I completely agree, but this still doesn’t fix the problem of motorists “not seeing you” when they are looking down at their phone.
I’ve nearly been hit a few times by turning cars… while wearing high-viz and reflective clothing… riding a bike that’s high-viz… riding on tires that have reflective sidewalls… while using a flashing front light, a solid front light… equipped with a flashing rear light… and riding in a slow, predictable way.
Being visible only works on those who are paying attention around you, and these days that means fewer and fewer people.
I assume nobody sees me. If I catch their eye and I know they’re actually seeing me, that’s about the only time. I wave at cars frequently, and usually get an acknowledgment, those people saw me too.
The one that’s gonna kill me someday will be the teenager twiddling their phone that drifts into the bike lane. Aside from not riding there at all, I don’t know what else I can do.
If I catch their eye and I know they’re actually seeing me, that’s about the only time.
I try to make eye contact, especially where multi-use paths venture into intersections on a cross ride, because people ALWAYS drive right into the cross ride as they “stop” for their turn. But I’m finding more and more that the tint on many vehicles makes it impossible to even see if the driver is looking at you. So, I’m often forced to stop waiting for them to stop, just so I can continue with my right of way. Incredibly frustrating, but you’ve gotta stay alive.
For sure. I’m only saying that the advantage we all seek really only applies when others are paying attention.
When I’m driving or cycling, I can see cyclists that are hundreds of meters away. Yet, a cyclist less than 10m from a motorist at an intersection is suddenly unseeable? No, someone was distracted or impaired while at the wheel.
I completely agree, but this still doesn’t fix the problem of motorists “not seeing you” when they are looking down at their phone.
I’ve nearly been hit a few times by turning cars… while wearing high-viz and reflective clothing… riding a bike that’s high-viz… riding on tires that have reflective sidewalls… while using a flashing front light, a solid front light… equipped with a flashing rear light… and riding in a slow, predictable way.
Being visible only works on those who are paying attention around you, and these days that means fewer and fewer people.
I assume nobody sees me. If I catch their eye and I know they’re actually seeing me, that’s about the only time. I wave at cars frequently, and usually get an acknowledgment, those people saw me too.
The one that’s gonna kill me someday will be the teenager twiddling their phone that drifts into the bike lane. Aside from not riding there at all, I don’t know what else I can do.
I try to make eye contact, especially where multi-use paths venture into intersections on a cross ride, because people ALWAYS drive right into the cross ride as they “stop” for their turn. But I’m finding more and more that the tint on many vehicles makes it impossible to even see if the driver is looking at you. So, I’m often forced to stop waiting for them to stop, just so I can continue with my right of way. Incredibly frustrating, but you’ve gotta stay alive.
Heh, I was thinking about tint while running errands a few hours ago, exactly what you describe. You’re spot on.
I’ll still take whatever advantage I can to avoid getting hit by a car…
For sure. I’m only saying that the advantage we all seek really only applies when others are paying attention.
When I’m driving or cycling, I can see cyclists that are hundreds of meters away. Yet, a cyclist less than 10m from a motorist at an intersection is suddenly unseeable? No, someone was distracted or impaired while at the wheel.