Horrifying Passing Experience (Nobody's Hurt) (Long)

[pardes]

I agree with two of the same suggestions. CLAIM THE LANE! That is clearly a dangerous area and 99% of drivers would understand.

I ride very slowly and I claim the lane all the time when it's required and I've never had a problem with anyone trying to take it away from me. Why on earth shouldn't we do that? We are a legal "vehicle" and have the right like any other vehicle.

I'm very glad you are okay. I know what you mean about the adrenaline rush that overtakes you with the shaking and anger mixed together.

[Miranda]

This just gave me chills reading it. That was about my first near road kill experience. I didn't even own my RoadID then, or my FireFly blinkies.

Some snob roadies I know from the gym think my blinkies going full force in broad daylight is goofy Fred. Man, in those shady areas of trees, or your underpass situaiton, I'd rather be Fred, than dead.

I do hope you have you figure out where that truck is from to go tell management. Companies that make the news due to their workers killing people tend to have a bad marketing implication.

I'm glad you are ok. Safe karma coming your way via bike cyberspace.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I am a BIG proponent of "take the lane". I do it all the time when I will be safer that way.
However, in this particular instance I did not advise taking the lane because we are talking about a narrow underpass which is a suddenly low light situation. I don't think that van driver even saw her until maybe the last second. I go under an underpass like that regularly on a busy highway near here and let me tell you it is DARK despite it being not all that long a 'tunnel'. Your eyes are used to the sun and then all of a sudden it's dark in there with more bright light up ahead in the open. You really don't want to be in the middle of the lane in a dark underpass with fast moving trucks coming up behind you.
I also don't think it's necessary to use red blinkies during midday (unless it's raining or foggy), but i did suggest it for this situation if the rider is going to be riding through that underpass. She could pull over sometime before the underpass and turn her blinkie(s) on and then turn them off again later on in a safe place.

[greycoral]

I usually just take the lane to save myself any future injuries, but I had an instance where I was stopped at a light, in the traffic lane (no bike lane, gnarly shoulder), and a cab pulled around me to pass as the light turned. His side mirror actually grazed my elbow as I was mounting my bike. He wasn't going fast, but it still knocked me on the ground since it threw off my balance. I called and complained, but never heard anything back from them.

[Blueberry]

((((kfergos))))))

That's a terrible experience.

From what I've seen in other threads about your lights, I don't think it's a lack of light issue (down low glow anyone?). I'd consider calling the police and reporting it. Most states require a minimum passing distance - and it certainly doesn't sound like it was observed. At least that way, there's a report - and if he does it again and hurts someone, there will be a record.

CA

[kfergos]

Wow, lights, that's a good idea.

I actually had my normal nighttime lights going, including a Planetbike Superflash rear blinky light. I'd hope he saw it, cause otherwise I'm guessing his eyes are so bad he shouldn't be driving anyway!

Thank you all for the good advice and comments. I'm keeping an eye out for him in the future, and if I see him again I'll try to get the company name to call and complain. It can't hurt, and maybe I'd feel better knowing I've done something productive about it.

[Biciclista]

Of course, you'll report back here too right?

keep riding!