"bike users" with no lights...

[my58vw]

Tonight it almost happened again, some idiot with no lights or reflectors pulls out going the right way for once as I go by... I nearly hit him... dark street. I deliver pizzas and there guys seem to be everywhere on the weekends...

Any sugestions on avoiding them?

[atbman]

Don't avoid them once. then you won't have to avoid them ever again :p

[I-Like-To-Bike]

Tonight it almost happened again, some idiot with no lights or reflectors pulls out going the right way for once as I go by... I nearly hit him... dark street. I deliver pizzas and there guys seem to be everywhere on the weekends...

Any sugestions on avoiding them?
If you are delivering your pizzas on a bicycle (or in a car) in a busy traffic environment, I suggest you concern yourself with (or obsess about) greater threats to your personal safety than bicyclists that you can't see as well as you'd like.

[Kyle90]

I'd never have lights on my bike, ever. and the only reflector would be the one on my seatpost.

[2manybikes]

Get a good powerful headlight if you don't already have one so you can see them as far away as possible. It also will make them stay away from you a little bit. They will hesitate to pull out in front of you also.(sometimes)

I know this guy was going the right way, but if they are coming at you on your side of the road just stop and block that part of the road so they have to swerve into traffic, not you. (Brace yourself for impact just in case, and watch out for handlebars and parts of the other bike.) The brighter your light the more space they will give you, they can't tell how wide you are that way.

Buy some really cheap lights and give them one. Some people who think reflectors look lousy during the day, will still put a light on the bike at night.

It is illegal, see if the cops will respond.

Good luck.

[SamHouston]

I'd never have lights on my bike, ever. and the only reflector would be the one on my seatpost.


Too heavy?

[catatonic]

This is what irks me....at the least these bikes should have a DOT reflector, not one of those stupid tiny ones they have now.

[Kyle90]

I have my reasons for not using a light:

1. Something else to take care of
2. It can break very easy
3. It takes batteries
4. I'd forget to turn it on
5. It just flat out looks stupid

It's apparently illegal to have my bike the way I have it, yet I haven't been stopped. I'd also, probably not even stop.

[Roody]

I have my reasons for not using a light:


5. It just flat out looks stupid


So you'd rather be stupid than look stupid?

[catatonic]

I have my reasons for not using a light:

1. Something else to take care of
2. It can break very easy
3. It takes batteries
4. I'd forget to turn it on
5. It just flat out looks stupid

It's apparently illegal to have my bike the way I have it, yet I haven't been stopped. I'd also, probably not even stop.

1) quality lights aren't very hard to "care" for...is a battery change a month too hard? Or is plugging in a light to a charger once a week too much?

2) only cheap lights break easily...good lights can be very tough.

3) rechargables work wonders, hardest part is recharging them...and that's easy.

4) that was a lame excuse and you know it

5) how does being visible to drivers make you look stupid? Does using your headlights in a car make you look stupid as well?

Cheap lights will be cheap in quality as well...you don't need to spend huge amounts, but there is a balance point between tough lights and cheap.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

This is what irks me....at the least these bikes should have a DOT reflector, not one of those stupid tiny ones they have now.
Please furnish your reason for being "irked." What makes the original reflector "stupid" and a DOT reflector "smart?" How much smarter? And what makes you think the difference is significant in the real world where cyclists actually ride?

[catatonic]

DOT reflectors are larger, and thus can reflect back more light, thus better.

THe CPSC reflectors are way too tiny to be really visible.

Another part of it is per surface area the DOT reflectors reflect back more light, so the improvement is further augmented.

Givne it won't improve on the weaknesses of the reflector, but in the instances a reflector works, there is a bigger and brighter reflection, thus better visibility.

[-=£em in Pa=-]

So you'd rather be stupid than look stupid?

:roflmao:

I have encountered this attitude often.
It is only held by part-timers. When they
start to really ride it goes away.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

DOT reflectors are larger, and thus can reflect back more light, thus better. THe CPSC reflectors are way too tiny to be really visible

Any evidence that more is better in this usage? If so, why not 12" or 16" or more reflectors?

BTW, what is the difference between visible and "really visible?" If the original reflector is not obstructed and does what it is supposed to, it is only wishful thinking (or repeating the conventional wisdom/mantra) that indicates more is better.

[geeklpc1985]

I have my reasons for not using a light:

1. Something else to take care of
2. It can break very easy
3. It takes batteries
4. I'd forget to turn it on
5. It just flat out looks stupid

It's apparently illegal to have my bike the way I have it, yet I haven't been stopped. I'd also, probably not even stop.

...thats a nice way to die, be hit by a car that doesn't see you...are you looking for a darwin award?
Super Geek

[Mentor58]

^^^And then it would be the drivers fault, but that's ok, since when the EMT's rolled up on the scene one of them was heard to say "Humm, no light, but at least he didn't look stupid... ok lets bag him"

Steve W.
Who came d@mn near hitting a rider last night, no lights, dark clothing, dark narrow road.

[catatonic]

Any evidence that more is better in this usage? If so, why not 12" or 16" or more reflectors?

BTW, what is the difference between visible and "really visible?" If the original reflector is not obstructed and does what it is supposed to, it is only wishful thinking (or repeating the conventional wisdom/mantra) that indicates more is better.


To answer if more is better, ask if less is just as good. In this case it's not. only hting stopping a 12" or 16" reflector is practicality...it just won't fit easily on most bikes.

And as far as really visible....go drive sometime at night and compare a driveway reflector (which is one of the DOT types) and a bike reflector...which is easier to see and discern distance without prior knowledge of whether it was a bike or not.

I've seen many reflectors, and every single "stock" CPSC reflector I see on a bike, is pretty poor as far as reflection goes.

Older bikes had better reflectors than now. My old Trek 1100 had stock reflectors that were far better than anything you see stock on bikes today. I'd rather see reflectors at least go back to that size, which is at least a compromise, rather than stay at the tiny little spot they are now. The older reflectors were tougher as well.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

^^^And then it would be the drivers fault, but that's ok, since when the EMT's rolled up on the scene one of them was heard to say "Humm, no light, but at least he didn't look stupid... ok lets bag him"

Steve W.
Who came d@mn near hitting a rider last night, no lights, dark clothing, dark narrow road.
Is there something that makes the number 58 special to smug self righteous SOB's?

[Kyle90]

1) quality lights aren't very hard to "care" for...is a battery change a month too hard? Or is plugging in a light to a charger once a week too much?

2) only cheap lights break easily...good lights can be very tough.

3) rechargables work wonders, hardest part is recharging them...and that's easy.

4) that was a lame excuse and you know it

5) how does being visible to drivers make you look stupid? Does using your headlights in a car make you look stupid as well?

Cheap lights will be cheap in quality as well...you don't need to spend huge amounts, but there is a balance point between tough lights and cheap.
1. I'm lazy
2. With me, they wouldn't last a minute.
3. again, I'm lazy.
4. I don't care what you think.
5. It's your opinion as to whether it dosen't look stupid, and for me it does. I personally don't care about being visible to drivers because I'm rarely on an actual road.

So you'd rather be stupid than look stupid? I couldn't care less.

:roflmao:

I have encountered this attitude often.
It is only held by part-timers. When they
start to really ride it goes away.
I love assumptions.

...thats a nice way to die, be hit by a car that doesn't see you...are you looking for a darwin award?
Super Geek
Once again, I don't really. Oh, I imagine now some person is going to post about how much of an idiot I am for not being a saftey consious little herb. Ya'll have fun wearing pads, and having lights and reflectors and the lot. I'd rather not wear or use any. I won't and nothing could sway me otherwise, especially these scare-tactics everyone loves oh so much. Now, discuss otherwise as I really don't care what anyone thinks.

[TrevorInSoCal]

1. I'm lazy
2. With me, they wouldn't last a minute.
3. again, I'm lazy.
4. I don't care what you think.
5. It's your opinion as to whether it dosen't look stupid, and for me it does. I personally don't care about being visible to drivers because I'm rarely on an actual road.


You're rarely on an actual road?

Where do you ride then? Are you a track-racer? Mountain biker who drives to all the trailheads?

BMXer?

If so, then wtf are you doing in the advocacy forum (As in "advocating" for the rights of cyclists as road users.") spouting off about how stupid lights look? Other than trolling that is...

-Trevor

[Kyle90]

Hmm.. Worthy of a response.

I choose a path that's quickest to my destination and it generally involves a combination of roads, trails, ect. I also BMX a little aswell.

Hmm.. I can, that's why. Hey, it's called an opinion. Just because you might like them or think they're somehow a needed saftey feature, then go ahead. I don't. and really, this advocacy forum.. Is bogus. Everday there's a new topic about the same old thing. But that's aside the point. You all can like them all you want, it don't mean **** to me and I sure as hell would never attach a light to a bike. Perhaps it's cuase I like the danger and like having the idea of being smashed by a car. I live on adrenaline anyway. crossing 6 lanes at rush hour is always fun.

[recursive]

Haha. Good luck Kyle90.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[-=£em in Pa=-]

^^^ OH SNAP !!
I HEARED THAT ! ! ! !

You da MaN !!

http://deephousepage.com/smilies/respect.gif

[EricDJ]

I have my reasons for not using a light:

1. Something else to take care of
2. It can break very easy
3. It takes batteries
4. I'd forget to turn it on
5. It just flat out looks stupid

It's apparently illegal to have my bike the way I have it, yet I haven't been stopped. I'd also, probably not even stop.

Please fill out your orga donor card now. Keep in mind that any insurance company will not pay you a cent if you are run over and you will have no recourse on medical expenses. An insurance company will dispute you and claim your negligence in obeying the law caused the accident. Just the same as if you were driving a car with no tail lights and get hit.

You are truly the retard of the year.

[Kyle90]

Umm, you're incorrect. I've been hit before and I didn't have any gear and my insurance paid with no arguement. I also, don't care. You all can be scared of getting hit and wearing and using all sorts of saftey gear. I won't. I'm kinda waiting for someone to tell me to wear a helmet so I have reason to kick their door while riding past.

[recursive]

Pfff.. All kinds of safety gear? I wear a helmet. When it's dark, I use lights.

Honestly, without the lights, I would be hitting every other pothole in the road. The safety issue is just a bonus.

Were you hit when it was dark? If so, who is your insurance company?

[EricDJ]

Umm, you're incorrect. I've been hit before and I didn't have any gear and my insurance paid with no arguement. I also, don't care. You all can be scared of getting hit and wearing and using all sorts of saftey gear. I won't. I'm kinda waiting for someone to tell me to wear a helmet so I have reason to kick their door while riding past.

Key word is your insurance. What is that health insurance. Thats not the issue, if I ran you over in my car, I will make sure State Farm doesn't give you a penny. I will give them all the facts and then good luck to you.

There is a guy a block away from here that I know has been hit three times. Didn't see a penny from any of the accidents because of no lighting, or reflectors. He will never pay off the bills since he has no health insurance. I gave the retard free lights one day. He said they were gay. Come to think of it, I haven't seen him in a while. Maybe he got hit again.

[banerjek]

Awww, lay off Kyle90 guys. If you can't do much, pointless rebellion is the only way of getting noticed. Besides, k00lness is often mistaken for stupidity by automatons. That reminds me, I need to go get my forehead tatooed and my wang pierced......

[catatonic]

I do find it funny how people do resort to "automaton" or "robot" names when they run out of arguments...we need more people using those line and trying to be serious.

I do think we need to amend the Nazi clause of internet arguments to include robot and automaton...once someone calls someone one of these they automatically lose.

[banerjek]

I do find it funny how people do resort to "automaton" or "robot" names when they run out of arguments...we need more people using those line and trying to be serious.

Huh -- what made you think the posting was serious? I would have thought that calling people who use lights at night "automatons" was so over the top that it was obvious I meant to sound ridiculous. Also, the reference to mutilating my face and private parts should have provided a subtle hint.....

That anyone could mistake what I said for an actual argument says something about the level of some of the discussions on BF :D

I have no intention of presenting reasonable arguments in this thread. It's already far off the topic introduced by the OP and Kyle90 sounds like an ordinary teenager who's just trying to yank peoples' chains.

[Roody]

Oh jeeze.

[catatonic]

Huh -- what made you think the posting was serious? I would have thought that calling people who use lights at night "automatons" was so over the top that it was obvious I meant to sound ridiculous. Also, the reference to mutilating my face and private parts should have provided a subtle hint.....

That anyone could mistake what I said for an actual argument says something about the level of some of the discussions on BF :D

I have no intention of presenting reasonable arguments in this thread. It's already far off the topic introduced by the OP and Kyle90 sounds like an ordinary teenager who's just trying to yank peoples' chains.


I know you were kidding man, sheesh :p

I just had to mention it, since I have a feeling that we might start hearing accusations of some of us being Daleks, considering the lack of any really good debates lately.

[banerjek]

I know you were kidding man, sheesh :p

I deserve a dope slap for misreading you, but on BF, it's a surprisingly easy mistake to make. For example, which of the two statements below is more likely to be a joke?


Perhaps it's cuase I like the danger and like having the idea of being smashed by a car. I live on adrenaline anyway.

I need to go get my forehead tatooed and my wang pierced

Both ideas are pretty damn stupid, but only one is likely to result in death or serious permanent injury....

[SamHouston]

Hmm.. Worthy of a response.

I choose a path that's quickest to my destination and it generally involves a combination of roads, trails, ect. I also BMX a little aswell.

Hmm.. I can, that's why. Hey, it's called an opinion. Just because you might like them or think they're somehow a needed saftey feature, then go ahead. I don't. and really, this advocacy forum.. Is bogus. Everday there's a new topic about the same old thing. But that's aside the point. You all can like them all you want, it don't mean **** to me and I sure as hell would never attach a light to a bike. Perhaps it's cuase I like the danger and like having the idea of being smashed by a car. I live on adrenaline anyway. crossing 6 lanes at rush hour is always fun.

Combos of roads and trails are perfectly legal and a sound way to get around, especially on a BMX bike. Many municipalities allow bikes with a wheel diameter of less than 24" on the sidewalks you know.

Once you're a little older and have been in a few car accidents or smashed by one on your bike you'll realize how unexciting and unfun it is, it's actually pretty lame. You will feel foolish or embarrassed even if it is entirely the others fault, after all, you should've been able to prevent it, right? No.

As far as this forum & advocacy go, it isn't any form of advocacy what's done here, only discussion. You'll be more effective when you've a better understanding of the wide range of opinions and viewpoints that others have on a particular subject. New people join in the discussion all the time, that is why the information traded often seems to repeat itself.

Getting into an accident pales in comparison to a real, lasting rush, like winning a race, finishing your first century, pulling off a new aerial for the first time, moving up to a new catagory or class and racing bigger and better riders, pulling off a successful fund raiser....so many better things, too many to list.

[sbhikes]

I really don't get this topic or the attitude of the guy who started it. Lights aren't cool? I thought having a really cool lighting system was the pinnacle of bicyclist haute couture. In any case, I know my lights make me very cool. I can even fake out the stoners with my helmet-mounted lights. They give me any grief and I just tell them I got them on camera and I'll be sending the video to the police.

[2manybikes]

I really don't get this topic or the attitude of the guy who started it. Lights aren't cool? I thought having a really cool lighting system was the pinnacle of bicyclist haute couture. In any case, I know my lights make me very cool. I can even fake out the stoners with my helmet-mounted lights. They give me any grief and I just tell them I got them on camera and I'll be sending the video to the police.




Lights are cool.
Faking out stoners by telling them they are on camera is even cooler. Extra credit points.

[-=£em in Pa=-]

Lights are cool.
Faking out stoners by telling them they are on camera is even cooler. Extra credit points.

http://deephousepage.com/smilies/joint.gif.......................http://deephousepage.com/smilies/weed1.gif
"Wh o o 0 o a ...... d 0 o 0 D.......
Is ThaT a CaMeRa........? y0u'Re FroM JaCkaSs oR PuNk'd, R i i i i G h t........?
W ho0a KeWL....FiLm Me RidiNg AcRoSs siX LaNes oF TrAfFic aNd KiCk a KaR do0r
wIth n0 LiTes oR hElmet !!"

..................................................................................http://deephousepage.com/smilies/bongsmi.gif

[2manybikes]

http://deephousepage.com/smilies/joint.gif.......................http://deephousepage.com/smilies/weed1.gif
"Wh o o 0 o a ...... d 0 o 0 D.......
Is ThaT a CaMeRa........? y0u'Re FroM JaCkaSs oR PuNk'd, R i i i i G h t........?
W ho0a KeWL....FiLm Me RidiNg AcRoSs siX LaNes oF TrAfFic aNd KiCk a KaR do0r
wIth n0 LiTes oR hElmet !!"

..................................................................................http://deephousepage.com/smilies/bongsmi.gif

:roflmao: :roflmao:

[Kyle90]

Combos of roads and trails are perfectly legal and a sound way to get around, especially on a BMX bike. Many municipalities allow bikes with a wheel diameter of less than 24" on the sidewalks you know.

Once you're a little older and have been in a few car accidents or smashed by one on your bike you'll realize how unexciting and unfun it is, it's actually pretty lame. You will feel foolish or embarrassed even if it is entirely the others fault, after all, you should've been able to prevent it, right? No.

As far as this forum & advocacy go, it isn't any form of advocacy what's done here, only discussion. You'll be more effective when you've a better understanding of the wide range of opinions and viewpoints that others have on a particular subject. New people join in the discussion all the time, that is why the information traded often seems to repeat itself.

Getting into an accident pales in comparison to a real, lasting rush, like winning a race, finishing your first century, pulling off a new aerial for the first time, moving up to a new catagory or class and racing bigger and better riders, pulling off a successful fund raiser....so many better things, too many to list.
I love the assumptions! I love'em! I've been in seven car accidents, non our fualt. I've been hit three times by a car on my bike. First time I was turning and the car decided to pass me at the same time and we meet at the front quarter panel. Second, thise idiot has her entire driveway blocked off and assumes no one's on the sidewalk and just pulls out and I meet her front fender. Third, I was crossing infront of this slut with a cell phone and somehow she manages to not see me and pulls out , smashing my left leg and cuasing it to swell after just getting out of a cast a couple months prior and smashing my rear wheel.

love when people try and play that "once you're older" bull****. I'm fully aware and I fully don't care. I don't see why it's so hard for you ****wads to realize it. Must have something to do with that stupid "don't drive" mentality.

1. I don't compete, don't have the time or the money to waste.
2. I'd never in my life start a fund raiser like all these others and they only do it so the people will like them that much more. I can probably safely assume you think otherwise, though. Afterall, you're always right apparently. Even though, you're wrong.

and I wouldn't get a high winning a race like I would sneaking into the enemy base and stealing their maps and other intel and retreating back to base without being seen. Or, crossing several lanes of traffic at rush hour without stopping.

and, £em in Pa, you're just an idiot. Pure and simple. and if you were to say that to my face while riding.. You'd suddenly find yourself unable to ride or drive back home.

[-=£em in Pa=-]

http://deephousepage.com/smilies/hahaha.gif
and, £em in Pa, you're just an idiot. Pure and simple. and if you were to say that to my face while riding.. You'd suddenly find yourself unable to ride or drive back home.

http://deephousepage.com/smilies/lol.gif

yEr WiDdLe BaLLed up fists aNd KeYboArd R sayiNg....."wHoa D0od...cHiLL oN dA AdRenaLine RuSh"
http://deephousepage.com/smilies/madani.gif http://deephousepage.com/smilies/cussing.gif http://deephousepage.com/smilies/banghead.gif

[recursive]

I love the assumptions! I love'em!
Good, I've got some more for you.

I've been in seven car accidents, non our fualt.
Who determined the fault? At this point, I don't really trust you to rationally determine fault.

I've been hit three times by a car on my bike. First time I was turning and the car decided to pass me at the same time and we meet at the front quarter panel.
I'm going to assume you were turning left from the right lane. That's your fault. Ok, but without the assumption, how is it possible to be hit by someone passing you while turning? If you are turning right, you will be passed on the left. If you are turning left, you will be passed on the left. If this is not the case, then you are not correctly positioned.

Second, thise idiot has her entire driveway blocked off and assumes no one's on the sidewalk and just pulls out and I meet her front fender.
I've been involved in this one. I found that it can be avoided by not riding on the sidewalk. I'm assuming you want to avoid it. If you don't mind, then carry on.

Third, I was crossing infront of this slut with a cell phone and somehow she manages to not see me and pulls out , smashing my left leg and cuasing it to swell after just getting out of a cast a couple months prior and smashing my rear wheel.
Without addressing the obvious problem with this, this sounds like the only one of the three that you could not have reasonably avoided. Assuming you're giving an accurate and unbiased account. (easily refuted)


How do you like these assumptions?


and I wouldn't get a high winning a race like I would sneaking into the enemy base and stealing their maps and other intel and retreating back to base without being seen. Or, crossing several lanes of traffic at rush hour without stopping.
You have mentioned several times the fact that you can merge across several lanes of rush hour traffic. Several of us do that regularly. It's really not as impressive as you seem to think it is.

[EricDJ]

He also didn't say the times of day these happened. If they were near dark times a pair of lights and some correct reflectors might have made him seen.

I now think lights/reflectors are "retarded/gay" as people say too. I think I am going to go disconnect all the ones on my car.

[SamHouston]

I love the assumptions! I love'em! I've been in seven car accidents, non our fualt. I've been hit three times by a car on my bike. First time I was turning and the car decided to pass me at the same time and we meet at the front quarter panel. Second, thise idiot has her entire driveway blocked off and assumes no one's on the sidewalk and just pulls out and I meet her front fender. Third, I was crossing infront of this slut with a cell phone and somehow she manages to not see me and pulls out , smashing my left leg and cuasing it to swell after just getting out of a cast a couple months prior and smashing my rear wheel.

love when people try and play that "once you're older" bull****. I'm fully aware and I fully don't care. I don't see why it's so hard for you ****wads to realize it. Must have something to do with that stupid "don't drive" mentality.

1. I don't compete, don't have the time or the money to waste.
2. I'd never in my life start a fund raiser like all these others and they only do it so the people will like them that much more. I can probably safely assume you think otherwise, though. Afterall, you're always right apparently. Even though, you're wrong.

and I wouldn't get a high winning a race like I would sneaking into the enemy base and stealing their maps and other intel and retreating back to base without being seen. Or, crossing several lanes of traffic at rush hour without stopping.

and, £em in Pa, you're just an idiot. Pure and simple. and if you were to say that to my face while riding.. You'd suddenly find yourself unable to ride or drive back home.

Wow you showed me :D , last time I'm nice to a 16 year old hanging out on an advocacy forum. So what you mean is you aren't up for actually "doing" anything about whatever it is you're here for and while your here you'd prefer not to learn, oh and you'd also like keep the status quo as far as your cycling accomplishments to date, getting into accidents that were your fault? (the lady with the blind driveway probably should have a mirror installed to help her avoid children though)

Racing and stunting do involve strategy, just like your military video games do. Lots of other benefits too.

[banerjek]

I love the assumptions! I love'em! I've been in seven car accidents, non our fualt.
Dude, when problems are always someone else's fault, alarms should be going off. Some accidents are unavoidable, but the vast majority of the time good riders/drivers can avoid crashes when others screw up. Given how often you fail at this task, it says something about your skills. I'll bet there are plenty of geezers on BF who can move much faster than you through traffic or anywhere else for that matter without wrecking all the time.

If you plan on repeatedly getting hit by a couple thousand pounds of steel, it's only a matter of time before you shatter a joint or suffer some other permanent injury that will keep you from doing things that most people take for granted. Enjoy it while it lasts.

[EricDJ]

I live in Los Angeles, I haven't had a car accident in almost 15 years. I haven't had any bike issues in over 10 years. Only should take one of each to teach you to be aware of others.

I had a delivery job when I first moved here, the rule with truck driving was, all accidents are your fault. You are supposed to be aware of others who want to get hit.

I drive and ride fast, I love the outer lane between parked cars and traffic while operating both. If this kid is truly under 18 with this many accidents, he doesn't need a car ever. He is a danger to himself and to others. The attitude of invincibility will be a downfall.

[bbonnn]

Tonight it almost happened again, some idiot with no lights or reflectors pulls out going the right way for once as I go by... I nearly hit him... dark street. I deliver pizzas and there guys seem to be everywhere on the weekends...

Any sugestions on avoiding them?

But back to the original topic ... I don't have any suggestions, other than the aforementioned brighter light (which can only help to a small degree). But I'm curious to hear other ideas, as I've run into this problem myself.

It's not a question of mitigating your bike-dorkiness by not having safety gear. The fact that you're on a bike at all automatically makes you a dweeb in the eyes of most people on the road, no matter what gear you have. There's no avoiding it. I say, embrace it - reflectorize the crap out of your dork-mobile with pride.

[crazybikerchick]

I love the assumptions! I love'em! I've been in seven car accidents, non our fualt. I've been hit three times by a car on my bike. First time I was turning and the car decided to pass me at the same time and we meet at the front quarter panel. Second, thise idiot has her entire driveway blocked off and assumes no one's on the sidewalk and just pulls out and I meet her front fender. Third, I was crossing infront of this slut with a cell phone and somehow she manages to not see me and pulls out , smashing my left leg and cuasing it to swell after just getting out of a cast a couple months prior and smashing my rear wheel.

Some of us think its a good thing to avoid accidents in the first place no matter whose fault it is. Being visible and predictable, and riding defensively can help avoid accidents.
1. Please explain the lane scenario of how you can be turning and a passing car meets at the front panel. You want to position yourself to make a left turn in the left turn lane, and if the lane can go straight or left in the center of the lane.
2. No, you are the idiot for riding on the sidewalk. When you ride on the sidewalk, every driveway becomes an intersection, so you should stop at all intersections. Drivers can only be reasonably expected to look for things moving at pedestrian speed on the sidewalk.
3. Were you riding on the road or the sidewalk? If the sidewalk, drivers can not be reasonably expected to see you there again. If the road, was it dark and you were lightless? If by some miracle this one was not actually your fault (since you seem to invite accidents) its helpful to ring your bell if you see cross traffic that is not looking your direction. Its also good to plan an escape route in your mind of where you will go if they do pull out. (such as a hard turn down the street they were pulling out of)

[trackhub]

What's your age demographic, kyle90?

[Reasonable Risk]

What's your age demographic, kyle90?

That is a really good question. The younger we are, the better our eyesight is. Of course that doesn't help others see us! I'm approaching 50 and there is no way that I can ride at night without a light. I simply can't see the hazards I need to. No light means likely death for me and being a husband and father that is not acceptable.

I hope that Kyle90 will someday "see the light" about the need for a light before he has a serious accident. It is always too late after the incident to make the changes in our life that we need to make.

By the way, I understand his need for a little adrenaline rush. Yesterday I rode my 10 miles to work in a "mild" snowstorm. I was off the street though and felt somewhat safe. I was wrong! It was a harrowing ride, very slippery, and there were a few times that I regretted my decision to ride instead of drive. It was a rush though.

Kyle90 - I hope that you understand that people are giving you good advice that is not designed to control your life, but to save it. People on the most part are here to help others. Until recently, I frequently rode my bike the wrong way on sidewalks. I figured that I was a safe rider and I could avoid an accident with idiots driving vehicles. I figured the people on this forum who said I shouldn't ride on sidewalks were just full of it. I was wrong. A couple of weeks ago, I was almost taken out on my way to work by a guy who turned right in front of me. He was so close that I had to swerve into oncoming traffic. Fortunately, I wasn't killed but it did make we realize that I'm not the smartest guy in the world and I need to listen to others who have more knowledge and experience than I do. You should too. You'll live longer to enjoy the things you like to do in life. If you need to take risks, go to Vegas. You should only lose your money there. Not your life.

This last summer, I got a life lesson that I would like to share with you. I went in for a "routine" gallbladder surgery. To make a long story short, the doctor botched the surgery. I ended up having 6 more surgeries, almost died due to necrotizing fasciitis (infection), and I'll never go out in public again without a shirt due to the "crop circles" and holes in my gut. There were many nights when I was in the hospital that I was just praying to live and to have a second chance. God gave me that chance and three months later I was able to get back on my bike again. I couldn't control what happened to me in the hospital but I can control some of the risks I face outside the hospital.

That's why I chose my handle to be "Reasonable Risk". Live life like today could be your last! Just be smart about it! Get a light for your bike!

[eubi]

Accidents?

If you take a motorcycle safety course, they always use the term "crash".

There are no "accidents". Accidents are unavoidable.