Slightly knocked off tonight, need more upper body visibility

[mr_dombat]

I was on the bike path tonight and came to a roundabout with 2 lanes of stationary traffic (http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&l...3,0.001851&t=k&z=19&layer=t&lci=lmc:panoramio I'm coming down from the top on the shared use path). Waited a few seconds to ensure the traffic wasn't going to move. Started to cross the first lane. Of course as soon as I'm in-between the cars the one at the front of the line on my left drives off and the car on my right just drives into me. Crunch. Luckily she only tipped me over to a 45degree angle so I just popped my leg down to regain my balance. She was most apologetic and the bike was fine. It's amazing how easily it can happen. Luckily she didn't put accelerate hard or I'd have gone flying!

I've decided from now on to give a blast of my airzound just so all the cars waiting look to their left and not just the right! I use the road in the morning but on the way home it's too dodgy.

I need to get more side on upper body visibility. From the front and back I look like a Christmas tree but not from the side.

Lesson learned. It was my first incident for over two years and 10K miles. I hope she learned a lesson too. Good job my bike wasn't a pram or she might have flattened it.

 

[John the Monkey]

Reflective armbands?

I have a set similar to these;

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...2&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003154c003140c003576

Bought from Aldi (they did them last year as armbands for runners - might be worth signing up to their offer email).

Consider lights with transparent sides too, (if you don't already have them) like the Smart 1/2 watt. A jacket or armwarmers with reflectives along the length of the arm might be worthwhile too.

 

[HelenD123]

I got a flashing reflective armband from Tesco. That would do the job.

There's a roundabout on my commute with a cycle path round it but I find it more dangerous than staying on the road as you have to get three lanes of traffic to see you and let you across and that often includes buses and lorries. Are you sure the road is too dodgy?

 

[marooncat]

I got a flashing reflective armband from Tesco. That would do the job.

I got one of these tonight, not even taken it out the packet yet but having seen a cyclist with one on earlier in the week when I was in my car I think they are great for making yourself seen. It is at a height were drivers look twice as they do not expect to see anything at that height.

 

[BentMikey]

I think that's a positioning problem, though I'm making assumptions based on your description. I suspect that better positioning will let the drivers see you, whereas making yourself more visible and yet staying where they aren't looking won't help at all.

 

[origamikev]

Wow Visibility is a big issue tonight a friend of mine sells on ebay not for profit "one less car " visi vests and reflective arm bands we have just had a very nasty incident close to home and she want to see as many people "light up" as poss. I have just spoken to her and she is willing to sell anybody here a pair of reflective arm / leg band for £2.50 including postage Have a look on ebay there great I wear mine all the time day and night
I'm not trying to push anything , but please think how you look to other road users forget fashion and how cool you can be, get and wear the brightest and most visible thing you can cover yourself in, better to have everyone say you look a pra*t than have one person not see you.
Have fun but stay safe

 

[atbman]

It would seem a reasonable argument not to use the shared use bike path.

 

[col]

I dont agree about not using a shared bike path,whats wrong with just waiting for a gap,or are you in too much of a rush to do that?

 

[col]

I can see what you mean,but just because there isnt a light system to stop traffic so i can cross the road,doesnt mean its not a safe way,I use one myself Which is similar,and dont find waiting to cross the roundabouts exit a problem.

 

[BentMikey]

I'm with Lee, surprisingly. OTOH I think it is possible to use shared paths safely, but only if you're *very* submissive to pedestrians, and motor traffic when rejoining the roads. I feel that this might be what got the OP into trouble?

 

[Tynan]

I always think the moment of joining a traffic flow from somewhere is else is dangerous, cycle lanes are bad enough, anything else is plain dangerous imhp

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I agree with BentMikey and Lee here (both at once, there's a first!). Beyond a certain point, increasing lighting and reflectivity will have no effect on your 'visibility' to other road users. And yes, avoid 'shared-use' paths (AKA pavements which the council has taken from pedestrians and added some generally ignored - often non-legally binding - lines) The best solution is confident, well-positioned riding on the road, with clear and appropriate hand signals.

 

[nilling]

Yet to come across a well-designed shared path or filter lane at a roundabout. Like others I'd prefer a good road position rather than 'popping' into traffic at a busy roundabout.

 

[redjedi]

I don't like the look of that shared use path. I would move into the correct lane and wait for my turn to join the roundabout.

It won't matter how many lights or hi-viz clothing you've got if the drivers aren't looking in your direction.

 

[4F]

Shared bike paths (and any other bike path for that matter) are the lost and found of shoot.

Cycle on the road and work on your position and lane discipline and this will work wonders for hazards like busy roundabouts and junctions.

There's a shared bike path near me that is very similar to the OP, the way it's designed going round an island is piss poor, far better to stick to the road.

Bloody hell, for once I agree with you