Tom Keats wrote in part:
<< Maybe rephrasing "act as if invisible" to "not 100% expect drivers will act predictably" would
work? But still, we might as well act as if all cars are runaway semi tractors with no brakes.
I think I still prefer to deal with what *is* (i.e: all the due diligence I've taken care of
myself), rather than imaginative stretches of what might be. And if we assume we're not seen by the
drivers but we proceed normally anyway, what's the point of all the pretending & guessing?
cheers, Tom
-- >>
I see what Tom is saying but the point is to eliminate, as much as possible, the guessing. To take
control. this is interesting, because those in the "be loud and proud" camp feel as if they are
taking control, when in fact what they are doing is repeatedly putting control into the hands of
motorists. They depend on the vision and awareness of others.
We must deal with reality, as Tom says. The reality is that, no matter what we do, no matter how
proud we feel, no matter what we wear, no matter what kind of trailer we pull, no matter where we
ride in the street, there are a number of drivers who will simply not see us. This is the incurable
nature of riding a bike on the street. This is the reality that we must deal with.
<< Maybe rephrasing "act as if invisible" to "not 100% expect drivers will act predictably" would
work? But still, we might as well act as if all cars are runaway semi tractors with no brakes. >>
Expect the worst from every vehicle, I say, based on its physical potential to move into a given
space, not based on cultural norms, traffic laws, or common sense. Tstreet, I was only momentarily
surprised. This move was, essentially, normal for city traffic.
It's a matter of expectations and attitude. The "loud and prouders" usually don't realize that more
cynical riders are sharing the same road position, making "vehicular" style left turns, etc. They
think the "invisible" cyclists are all cowering in the gutter, afraid of the traffic flow. But the
gutter is usually a bad place to be invisible.
The invisible cyclist is out in the street, too, but with a fundamentally different attitude and set
of expectations. The invisible cyclist expects that car to pull out in front of him/her, and will be
ready for it. A lot of the "proud" cyclists seem to be rather innocent. The only way someone could
figure that bcoming visible to drivers is the most important thing is if they have never been run
down by someone who appears to be looking right at them. When that happens, as it eventually does,
they will have to reevaluate their whole mindset.
Robert keeping rookies out of the ER since '91
