of it but was going slow. And it was clearly drifting over – bike rider should just simply drop back,’ one said. 

Other drivers came to the defense of the cyclist. 

‘Oh man, the restraint to not slap that Mercedes,’ one motorist said.   

‘Look carefully – the driver is not indicating a move to the left – both left and right blinkers are flashing (almost like in a police car),’ another commented. 

Bike Lane Rules 

What are bike lanes?   

Bike lanes are on-road lanes reserved for bike riders identified with a bike symbol on the road and a sign which says that it is a bike lane. 

They will usually be signposted at the beginning and end, but they may also end at an intersection. High-risk sections of bike lanes are sometimes painted green.

You must use a bike lane if there is one, unless that is not a practical option – for example, if the lane is blocked.

 When can cars enter bike lanes?

Bike lanes are reserved for bike riders. But car drivers can enter and drive in a bike lane for up to 50 metres:

· to enter or leave a road

· to turn at an intersection

· to overtake to the left of a vehicle turning right or doing a U-turn from the centre of the road

· to park

· to get from one part of the road to another

· to enter traffic, having been parked on the side of the road

· to pick up or drop off passengers – but only if they are driving a taxi or public bus

· if there is a sign saying car drivers can also use the lane.

Car drivers must always give way to any bike riders already in the lane.

 Credit: VicRoads 

 

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