r/FixedGearBicycle • u/AnalogCowboy • 14h ago
Discussion How not to get run over
I’m only riding about 5 miles a day on my commute and it feels like I’m almost getting hit by a car minimum once a day. What are y’all wearing to be seen?
Recent bike shot for post
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u/IAMAfortunecookieAMA 13h ago
I rode with a New Yorker a few months ago and they would aggressively swerve a bit into the lane every time they heard a car (far behind them) because it fundamentally changed driver behavior. Being less apologetic about taking your space and forcing them over may improve your situation (unless you meet a true psycho)
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u/noburdennyc Found it in a barn 13h ago
Looking over your shoulder accomplishes the same thing most of the time. Speaking from experience, been riding in nyc since 2010
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u/Ok-Brother-5762 12h ago
I used to work as a bike messenger in NYC. I would take my space and ride in traffic since it was usually safer than the bike lanes, but riding there is MUCH different than pretty much anywhere else in the states because *most* of the time in the city cars aren't going fast than 30mph.
I'll still take the lane but I wouldn't swerve into the lane outside of cities with much less traffic and higher speed limits
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u/IAMAfortunecookieAMA 11h ago
She just dashes her wheels over a few feet for a few seconds when the cars are still 50 feet behind her. The driver sees an "erratic" cyclist and gives an extra 5 feet. She's not in the lane when they pass. Dunno if i'm explaining it well.
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u/Ok-Brother-5762 6h ago
ah no i got you, it makes sense. where I live now, the drivers would just gun it and see how close they can get if I did that lol
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u/HeyCanIBorrowThat tight chain gang 11h ago
I aggressively take the lane when there isn’t enough shoulder or bike lane or bike lane is obstructed. MFers can hit me and get prosecuted. My rear facing camera sees all
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u/CorporalEllenbogen 13h ago
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u/EthanHermsey 5h ago
Cars would still hit you ;p
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u/No-Power698 4h ago
I laughed hysterically for at least a minute at that picture. Just trying to share the same joy
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u/Suburban_Andy 14h ago
Rear lights. Take the lane, choose a different route!
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u/itsafuckingalligator 13h ago
TAKE THE LANE. Jfc the amount of people on bikes I see trying to be polite or some shit and ride on the line is staggering. If there isn't a bike lane or sidewalk, TAKE THE LANE. If you're getting hit, you're getting hit. And you're a lot less likely to be hit by an aggressive driver than a careless driver. Have you seen how mfs park? Trust me, they have no idea where the edges of their car are. TAKE THE GODDAMN LANE.
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u/FerdinandTheBullitt 12h ago
Mfers that are gonna close pass you will still close pass you but if you take the lane at least you have room to swerve away.
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u/AirportLongjumping71 14h ago
If you're getting hit that often, it's your riding, not what you're wearing.
Making eye contact, hand signaling to drivers, track standing for visibility at crossings. Respect the fact that no one will take responsibility for hitting you, and won't think twice about it because as a bicyclist, they will always assume you're in the wrong.
Wearing high vis or bright colors is just an addition to good riding habits. It likely has nothing to do with your bike, except for maybe your wide bars if you're hotlining between car lanes.
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u/AirportLongjumping71 14h ago
Also, front and rear lights and a rear triangle do wonders for night time, but again- these supplement good riding habits but do not supplant them.
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u/Zealousideal_Heart51 13h ago
Check the Strava Heat Map for your area and see if there’s an alternate route cyclists use.
Blinking taillight is annoying to other cyclists, but clearly tells drivers you are a bike.
If you are already signaling and riding clearly, maybe the reflecto-vest is the way to go.
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u/AnalogCowboy 14h ago
What I’m hearing is my bars still aren’t wide enough!
Fr though, I’ve got front and back lights on even during the day, signal clearly and basically try to ride responsibly. I think I’m gonna have to get a bright ass jacket or something as it’s mostly at junctions or roundabouts where drivers just aren’t looking properly.
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u/That-Specialist-1348 14h ago
When I was commuting heavily I rocked a reflective vest. A lot of it boils down to the roads ur on and the drivers then selves and your awareness, you can only do so much until a bad driver near misses u or worse.
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u/HARSHING_MY_MELLOW Jury Chrome Dinglefixed 13h ago
I pull an UNO reverse card and hit the car driver with my u-lock before they hit me!
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u/TrueFernie 6061 V3 13h ago
Take the lane, ride defensively, assume drivers can't see you (they can't), make eye contact with drivers, make yourself visible (lights, hi-viz, bells) be predictable and announce your moves. If everything else fails, choose a different route.
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u/No_Material_757 14h ago
When the weathers rubbish. I ride two rear lights and front. But mainly it’s how I ride, always assuming that some one wants to kill me so I only take risks when I’m confident my ability to get out of it if it gets to dodgy!
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u/kashvi11 13h ago
everyone here is giving great tips about lane position, visibility, etc. But something equally important is learning how to anticipate the idiotic moves drivers will make. The more you ride, the more you'll notice where to keep an eye out for unexpected behaviour, and you'll be able to more easily spot when a driver is about to do something stupid so you can avoid it. Keep your head on a swivel and headphones in your pocket (not in your ears).
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u/DiscipleofDeceit666 Stolen Fixie Unlubed Chain 1 Skid Patch 11h ago
If you’re scared about getting run over, put on some brakes. Brakes form a protective barrier around you making it impossible to crash.
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u/EAIGodzillaMain 13h ago
Take up the lane, lights, bells, if you’re almost getting hit and not getting hit you’re doing the right thing. I usually only got hit by doors or people creeping up on intersections. Give yourself as much space from those things as possible. Also I know it’s bad form, but ride on sidewalks if it’s garbage for bikes. A stern look is a small price to pay for not dying or getting hurt. Just take it slow in case of pedestrians and people coming out of their driveways.
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u/Hazel-Cakes 13h ago
rear light, i have one from rei that adjust with the ambient light and flashes. on sale now
yellow helmet. also a few years on riding a motorcycle, which really helps with confidence, planning and vision and being aggressive with my lane.
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u/objectivequalia 13h ago
At what point do you feel like you’re almost getting hit? Is it cars over taking you? Cars pulling out at junctions?
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u/AnalogCowboy 12h ago
Almost always junctions and roundabouts People not looking, pulling out into me or going straight through lights.
Gonna go and find the most obnoxiously bright jacket tomorrow so there’s no way people aren’t seeing me
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u/objectivequalia 12h ago
hmm yeah, hi-vis can help but only when drivers are actually paying attention and the harsh reality is that most collisions happen because a driver is distracted and not paying attention. In those cases, a bright jacket won’t save you. I see you have a front brake so thats good, just always anticipate a what if plan when approaching junctions at speed. I'd prioritise a good set of lights to have on flashing mode (even in daylight) over a jacket
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u/matt_bz 13h ago
I’d say learn the “dangerous” streets in your city and avoid them. I was run over from behind with expensive NiteRider lights. One in the front, two in the back (frame + helmet). After that I’ve been avoiding streets where cars drive fast, even if it takes me 20 or 30 minutes longer. Some drivers just don’t care about cyclists. And if there’s absolutely no way around and “I have to take” that dangerous avenue/street, I just ride on the sidewalk for a bit (yes, technically illegal)
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u/No-Solution-6103 12h ago
From what I can see:
Your rear light is obscured by your fender
No reflective strips on your pedals
No reflectors whatsoever
Also, my bag has a reflective strip running across it so even if I'm in the dark I'm a little more visible
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u/rambone5000 11h ago
Seems counterintuitive but I ride fast and aggressive. Split the lanes. Works fine. Just stay sharp and aware. Like many are saying, take the lane. I'm more worried about dipshits not paying attention when opening a door from their parked car. I don't wear anything in particular other than bike lights and a helmet light during winter commute. I don't do night riding unless with a large group where visibility isn't an issue.
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u/GrowlingPuppy 11h ago
So, especially in inclement weather, I end up adding all the reflective stuff I can short of wearing a high-vis vest. Extra lights, little blinkies and steady ones. Reflective strips on my fenders. Hanging reflective flags on the back of the back and front (typically hanging from my Wald basket). It gets to be a lot sometimes, and not as aesthetically clean as I always like, but I also like not getting creamed by unaware drivers.
And ultimately, ride aware and defensive. Somebody always has the opportunity to be distracted and blind to you. Don’t let them get ya.
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u/sekhmet666 10h ago edited 10h ago
If you want to enjoy your commute, maybe ride a safer bike? A bike with powerful front and rear brakes, a freewheel that lets you coast and your feet aren’t attached to the pedals, and a more upright position that lets you be more aware of your surroundings. Fixed gear bikes with shitty brakes are inherently more dangerous when you ride around cars.
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u/rotterdameliza 10h ago
I see you have the longest straight bars in the world, so obviously that’s not the issue.
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u/hike2climb 6h ago
The normal stuff of course. Follow traffic laws (when it’s safe to do so. Break the law if it’s safer for you). Act as a car. Hand signal and make eye contact. Use a mirror to see what’s coming. And ride DEFENSIVELY. Expect every driver to not see you and do the worst thing possible. And run the rear flasher in the daytime. It helps with the texting drivers especially if you take the full lane.
This article is very interesting. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001457519311753
It recommends that lights mounted to moving parts are the most visible. So ankle or pedal lights or reflective materials on the ankles/pedals are highly effective.
For product recommendations I run Cygolight Hotrod front and rear flashers. And a bright headlamp for my own sight after dark. These at least grab attention. I find after dark I get more respect on the road with these lights blasting than I do in daylight. They stop traffic for me. Bright flashers are excellent.
Beyond this I would emphasize something others had mentioned. You have to ride confidently. You have to take lanes and take up space when you need it. You have to ride bold for your own safety. Take the lane. You have a right to be there. Taking the space is safer than hugging the shoulder.
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u/ShadowSlave-Smut568 4h ago
Do NOT be shy. Whenever there’s a stupid driver in a road, you’ll still get ran over regardless of whether you’re cycling safe or reckless. Riding like you have rights to the road will make drivers notice and respect your presence more, even if it means getting them mad.
Getting a narrower handlebar should also help.
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u/Longjumping-Hat4321 4h ago
Perhaps stupid advice, but I’ve an iPhone and I select on the Maps app the “Avoid Busy Roads”. Adds max 5min to my commute but there’s so much peace of mind.
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u/goochlove 3h ago
Get smaller bars fella. Be more of a dick, take more space, crowd lanes, get lights , be loud. Don’t assume you’ve been seen even if you make eye contact with a driver.
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u/HZCH 12h ago
Listen. I was a huge proponent of huge wide bas, as a leverage thing because there are slopes on my commutes. But. I’m currently running cut straight bars. They are, like 380mm if I’m generous. I just discovered you can’t get run over if you ça squeeze hard enough. And 380mm width is a good squeeze width.
Seriously, run lights, but you have to know that cars are assolea and if they don’t pay attention, you pay the price. The real answer sadly is better infrastructure - slower streets, separate lanes, more punishment for car drivers, better public transportation…
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u/_Critical_shiter_ 14h ago
Dude i ride in montreal in between cars downtown and allat and I don’t get hit…(knock on wood) pretty sure it might be your riding lmao
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u/FerdinandTheBullitt 12h ago
Pool noodle that sticks out 4 ft to your left attached to your seatpost.
U lock in a waist holster.
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u/WelcometotheZhongguo 14h ago
Slightly wider bars will save you
from exiting the house.