Almost got hit by a car

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Grog makes some really good points.

Also, how could you have actually been going 30mph at the place where the lady suddenly turned in front of you?? Hadn't you already slowed way down in preparation for your own turn there at the same place? Surely you weren't going to take the turn at 30mph?
(I know, I know, and don't call you Shirley....)

Whenever I am entering into a potentially hazardous situation I tend to take the lane if it will help me stay safe. I also wear screaming yellow neon tops and that helps.

[RolliePollie]

Grog makes some really good points.

Also, how could you have actually been going 30mph at the place where the lady suddenly turned in front of you?? Hadn't you already slowed way down in preparation for your own turn there at the same place? Surely you weren't going to take the turn at 30mph?
(I know, I know, and don't call you Shirley....)

Whenever I am entering into a potentially hazardous situation I tend to take the lane if it will help me stay safe. I also wear screaming yellow neon tops and that helps.

Lisa, I wasn't turning...I was just continuing on straight down the road. That's why I was just lettin' it roll. The car was turning left, across the road in front of me, into a driveway on my side of the street. I saw that she had her left turn signal on, but she was stopped, seemingly waiting for me to pass in the opposite direction. There weren't any cars coming up behind me, so it appeared that the only reason she'd be stopped there was to let me go by. I think she probably mis-judged how fast I was going and decided she could make her turn before I got there. She was wrong!!!

Grog - you do make some excellent points! One thing I had never thought of is putting my hand up to indicate to a car that I want it to stop. I'm so glad you brought that up! I'm going to do that from now on, even if it doesn't seem like it's necessary. This driver has proven to me that things are not always what they seem!

I do usually take the lane when I'm going that fast. In this case, I was out in the lane probably about 3-4 feet. Many times I have no other choice than to take the lane...most of the roads here don't have shoulders, and the roads are in such terrible condition that typically I need to try and ride out in the lane to avoid potholes and torn up pavement that seem to be more prevalent towards the edge of the road. The best pavement usually seems to be closer to the yellow line...like where your driver's side tire would be in a car. I have a helmet mirror, so I almost always see cars coming up behind me, and then I'll move over.

I like the idea of acting like a tractor. Do they sell John Deere jerseys?

[Eden]

I like the idea of acting like a tractor. Do they sell John Deere jerseys?

ummm they used to sponser a U23 development team, though I can't seem to find anything about it nowadays - maybe you could get an old jersey.....

[Grog]

I like the idea of acting like a tractor. Do they sell John Deere jerseys?

Actually they do.

The auction was over and I could only recover the image from the Google archive. But keep your eyes open for them! I also saw kids helmets.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa, I wasn't turning...I was just continuing on straight down the road. That's why I was just lettin' it roll. The car was turning left, across the road in front of me, into a driveway on my side of the street. I saw that she had her left turn signal on, but she was stopped, seemingly waiting for me to pass in the opposite direction. There weren't any cars coming up behind me, so it appeared that the only reason she'd be stopped there was to let me go by. I think she probably mis-judged how fast I was going and decided she could make her turn before I got there. She was wrong!!!

Oh I get it now...I thought she was coming from behind you and turning to the right in front of you at your same turnoff.
In fact, she may not have seen you at all, and might have stopped simply to check a map direction before turning, or to push a cell phone or CD button. People are weird. I always assume drivers do not see me. I often wave or point my intention to cars as I approach a situation like this- half the time they'll wave me on and I'll then feel safe. If they don't wave back or give me a "go" hand signal, I slow down and get ready to stop and I quickly plot an escape route. Yes, rearview mirrors are good- especially when you have 2 seconds to concoct an escape route.

I know it sounds perhaps like I am too cautious a rider, but... if I was coming down a hill at 30mph and saw a car stopped ahead in the oncoming lane with their left turn signal on, there's no way I would pass that car even though they were stopped. I would begin to come to a stop until I knew for sure that they were seeing me coming and were waving at me to go ahead. Assumptions are always deadly when it's bike vs. car.

[RolliePollie]

I know it sounds perhaps like I am too cautious a rider, but... if I was coming down a hill at 30mph and saw a car stopped ahead in the oncoming lane with their left turn signal on, there's no way I would pass that car even though they were stopped. I would begin to come to a stop until I knew for sure that they were seeing me coming and were waving at me to go ahead. Assumptions are always deadly when it's bike vs. car.

That's a really good point, Lisa. I need to rethink my car vs. bike philosophy a bit. It's not like it's a trivial thing...if I get hit by a car at a speed like that, I'm dead. Or I'd be wishing I was dead because my injuries would be so serious. It's not like I'm in a hurry to get somewhere. I'm just out there to have fun and get some exercise! By the way, I had a great 32 mile ride today...no close encounters...and I tried out the "halt" signal with one car. For what it's worth, they did stay stopped, so that was good.

Lately, just driving around in the car has been terrifying...I think people around here have forgotten how to drive. The other day, I almost got in 3 car wrecks within just a few miles. And it's not me! I swear! It's other drivers crossing over the yellow line onto my side of the street, running stop signs, and generally driving like morons.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

That's a really good point, Lisa. I need to rethink my car vs. bike philosophy a bit. It's not like it's a trivial thing...if I get hit by a car at a speed like that, I'm dead. Or I'd be wishing I was dead because my injuries would be so serious. It's not like I'm in a hurry to get somewhere. I'm just out there to have fun and get some exercise! By the way, I had a great 32 mile ride today...no close encounters...and I tried out the "halt" signal with one car. For what it's worth, they did stay stopped, so that was good.

Hey I did exactly a 32 mile ride today as well! You and I were probably riding at the same time!

Lately, just driving around in the car has been terrifying...I think people around here have forgotten how to drive. The other day, I almost got in 3 car wrecks within just a few miles. And it's not me! I swear! It's other drivers crossing over the yellow line onto my side of the street, running stop signs, and generally driving like morons.

I suspect cells phones account for a lot of that meandering irratic driving. It's scary.
Speaking of scary, I saw two boys looking about 11 years old on mountain bikes in town today, speeding down the street leaping on and off the sidewalk over and over, dodging between parked cars, IN TRAFFIC, no helmets, talking on cell phones all the while.

Stay safe, friend.

[cinnamon_toast]

I'm glad you're ok... Interesting point about the "stop" hand signal. But how can you brake quickly and effectively with only one hand?

[Duck on Wheels]

...Speaking of scary, I saw two boys looking about 11 years old on mountain bikes in town today, speeding down the street leaping on and off the sidewalk over and over, dodging between parked cars, IN TRAFFIC, no helmets, talking on cell phones all the while.

Stay safe, friend.

Uh Huh. 11. So in just three years they can be out there learning to drive. In just five they can be driving a big, heavy, and very likely speeding car on the road. And they may have no more sense then than they do now