Mercedes Driver kills local cyclist

[Grog]

I reflect (pun intended) that the bulk of "Bike Ninjas" as well as others we see riding in unsafe manner are not members of our tight little cycling community.

I'm very afraid that there are more than a few. It was not the case with this woman, this is true, she was doing what she had to do, not a recreational rider. But I know very many cyclist who ride fully dressed in black. I was marshalling for a race today and I even saw a team kit that is nearly entirely black. Bike shops around here sell jackets and jerseys that are black. And I guess the people that wear those don't wear red shorts. (Sorry, just trying to be funny despite the tragic.) The more expensive road bikes get, the least likely they are to have reflectors of any style, and as we know lights are heavy... It's been a battle over the last year and a half to get lights on my boyfriend's bike, and I can tell you he's no utilitarian cyclist, yet often comes home at dusk.

[Trek420]

Best we can do is lead by example, talk to people. You never know when that will help.

When I ride to work I get comments on my neon gear. "Yeah it's funny but you see me, right?" I say. If someone gets it and tells someone else "I know this gal who rides lots and she wears...."

On my ride today Maury and I turned left as we left a stop for lunch. I was waiting for traffic to clear before turning myself and a driver stopped traffic for me so I could take the left across 4 lanes of traffic.

Was he a fellow cyclist? Maybe. I waved thanks.

[DarcyInOregon]

I'm very afraid that there are more than a few. It was not the case with this woman, this is true, she was doing what she had to do, not a recreational rider. But I know very many cyclist who ride fully dressed in black.

On Friday I was out on my daily ride. It was a beautiful warm day with sunshine. About 35 miles into my ride I saw another cyclist coming toward me, off in the distance. He was on a red bike, and wearing a red jersey with a red helmet. I was able to see that cyclist from quite a distance away, which means motorists could see him. However, about another mile further on, there was another cyclist, and I didn't see him until he was about 20 feet away. This cyclist was on a black bike, and wearing black clothing with a black helmet. He faded right into the color of the asphalt. If I couldn't see him until I was that close, then for sure motorists could not see him either. And goodness, why take the risk, because motorists are yakking on cell phones, fighting with their spouse or children, day dreaming, fiddling with their GPS monitor, or lost in the sound of their music system, and it only takes a few seconds for the driver to not be focused and not see the cyclist on the black bicycle with the black clothing and the black helmet, and there is another dead cyclist. In just about every news story regarding yet another dead cyclist, the driver will say, "I didn't see the cyclist."

Darcy

[Aint Doody]

I so agree with Darcy. On a ride a few weeks ago on a rather gray day, there were 2 men cyclists ahead of me. One had on bright yellow. The other had on a gray rain jacket. He totally disappeared into the asphalt. We gotta wear those bright colors.

[Running Mommy]

boy Darcy that reminds me of a convo I had with my adopt an IM kids. I was telling them that the safest place for them until they are older is on the sidewalk. I explained that the bike lanes really weren't the best place for kids and explained why. And then I went on to talk to them about adults being distracted in the car. I told them that at a stop sign they should ALWAYS let the car go first, even if they were there first. And unless they see the driver waving them to go, then they should wait. And you wouldn't believe all the kids that busted their parents for what they do in their cars. I heard lots of "yeah I know. My mom text messages when she's driving" ... Ok, that parent should have their parenting license revoked.. Oh yeah, we don't require such a thing...
We also talked about how I wear bright clothes, and if I go out anywhere near sundown I wear my blinkeys. They liked the blinkeys..
Hopefully I'll get throught to some of them. Sigh... Even just one would be a victory right?

[MomOnBike]

Not to take anything away from the Be Seen commandment, but my general philosophy is to ride like I'm invisible.

This comes from several conversations with over-the-road truckers who ALSO complain mightily that car drivers don't see them. If <your stereotypical driver here> doesn't see an 18-wheeler, s/he most certainly won't see a person on a bicycle, no matter what I wear. (It probably can/should go without saying that the trucker is in a much better position if a car driver does something stupid, still, they are protective of their driving record.)

So, by all means, wear bright colors, but don't assume anyone sees you.