I was cycling up Comiston Road tonight when I got to the Greenbank Terrace junction shown here and as usual there were cars turning right blocking the box junction as there isn't enough room if the light further up is at red. As I was going up, there were two cars blocking both lanes, they were both partially turned and the lanes going down were also being blocked as a car was sticking out into the lane.
Nobody was moving and I normally try and get to the middle of the road about there as I turn right into the Braidburn Valley and if you don't get into the middle there, then you tak eyour life in your hands nearer the junction.
My plan was to go up the left (next to the kerb) between the car turning (2 feet or so) and the pavement, then cut between the stationary cars into the middle of the road as usual.
The cars heading toward town were starting to toot at the 3 cars blocking them as I started then as I pulled level with t he front car, the driver decided to move forward, saw me braked and tooted at me raising her hand in annoyance.
The traffic started moving as I cut over to the middle and I pointed out as I passed she shouldn't be in the box junction as she tooted at me again as she drew level. At this point, someone heading towards town in what I think was a BMW called me a "f****** a*******" and told me to get off the road.
I found it quite amusing, a car driver, blocked by cars, takes it out on the cyclist. Of course, I hadn't paid my road tax so was obviously in the wrong and must have caused the hold up...
When I started moving, I had a green light and the cars were stationary, the driver moved after me then braked. My way through the box junction was clear. That being said, I knew if I didn't go then, I would get boxed in on the wrong side of the road.
Ah the joys of city cycling....As I turned into the Braidburn, a driver coming down the road waved me though, despite him being able to clear the box there which was very nice of him.
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