riding to work

[Wolfie]

this morning, rode around a bend, had to pull right over to the left to avoid oncoming car who was in the middle of the road, now as i had seen his lights approaching i had already moved over to a ft or so from the bank, but i needed to get right over the car driver a lady missed me by inches as i had stopped, she stopped the car jumped out and began shouting and screaming her head off,but not at me, it was aimed at the darkness in front of me, in afew moments from the dark came two people walking with their dogs, the first thing i saw was the mans white t-shirt, everything else was dark green or black, not torch, no light colour clothing nothing, his excuse was they allways walk along here at this time of day so she should of know that they would of been there!!!!!

got me thinking about my visiblity, so i asked her, she saw my lights and the strip on boots, the one on my jacket was blinded by the bike lights. Hmmmm might be buying a high vis very soon.


also dont ride in the wet dark shity weather with a scratched dirty visor on :bang: :bang: rain hurts yer face when you have to lift it up to see where you are going. :bang: :bang: :bang:

 

[ianrobbo1]

was going to say something!! but really cant find the words!! :bang: suppose you were the same m8,??
just glad your OK Wilf!!

 

[Centaur]

I know how she feels Wolfie. Happens all the time around here. Glad you are ok.......get a better visor with a pinlock! :bow:

 

[derek kelly]

Got to take you to task on this one Andy, you weren't riding to work, you were commuting. :t

 

[roXXo]

Thankfully the incident was no worse.

Good points Wolfie.

A few years back, over 10 I think, a young paper lad was killed in the next village to us while doing his paper round on his push bike at about 5 o'clock on a wet winter's evening. It is a long straight unlit country road, 60 mph lmit.
The lad was riding with the traffic, no lights, no light clothing.

Tragic of course, but what chance does a motorist have of seeing him?
A few years later a young girl was killed in exactly the same place and circumstances.
A couple of years ago a very, very drunk guy was killed on the same bit of road after leaving the pub at closing time. Witnesses saw him staggering in the middle of the road.

How did the authorities respond?
By making the road a 30mph limit, with camera signs and regular speeding checks in the daylight.
Yeah, like that would make a difference.

It's not only kids I see walking on the wrong side of the road in the dark but adults aswell.
When I was in junior school, not only did the school emphasize road safety but it was drummed into me by my parents. Our 2 boys have had a simillar teaching.
Paper shops employing teenagers should ensure that bikes have working lights and that the kids have training/information re the hazards of road use in the dark.

 

[derek kelly]

In these days of litigation, is it not the responsibility of the shop owners to provide paper delivery persons with hi-vis vests?

 

[ianrobbo1]

Roxxo has made my point ref cyclists in a very clear fashion, :bow:
as far as news agents "taking responsibility" THAT is my second point!! :dunno:
they simply DONT accept that they are responsible for their employees!!
yes "hi vis" vests would be a small step in the right direction!! :dunno:

 

[osprey03]

I wear a high vis jacket and it makes such a difference - no cars pulling out, cars moving over to let you past, etc, well worth the 20 quid.

 

[Wolfie]

been thinking about this all morning.




I was feckin lucky!!! at the time i did not really think about what might of happened to me. dark clothes black dogs, no lights, nothing bright except his t shirt which was under his jacket, two abreast, walking down a country lane under the trees, ah feck, that could also be me (my dog is white) they were even luckier than i was!!

gonna see the MD's PA in a minute and ask for her safety clothing books. Even if i just use it to walk the dog in it it, and take the van to work, it would be worth the money.

 

[frenchuk]

Andy, check the overjacket below, it's got the added advantage that people think you might be a copper - just bought it and it DOES make a HUGE difference. Not only people see you better but don't PRETEND to not have seen you - available at bikeseen.com a- funnily enough was speaking about vis / street cred-peer pressure there.

 

[Wolfie]

Fuk no picture just white square with red cross, which jacket the bomber style one or the cheaper cover all jobbie????

was looking at the bomber style one on the website of the company who makes them i think anyroads they are in harlow, so might have to go and see the jacket if i can.

 

[Coggy]

I wear a high vis jacket and it makes such a difference - no cars pulling out, cars moving over to let you past, etc, well worth the 20 quid.

Hi Vis Vests...
They were a quid in Poundland and ?5 +VAT in Makro
You're paying too much...

 

[frenchuk]

Andy there
http://www.bikeseen.com/for_the_Rider.htm
the jacket they call "High Visibility Mesh Sleeved Vest" - I try again below or got this link above