Invisibility
Sometimes when I’m riding I feel like I have a certain superhero power. Which turns out isn’t all that super.
Because I’m not made of steel.
And even if I could find a use for this superpower…
…it still wouldn’t solve anything.
Invisibility is dangerous. I want drivers to see me, I want their attention.
But even if I tried all this it wouldn’t solve the problem. I’m the elephant on the road, costume or not.
I think “invisibility” is an excuse. The problem is that we are IN THE WAY of the automobile operators whose goal is to get from HERE to THERE as quickly as possible, regardless of the impact upon cyclists, pedestrians, other automobile operators, the environment, or any other factor. When an automobile operator wants to be at the Home Depot, and not where he is, “invisibility” is simply a poor defense for ignoring and dismissing what we really are to him – impediments.
This is why separated bike lanes are a good idea. Rip out parking spaces on one side of the street, set a barrier between this lane and the auto lane, and stripe it for bike travel both ways. Lost automobile parking as a result? Too bad – ride a bike instead. Works in Montreal and elsewhere!
You make a very good point. It is also one out of many reasons why I feel people should have to take, and pass a psychiatric evaluation test before they can even take the test for a license, let alone get one.
There was a similar TV advertisement shown in the UK promoting awareness of motorcyclists:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKqZfbH8WNU
As a motorcyclist (and bicyclist) I can’t say it made much difference. If people can’t see a 180 lb woman on a 450lb motorcycle, which fills a big chunk of windshield space, what chance does the same woman have on a bicycle?
Sorry folks, but here in supposedly bicyclist-unfriendly Orlando I have no problems being seen wearing normal clothing. My hypothesis? I drive my vehicle (aka bicycle) in the middle of the regular-old general-use travel lanes.
But I must admit I DO have problems with motorists not seeing me sometimes and doing stupid things. Almost always those times are when I’m biking in bike lanes. I think it’s because the bike lanes guide me into motorists’ blind spots, and the stripe makes motorists think, “Oh, he’s over there in “his place” where I don’t have be concerned about him.”
That’s a general problem with bike lanes, you are made less relevant. Most people don’t think of lane position, including within general travel lanes, as a visibility enhancement, but it really is.
Very true. It is unfortunate that a lot of drivers in Boston have this dillusional idea in their heads that if there is a bike lane the bicyclists are required to stay in the bike lane and bike lane only. Drivers get upset at me all the time for riding out of the bike lane. I have had a few actually try to call the cops on me but the cops never come.
The city doesn’t have to make more bike lanes or cycle tracks. We need to educate the drivers to accept bikes are going to be in the middle of the lanes.
I run blinking lights front and rear, 24/7. Side mirror helps too. I also really like my helmet light. Side visibility is so overlooked. Try wheel lights at night.