How to Not Get Hit by Cars
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@creadinger 74012 wrote:
That’s why I prefer the helmet mount for my big light. In the dark, I can beam drivers in the eye at cross-streets with my light to make sure they see me and don’t pull out. You can’t get the mutual “hello fellow human” interaction of eye-contact but at least they know you’re there.
I generally agree, and that’s one of my main reasons for doing the same. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop me from being hit last month by a guy who pulled out of the cross-street at a T junction, even though I was in the middle of the left lane (getting ready to go straight at an intersection where the right lane must turn right) AND shaking my head at him.
To his credit, the guy did stop and stay to make sure I was OK (which I was; it was a very slow-speed crash), but he kept saying “I didn’t even see you!” I kept thinking, “Dude, I’ve got 900 lumens on my head pointed right at you, and another 150 blinking on my handlebar, and red spoke lights on each wheel — what more do you want, neon?” So naturally, I added that over the holiday and am now sporting a blue EL wire wrapped around my top tube, seat tube, and down tube.
@slowtriguy 74027 wrote:
I generally agree, and that’s one of my main reasons for doing the same. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop me from being hit last month by a guy who pulled out of the cross-street at a T junction, even though I was in the middle of the left lane (getting ready to go straight at an intersection where the right lane must turn right) AND shaking my head at him.
To his credit, the guy did stop and stay to make sure I was OK (which I was; it was a very slow-speed crash), but he kept saying “I didn’t even see you!” I kept thinking, “Dude, I’ve got 900 lumens on my head pointed right at you, and another 150 blinking on my handlebar, and red spoke lights on each wheel — what more do you want, neon?” So naturally, I added that over the holiday and am now sporting a blue EL wire wrapped around my top tube, seat tube, and down tube.
Is it the blinking Bike Glow wire? I had one of those a couple years ago. (I destroyed it when it accidentally got caught up in the pedal cranks. The wire ripped out of the battery pack. I’ve never gotten around to replacing it.)
@vvill 74053 wrote:
I just assume drivers don’t see me and slow down enough that I can stop suddenly if I have to.
There’s the difference. I don’t have to slow down in order to stop suddenly. I’m already slow, and can therefore stop suddenly whenever.
Team Rusty Studs likely will not win the speed prize this year because of me. Haha.@creadinger 74055 wrote:
Team Rusty Studs likely will not win the speed prize this year because of me. Haha.
The only team we’re beating is the slacker team. I don’t know if Rusty Studs is going to win any prizes at all
@guga31bb 74060 wrote:
The only team we’re beating is the slacker team. I don’t know if Rusty Studs is going to win any prizes at all
Yeah, and that wont be for much longer.
Let the battle of the basement begin!
@slowtriguy 74027 wrote:
but he kept saying “I didn’t even see you!” I kept thinking, “Dude, I’ve got 900 lumens on my head pointed right at you, and another 150 blinking on my handlebar, and red spoke lights on each wheel — what more do you want, neon?” So naturally, I added that over the holiday and am now sporting a blue EL wire wrapped around my top tube, seat tube, and down tube.
Bike Snob has no sympathy for the “I didn’t see you” excuse. Nor do I.
I also think I read–maybe here on the forum–of a cop who told someone, “This cyclist is a lot more visible than a sign, and you wouldn’t use the ‘I didn’t see the sign’ excuse for breaking a law.” Kudos to that cop.
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