Bike Safety After a Crash - Go By Bike Episode 51

[@cyclenut]

A few years ago, I was hit from behind. The sun was low and behind me. I had a reflective vest, about 10 inches of reflectors on the bike and 4 tail lights (2 blink, 2 solid). Now all my bikes have 15 to 20+ square inches of relectors and as many as 8 tail lights (2 solid and 6 super bright blink), A city bus driver told me, he could see me over 1/2 mile over all the city lights. In short - go overboard on visiblity. Make sure all lights and reflectors are pointing at the correct angle.

[@NWforager]

been hit myself as a teen . Its smart to assume that drivers can not see us. Making driver/cyclist eye contact is a good practice. As an avid cyclist with a CDL ,I know both mindsets . Even if the Car is 100% wrong ,the highest price is paid by the cyclist . I'll be the 1st to hop the curb on my bike to hit the crossing button ,, not only to cross faster but get out of danger like we heard about here.

[@NWforager]

@experimental0000 thats interesting about the 20" wheel rule . One of my bmx bikes has 20" wheels but its legal to here too . You have a point with pedestrian safety . On bike paths pedestrians are allowed . Its up to riders to say "on your left" or use a bell . Its sort of a hierarchy damage and pain. : ) . I'd much rather hit or be hit by a bicycle than a car for sure . Its not unusual for walkers and cyclist to watch out for each other in my town and everybody looks out for cars.

[@NWforager]

More & more I meet riders who don't own cars. I see cyclist nightly w/ orange vests & knogs lites,thinking they are totally visible ,riding in the car lanes. In Seattle bikes are(unofficially)allowed on sidewalks . The 1 or 2 minutes lost hopping curbs can save some major skin in the long run and theres been plenty of times where I've beaten a road cyclist in traffic on my bmx bike by taking advantage of sidewalks .

[@NWforager]

Take a car or bus to see how visible bikes really are . Maye as much as a car with only its running lites on at night.

[@dougwedel9484]

This is amanzing! It's all about victim empowerment. The idea of getting drivers to do their part in the car/bike safety equation is completely missing! Dave even feels compassion for the driver who hit him!