Bike Forums - Close call this morning

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 16931659)

My conclusions are that two of the most strongly stated dismissals of the mirror on this thread are fallacious:

that a quick shoulder check can sufficiently monitor a 180° field of view comparable to a mirror [and when riding in the winter with my neck swathed by coverings, a head check is even more restricted]
in my experience as an urban cyclist, that mirrors are "essentially useless when negotiating dynamic and dense urban traffic." My routes are characterized often by parked cars on the right, often in business districts where an open door is to be expected, or with potholes concentrated on the right side. Meanwhile traffic is passing to my inmmediate left, and I need to quickly know the best way to avoid the obstacle while keeping it in the line of sight.

You are building a straw man by taking statements that reflect my personal experience and trying to make them universal. I never ride anywhere near doors and rarely commute on the right side of the lane. For example, I just road on a major arterial (Chavez-39th) with tons of Sat traffic and biked at 18-30 (hill) right smack in the middle of the lane the whole way without incident.

Moreover, many cyclists in portland commute in a bike facility for most of their trip. I would hope that most would agree that no one *needs* a mirror when toodling along at 12 mph on a bike boulevard!

I think the fact that mirror users are having a hard time imagining scenarios where a mirror would not be necessary speaks to the dogmatism of this argument (see helment argument).

It sounds as if the driver of the truck was at fault. Don't blame yourself, or get discouraged. We all have our moments, being set upon by idiots.

FWIW, your ears are your best friends. Use them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motolegs (Post 16932583)

FWIW, your ears are your best friends. Use them.

With the increasing number of electric cars, which make a lot less noise, this is becoming less true. I know I've almost been run over a couple of times by cars here in NYC because I didn't hear them coming.

Quote:

Originally Posted by peskypesky (Post 16932710)

All the more reason for using your ears. Listen for the crunch of rubber upon gravel.

o