Dear Motorists,

[username n/a]

Don't run into people on bikes.

Sincerely,
People on Bikes

P.S. Seriously, don't do it.

[MatticusMania]

Maybe it was personal.

[Pilgrim]

Sorry to see that, and I hope you're OK.

I ride a bike only where I can stay far away from cars. They're bigger than I am, and if we meet, I lose - no matter how "right" I am in terms of traffic law.

I ride on sidewalks, against traffic, whatever it takes to stay away from them. The city can sue me if and when they catch me. I stop at signs, signal every turn, use lights, etc. but I'll break any traffic law if it makes me safer personally and doesn't put anyone else in danger..

[FL Knifemaker]

On monday, my son got hit on his bike crossing an entrance to a really nice development. The woman stopped at the gate, then pulled right in front of him as he rode by. Luckily he's fine but his front wheel is toast as well.

[L-A]

I ride a BMX when I'm in town now. When about to collide, I hop on the car's hood/bumper. It's not a perfect solution, but I use what I can do.

[sarcastro83]

Dear cyclists,

Please be more careful, and willing to abide by the laws whch govern our roadways. Our cars are much more difficult to maneuver than your bikes when stuff goes awry.

Warmest Regards,

A concerned Motorist.

P.S. I am very glad to hear that you were not hurt too badly, if at all Username. Please, PLEASE... be careful out there.

[sloasdaylight]

I see you appear to be not-dead, this is preferable to dead.

[karrot-x]

Hey you automobilies, watch out for those with less than 4 wheels.

Sincerely,

Concerned two wheeled rider.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

A collision is always a bummer, I hope You're all right?

I do admit that cagers are sometimes totally blind when two wheelers are concerned.


But, and it's a pretty big but. Applies both motorized and non-motorized two wheelers.

Bikes are virtually invisible to a cager. Even more so if that's ones intention.
Bikes are way way more agile than four wheeled vehicles.
Bikers assume that their right of way will keep them safe and alive.

That's from about 100k on two (I have an engine on mine though ) and 150k on four or more wheels

Regards
sam

[Staccato]

They don't actively look for bikes. This was partly a failure in their early driver training, and/or experience, and likely reflects on the fact that many drivers do not actively ride bicycles, or motorcycles.

IMO, the collisions would be greatly reduced if everyone was required to pass a driver's test simultaneously on ALL of the following before earning the privilege to drive a car:
1. Bicycle road test;
2. Motorcycle road test;
3. Automobile (car, SUV, jeep-etc.) road test.

I've earned the motorcycle qual. on my license, and refuse to own a street bike due to 'blind' drivers operating on the streets. My biggest fear, drivers with blue hair that are slow to react to anything and everything!

[warwick.hoy]

First off let me say that I'm glad you aren't hurt N/A. Might have to buy yourself a new wheelset but money < life.

I'm discovering as I commute back and forth to work that ignorance goes both ways. I see cyclists pulling just as much dumb stuff as I see drivers. Even pedestrians do some moronic things. Fact is we have to share the roads and the same laws and I do the best I can to avoid being a hindrance to traffic which in some cases means hauling arse, in others the drivers have to be a little patient. I've grown a thick skin with cager ragers. Luckily my morning commute is not during peak traffic, on the way home there is a little more but it's not too hairy.

For me, I ride with traffic on the roadway. I make sure I'm riding predictably and that I am highly visible. I have reflective vinyl on my fenders,...the same reflective vinyl they use on stop signs. I also have a flashy on the back and I have two headlights,...one that blinks and the other one that illuminates my path if I'm out at night. Even then you have to be really aware and heads up because cagers are in their own little cut off world of soccer practice and cell phones.

I also want one of these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQjH4...eature=related

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Sorry to see that, and I hope you're OK.

I ride a bike only where I can stay far away from cars. They're bigger than I am, and if we meet, I lose - no matter how "right" I am in terms of traffic law.

I ride on sidewalks, against traffic, whatever it takes to stay away from them. The city can sue me if and when they catch me. I stop at signs, signal every turn, use lights, etc. but I'll break any traffic law if it makes me safer personally and doesn't put anyone else in danger..

We call that a salmon. I know this gets heated and controversial on some of the bicycle advocacy blogs I've read and I don't intend to flame you,....it's all a matter of what you are comfortable with. We have a lot of pedestrian traffic here in Spokane and I'd more more concerned with hitting a pedestrian in this situation as opposed to getting hit by a car going with traffic. Here there is a ten MPH speed limit for bikes on sidewalks so they are there to use,...but to me sidewalks are for pedestrians and MUPs are for both. Everything else you mention I do to a T,...stop for signs,...signal etc etc.

Originally Posted by L-A

I ride a BMX when I'm in town now. When about to collide, I hop on the car's hood/bumper. It's not a perfect solution, but I use what I can do.

This is hella funny,...I mean I'd be pissed if it were my car,...but if I were on my bike or a pedestrian I'd be all like hellz yeah.

[username n/a]

The dude was turning right on red, so he was looking the other way for cars when I went in front of him. He started to pull out as soon as I started to go in front of him. I'm fine, by the way. Thank you for your inquiries. He offered to pay for the damage to my bike. His insurance will cover that, right?

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by username n/a

The dude was turning right on red, so he was looking the other way for cars when I went in front of him. He started to pull out as soon as I started to go in front of him. I'm fine, by the way. Thank you for your inquiries. He offered to pay for the damage to my bike. His insurance will cover that, right?

I think so if he is at fault. Where were you in relation? Along side going the same way?

[username n/a]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

First off let me say that I'm glad you aren't hurt N/A. Might have to buy yourself a new wheelset but money < life.

For me, I ride with traffic on the roadway. I make sure I'm riding predictably and that I am highly visible. I have reflective vinyl on my fenders,...the same reflective vinyl they use on stop signs. I also have a flashy on the back and I have two headlights,...one that blinks and the other one that illuminates my path if I'm out at night. Even then you have to be really aware and heads up because cagers are in their own little cut off world of soccer practice and cell phones.

I usually ride in the road, but I was on the sidewalk because I road was a 4 lane highway and (this is the funny part) I didn't want to get hit by a car.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

When I cycle to work I go along the side of a canal which goes most of the way there.

Whenever I get the bus to or from work, I see accidents pretty frequently (well, more than once a week).

As has been pointed out, regardless of who is right, the guy on two wheels is almost certainly going to end worse off.

[username n/a]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I think so if he is at fault. Where were you in relation? Along side going the same way?

On the sidewalk on his right side.

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by username n/a

On the sidewalk on his right side.

So he was trying to make a right hand turn on a red light and you were on his right and pulled out into the intersection,...on a red light?

[username n/a]

yes

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by username n/a

yes

Not to add insult to injury but if you had waited for a green light,...or a walk signal you might not have gotten hit.

[sloasdaylight]

Yea...I don't really think his insurance is going to want to cover that. Probably should have waited homeboy.