tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388652528051620982.post1420476219763344488..comments2024-03-26T01:34:40.136+01:00Comments on Cycling Solution: Another Year, Another Run-in with a CarGreg Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437710184036204639noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388652528051620982.post-76126977566267644912009-10-30T14:44:27.312+01:002009-10-30T14:44:27.312+01:00It's true cars have blind spots, but mainly to...It's true cars have blind spots, but mainly to the rear and side -- spots somewhere between what you can see with the side and interior rearview mirrors. <br /><br />In this case, I would've been clearly visible through the side window. I think she just had a lapse of focus.<br /><br />As I said in the post, because cyclists are smaller than cars, they're easier to overlook. It's advisable to ride defensively. Another interesting idea is riding with your lights on. <br /><br />There've been some successful trials in Scandinavian cities with dynamo-powered LED lights that run anytime the bike is being ridden, including during the day. The drag is apparently minimal and they're said to reduce accidents significantly.Greg Spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11437710184036204639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388652528051620982.post-49728512365210316392009-10-30T13:50:55.310+01:002009-10-30T13:50:55.310+01:00Just had to comment...we also bicycle a lot and de...Just had to comment...we also bicycle a lot and definitely sympathize, but have also experienced driving cars that have a very bad blind spot. I have looked both ways, saw nothing, started to pull out, and then a car, bike, or person "appeared" out of the blind spot and scared me very badly. Thankfully I have never hit someone, but realize how easily it could happen. I'm glad you weren't hurt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388652528051620982.post-29786600340049630652009-08-20T23:01:12.556+02:002009-08-20T23:01:12.556+02:00That sounds really bad, hope you recover soon. Apa...That sounds really bad, hope you recover soon. Apart from all the bad things (no good bike route, people not looking etc.) I can also see one positive one: the lady stopped immediately and cared about you. I'm sure she would have called the ambulance if something more serious would have happened. Unfortunately, as I had to learn, this is not common for everybody. Some people just hit-and-run.<br /><br />Btw, it happened also to me a couple of times that car drivers nearly hit me on a bright and sunny day on an absolutely clear road with no line-of-sight obstructions whatsoever. Sometimes they even look my way, but it just feels as if they would look right through me as there "view finder" is set to a mode to recognize large vehicles only. Scary.annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14989947994626570874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388652528051620982.post-60225023791122376302009-08-20T17:58:16.368+02:002009-08-20T17:58:16.368+02:00Hey Greg,
Sorry to hear about your accident - but...Hey Greg,<br /><br />Sorry to hear about your accident - but happy to hear you are OK. I have adopted a policy of starring at drivers right in the eye as I appraoch the whislt they wait at junctions - they just cannot be trusted. These are the people that get out of their cars and then step in front of you. Idiots. Take it easy fella.John Hayesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388652528051620982.post-54711517863592681612009-08-20T16:19:35.685+02:002009-08-20T16:19:35.685+02:00It would have been good to have it documented, tha...It would have been good to have it documented, that's true.<br /><br />But I honestly didn't even think of it until later in the day. At the time, I just thought, thank God I suffered only some scrapes. My bike was ok, as well. <br /><br />Currently, cyclists aren't supposed to ride in the carriageway -- they're supposed to ride on the alleged "bike path". I know people who've been ticketed for riding on the road. I've been verbally warned about it -- but continue to use the carriageway 2x per day for the last seven years. I've explained my view of this bike path.<br /><br />We've organised a group in Szentendre to address this problem, along with other cycling issues.<br /><br />I'm not sure what the cops would have done had I called them. But they might very well have cited me and let the lady go scot free.Greg Spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11437710184036204639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388652528051620982.post-11263408698504290532009-08-20T12:26:19.456+02:002009-08-20T12:26:19.456+02:00Greg, sorry to hear this. As "cruel" as ...Greg, sorry to hear this. As "cruel" as it sounds, I would have called the police and have them write a report, crying lady or not. I know that insurance companies pay a lot less in Hungary than they do in the US, but aside from the financial aspects, these accidents need to be documented. Sorry if I sound like I'm lecturing you, I know it's not that easy to communicate with Hungarian police... The main question is: was it mandatory for you to use the bike path on that particular road?G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06528231188926287442noreply@blogger.com