I’m only riding about 5 miles a day on my commute and it feels like I’m almost getting hit by a car minimum once a day. What are y’all wearing to be seen?
Recent bike shot for post
by AnalogCowboy
I’m only riding about 5 miles a day on my commute and it feels like I’m almost getting hit by a car minimum once a day. What are y’all wearing to be seen?
Recent bike shot for post
by AnalogCowboy
24 Comments
Rear lights. Take the lane, choose a different route!
If you’re getting hit that often, it’s your riding, not what you’re wearing.
Making eye contact, hand signaling to drivers, track standing for visibility at crossings. Respect the fact that no one will take responsibility for hitting you, and won’t think twice about it because as a bicyclist, they will always assume you’re in the wrong.
Wearing high vis or bright colors is just an addition to good riding habits. It likely has nothing to do with your bike, except for maybe your wide bars if you’re hotlining between car lanes.
Slightly wider bars will save you
from exiting the house.
What I’m hearing is my bars still aren’t wide enough!
Fr though, I’ve got front and back lights on even during the day, signal clearly and basically try to ride responsibly. I think I’m gonna have to get a bright ass jacket or something as it’s mostly at junctions or roundabouts where drivers just aren’t looking properly.
money answer: radar tail light that I move from bike to bike. Less money: the brightest blinking taillight possible and, when I hear/can tell there will be some interaction with traffic, I get taller and wider than normal.
10% of the time it works 100% of the time
When I was commuting heavily I rocked a reflective vest. A lot of it boils down to the roads ur on and the drivers then selves and your awareness, you can only do so much until a bad driver near misses u or worse.
When the weathers rubbish. I ride two rear lights and front. But mainly it’s how I ride, always assuming that some one wants to kill me so I only take risks when I’m confident my ability to get out of it if it gets to dodgy!
What frame is that
Ride fast, die last
Dude i ride in montreal in between cars downtown and allat and I don’t get hit…(knock on wood) pretty sure it might be your riding lmao
nothing
I rode with a New Yorker a few months ago and they would aggressively swerve a bit into the lane every time they heard a car (far behind them) because it fundamentally changed driver behavior. Being less apologetic about taking your space and forcing them over may improve your situation (unless you meet a true psycho)
Check the Strava Heat Map for your area and see if there’s an alternate route cyclists use.
Blinking taillight is annoying to other cyclists, but clearly tells drivers you are a bike.
If you are already signaling and riding clearly, maybe the reflecto-vest is the way to go.
Can’t pretend not to see you if you’re in the middle of the lane.
I pull an UNO reverse card and hit the car driver with my u-lock before they hit me!
Take the lane, ride defensively, assume drivers can’t see you (they can’t), make eye contact with drivers, make yourself visible (lights, hi-viz, bells) be predictable and announce your moves. If everything else fails, choose a different route.
Take up the lane, lights, bells, if you’re almost getting hit and not getting hit you’re doing the right thing. I usually only got hit by doors or people creeping up on intersections. Give yourself as much space from those things as possible. Also I know it’s bad form, but ride on sidewalks if it’s garbage for bikes. A stern look is a small price to pay for not dying or getting hurt. Just take it slow in case of pedestrians and people coming out of their driveways.
rear light, i have one from rei that adjust with the ambient light and flashes. [on sale now](https://mobile.rei.com/AkCd/m9zrkt0d)
yellow helmet. also a few years on riding a motorcycle, which really helps with confidence, planning and vision and being aggressive with my lane.
At what point do you feel like you’re almost getting hit? Is it cars over taking you? Cars pulling out at junctions?
everyone here is giving great tips about lane position, visibility, etc. But something equally important is learning how to anticipate the idiotic moves drivers will make. The more you ride, the more you’ll notice where to keep an eye out for unexpected behaviour, and you’ll be able to more easily spot when a driver is about to do something stupid so you can avoid it. Keep your head on a swivel and headphones in your pocket (not in your ears).
I’d say learn the “dangerous” streets in your city and avoid them. I was run over from behind with expensive NiteRider lights. One in the front, two in the back (frame + helmet). After that I’ve been avoiding streets where cars drive fast, even if it takes me 20 or 30 minutes longer. Some drivers just don’t care about cyclists. And if there’s absolutely no way around and “I have to take” that dangerous avenue/street, I just ride on the sidewalk for a bit (yes, technically illegal)
https://preview.redd.it/90iawbl8gyhg1.png?width=788&format=png&auto=webp&s=645a274de5e0caeb7228c2a200f58d9492c5205c
From what I can see:
Your rear light is obscured by your fender
No reflective strips on your pedals
No reflectors whatsoever
Also, my bag has a reflective strip running across it so even if I’m in the dark I’m a little more visible
Pool noodle that sticks out 4 ft to your left attached to your seatpost.
U lock in a waist holster.