DreamRider85

I read about this spooky incident where a lady who worked for Google in my area was killed. A big vehicle was turning left and didn't see her as she was heading downhill.

So I don't know how she could have avoided this situation. What are you supposed to do? Like I said, let's say your going downhill and a big vehicle is turning left, toward your direction? And to make matters worse, imagine if there is a car right behind you? What do you do?

I was even on a similar road today and cars were pissed at me. I guess I was going too slow. But not on purpose, I'm just not an elite cyclist yet. I have to watch out for cars turning as well.

skye

Swear loudly and hit the brakes.

genec

And hit the horn... you have an AirZounds on your commuter, right?

BobbyG

AirZound has saved my bacon many, many times...but still, I have to consider worst case scenarios and prepare for them.

Hypno Toad

+1

GoPro helmet cam from a few years ago (warning, video contains all swear words... used loudly). If this car won't have stopped I would have hit it. I was full braking, my rear wheel was lifting off. This is a down hill, but not a major descent, I'm typically 26 to 30 mph on this road (part of my daily commute for 7 years). This day, I hit a green light allowing me to carry a lot of speed, and I'm likely over 30 mph in this video.


Edit - for the record, I ride with a headlight on, day and night.

ItsJustMe

Very bright front strobe to avoid the situation, beyond that, keep close watch, avoid left/right or brake, depending on situation. I've done all three (veer around to the left or right, or stop short).

welshTerrier2

Let's change the question a little. Instead of asking how to avoid being hit by a left-turning vehicle, ask what you should do to avoid hitting a left-turning vehicle. The latter gives you control to ride safely.

So, you're flying down a hill into an intersection and you can see a potential left-turning vehicle. Job one is to control your speed. If the driver turns in front of you, you need to have sufficient control of your bike to be able to stop before you crash into him. The same is true if he's about to crash into you.

The other main safety tip is "visibility". What are you wearing? Do you have a light on your bike? Where are you riding? If you're squirreled away at the curb, or worse, you're riding on the sidewalk, you probably won't be seen. Also, if you're obscured by cars or trucks that are passing you, you probably won't be seen either.

Finally, if your speed is under control, in the worst situations you can make an emergency right turn to avoid a collision with a left-turning vehicle. This takes skill and practice but it can be done. It's always good to be aware of where you can bail out if it's necessary.

Bandera

Today's "I'm SOOOOOO Scared!" thread sounds the same sad note as "I'm Too Scared to Ride : The MUP, MTB trails, the Road or In Groups but I Ran Over a 5 Year Old" threads.

Some variety and a bit of humor would Troll better than singing the same sad song over and over and over......
Try harder.

-Bandera

YogaKat

My husband just walked in here asking what I was cursing about when I watched this.

Hypno Toad

Laughing Out Loud! and a little sorry, I hope I didn't offend.

Number400

The biggest factor in decreasing injury in most situations is scrubbing off speed. Do whatever it takes to slow down.

Don't target fixate on the vehicle, look away from it and focus on where you want to go (your escape route).

As hard as it is to do, realize that while it feels good to roll down hills fast and to preserve all the momentum that you worked for, that you will lose every time when up against hitting a solid object so ride accordingly.

Most drivers have no idea how fast you can go or are going at any moment. You are not wide enough or big enough for them to get a bearing and a single headlight only confuses them more. Best to have a solid headlight light on one side and a blinking on the other to help give them any hope of judging your speed.

YogaKat

Not at all, I would be cursing like a sailor if that happened as well.

We were both cracking up about it after I told him it was a video.

Leebo

Take the lane, use lights 24/7. Go slower? Not going to be seen if you are next to a vehicle and the other lane is turning left.

indyfabz

I deploy my drag chute admirally.

chasm54

^^This

skye

Exact same words I use. Same tone of voice. I hope you aren't me, because I'm old and ugly.

Hypno Toad

Well, I'm not young or pretty....

bikemig 

Great vid, crummy thread.

bikemig 

+ 100 on this.

mconlonx

Pay attention to the situation. Watch cars ahead, curb breaks to the right, anticipate, cover your brakes (finger or two resting on each brake lever). If a car and curb break are lining up, watch cars front wheels for steering input. If it happens that the car decides to left cross you, emergency braking and steering as best as you can manage. Covering the brakes and paying attention saves time, adds to braking ability, shortens brake reaction and stopping distance.

DreamRider85

Thanks. But I think I have pointed out a very tough and common situation. Just have to hope or pray. As the guy in the video above, if the car didn't stop, he would have possibly been a goner. And this concerns me. I read about an accident like that, going downhill in my area. Car turned left and didn't see the cyclist.

mconlonx

If you already know the answer, why ask questions in the OP?

Sorry, but if I get left-crossed, I'm hoping to do more than hope and pray, and will be prepared to take what action is in my control by anticipating such a situation as I outlined.

Here's another solution: ride a lot. It's generally safe, and the more you ride the safer you ride. Situational awareness increases with experience, and helps anticipate and avoid dangerous car/bike interactions.

I-Like-To-Bike

Staying off a bicycle and repeatedly whining and crying like a baby on the Internet might be the best course of action for anyone who is a troll or is "confidence" deficient.

trailangel

[h=2]What do you do when a car is turning left toward you?[/h]Hit the brakes, go to your right, the direction the car is going to go.If you go left to anticipate the left cross(to go around the outside of car)and the car decided to go back to going straight in his lane, you are now in a head-on and it will look like your fault.

San Rensho 

And in the worst case scenario, if you know you are going to hit, try jumping straight into the air as high as possible at the last moment so that you roll over the car and don't hit it straight on. Hard to do when everyone has an SUV but its worth a try.

Do not "lay the bike down" as you have a better chance of getting run over.