Originally Posted by aadhils
Dang it! Almost the exact thing happened to me the other day. When the driver came to a halt, it was facing traffic going the opposite way. (good thing they had a red light). I was just passing through since I had the right of way, and then this idiot (who was doing a left turn) starts coming right at me. I thought he was trying to knock me down...
I've said it before and I'll try once again. Beside the speed perception problem, the biggest problem is you are simply not seen from the left or right sides. This is a leading cause of car-bike accidents.
Find a building with lots of glass and as you ride by at night see how much people can see of you with no lights shinning on you.
Steps that work for me with night riding:
Active
~~~~~~
1. front fork side light on blinking mode
2. 2 handlebar lights, flash back but also give side lights, blinking mode
3. rear light with side light, steady and blinking mode [Cateye 1000]
Passive
~~~~~~~
1. reflective jacket
2. reflective sidewalls
3. reflective tape on rims and frame and helmet
4. reflective shoes
Naturally the biggest safety issue to is assume you are invisible. But with changes like I made, you will be hard pressed to say not seen with 8 bright LEDs: 5 yellow and 3 red. Usually the drivers around me, slow down to see the circus light show.
