Staying out of the blind spot of a truck that has camera "mirrors"?

Question

As a little kid, I learned a simple rule when cycling around trucks, vans and buses to stay out of their blind spot: "If you can see the driver, the driver can see you". When stopping at an intersection together with a large truck, I was taught to look at the mirrors, if I can see the trucker in the mirrors, the trucker can see me too. This has always been a very easy to remember way to stay out of blind spots, especially on roads with no dedicated bicycle traffic lanes or where the bicycle lane isn't separated from the road by anything other than a white line.

Lately though, I'm seeing more and more trucks that don't have mirrors. They have these tiny fancy camera thingies like this, which leaves me no way of seeing the driver. So far I've just stopped at about what I think is the 'usual' spot, but I can't be as sure the driver can see me as I am when next to a truck with regular mirrors. So: How do I stay out of the blind spot when participating in traffic next to a truck like this, how do I make sure I am seen? Is there an easy rule like the one I was taught as a kid for these too?

Answer 1

Never¹ stop besides a truck, even if they have mirrors and cameras all over the place. You don't know if the driver pays any attention to their mirrors.

To reduce the risk of a truck stopping besides you, take the lane: when waiting for a traffic light or other intersection, stand with your bike in the middle of the lane.

If a truck stops besides you in the same lane, move with your bike to a safe place immediately. That can be far to the front of the truck, behind the truck, or leaving the road entirely.

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¹If there is a segregated bike path (not just a bike lane) next to the road, you can stop there, but be extremely careful going straight if the truck might turn and cross your path.

Answer 2

I for my part is a little worried about the phrase "[...] make eye-contact with a driver in the mirrors, I know for sure I am seen".

I'll claim that he can have looked at something else, and you just think you have been seen. He could have seen you, and somehow forgot he have seen you. There are many things that can go wrong in this scenario.

I'd rather go the complete opposite way: Always pretend the driver of any vehicle has not seen you!

I used this myself, and I taught my kids this: When biking (and walking for that matter): Act like if Cars (and trucks and tractors and every other motor driven vehicle) are blind. If you are in their way, you'll be run over, so don't be in their way!

That is the only way to stay safe.

Answer 3

Edit: I don’t think trucks are special. Their blind spots are bigger but a car driver or even a cyclist can overlook you just the same through inattentiveness when taking a turn. If anything, I think truck drivers are much more dependable in using their turn indicators (probably because they are aware of their blind spots and don’t have any false idea of knowing everything around them). So I’d apply the same caution to all road users.

Generally I try to avoid riding beside other road users. When overtaking you should give ample safety margin which will give you time to react and should also move you out of the blind spot.

At (traffic light) intersections I’m very reluctant to move in front of stopped or slowly moving traffic and rather stay behind. If you move in front, stop far enough in the front that you can be seen.

If you ride on a cyclepath parallel to a road be very careful at intersections. Ideally you should check that traffic behind you and oncoming traffic in front of you is not taking a turn (the famous “hook”) right through you.

As far as I’m aware in most regions it’s rare that a road user will overlook a cyclist right in front of them (especially if you have lights and visible clothing). Right hook accidents or accidents where a cyclist coming from a cyclepath or sideroad would have had the right of way occur more often. So it’s often the safer choice to claim your lane on the big road instead of trying to “sneak by”.

Answer 4

Your initial techniques are still perfectly valid. Downside is there's no feedback to you because cameras are one-way devices where mirrors were two way. Its the same as heavy window tint when you can't see the driver.

My initial reaction is that if you're sharing the roadway with a big truck, then perhaps you're on the wrong road. Find a route that doesn't have big trucks. Side streets are often more pleasant, though frequently less direct.

That's not always feasible, so I generally avoid getting beside a big truck where possible. If they're stopped at a traffic light I might even pull up behind them rather than risk getting trapped beside them.

Pay attention to vehicle's indicators (blinkers, flashers, turn signals) When used, there's a very good chance that's where the vehicle will go.

Additionally, vehicles have "body language" and you can often predict who will turn at the next corner, then position your bike to not be beside that vehicle.