7 replies to this topic

[stu]

http://www.londoncyc...teach-cyclists/

[TDMick]

Makes a lot of sense.

[danceswithmopeds]

I'm only driving cars for about 7 years. I'm very aware of motorbikes and suicyclists.
I'm fanatical about clean windows, and leaning back and forward to see past pillars at junctions and roundabouts.
At least twice in the last month I've had very close SMIDSY moments.

1,All dark suicyclist going wrong way up one-way street, 2,Pizza delivery guy attempting overtake and lane change on roundabout.

[Drew48]

well to a degree that may be so - however the area out with the fovea & macula are where you will find the cells resposible for low ight vision and these are very sesitive to low light conditions and movement, so a moving object should be seen - but to all driver move your f*cking head and look !!!! All the research and excuses don't change the fact people do not look properly they're lazy they're complacent and quite often are thick as mince when their errors are pointed out.

[pete7]

Interesting stuff here.

 

Research in late 70s ( by Scandinavian ergonomists I think) on SMIDSY accidents seemed to conclude bike with lights equalled conspicuity (is that a word ...? it is now) of a car. Hence, eventually, we all now have permanent running lights.

 

However the problem of being hidden in a moving blind spot is a real one and needs positive action by the car driver on the side road.

 

As we cannot depend on that positive action (double checks/moving head etc etc) I still believe as bikers and cyclists we need to seriously assume the car may pull out and be prepared to avoid it and/or to brake. Personally I try to imagine the driver knows me, hates me, wants to kill me, and is not afraid to put his plans into action. Unfortunately many years ago, this did not stop me being hit by a (probably) drunken 19 year old in his Dad's Cavalier turning RIGHT into my path as I was approaching from the opposite direction. Ouch.

 

I suppose the message is, as ever ... be ultra defensive at ALL times.

 

Pete   

[leehenty]

The Eurocrats plan to stop bike crashes is simple, ban all ptw's.....problem gone.

[starman]

In the early 80's I had a whole string of motorcycles and had almost no near misses with cars except of my own making. The common factor they were feccking loud...... Yamaha TDIC engine stright though chambers. IT425 Yamaha Kawasaki 1000 with a home made 4 into 1 and 250mm long silencer with a handfull of glass fibre.

Edited by starman, 16 June 2013 - 09:22 am.

[Tom850]

Nice link! Considers removing the Enterprise baffle again.