Advocacy & Safety - A discomforting close call while driving

Many riders don’t want to burden their bikes with equipment, but there needs to be some sort of statement made to alert bikers to the dangers of night riding without relfection and illumination. When driving, I always give the right of way to bikers when necessary and keep on the lookout, being a biker myself. I was returning to home by car during last night’s torrential downpour. It's hard to see. I’m at a red light, waiting for it to change, while keeping an eye on the oncoming traffic. Light changes and I see a car approacing from the front making a turn. Now, it’s my turn and as my car slowly started turning, a dark streak went by my driver’s side door toward the rear of the vehicle. It was a bike rider. I did not see where the person came from. But it was like a shadow figure, sort of like a silhouette with no reflectives and no lights. Clothes were dark. For all I know, probably didn't have a helmet, either. Had I not turned slowly, I think I might have impacted the bike rider. Which really left me anxious. It was a semi-lit corner area with stores and lamp posts. But people have to know that even a reasonably lit area provides for dark shadows, from which a dark figure will immediately appear. Add a hard rain to the mix and it can prove very dangerous.

You bring up a very good point , I'm sure most of the poeple on this forum are responsible riders but there are always a few loons out there with the old idea that reflectors and lights make me look like a goon ,worst thing is if a car hits them they scream bloody murder ..there is a guy who rides around my area on one of those pocket bikes at night with no lights,helmet or protective gear on and my wife nearly hit him the other night ,the last thing someone who drives wants is to have to deal with hitting someone .