CommuteCommando

5:45 AM. Four lane feeder with wide bike lanes. I am approaching a red light. It is still dark out so I can see the cross street light turn yellow, so slow just a little anticipating the light change.

Toyota coming from the right, turns right into my path, stops in bike lane near mail box. I "check six", and take the lane to steer clear of the door zone. Door pops out full open about five feet before I pass it, and I say "watch the door" as she is jumping out. i barely catch an audible gasp and she jumped back into the car. She may have hit her head.

Good thing is, that's one lady who will check her mirror in the future.

genesplitter

The best lessons are those learned the hard way, although this lady's lesson wasn't really too hard (depending on how hard she hit her head). I'm sure she'll be a big fan of checking her mirror for the next many years.

Assuming you had no front light, would a light have increased the chance of the lady seeing you? I sometimes have two lights, with one on my helmet so I can point it directly into driver's eyes if I feel an incident about to happen.

Leisesturm

At 5:45? Of course he had a front light on. No one could be so thick as to expect to be seen in pre-dawn otherwise.

Saving Hawaii

You clearly haven't been where I live.

tds101 

Where I live in NYC most riders, no matter what time it is, don't have bike lights. I have front, back, and side lights. Might be overkill - I say better safe than "SMOOSH!". Most drivers, regardless of what lighting you have, don't pay attention for bicyclists. They sure don't know the rules of the road concerning us. The argument I had last week with 2 female postal workers proves that (telling me I'm not supposed to be riding my bike in the street,... What am I,...12???).

I'm just glad neither party was injured. Both of you could have been hurt seriously if the OP wasn't a responsible cyclist.

CommuteCommando

Actually it is not a given. I often encounter ninja during my commute, dressed in black and all.

But yes, I'm lit. NiteRider 650, steady beam, up front, and Solus Blinky high up on my back pack.

scroca

He was being sarcastic.

trailmix

I run a similar light setup. A guy in a Volvo convertible pulled up beside me the other day and said "nice lights, I could see you coming a mile away". Makes me feel a little better knowing they are doing their job.

CommuteCommando

You live in Colombia?