That Tears it!!! Nearly Left Crossed today... Burgundy Corvette

[K'Tesh]

Was SW bound on SW Langer Dr., Sherwood (link goes to NW bound image), when I needed to turn left (SE) into the driveway of a strip mall. A burgundy 77 Corvette (personalized plate) was coming out of the driveway, and failed to observe me crossing in front of him. He didn't come to a complete stop at the sign, and began his left turn.

Had I not yelled ("HEY! HEY!! HEY!!!"), he would have hit me somewhere around the leg or rear wheel with the driver's side of the bumper. My yell was enough to get him to hit the brakes and not me. No profanity was used. Once I was across, he made the open palm "my bad" hand sign, then completed his turn and was gone.

I'm now going to be using my NR MiNewt 600 100% of the time. Flashing during daylight, and steady (typ. low setting) at night.

[chas58]

Similar thing happened to me today.

I was on my way to work today on a quiet back street doing about 20mph when a car pulled out in front of me doing 15+ forcing me to the curb. I yelled something at her and she looked at me with a look of surprise on her face and said “where did you come from?” then “ I didn’t even see you.” and then apologized. Neon yellow bike vest and a very bright flashing LED strobe and I was still invisible.

Fact is, many car drivers can look at a bicyclist and just do not see the biker. Our brains sometimes just filter out things they are not looking for. Too many times drivers literally do not see us even when they look at us.

Always ride like you are invisible to drivers.

[ItsJustMe]

Go ahead and run your lights, but don't be surprised when they still don't see you. Because they won't.

Many car drivers won't see anything that's not big enough to hurt them. Some don't even see that.

[K'Tesh]

Always ride like you are invisible to drivers.

Good quote... I'm stealing it.

Many car drivers won't see anything that's not big enough to hurt them. Some don't even see that.

We need more trains in that case... Darwinism at its best

[Rootman]

I rode a motorcycle for years and knew that I was "invisible" to drivers, having started bicycles in earnest I am of the opinion that they are TWICE as invisible as MC's. I always assume the drive does NOT see me unless I see some positive recognition, even then it's dicey as I would swear they were looking right at me and pulled / turned / started anyway. I spend a LOT of time waiting at curbs and driveways

[chas58]

That is the one nice thing about club rides - it is hard to miss 20-40+ bikes swarming the car lanes. But riding solo to work, that is enough to make one invisible.

A couple of people would not have seen me this morning without the bright blinky light (it was very overcast and grey today), but with at least one person, even that didn't help.

[dramiscram]

That's why I feel safer at night with all my lights and reflective tapes. Drivers seems more aware of my presence in the nightime than in the daytime where I will "blend" more with the surrounding.

[Gnosis]

Go ahead and run your lights, but don't be surprised when they still don't see you. Because they won't.

I concur 100%. Some people drive as though they have blinders on!

[chefisaac]

That is the one nice thing about club rides - it is hard to miss 20-40+ bikes swarming the car lanes. But riding solo to work, that is enough to make one invisible.

A couple of people would not have seen me this morning without the bright blinky light (it was very overcast and grey today), but with at least one person, even that didn't help.

Good point. But usually more people means stupid moves more often.

[dynodonn]

In most of my left hook incidents, the motorist plainly sees me, but they still try to beat me through the intersection, completely misjudging my speed capability.

[polishmadman]

I always say we have the worst drivers here in Vegas. I see people blow red lights all the time, try to change lanes with a car already there. I even had a kid tell me he was 17 for an excuse to blow through a stop sign and speed through a housing community.
With that said, since I started commuting by bike , I've seen some of the most polite drivers. Only twice, I had someone almost right hook me. And that was the same day, about 500 feet apart. Most times they wait for me to pass. Sometimes, they were overly polite. They would have plenty of time and space to pass and still follow slowly. Even though I see this, I still ride defensively. As if they don't see me.

[Syb]

I have to find a way to rig an air horn to my bike. Permanently.

[nelson249]

Was SW bound on SW Langer Dr., Sherwood (link goes to NW bound image), when I needed to turn left (SE) into the driveway of a strip mall. A burgundy 77 Corvette (personalized plate) was coming out of the driveway, and failed to observe me crossing in front of him. He didn't come to a complete stop at the sign, and began his left turn.

Had I not yelled ("HEY! HEY!! HEY!!!"), he would have hit me somewhere around the leg or rear wheel with the driver's side of the bumper. My yell was enough to get him to hit the brakes and not me. No profanity was used. Once I was across, he made the open palm "my bad" hand sign, then completed his turn and was gone.

I'm now going to be using my NR MiNewt 600 100% of the time. Flashing during daylight, and steady (typ. low setting) at night.

Nice to see the driver acknowledged his error without finding a way to blame the cyclist.

[nelson249]

Go ahead and run your lights, but don't be surprised when they still don't see you. Because they won't.

Many car drivers won't see anything that's not big enough to hurt them. Some don't even see that.

Depressingly, I think you're right. Drivers pile into stopped police cruisers and tow trucks operating their flashing lights with alarming regularity and even the mighty MiNewt doesn't hold a candle to them.

A strobe light and bright clothing does increase the chance of being seen and if nothing else weakens drivers' excuses in the event of things going south.

[Gatorfreak]

I have to find a way to rig an air horn to my bike. Permanently.

You mean like this?
IMAG0444.jpg

Notice the trigger is right next to my thumb when in the hoods.

[Notso_fastLane]

I have to find a way to rig an air horn to my bike. Permanently.

http://deltacycle.com/Airzound-Bike-Horn

I have one on my commuter, works great! It's actually louder than my motorcycle's horn.

[Forrest74]

Visibility is crap out of those cars.. I had a Miata for a time and it took over a month to get used to the contortions I had to do to check my blind spots.

Something to be mindful of as a cyclist.

[I-Like-To-Bike]

I have to find a way to rig an air horn to my bike. Permanently.

Ya think that will help anybody see you? Planning to use it instead of brakes or your handlebars to avoid collisions? Blasting anyone with an Air Horn in retaliation for not driving to your satisfaction will be just as productive (in getting a negative response) as giving the finger as a response.

[Gatorfreak]

Ya think that will help anybody see you? Planning to use it instead of brakes or your handlebars to avoid collisions? Blasting anyone with an Air Horn in retaliation for not driving to your satisfaction will be just as productive (in getting a negative response) as giving the finger as a response.

I can blast the horn while braking (see pic a few posts up). I don't use it to voice my frustration. When used in a timely manner, you can prevent problems. Drivers about to make a turn (which would cut me off or hit me) will stop and look around when they hear the horn blasting. I'd guess they initially think it's a car honking.

[K'Tesh]

Nice to see the driver acknowledged his error without finding a way to blame the cyclist.

Like

You mean like this?


Notice the trigger is right next to my thumb when in the hoods.

Like (but it wouldn't work w/my rig)

[CptjohnC]

Go ahead and run your lights, but don't be surprised when they still don't see you. Because they won't.

Many car drivers won't see anything that's not big enough to hurt them. Some don't even see that.

To add some emphasis to this: I had this same thing happen earlier this week, just about. I had Daytime Running Lights on, was proceeding in the middle of the lane, and I was wearing my hi-visibility jacket. Oh, I should probably emphasize that I was driving my Chevy Astro, which is red. Yes. Same exact kind of incident and I was driving a Giant Red ShoeBox on wheels. Sometimes people are blind.

[eff-J]

I rode a motorcycle for years and knew that I was "invisible" to drivers, having started bicycles in earnest I am of the opinion that they are TWICE as invisible as MC's.

Right. The rule I've heard is:

Motorcyclists should ride as if the cars can't see you.

Bicyclists should ride as if the cars can see you... and are trying to kill you.

- Jeff

[I-Like-To-Bike]

I can blast the horn while braking (see pic a few posts up). I don't use it to voice my frustration. When used in a timely manner, you can prevent problems. Drivers about to make a turn (which would cut me off or hit me) will stop and look around when they hear the horn blasting. I'd guess they initially think it's a car honking.

I'll buy that use as a timely warning in order to avoid a potential collision.

Most times I read on BF of a desire to use or get an air horn, it is clear that the intent is either to scare/intimidate unworthy pedestrians and cyclists who don't act quick enough to shouted commands from an obnoxious cyclist, or as retaliation for some motorist's bonehead action.

[Syb]

You mean like this?
IMAG0444.jpg

Notice the trigger is right next to my thumb when in the hoods.

Tres swank setup.

http://deltacycle.com/Airzound-Bike-Horn

I have one on my commuter, works great! It's actually louder than my motorcycle's horn.

That's what I was thinking about. I love that it's rechargeable via a bike pump. I'll be picking up one of those or sure, thanks for the link.

Ya think that will help anybody see you? Planning to use it instead of brakes or your handlebars to avoid collisions? Blasting anyone with an Air Horn in retaliation for not driving to your satisfaction will be just as productive (in getting a negative response) as giving the finger as a response.

Silly rabbit, Trix are kids.

Whether in my car, on my motorcycle or on my bicycle, I use my brakes before any type of sound. Having taken a defensive driving course as well as a learn-to-ride motorcycle class in addition to many miles on the roads, I have learned that an aware driver or rider is the best defense. Attempting to raise ire (yours and others) by blaring a horn unnecessarily is only inviting trouble.

Hopefully we all plan before we ride and there is no single thing we do in either our preparation or our ride that makes up a good ride. Logic would only dictate that in order to prevent or avoid incidents, a combination of things must also happen. A horn is but one of those components. It's similar to a camping setup. Your pad, or tarp, or sleeping bar are all parts of your entire system. To me, that's what a horn is.

The only hand gestures I give are waves to other cyclists.

[Closed Office]

Motorcyclists should ride as if the cars can't see you.

Bicyclists should ride as if the cars can see you... and are trying to kill you.

Now I understand Saved that one for my bike forum quotes file.