Lets face it, as cyclists we are vulnerable. We ride a narrow machine supported by just two wheels. Our speed seldom matches the traffic that we ride in. From parked cars and speeding trucks danger lurks. Poor road surfaces, disappearing cycle lanes and road furniture present hazards to be prepared for. But the number one hazard is your fellow road user. These people are the ones supposed to be in control of what they are driving. They are supposed to drive with safety in mind but as we all have witnessed many have no such concerns. Just a few days ago a big black SUV right turned in front of me at the top of Glenvar with no indication whatsoever. As the vehicle made the turn I saw it was being driven by a lady with a large burger in her right hand.
There is absolutely no way of telling the mental state of people on the road about you. Are they nervous?, late?, angry?, desperate for a park? pre-occupied with a personal problem? Yes that driver might be staring right at you. Has he seen you? It is too late when you are going 30 kph and 20 meters from your front he or she yaws on the wheel and applies accelerator. What about the turkey who looks down at the phone to confirm that was a text message just as you stop at the lights. How about the lady on your left who slows at the roundabout then continues on into your rear wheel?
There is always going to be the possibility that one day you will get hit by a car or strike a car door flung out into your path. There is a saying "Just a matter of time". How many people in our group have had such an event? How many have not?
The best we can do is reduce the odds. If we make ourselves and our bikes as hi-vis as possible then that will go a long way towards helping the car, truck or bus driver see us. Flashing lights, reflector anklets, hi-vis vest, hi-vis kit and even hi-vis bike paint scheme will help but no one I know goes 100% on this. However if you ride in kit like a black Ninja on a black bike with no lights then your odds of being hit by a "SIDNSY" driver will go up accordingly.
But even if you are the most visible cyclist in Auckland there is always the chance the guy in the motor vehicle will do what he wants anyway. Hence my philosophy is to try and have an escape plan. "What if he turns? What if he changes lanes, What if he heads to the curb at this roundabout? Stopping at lights never in the middle of the road, always avoid "The Door Zone". Roundabouts with approaching traffic I watch for all traffic and never assume they will give way. I try and wave at drivers approaching on my left so they know I am there.
And plenty of flashing lights.
