Jinkster

First?...I'd like to extend an apology too the OP...as while I feel it relates?...it derailed his thread a bit...sorry.

2nd?...I threw this out there because I am still very uncomfortable riding with traffic and know that the more experienced types here could give me some sound reasoning behind the riding with traffic deal...which in turn would help me understand and become more educated and comfortable doing so....and you have and I thank you all for that.

Truth be known? ...I'm still such a rookie getting back into this?...it took me several postings to understand what you all were meaning by "SALMON"...the good news?...I get it now. LOL

But still....should have started my own thread on the topic....sorry.

Biker395 

^ Cripes man ... no need to apologize.

I just want you to avoid unnecessary injury ... for my own selfish reasons, of course ... I like your posts (all that youthful enthusiasm and discovery is refreshing).

mht7159

Just a update, it's been just over a day since i was hit and i want to say thanks for all the concern and thoughts, I'm much more sore this morning than i was yesterday still getting around ok no ride today, Installed a second blinkie rear light last nite and going to pickup a safety vest today, as far as the interaction between myself and the driver I choose not to involve the law since it would have taken too long to get them out where we were and the driver was a field worker more than likely with no license and insurance so we shook hands and i asked him to be more careful.

Doohickie

I light myself pretty good, usually a constant-on and a blinky in the back. I use a mirror. If a car approaches from behind and doesn't seem to see me and change lanes (or at least squeeze over in the lane), I use hand signals. I start out with holding my hand out and down (Stop/Slow) and if they continue to close I wiggle it around and open and close my hand. It invariably works. There have been maybe 2 or 3 times when the car just kept coming (before I started using the hand signals) and I bailed out off the road (usually in the city - ran up a driveway apron to the sidewalk). Getting a mirror usually just means you get to watch the car behind see you and move around you. But on those infrequent occasions when the car does neither it gives you enough time to take measures to make yourself seen or get out of the way.

rumrunn6

here's a bad picture of my setup

Null66

<edit>
deleted response as others said it better and nicer...

Null66

<edit>
deleted response as others said it better and nicer...

B. Carfree

I've got to disagree on aiming one's tail light down. You're both reducing the distance at which it is visible and increasing your chances of being involved in a target fixation event since an overtaking motorist can, and often will, stare right at you. I use the brighter Dinotte 400R and aim it horizontally and slightly left. It can be seen for miles but an overtaking motorist is likely to find staring at it uncomfortable and will thus not target fixate. I also find that I get wider passing berths with this light than with less bright tail lights by a substantial margin.

For those who would opine that such a light aimed thus would blind an overtaking motorist, I'll just point out that it is less intense than oncoming car headlights and folks seem fine with those.

Carbonfiberboy 

This is a 200 lumen taillight without a cutoff. I mount mine on the left seatstay, with a Superflash on the right seatstay. Other riders complain if I set it level, DiNotte shows it pointed down (although I don't point it down that much), and that's also the consensus on the Tandem forum. Pointed down slightly, it casts a large red circle on the pavement behind me which is very visible even in daylight. I think the red circle is helpful for drivers as it makes the bike look larger. I have later met drivers who've passed me and had them comment on how much they appreciated my bright front and rear blinkies. It must be very annoying for drivers to suddenly happen upon a bike that they hadn't seen a long way off.

RideMyWheel

Trust me, you will get over it. I am only a few months ahead of you on this journey and went through all the same insecurities and doubts. The only way to get through it is to do it.

My advice:

A) You are safer than you think.

2) You can go much farther than you think, so plan a big route with a lot of hills. It's the only way you'll get stronger.

I once rode against traffic for 1/10th of a mile. I was taking a shortcut home and it just looked easier. Even though I had a 6' shoulder, it scared the crap out of me. Never doing it again.

Also, I occasionally ride on a rural road that has a 2'-3' "shoulder" that I think they put in just for the mailman. It's smooth and usually free of debris. If you ever see anything like this, DON'T BE FOOLED. THIS IS NOT A BIKE LANE. Some idiots think that they do not have to give you any more room if you're on the right side of the white line. Ride on the left side of the line, and the cars that pass will give you your 3' margin. Use those shoulders only as a "bail-out" option if two big vehicles are about to meet.

EDIT: I switched from a bright LED blinkie to a real strobe like is pictured above, and noticed a difference in how people pass me. Gonna try out that handlebar setup, too.

jgadamski

I don't think even bright colored jerseys are good enough, hence my use of bright blinkies for and aft in daytime.

and they still won't see you if they are so wrapped up in THEIR driving, THEIR world. I think the best attention getter would be a day glo orange painted weapon on your back, visible to all. THAT might capture their attention, and their respect. Maybe.
An old acquaintance rode with what I would call a driveway marker suspended off his chainstay that gave him, at night, the appearance of being wider than he was.It was festooned with tons of reflective stuff. It did no good, it was smacked frequently while the cyclist rode home from his graveyard shift job.
I hate to get into the cager vs cyclist narrative. Most cyclists are drivers. Few drivers operate from that understanding.

NVanHiker

You had me at riding in the dark on a shoulder-less road.