robbielink
08-23-2007, 12:37 PM
I recently sent out an email to our neighborhood list-serv partially to solicit donations for my MS150 ride but also to point out to folks that many of the cyclists on the road were out there training for fund-raising rides and other charitable events. I provided links to some of our local cycling clubs and to these forums and to some documents explaining the laws concerning cyclists and motorists including this (I think excellent) NCDOT pamphlet (http://www.ncdot.org/transit/bicycle/safety/Streetwise_Cycling.pdf). I also mentioned some issues I've been concerned about - in particular motorists passing groups of cyclists on blind curves or approaching crests of hills in hopes of increasing awareness of motorist/cyclist safety issues.
I got an instant reply from our HOA president and here is part of his message:
I am a cyclist also. However, as a driver I need to mention that bikers really need to play attention to illumination devices and clothing. I see too many bikers riding on Mt. Sinai with dark clothes and little if NO illumination on their bikes especially as we approach the evening hours. Its hard enough watching for deer in the twilight hours. If you have the opportunity to pass this information on to others, I'm sure drivers would be very appreciative of being able to see bikers before they are on top of them.
It is a problem on our road (Mt. Sinai Rd.) especially west-bound in the late afternoon/evening when the sun is in your eyes. Windshield glare makes things disappear briefly. I think he has a good point in that it's important to be seen EARLY - from as far away as possible. I was driving one day around noon and my attention was instantly caught by a flashing red light ahead on the road. It was a cyclist with a flashing tail-lite in the middle of the day. It had never occurred to me to use a light during the day but I saw the light long before I saw him. I've been using mine in daylight ever since (except in group rides - don't want to make anyone dizzy!) Ugly, bright colors help, too.
Just my 2 cents for the day.
Robbie
I got an instant reply from our HOA president and here is part of his message:
I am a cyclist also. However, as a driver I need to mention that bikers really need to play attention to illumination devices and clothing. I see too many bikers riding on Mt. Sinai with dark clothes and little if NO illumination on their bikes especially as we approach the evening hours. Its hard enough watching for deer in the twilight hours. If you have the opportunity to pass this information on to others, I'm sure drivers would be very appreciative of being able to see bikers before they are on top of them.
It is a problem on our road (Mt. Sinai Rd.) especially west-bound in the late afternoon/evening when the sun is in your eyes. Windshield glare makes things disappear briefly. I think he has a good point in that it's important to be seen EARLY - from as far away as possible. I was driving one day around noon and my attention was instantly caught by a flashing red light ahead on the road. It was a cyclist with a flashing tail-lite in the middle of the day. It had never occurred to me to use a light during the day but I saw the light long before I saw him. I've been using mine in daylight ever since (except in group rides - don't want to make anyone dizzy!) Ugly, bright colors help, too.
Just my 2 cents for the day.
Robbie