How visible do I need to be?

[gregsid]

I need to vent my spleen...

On several occasions (two very recent) I have been almost ploughed up by cars joining a big roundabout whilst I'm negotiating my way round. This is clear daylight too ('til the autumn comes).

I wear BRIGHT red cycle clothes with a Hi-Viz rucksack. My helmet is bright red and white and my cycle is bright red too. I have lights of course, set to flashing during daylight and yet I'm "invisible" to some motorists. Evasive swerving and/or braking are the only reasons why I'm still alive.

I know that this kind of thing is part and parcel of cycle commuting but what do I need to do to get myself noticed?

Greg

 

[StuartG]

It doesn't matter what you wear if you are not in the driver's eyeline. While it is their fault if they don't see you - it is always worth checking your line through the roundabout to see if this can help put you on their radar. Counter-intuitively putting yourself in harm's way (primary) can, in some circumstances, be safer than trying to keep out of the way (secondary).

Some councils do (did?) provide free bikeability lessons to provide advice on your riding style to, say, your workplace. Worked for me.

 

[Alien8]

I know that this kind of thing is part and parcel of cycle commuting but what do I need to do to get myself noticed?

You need a helmet like this (about 00:48 in):

[media]http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid57846345001?bclid=0&bctid=76365111001[/media]

 

[GrumpyGregry]

It does not matter what you are wearing if they are not looking.

A good proportion of them are not looking.

Identifying who is and who isn't is almost impossible until it is too late.

Therefore ride like they are all out to get you, you may live longer and you won't have to die in Hi-Viz.

 

[upsidedown]

If there's an HGV approaching be very careful.. Check out Magnatom's youtube video, it's a shocker. Several lorry drivers on here reckon that a cyclist can actually be hidden by the wing mirrors on a lorry; scary thought.

 

[Simba]

If there's an HGV approaching be very careful.. Check out Magnatom's youtube video, it's a shocker. Several lorry drivers on here reckon that a cyclist can actually be hidden by the wing mirrors on a lorry; scary thought.

That's why I am always ready to bail when an HGV overtakes me. I just don't trust that they have seen me.

 

[palinurus]

I find this a regular problem on large roundabouts (three per commute for me) especially if the traffic is light- joining drivers are perhaps carrying out only cursory checks for circulating traffic. I watch them, cover the brakes and look for escape routes (go behind or turn parallel depending on circumstances).

 

[Red Light]

With 10% of males red-green colour blind, red clothing may not be the bright visible clothing to everyone that you think it is. Bright blue of dayglo would be more widely visible. But dayglo clothing is not know as urban camouflage for no reason so it'll still be SMIDSY

 

[gregsid]

Make eye contact whenever possible.

Ah yes. I try to do that. Wish I could make their eyes look towards me though.

Having said that, with another recent-ish close shave I had, the driver was staring at me as he forced his way on the inside of me at a roundabout exit. Think he was just being a bully rather than not realising I was there.

 

[davefb]

lets face it,, if drivers could always see other CARS there'd be a lot less crashes...

i drive a lot more than i cycle, and the rate is higher, but i do have mornings when i wonder if i'm driving the new 'invisible' corsa..

 

[Theseus]

Wear ninja black and lose the lights. Motorists are always saying they saw someone riding in dark clothing and no lights.

 

[marinyork]

I find this a regular problem on large roundabouts (three per commute for me) especially if the traffic is light- joining drivers are perhaps carrying out only cursory checks for circulating traffic. I watch them, cover the brakes and look for escape routes (go behind or turn parallel depending on circumstances).

+1. Or even small or medium roundabouts - although they have their own slightly different problems.

 

[cyberknight]

As others have said if the driver is not looking at you or as in most cases they have no intention of stopping for "just a bike" then you can look like a mobile christmas tree and it will make no difference.

 

[fossyant]

+1 to all above.

I did everything right - had 6 lights on the bike and 4 flashers on my rucksack. Locked eye contact with one driver approaching a RB, but the second was going way to fast - no eye contact, and I was down. Had just enough time to be ready and make a slight divert, but was properly picked up and dumped on the ground.

The I didn't see you didn't wash. It will happen at some point, just be ready. Oh and don't tense up if a car hits you, go floppy.

That said my left shoulder is permanently knackered, even though I didn't break a bone. I've had it confirmed it won't ever be 100% (after an op) and I'll be on medication for nerve pain in the arm for life.

Folk LOOK but don't see. !

 

[recumbentpanda]

One nice warm day, a motorist pulled right out across me from a side road. As he passed I enquired through his open window 'just how invisible am I?' (I was tricked out in the usual sad christmas-tree fashion, and riding a weird recumbent with a flagpole). His response was admirably honest and to the point:

"I don't care!"

- tell it like it is mate!