Originally Posted by
Reynolds
+1. I was hit twice by drivers who claimed they didn't see me (probably true) and came from the side in broad daylight.
IME - bicyclists must adjust to a unique sight line problem in most urban areas.
Besides the standard issue of being missed by a quick visual scan, or misjudged speed, which can happen at any intersection, we have to consider that parked cars may block sight lines, making it difficult or impossible to see us more than a few car lengths from the corner. A cyclist at any decent speed can easily bridge the distance between beyond of the angle of sight and the point of collision in less time than a driver can clear the line of motion.
I make it SOP to move left as I approach intersections with traffic to my right, and even then make sure I can see the driver, not just the front of his car as I approach. Then, just in case, I prepare to scrub speed and zig right to cross behind any car that might enter the intersection as I approach. That zig has saved me from a bent fork more times than I wish to count.