Comments on: Top Four Gotcha Moves http://www.citybikerblog.com/2008/10/gotcha-moves/ Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:34 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: CityBiker1 http://www.citybikerblog.com/2008/10/gotcha-moves/comment-page-1/#comment-2705 CityBiker1 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 23:25:10 +0000 http://www.citybikerblog.com/?p=298#comment-2705 Hey Kai that was quick thinking on your part. I try to line up right behind that driver's side view mirror to see what they're doing...not for safety really, I'm just nosey. Hey Kai that was quick thinking on your part.

I try to line up right behind that driver’s side view mirror to see what they’re doing…not for safety really, I’m just nosey.

]]> By: Kai http://www.citybikerblog.com/2008/10/gotcha-moves/comment-page-1/#comment-2680 Kai Sun, 17 Oct 2010 15:48:36 +0000 http://www.citybikerblog.com/?p=298#comment-2680 Excellent Points. Here's another--The Stopped Car Behind/In Front of You This happened to me last night in Brooklyn (turning from Atlantic onto Bedford). I was the third vehicle back waiting in the left hand turn lane for the signal. The car in front of me was a good four to five feet in front of me. Since I knew the light was long, I put the bike in neutral and stood there with my arms crossed (not on the bars). After about a minute the driver in front of me suddenly decided he did not want to wait any longer for the turn, threw his car in reverse and started backing up straight for me. Of course it took me a few moments to get my hand on the bars to signal the horn, but by then I was already backing up as fast as I could. He never heard or paid attention to the horn. Luckily I was in the left hand part of the lane and his (soft, rubbery, modern) bumper just contacted my cylinder head (1995 bmw r100 airhead) deforming his bumper. Then he pulled forward. After much yelling and getting his attention, "Sorry, I didn't see you". Could have been much worse. I always keep on guard when waiting at a light until a car pulls in behind me an stops--now I have to remember that the car in front could still do something unpredictable. Excellent Points. Here’s another–The Stopped Car Behind/In Front of You
This happened to me last night in Brooklyn (turning from Atlantic onto Bedford). I was the third vehicle back waiting in the left hand turn lane for the signal. The car in front of me was a good four to five feet in front of me. Since I knew the light was long, I put the bike in neutral and stood there with my arms crossed (not on the bars). After about a minute the driver in front of me suddenly decided he did not want to wait any longer for the turn, threw his car in reverse and started backing up straight for me.

Of course it took me a few moments to get my hand on the bars to signal the horn, but by then I was already backing up as fast as I could. He never heard or paid attention to the horn. Luckily I was in the left hand part of the lane and his (soft, rubbery, modern) bumper just contacted my cylinder head (1995 bmw r100 airhead) deforming his bumper. Then he pulled forward.

After much yelling and getting his attention, “Sorry, I didn’t see you”.

Could have been much worse. I always keep on guard when waiting at a light until a car pulls in behind me an stops–now I have to remember that the car in front could still do something unpredictable.

]]> By: greg http://www.citybikerblog.com/2008/10/gotcha-moves/comment-page-1/#comment-2650 greg Sat, 09 Oct 2010 14:31:08 +0000 http://www.citybikerblog.com/?p=298#comment-2650 I agree with all those points. Up here in western canada, drivers seem to like weaving left before turning right and vice versa. Damn unnerving even in a car. I agree with all those points. Up here in western canada, drivers seem to like weaving left before turning right and vice versa. Damn unnerving even in a car.

]]> By: Leo http://www.citybikerblog.com/2008/10/gotcha-moves/comment-page-1/#comment-380 Leo Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:54:24 +0000 http://www.citybikerblog.com/?p=298#comment-380 +1 on the "Sudden Double Parker" - it might be mainly a NY thing though... It hasn't happened to me anywhere else...even Boston or Philly. I like the headlight waving idea too. It reminds me a little of what a vlogger said once...when cars drive too close, he shakes the bars a bit and cars (get scared and) back off. They're both useful techniques to have on hand to make inattentive drivers more attentive. +1 on the “Sudden Double Parker” – it might be mainly a NY thing though… It hasn’t happened to me anywhere else…even Boston or Philly.

I like the headlight waving idea too. It reminds me a little of what a vlogger said once…when cars drive too close, he shakes the bars a bit and cars (get scared and) back off. They’re both useful techniques to have on hand to make inattentive drivers more attentive.

]]> By: Pete http://www.citybikerblog.com/2008/10/gotcha-moves/comment-page-1/#comment-378 Pete Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:51:53 +0000 http://www.citybikerblog.com/?p=298#comment-378 In NYC, I'd say most of those "gotchas" apply to pedestrians too! Just the other day I was cruising down a street a reasonable-but-not-excessive following distance behind the car in front of me and a lady tried to run across the street right in front of me! There's no question in my mind that had I been in a car she wouldn't have tried it...I think she just couldn't judge my speed until it was ALMOST too late. Luckily, between my braking and her jumping back, disaster was averted. In any case, pedestrians are constantly running across streets, popping out from behind cars, etc...and can easily make a motorcyclist dodge into a parked car or even oncoming car when they instinctually try to avoid them. I'd also add another "gotcha" - the "Sudden Double-Parker". Especially on the wide avenues, cars will put on its brakes in one of the side lanes, and you may think it is just slowing down, but suddenly it stops all the way. That can be a problem if you're behind them, but also if you're beside them...since it can cause whoever is behind the stopping car to pull a sudden "Lane Pop". In NYC, I’d say most of those “gotchas” apply to pedestrians too! Just the other day I was cruising down a street a reasonable-but-not-excessive following distance behind the car in front of me and a lady tried to run across the street right in front of me! There’s no question in my mind that had I been in a car she wouldn’t have tried it…I think she just couldn’t judge my speed until it was ALMOST too late. Luckily, between my braking and her jumping back, disaster was averted. In any case, pedestrians are constantly running across streets, popping out from behind cars, etc…and can easily make a motorcyclist dodge into a parked car or even oncoming car when they instinctually try to avoid them.

I’d also add another “gotcha” – the “Sudden Double-Parker”. Especially on the wide avenues, cars will put on its brakes in one of the side lanes, and you may think it is just slowing down, but suddenly it stops all the way. That can be a problem if you’re behind them, but also if you’re beside them…since it can cause whoever is behind the stopping car to pull a sudden “Lane Pop”.

]]> By: robotribe http://www.citybikerblog.com/2008/10/gotcha-moves/comment-page-1/#comment-376 robotribe Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:19:17 +0000 http://www.citybikerblog.com/?p=298#comment-376 These are all valid things to look out for. #1 is especially true for me. I've been hit in a car, no less, by someone making a left turn into my door at a VERY green light. I'd hate to think what that would be like riding my bike. Here's a tip I learned somewhere: when you're approaching an intersection with a green light and there's someone preparing to make a left turn coming from the opposite direction, swerve your bike back and forth about a foot on each side. The idea being your headlight "waving" in their direction gives you that much more potential visibility to that person. It could all be for nothing but cheaper and easier than a headlight modulator. These are all valid things to look out for. #1 is especially true for me. I’ve been hit in a car, no less, by someone making a left turn into my door at a VERY green light. I’d hate to think what that would be like riding my bike. Here’s a tip I learned somewhere: when you’re approaching an intersection with a green light and there’s someone preparing to make a left turn coming from the opposite direction, swerve your bike back and forth about a foot on each side. The idea being your headlight “waving” in their direction gives you that much more potential visibility to that person. It could all be for nothing but cheaper and easier than a headlight modulator.

]]>