Reflecting on a tragedy (dooring death)
11-29-11, 12:00 AM
#27
Lost Again
They've a law here (unenforced and mostly unknown) that it is illegal to open the drivers door into a road. While it certainly does not save lives since it is unenforced, it does point liability solely onto the person swinging their door open. I did not see is not an excuse, the door opener broke the law causing all ensuing mayhem.
11-29-11, 12:36 AM
#28
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Definitely smart enough to take the lane, block Bubba Jr, thwart Bubba from getting me with his door, travel at my regular speed until it's safe to move over and let Bubba Jr go by. That sounds a whole lot better than having having to slow down, give Bubba Jr a chance to whack me with his mirror, and give Bubba the chance of opening his door and basically throw me under the bus.
11-29-11, 07:37 AM
#29
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Do something to educate motorists about looking before they open the door. I suggest get a moderately heavy pickup with moderately strong bull-bar up front. Whenever you drive, just cruise along with the opposite side of your pickup in said door-zone. After you've torn a few doors off their hinges, scared the crepe out of a few folks and maybe a few got their arm/leg broken, the idea will start to take root "ya hafta look before ya open ya door".
I was riding in the bus going home from work one day years ago and we tore this woman's door off. Bus driver just got out, flicked her a phone number and continued on his route. BTW, it was not a bike lane.
I was riding in the bus going home from work one day years ago and we tore this woman's door off. Bus driver just got out, flicked her a phone number and continued on his route. BTW, it was not a bike lane.
That will never ever ever happen.
11-29-11, 08:58 AM
#30
Banned
Nice, again I have to slow down and bust my ass being super vigilant on my commute in order to survive my commute, all the while Bubba and Bubba Jr can carry on with business as usual. What's a few seconds longer for Bubba and Bubba Jr?
11-29-11, 09:10 AM
#31
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No one ever said life was fair. It's nothing for "Bubba" but realistically, he's not going to take the time so we have to expect it. Life sucks...
11-29-11, 09:15 AM
#32
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Bubba and Bubba Jr are exposed to threats and are maimed and killed in far greater numbers than Tommy Tight Shorts. For those of us that want to live to ride another day, kiss our girlfriends again, hug our kids again, etc. defensive driving (super vigilance) is a must irrespective of our chosen conveyance.
11-29-11, 09:20 AM
#33
Banned
11-29-11, 09:47 AM
#35
Banned
11-29-11, 09:56 AM
#36
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Your post made it sound as if you felt like you had to ride defensively while Bubba didn't have to drive defensively. Prudent vehicle operators will always want to drive defensively and that involves some inconveniences.
11-29-11, 10:05 AM
#37
Banned
My closest passes/near misses were when I was "too accommodating" to motorists, I'd rather inconvenience Bubba a few seconds than receive a life altering injury or possibly killed.
11-29-11, 10:23 AM
#38
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Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. On that we agree. I employ a cocktail of safety solutions. There are times I ride in strict VC mode and there are times I give way in the best interest of overall traffic flow. As it relates to this thread. I never ride in the door zone unless it's at a dead slow pace when I can see the inside of the vehicle. At times I don't mind riding the outer white line of the bike lane as long as I can stay clear of the door zone. If I need to take the lane adjacent to a bike lane of insufficient width, I will. That said, I don't mind taking action to allow faster traffic to pass when I can. I am not a selfish rider. While arriving alive is goal number one, typically I can do that while accomodating motorists to some degree. It's utterly senseless to ride a bicycle and behave just as you would if you were a motorist. The beauty of riding a bike is that it's a bike not a car.
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