ncbikerdude

I was riding today in an area of Charlotte NC that is well known for cyclist, and I was almost hit by a car! That was not a fun experience. I am new to road cycling, today was my 9th ride on my new bike. So I am not sure if I am lucky that it was the first time it happened in 180 miles. Or if I should just expect that. I was able to brake in time so that I did not get hit.. I am glad that I was paying attention to cars on the road even when I have the right away. But I know this will not stop me from riding!!!

rms13

Keep your head up! I commute by bike and ride another 80-100 miles a week for pleasure. I estimate about 3 really close calls per week. People blow red lights, stop signs, take turns in front of you, right hook etc. Be safe and stay hyper vigilant and expect people to not see you and to do stupid stuff

SevenTwentyNine

To be safe when you ride you need to imagine you're invisible to every driver on the road ... because in reality you are to most of them.

Dave Cutter

I don't put a lot of faith in that "right of way". Not that I don't trust motorist! Honestly I think most motorists would wreck their cars before they would hit a human... even a human on a bicycle. But everyone makes mistakes... cyclists and motorist alike. And the ouchies made when hit by a car can last a lifetime. Be careful out there! Never ride drugged, or drunk, wear bright clothing and blinky when weather and traffic suggests it and protect the brains... in a helmet.

TJKnight

Use lights, wear bright clothing, be predictable, make eye contact, and find safe routes.

mcnabb100

Gotta be careful! I almost always run a blinky on the back of my bike, I got a super bright one for when it's sunny out. I also always wear a yellow jersey. Biggest thing is paying attention. You will find that a lot of people seemingly don't see you or don't care that you are there. I couldn't tell you how many times oncoming traffic has drifted over the line into my lane.

rms13

Don't put too much faith in eye contact. I make eye contact with plenty of people who then try to take a left turn in front of my path when I have the right of way. Eye contact to drivers means you see them and are going to get out of their way

Nikon shooter

Hi from a Charlotte native. Where were you? I ride around Queens college and Myers Park a lot and except during rush hours drivers are pretty good but for me, eye contact doesn't work because they can't see my eyes because I'm always wearing shades. The other problem is that at least 75% are on their phone in some fashion. No doubt it is a scary event to have a close call. Count yourself lucky and pedal on.

ncbikerdude

I was on the "booty" loop in charlotte. There are always lots of riders out there which I really like.

EvilWeasel

Just assume you are invisible to everyone. For some reason getting on a bicycle (or motorcycle for tha matter) is the same as activating a cloaking device.

tdong

It takes two to make an accident. Forget your right of way. Remember your right to ride the next day

mcours2006

To me this is the most important for my commute. Out of the 45 minutes I spend on the saddle to work, less than five minutes is spent on a main thoroughfare. The rest of the time it is along side streets, secondary roads, and briefly on a rarely used MUP.

Doesn't mean ***** can't happen, but I am less likely to be hit be a motorist.

EvilWeasel

I'm pretty sure one person and an inanimate object can get the job done as well.

holden west

A few times cars have cut me off and hit their brakes and I've come close to slamming into the driver's door. I used to swear etc. but that just distracts the driver from their error and gets them defensive. Another tactic when this happens and I'm no longer in danger is easing up on the brake so the front wheel gently kisses the door. Perhaps a little front wheel lock to lift the back wheel for dramatic effect. Then I just move my bike over and continue riding, the crucial thing is to not alter your facial expression even slightly. The fact that supposed imminent death didn't faze you really freaks drivers out more than if you were to rage out at them. I want drivers to reflect on their bad decisions, not on the red-faced guy in lycra verbally harassing them. But don't try this at home kids. In fact, don't try it anywhere. Just forget you even read this.

shallow_

Was just searching the forum for a thread just like this to tell my story from today.

Edit:Just a small intro:

I do read traffic and very well at that (I think)
I know that I am the softer target.
I do try to get eye contact With any vehicle coming into my path and giving them a polite nod whenever I am let thru. (so NOT a dick )


On my way home I was on the right side of the road, and coming up to a roundabout. I am going straight, and place myself in the middle of the car lane (also cause thats where the sweetest, unused, asphalt is ) when I hear a carhorn behind me. I go back to the righthand side to let him pass me, and he immediately starts breaking and signal that he's turning right (Im still going straight).

So when he comes to almost a complete stop, then start turning, I have already accelerated enough, and re-pass him on his right side (With absolutely NO danger of him hitting me) and again the horn is heard. I put my arm in the air in disbelief, but decide to turn off the road and see if he is indeed going to the nearby shopping mall (which he is)

After letting someone out at the entrance he cirles aroud to the parkinglot, where I finally get his attention and gesture for him to roll his window down.

I ask him why he had to pass me only to slow Down and immediately plan to cut me off by turning right, and then he just explodes. (so Im 39, this guy i an older gentleman, 60+ I would guess)

So I get the usual rant.(I would guess its the usual rant from a driver to a cyclist as this is my first verbal confrontation with one)

- Why am I in the road.

- Maybe when I get hit by a car Ill do things differently

And finally ofcourse..

- Did I want him to come out of the car and beat me up...

I took him up on the last offer, he never got out.. (I would so have taken him )


The verbal discussion proceeded for a few minutes. Me telling him to respect cyclists, and keeping asking why he had to pass me when he was slowing down to turn right only 30 meters (100 feet) ahead, him looking like he was going to blow up. Looked like the kind of guy who will be sitting at home the rest of the weekend still being angry.


This action from me, comes as a result of repetadely being passed by cars who go on to slow Down/stop just in front of me disturbing my path which was previously unhindered.

Having gotten my first roadbike only a month ago I have ridden more these past 30 days then I ever have before, and so more such incidents have occured.

I have now decided that every opportunity I get I will stop and ask the drivers why they do/did what they did, even if this will cause halting traffic.


Here are a couple of Commercials made by Norwegian road authority in Cooperation With cyclist Thor Hushovd. Sorry that there is some Norwegian spoken here.

CNC2204

You can do everything right and still get whacked .... happens all the time.

shallow_

Ouch, whats the story behind it ?

CNC2204

750 YAMAHA @ 65 mph minding my own bidness -vs- 88 Pontiac.

Lets just say i set off metal detectors now.

I like bicycles more than motorcycles for alot of reasons two of which is by the time you realize theres on issue on a motorcycle its already happened.

And any Boob can twist a throttle grip.

Another thing about cycling i love is pushing myself places i didn't know i could go.

loimpact

The sad part is that it's hard to communicate to negligent drivers like I explained in the "Be Vigilant" thread. Catastrophy is just a blink of an eye away. Having been hit by a car already, I know all too well how quickly it all happens.

I'm sure today's driver thought he'd "send a message" by getting really close to me. I'm sure he thought it was harmless but if he misjudges just a hair, or I stick my hand out or I flinch to dodge a branch/rock/etc then I'm on the ground & who knows how bad life gets for everybody. If I live, he's screwed. I sue him for every penny and that still doesn't resolve any injuries I suffer. If I die, he goes to jail and that's great for the scales of justice but does nothing for my wife & kids at my funeral.

I don't think drivers fully understand how serious the consequences of not paying attention are.