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Old 10-18-16 | 09:09 AM
  #31  
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Abe_Froman
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Joined: Aug 2016
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From: Chicago

Bikes: Marin Four Corners, 1960's Schwinn Racer in middle of restoration, mid 70s Motobecane Grand Touring, various other heaps.

Originally Posted by Slaninar
I think you are taking my writing too literally.

Legally, it's a driver's fault (when I respect the traffic rules and laws).

However, both when riding, and when driving, I've avoided many accidents by compensating for other people's faults. I think one should always do their best to avoid traffic accidents.

I don't ride in driver's blind spots and would consider being hooked in that scenario my fault as much as drivers.

I'm aware bicycle is not nearly as visible as a larger, wider vehicle, so I always expect people not to give me right of way. If I know there's a chance of driver not giving me right of way, but don't correct my speed so I can stop in time if that happens - I consider it my fault.

Not legally, but I'd still consider such behaviour reckless and contributing to getting hit. I've been riding bicycles for over 30 years, all year long, as a main mean of transport as well as sport. Been hit by a car four times so far. It's always been driver's fault from the traffic law point of view, but I've learned from experience how to stay more visible, be predictive and what driver's blind spots are, when they are distracted etc. If I just followed the traffic law without considering driver's limitations, I'd get hit by a car on a daily basis. Yes, most are distracted, not paying attention etc, but I can't change them.
I agree. It's foolhardy to assume people driving either are paying attention, or have respect for your life. It's the bikers responsibility as a person who values being alive to bike in a way that keeps them safe. A traffic ticket to a driver isn't going to make you feel much better when you're in the hospital.

That being said....I'm sort of the opinion that it is always the drivers fault, even if the bicyclist is obviously at fault. Cars weigh thousands of pounds and go triple the speed of a bicycle. A bicyclist weighs 200lbs, give or take. The burden of not killing someone is on the car driver, whereas the biker only has the burden of not getting himself killed. If motorists are not willing to drive in a way that takes into account reckless biker behavior, they should walk, bike, or take the bus.
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