Watch out for bicycles too.

[Jstpssng]

The horn is a problem in that it could startle the rider, rather than warn them.

That's been my impression... plus many people aren't sounding the horn as a warning, they are laying on it and blaring "I'm bigger than you are, get out of my way."

Try sneaking up on someone using a chainsaw with an airhorn

I spent one fall running a brush saw, thinning young forest stands. One day I cut a maple, then moved to the next tree. All of a sudden that tree I'd just cut started moving... WTF!?!

I turned around and my boss was standing there, laughing his tail off.

 

[Code54]

There actually is rear radar units for bikes (Garmin makes it) and some Specialized bikes (Think it is the Como and Vado) can come from the factory with the units this year. I have seen people add cameras but I find that to be too much crap to put on my bike but that is just me.

 

[dodge man]

Hmm…I wonder if there’s a market for a rear view camera or motion detector, etc.. that bluetooths or is wired to a handlebar mounted smartphone / gps tracking screen / simple warning light, etc.. that would provide rider with information of what is behind them.

Like already said, they make such devices. I agree, too much crap already on my bike, i don’t need more.

 

[Jstpssng]

Like already said, they make such devices. I agree, too much crap already on my bike, i don’t need more.

Truthfully, the biggest safety device which anybody has is right between their shoulders. We can hash and rehash things until the internet shuts down; yet nothing replaces common sense and courtesy from drivers as well as cyclists and pedestrians.

 

[Oaktree]

I’m not one of them “dress up” bikers that you find in the biking and motorcycle world. Some clothing has functionality, but most times it’s just a uniform to signal their status to others. I find the safety shirts with the super reflective stripes a highway flagman would wear to be the best when biking. Cheaper too.

I've always considered bicycle riding tedious, something you do when you have no other means of transportation as opposed to pleasurable but my wife likes to ride. I do keep after her to wear at least a reflective vest when she's out...like others have noted, roads around here are narrow and winding and you really want to do as much as you can to be seen.

 

[ericm979]

It wasn't me.

I'm strictly referring to what I have read on this thread here, from what I assume are "avid" bicycle riders.

The ones on this thread that have talked about the why's and whatfor's of when THEY "take the lane".

All I was trying to point out was that was almost certain suicide to make such an unexpected move that most sane people (and most drivers) wouldn't be expecting them to make.

"taking the lane" in the activist cycling litterature means taking it all the time, not waiting until a car is behind you. I agree that moving out into the middle of the lane suddenly as a car approaches is a bad idea. However as a driver I have seen it only rarely.

Until a few years ago I was really into road riding and racing, riding 8-10k miles a year, mostly on mountain roads. I would take the lane on descents where I was going prevailing traffic speed but I could not bring myself to do it the rest of the time. I understand the reasons for it but I'd rather ride as far right as practical on the assumption that the drivers behind are paying attention and will appreciate the gesture. Most do. When I'm driving and pass a cyclist on a narrow mountain road I wait until it's safe to pass and leave plenty of room. It takes only a few seconds.

 

[Jstpssng]

"taking the lane" in the activist cycling litterature means taking it all the time, not waiting until a car is behind you. I agree that moving out into the middle of the lane suddenly as a car approaches is a bad idea. However as a driver I have seen it only rarely.

Until a few years ago I was really into road riding and racing, riding 8-10k miles a year, mostly on mountain roads. I would take the lane on descents where I was going prevailing traffic speed but I could not bring myself to do it the rest of the time. I understand the reasons for it but I'd rather ride as far right as practical on the assumption that the drivers behind are paying attention and will appreciate the gesture. Most do. When I'm driving and pass a cyclist on a narrow mountain road I wait until it's safe to pass and leave plenty of room. It takes only a few seconds.

I can agree with that. Act predictably, and most drivers will know what you are doing. They may not LIKE it but...pfft.

 

[PILOON]

On walking at night:

OK, a good healthy thing.
BUT, in winter don't wear a white jacket!
In summer same goes for whatever blends with nature.
Best for whatever season is some reflective gear be it but a shoulder band that reflects, cheap enough at a dollar store or on Amazon.

More than once, coming around a bend, I've had to suddenly swerve to avoid a walker out for healthy exercise, worst yet he/she is walking on my right side rather than against traffic.
OK, I am supposed to avoid pedestrians but I need to see them in order to do so.

 

[Jstpssng]

On walking at night:

OK, a good healthy thing.
BUT, in winter don't wear a white jacket!
In summer same goes for whatever blends with nature.
Best for whatever season is some reflective gear be it but a shoulder band that reflects, cheap enough at a dollar store or on Amazon.

More than once, coming around a bend, I've had to suddenly swerve to avoid a walker out for healthy exercise, worst yet he/she is walking on my right side rather than against traffic.
OK, I am supposed to avoid pedestrians but I need to see them in order to do so.

I'll add that the same applies for motorists... in adverse weather, turn your freaking headlights on for Pete's sake!

 

[PILOON]

I'll add that the same applies for motorists... in adverse weather, turn your freaking headlights on for Pete's sake!

Today I was following a car that turned on his hazard lights at every hill and turn in the road and never went over 30 km/h.
Drove me nuts!
I was forced to follow him that way for 1/2 hour.
Could not pass safely and must add the road was well plowed and lots of sanding.
Some drivers should simply stay at home.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Thank you to the folks wearing high visibility clothes and having bright lights on their bikes.

 

[Redbug]

You guys can ride your bikes wherever you want. I don't care. However for me...I would not want to put my life in another person's hands. I pick up a good bit of litter and much of what I pick up are beer cans and other liquor based products. There are a lot of people drinking and driving around here. I am always cautious when driving and being on a bicycle I raises the odds. I do not trust my fellow man when it comes to my own life.

 

[Jstpssng]

You guys can ride your bikes wherever you want. I don't care. However for me...I would not want to put my life in another person's hands. I pick up a good bit of litter and much of what I pick up are beer cans and other liquor based products. There are a lot of people drinking and driving around here. I am always cautious when driving and being on a bicycle I raises the odds. I do not trust my fellow man when it comes to my own life.

Years ago I was out for a walk one night. I was on a sidewalk so didn’t think much of it when a car came along... until something went whizzing past my head. It was too dark to find it but the next day I returned and found a quart beer bottle. Presumably somebody had thrown it at a nearby sign and not at my head.

 

[Oaktree]

I'll add that the same applies for motorists... in adverse weather, turn your freaking headlights on for Pete's sake!

Twilight too for that matter. Just because you can sorta see doesn't mean others can see you, especially if you have a dark colored vehicle.

 

[PILOON]

Years ago I was out for a walk one night. I was on a sidewalk so didn’t think much of it when a car came along... until something went whizzing past my head. It was too dark to find it but the next day I returned and found a quart beer bottle. Presumably somebody had thrown it at a nearby sign and not at my head.

LOL. I was once out or my province and noticed many beer cans at the bottom of a highway sign.
Had to be fellow Quebec's as the had a lot of practice.

Driving south one winter I observed that littering signs increased from $100 locally to up to $1000. further down south.

But then locally any roadside pick-nick tables are chained.
Is that a sign of?
Also BBQ tables!

 

[tradosaurus]

I just installed a bolt on hitch to my Honda Civic and bought a two bike carrier. My wife and I drove 20 miles to use a very good bike trail. No worries that I would be road kill.

 

[SuperiorLakeEffect]

I just installed a bolt on hitch to my Honda Civic and bought a two bike carrier. My wife and I drove 20 miles to use a very good bike trail. No worries that I would be road kill.

A tiny honda civic?! What kind of suicidal nut are you?! I don't understand how anybody can venture out on the road in anything smaller than an F650. You know, for safety.

 

[tradosaurus]

A tiny honda civic?! What kind of suicidal nut are you?! I don't understand how anybody can venture out on the road in anything smaller than an F650. You know, for safety.

 

[Jstpssng]

I agree with not playing chicken with vehicles and as I said about riding bike I ride a MTB on the road for the very purpose of being able to get all the way into the grass shoulder on the backroads I ride on, but it's your fault you were going to fast and went in the ditch not his.

Nowhere did I say that I was going too fast. I find it odd that you immediately make that assumption yet see nothing wrong with somebody jogging down the centerline of an unplowed road. . You apparently don't know anything about driving in realitively deep snow. Especially in a rear wheel drive vehicle; if you veer into the unplowed portion things don't always go as planned. Often your tires like to stay in the packed wheel track. In this case that track was occupied by an unprotected runner, so I opted for the snowbank instead.

 

[Fixastuff]

Nowhere did I say that I was going too fast. I find it odd that you immediately make that assumption yet see nothing wrong with somebody jogging down the centerline of an unplowed road. . You apparently don't know anything about driving in realitively deep snow. Especially in a rear wheel drive vehicle; if you veer into the unplowed portion things don't always go as planned. Often your tires like to stay in the packed wheel track. In this case that track was occupied by an unprotected runner, so I opted for the snowbank instead.

I don't know anything about anything! If you can't stop for an obsticale in the road you're going to fast for the conditions.