this post was submitted on 09 Jan 2024
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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]
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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”?

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 10 months ago (1 children)

The only way to end this problem is building safe infrastructure, that properly separates cars and bicycles.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Yes, and not just "separate" like a painted line, but a full separation from the road is most ideal.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

Agreed, that was exactly what I meant when I wrote "properly", sorry if that was not clear enough.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I understood what you meant. But I don't think city planners, or the general public have any idea what's needed when we say "separated bike lanes".

In my city, we have a single road with a truly dedicated bike lane, which is "separated" by some physical buffer. But I can't even begin to tell you how many times cars will cross the PHYSICAL BUFFER to park in the lane, drop people off in the lane, or block the lane for deliveries...

I would rather it be totally separated (by distance) from the road. This would often come in the form of a multiuse path, which I completely understand is not feasible in all areas due to space constraints.

In an ideal world, I see no problem reclaiming space needed for multiuse paths by removing car lanes. 😁

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

My favourite in town separation is the series:

  • Footpath
  • Bicycle lane
  • Space for parked cars to open their doors without killing cyclists
  • Car parking lane
  • Car lanes

My real favourite in town is the roads that keep traffic at cycle speed, or better yet gives more direct paths for pedestrians and cyclists and circuitous paths for cars

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

I see no problem reclaiming space needed for multiuse paths by removing car lanes

Of course not. Fuck cars!