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@johnnyringo
I was cycling along the Finchley Road today going north - nr the O2 centre. I got to the lights, went over to the left, and was next to a truck(Category C truck type i.e. not the 40ft HGV but the smaller one) towing a caravan (the extra long type rock bands usually travel around in). So, the overall length is considerably more than an HGV with a 40ft container(legality?).
Anyway, as we pull away from the lights (3 lane road), I notice there is a newly placed bollard ahead of me, which blocks off the left hand lane > the bollard continues further along for some metres blocking all access to that lane > as I approach the bollard I end up moving nearer to the truck > at this moment I'm alongside the truck and I'm thinking this is OK cos' there's enough space between us > however, as the truck begins to go past me, the attached caravan begins to come past, which nearly takes me out because it is wider than the truck > as I left the lights and drew alongside the truck, I obviously wasn't aware of this. I was lucky because I realised just in time but it was horribly, horribly close.
I always hate moments like this because it seriously challenges my choice to cycle. I would find it very difficult to not cycle but facing death or paraplegia is hardly a choice. Public transport??
Lose, lose!
Pic attached hopefully clarifying situation.