Cars aren't seeing me as they enter traffic circle. What to do?
08-31-13, 11:43 PM
#26
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Sorry about the drawing bobbles. Unsteady hand.
Here is what happened to the best of my recollection. I am the black line, yellow is the driver:
Last year, I got hit in this other circle on the same road like this. Car had plenty of visibility to see oncoming traffic. I had headlight and reflective vest and was in the lane with traffic at night:
Here is what happened to the best of my recollection. I am the black line, yellow is the driver:
Last year, I got hit in this other circle on the same road like this. Car had plenty of visibility to see oncoming traffic. I had headlight and reflective vest and was in the lane with traffic at night:
09-01-13, 07:39 AM
#27
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Unless I missed it, it makes a difference of what type of bike you are riding. If it is a trike I would suggest that a flag or two might help.
OTOH it make a difference on how the circle is built. If you have the "artsey" groups demanding that the center of the circle needs to be piled high with rocks, trees, or other high "pretty things", that in its self makes the circle more dangerous. A circle should be flat enough that even a person on a trike can see clear across the circle.
Lastly you just might be a victim of "bikes belong on sidewalks" drivers that think they always have the right of way.
OTOH it make a difference on how the circle is built. If you have the "artsey" groups demanding that the center of the circle needs to be piled high with rocks, trees, or other high "pretty things", that in its self makes the circle more dangerous. A circle should be flat enough that even a person on a trike can see clear across the circle.
Lastly you just might be a victim of "bikes belong on sidewalks" drivers that think they always have the right of way.
09-01-13, 12:58 PM
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You may already be doing this, but I agree with other posters about taking the lane an behaving like you own it. I have some busy traffic circles on a few of my regular rides and approaching them, I move into the lane and keep my speed up.
IMO, it would be very helpful to all cyclists if there were more road user education and awareness programs like billboards, printed ads, and radio and TV spots on the rights and appropriate sharing of the road. In my experienced, most non cyclists don't really know what the rules are or how to shard the road with cyclists. Certainly not all will agree or comply, but at least it would remove ignorance as a cause.
IMO, it would be very helpful to all cyclists if there were more road user education and awareness programs like billboards, printed ads, and radio and TV spots on the rights and appropriate sharing of the road. In my experienced, most non cyclists don't really know what the rules are or how to shard the road with cyclists. Certainly not all will agree or comply, but at least it would remove ignorance as a cause.
09-01-13, 01:08 PM
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IMO, it would be very helpful to all cyclists if there were more road user education and awareness programs like billboards, printed ads, and radio and TV spots on the rights and appropriate sharing of the road. In my experienced, most non cyclists don't really know what the rules are or how to shard the road with cyclists. .
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
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WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
09-01-13, 09:15 PM
#32
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09-01-13, 09:27 PM
#33
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That would help, but as I wrote earlier, around here driver "don't see" articulated busses when they enter circles.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
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“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
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FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
09-03-13, 07:51 AM
#34
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Sometimes in traffic circles I shadow a car.
09-03-13, 06:19 PM
#35
----
+1, while rules define rights and responsibilities on the road, they're meaningless if most people don't know them. Pavement markings like bike lanes and sharrows don't mean anything if drivers and cyclists aren't told what they do mean. The accident rates on our roads aren't the result of bad or inadequate laws, but because of inadequate driver and cyclist education.
I'm wondering if you could elaborate on the line in bold.
1) Educate drivers and cyclists? What would you teach them?
2) How would it be taught?
3) What evidence do you have that this would be effective?
The 3 major causes of automobile accidents are: 1) Distracted driving 2) Excessive speed. 3) "Drunk" driving.
Would what you want to teach actually impact these causes?
09-10-13, 06:19 AM
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Use helmet-mounted spot light, aim into drivers' faces (briefly).
Add loud horn (AirZounds or similar).
Ride in center of lane.
Realize that some drivers will cut you off no matter what. They are clueless, or pricks, or (quite often) they misestimate the speed of a cyclist. So, you will need to do the avoiding.
Add loud horn (AirZounds or similar).
Ride in center of lane.
Realize that some drivers will cut you off no matter what. They are clueless, or pricks, or (quite often) they misestimate the speed of a cyclist. So, you will need to do the avoiding.
09-10-13, 06:34 AM
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Whom ever designed those traffic circles ought to be taken out and shot .. lol .. I was recently *initiated* to them recently when I drove to Ann Arbor Mi to visit s bike shop and had to drive on Geddes rd where there are two of these stupid intersections .. OMG .. and several bikers in that area too.
09-10-13, 07:15 PM
#38
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Did OP ever answer this?
But in general, I repeat the general advice to control the lane. Merge into the middle of the lane, enter the circle when safe and stay in the middle of the lane until you're ready to exit the traffic circle. Watch out for the idiots who don't know how to drive in circles, but that advice applies whether you drive or bike.
Since you're talking lights I'll deduce this is night riding for you, but the same principal applies: to maximize visibility, take the lane.
Please DO NOT aim a helmet light into a driver's face. It blinds the driver and makes the situation less safe, not more.
But in general, I repeat the general advice to control the lane. Merge into the middle of the lane, enter the circle when safe and stay in the middle of the lane until you're ready to exit the traffic circle. Watch out for the idiots who don't know how to drive in circles, but that advice applies whether you drive or bike.
Since you're talking lights I'll deduce this is night riding for you, but the same principal applies: to maximize visibility, take the lane.
Please DO NOT aim a helmet light into a driver's face. It blinds the driver and makes the situation less safe, not more.
