What does it take to be seen?

[email hidden said:

"]This morning was a bit misty and dark. Put on extra bright top, safety
vest, 10W halogen, five LED flasher. Cycling along and a pickup pulls
out in front of me causing me to brake rather violently. Lights were
red so cruise up beside said pickup and glower.

Window winds down: "I didn't see you."

I look at him in disbelief, "I'm wearing a safety vest, the loudest top
I own, two front lights: what do I have to do to be seen?"

No answer. No apology either. [censored].
--
Cheers
Euan

look like a car ... it's their software filtering anything that is smaller.
The eyes can see you, the brain chooses not to.
Their justification "it's hard to see bikes".

Quoted message said:

This morning was a bit misty and dark. Put on extra bright top, safety
vest, 10W halogen, five LED flasher. Cycling along and a pickup pulls
out in front of me causing me to brake rather violently. Lights were
red so cruise up beside said pickup and glower.

Window winds down: "I didn't see you."

I look at him in disbelief, "I'm wearing a safety vest, the loudest top
I own, two front lights: what do I have to do to be seen?"

No answer. No apology either. [censored].

at around 5.30 am, several times a week, i ride over to a friend's place
to go for a r*n. at 5.30 am a guy in a huge ford ute with a canopy on
the back, reverses out of his driveway. every day i vere to the right
hand side of the road because he keeps backing out. every day he brakes
suddenly when he sees me flash past in his rear vision mirror. every day
i look back over my shoulder and see him looking dazed at me wondering
where i came from. i reckon pavlovs dogs were smarter than this guy and
would probably make better drivers.

--
Peter McCallum
Mackay Qld AUSTRALIA

Quoted message said:

This morning was a bit misty and dark. Put on extra bright top, safety
vest, 10W halogen, five LED flasher. Cycling along and a pickup pulls
out in front of me causing me to brake rather violently. Lights were
red so cruise up beside said pickup and glower.

Window winds down: "I didn't see you."

I look at him in disbelief, "I'm wearing a safety vest, the loudest top
I own, two front lights: what do I have to do to be seen?"

No answer. No apology either. [censored].

This is why I wear black. It doesn't matter how much fluoro [censored] you
put on, it doesn't matter how bright your $1000 HID is, it doesn't
matter if you've strapped a programmable, full-colour, 40W laser to your
bike - drivers are looking for cars - not bikes.

At one intersection on the way back from training tonight I had FOUR
cars cut me off, turning right in front of me, one after the other. The
[censored] just followed the leader like blind sheep. I had a 3-led flasher
and I wasn't even wearing black tonight

Cyclists must look for cars and anticipate their idiotic moves because
it doesn't work the other way around.

hippy

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

This is why I wear black. It doesn't matter how much fluoro [censored] you
put on, it doesn't matter how bright your $1000 HID is, it doesn't
matter if you've strapped a programmable, full-colour, 40W laser to your
bike - drivers are looking for cars - not bikes.

At one intersection on the way back from training tonight I had FOUR
cars cut me off, turning right in front of me, one after the other. The
[censored] just followed the leader like blind sheep. I had a 3-led flasher
and I wasn't even wearing black tonight

Cyclists must look for cars and anticipate their idiotic moves because
it doesn't work the other way around.

hippy

Hippy,

Maybe a flashing blue light would be better.... drivers would be worried
about the police bicycle squad chasing after them...

Henry.

hemyd said:

Maybe a flashing blue light would be better.... drivers would be worried
about the police bicycle squad chasing after them...

I have seen people with this setup. Not sure I could be bothered with
another light though. I'll take my chances bouncing off a few more cars..

Hey! drivers are meant to be nicer to cyclists in Europe anyway? 🙂

hippy

hippy said:

Quoted message said:

This morning was a bit misty and dark. Put on extra bright top, safety
vest, 10W halogen, five LED flasher. Cycling along and a pickup pulls
out in front of me causing me to brake rather violently. Lights were
red so cruise up beside said pickup and glower.

Window winds down: "I didn't see you."

I look at him in disbelief, "I'm wearing a safety vest, the loudest top
I own, two front lights: what do I have to do to be seen?"

No answer. No apology either. [censored].

This is why I wear black. It doesn't matter how much fluoro [censored] you
put on, it doesn't matter how bright your $1000 HID is, it doesn't
matter if you've strapped a programmable, full-colour, 40W laser to your
bike - drivers are looking for cars - not bikes.

At one intersection on the way back from training tonight I had FOUR
cars cut me off, turning right in front of me, one after the other. The
[censored] just followed the leader like blind sheep. I had a 3-led flasher
and I wasn't even wearing black tonight

Cyclists must look for cars and anticipate their idiotic moves because
it doesn't work the other way around.

hippy

and my extremely bright orange motorbike.. (www.sarlet.com for pics)
got run over by the neighbour who couldnt see it against the white
wall.. in daylight.

On the other hand.. I now have cheque for $1200 bucks
Dave

hippy said:

it doesn't matter how bright your $1000 HID is, it doesn't
matter if you've strapped a programmable, full-colour, 40W laser to your
bike - drivers are looking for cars - not bikes.

the thing with my HID, they cannot tell that there is a bike behind it.
I've even taken to covering it with my hand so I don't have them waiting 20s for me to reach the intersection.
"the SUVs of urban cycling"? Nah, more like the MBTs

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

hemyd said:

Maybe a flashing blue light would be better.... drivers would be worried
about the police bicycle squad chasing after them...

I have seen people with this setup. Not sure I could be bothered with
another light though. I'll take my chances bouncing off a few more cars..

Hey! drivers are meant to be nicer to cyclists in Europe anyway? 🙂

My partner and I were in Italy, Germany, France and the Netherlands last
year and cycled (hire bikes) in all the places we visited. Only one single
incident involving motor transport, even in Rome and Paris (mayhem!). Just
make yourself aware of the road rules. For example, the places where you
have to give way to entering traffic varies, as does the rule about the
driver being assumed to be at fault in a bike/car prang. When we stuffed up
the rules we found drivers to be much more forgiving than here. We got a few
scowls but certainly no abuse or aggression.

(WARNING- WINDING UP FOR A RANT!) The only time we got yelled at was when we
tried to work out the rules on the cycle ways around Munich. Gee, commuter
cyclists there got so cranky with the slightest hold-up! Odd point of
similarity: We only got yelled at by serious looking lycra jockeys, with or
without their backpacks. People on MTBs, cruisers, etc were cheerful and
friendly and helpful.

What is it about lycra that makes some people take themselves so bloody
seriously (present company excepted, of course!)? I got the same this
evening on a 40km pootle around the river and surrounds in Perth. Stroppy,
serious looking people getting annoyed when they had to slow down on shared
paths for other users. Three times I heard goons yelling at peds to get out
of the way, even though the peds were walking in the left lane. I got yelled
at when some clown nearly ran headlong into me when he was overtaking some
peds. I was told to get a real bike or get off the path. Prat. I caught him
at Burswood and gave him a gobful back before settling down for a glorious
Hamburger Hill burger (mmmm). I wonder what these testosterone-charged gits
are like if they get behind the wheel?

Nuff sed on that. Back to Europe: The only time we had trouble with a motor
vehicle was in Cologne. A mini bus transporting 6 Japanese tourists form
outside a hotel. It seems the tourists (in the square near the Dom) thought
that they had some special privilege and demanded that all the walkers and
cyclists get out of the wayof their bus. The driver shouted something about
them being dignitaries. Most people moved out of the way, but it struck a
bloody-minded chord in my egalitarian soul, so I made damn sure I stayed on
my path, in my space, at my pace, within my rights. Sod em. I got to
understand what a "torrent of abuse" is! German, English and Japanese all
mixed together! It did my heart proud to find them at an Eis Cafe about 500m
down the road. We sat a couple of tables away, smiled and scoffed huge ice
cream creations while the dignitaries looked very uncomfortable. Should have
been in a movie.

So, my experience has always been that drivers in Europe are more tolerant,
more aware and less aggressive than we are. Not perfect, but less imperfect
than us on the roads. Have a great time!

Frank

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>> "Plodder" == Plodder <CORNED BEEF@NOSPAM> writes:

Plodder> What is it about lycra that makes some people take
Plodder> themselves so bloody seriously (present company excepted,
Plodder> of course!)?

I reckon it's 'cause they're there for ``sport'' rather than transport.
The old competitive instinct and all that. That's OK in its place but a
shared path isn't it!

One of the reasons I never use shared paths is 'cause I want to get from
A to B as quickly as possible. I'm a commuter, not a racer, but I
commute a pretty fair distance. I ride a road bike, I wear Lycra. I
guess the image is spoiled a bit by the panniers on the back and the
large amount of lights though ;-)

Unfortunately one's chosen mode of transport has no bearing on their
level of dickheadedness.
--
Cheers
Euan

hemyd said:

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

This is why I wear black. It doesn't matter how much fluoro [censored] you
put on, it doesn't matter how bright your $1000 HID is, it doesn't
matter if you've strapped a programmable, full-colour, 40W laser to your
bike - drivers are looking for cars - not bikes.

At one intersection on the way back from training tonight I had FOUR
cars cut me off, turning right in front of me, one after the other. The
[censored] just followed the leader like blind sheep. I had a 3-led flasher
and I wasn't even wearing black tonight

Cyclists must look for cars and anticipate their idiotic moves because
it doesn't work the other way around.

hippy

Hippy,

Maybe a flashing blue light would be better.... drivers would be worried
about the police bicycle squad chasing after them...

Henry.

I've been using a flashing blue light on my bike for about two years and
I can assure you it's the best traffic calming device available. Riding
at night, you can hear the engine revs drop as soon as cars catch a
glimpse of the light and they ALWAYS give me a wide berth.

Marty

dave said:

hippy said:

Quoted message said:

This morning was a bit misty and dark. Put on extra bright top, safety
vest, 10W halogen, five LED flasher. Cycling along and a pickup pulls
out in front of me causing me to brake rather violently. Lights were
red so cruise up beside said pickup and glower.

Window winds down: "I didn't see you."

I look at him in disbelief, "I'm wearing a safety vest, the loudest top
I own, two front lights: what do I have to do to be seen?"

No answer. No apology either. [censored].

This is why I wear black. It doesn't matter how much fluoro [censored] you
put on, it doesn't matter how bright your $1000 HID is, it doesn't
matter if you've strapped a programmable, full-colour, 40W laser to
your bike - drivers are looking for cars - not bikes.

At one intersection on the way back from training tonight I had FOUR
cars cut me off, turning right in front of me, one after the other.
The [censored] just followed the leader like blind sheep. I had a 3-led
flasher and I wasn't even wearing black tonight

Cyclists must look for cars and anticipate their idiotic moves because
it doesn't work the other way around.

hippy

and my extremely bright orange motorbike.. (www.sarlet.com for pics) got
run over by the neighbour who couldnt see it against the white wall.. in
daylight.

On the other hand.. I now have cheque for $1200 bucks
Dave

I got knocked off the motorbike when a woman backed into me in a car
park. She said "Oh sorry, I didn't look in my mirror".

You really cannot underestimate incompetence.

At least I got a new fairing out of it 🙂

--
Nick

hemyd said:

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Cyclists must look for cars and anticipate their idiotic moves because
it doesn't work the other way around.

hippy

Hippy,

Maybe a flashing blue light would be better.... drivers would be worried
about the police bicycle squad chasing after them...

Henry.

Cute, and it might just work. When I run at night, I wear a green flashing
light on my back or my bum. Cars ALWAYS flick to highbeams, presumably to
see what the hell a green flashy light is doing at such a strange height.

Tam

On Fri, 22 Apr 2005 [email hidden] wrote:

<Snip>

Quoted message said:

One of the reasons I never use shared paths is 'cause I want to get from
A to B as quickly as possible. I'm a commuter, not a racer, but I
commute a pretty fair distance. I ride a road bike, I wear Lycra. I
guess the image is spoiled a bit by the panniers on the back and the
large amount of lights though ;-)

Hehe, sounds like me... but subtract the panniers (can't afford em yet,
and have to drive one day a week anyway so transport most of my stuff
then), and add wheel reflectors and a cute little bell...

Quoted message said:

Unfortunately one's chosen mode of transport has no bearing on their
level of dickheadedness.
--
Cheers
Euan

Hey, it's good to see other people use dickheadedness as a word 🙂

Tam

"Marty" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

hemyd said:

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

This is why I wear black. It doesn't matter how much fluoro [censored] you
put on, it doesn't matter how bright your $1000 HID is, it doesn't
matter if you've strapped a programmable, full-colour, 40W laser to your
bike - drivers are looking for cars - not bikes.

At one intersection on the way back from training tonight I had FOUR
cars cut me off, turning right in front of me, one after the other. The
[censored] just followed the leader like blind sheep. I had a 3-led flasher
and I wasn't even wearing black tonight

Cyclists must look for cars and anticipate their idiotic moves because
it doesn't work the other way around.

hippy

Hippy,

Maybe a flashing blue light would be better.... drivers would be worried
about the police bicycle squad chasing after them...

Henry.

I've been using a flashing blue light on my bike for about two years and
I can assure you it's the best traffic calming device available. Riding
at night, you can hear the engine revs drop as soon as cars catch a
glimpse of the light and they ALWAYS give me a wide berth.

Marty

Only thing that would worry me is that if the drivers realised what the
light was they'd get enraged and wreak their vengeance on you or the next
unfortunate cyclist near them

Henry

Marty said:

hemyd said:

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

This is why I wear black. It doesn't matter how much fluoro [censored] you
put on, it doesn't matter how bright your $1000 HID is, it doesn't
matter if you've strapped a programmable, full-colour, 40W laser to your
bike - drivers are looking for cars - not bikes.

At one intersection on the way back from training tonight I had FOUR
cars cut me off, turning right in front of me, one after the other. The
[censored] just followed the leader like blind sheep. I had a 3-led flasher
and I wasn't even wearing black tonight

Cyclists must look for cars and anticipate their idiotic moves because
it doesn't work the other way around.

hippy

Hippy,

Maybe a flashing blue light would be better.... drivers would be worried
about the police bicycle squad chasing after them...

Henry.

I've been using a flashing blue light on my bike for about two years and
I can assure you it's the best traffic calming device available. Riding
at night, you can hear the engine revs drop as soon as cars catch a
glimpse of the light and they ALWAYS give me a wide berth.

Marty

I use a white T-shirt or backpack cover with "HELMET LAW HARMFUL?" written
on the back in bold black letters, together with a website
(www.cyclinghealth.org.nz). I have the distinct impression I get far
fewer close shaves now, as people seem to notice me, whatever their views.

Peter

--
If you are careful enough in life, nothing bad -- or
good -- will ever happen to you.

Marty said:

Quoted message said:

I've been using a flashing blue light on my bike for about two years and
I can assure you it's the best traffic calming device available. Riding
at night, you can hear the engine revs drop as soon as cars catch a
glimpse of the light and they ALWAYS give me a wide berth.

Marty

Oatley Electronics (click link) often have ultra bright flashing blue/red LEDs. (no external electronics required)
Currently out of stock but lots of other goodies on their site.
Good reliable mail order provider. Been using them for years.

Cheers
Hugh

NoZX6R said:

dave said:

hippy said:

[email hidden] wrote:

> This morning was a bit misty and dark. Put on extra bright top, safety
> vest, 10W halogen, five LED flasher. Cycling along and a pickup pulls
> out in front of me causing me to brake rather violently. Lights were
> red so cruise up beside said pickup and glower.
>
> Window winds down: "I didn't see you."
>
> I look at him in disbelief, "I'm wearing a safety vest, the loudest top
> I own, two front lights: what do I have to do to be seen?"
>
> No answer. No apology either. [censored].

This is why I wear black. It doesn't matter how much fluoro [censored] you
put on, it doesn't matter how bright your $1000 HID is, it doesn't
matter if you've strapped a programmable, full-colour, 40W laser to
your bike - drivers are looking for cars - not bikes.

At one intersection on the way back from training tonight I had FOUR
cars cut me off, turning right in front of me, one after the other.
The [censored] just followed the leader like blind sheep. I had a 3-led
flasher and I wasn't even wearing black tonight

Cyclists must look for cars and anticipate their idiotic moves
because it doesn't work the other way around.

hippy

and my extremely bright orange motorbike.. (www.sarlet.com for pics)
got run over by the neighbour who couldnt see it against the white
wall.. in daylight.

On the other hand.. I now have cheque for $1200 bucks
Dave

I got knocked off the motorbike when a woman backed into me in a car
park. She said "Oh sorry, I didn't look in my mirror".

You really cannot underestimate incompetence.

At least I got a new fairing out of it 🙂

Its amazing how bad they are.
Dave