Why cars misjudge a cyclist's speed

[susiej]

From the Pennsylvania manual for applying for a motorcycle learners permit:

"Smaller vehicles appear farther away, and seem to be traveling slower than
they actually are. It is common for drivers to pull out in front of
motorcyclists, thinking they have plenty of time. Too often, they are wrong."

So, not only is there the assumption that any car is faster than a bike, a bicycle or motorcycle seems slower!

(Apologies if this has been posted before.)

[parity]

When you only have a hammer, every problem looks like a nail.

[mimitabby]

From the Pennsylvania manual for applying for a motorcycle learners permit:

"Smaller vehicles appear farther away, and seem to be traveling slower than
they actually are. It is common for drivers to pull out in front of
motorcyclists, thinking they have plenty of time. Too often, they are wrong."

So, not only is there the assumption that any car is faster than a bike, a bicycle or motorcycle seems slower!

(Apologies if this has been posted before.)

I've never seen it posted, it's kind of interesting.

[Eden]

I also think that many adults have never ridden a bike or rode one only as a child long ago and are under the impression that NO bike moves very quickly.

[Pedal Wench]

I also think that many adults have never ridden a bike or rode one only as a child long ago and are under the impression that NO bike moves very quickly.

I agree with this theory -- so many of the accidents - cars pulling out in front, or passing and then making a right, are because they have no clue that we're moving at 20 mph too.

[Bad JuJu]

This misjudgement of speed is also a problem on bike trails, where parents allow small children to wander across the pavement because, I assume, they figure since it's "only" a bike trail, nobody's moving very quickly. And of course, their prejudice is often confirmed because cyclists have to slow down to avoid their uncontrolled kids.

Oops, is my pet peeve showing?

[smilingcat]

The misjudgement about our speed is real. Been told, "you guys move really fast!! How fast can you go?"

And we've been told "You shouldn't be going so (*&^ fast. You need to ride slower!!!"

thus cars cutting in front of us to turn into a parking lot. Cars coming out of the side street right in front of us and its OUR FAULT for almost causing an accident.

Some people
Smilingcat

[OakLeaf]

This misjudgement of speed is also a problem on bike trails, where parents allow small children to wander across the pavement because, I assume, they figure since it's "only" a bike trail, nobody's moving very quickly. And of course, their prejudice is often confirmed because cyclists have to slow down to avoid their uncontrolled kids.

Oops, is my pet peeve showing?

Yup. Heh.

It's d*mned by the walkers if you do, d*mned by the cars if you don't, but I feel pretty strongly that the place for an adult on a road bicycle is on the road. IMO, the only safe arrangement is that multi-use trails are for children, dogs, walkers, runners, strollers and wheelchairs, with adults on bicycles welcome if they adjust their pace to the traffic around them. Children, dogs and unsteady elderly people can't safely walk in the road, and they need a place to walk.