Fellow cyclist collides with car
08-28-13 | 02:00 PM
#26
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Joined: May 2011
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From: Brodhead, WI - south of Madison
Bikes: 2009 Trek 1.2
I do that when I'm out in the country on training rides ... commuting, that's a different story
08-29-13 | 08:22 AM
#27
Been Around Awhile
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
My frame of reference is the OP's description of the riding technique of the "Fellow Cyclist" who was fool enough to ride head down right into a car in front of him.
08-29-13 | 09:49 AM
#28
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Georgia
Bikes: Surly LHT, Soma Smoothie E/S, Cannondale Road Tandem
One thing I've noticed is that most drivers just don't have any sense of my speed. It's not that I'm a fast rider but my speed is more akin to the speed of a car than to that of a pedestrian. I think a lot of drivers see me as a pedestrian on wheels and don't expect me to arrive at an intersection as quickly as I do.
08-29-13 | 09:57 AM
#29
Unlisted member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,192
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From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
I rode motorcycles for a long time.
Please don't rely on eye contact. I have had numerous occasions where they looked my right in the eye and still didn't see and some who saw and didn't care. As though they looked right through me. So please maintain your ready to slow/stop until they can no longer hit you even if they were trying to.
Please don't rely on eye contact. I have had numerous occasions where they looked my right in the eye and still didn't see and some who saw and didn't care. As though they looked right through me. So please maintain your ready to slow/stop until they can no longer hit you even if they were trying to.
08-29-13 | 05:41 PM
#30
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Garner, NC 27529
Bikes: Built up DT, 2007 Fuji tourer (donor bike, RIP), 1995 1220 Trek
08-30-13 | 06:33 PM
#33
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: 1991 Eddie Merckx Corsa, 1991 Cannondale 3.0 Road Race, 2008 Bianchi Pista
08-30-13 | 06:34 PM
#34
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From: West Georgia
Bikes: K2 Mod 5.0 Roadie, Fuji Commuter
You might wear hi-vis vests and run flashing strobes. You think you will be seen.
If you hold a pencil at arms length and look down the road...........you will cover a lot more stuff than you are wide.
Not a lot that you do matters whether or not you will be seen.
You have to ride knowing that you are less than a 1/4" wide.
If you hold a pencil at arms length and look down the road...........you will cover a lot more stuff than you are wide.
Not a lot that you do matters whether or not you will be seen.
You have to ride knowing that you are less than a 1/4" wide.
08-30-13 | 07:00 PM
#35
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Not to mention avoiding epileptic seizures. I can't turn my front light to blinking until I can no longer see it reflecting off the road, or I get twitchy.
08-30-13 | 09:56 PM
#36
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From: Burlington Iowa
Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi
It doesn't make too much difference how many lights or reflectors or bright vests a fellow cyclist uses if he rides head down in traffic and doesn't pay much attention to the road ahead.
09-01-13 | 07:53 PM
#37
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: SE PA
Bikes: Trek 1.2, Trek 7.3FX, Trek 4.7 Madone, Trek Crossrip
I also used to ride a motorcycle and a few things that transfer over for me:
Always be scanning the road. Not just in front of you but 20 yards in front, 50, 100. See potential hazards well before you get to them
Cover the brakes when riding in traffic. You can't make a split second emergency stop if your hand is not over the brake lever already.
Expect drivers to do dumb stuff. If you see a car on a side street expect them to pull out in front of you at the last minute. If you are crossing an intersection expect the car in front of you to make a left in front of you (even when they make eye contact first).
Always be scanning the road. Not just in front of you but 20 yards in front, 50, 100. See potential hazards well before you get to them
Cover the brakes when riding in traffic. You can't make a split second emergency stop if your hand is not over the brake lever already.
Expect drivers to do dumb stuff. If you see a car on a side street expect them to pull out in front of you at the last minute. If you are crossing an intersection expect the car in front of you to make a left in front of you (even when they make eye contact first).
09-01-13 | 07:57 PM
#38
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: SE PA
Bikes: Trek 1.2, Trek 7.3FX, Trek 4.7 Madone, Trek Crossrip
Agree with this. On one portion of my commute, I bomb down a hill at 30+ mph. There's no way that someone should be passing me unless they're exceeding the speed limit, but they still try (perhaps something about being stuck behind a bicycle). I'll take the lane, to prevent them from trying to pull a risky pass. As soon as I hit the bottom of the hill and am about to start the climb out of the valley, I immediately pull AFRAP.
