njkayaker

Yes, both parties (drivers and pedestrians) have to take effort avoid collisions.

One thing about pedestrians is that anybody can be one.

Anyway, given the larger mass and speed of cars, drivers have less opportunity to avoid an immanent collision with a pedestrian (if they get close, there isn't enough time to correct the situation). That is simple practical physics is enough to require licensed-drivers set things up to avoid collisions "early".

noisebeam

Which brings me to the question of what rear lights were used.

asmac

And those darned pedestrians don't even pay road taxes.

+ 1 on the notion that we can change our own behavior, not that of others, and that's what we should focus on. Anyhow, that's what I focus on.

njkayaker

(Note that I don't have any problem with pedestrians.)

+1.

It is reasonable to look at what anybody can do to increase safety. It isn't reasonable to argue that one shouldn't take reasonable efforts because other people (whom you can't control) don't do enough. If both parties do what they reasonably can do, then overall safety is enhanced (it provides a backup).

enigmaT120

The article talks about the ability of motorists to recognize the object in front of them as a cyclist, specifically. Is that really important? If I'm driving at night and see something in front of me, I try not to hit it whether or not I can identify it.

I do have pedal reflectors and reflectors on my spokes, but I don't have them on my knees and I'm not likely to start. Other than that I have a steady on tail light, two blinkies with reflectors, Ortleib bags with their reflectors, and some others I can't remember right now. Unless a driver notices the pedal reflectors he might not know I'm not a very slow motorcyclist, or something else he can't identify.

njkayaker

I suspect it's fairly important. The problem with your scenario is that "something in front of me" is rather late to do much.

If a driver can see the object and identify it as a cyclist from a distance, the driver has more time to plan for the behavior of that object.

Generally, the less you surprise drivers (or anybody), the more reasonable they will react.

imi

Also being identified as a cyclist helps drivers estimate how fast you're going, making it easier for them tp plan ahead.

I haven't used reflective strips on my legs, but this thread has made me decide to buy some.

jon c. 

ItsJustMe

Wow, I've only got 11 more years of driving. Better get it in now.

I know 75 year olds who are excellent drivers with clear 20/20 vision. I know 30 year olds that if I knew they were on the roads, I'd go inside a building far away from a road.

njkayaker

He retracted from that position. He agrees that capability testing makes more sense.

I-Like-To-Bike

Retracted? Sorta.

He only agreed that those older than an arbitrary age, decided by himself, should be subjected to "capability testing". Those under the magic age limit, including himself, apparently are fully capable and do not need periodic this so-called "capability testing."

genec

LOL according to agent p I have 3 years left...

I-Like-To-Bike

Good thing I don't see or hear so well, otherwise I might worry about those strange bumps my car makes when driving near those strangely colored objects with flashing lights on the road. I've had this problem for the last 6 years. Thank goodness at my age I don't care about dents on the fenders or bumpers anymore and the blood comes off at the car wash.

njkayaker

Yes, sorta.

The first statement was completely nutty but there's some hope for his new position.

It doesn't make any sense to keep pestering him about the position he no longer holds (my primary point).

Why keep harping on a position he no longer holds?

tergal

I think this should be in all cars ! , and maybe a mild electrical shock for those that use phones while driving.