Psa - be safe this holiday weekend
07-02-23, 04:08 PM
#1
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Psa - be safe this holiday weekend
I was riding northbound along Hermosa Avenue going ~15 mph, staying to the right as required by the vehicle code. I came alongside a parked minivan and as I got half way past the sliding door, the driver "throws" open their door right in front of me.
Never before in my entire life have I made such a quick reaction maneuver while on a bicycle.
Thank God, there was no car to my left. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
This makes twice in the last 6 months were I have had a similar thing happen - both in the same area.
Thanks also to Bob Jackson, wherever you are. Your quick-handling bike is the only reason I was able to avoid both these incidents.
The vehicle code requires you to ride to the right as far as is practicable but the driving safely provisions over-ride all other code subsections.
I simply can no longer ride that far to the right. It is NOT SAFE. I need more room to protect myself from careless drivers (defensive driving).
BE SAFE OUT THERE, PEOPLE!
Never before in my entire life have I made such a quick reaction maneuver while on a bicycle.
Thank God, there was no car to my left. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
This makes twice in the last 6 months were I have had a similar thing happen - both in the same area.
Thanks also to Bob Jackson, wherever you are. Your quick-handling bike is the only reason I was able to avoid both these incidents.
The vehicle code requires you to ride to the right as far as is practicable but the driving safely provisions over-ride all other code subsections.
I simply can no longer ride that far to the right. It is NOT SAFE. I need more room to protect myself from careless drivers (defensive driving).
BE SAFE OUT THERE, PEOPLE!
07-02-23, 04:43 PM
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We live in so much danger.
I always look for a driver’s head silhouette, problem is a van usually has tinted rear / side windows, even now driver door windows on most any type of car.
could also be just the OC driver attitude.
I always look for a driver’s head silhouette, problem is a van usually has tinted rear / side windows, even now driver door windows on most any type of car.
could also be just the OC driver attitude.
07-02-23, 04:51 PM
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I never ride in the door zone but fortunately there are relatively few places where that's an issue where I live. Outside of residential streets there isn't much on street parking. Residential streets have light enough traffic that you easily ride well away from. The few busier streets with such parking have bike lanes outside the door zone. Or sharrows.
07-02-23, 06:37 PM
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07-02-23, 08:13 PM
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Doesn't help. Years ago a woman was riding along in town and an idiot leaned over to get something from the passenger side and kicked the door open while he was still invisible. Right into the woman, of course. She was wearing a helmet but still sustained major head injuries.
07-02-23, 10:04 PM
#7
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Think safety.
Safety first.
Safety first.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
07-03-23, 05:39 AM
#9
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There are hundreds of people across the United States that don't know they've just had their last weekend with 10 fingers...
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
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07-03-23, 08:10 AM
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Hmm... I should be safe on the holiday weekend?
What about all the other days?
What about all the other days?
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07-03-23, 09:08 AM
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Oh, and California is notable in that it's less restrictive than other states with respect to "staying to the right".
People would be better off recognizing danger zones and avoiding them.
Last edited by njkayaker; 07-03-23 at 09:11 AM.
07-03-23, 09:12 AM
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Doesn't help. Years ago a woman was riding along in town and an idiot leaned over to get something from the passenger side and kicked the door open while he was still invisible. Right into the woman, of course. She was wearing a helmet but still sustained major head injuries.
@repechage's is good advice (and easy to do) even if it's not going to be perfect.
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07-17-23, 04:10 PM
#13
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Gentlemen,
I have a new name for an old concept.
THE DOOR ZONE
It has become my new mantra, as I retrain myself not to ride in the door zone. As I gravitate to the far right I catch myself and say (to myself), "Stay out of the foot zone!"
I have a new name for an old concept.
THE DOOR ZONE
It has become my new mantra, as I retrain myself not to ride in the door zone. As I gravitate to the far right I catch myself and say (to myself), "Stay out of the foot zone!"
07-18-23, 11:09 AM
#14
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And if you are in a bicycle race stay out of the selfie zone!
Actually this is one instance where I muse that the pillory should be brought back and the person left in the town square for the rest of the day!
Actually this is one instance where I muse that the pillory should be brought back and the person left in the town square for the rest of the day!
