[funetical]

I've been involved in one, never seen one though. I got the distinct displeasure of seeing one on my vacation. I caught the tail end of it, although it happened within 100 yards.

All of South Padre Island is covered in bike lanes although it's only a couple of miles in total area.
South Padre Island, Texas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Well a delivery driver not paying any attention took a hard quick right, through the bike lane and seriously hurt a cyclist. I didn't see it myself, obstructed view, but I was in time to see the cyclist laying on the roads covered with blood, still conscious and pale as can be. The delivery driver was on the phone. I was angry. I understand things happen, but the entire island is covered in bike lanes, all of it. It's a prevailing feature of the island, so how someone who makes regular deliveries to said island managed to hit this guy is beyond me. There was aid being rendered, he was part of a large group (even more baffling, all roadies, not a fred in sight) who were apparently cycling in a group. I guess he was the tail. I'm a big fan of "if we can't do it safely, don't do it at all," but that was ridiculous. I tried finding anything about it in the local papers and there was nothing. I could have punched the driver. I wanted to. The wife said no.

[whyeyebike]

Was almost a victim a few weeks back. The only thing that saved me was I could hear the car accelerate to get by me, then the woman turned hard right into a Dunkin Donuts parking lot. Worse part was that she knew I was there because she had to floor it to get around me. I had a feeling she was going to do something stupid so I started braking. That slowed me down enough that when she made the damn turn, I could slam the breaks and stop myself before I met her rear quarter panel on a more intimate level. I tried hard to think she wasn't an evil human being, so she must have just misjudged how fast I was traveling; thinking she could safely get around me in time to make the turn and not hit me (or have me hit her). Probably the only time I wanted to punch a girl....but I didn't.

[funetical]

Dunkin Donuts is important. I always get mystified, when I see some one shoot around me only to go to Whataburger. Really, it couldn't wait 30 seconds? No one is so important they can't suffer a minor inconvenience. No one.

[whyeyebike]

Originally Posted by funetical

Dunkin Donuts is important

Agree....I guess if I would die for my coffee, I could be killed for someone elses.

[Industry_Hack]

I know it's different on a motorcycle, since I'm out in traffic, but I've gotten really good at anticipating the ignorant moves that drivers make.

[whyeyebike]

Pretty much what it all boils down too. It is sad, but when I am riding on certain busy roads....I am constantly thinking to myself, where is the next place I could get hit. Good situational awareness I guess.

[Industry_Hack]

Originally Posted by whyeyebike

Pretty much what it all boils down too. It is sad, but when I am riding on certain busy roads....I am constantly thinking to myself, where is the next place I could get hit. Good situational awareness I guess.

You're so polite. Yesterday, I was thinking "that effin' cow is going to pull out without even looking to her left". But she was the sort of genius that looks after they are in the middle of the road, and then stops, blocking the lane. She was at a two-way stop, and proceeding straight across from our right. It's gotten to be so common that I've already downshifted, and I'm covering the brake well in advance by the time I approach the intersection.

[funetical]

Originally Posted by Industry_Hack

I know it's different on a motorcycle, since I'm out in traffic, but I've gotten really good at anticipating the ignorant moves that drivers make.

Being able to get up to fast speeds quickly is definitely a plus.

[Industry_Hack]

Originally Posted by funetical

Being able to get up to fast speeds quickly is definitely a plus.

I'm old enough and wise enough to choose the brakes instead of the throttle.

[funetical]

I've learned in my car that brakes don't get you out of a situation, it only keeps you in one. Hesitation, seems to be the issue in most avoidable accidents.