Near miss requiring change of underwear

[87Trike1200]

Like a lot of us, I've had some close calls from time to time. We must constantly be aware and saying to ourselves, "what if this guy does this or what if that guy to that". This doesn't prevent everything, but sure helps. Have a plan - also, I love my Rivco air horns. They help "wake 'em up".

[Bill Reber]

Cagers do NOT look for bikes even if they see them the brain does not. This is a fault in our driver education in the USA much of it stems from thinking a bike is a toy and not valid transportation. Don't believe this spend a little time in Europe or Asia.Hit a bike or a scooter and see what happens you'll get a hell of a lot more than a hand slap.

[GARYD]

Cagers do NOT look for bikes even if they see them the brain does not. This is a fault in our driver education in the USA much of it stems from thinking a bike is a toy and not valid transportation. Don't believe this spend a little time in Europe or Asia.Hit a bike or a scooter and see what happens you'll get a hell of a lot more than a hand slap.

You sure got that right.

The one thing we had that was really a life saver was the "headlight on" regulation. Then they go and make everyone have their lights on - poof - there goes our one and only real edge.

Now they tell us to wear bright colors and what do they do??? - paint cars with bright colors. We can't win folks. Maybe a twin 50 cal. mounted on the front of your bike will work.
Or as Bill said, stricter/harsher laws like Asia and Europe.

[orange winger2]

Are any of you using modulating headlights?

[ladyff1481]

All the hi vis clothing, extra lighting, brightly colored bikes, etc is never going to help us as long as we have distracted drivers. I think that there should be a mandatory program which automatically disables a cell phone when the car is in motion. I know it's an option with my cell company but I do believe that it should be mandatory.
News stations are reporting the upsurge in teenager's deaths in MVA's. Most accidents that I respond to as an EMT, either the person was on the phone or it was weather related.
As for the motorcycle accidents, they always say that they didn't see the biker. My Trike is about the same size as my friends' Toyota Yaris. I sure find it hard to believe when someone says to me that they didn't see me.

[GoSlo]

Not sure where I read this or if it even holds water, but found it interesting....

Drivers of cars are so sensory overloaded with all the things they see on the road, that the mind has to shut certain things out or determine if it's not a danger. Most of the "dangers" that the mind perceives are "horizontally oriented", such as other cars or trucks (two headlights set apart horizontally and the vehicle is usually wider than it is tall). Bikes or trikes generally only have one headlight and the bike/trike is more "vertical" in shape so their mind does not "see it as a threat", and so it doesn't register that something is there. There was also something mentioned about a triangle of lights that makes you more visible, which may be one of the reasons cars added the third brake light up high and in the middle of the rear brake lights.

Like I say, it could be BS, but thought there might be some merit to the idea. Of course like ladyff1481 said, adding the distraction of talking/texting on cell phones only makes it worse.

[rmrc51]

Not sure where I read this or if it even holds water, but found it interesting....

Drivers of cars are so sensory overloaded with all the things they see on the road, that the mind has to shut certain things out or determine if it's not a danger. Most of the "dangers" that the mind perceives are "horizontally oriented", such as other cars or trucks (two headlights set apart horizontally and the vehicle is usually wider than it is tall). Bikes or trikes generally only have one headlight and the bike/trike is more "vertical" in shape so their mind does not "see it as a threat", and so it doesn't register that something is there. There was also something mentioned about a triangle of lights that makes you more visible, which may be one of the reasons cars added the third brake light up high and in the middle of the rear brake lights.

Like I say, it could be BS, but thought there might be some merit to the idea. Of course like ladyff1481 said, adding the distraction of talking/texting on cell phones only makes it worse.

Another reason why I have as many lights on my trike as possible (front, sides and rear) in the "hope" that I'll be easily seen.

[ladyff1481]

I thought the bright purple sparkle on my 1st trike would work but it didn't, now I'm looking at a modulator headlight and flashing brake lights on the tour pak.

[GoSlo]

Found the link to the article I was trying to explain. Again, not sure how valid it is, but it's sure something to think about.

Why car drivers don't 'see' bikers and cyclists (Harley, ride, motorbike) - * - City-Data Forum

[Rosy]

Put trikes, motocycles, and scooters people's mind. How many signs do you see in September about children going to school, school bus, cross walks, crossing guards, well they should remind people when they get their linceses or tags that motorcycles, trikes, and scooters are vehicles.
I know in NH, they have signs out telling motorist that motorcycles are out there and be aware of them.
Still there are accidents. You are correct in distractions to drivers, that's a big one. I think in Maine you can not be distracted or you will get pulled over:
Eating
Drinking water-juice-coffee anything
Cell phone
and the big one is texting.
While I was in California there was a motorcycle cop hiding behind some bushes every day looking for people with their hands to their ears, like being on the phone, he would go after them and give them a ticket. Harsh, but it is one way to make people aware they shouldn't do it.
Give a ticket to a few and hundreds will find out because word of mouth.

Regards,

Rosy & Janice
From NH

[GARYD]

You got that right Rosy.
Kill two birds with one stone = cities get needed revenue and the drivers get an expensive message.....and hope it sinks in.

My last bike had all kinds of lights in the back, but since I saw and installed a set of Hyper-Lites on the back - nobody comes close to me. I even had a car driver follow me into a shopping center just to ask where I got them.

I would like to get a modulating headlight, but I read somewhere that you can't with an LED headlight.
I know they're irritating when someone has them behind me in my rearview mirrors.....so they must work.

Maybe I'll make a bracket that will move the running lights out to car dimensions.

[GoSlo]

Some of the best signs I've seen about motorcycles are in Utah and they actually were geared towards bikers to be aware, and so clever that I think everyone, bikes/trikes and cars got the message. Attached are the graphics from 5 of the signs we saw on the road, but I'm sure there's others we missed.

[trikerAL]

Glad you avoided hitting the blind motorists Tinbasher.I too have had close shaves wearing hi viz jacket and all lights blazing and still seem invisible to numty drivers.

[Southpaw]

My husband once told me, besides watching the person to make sure they see you as they pull out of sidestreets or parking lots, also take a look at their tires. They may be looking right at you, but if their tires are moving, be extra wary. they may not see you at all and start pulling out. I always watch the person, then glance at their tires as I approach.

[GARYD]

GoSlo, you're right about the signs targeting bikers. They should be targeting car drivers = THE REAL PROBLEM!

But like any government entity, the bikes are the problem NOT car drivers.

Southpaw, that is good advise, but also slow down a little and keep your brakes covered - that reduces the reaction time a lot. I never approach an intersection without having my fingers and foot over the brakes.

Watching to see if they are on their cell phone is also a good idea - all that in a split second can be done with lots of practice.

[Tinbasher]

After this incident I ride as if every car in view is being driven by a blind, homicidal chimp.

[BLAQUEHAWQUE]

You handled that perfectly. Ranting and raving usually goes in one ear and outh the other (nothing in the middle to retain it) but polite statements are often quite sobering and leave the person with something to think about. We hope anyway!!

GOOD ON YA!!

[12MOTOBLUE]

Hopefully this link works, it kind of fits the way car drivers think about us.

YouTube

[Calgary]

I've had a modulating headlight on my Gl1800 as well as a 'back-off' tail light regulator since 2006.

Both have worked wonders, but the modulating headlight is amazing.

I'm just getting my new Gl1800 equipped and I consider both devices an absolute must. Inexpensive and effective!

[Tinbasher]

I've had a modulating headlight on my Gl1800 as well as a 'back-off' tail light regulator since 2006.

Both have worked wonders, but the modulating headlight is amazing.

I'm just getting my new Gl1800 equipped and I consider both devices an absolute must. Inexpensive and effective!

Sadly neither are legal here in the UK. :-(