Glad your ok!

I tried everything to make myself more visible. Bright yellow safety vests. Powerful daytime running lights. But there was no difference whatsoever. I still kept getting those close calls.

Then I began riding a recumbent. Lower to the ground, should be harder to spot right? Wrong! Using my rear view mirror I spot vehicle reactions from way back. Drivers give me more room than I know what to do with. And I don't even use a flag!

Riding a regular bike a driver will see you, but at the same time you will be taken for granted. Your presence is shoved into the subconcious and what happens there who knows.

My theory is that to stay safe we all need to ride something that looks different.

Edit: My other theory is to look as though you are falling apart. Baggies hanging from various parts of the bike. Pieces of this and that sticking out from here and there. Look totally unsafe. Was mildly effective.