Car coming too close for comfort
#26
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Here in Southern California it is slowly changing in a favorable way. I don’t know if it is the fact that more folks are riding or the share the road campaign that is driving it but I definitely see a positive change. There will always be those that don’t care so I am still very cautious when in the city. Yea it makes me nervous and I think about it. I just love riding and most of my riding is in more rural areas of Ventura County.
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here in austria, vienna, the situation on the road is quite unpleasant at times. there is a real hate relationship between cyclists and motorists. both of these groups are acting reckless on a regular basis. i love commuting but it is very apparent that the hate in vienna is far worse than any other place i have been cycling in austria.
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#32
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0 feet in NJ - we don't have a minimum distance law - we should
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#33
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Learning how to record the close passages

No reason to be over the fog line.

Refused to cross the center line - no oncoming traffic.
#34
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I ride mostly gravel in the fall when sun angle is lower, drivers are admiring foliage, roads are colder and wetter, and visibility is generally not great. Somehow I just get a feeling that it's getting more dangerous and it's time to hang up the road bike for the year.
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An interesting question. I think such drinks very fall into two categories:
The first is the people who are deliberately trying to scare you. While they are definitely jerks, they really aren't a problem because they know what they are doing and they really don't want to hit you.
The second is the people who are unconscious. I had a Bike Forum acquaintance who was killed by a driver who was downloading ring tones on his cellphone. Other common candidates are people driving long vehicles or pulling trailers. They may pull back into the lane before they clear you. This group terrifies me and I suspect that it's growing more common.
The first is the people who are deliberately trying to scare you. While they are definitely jerks, they really aren't a problem because they know what they are doing and they really don't want to hit you.
The second is the people who are unconscious. I had a Bike Forum acquaintance who was killed by a driver who was downloading ring tones on his cellphone. Other common candidates are people driving long vehicles or pulling trailers. They may pull back into the lane before they clear you. This group terrifies me and I suspect that it's growing more common.
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Someone pointed out, back on usenet, that most motor vehicle drivers will give you as much room as you take.
So, for instance, you're riding to the right of the fog line. No need for the driver to worry about you, as long as he doesn't cross the fog line.
You take a foot of the road to the left of the fog line -- most drivers will pass you with a foot to spare.
You take three feet -- most drivers will pass three feet to the left of you (and by now, most of them are crossing the center yellow line when it's safe).
I thought it sounded wacky the first time I tried it, but now I'm comfortable riding down the middle of the lane in most situations because it works so well.
So, for instance, you're riding to the right of the fog line. No need for the driver to worry about you, as long as he doesn't cross the fog line.
You take a foot of the road to the left of the fog line -- most drivers will pass you with a foot to spare.
You take three feet -- most drivers will pass three feet to the left of you (and by now, most of them are crossing the center yellow line when it's safe).
I thought it sounded wacky the first time I tried it, but now I'm comfortable riding down the middle of the lane in most situations because it works so well.
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#37
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Record your rides.
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Sometimes. Averages out to about ... once per 2hr ride. Sometimes more. Less when my wife and I are on our tandem.
It's better now than 25 years ago. As the number of cyclists has increased in my area people have become more aware of cyclists and more educated as to how to safely operate their vehicles around them. Of course, traffic has increased also in the past 20 years, too, but in my experience it is still a bit safer now than a couple of decades ago.
It's better now than 25 years ago. As the number of cyclists has increased in my area people have become more aware of cyclists and more educated as to how to safely operate their vehicles around them. Of course, traffic has increased also in the past 20 years, too, but in my experience it is still a bit safer now than a couple of decades ago.
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If there is ample room to the right of the fog line, that is where I will be. On a few bridge few creek crossings, the fog line disappears or the area is so small it’s ridiculous so I will go into the lane far enough that a car can’t pass IF there is an oncoming car at the same time. I know who would be the biggest loser if all three of us were on the bridge at the same time. I used to stop before the bridge to make sure it was all clear rather than piss off drivers by slowing them down.
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... assumption of the risk is the price of 2 wheeling in *******

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