this post was submitted on 09 Jan 2024
108 points (98.2% liked)

Bicycles

3127 readers
19 users here now

Welcome to [email protected]

A place to share our love of all things with two wheels and pedals. This is an inclusive, non-judgemental community. All types of cyclists are accepted here; whether you're a commuter, a roadie, a MTB enthusiast, a fixie freak, a crusty xbiking hoarder, in the middle of an epic across-the-world bicycle tour, or any other type of cyclist!

Community Rules

Other cycling-related communities

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
[email protected]
108
The influence of a bicycle commuter's appearance on drivers’ overtaking proximities: an on-road test of bicyclist stereotypes, high-visibility clothing and safety aids in the United Kingdom (researchportal.bath.ac.uk)
submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
39 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

The only outfit associated with a significant change in mean passing proximities was the **police/video-recording jacket. **

Notably, whilst some outfits seemed to discourage motorists from passing within 1 metre of the rider, approximately 1-2% of overtakes came within 50 cm no matter what outfit was worn. This suggests there is little riders can do, by altering their appearance, to prevent the very closest overtakes

This is quite discouraging, but it seems to ring true in my experience. I've had quite a few drivers, who have come close to hitting me (even while walking at a crosswalk), claim that they "didn't see me" while I wore high-viz everything and had lights to further improve visibility.

How do we, as cyclists, even deal with “driver blindness”?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 32 points 10 months ago (2 children)

You don’t. Drivers are often hit by cars that ‘come out of nowhere’, motorcycles with loud engines, full lane use and signaling are ‘invisible’ when drivers only expect ‘big metal box’ in road - they’re just not going to see you, let alone look for you.

Build a hardened bicycle lane and I’ll use it with pleasure, otherwise I’ll ride with the pedestrians and catch looks when I pass by wide in the verge

[–] [email protected] 10 points 10 months ago

LOL. That image may be a joke, but it seems to be true IRL.

I wonder if the study accounted for drivers simply being distracted, rather than the cyclist not being visible enough (how much more visible do you need to be, anyway?).

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago

When I want to take the lane I stick out my arm and watch my mirror and don't move over unless

  • The road is empty; or
  • A car has slowed down having seen my intention

It can take a few cars before one acknowledges you

It would be so much better if there was a safe way for cyclists to cross intersections without being killed by turning traffic