Originally Posted by John Ridley
I thought the article was pretty well balanced. Really sounds to me like the cyclist had no lights. I'm sorry, but I can't blame the motorist if that's the case, and I'm not going to presume otherwise unless specifically stated, because I see so few bikes properly lighted (if at all) even though that's the law here in MI. I'm sure it's the same elsewhere.
What about reflectors, what about not black clothing?
I often encounter people on bikes with no lighting, dark clothes, no or minimal reflectors, but I still see them well before I would have hit them. Car headlights are very bright and have a good reach and as soon as someone sees a cycist in path, they should be hitting brakes hard, which usually results in a skid mark, even if the cyclist is hit.
Since we are all only speculating, I'd say it is just as likely that the driver wasn't paying attention as it is that the cyclist did not have lights or reflectors.
Al