Originally Posted by
Leebo
Close passes by cars. I can't seem to just let it go. This am, 2 lane side road, me, in the middle of the 6' wide parking area, no parked cars. Large pickup truck passed me with less than 1 foot to spare, his mirror, my shoulder. Plenty of room for him to shift a little left. Also he was doing at least 45 in 30. Chalk it up to that wonderful MA attitude? Caught up to him at the next light. Let him know how close he was. Nothing productive followed. Maybe time to get a camera on the bars.
Sorry to hear about that experience, and I'm glad he didn't hit you. I think some people do it out of meanness, others do it because they don't believe bicyclists belong on the road, and others just don't see you or misjudge the distance.
A tactic I use has decreased the amount of these incidences by about half, and another tactic I've not used makes sense (and I may try it some day). The second one first: I've read that it is a good idea to wobble or act a little out of control as a car approaches from the rear. Just turn a little to the left for a split second and then correct, giving the impression that you're not quite in control of the bike, and people steer a little clearer thinking they don't want to get too close. Again, I've never done this, but it seems to make sense.
The other thing is rear light placement, and I'll post a picture. Having the light on the left side of the coke basket has made a very real difference in how approaching cars react, and how much room they give me, both day and night. I'm not a scientist and cannot cite any studies, but it's been quite a difference. Here's how the lights are mounted:
