I'm a Wheel Watcher (cars)
06-22-11, 04:51 PM
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I'm a Wheel Watcher (cars)
Anyone else look at a vehicles front wheel to detect if they have started moving forward (like when going through an intersection and you have cars waiting to enter the intersection). I use it when I drive too but the implications of detecting such movement while on my bike are so much more important. I always start with a little eye contact but swear by the "wheel-watching". I feel you know they are moving so much more readily.
06-22-11, 04:59 PM
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Yes, there are a lot of cues that you pick up from riding your bike in traffic. It's almost like reading cars' body language. Also, you'll start noticing things like shadows and reflections in building windows to see around the corners of intersections.
06-22-11, 05:34 PM
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I don't have to look because around here they never stop in the first place. Even if they're at a stop light they slowly creep forwards. I've seen them get so far forward that they can't see the light when it finally turns green.
All I can figure is that they like to wear out their brakes prematurely by creeping like that.
All I can figure is that they like to wear out their brakes prematurely by creeping like that.
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06-22-11, 08:30 PM
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Eye contact is especially difficult when looking through the windshield, ironically, because the angle of the glass results in a lot of glare in any kind of daylight. Here in NY tinted front-side windows have to be pretty light, so it's usually possible to at least tell from the side if the driver has turned their head in your direction.
06-23-11, 04:24 AM
#13
I picked up this tip from buzzman, and it is one of the most valuable I have learned from the Forums. Previously, even as an experienced urban cyclist, I just watched the side (and doors) of stopped cars.
06-23-11, 08:06 AM
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With my GF we always talk about the ability you gain to "read" cars, when they are going to stop and turn. It would be nice to not have to do this and have some kind of signal built in into the cars for this... oh, wait...
06-23-11, 08:55 AM
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This was common practice as a motorcyclist, and I certainly use it on the bike, too. It is one of the most reliable indicators of impending change in direction.
06-23-11, 08:56 AM
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06-23-11, 09:04 AM
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Yeah, I picked this up as a motorcyclist, many years ago. It's that sixth sense that keeps us from getting clobbered. Drivers have all sort of "tells."
Ever ride as a passenger in a car with drivers who don't have that sense? It gives me the willies.
Ever ride as a passenger in a car with drivers who don't have that sense? It gives me the willies.
06-23-11, 09:15 AM
#19
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If I'm a wheel watcher, it's probably subliminal since the only thing that I can ever recall is watching the whole vehicle. Usually I'm far enough out in the intersection or away from parked vehicles that if a motorist starts moving their vehicle, I generally have enough maneuvering space/time to deal with the drive out.
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06-23-11, 10:17 AM
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As far as direction (rather than rotation) it's a great right hook indicator (at least for stopped cars. If a car is moving and you see its wheels pointing towards you, it's rather too late).
Also useful is the head turn or mirror check if you can see the driver. Obviously you can't count on everyone doing this, but when you *do* see it it's a good indicator that you need to pay attention.
Also useful is the head turn or mirror check if you can see the driver. Obviously you can't count on everyone doing this, but when you *do* see it it's a good indicator that you need to pay attention.
06-23-11, 12:06 PM
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Front wheels and doors.I don't care about the driver,their going where the car goes.
The car makers put the 3rd eye brake light in the wrong place,it should be in the front,so oncoming traffic knows that they are going to run the light.
The car makers put the 3rd eye brake light in the wrong place,it should be in the front,so oncoming traffic knows that they are going to run the light.
Last edited by Booger1; 06-23-11 at 12:11 PM.
06-23-11, 12:26 PM
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06-23-11, 01:26 PM
#24
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I tried to explain this to a (30 year old) coworker who was considering learning to drive. She looked at me like I had three eyes.
