scarily close near miss on the way home tonight

[Sandra6]

Thanks all, for the reassuring replies.
I have wondered about side on visibility since the clocks changed - I think I'll get some of those 3m whatsits.
Would love the monkey lights lol.
I've had a good rant at work about the incident and feel much better.
Would've been nice if more than two of my personal friends had bothered to show any sort of sympathy after I put it on facebook though.
Atleast you lot care

 

[Matthew_T]

I had a woman a few weeks ago pull out in front of me at a junction. I had to swerve into the side road to avoid her and barely stopped in time. I then told her to move on and she said "Dont shout at me. I thought I saw you signal."
Me: It doesnt matter if i signalled or not, you shouldnt have pulled out.
Her: Keeps shouting sorry as she drives away.
Me: Crazy woman.

She even had kids in the car. People can be very dangerous when in control of a car so just be careful out there.

 

[Panter]

Scary stuff, I do thing that side visibility can be overlooked although I'm sure you were perfectly visible. The spoke reflectors look to be a very good idea!
Glad you're OK, it' probably just a one off that won't happen again but it's very frightening

 

[BentMikey]

Side on visibility is largely no use in these situations, partly because you won't be very side on to a driver in this situation, and partly because their headlights are not shining towards you and so won't light up those 3M spoke reflectors.

 

[cloggsy]

more lights , more high vis , probably wont make much difference to be honest ,IF THEY AINT LOOKING, THEY AINT GONNA SEE YOU, no matter what you do .now calm yourself down and put the kettle on

+1

The Fibre Flares they now sell at Halfords are great! They'll definitely see you with those on the rear stays!

 

[Sandra6]

Side on visibility is largely no use in these situations, partly because you won't be very side on to a driver in this situation, and partly because their headlights are not shining towards you and so won't light up those 3M spoke reflectors.

That's true.
More lights on the front??
I have better lights on the specialized because I use it more often, but when I take the apollo out (usually in the rain) I have a basket on the front,which makes positioning lights more difficult. I'm wondering about clipping an extra one onto the basket itself.
Fairy lights maybe?!
I don't think there is an answer, some drivers just aren't looking for cyclists.
Will see how I get on tonight. Hoping it stays dry.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Side on visibility is largely no use in these situations, partly because you won't be very side on to a driver in this situation, and partly because their headlights are not shining towards you and so won't light up those 3M spoke reflectors.

they are 360 degree and are visible from all angles, so will be of use.

 

[Davidsw8]

Glad you're ok Sandra. I know this isn't a popular thing to say and it won't prevent an accident but I do think helmet cameras are a good investment, you would have got the drivers' full details and the incident on camera to show the police. Too many people are allowed to get away with bad behaviour and people are getting hurt because of it.

It sounds like you have enough lights and hi-vis and you definitely have good reflexes!

 

[BentMikey]

they are 360 degree and are visible from all angles, so will be of use.

I suspect you don't understand how retro-reflectives work, at least not in the situation Sandra described.

 

[BentMikey]

Sandra, you could always get some MonkeyLights. They are cool, and active lighting actually works.

http://www.monkeylectric.com/

 

[MrJamie]

Have a look at Spokelits http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nite-Ize-Spokelit-Bike-Light/dp/B001TKFZ7S/

Theyre incredibly eyecatching because they move around with the wheel so from a near front/rear angle you still get the vertical movement, even on a bike with magicshines, fibreflares, 3M spoke reflectors etc.

 

[Sandra6]

I was a little nervous on approaching the RAB tonight, particularly as their was a bus to my left, and the driver was talking to a passenger -fortunately he'd clearly seen me.
I had an extra light mounted on my basket for good measure too.