This is a question for the bike commuters on DTF: Have you been hit while riding? Close calls?
This last week a guy was hit and killed riding on a busy street in my city, and two days later another person was hit. I don't have all the facts, so I don't know how much it is the bicyclists fault, but I would think the lion's share of the blame would be on the drivers. Then I was talking to my brother (an avid cyclist) and, even though he hasn't been hit, he's had quite a few close calls.
These incidents got me wondering how often bicyclists have close calls, so I thought I'd ask you, the cyclists of DTF.
I had quite a few close calls when I first started riding in my city. Most of them involved cars starting to overtake me (I'm in the cycle lane btw), seeing a large vehicle coming the other way then deciding to use to cycle lane to free up some more space between them and the large vehicle, leaving me to either brake like buggery or hop onto the kerb. The other thing that happened a couple of times was cars turning into a side road across the cycle lane JUST after they have started overtaking me. Its like all cars see a cyclist and assume you are going so slowly that the moment you are out of normal vision (excluding mirrors) you must be miles behind.
I've not had any near misses in ages, largely because I now cycle ON the lines marking the edge of the cycle lane, wearing high vis. That means cars have to actually cross the white line in the middle a little bit to overtake, so they usually have to slow down a little and actually think about passing me. This seems to mean they don't just instantly forget and actually take a look at where I am before cutting back in front of me. I also have my brain working overtime, constantly aware of whats coming the other way and really keeping an eye on cars for any hints of them considering turning into a side road. In short, don't let other traffic forget you aren't there, and be as prepared as possible for idiots!
I had a fairly amusing moment on a ride through busy traffic recently. A car dipped 2 wheels into the cycle lane just in front of me a couple of times, when I pulled alongside I noticed the wing mirror was folded against the car. I took a hand off and folded it out. The car obviously had NO idea I was there and heard it clunk into place, I looked across to give a bit of a "well done, cretin" look at them, and this woman just looked at me with such a comedy surprise face I was laughing all the way home.
Topic: The OFFICIAL RIDING OF BICYCLES THREAD! (Read 7750 times)
