I got hit by a car.

[braillce]

@ soberpete,

U're quite lucky, it's not rare to see cars speeding up (while already speeding) to get an early (or even mature) red light. Could have been ur last crash.

Early red for straight lines is often the moment at which opposite left turn lights pop green...

U know what green means in PRC...

Check those damn corners, don't give them a chance, as the 12yo says on their video game forums...

And good to hear u're fine.

[…] I even check when I'm not lane splitting, just to be aware of my surroundings. So break your mirrors, maybe it's good for you. […]

Way to go, I always give a look above the shoulder before to quit going straight.

I removed my mirrors the 1st day I had my bike, afraid I would someday trust 'em and miss the dead angle.

It's also annoying when maneuvering between cars...

[barnone]

"What I find most interesting about Pete's OP is that although he was doing a legal maneuver, it looks absolutely crazy to turn left across lanes of traffic in an intersection."
When I first read soberpete's OP, I didn't know the situation of his left turn from the right bicycle lane.

[culcune]

I was watching those videos from 'youku' someone posted. Seems to be a confusing traffic pattern, hence all the accidents!! I could only imagine the left turn-from-the right-bike-lane rule here! Crazy stuff!!

[soberpete]

I went to the counter, asked the all-knowing-policeman a simple question - got a simple answer ... which was then immediately contradicted by another all-knowing-policeman. The two policemen started to argue, then a third policeman came into the fray with a third story.

So, I was standing there, dumbfounded, and finally walked away totally confused. I turned around as I was leaving the building and the three were still arguing.

The "rule" is, I guess, it depends on who is on the counter that day.TIC

That's funny but I'm sure that I'll only find this kind of thing more and more frustrating as I grow old here in China.

[soberpete]

In this case I'd line up in the middle of the 4 lanes.

I would normally do exactly that; stick between the lanes or even to the far left... in the middle of the opposing lanes. At the time I was in a particularly good mood and let a feeling of comfort take me without remaining conscious of it, which was a big mistake. It caused me to let my guard down and I didn't do any kind of check while pulling away from that junction, into the path of the guy trying to slip through the red light.

I've been riding my scooter since the accident. Been pretty scary just to ride slowly down the road recently but I'll get through it.

Pete, the shoulder check you should have done is sometimes referred to as the 'lifesaver look', which is actually better than using a mirror.

I've been doing a shoulder checks every chance that I get since I started riding again two days ago. This is something that is going to make me a much better rider.

Got my bike repaired yesterday but there is a problem with the gear peddle. It keeps slipping and failing to shift unless I kick it hard. There is also huge dent in the petrol tank that could have been a dent in me had I not been in that exact position in the road at that time (lucky lucky lucky! ).

[soberpete]

"Check those damn corners, don't give them a chance, as the 12yo says on their video game forums...

And good to hear u're fine."

Will do. Thanks for the comment braillce .

"When I first read soberpete's OP, I didn't know the situation of his left turn from the right bicycle lane."

Sorry to say, that's exactly what I did . It's what they want motorcyclists to do here in Zibo but they can f*cking sue me from now on. I don't want to die due to following rules.
-"Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men"-
I don't know who first produced that quote but I really agree with it.

"I was watching those videos from 'youku' someone posted. Seems to be a confusing traffic pattern, hence all the accidents!! I could only imagine the left turn-from-the right-bike-lane rule here! Crazy stuff!!"

You should spend a few days here in Zibo and you'll see exactly why these accidents happen. It'll make a new driver out of any westerner who puts their mind toward understanding the way they use the roads over here.

[felix]

Hey pete glad to hear nothing serious resulted of this, health or financial. Lucky lucky indeed!

I can't watch that video. Sitting through 12 minutes of poor bastards getting creamed by trucks isn't gonna make me a better rider, just a more terrified one. I don't believe you were any bit at fault in this one. The light was red for the car and green for you, it's totally on them. All you did wrong was to assume for one second that nobody was going to do something stupid. Luckily you lived and learned, good on you!

Rubber side down.

[ZMC888]

I completely agree Pete. Here in Zibo, and obviously many other places in China and the developing world you have to drive or ride in a manner that you have decided through careful analysis and reflection is the safest way for you to ride, for yourself and those sharing the road, for vehicle you use and the speed that you travel, and in some cases ignore the law.

I agree with about 90% of the Chinese road rules, and 99% of British road rules. For example in the UK in the 'rules' a green light is put on a pedestal, and is also put on a pedestal by advanced instructors and considered to be infallible. No need to look, they have a red light! The reality is there are idiots and drunk drivers worldwide, and I will never put my life or passengers' lives in the hands of an electronic light or what someone should do. I will always slow down and look if I have a green light, if anyone else doesn't like it, tough!

[moilami]

Way to go, I always give a look above the shoulder before to quit going straight.

I removed my mirrors the 1st day I had my bike, afraid I would someday trust 'em and miss the dead angle.

Eew, don't remove mirrors. You check the dead angle by turning your head and you check it every time you change your direction for example to change the lane. It takes a second to do. Has saved mine and my ex girl's health or maybe even life. I still remember how I ONCE thought about not bothering to check the dead angle but since it is so much of a reflex for me I checked and saw a car would had roflstomped us if I would had just changed the lane without checking. Haven't even thought about not checking dead angle after that!

Mirrors you use to develop better situational awareness. Those are just great when you learn to use them. That is when they become eyes on your back and it becomes just second nature to use them to get a clue what is happening behind you.

I can't imagine removing mirrors - unless I would want to drive very ignorantly.

[euphonius]

totally agree with moilami on mirrors and head checks. mirrors help raise awareness, but, as they say, objects in the mirror may be closer than they appear -- if they appear at all. Head check is mandatory every time, even if you are overtaking and know that there is "no damn way" anyone could be in that space you are about to enter. bloody head check anyway. every time. once you are used to it, it's second nature. nothing is 100% but a head check is in the high 90s, while a mirror is maybe 50.

learning a lot by blasting around chennai in tuktuks amid a sea of vehicles, about half of which are hero hondas and other Indian or JV bikes. This place rocks. Amazing degree of efficiency in the chaos.

cheers