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03-24-2010, 04:22 PM
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#11
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greenhorn
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 104
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Great information on safe riding. It never hurts to refresh your mind on safety practices. Staying alert at all times is the name of the game. The minute you know it all and can't learn is when a car will do the unexpected and nail you.
Someone posted a link on 10 steps to safe riding, great piece...the best statement was, ride like you're invisible.
Ride like no one else can see you and do everything you can to avoid a confrontation with a car.
I notice some might have an attitude about cars purposefully making it tough for cyclists on the road. No one wins when you try to force your road rights. A cyclist following road signs, following the law and not holding up traffic just to prove a point rarely have run-ins on the road.
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03-24-2010, 08:19 PM
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#12
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Eocyclist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 292
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrkAngel
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That's a good document. Another excellent cycling safety book is John Allen's Bicycling Street Smarts which can be read on line at his bikexprt site: Bicycling Street Smarts - Table of Contents
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03-24-2010, 08:24 PM
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#13
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Eocyclist
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 292
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrkAngel
I've been doing a lot of hunting for the statistics on types of bicycle vs vehicle accidents. Most striking was that near to 70% were due to improper riding, or equipment!
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Angel, could you post a link to or source for those stats. Thanks
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03-24-2010, 09:18 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 85
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Last edited by DrkAngel; 03-25-2010 at 10:47 PM.
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03-25-2010, 01:33 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 85
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50 - 50
Sifting through the multitude of facts and figures, the general consensus seems to be that drivers and bikers seem to share, almost equally, as the causers of accidents.
The bad news ... if you ride in a totally legal fashion, you only reduce your probability of an accident by 50%.
The good news ... there is is much you can do to reduce the other 50%!
Reprint of previous post.
There is always disrespect & outright danger for bicyclists.
There are many things that can be done to make riding safer and more enjoyable.
1. Obey the law!
Please remember that we have most of the rights, and responsibilities!, of motor vehicles.
Ride with traffic. Bicycles are, legally, to ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, not against traffic.
At stop signs & red lights:
#1 Signal for turns and always STOP.
#2 Position yourself in the center of the lane, you are much easier to see and following drivers can't right-turn across you.
#3 Make sure you are noticed, before proceeding through intersections!
Although you, legally, have the right to a traffic lane, you will get all the respect of an old fart, putting along at half the speed of traffic. When possible use less traveled “side streets” and always stay well to the right, so as to NOT hold up traffic.
In regards to pedestrians, they have unequivocal priority over the Biker. You stop for them & give them every possible right of way.
If you ride on a sidewalk, (not recommended), be especially careful of driveways, or alleys, "in town", be aware of doorways, keep your speed moderate enough so that you can stop, or swerve, for any exiting shoppers.
Remember, respect is earned. The definition of a good driver is that they "blend smoothly with traffic". This applies equally to the biker. Obey the laws and respect others rights. Makes everyone’s day much better.
2. Be seen!
Most all bike vs car accidents are because "I just didn't see him."
I equipped my bike with;
1. Tail-turn signal-brake light
DealExtreme: $8.65 9-LED Turning Signal Lights with Electronic Horn for Bicycles (2*AA)
2. Wide angle LED headlight with low, high and strobe function
a. Reversing light, in "mount", provides much better "balance.
b. 3-aaa can be replaced with 18500 Li-ion (rechargeable).
c. Use "strobe" mode during daylight and in well lit streets.
d. Mount additional light to helmet. Directing a strobe at a menacing vehicle really gets their attention!
DealExtreme: $11.99 Flood-to-Throw Zooming Cree P4-WC 3-Mode LED Bike Light with Mount (3*AAA)
2b. Just found a better headlight than that which I previously recommended. 260 Lumens, (much brighter), low, high & Strobe mode, it zooms from wide, (notice me), to spot, (see road better), with the bonus of red ring for notice by side observers. (Does not include bicycle mount.) $13 ... shipped!
 CREE Q5 Style New Version 260 lumen Ultra Bright USPS!! - eBay (item 170419963648 end time Apr-12-10 17:43:44 PDT)
3. I also wear a red flashy light on the back of my hat-helmet
4. Found some air horns at local "Dollar Tree" store, taped one to steering column, nice "panic button!"
3. Be Aware!
Most important is to be aware of what's going on. No one is going to look out for you better than yourself!
Personally, I could not find a rear view mirror that I was happy with, so I designed my own. I attached a small "inspection mirror" to a hair clip, with some duct tape, and placed it on my hat brim. "Wide angle" mirrors do not work well, focus is severely distorted at close range.
4. Keep your bike in good condition.
Check your tires for possible damage & proper inflation, also check spokes.
Check all components for excessive wear, tightness, squeaks etc.
Most important is check and adjust brakes, frequently!
 EZip Engineering 101 
Last edited by DrkAngel; 03-25-2010 at 01:56 PM.
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