Avoiding side impacts
Discussion
I am well lit at the front. I am well lit at the back. I have hi viz clothing and reflective rucksack cover.
But, recently I've had 2 very near misses with cars approaching roundabouts when I'm already on them and they don't see me. This seems more of an issue at fast roundabouts for 2 reasons:
1. The cars are travelling quicker and hence more likely to do more damage to me.
2. The drivers' eyeline is usually behind me at the point that I cross in front of them, i.e. they are looking for faster moving vehciles than bicycles.
Other than sticking a very bright flashing light sideways pointing on my lid, what can I do to stop this happening?
But, recently I've had 2 very near misses with cars approaching roundabouts when I'm already on them and they don't see me. This seems more of an issue at fast roundabouts for 2 reasons:
1. The cars are travelling quicker and hence more likely to do more damage to me.
2. The drivers' eyeline is usually behind me at the point that I cross in front of them, i.e. they are looking for faster moving vehciles than bicycles.
Other than sticking a very bright flashing light sideways pointing on my lid, what can I do to stop this happening?
I have an orange fibre flare under my top tube that I run on strobe.
Because is it under the top tube I don't see it so it does not dazzle me, and I have a transparent bottle which amplifies the light through the bottle - while I don't think it makes me more visible, the flashing light/bottle is eye-catching!
Because is it under the top tube I don't see it so it does not dazzle me, and I have a transparent bottle which amplifies the light through the bottle - while I don't think it makes me more visible, the flashing light/bottle is eye-catching!
I got an animated chinese wheel light thing. It's mega gay, but effective as hell.
MTB only though, it imbalanced my roadie wheels beyond belief!
I also stitched a cold cathode rope light thing onto my camelbak, it flashes and is uber bright against dark - not sure it helps as much against oncoming headlights though.
MTB only though, it imbalanced my roadie wheels beyond belief!
I also stitched a cold cathode rope light thing onto my camelbak, it flashes and is uber bright against dark - not sure it helps as much against oncoming headlights though.
I know I'll get slaughtered so saying this, but I'd just as happily go out dressed as a Ninja, and on a matt black bike*
No disrespect to anyone here, but unless I know exactly where I am, exactly where the cars are around me, and 100% comfident I'm not in danger - then my bike doesn't get put there. It's absolutely up to me to not be hit.
Not saying this is the way the world should be, but twice today unless I'd seen and predicted these numpty drivers pulling out in front, I'd have been off. I don't blame them, yeah they're thick as f*ck but most people are in their cozy cars, ignorant of other road users.
If a roundabout didn't look safe, I'd find another way. Reflective sides or not, it's still going to hurt when some dozy f*cko mows you down.
No disrespect to anyone here, but unless I know exactly where I am, exactly where the cars are around me, and 100% comfident I'm not in danger - then my bike doesn't get put there. It's absolutely up to me to not be hit.
Not saying this is the way the world should be, but twice today unless I'd seen and predicted these numpty drivers pulling out in front, I'd have been off. I don't blame them, yeah they're thick as f*ck but most people are in their cozy cars, ignorant of other road users.
If a roundabout didn't look safe, I'd find another way. Reflective sides or not, it's still going to hurt when some dozy f*cko mows you down.
- i don't btw, I've got lighs and everything.
I have little lights on each wheel, clip onto the spokes.
White/blue on the front and red at the rear.
Flash, strobe and constant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNpJENnqHs8
White/blue on the front and red at the rear.
Flash, strobe and constant.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNpJENnqHs8
timbo48 said:
Can't help thinking that modern car design combined with lazy and badly taught drivers contribute to this. The area of the lower A pillars plus large door mirrors can hide a small car let alone a 'bike when approaching a junction/roundabout at certain angles.
Fully agree - In the "pursuit of safety" in the event of a roll-over, the car manufacturers have introduced a poor safety item with large A pillars. This is very much counter-productive - I suspect there are few enough roll-overs to encourage these designs but I guess nobody would be able to convince them. ROSPA couldn't stop the introduction of Daytime Driving Lights, which are nothing but an admission that many drivers don't see because they can't be bothered to look. Rant over.MocMocaMoc said:
I know I'll get slaughtered so saying this, but I'd just as happily go out dressed as a Ninja, and on a matt black bike*
No disrespect to anyone here, but unless I know exactly where I am, exactly where the cars are around me, and 100% comfident I'm not in danger - then my bike doesn't get put there. It's absolutely up to me to not be hit.
Not saying this is the way the world should be, but twice today unless I'd seen and predicted these numpty drivers pulling out in front, I'd have been off. I don't blame them, yeah they're thick as f*ck but most people are in their cozy cars, ignorant of other road users.
If a roundabout didn't look safe, I'd find another way. Reflective sides or not, it's still going to hurt when some dozy f*cko mows you down.
To a certain extent I agree: we shouldn't be obliged to wear dayglo at all times. But I've nearly smashed into the back of a ninja on my bike (with its Chinashine on the front)... How are car drivers supposed to move out and give room if they can't see you?No disrespect to anyone here, but unless I know exactly where I am, exactly where the cars are around me, and 100% comfident I'm not in danger - then my bike doesn't get put there. It's absolutely up to me to not be hit.
Not saying this is the way the world should be, but twice today unless I'd seen and predicted these numpty drivers pulling out in front, I'd have been off. I don't blame them, yeah they're thick as f*ck but most people are in their cozy cars, ignorant of other road users.
If a roundabout didn't look safe, I'd find another way. Reflective sides or not, it's still going to hurt when some dozy f*cko mows you down.
- i don't btw, I've got lighs and everything.
I use a helmet mounted light set on pulse. I aim this light to the offside, to hopefully hit anyone who overtakes then immediately turns in. If there is time, I rotate my head and aim the light in the direction of the threat.
I have one of the infamous "arc eye" frikkin lasers in the rear port of my Exposure helmet light to handle rear visibility and then use a seat post mounted flashing LED, which I have rotated around by about 45 degrees to the offside to get some side visibility.
I have one of the infamous "arc eye" frikkin lasers in the rear port of my Exposure helmet light to handle rear visibility and then use a seat post mounted flashing LED, which I have rotated around by about 45 degrees to the offside to get some side visibility.
CoolC said:
How awesome is that?
(On a slightly more constructive note, I've got one of those LED units that attaches to the spokes and keep threatening to fit it. I find side turning and roundabouts relatively easy to ride defensively, though, it's still the 'do or die' overtaking manoeuvres towards width restrictions or oncoming traffic that worry me...)
MocMocaMoc said:
I know I'll get slaughtered so saying this, but I'd just as happily go out dressed as a Ninja, and on a matt black bike*
No disrespect to anyone here, but unless I know exactly where I am, exactly where the cars are around me, and 100% comfident I'm not in danger - then my bike doesn't get put there. It's absolutely up to me to not be hit.
Not saying this is the way the world should be, but twice today unless I'd seen and predicted these numpty drivers pulling out in front, I'd have been off. I don't blame them, yeah they're thick as f*ck but most people are in their cozy cars, ignorant of other road users.
If a roundabout didn't look safe, I'd find another way. Reflective sides or not, it's still going to hurt when some dozy f*cko mows you down.
I got mowed down by a guy who turned across the main road I was on into a side road and claimed "it's early mate, I didn't see you" - point is, you can be on the safest road, doing hardly any speed, in decent weather, on dry roads and wearing visible clothing and there is still the possibility that someone won't look or won't see you. That's why you do what you can to be visible and if the worst happens, hope for the best, or just get off the bike and find a different method of transport!No disrespect to anyone here, but unless I know exactly where I am, exactly where the cars are around me, and 100% comfident I'm not in danger - then my bike doesn't get put there. It's absolutely up to me to not be hit.
Not saying this is the way the world should be, but twice today unless I'd seen and predicted these numpty drivers pulling out in front, I'd have been off. I don't blame them, yeah they're thick as f*ck but most people are in their cozy cars, ignorant of other road users.
If a roundabout didn't look safe, I'd find another way. Reflective sides or not, it's still going to hurt when some dozy f*cko mows you down.
- i don't btw, I've got lighs and everything.
Sticky tape as used on offshore life rafts on the S works I have cut round patches as per cable rub protectors and on my training bike I have put loads on still I have had cars pull out on me at junctions and roundabouts
I will put money on the first thing the driver says to you as you are on the floor is "sorry I didn't see you" You should reply sorry you didn't look.....
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